Exhibitions for General Public: Regular exhibitions are organized to showcase the department’s research and projects to the general public. This initiative helps bridge the gap between academia and society, promoting scientific literacy and interest.
From various national seminars/ workshops conducted by department
Seminars and Workshops: Regular seminars and workshops are conducted to disseminate knowledge and foster discussions on various topics in Physics and related fields. These events serve as platforms for learning and sharing ideas.
Research Facilities for SSR Programs: The department extends its research facilities to benefit the local society through Socially Useful Productive Work (SSR) programs. This includes hands-on training for teachers, exposure for higher secondary students to research fields, and internships for PG students.
Visiting Researcher Program: Young researchers from reputed institutes are invited to spend a week in the Department interacting with the faculty, researchers and students.
Research Facilitating Center: The department serves as a research facilitating center for other colleges, providing access to its resources and expertise. This collaboration enhances research capabilities and promotes knowledge exchange among institutions.
Optics Lab under DBT STAR Scheme: The department has opened a new Optics lab under the DBT STAR Scheme, aimed at demonstrating experiments to school students. This initiative enhances practical learning and promotes interest in physics among school students.
Workshops for College Teachers: Collaborating with the Academy of Physics Teachers (APT), the department organizes workshop series for college teachers on fundamental topics. These workshops enhance teaching methodologies and promote continuous learning among faculty members.
Residential Workshop on Quantum Mechanics: A two-day residential workshop is regularly organized for second-semester postgraduate students from various university centers and colleges of the state on Quantum Mechanics. This workshop, sponsored by DBT STAR and in association with IAPT, aimed at enhancing students’ understanding and interest in advanced Physics concepts.
Gifted Students Workshop and HSSTTP: Special workshops are organized for gifted school students who have cleared the USS exam, as well as for Higher Secondary School Teachers through the Higher Secondary School Teachers’ Transformation Program (HSSTTP). These initiatives aim to nurture talent and enhance teaching skills in physics.
From Higher Secondary School teacher’s transformation programme
Demonstration Stage Show: A demonstration stage show is organized for selected higher secondary schools, showcasing interesting physics experiments and concepts. This interactive session helps stimulate curiosity and interest in physics among students.
SANKALP: Best Practices of the Department of Physics at Union Christian College, Aluva, under the theme ‘SANKALP’ – Sustainable Action for Nature, Knowledge, and Accountable Life Practices, address environmental issues and promote sustainable practices for the well-being of our ecosystems for future generations. The Department of Physics has identified research areas in:
Renewable energy, such as solar cell fabrications, addressing global energy challenges and transitioning towards a more sustainable energy future.
Environmental monitoring Detecting harmful gases by fabricating gas sensors (ammonia, LPG, etc.).
Waste-water treatment: Photocatalytic degradation of toxic industrial dyes.
Lab to Society: (TRL 4-6)
Quality analysis of food samples
Biochar-Assisted Waste Water Treatment: Utilizing invasive plants.
Renewable Energy: Understanding and improving the efficiency of solar cells is a key focus of research in the department. Thin-film solar cell fabrication, dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC), and lead-free perovskite materials for stable and environmentally friendly solar cells are widely investigated in various national and state-funded projects.
Gas Sensors: The department has initiated work on fabricating gas sensors for detecting harmful gases like methanol, CO2, carbon monoxide, LPG, ammonia, etc., using environmentally friendly nanostructures. These sensors find applications in the automobile industry, households, and other industries where toxic gases are involved. The sensors are fabricated and studied to understand the limit of detection and their selectivity.
Sensors fabricated in our department for ammonia and methanol sensing
Lab to Society
Beep blue and dark maroon, (b) After degradation
Wastewater treatment: Photocatalysis is a key research focus in the Department of Physics, utilizing environmentally friendly materials for the effective treatment of industrial effluents containing dyes, which are a major cause of water pollution. This process is typically conducted under sunlight, degrading dyes such as methylene blue, congo red, and malachite green under laboratory conditions. As an extension activity, dyes are collected from a nearby boutique, and a prototype for the photocatalytic degradation of these dyes is created. Using lead-free environmentally friendly materials developed at the Department of Physics, complete degradation of these dyes can be achieved using direct sunlight.
Biochar Assisted waste water treatment: Biochar, derived from biomass through pyrolysis, is a carbon-rich biomaterial. It has excellent adsorption abilities, making it useful in removing heavy metals, pesticides, herbicides, and other contaminants from water and soil. Biochar can be produced from various biomass sources, but using invasive plant species offers advantages by turning an environmental problem into a valuable resource. Following dye degradation, the photocatalyst and other inorganic pollutants are removed from the solution through adsorption by biochar made from invasive plant species.
Prototype set up developed for the local textile industry for treatment of their waste water for edible purposes
Food Quality analysis: A portable system for food quality analysis is a valuable tool for ensuring the safety and authenticity of both solid and liquid food samples, such as apples and edible oils. These systems utilize optical methods for noninvasive measurement, allowing for quick and highly sensitive detection of adulterants, particularly in branded oils. The ability to detect adulteration is crucial, as it helps prevent the consumption of harmful substances that can lead to various health issues, especially in the Indian community where food adulteration is a significant concern. Detecting and preventing the consumption of adulterated food can help reduce the risk of diseases such as food poisoning, gastrointestinal disorders, and other health complications, highlighting the importance of such portable systems in safeguarding public health.
FTIR spectrum of edible oil and DRS spectrum from different spots of apple
