Dr Saju Pillai

Dr Saju Pillai

Academic Qualification

  • Ph.D., Ulm University, GERMANY (2005)
  • M.Sc., Mahatma Gandhi University, INDIA (2002)
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March 28, 2020 – till date
Principal Scientist, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) and Associate Professor, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), India

 

  • Project coordinator, prototype/product development, facility creation & management, and skill-development
  • Nanocellulose-derived functional materials
  • Flexible, multilayer security features using colloidal photonic crystals
  • Eco-friendly, sustainable geocomposites
  • Biodegradable products from biomass/natural fiber composites
  • Nanomaterials-based sensors for diagnostics, food safety, environmental monitoring applications
  • Scientist-in-charge of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) – undertaking consultancy projects for material evaluation & knowledge generation
  • Supervising Post doc./Ph.D./M.Tech./M.Sc. students
  • Organizing courses, practical and teaching PhD students

March 28, 2016 – March 27, 2020
Senior Scientist, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) and Assistant Professor, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), India

March 28, 2012 – March 27, 2016
Scientist, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) and Assistant Professor, Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), India

October 14, 2016 – January 12, 2017
Senior Researcher, iNANO, Aarhus University, Denmark

 

  • Highly stable green dispersion of 3D noble metal particles with good optical properties for biomedical applications

February 1, 2009 – March 12, 2012
Post doc., Dept. of Mechanical Engineering (M-Tech), Aalborg University, Denmark

  • Development of hybrids of glass/carbon/steel fiber reinforced epoxy/polyester composites using VARTM for wind turbine applications, Fiber-matrix (PA/PP/LPET/PBT/PE) interface analysis, composite failure analysis, fiber misalignment analysis, porosity and permeability measurements
  • Microscopic studies of nano-reinforced foams (microcellular nanocomposite) for the substitution of Balsa wood in wind blades
  • Processing and characterization (AFM) of Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes-PC (Supervisor for M.Sc. student project) and PU based nanocomposites

June 1, 2006 – January 31, 2009
Post doc., iNANO, Aarhus University, Denmark

  • Polymer nanoparticle colloidal self-assembly; nanostructures, AFM, SEM
  • Development and characterization of novel antibacterial functionalized sol-gel surfaces, AFM, SEM
  • Surface coatings with anti-freeze proteins embedded sol-gel surfaces, QCM-D
  • Mixed protein extract for antifouling applications, AFM, QCM-D, SEM
Award

 

  • CSIR Technology Award 2021(Certificate of Merit) under the category of ‘Physical Science including Engineering’ for the development of fluorescent materials for security printing and anti-counterfeiting applications (Team Award)
  • CSIR Award for S&T Innovations for Rural Development (CAIRD) for 2020 for the utilization of various agro-residues for the development of biodegradable products as an alternative to single-use plastics (Team Award)
  • Guest Associate Editor, Frontiers in Chemistry, A peer-reviewed journal, IF: 5.22 (2020 - )
  • Novozymes & Holck-Larsen Foundation Mobility Scholarship, Denmark (Oct 2016-Jan 2017)
  • Post-doctoral fellow, Aalborg University, Denmark (2009-2012)
  • Post-doctoral fellow, iNANO, Aarhus University, Denmark (2006-2009)
  • PhD Fellowship, Ulm University, Germany (2002-2005)
  • Life member, Materials Research Society of India
  • Life member, Indian Institute for Metals (IIM), India
  • Member, Society for Polymer Science, India
  • Life member, Academy of Microscope Science & Technology, India
Meghana

 

 Ms. Meghana Mary Thomas
Designation: AcSIR Ph.D. Student, CSIR-Senior Research Fellow
Area: Colloidal photonic crystals
Hasna

 

 Ms. Hasna M.A.
Designation: AcSIR Ph.D. Student, UGC- Senior Research Fellow
Area: Nanocellulose templated metal nanostructures for multifunctional applications
Lekshmi

 

 Ms. Lekshmi L.
Designation: Inspire Ph.D. Student (DST), AcSIR
Area: Multi-luminescent color modulations based on supramolecular and colloidal self-assembly
Heitor

 

 Mr. Heitor Henriques Guedes Mutchamua
Designation: AcSIR Ph.D. Student, TWAS Research Fellow, CSIR
Area: Eco-friendly coir composites
Gopika

 

 Ms. Gopika Preethikumar
Designation: AcSIR Ph.D. Student, Project Associate I (DST)
Area: Nanocellulose-based membranes,Biodegradable thinner coir mulch mats
Adithya

 

 Ms. Adithya A.V.
Designation: AcSIR Ph.D. Student, Project Associate I (DBT)
Area: 2D materials for energy applications, Cellulose nanomaterials-based systems
imagenot

 

 Ms. Swetha K.S.
Designation: Project Associate I (CSIR)
Area: Recyclable carbon composites, Cellulose nanomaterials-based systems

 

Funding

Funding

 

Current Research

Our research focuses on the development of innovative, eco-friendly, indigenous technologies or processes based on specialty polymers and functional nanomaterials.

This includes large-scale material synthesis using novel approaches, functional cellulose nanomaterials-based materials, and their applications, bio-inspired angle-dependent color changing colloidal photonic crystals on flexible surfaces to foil counterfeiting.

Development of eco-friendly value-added coir/jute prototypes/products with suitable mechanical properties & service life using bio-based polymer systems are envisaged in societal programs.

  • Cellulose-based materials
  • Angle-dependent color-shifting colloidal photonic crystals
  • Eco-friendly, green sustainable materials & products
  • Surface science & functional coatings
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We work on applied materials & interfaces. Our research focuses on the development of functional materials and surfaces of polymeric/inorganic nano & micro-systems.

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