NanoSensors and NanoEnergy Laboratory
Advancing functional nanomaterials, self-powered sensing and energy-harvesting devices, electrochemistry and biosensors — bridging materials science with translational biomedical and sustainable-energy engineering.
Where materials science meets self-powered engineering
The NanoSensors and NanoEnergy (NSNE) Laboratory is dedicated to advancing interdisciplinary research in functional nanomaterials, self-powered technologies, smart sensing systems, and biomedical engineering. Our research integrates materials science, nanotechnology, electrochemistry, and device engineering to develop innovative solutions for sustainable energy harvesting, wearable electronics, healthcare monitoring, soft robotics, environmental sensing, and advanced biomedical applications.
Instrumentation built for materials-to-device research
The NSNE Lab is equipped for electrical, electrochemical and mechanical characterization, with rapid prototyping in-house — backed by VIT's centralized characterization facilities.
Keithley Electrometer
High-sensitivity measurement of ultra-low currents, voltages, resistance and electrical charge — used extensively for triboelectric and piezoelectric nanogenerator characterization.
Electrochemical Workstation
Supports CV, EIS, DPV, chronoamperometry and chronopotentiometry for electrochemical sensing, biosensing, corrosion studies and energy-storage research.
SourceMeter
A precision source-measure unit for simultaneous voltage/current sourcing and measurement, used for characterizing sensors, nanomaterials and semiconductor components.
Digital Oscilloscope
Real-time acquisition of voltage, frequency, pulse and transient waveforms — essential for evaluating nanogenerator and sensor output performance.
Bending Test Analyzer
Evaluates flexibility, mechanical durability and cyclic stability of flexible electronics, wearable sensors and energy harvesters under repeated deformation.
3D Printer
Additive manufacturing for rapid prototyping of device housings, moulds, microfluidic structures and experimental fixtures, accelerating design iteration.
FESEM, TEM & EDS/EDX
High-resolution and nanoscale imaging with elemental mapping — used for morphology, particle size and microstructural analysis of synthesized nanomaterials.
XRD, FTIR, Raman & XPS
Structural, chemical and surface analysis for phase identification, functional-group characterization and elemental oxidation-state determination.
A snapshot of our research directions
The lab's portfolio spans seven core research areas — explore the complete list, including functional-nanomaterial classes, on the Research Areas page.
Triboelectric Nanogenerators
Flexible, wearable and textile-based devices that harvest ambient mechanical energy.
Piezoelectric Nanogenerators
Biocompatible piezoelectric devices converting mechanical deformation into electrical energy.
Electrochemistry
CV, EIS, DPV and chronoamperometry studies of functional nanomaterials for sensing and energy.
Functional Nanomaterials
MOFs, MXenes, POMs, conductive polymers, hydrogels and 2D-material composites.
Recent journal covers & highlights
Lab research recognized on the covers of leading journals.
Nanoscale — Cover Feature
"An interface-engineered HMS/PANI thermoelectric device for 3D printer waste heat harvesting" — Rajasekar Parasuraman, Arunkumar Chandrasekhar et al., Vol. 18, No. 20 (2026).
J. Mater. Chem. A — Showcase
"From energy to intelligence: MXenes transforming triboelectric nanogenerators" — a review by Krishnamoorthi Chintagumpala, Suresh Kumar Chittibabu & Arunkumar Chandrasekhar, 2025, 13, 23170.
Interested in joining or collaborating with the lab?
We welcome prospective research scholars, students and industry partners working on nanomaterials, self-powered sensing and energy problems.
Interdisciplinary research at the nanomaterials–energy frontier
The laboratory integrates materials science, nanotechnology, electrochemistry and device engineering to develop self-powered, sustainable and biomedically relevant sensing technologies.
Self-Powered Energy Harvesting
Triboelectric and piezoelectric nanogenerators built from functional nanomaterials, engineered as flexible, wearable and textile-based systems for battery-free power and human-motion sensing.
