Research
Dr. Anirudh Sharma is an accomplished experimental condensed matter physicist specializing in the intersection of materials science, physics, and chemistry. With a focus on nanoscale materials, Dr. Sharma’s research delves into understanding and engineering critical surface and interface phenomena in advanced electronic materials, particularly organic semiconductors and hybrid composite systems. By probing the interactions at these interfaces, he aims to develop and optimize materials with tailored properties that are essential for enhancing the performance and stability of devices such as organic solar cells, LEDs, and thin-film devices, addressing pressing challenges in energy efficiency and sustainability.
Surface physics and chemistry play a crucial role in many technological innovations that enhance our daily lives and contribute to a more sustainable future. Dr. Sharma’s research spans both fundamental and applied aspects of materials science, focusing on topics with tangible real-world benefits. Employing advanced spectroscopic techniques, including photoelectron and inverse photoelectron spectroscopy, he investigates the electronic structure and energetics of functional material interfaces. His research has established and validated key material-property relationships that govern charge injection, exciton dissociation, and long-term stability in organic and perovskite optoelectronic devices. Additionally, he has developed novel methods for characterizing the thermomechanical transitions of organic semiconductors and successfully implemented reel-to-reel compatible processes for depositing functional coatings, showcasing his expertise in project management and innovative research methodologies.
Anirudh has also mentored Master’s and PhD students, fostering the next generation of researchers in the field. This mentorship experience enriches his research perspective and drives his commitment to advancing knowledge in materials science. He was the recipient of the prestigious Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) Future Manufacturing Flagship fellowship and served as a visiting researcher at the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research. These accomplishments have been instrumental in furthering his expertise in the development and validation of cutting-edge technologies at the nexus of materials science, physics, and chemistry.
Research Interests:
- Doping and charge transport in organic semiconductors
- Characterization and engineering of interfaces in organic and perovskite optoelectronic devices
- Surface phenomena and energetics of functional materials at the nanoscale
- Stability and performance optimization in organic solar cells
- Development and characterization of functional coatings
- Thermomechanical properties of organic semiconductors and composites
- Investigation of defects in organic semiconductor films
- Future exploration of bioelectronics, focusing on the interface between organic electronic materials and biological systems
“The scientific man does not aim at an immediate result. He does not expect that his advanced ideas will be readily taken up. His work is like that of the planter – for the future. His duty is to lay the foundation for those who are to come, and point the way. He lives and labors and hopes.” – Nikola Tesla