Ever since the breakthrough research on H2 photogeneration from water using TiO2 under UV-light irradiation, an enormous amount of research has been conducted on photochemical H2 evolution using different semiconductor-based photocatalysts. Consequently, a research paper titled “Controlled Loading of MoS2 on Hierarchical Porous TiO2 for Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution” has been published by Prof Ranjit Thapa, Professor of Physics, SRM University – AP, as a co-author, in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, having an Impact Factor of 4.189.

In this work, Prof Thapa describes three important factors for helping in the generation of hydrogen using proposed MoS2/TiO2 catalyst, (i) TiO2 for effective charge transfer, (ii) MoS2 for plasmon induction (iii) large surface area and active sites. It was shown that hierarchical porous TiO2 can be interfaced successfully with marigold-flower-like MoS2 flakes with intriguing photophysical properties, viz., visible-light response, controlled electron−hole recombination, and sustainable H2 production over prolonged light irradiation due to the synergic effect of flowerlike MoS2 and the fibrous wormhole mesoporous channel of TiO2. Further, the researchers have used density functional theory (DFT) to identify the active sites and calculated the change in Gibbs free energy (ΔGH). “We have also studied the charge density difference to understand about electron transfer pathway. The change free energy of hydrogen adsorption (ΔGH*) is a good indicator to estimate the hydrogen evolution activity in the acidic medium. From the DFT study, it is clear that O sites of MPT heterostructure are more favourable for HER reactivity”, said Prof Ranjit Thappa.

Social implications of the research:
In the last few decades, with the decline in non-renewable resources and increasing environmental pollution, significant attention has been given to renewable and clean energy domains. Hydrogen is considered one of the most suitable energy carriers due to its higher energy density per unit mass in comparison to other chemical fuels. In recent times, photocatalytic fission (Photocatalysis is a process in which light energy is used to drive pairs of chemical reactions. Through the absorption of light, an excited electron/hole pair is produced) of water has been considered an attractive solution for solar to chemical H2 energy conversion. Also, the process of water splitting is highly endothermic. Therefore, the development of an excellent, stable, efficient, and economical photocatalyst for ultrahigh H2 production efficiency is paramount to researchers.

This work is done in collaboration with the Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering, CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, Hyderabad 500007, India.

Prof Ranjit Thapa is doing an investigation to find the possibility of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) on multiple borophene analogues (α, β12, χ3) on all unique sites. Understanding the role of the coordination number of the boron atoms in the borophene analogues with the HER efficiency, and studying the pathways Volmer-Tafel (V-T) on each site to understand the completed HER process on borophene analogues are his future research projects. His research group is also interested to identify the role of sigma and pi-electron occupancy on the V-T pathway.

Read the full paper here: https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jpcc.1c01922

SRM University opens the gates to new opportunities for students, alumni & faculty members as it collaborates with the world-renowned educational institution

SRM University, AP a top-notch and new age university situated in the heart of Andhra Pradesh, collaborates with Harvard Business School Online to offer high-impact online courses to its students. Eliminating the difference between borders and nations, the university is focused on providing global exposure to the students and opportunities to upskill themselves with a gamut of courses to stay relevant in the ever-changing economy. Students already enrolled in flagship programs and courses of SRM University, AP such as School of Entrepreneurship and Management Studies will now have an added advantage to enhance their calibres with the global association.

The collaboration with Harvard Business School Online reflects international unison in these unprecedented times and is further offering different programs such as Business Analytics, Economics for Managers, Financial Accounting, CORe(Credentials of Readiness) and others. These programs are integrated with the regular courses of SRM University, AP such as BBA, MBA (General), MBA (Business Analytics) and MBA (Banking and Financial Services).

Harvard Business School Online offers a unique and highly engaging way to learn vital business concepts. The online certificate and credential programs are offered via HBS On line’s innovative online platform and are designed to bring the Harvard Business School classroom experience to life. The HBS Online courses put participants at the centre of the learning experience. The learning model is built around three key characteristics: active, case-based, and social learning.

Dr Sathyanarayanan, President of SRM Group of Institutions, says that all HBS Online courses are led by industry experts and international faculty and align smoothly with global standards of excellence. Encouraging students to have multi-disciplinary skills and motivating them to upgrade themselves while getting additional support from global peer learning groups, SRM University, AP, is preparing them to become industry-ready professionals.

Commenting on the collaboration, Prof V S Rao, Vice-Chancellor, SRM University-AP said, “We are focusing on collective growth and success of our students, alumni and faculty. SRM University, AP has curated a gamut of courses supporting their educational aspirations by providing them with Scholarships and Financial aid programs and this will help the learners to enrol for their desired courses without having to miss out on the opportunities due to monetary constraints.”

