Yo, I'm Sounak, a nanotech engineer

B. Tech Major Project

Jul 2020 - May 2022

SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai

Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Quantum Dot (NCQD) Development:

• Synthesis: Hydrothermal synthesis from multiwalled carbon nanotubes.
• Characterization: UV-Vis, TEM, XRD, XPS.
• Antibacterial Assessment: No significant effect (Disc Diffusion Assay).
• Bio-sensing Potential: Demonstrated fluorescence quenching for metal ion detection.

Key Findings:

• Successful NCQD formation.
• Potential for bio-imaging (esp. cancer cells).
• Promising for metal ion bio-sensors.

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Internship

May 2022 - Jun 2023

SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai

Q-Switched ND-YAG Pulses for Cancer Cell Inactivation via AuNP Plasmons:

• Gold Nanoparticle (AuNP) Synthesis: Chemically synthesized, optimized for 532nm absorption.
• Experimental Setup: Custom system with Arduino (temperature control) and laser spectroscopy.
• Cell Line: THPB-1

Results:

• Optimal AuNP absorption at 532nm confirmed.
• Effective cancer cell damage upon laser irradiation (confocal microscopy).
• Minimal temperature increase, reducing collateral damage.

Future Work:

• Investigate functionalizing AuNPs for enhanced tumor cell concentration.

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Master's Mini Project

Sep 2023 - May 2024

SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai

Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM) Instrument Maintenance and Troubleshooting:

• Tip Development: Mastered electrochemical etching of tungsten and platinum-iridium wires. Designed custom power supply for precise control.
• STM Operation & Troubleshooting: Self-taught operation. Collaborated with A.P.E. Research on issue resolution.
• Technique Enhancement: Developed "quick etching" for faster tip approach and improved image quality.
• System Recovery: Successfully recovered STM from moisture-induced crash.
• Substrate Imaging: Applied expertise to image various substrates.

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Master's Thesis Project

Nov 2023 - May 2024

SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chennai

Investigation of Lanthanide-based 2D Janus Structures:

• Computational Approach: Utilized VASP and Density Functional Theory (DFT).

Key Findings:

• Structural changes in bond lengths and angles observed.
• Enhanced magnetic moments due to Tellurium presence.
• Significant contribution of Samarium's f orbital to magnetic properties.
• Magnetic anisotropy calculated, showing dependence on structure.
• Potential applications in magnetic sensors and memory devices.

Conference Presentation: "Advanced Functional Materials and Devices 2024" at SRMIST.

Future Work:

• Assess Anisotropy Hall Coefficient.
• Investigate potential in spintronics for magnetic field sensing and device development.

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