Good day, Flamina A. I'm Arjun. I've had a look through your background and your professional record. I'm interested in hearing more about your work and how you see yourself fitting in here with our faculty. Ready to start?

I'm ready.

OK, my name is Flemina. So I'm, uh, currently pursuing my, uh, doc, uh, postdoctoral research at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur under the fair fellowship. So prior to this, I finished my, uh, doctorate, uh, in the department of material science and engineering it Kanpur. So my research pertains to hydrogen storage in solid-state materials. So before this, I got my. Masters and Bachelors degree from Pondicherry Central University.

Thank you for sharing that. Let's start with your technical expertise. Can you briefly explain your main contributions or findings in your research on hydrogen storage in solid-state materials?

OK, so as I told you, I my research work is on hydrogen storage and solid-state materials. So in response to India's green energy mission and the need to go for a green energy transition, I the entire hydrogen economy has been envisaged. So there are three stages in realizing this economy. The first stage is production, second stage is storage, and the third stage is utilization. So my work pertains to addressing.

One of the important bottleneck in the research which is hydrogen storage. So when you take storage, there are many ways you can store hydrogen. So there is a gaseous storage, liquid storage and materials also you can store hydrogen. So when you take storage and gas and liquid forms, they are having a lot of disadvantages so but when you compare these traditional storage metals. Methods materials are more advantageous because.

So in the crux I stored my hydrogen in carbon based materials. So that is the crux of the research work.

They are safe, compact and easily transferable.

Understood, focusing on carbon-based materials for hydrogen storage seems promising, especially addressing safety and compactness. Can you walk me through the specific type of carbon-based material you used and why you chose it over alternatives?

OK, so when you take hydrogen storage in materials there are two broad classifications. So one is storage in metal hydrides and another is storage in carbon based materials. So when you take a metal hydrides there are some disadvantages though they have good storage capacity, it is very hard for you to retrieve the stored hydrogen and also it requires very high temperatures to retrieve this hydrogen. But when you come see compare.

Storage. With carbon based materials you can achieve storage at ambient operating conditions which are much required for practical applications. So traditionally speaking, carbonaceous materials can't store hydrogen at ambient conditions. They require very low temperatures. That is, at cryogenic temperatures they store good hydrogen. My work focused on techniques as to how hydrogen can be stored at ambient operating conditions. So there are different mechanisms by which hydrogen.

Restored, and I explored our intermediate mechanism, which is called the spillover mechanism to.

I simulated basically I combined the mechanisms different mechanisms for storing hydrogen and used carbon materials for achieving the storage at ambient operating conditions with better storage performance.

OK, so I'll before this I will tell you the different mechanisms for hydrogen storage. So there are if you take a chart, there is like 2 ends to it. One is the physics option mechanism, 1 is the chemisorption mechanism. So physisorption mechanism happens in carbonaceous materials or high surface area materials. So basically it is the storage of molecular hydrogen on the surface of these materials and it typically has. Happens at very low temperatures and the binding energy is very less.

I see. Combining different storage mechanisms, especially leveraging the spillover mechanism, sounds like a novel approach to achieving ambient temperature hydrogen storage with carbon-based materials. Could you elaborate on how you optimized or enhanced the spillover mechanism in your research to improve hydrogen storage performance?

Which is less than a 10/10 electron volts. But if you take chemisorption mechanism, it happens in metal hydrides and it happens at very high temperatures and the binding energy between the hydrogen and the molecule is between like 50 to 100 electron volts. So my approach is to explore a intermediate mechanism that is the spillover mechanism which has an intermediate binding energy and by. Using this spillover. So how I use spillover?

I combine high surface area material which is carbonaceous materials and I also take metal hydrides, for example nanoparticles of some transition metals and in this way if you incorporate these two.

Elements. What happens is this molecular hydrogen interacts with the.

Excuse me, Molecular hydrogen interacts with the carbon and then this metal hydride which is there, it splits the.

Molecular hydrogen into atomic forms of hydrogen, and this atomic hydrogen can be stored inside the material.

Add anchor document pictures.

For this interview, we need to remain focused on the discussion itself. If you meant to reference something visual or related to your research documentation, perhaps you can describe the key findings or methodology instead. Let’s proceed. Could you explain how your approach—combining high surface area carbonaceous materials with transition metal nanoparticles—was validated? Did you perform experimental tests, simulations, or both?

