Group leader

Dr. Ranjith G. Nair

Solar Energy Material Research and Testing (SMaRT) Laboratory was established by Dr. Ranjith G. Nair with an aim to improve the existing solar energy technologies and train the people in green energy production and clean environment. The thrust areas of this group are solar photocatalysis, dye-sensitized solar cells, quantum dot sensitized solar cells, engineering nanomaterials, heterojunction composites, clean hydrogen production, etc. The entire group is committed to improve the performance of the energy materials for sustainable development of the society. 

Dr. Ranjith G. Nair received his M.Sc. in Physics from Bharathiyar University in 2005, B.Ed. from Mysore University in 2006, M.Phil. in Physics from Bharathiyar University in 2008, and Ph.D. in Energy from Tezpur University under the guidance of Prof. S. K. Samdarshi in 2013. During his Ph.D., he has undergone training at Montpellier University 2, France with Dr. Hubert Mutin and Prof. Bruno Boury under Indo-French Sandwich Program 2011. He then joined as Assistant Professor (contractual) at National Institute of Technology Silchar, Assam in July 2012. Later, in November 2014, Dr. Nair has been absorbed by the same institute as Assistant Professor and in October 2023, Dr. Nair has been promoted as Associate Professor.

Currently, Dr. Nair and his group are exploring the role of heterojunction and structure of metal oxide composites for improving photocatalytic performance. The group has also worked on developing efficient Dye Sensitized Solar Cell in association with Inter University Accelerator Centre (IUAC), New Delhi, and Quantum Dot Sensitized Solar Cell under DST-SERB project. Moreover, Dr. Nair is actively involved with the solar activities of the institute in association with Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), New Delhi. He has also interest in developing low cost efficient solar powered systems and scientific synthesis instruments. He has developed well equipped facilities for solar photocatalysis and photovoltaics research in the SMaRT laboratory at NIT Silchar.

He has successfully completed research projects sponsored by prestigious funding agencies. He has published 46 SCI journal publications with an h-index of 20 (google scholar) and 6 book chapters. He received an Indian and German patent on indigenous fixed mode continuous photocatalytic reactor with cartridge type catalyst loading. He has delivered numerous invited talks and chaired different sessions of conferences conducted by many renowned institutions. Currently 8 research scholars and 2 M.Sc. students. He has guided 17 PG dissertations till now. He has been associated and acted as a trainer in many solar energy workshops for empowering villagers conducted by NIT Silchar along with National Institute of Solar Energy. He has visited the countries such as France, Japan, Malaysia and Bhutan for different scientific activities. He is the reviewer of many research projects and renowned journals. He has organized many workshops/seminars/training programs related to solar energy. Moreover, he has many intra and inter research collaborations with renowned groups.

He is the member /life member of different prestigious scientific societies such as ISCA (Indian Science Congress Association), Solar Energy Society of India (SESI), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and Materials Research Society India (MRSI).

Moreover, he is also actively involved in the administrative activities of the National Institute of Technology Silchar at various levels such as Associate Dean (Research & Consultancy)(Oct 2018-Dec 2023), Associate Warden(Jan 2016- Sept 2018), Nodal officer (Solar installations), Faculty In-Charge of Central XRD Facility, Coordinator of Gyansagar (Sept 2015-Feb 2019), Coordinator of Renewable Energy (UBA), Convener (SESI Students chapter at NIT Silchar). He is also the key member of many institutional and departmental committees.