The focus of Harvard Business School Online courses, according to Prof.AVS.Kamesh is to enhance student’s proficiency and skillset in various verticals and this collaboration will help SRM University AP participants to engage in Real-World Learning with a global community of peers.

The Department of Economics is hosting a webinar on “Salient Features and Career Opportunities for BSc (Hons) Economics at SRM University AP” on July 19, 2021, at 4.00 pm to discuss the thrust areas of Economics. Dr Balaga Mohana Rao, Assistant Professor in the department, will introduce students to the theoretical and analytical foundations of economics careers.

In the webinar, Dr Balaga Mohana Rao will detail the industries and job roles available for graduates and discuss the best ways to attain internships and jobs in the industry. Students who choose to pursue a BSc in Economics at SRM University-AP participate in a three-year full-time programme that aims to impart global standards-based curriculum. The objective of the programme is to develop a class of economists who are proficient not just in theory but also in practical expertise to address and analyse real-world problems.

Attend this informative session on July 19, 2021, at 4.00 pm to learn more about the courses, subjects, syllabus, scope, and career opportunities of the BSc Economics course offered in SRM University-AP.

Register here:https://srmap.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_rYy5kmJvQ6aTJDR73i_-vw

Electronics and Communication Engineering (ECE) department of SRM University-AP in association with The Institute of Engineers (India), AP State Chapter and the Institution of Electronics and Telecommunication Engineers (IETE) Vijayawada Chapter has conducted a webinar titled “Wonders of Cosmos” on Saturday, April 17, 2021, at 3.00 pm through Zoom. The guest speaker Dr Sarita Vig from the Department of Earth & Space Sciences at IIST, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala highlighted the basics of astronomy enlightening on the fundamentals and overview of the high-end telescopes found globally.

Addressing the session, Dr CV Sriram, Hon. Secretary of IEI APSC opened the virtual podium to other dignitaries. Dr Geetha Devi from IETE introduced Dr Sarita Vig; Er. Kalee Prasad, Honourable Secretary; and Dr Ramanjaneyulu Fiete, Chairman of IETE. Dr Sujith Kalluri from the ECE department at SRM University-AP was the coordinator and organiser of the event.

Dr Sarita in her presentation elaborated on the different types of telescopes and observatories such as the CGRO, HST, SIRTF, CHANDRA. She discussed the elements responsible for the inception of the universe and the astrophysical processes behind it. Further, she talked about other planets which can be considered as a potential place for habitat like our earth. She also mentioned the supernova remnant crab nebula which was exploded billions of years ago and was even witnessed in the daylight, as per Chinese and Mexican researchers.

Towards the end of the session, Dr Sarita presented the facts about the black hole in the centre of the massive galaxy M87. “In 2019, Event Horizon Telescope helped to get the image of the black hole in radio wavelength. The universe is expanding and it is not in a static form,” she said. The webinar came to an end with an interactive Q&A session between the panellists and participants.

SRM University-AP has begun a series of Webinars to introduce its departments and courses to aspiring applicants of the undergraduate degree programmes. Different departments are presenting interactive sessions to provide an overview of their respective courses and additional resources that SRM University-AP students have access to during their academic years. The Department of Biological Sciences hosts a similar seminar to enlighten enthusiastic students with an overview of the BSc (Hons) in Integrative Biology and the career options associated with it. Prof Jayaseelan Murugaiyan, Head of the Department of Biological Sciences, will educate the audience with an in-depth discussion on the subject and why it will be beneficial to pursue the BSc in Integrative Biology from SRM University-AP. The session is on July 22, 2021, at 4:00 p.m.

The series primarily aims to provide candidates with information about the department, courses, and unlimited prospects to explore at SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh. Prof Jayaseelan Murugaiyan is a senior scientist and subject matter expert who previously worked as the Scientist & Group Leader (Proteomics) at the Institute of Animal Hygiene and Environmental Health, Center for Infectious Medicine, Freie Universität Berlin, Germany. He taught at many national institutes and an international institute, Germany’s Freie Universitaet-Dhalem Berlin’s Research School of Biomedical Sciences. He is the author of almost 50 papers in biological sciences and studies. To obtain detailed information about the BSc in Integrative Biology programme, you must attend the informative session on July 22, 2021, at 4:00 p.m.

Registrar:https://srmap.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_7hOTb4LTTiO6Ra62VZMGzw