Welcome to the Research Group of Prof. Ajay Kushwaha!
The Nano and Energy Materials Lab (NEM-Lab) is dedicated to designing and developing cost-effective and scalable nanomaterials, thin films, and functional coatings for energy and electronic applications.
Key Research Interests:
Nanomaterials, Thin Films, and Functional Coatings
Electrocatalysis for Green Hydrogen Production and Energy Conversion
Hydrogen Storage Materials and Technologies
Compound Semiconductors and Electronic Devices
News/Announcements/Highlights:
20th July 2026: The Nano and Energy Materials (NEM) Group celebrated the 10th anniversary of its establishment at IIT Indore.
July 2026: Congratulations to Ayano Korita Banale and co-authors for the acceptance of your manuscript in Applied Physics A.
June 2026: Congratulations, Mr. Dhruv Jain (UG student of NHE-Lab), for Best B.Tech. Project Award-2026, among all graduating UG students of IIT Indore.
June 2026: Congratulations, Mr. Dhruv Jain, on the Institute Silver Medal (UG).
April 2026: Congratulations to Ayano Korita Banale and co-authors for publication in Engineering Research Express.
Jan 2026: Welcome Mr. Vipul Koserwal in the group as JRF in Indo-Russia Joint Project
Nov 2025: Congratulations to the inventors – Prof. Ajay Kushwaha, Dr. Lokanath Mohapatra, and Akshay Kumar Sonwane – on the grant of Patent No. 573820 by the Patent Office, Government of India.
Nov 2025: Congratulations to Prof. Kushwaha on being appointed Distinguished Fellow at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Good Governance and Policy Analysis, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal.
Oct 2025: NEM Lab welcomed Prof. Irina Alexandrovna Kurzina (Professor & Head, Department of Natural Plants, Pharmaceutical and Medical Chemistry, Tomsk State University, Russia) under the Joint Indo-Russia Project.
Sept 2025: Congratulations to Akshay Kumar Sonwane and co-authors for their publication in Electrochimica Acta.
June 2025: Prof. Ajay Kushwaha visited Tomsk State University, Russia, from 6th to 22nd June 2025, including the Institute of Physics, Institute of Radio Physics, Control Systems and Radioelectronics, and Tomsk State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering. During the visit, he engaged in research discussions, collaborative project planning, and knowledge exchange in materials science, nanotechnology, and renewable energy, further strengthening Indo-Russia scientific collaborations.
December 2024: Group successfully organized the 1st Workshop on Materials Processing and Characterization, bringing together researchers, students, and experts to share insights on advanced techniques in material synthesis, processing, and analytical characterization. Prof. Ajay Kushwaha served as the Coordinator for the workshop, playing a key role in shaping the program and facilitating scientific exchange that advances understanding of cutting‑edge materials research.
July 2024: Group successfully organized the 1st International Conference on Energy and Environmental Materials (E₂M‑2024) from 11–13 July 2024, dedicated to showcasing the latest scientific and technological advancements in materials for energy and environmental applications, including synthesis, characterization, energy conversion and storage, and green technologies. Prof. Ajay Kushwaha served as the Convener of this interdisciplinary event, which featured keynote and invited talks, oral and poster presentations, and panel discussions by leading researchers. Learn more about the conference at the official website: https://e2m.iiti.ac.in/
Prof. Ajay Kushwaha was appointed as Head of the Department (HoD) of Metallurgical Engineering and Materials Science at IIT Indore on 7th January 2023 and officially assumed charge on 30th March 2023.
December 2022: Group organized the 1st International Conference on Frontiers in Materials Engineering (ICFME‑2022) from 14–16 December 2022, providing an excellent platform for researchers to discuss and exchange new ideas and explore challenges in applied materials to promote multidisciplinary research and sustainable solutions to real‑world problems. Prof. Ajay Kushwaha served as the Convener of the conference. For more details, visit website: https://icfme2022.iiti.ac.in/
In June 2023, Prof. Ajay Kushwaha visited Sapporo, Japan, to deliver an invited talk at an international conference and was honored with the Best Paper Presentation Award at the 11th Asia Conference on Mechanical and Materials Engineering. During the visit, he also engaged in research discussions and explored collaborations at the University of Tokyo and Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology.
Prof. Ajay Kushwaha was part of the IIT Indore delegation that visited Taiwan, engaging with leading academic and research institutions. During the visit, he engaged with National Taiwan University (NTU), Taipei, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University (NYCU), Taipei, Taipei Tech University (National Taipei University of Technology), Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC), Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (PSMC), Hsinchu Science Park, National Tsing Hua University (NTHU) in Hsinchu City, and National Ilan University (NIU) in Ilan City, fostering research collaborations and knowledge exchange in advanced materials and engineering.
Open Positions
PhD Vacancies:
The NEM Research Group invites applications for PhD positions under the following categories:
CSIR/UGC/DST JRF or External Fellowship
QIP Scheme / Defense Forces / College Teacher / Industry Sponsored
Eligibility/Qualifications:
Master’s degree in Physics, Materials Science, Chemistry, Electronics, Nanoscience & Technology (with First Division)
OR
Master’s degree in Engineering/Technology (such as Metallurgy, Materials Science & Engineering, Mechanical, Manufacturing, Production Engineering, Nanotechnology, Engineering Science, Engineering Physics, Ceramics Engineering, Electronics, Chemical Engineering, Energy Science & Engineering) with First Division as defined by the awarding Institute/University.
Application: Interested candidates may send their CV to akk@iiti.ac.in