Grants

SEED

It is in-house financial support, available for consumables, mini equipment, travel grant, fees for characterisation, software purchase and other operational expenses.  The intent of this initiative is to support the growth of the researchers by providing them flexible working capital and to leverage these limited funds into substantial external funding, industrial support or creative scholarship projects.

SHODH

Research is the central pillar of UPES, which is not only conducted but also driven by eminent faculty. To widen the roots of research in the institution, a new scheme titled "SHODH" is launched especially for undergraduate students. The scheme aims to enable the students to innovate through investigations and validations under the guidance of expert faculty members. The scheme introduces the students to the research ecosystem at UPES to promote product development and entrepreneurship. The scheme encourages the student to embark on multidisciplinary research by choosing their own teams and mentors. From the year of its inception, the scheme has delivered outcomes in the form of patents, products and original research articles that are published in high-impact journals and also start-ups. 

Learning from Leaders

Dr. Sunil Rai

President

I am immensely proud of the groundbreaking work being conducted across a wide range of disciplines, firmly establishing UPES as a leader in cutting-edge research and development.

Dr. Ram Sharma

Vice-Chancellor

At UPES, we recognise the paramount importance of converting scientific research into tangible products with significant socioeconomic impacts. It is crucial that our research efforts lead to practical applications that benefit society and enhance the visibility of our achievements. In the past year alone, our dedicated researchers have contributed to over 150 published papers in high-impact journals and have secured over ₹10 crores in research funding from both national and international agencies. Let us persist in our journey of exploration and curiosity, fostering growth and creating a brighter tomorrow for future generations .

Prof. Ashwini Kumar Nangia

Dean, Research & Development

I am pleased to report that research activities at UPES continue to accelerate and grow in 2025. The constant commitment of our faculty and students is driving our scientific progress as we continue to invest in research infrastructure. The Central Instrumentation Centre (CIC) fosters interdisciplinary collaborations across our users and schools resulting in several breakthrough findings. Our faculty members and research scholars have presented their work at prestigious national and international conferences, adding to UPES's global profile. I'm particularly proud to announce that several new PhD students have registered under the interdisciplinary research centres, underscoring the quality of our academic programs and the calibre of our students. I extend my heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed faculty, dedicated researchers, and passionate students for their invaluable contributions. UPES continues to spread knowledge, innovation, and translational ideas.

Instrumentation

The Central Instrumentation Center (CIC), at UPES provides advanced analytical instrumentation like XRD, FTIR, GC MS, HPLC, AFM, and more, to support cutting-edge scientific research and societal applications. Open to researchers across India, it offers data‐collection services via sophisticated equipment, with facilities accessible to students, academia and industry.

XRD (Malvern Pananalytic)

• Uses Grazing Incidence XRD (GIXRD) to study thin film structures
• Adjusts X-ray beam angle relative to material's critical angle
• Penetration depth varies with incident angle—greater angles probe deeper layers
• Below the critical angle, X-rays penetrate only a few nanometres for surface analysis
• Enables precise characterisation of thin films and surface layers
• Ideal for analysing crystal structure, phase identification, and material stress

XRD (D8 ADVANCE ECO - Bruker)

• Non - destructive techniques to identify crystalline phases and orientation.
• To determine structural properties: strain, grain size, epitaxy, phase composition, ordered disordered transformation, thermal expansion etc.
• To determine crystalline and amorphous arrangements.
• Measurement of thickness of layers
• Determination of texture of poly grained material

GC-MS (CLARUS SQ8S, Perkin Elmer)

• Test for contaminants and quality in food, flavors and fragrances
• Monitor for VOCs and SVOCs in air, water and soil
• Ensure quality of consumer goods, including plastics
• Analyze lubricants for quality and conformity
• Meet global regulatory requirements
• Gain efficiencies in sample handling through an autosampler

ICP-OES (Plasma Quant 9000- Analytikjena)

• Direct Analysis of Saline Matrices.
• Composition Analysis of an Electrolytic Etching Solution.
• Specification Analysis of Gasoline.
• Trace Metals Analysis in Water-Methanol-Oil Mixtures.
• Analysis of Rare Earth Elements in Granite and Sandstone.
• Analysis of High-alloyed Steel

CHNS-O Analyzer (Flash 2000 Series, Thermo Scientific)

• To analyse organic CHNSO composition of the solid and liquid samples from 0.01 to 100% using TCD.
• To analyse trace level sulphur up to 25 ppm using FPD
• Organic CHNSO composition of solid and liquid samples such as biomass, bio-oil, liquid and solid fuels.
• Provide information about structure of material.
• Predicting theoretical calorific value from the CHNSO composition of the sample

Sputtering System (Excel Instruments)

• Deposits thin anti-reflection coatings on glass for optical uses
• Ideal for contact metal layers in thin film transistors due to low substrate temperatures
• Used for low-emissivity coatings in double-pane window glass
• Applies multilayer coatings with silver and oxides like ZnO, SnO₂, TiO₂
• Common in tool bit coating with sputtered nitrides (e.g., titanium nitride) for hard, gold-coloured surfaces
• Used in metal (e.g. aluminium) deposition for CDs and DVDs fabrication

