The Innovative Materials and Processes Division (IMPD) at CSIR-AMPRI, Bhopal, is a leading national research division working at the frontier of advanced materials science and next-generation manufacturing. IMPD encompasses twelve permanent scientists with expertise spanning additive manufacturing, graphene and 2D materials, electrochemistry, computational materials science, molecular catalysis, and biomedical sensing. The division operates cutting-edge metal additive manufacturing facilities — including Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) and Electron Beam Melting (EBM) alongside graphene synthesis, characterization, and standardization infrastructure.  IMPD is nationally recognized for demonstrating, for the first time internationally, graphene-reinforced SS316L composites via LPBF with 67% higher yield strength than bare stainless steel. The division has developed India’s first commercial Make-in-India Raman Spectrometer and is actively pursuing CEMILAC certification of indigenized aerospace-grade AM components in collaboration with ADA and HAL. Funded by multiple national agencies, IMPD is aligned with strategic national missions including Make in India, Waste to Wealth, the National Quantum Mission, and the National Green Hydrogen Mission. With over 450 cumulative SCI publications and extensive international collaborations, IMPD serves as a critical hub for translating fundamental materials research into national industrial and defence applications.

Research Area:

1. Metal Additive Manufacturing

• • Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) and Electron Beam Melting (EBM) PBF of metals and composites
  • Graphene-reinforced SS316L, Ti64, Aluminium, and Nickel superalloy composites
  • Qualification and CEMILAC/DGQA certification of indigenised AM powders for aerospace and defence
  • In-situ alloying via pre-mixed powders in LPBF; Oxide Dispersion Strengthened (ODS) alloys
  • Wire Arc EBM DED; Hybrid AM processes

2. Graphene, 2D Materials & Nanocomposites

• • Large-area graphene growth via RTP-CVD on copper foils; transfer to flexible substrates
  • Graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, MXenes, hBN, siloxene, and metalene synthesis
  • Graphene-metal and graphene-polymer composite manufacturing via AM and conventional routes
  • Standardisation of graphene and 2D materials (aligned with ISO/IEC/BIS)

3. Raman Spectroscopy & Instrumentation

• • Design and development of India’s first commercial Make-in-India Micro Raman Spectrometer (NMITLI programme)
  • Multimode Raman system for medical/clinical diagnostics (cancer, infectious disease)
  • Photo-Luminescence (PL) spectroscopy and optical emission spectroscopy integration

4. Electrocatalysis & Energy Materials

• • Electrocatalysts for alkaline hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER)
  • CO₂ reduction to value-added fuels and chemicals; artificial photosynthesis
  • Self-charging power cells: integration of nanogenerators with supercapacitors
  • High-performance supercapacitors for electric vehicles (EVs); metal-air batteries; direct methanol fuel cells
  • Electrochemical transistors using 2D nanosheets

5. Sustainable Materials & Circular Economy

• • Recovery of rare earth elements (REE) and critical metals from e-waste via SWE, adsorption-desorption, and molten-salt electrolysis
  • Plastic waste valorisation using electrochemical, piezoelectric, and heterogeneous catalysis
  • Water treatment: removal of PFAS, microplastics, arsenic, fluoride using engineered materials
  • SmFeN permanent magnet synthesis via additive manufacturing (CSIR-REFORMS/ROSATOM/Sumitomo collaboration)

6. Computational Materials Science

• • DFT and DFTB-based electronic structure exploration of nanomaterials and quantum materials.
  • Advanced materials modeling for Sustainable and renewable energy conversion, Spintronics applications and Topological materials.
  • Quantum optimization algorithms and quantum simulations for materials science
  • Photocatalytic CO2 reduction; molecular sensing
  • Carbon nanotube nucleation and growth dynamics via quantum chemical simulations

7. Biomedical & Sensing Materials

• • Nanofibrous materials, hydrogels, and bio-inspired coatings for biosensors and wound care
  • Biosensors for neurological disorders and infectious disease diagnostics
  • Antimicrobial coatings for urinary catheters; wearable sensors
  • Biomaterials for tissue engineering; 2D materials-based heavy metal detection

8. Shape Memory Alloys & High-Temperature Materials

• • Cu-Al-Mn, Cu-Al-Ni shape memory alloys; effect of quaternary additions
  • High-strength, high-conductivity metal matrix composites and copper-graphene composites
  • High-temperature deformation studies; ODS ferritic steels

Goals / Objectives:

• Develop and transfer technologies in advanced and innovative materials for national industrial, defence, aerospace, and healthcare sectors.
• Establish internationally benchmarked Additive Manufacturing capabilities for metal, polymer, and composite systems and pursue CEMILAC and DGQA certification for aerospace and defence components.
• Advance graphene, 2D materials, and nanocomposite research from synthesis to device-level demonstration, with a focus on standardization aligned with ISO/BIS/IEC frameworks.
• Design and develop next-generation energy solutions: supercapacitors, electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution, CO2 reduction, and critical mineral recovery from waste streams.
• Translate computational materials science and molecular catalysis insights into functional devices for solar fuels, chemical sensing, and biomedical diagnostics.
• Foster national and international collaborations to build a national facility for integrated additive manufacturing and attract multi-agency funding from CSIR, DST, ANRF, and industry.
• Train the next generation of researchers through AcSIR, PhD supervision, and sponsored project fellowships.

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