Centre of Excellence (CoE) - Sophisticated Testing and Instrumentation Centre

Overview

The AU-Sophisticated Testing and Instrumentation centre (AU-STIC) was established in 2024 and is led by Dr. Jyotishkumar Parameswaranpillai, Professor, Department of Science. The centre is dedicated to promoting research and innovation in chemistry, physics, polymer, materials science, and nanotechnology. AU-STIC aims to contribute meaningfully to society through research, conferences, and academic programs. It also plans to engage in student and faculty exchange programs with partner universities and institutes to further knowledge and explore new solutions for emerging scientific challenges in advanced materials research.

Vision and Mission

• To become a hub for scientific research.
• Support interdisciplinary research in chemistry, physics, biology, polymer, and material science.
•  Provide knowledge and experience that meet the needs of industry and society.
• Collaborate with leading institutes and industries globally.
• Promote environmentally friendly research.
• Establish partnerships with national and international universities and institutes.
• Conduct joint research, student, and faculty exchange programs with international universities and institutes.
• Offer joint PhD programs with international universities and institutes.
• Create a platform for researchers, scientists, and academics to exchange ideas, knowledge, and thoughts.
• Emphasize product development, technology translation, high-impact publications, and patents.

Key Research Areas

• Super tough polymer blends and polymer nanocomposites.

  We have been actively involved in developing super tough polymer blends and nanocomposites based on epoxy, PP, PS, HDPE, LDPE, ABS, PVDF, and PA etc., Our studies revealed significant improvement in structural, and thermo-mechanical properties compared to pristine polymers, making them suitable for interior and exterior parts of advanced automobile and aerospace applications. More work is going on in this direction. (Int J Plast Technol 21, 79–95 (2017), https://doi.org/10.1002/pc.23830, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijlmm.2018.12.003, DOI 10.1088/2053-1591/aa7617, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-014-0641-y, DOI 10.1088/2053-1591/ab18cd, https://doi.org/10.1002/app.42100, AIMS Materials Science, 3(3): 1177-1198, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymertesting.2015.04.008)

• Green composites for automobiles and aerospace applications.

  We have been actively involved in developing microfiber and microfiber fabric from different plant fibers and used them as reinforcement in bioepoxy polymers to replace synthetic fibers such as Kevlar, glass, and carbon fibers. Our studies have shown that these composites can be used for semi-structural applications. However, more work is going on in our laboratory to improve the strength and toughness of the composites. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2020.121843, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcomc.2022.100333, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-020-01904-7, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2019.117464)

• Recycling and reuse of plastics.

  We believe that reusing, reducing, and recycling plastics is vital for a better world. We have been actively involved in evaluating the properties of recycled plastics. In one of our works, we learned that the recycled PLA composites are not viable for recycling. More details are available in the following article https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2019.07.038

• Smart biodegradable food packaging films.

  Food packaging is an important area of our research, and we focus on fully biodegradable, nontoxic plastics with antimicrobial and sensing characteristics. Efforts are going on in our laboratory to develop smart fully green polymer-based food packing films to replace the currently used synthetic polymers. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fpsl.2020.100538, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fpsl.2021.100727, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fpsl.2022.10096)

• Smart biodegradable self-healing plastics and plastic coatings.

  We are engaged in developing self-healing polymer coatings based on bioepoxy resin, nanofillers, UV initiators, etc. Our studies revealed that scratches can be healed by UV light. We have adopted different methodologies for the self-healing of polymers in laboratory scale. (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2021.124725, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.conbuildmat.2023.132090, DOI 10.1088/2053-1591/aaeccf, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoso.2020.100665)

• Smart biodegradable polymer/composite films for water purification.

  We are engaged in developing different biocomposites by making use of nanomaterials such as CMC, starch, sodium alginate, halloysite nanoclay, zeolite, etc., for the separation of dyes (cationic dye: methylene blue, malachite green dye, anionic dye: Eriochrome Black T) from water with high efficiency and recyclability (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.colsurfa.2020.125852, https://doi.org/10.1007/s10924-020-02024-y, https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-021-01435-z)

• Other than the above-mentioned works, our research focuses on the synthesis of nanomaterials with interesting functionalities from waste materials for green batteries, CO2 adsorption, water purification, etc. We are also actively involved in developing shape memory polymers, EMI shielding materials, etc., for space applications.

External Members / Advisers to the Centre

Internal Members