FT-IR (Frontier FT-IR/FIR, Perkin Elmer)

• Detection of Functional groups and characterising co-valent bonding information
• Stretching and Bending vibrations of organic compounds
• Support in Identification of components in a mixture of components
• Provide information about structure of material
• Understanding the unknown contaminants in industrial samples

TGA DSC (Inkarp) Thermogravimetri

• TGA tracks mass changes in a sample during controlled temperature changes
• Measures mass loss during constant heating or at fixed temperature over time
• DSC monitors heat flow to/from a sample under controlled temperature conditions
• Uses heating/cooling cycles in inert or oxidising environments
• Each cycle reveals different thermal properties or transitions

Glove Box

• Sealed container for handling materials in a controlled atmosphere
• Built-in gloves allow manipulation without breaking containment
• Transparent sections provide clear visibility during operation
• Commonly used for sensitive or hazardous material handling

Potentiostat-Galvanostat (CHI660E, CH Instruments, USA, 2013)

• General purpose electrochemical measurements
• Kinetic measurements
• Electroanalysis
• Fundamental research
• Corrosion
• Battery studies

Spectro Photo meter UV-Vis (LAMDA 35, Perkin Elmer)

• Determination of metal and organic non-metal analytes in water
• Characterisation of petrochemical Products
• To generate quick and easy methods for common food analyses without the need for extensive training ensuring that the correct results are reported without compromising food quality.
• High optical quality for environmental analysis

Thermo mechanical Analyzer (TA Instruments TMAQ400EM) Intrinsic and product property measurements

Thermo mechanical Analyser (TA Instruments TMAQ400EM) Intrinsic and product property measurements

• Accurate Co-efficient of Thermal Expansion
• Material performance
• Multilayer film analysis
• Shrinkage force testing
• Film tensile
• Fiber stress/strain measurement
• Thermal stress analysis fibers

Particle size analyzer (ZEN1690, Malvern Instruments Ltd, 2013)

• For solids, the surface area of the particle is critical in determining the rate of chemical reaction.
• Particle characterization analyzers have found uses in quality control, process material evaluation, and research and development for applications

Contact Angle Goniometer/Drop Shape Analyzer (DSA25, Kruss)

• Characterization of surface pre-treatment processes
• Investigation of the adhesion and stability of bonding and coating processes
• Investigation of coating substances in accordance with DIN 55660
• Checking the wettability of plastic, glass, ceramic, wood or metal
• Quality control for wafers and microelectronics

Photoluminescence Spectrophotometer (LAMBDA 45, Perkin Elmer, 2013)

• Quantification of heavy metals (nanomaterials) in freshwater, seawater, air, and soil.
• Soil contamination from organic materials.
• Sunscreen efficacy.
• Water and wastewater analysis

Rheometer (Model C-LTD80/QC, Anton Paar GMBH, Austria, 2013)

• Viscosity measurement – From single point up to complex rheological tests
• Quick and accurate temperature control
• Ease of operation for single-point viscosity determinations as well as more sophisticated rheological tests
• A wide range of applications covered by only one rotational rheometer
• A broad variety of measuring systems and accessories for a multitude of applications

Electrochemical Workstation (Autolab M204)

• Potential range: -10 V to +10 V
• Compliance voltage range: ±20
• Maximum current in ampere: ±0.4
• Number of current ranges: 8
• Number of current ranges remark: 10 nA to 100 mA
• Maximum number of modules: 1
• Maximum number of channels: 12
• Potential & current accuracy: V: ±0.2% ±0.2mV and i:±0.2 % ±0.2% of current range
• Potential resolution: 3μV (gain 100)
• Current resolution: 0.0003% of current range
• Maximum bandwidth in Hz: 1M
• Input impedance in Ohm: 100 G

Optical microscope with digital camera (Magnus MSZ-TR)

• Light source: LED
• Camera casing: metal alloy
• Camera dimension: 60x60x40 mm
• Spectral range: 380-650 nm with IR filter

3D printer (COLIDO X 3045)

• Extra-large build size: 11.8”x11.8”x17.7” (30x30x45 cm)
• Industrial level quality & smooth building surface – up to 0.1 mm resolution

Laser cutter engraver (CW-6040)

• Lasing system = CO2 laser tube (λ = 10.6 μm)
• Laser power = 100 W
• Cutting speed = 0 – 800 mm/s
• Engraver speed = 0 – 1000 mm/s
• Spot size = 50 µm
• Working area = 2’ x 1.5’
• Substrate possibilities = acrylic, MDF, cellulose sheet, Kapton sheet etc.

HPLC (Prominence I series, Shimadzu)

• High injection precision for precise quantification, and exceptional retention time repeatability aid in accurate peak identification
• Detection capabilities include photodiode array, refractive index

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CIC Instruments List

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