Electrochemistry, Sensors & Biosensors
CV, EIS, DPV and chronoamperometry-driven investigation of nanomaterials for highly sensitive chemical, biological and wearable sensing platforms.
Functional Nanomaterials & Devices
Synthesis and engineering of MOFs, MXenes, POMs, conductive polymers, hydrogels and 2D materials for drug delivery, soft robotics and next-generation biomedical devices.
From synthesis to self-powered system
Every research thread in the lab follows the same integrated pipeline, moving from raw materials to a validated, application-ready device.
Synthesize & Characterize
Nanomaterial synthesis followed by XRD, FESEM, TEM, FTIR and Raman structural analysis.
Fabricate & Assemble
Device fabrication and 3D-printed prototyping of enclosures and test fixtures in-house.
Test & Validate
Electrical, electrochemical (CV/EIS/DPV) and mechanical bending-cycle testing against reference standards.
Apply & Publish
Translation into sensing, energy-harvesting or biomedical applications, reported in peer-reviewed venues.
Seven core areas, one self-powered materials mission
Tap any card to read more about how it connects to the lab's broader nanomaterials, energy and biomedical agenda.
Journal papers, conferences, patents & book chapters
121 works spanning 2013–2026, compiled from the lab's publication record. Search or filter below — click any entry to view full author and volume details.
The people behind the NSNE Lab
Faculty, scholars and students who synthesize, build and validate the lab's self-powered materials and devices.
Dr. Arunkumar Chandrasekhar
Arunkumar Chandrasekhar is an Associate Professor in the Department of Sensor and Biomedical Technology at Vellore Institute of Technology, India, where he has served since November 2018. He completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Jeju National University, South Korea (2018), and holds a PhD in Mechatronics Engineering from Jeju National University, awarded under the Korean Government Scholarship Program. His research spans triboelectric and piezoelectric nanogenerators, electrochemistry, sensors and biosensors, drug delivery systems, soft robotics and functional nanomaterials — with 121+ publications spanning journals, conferences, patents and edited books.
Ph.D., Jeju National University
Mechatronics — 97% · Korean Government Scholarship Program recipientM.S., SRM University
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology — 91%B.E., Anna University
Electronics Communication and Engineering — 84%| Position | Institute | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Professor | Vellore Institute of Technology | Nov 2018 — present |
| Post-Doctoral Fellow | Jeju National University, South Korea | Mar 2018 — Nov 2018 |
| Title | Publisher | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Nanogenerators | BoD — Books on Demand | 2020 |
| Nanogenerators and Self-Powered Systems | IntechOpen | 2023 |
| Recent Trends in the Application of Metal-Organic Frameworks | IntechOpen | 2024 |
Research scholars & alumni
Profiles for scholars and students are added as members join the lab.
Postdoctoral Researchers
1Dr. Sharmila T
PostdoctoralPhD Research Scholars
8Nishath Begum
ThermoelectricsNimmi Sharma
Data Acquisition and AI/ML AnalysisAnanya Pal
MOF Hydrogel CompositesSusmitha A Benny
MOFs, POMKarthick Natarajan
Self-Healing HydrogelsRuthran R
NeuromorphicsGoutham P M
AI & Embedded Systems in Biomedical ScienceBharathi Lenin
Electrochemical SensorsLaboratory Alumni
6Dr. Nitha P K
Assistant professor,Amrita School of Artificial IntelligenceDr. Prabavathi
Assistant professor,Vel Tech High TechDr.Shaik Ruksana Begum
Assistant professor,Dr K V Subba Reddy Institute of TechnologyMrs. Parmila V
AlumnaDr. Sayyid Abdul Basith V
Postdoc, IIT MadrasDr. Suresh Kumar
Assistant professor, SR University, TelanganaLet's talk nanomaterials, energy or collaboration
Reach out for research collaborations, student inquiries, or facility visits.