Equipments
Lumen Meter with Integrating Sphere
Spin Coater
Synthesis Lab
QM-51 NIR Spectrophotometer
Luminescence Research Lab
Mathematica Lab was set up under AICTE granted project. The project was awarded to Dr. G.G. Sahasrabudhe, who also worked as Principal Investigator. The amount of grant was Rs. 5 Lakhs. The Lab was meant for awareness and proficiency in using Mathematica as a tool to better teaching.
A Research Lab was set up under a research project awarded by ICMR, N. Delhi in the year 2003-05. The grant received was Rs. 7.11 Lakhs. The grant was utilized for establishment of research facilities. This included precision balance, portable USB spectrophotometer and facilities for chemical synthesis of phosphors for Phototherapy. College provided the lab space, basic amenities like electricity, PC and internet. As a result of this work, a patent (2665/DEL/2006) was filed through ICMR’s patent cell. The patent examination is under process.
Subsequent to this, further research funds were granted from Department of Science and Technology (DST, Govt of India), the grant amount being Rs. 22.5 Lakhs. Under this scheme Fluorescence spectrophotometer (Hitachi F-7000) and other several research aids were procured. College supported the project by allocating well equipped space for lab and other services. Subsequently Luminescence Research Lab was set up. In the mean while our college got recognition as approved place of research, and five students registered for their Ph.D. from this lab. We had filed two patents as an outcome of this project, 80/MUM/2009 and 81/MUM/2009. The patents were subsequently granted by Indian Patents Office.
Two more research projects, one an MoU between Bhabha Atomic Research Centre Mumbai and our College and the other as Women Scientist (WoS-A) were awarded to our college. An amount of Rs. 18.12 Lakhs and 17.16 Lakhs respectively has been sanctioned under these projects. Harvesting solar energy and related developments is one of the thrust areas of research of most government funding agencies. A research project was granted to us related to improvement of efficiency of existing silicon cells. The grant sanctioned is Rs. 46.09 Lakhs and duration of the project is three years starting from 2013.
A total of Rs. 1.16 Crore has been granted by various government agencies for R & D activities in the field of Luminescence.
Several research students have carried out their PhD work in this lab. The lab is fully equipped to carry out various aspects on Luminescence and only of its kind in central India.
Dr. (Mrs)C.P.Joshi has been the Principal Investigator in these projects.Following facilities have been developed in Luminescence Research Lab
- Chemical synthesis of Phosphors: The lab is equipped with high precision Mettler balance (0.1 mg accuracy), chemicals(ordinary as well as Rare Earths). Furnaces (1000 o C) with different geometry have also been procured. They are required for chemical synthesis of phosphor for different applications such as LED lighting, radiation dosimetry, near UV emitting phosphors, phosphors for solar cells. Novel synthesis methods undertaken are Combustion Synthesis, Wet Chemical Synthesis, Coprecipitation, Solid State Diffusion using fluxes etc. Combustion synthesis is controlled type of explosion with flame in which reaction temperature is very high as compared to surrounding. To measure flame temperature an IR thermometer (Amprobe make) is procured.
- Recording PL spectra: The synthesized phosphors are to be analyzed for Photoluminescence. Hitachi F-7000 spectrophotometer has both excitation and emission scanning facility over the range of wavelengths from 220 nm to 700 nm. This instrument is highly useful in analyzing PL spectra.
- LED characterization: We have established collaboration with Kwality Photonics, Hyderabad for fabrication and PCB mounting of LED chips. These chips are then coated with phosphors developed by us and these LEDs are characterized for lamp characteristics. They include measurement of Lumen Output, Colour Coordinates, Colour Temperature. All these tasks are performed with Lumen meter ZWL-600 (from China) and spectrometer USB-2000 (from Ocean Optics, USA).
- Dosimetric Characterization: Some phosphors are synthesized for measurement of doses of nuclear radiation. A prototype dosimeter is to be assembled in near future. The required instruments such as PMT, picoammeter, filter set, MPPC along with module have been procured.
- Thin Film making unit: A facility for thin film deposition has been established in the lab with spin coating unit.
List of Major Research Equipments in Luminescence Research Lab
| Sr.No. | Equipment (Name) | Year of Purchase | Procured Under | Cost | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | QM-51 spectrophotometer (NIR region) | 2014 | DST Project | Rs. 22,00,000 | Working |
| 2 | Furnace (1700 oC) | 2013 | DST Project | Rs. 3,75,000 | ..do.. |
| 3 | Atmosphere Furnace(1400oC) with chiller | 2015 | DST Project | Rs. 3,50,000 | ..do.. |
| 4 | Hitachi F-7000 Spectrometer | 2008 | DST Project | Rs. 8,26,000 | ..do.. |
| 5 | ZWL-600 Lumen meter | 2012 | BARC MoU | Rs. 3,06,974 | ..do.. |
| 6 | USB-2000 Spectrometer | 2004 | ICMR Project | Rs.1,50,000 | ..do.. |
| 7 | Piccoammeter and UV filter set | 2007 | DST Project | Rs.2,80,000 | ..do.. |
| 8 | Spin Coating Unit | 2007 | DST Project | Rs. 1,05,000 | ..do.. |
| 9 | Mettler Balance (0.1mg accuracy) | 2003 | ICMR Project | Rs. 1,00,000 | ..do.. |
| 10 | Filter Set (Colour Glass Filters) | 2012 | BARC MoU | Rs. 90,000 | ..do.. |