Molecular & Nanoelectronics Research Group (MNRG)
Molecular and Nanoelectronics Research Group (MNRG) was established in 2011 at the Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore. Students working under MNRG are actively engaged in research and development of organic electronic/photonic devices. We have diverse research interests ranging from fundamental studies involving charge carrier transport to photocarrier generation and transport in various well known organic semiconductors. We are also involved in the development of devices and technologies based on organic semiconductors. Using either conducting polymers or small molecules we aim towards development of high performance devices viz. Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs), Organic Field Effect Transistors and Organic Solar Cells (OSCs). Of particular interest to us is to develop novel techniques and device architectures for unique applications. We also aim to extend our studies towards development of high sensitivity bio/chemical/gas sensors exploiting unique properties offered by organic semiconductors,for this purpose we also utilize T CAD tools to perform numerical simulations of various thin film based devices. We are also interested in modeling various physical phenomena underlying the device operations. Some of our other interests include sudy of ZnO based optoelectronic device applications utilizing SPR effect in ZnO nanostructured devices.
Ongoing Projects at MNRG:
- Organic Field Effect Transistors (OFETs)
We are presently focused on research and development of Organic Field Effect Transistors. Our aim is to improve the overall film morphology by incorporating different techniques of coating organic thin film. We further aim to reduce the contact resistance in these OFETs and see its influence on the photo generated charge carriers in these devices. With this we aim to optimize the performance of Photosensitive OFETs.
- Study of photo generated charge carriers in organic thin films
We are also investigating the transport of photo generated charge carriers in conducting polymers/ small molecules. The idea is to understand the underlying physics and nature of charge transport in these materials. Also the electric field and temperature dependence of such a transport may aid to our understanding of the underlying physics in these materials.
Hybrid devices in general and photodiodes in particular using organic-inorganic materials are catching up fast and are mainly aimed at exploiting unique properties/behavior observed in these systems. Our interest lies in developing our understanding of interface effects that happen in these systems.
- Hydrothermal Growth of ZnO
Hydrothermal growth of ZnO is a unique process of growing ZnO nanostructures via solution process technique, under mild conditions. We are investigating the effect of various physical parameters on the overall growth of the ZnO nanostructures developed using Hydrothermal growth. We have obtained variety of nanostructures ranging from Nanorods, Nanowalls, Nanoflowers, Nanosheets and Nanodumbbells using this technique the effect of such structures on the device performance is also under investigation.
- Amperometric Bio/ chemical sensors based on Conducting Polymer/ZnO
Presently we are focused on the development of Amperometric Enzymatic biosensors for development of highly sensitive biosensors for detection of glucose in human blood. We are presently investigating the effect of Nanostructures of Conducting Polymers/ ZnO on the device performance. As these nanostructures are exhibit unique chemical/physical properties owing the quantum confinement effects. We wish to utilize these properties for the development of high performance bio/chemical/gas sensors.
