New Delhi : KL Deemed to be University proudly announces the achievement of being awarded funding for a significant research project by the Department of Science and Technology – Science and Engineering Research Board (DST-SERB) under the Empowerment and Equity Opportunities for Excellence in Science (EMEQ) scheme. This accomplishment marks a significant milestone in the university’s journey towards academic excellence and innovation.

The principal investigator of the project is Dr. A. Venkateswara Rao, Assistant Professor in the Department of Physics and has been granted a substantial sum of INR 26.78 lakhs for his pioneering project titled “Fabrication and Performance of Supercapacitors Employing Nano Metal Organic Frameworks.” This project aims to develop and evaluate a high-performance electrode for supercapacitor applications, with the intention of disseminating research findings in highly esteemed SCI journals. The funding also encompasses provisions for a Junior Research Fellow (JRF) and essential instrumentation to support the research endeavour.

Dr. G. Pardha Saradhi Varma, Vice Chancellor of KL Deemed to be University, expressed his elation at securing funding for this project, and remarked, “We are deeply honoured to receive this prestigious funding for our research endeavours. This achievement shows our unwavering commitment to advancing knowledge and driving innovation in the academic sphere. Such initiatives epitomize our ethos of excellence and transformative education, and I am confident that they will pave the way for discoveries that will benefit society at large.”

The project is scheduled to run for duration of three years from 2024 to 2027. The project’s objectives include synthesizing and analysing the performance of supercapacitors for various industrial applications, with plans to engage with industry professionals for technology transfer based on mutual agreements. The outcomes of this research endeavour will not only be disseminated through scholarly publications but also culminate in Ph.D. theses and patents, further enriching the academic landscape.

Established in 1980, the Department of Physics at KL Deemed to be University has been a trailblazer in academic and research pursuits. Research activities within the department span across diverse fields such as Materials Science, Solar Renewable Energy, Nanotechnology, Glass Science & Technology, Space and Atmospheric Science, Theoretical & Computational Physics, Ultrasonics, and Chemical Thermodynamics. The department is equipped with four fully furnished research labs valued at Rs. 3.5 Crores, further establishing its commitment to cutting-edge research. Notably, the Department of Physics holds the prestigious recognition of being a DST-FIST Level 1 department, having received a grant of Rs.107 lakhs from the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, New Delhi. Additionally, the department has secured numerous sponsored research projects totaling Rs. 3 crores, spanning schemes such as DST Woman Scientist Scheme, Young Scientist Scheme, Early Career Research Award, SERB-Start Up Research Grant, Core Research Grant, and International Travel Support.