IIT Jodhpur’s NanoSense Lab engineers build futuristic ‘Wonder Materials’ atom by atom materials like borophene and self-glowing paints, enabling next-gen batteries, smart gas sensors, and electricity-free road safety markings.
IIT Jodhpur Engineers Materials at the Atomic Scale
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur are redefining materials science by engineering advanced materials atom by atom, with potential impacts on energy storage, environmental sensing, smart infrastructure, and next-generation electronics.
At the centre of this breakthrough work sits the NanoSense Lab, led by Dr. Pranay Ranjan from the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering. His team pioneers research on futuristic two-dimensional (2D) materials – ultra-thin structures only a few atoms thick – that exhibit extraordinary electrical, optical, and mechanical properties.
Borophene: A Metallic 2D Material Lighter Than Graphene
While graphene dominates global conversations on advanced materials, IIT Jodhpur researchers are advancing the frontier with borophene, a metallic 2D material made entirely of boron atoms. Unlike graphene, which behaves as a semi-metal, borophene is intrinsically metallic and extremely lightweight, making it highly attractive for ultra-fast energy storage devices.
Dr. Ranjan explained that borophene’s metallic nature, lightweight structure, and exceptional electronic properties make it a compelling candidate for future batteries, supercapacitors, and sensing technologies. The NanoSense Lab has successfully synthesized borophene as a freestanding 2D material—a major scientific achievement in itself. The team is also studying hematene, graphene, and graphene oxide for applications in spintronics, hydrogen generation, coatings, and electronic devices.
From Lab to Fab: Scaling Indigenous Advanced Materials
One of the most remarkable aspects of IIT Jodhpur’s research is its transition from small laboratory experiments to scalable industrial production. Under Dr. Ranjan’s leadership, the NanoSense Lab actively pursues “Lab-to-Fab” translation – converting cutting-edge scientific discoveries into commercially viable technologies.
The team has established a strategic collaboration with the New Materials Division of the Tata Group to scale up production of advanced 2D materials including borophene, graphene, hematene, and graphene oxide. The collaboration focuses on indigenous material development for defence, electronics, and energy storage sectors, strengthening India’s push toward technological self-reliance.
Dr. Ranjan emphasized, “India must not remain dependent on imported advanced materials. Our work aims to build indigenous capabilities in next-generation materials manufacturing and create technologies that are designed and developed within the country.”
Self-Glowing Paint Without Electricity
Among the most publicly relatable innovations from the NanoSense Lab is a self-glowing paint technology developed with Marudhar Paints and Polymers. The paint absorbs sunlight during the day and emits a visible glow at night through phosphorescence – requiring no electricity, batteries, or external power source.
The technology has undergone temperature and humidity testing and is being prepared for industrial-scale deployment. Potential applications include highway dividers, road curves, public safety markings, emergency exits, and low-energy urban infrastructure.
Dr. Ranjan noted, “Simple scientific innovations can create massive public impact. If roads, safety markings, and infrastructure can remain visible at night without consuming electricity, it can significantly improve both sustainability and safety.”
Borophene-Based Smart Gas Sensors
The NanoSense Lab is also developing highly sensitive borophene-based gas sensors under a project supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. These sensors detect dangerous gases by monitoring tiny changes in the electrical resistance of borophene when exposed to different gas environments.
The research has major implications for industrial safety, environmental monitoring, healthcare diagnostics, and smart city technologies. The team tests sensors not only in controlled laboratory conditions but also in simulated real-world environments involving mixed gases and varying atmospheric conditions.
Dr. Ranjan emphasized, “We are building practical technologies, not just academic demonstrations. Our focus is on creating robust materials and devices that can function reliably in real-world conditions.”
Deep-Tech Innovation Strengthening Local Industry
IIT Jodhpur collaborates with local industries in Rajasthan to apply advanced materials research to real manufacturing problems. Partnerships with Metallizing Equipment Company and Raghu Diamonds explore applications ranging from advanced coatings and vacuum deposition systems to ultra-hard wear-resistant surfaces.
These collaborations demonstrate how deep scientific research at IIT Jodhpur directly contributes to regional industrial innovation and India’s growing advanced manufacturing ecosystem. By combining fundamental research, industrial collaboration, and scalable innovation, the institute is creating technologies that bridge scientific excellence with societal impact – from smarter energy systems and safer roads to indigenous deep-tech manufacturing.
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