My work was totally focused on experimental approach, so I used different experimental techniques to validate my results and in particular the novelty of the work as I explored nanoscale engineering techniques for hydrogen storage at ambient operation operating conditions. So in literature we found that there are many nanoscale engineering techniques which are explored for metal hydrides, but for carbonaceous materials it's not explored. So I took a synergistic. Combination of all these approaches.

For example, I explored nanoscale, nanoscale folding techniques, nano architecture construction and nano encapsulation techniques. So these techniques I combined in this carbonaceous materials or carbon-based nano hybrids. I also exposed explored various types of carbon-based nano hybrids and by leveraging everything, I also combined mechanisms which are spillover and pieces option mechanisms and I achieved. Storage at ambient operating conditions. So the key findings which we got.

Uh, which I have made us key accomplishments, which we, uh, ended up was first is exploration of nanoscale engineering techniques combining it. Second is, uh, demonstrating an ambient storage capacity of hydrogen, which is, uh, required for much required for practical application. The third one is we show the presence of molecular hydrogen even at ambient operating conditions through RAM and in situ ramen, uh, techniques. And 4th is we also explored.

Facile, scalable approaches, synthesis approaches which are which can be industrially scalable, amendable to industrial scalability levels. So these are the key outcomes of the research.

Your research demonstrates a thoughtful and robust approach, incorporating nanoscale engineering techniques and carbon-based nano hybrids with a focus on scalability and practicality. Demonstrating molecular hydrogen presence at ambient conditions through Raman techniques is particularly notable. Based on your findings, how do you foresee these advancements contributing to the hydrogen economy, specifically in terms of industrial adaptation and broader implementation challenges?

So, umm, achieving a storage at ambient conditions in carbonation material itself is a achievement I believe. And this should not be stopped here. Obviously it has to be taken to industrial scalable levels. And I feel this technology can be further. If you want to see in industrial level, it has to be integrated with other techniques like fuel cell technology. And then maybe if you integrate the storage with this fuel cell technology, then we.

And take it to a industrial standard. And also I believe that apart from this experimental validations, computational techniques will also work hand in hand for us to efficiently make any synthesize the materials. Instead of repeated error and trial method. I think computational techniques goes hand in hand with the work which I do and. All together put together, it has to be integrated in a fuel cell for industrial validation.

Your perspective on integrating storage technologies with fuel cells for industrial scalability aligns well with the trajectory of sustainable energy solutions. The emphasis on complementing experimental approaches with computational methods is practical and forward-thinking. Shifting gears now—have you had experience sharing this knowledge, perhaps through teaching or mentoring students in theory or experimental methodologies?

So I have a hands on training on various characterization instruments, particularly extreme diffraction techniques, ramen spectroscopy techniques and scanning electron microscopy. So I'm a super user there where I help other students to do their samples and analyze their samples. Apart from it, I've also gained some teaching experience from I am a PMR of fellow also during my PhD, so I also have a teaching.

Experience where I teach students about the basic concepts in engineering as as well as school students as well. I've taught them as well.

And before, prior to that, I was also in a research field, so I have a experience in working in the research group as well.

Thank you, Professor. Your experience in training students on sophisticated characterization techniques and your teaching background demonstrate your ability to contribute in an academic setting. For teaching, how do you approach explaining complex topics, such as nanoscale engineering or hydrogen storage, to students with varying levels of understanding?

So I believe that a student must be able to critically think and, uh, it should be innovative and also he should, uh, he or she should, uh, have the ability to problem solve, solve any problem given. So my approach will be to combine blackboard as well as innovative teaching techniques. For example, I will also use. I will instigate the critical thinking in a person by encouraging them for for going for.

Project based approach like whatever I teach in the course, I'll encourage the students to make a workable projects and demonstrate that to the class so that they can not only sit and listen to the class but also they can implement it for practical applications. Second, I will also encourage them to take internships where they can also take up where they can be exposed to problem solving. Skills.

And industrial visits will be encouraged during the class.

And also I will combine multimedia with the classroom teaching in the sense where I can show them visuals and which will encourage, which will motivate or which will enhance the students understanding better. And in addition to it, I also feel that I will.

Introduce eminent professors who are from that particular field to give us talk to the students so that they will have another perspective apart from what I teach, umm, from the experts in that area.

Uh, so that will be the approach for my teaching.

