University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
Title: Industrially-viable Nanotechnology Research Activities
Biography:
Prof. R.M.G Rajapkse has 32 years of continuous service at the Department of Chemistry, where he taught 26 years (excluding 5 years of study leave from 1985 to 1991). His specialty is in the broad areas of Physical Chemistry and Nanotechnology. He has taught almost all course units in Physical Chemistry in different years, but my main teaching modules are Basic Electrochemistry, Advanced Electrochemistry, Chemical Kinetics, Catalysis, Basic Polymer Chemistry, Advanced Polymer Chemistry, and Industrial Chemistry: Elementary Chemical Engineering, Chemical Technology, Physical Chemistry Laboratory and Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory. Depending on the need, which has arisen in some academic years, he has taught courses such as Chemical Thermodynamics, Quantum Mechanics, Advanced Materials and Devices and Molecular Symmetry. He has supervised at least two final year research projects in each academic year and three final year projects in most of the years. These research studies have contributed to some publications in indexed journals, peer-reviewed local journals and communications at various scientific forums such as the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS), Institute of Chemistry (Ceylon) (I. Chem.), the Peradeniya University Research Sessions (PURSE) and International Conferences in Nnotechnology. These projects were on various disciplines such as Electrochemistry, Electronically Conducting Polymers, Clay-Polymer Nanocomposites, Hydroxyapatite Coatings on Stainless Steel Prostheses for Orthopaedic Applications, Value Addition to Sri Lankan Natural Resources, Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Dye-sensitized Solar Cells, Advanced Textile Materials such as Textiles with Antimicrobial, Self-cleaning and Antistatic Properties, Anticorrosive Nanocomposite Coatings and Targeted Drug Delivery using Nanomterials.
RMGR Research, at the University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka, spans a horizons of R&D activities, in the Broad Area of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. This include (1) Nanomaterials in Energy Conversion and Storage, (2) Transparent Conducting Oxide Nanomaterials, (3) Conversion of Local Minerals into Highly Value-added Nanomaterials, (4) Novel and Low-cost Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Half-reaction of Fuel Cells, (5) Advanced and Intelligent Textiles and Gloves, (6) Targeted Drug-delivery, (7) Chronic Kidney Disease of Unknown Origin Prevailing in Sri lLnka and (8) Custom-made Prostheses for Orthopaedic Transplants. Theme (1) research includes the Developments of Transparent Dye-sensitized Solar Cells, Low-cost Counter Electrodes based on Non-Platinum Catalysts, Perovskites-sensitized Extremely Thin Absorber Solar Cells, Photon Upconversion as a means to Harvest Infrared Radiation. In the Theme (2) we investigate the fabrication of thin films of transparent, electronically conducting oxides such as Fluoride-doped Tin oxide (FTO) Nanomaterials and Ag(0) and Nb(V)-doped TiO2 Nanomaterials and Transparent Thin Films of Interconnected Nanoparticles of Semiconductors such as TiO2, ZnO, SnO2 etc. As per the 3rd Thematic Area, we investigate the Preparation, Characterization and Applications of Precipitated Calcium carbonate, Magnesium oxide and Magnesium hydroxide Nanomaterials from Impure Dolomite, Hydroxyapatite Nanomaterials from Local Apatite for Making Biocompatible, Osteo-integrating, Non-toxic and Non-corroding Prostheses for Orthopaedic Transplants and the Conversion of Natural Graphite into Value-added Products such as Graphene, Graphene oxide. Theme (4) research activities comprise the Development of very Low-cost, Clay-Polymer-based Catalysts to replace prohibitively expensive Pt/Rh catalysts used in fuel cells. Development of Super-hydrophobic and Stain-resistant Textiles, Antimicrobial Textiles, Anti-pilling Textiles and Fire-retardant Gloves comprises the Theme (5) research. We develop Impregnated Drugs in Hollow and Porous Calcium carbonate or Porous Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles for Targeted-delivery and Slow-release as examples for our Theme (6) research activities. Theme (7) research is based on Analysis, Revisiting and Reviewing Existing Hypotheses for Causes of the Disease and Delivering Invited Lectures on CKDU Revisited and Serving in the Panels of the Coordination Secretariat for Science and Technology on CKDU. As per Theme (8) research activities we have been pioneered in Establishing Multidisciplinary Research Group on Manufacturing Custom-made Prostheses for Orthopaedic Transplants. Two such Prostheses designed, developed and manufactured were successfully transplanted in needy patients. Third Prosthesis is in Preparation and we are now engaged in Research on Novel Methods to Tackle Brittle Bone Disease through Telescopic Prostheses. This presentation is based on review of these research highlights.