Shivaji University, Kolhapur: Partnerships for Accelerated Innovation and Research (PAIR)Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)

Overview

Advanced materials drive technologies shaping our future, from renewable solar energy to brain inspired computing. Yet rural scientific communities and talents rarely access world class scientific infrastructure. Shivaji University, a Spoke institution within the IISc. led ANRF PAIR Network on Advanced Materials, bridges world class research infrastructure with the rural scientific communities, converting regional academic talent into globally competitive innovators.

The programme pursues two interconnected frontiers. The first targets all solid state perovskite solar cells (PSCs), where efficiency of single-junction and silicon-perovskite tandem assemblies have surpassed 27% and 34% respectively. Employing physical vapour deposition, researchers will engineer high efficiency PSCs by precise tuning of bandgaps, defects passivation and optimised charge-transport kinetics. Parallel efforts extend perovskite nanocomposites toward photocatalysis, green hydrogen evolution, volatile organic compound sensing, electrochemical energy storage, and memristive switching, embedding circularity and low toxicity material design throughout.

The second frontier develops natural semiconducting biomaterials for neuromorphic bioelectronics devices mimicking brain synaptic behaviour. The project will engineer flexible devices exhibiting bimodal switching and biopotential compatible operation, validated through rigorous in vitro and in vivo biocompatibility testing and characterised using machine learning assisted algorithms, targeting brain-machine interfaces and implantable bioelectronics.

Together, these efforts will meaningfully contribute to India’s sustainable materials innovation ecosystem, transforming regional academic talent into a globally competitive STEM workforce.