The Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science fosters interdisciplinary research through the thematic Center of Excellence in Advanced Materials and Green Technologies. Researchers involved are from diverse backgrounds including Chemical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, Nanoscience and Technology, Polymer Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Biopharmaceutical Technology, and more.
Through the Center, the department has established a strong research track record with projects funded from the major government agencies (such as DST, ANRF, DRDO, BRNS, ISRO), international agencies (Innovate UK with Durham University) and industries from India (HPCL, IOCL, GAIL, HEB, V-Guard, Pricol, Roots India, Cheenu Saltern) and abroad (LAM Research, Australian Mines and Technology Innovation Institute).
The department and the Center have been awarded the DST-FIST grant and funding from the Ministry of Education (then MHRD). Through these and support from Amrita, the Center hosts the Major Analytical Instrumentation Facility of Amrita’s Coimbatore Campus.
The department and the Center have 2 post-doctoral fellows, 43 full-time PhD scholars, and 17 part-time PhD scholars pursuing their research. Research activities in the Center broadly fall under three thematic areas:
Functional Nanomaterials and Polymers
- Nanomaterials Synthesis and Modifications
- Multiscale and High-Performance Composites and Blends
- Sustainable Polymers and Recycling
- Smart and Functional Polymers for Tailored Applications
- Triboelectric Nanogenerators
Sustainable Resource Management
- Real-Time Monitoring and Advanced Sensor Technologies for Heavy Metals, Pharmaceuticals, Pesticides, Soil Macronutrients
- Air, Ecology, Water, Soil Sample Analysis
- Water Treatment – Nature-based Nanomaterial Filters, Pervious Concrete Filters, Electrocoagulation, Electrochemical Reactors
- Ecosystem Response to Climate Change
- Circular Economy: Sustainable Chemicals and Polymers from Biomass
Clean Energy Technologies:
- Hydrogen Production – Electrolytic, Photoelectrolytic, Catalytic from Biomass
- Hydrogen Storage
- Solar Cells – Dye-Sensitized, Solar PV and Battery Integration
- Flexible, Wearable, Implantable Supercapacitors
- Solid-State Lithium Ion Batteries and Photobatteries
- Biodiesel Production
- Microchannel Heat Exchangers and Reactors