Research Interest

 

Exchange Coupled Magnetic Nanocomposites: Ferromagnetic (FM)-antiferromagnetic (AFM) nanocomposites are synthesised using mechanical ball milling and hydrothermal synthesis techniques. Exchange bias properties of these composites are studied using SQUID magnetometer. Several exchange coupled nanocomposite such as FeNi-CoO, FeNi-CuO, FeNi-NiO, SmCo5-NiO etc. These exchange biased nanocomposites are synthesized using ball milling and wet-chemical techniques in our laboratory.

Exchanged Bias Study in Magnetic Oxide Nanoparticles: Fine AFM nanoparticles often have a defective surface which results in an uncompensated spins on the surafce of these particles. The interaction between ferromagnetic shell and antiferromagnetic core often results in an exchange bias anisotropy. Several AFM oxides such as CoO, CuO, Mn3O4, etc. prepared via ball milling and chemical routes have been studied to understand the exchange bias phenomenon in these materials.

Nanomechanical Characterization of Hard Coating: In collaboration with Dr. Aouadi, SIUC, nanomechanical properties of hard coating films such as ZrN, ZrN-Ag, CoN etc. prepared via sputtering are being studied using nanoindentation technique.

Dilute Magnetic Semiconductor: Low temperature conductivity and magnetotransport properties of PLD deposited Mn and Co doped ZrO, ZnO, In2O3 etc is currently being studied under high magnetic field. These measurements are conducted at the National High Field Magnetic Laboratory (NHFML), Tallahassee, FL.

Structural and Mechanical Properties of bioimplants: Ultra-high-molecular-weight-polymerethylene (UHMWPE) is currently investigated for structural and mechanical stability. The polymers are structurally characterized using AFM and TEM before and after subjecting it to the mechanical stress. Different kind of polymers subjected to various treatment such as gamma rays, electron beam, plasma, EtO are under investigation. The goal is to understand which treatment produces least structural damage when subjected to mechanical stress. The project is being carried out in synergism with Center for Biosurfaces at UoM and neighboring biomaterials industries.