That is a thoughtful and engaging approach, Professor. Combining theory with project-based learning, internships, industrial exposure, multimedia learning, and guest lectures creates a comprehensive and impactful environment for students. With this in mind, how would you adjust your teaching style for laboratory sessions, where students need to bridge theoretical knowledge with hands-on experimentation?

Uh, yes, for the laboratory, I will start with the basic experimental techniques, whatever has to be thought to them. And later by using that experimental technique, I will ask them to explore much more. So for example, if I'm going to teach them how to use X-ray diffraction technique. So I will first cover the theory in the class. Later I'll take them to the instrument and show them what are, what are the parts in the X-ray diffraction technique. I'll tell them the uses and I'll show them.

Translate them what are how the material has to be characterized. And later I'll also encourage them that after they do their internships, they will obviously have some projects to do there. So they'll have some samples where they have to do it individually. So I have, I will encourage them to explore their particular sample in that laboratory by becoming independent. Users. So that's how I will try to 1st I will teach them and the basics and everything and then later.

I will guide them how they can do it independently.

And for many more applications.

That's a well-rounded approach, Professor. Starting with foundational theory, transitioning into hands-on instrumentation training, and encouraging independent exploration fosters both competence and autonomy in students. Guiding them through practical applications also aligns well with developing strong research skills. Moving forward, let’s discuss your experience in student evaluation. How do you structure assessments to measure both theoretical understanding and practical application in your courses?

So with the current trend I believe that the classroom teach age should not be just confined to paper and pen method. So there must be some project as well. So my courses will be split into two so one will be maybe even 3. So first will be the theory based knowledge, second will be the project which is based on the theory which I taught them and 3rd will be some internship training programs which they undergo. So I will evaluate in that way.

So it will be split into three. First is the theory, second will be the projects which they undergo and also the training programs which they undergo in alignment with the theory. So that's how I will encourage them so that if the classroom teaching is not just inside the class, they must be encouraged to go outside the classroom and they must be real problem solving engineers. So it should not be just, they should not be very good in theory as well, but they have to be good in.

Practical applications. So that will be the approach.

Yes, I have an experience of guiding students in the sense when I was a researcher we were assigned students from B.Tech and M Tech so and I was guiding 2 students in their project work and I also helped them in completing their work till the TC submission. So I have an experience of mentoring students in research work as well as I have quieted students in studies. So I have a experience in both.

Understood, Professor. Your emphasis on blending theory with practical projects and internship-based applications reflects a comprehensive evaluation model. This approach ensures that students not only grasp theoretical concepts but also excel in real-world problem-solving skills. Transitioning now, have you guided student research projects or mentored students in pursuing publications or presenting their work in academic forums?

It’s excellent that you have experience guiding students through both research projects and their academic studies. When mentoring these students, how did you approach instilling research rigor and ensuring they developed skills to document their efforts comprehensively for submissions or publications?

So initially when the students were naive, so when they didn't know the concepts or something, I started them. I started involving them in the work which I do. So they learnt the techniques which I which I do and also the characterization techniques and how I do the things. So initially they were with me looking at the things and later I encouraged them by starting up their work. So I framed of model which they have to follow.

In their work and I guided them like how they can reach the goal. So first it will be with me they learned everything and later their individual projects were assigned and I will oversee and guide them in completing the work. So that's how I approached.

So when it comes to explaining complicated concepts, I feel models are very good in that. So for example, if I want to teach them some crystal structure, it's very complicated for students to imagine those crystal structures because they are in 3 dimension. It's very difficult for them to imagine. So what I'll do is with classroom teaching, apart from the board teaching, I'll also show the models where they can visually see how it looks and then they can.

Understood, Professor. Your approach of gradually transitioning students from observation to independent project-based learning instills both confidence and accountability in their research journey. Let’s pivot to evaluating your communication skills. How do you ensure clarity and structure in explaining complex scientific concepts, whether in academic settings or interdisciplinary collaborations?

Go forward and they are learning, so that's how I'll explain complicated stuff to them and also I'll use multimedia in parallel. It's the combination of blackboard teaching, model presentation and multimedia approach.

That’s a thoughtful strategy, Professor. Using models alongside multimedia and blackboard teaching provides a multi-sensory learning experience that can simplify even the most complex concepts. Transitioning now to research, could you share details about your publication record or research outputs, emphasizing contributions to reputed journals or forums?

So, uh, currently I'm having UH-7 publications in the international journals. So, uh, recently we have also, uh, we are about to publish another paper which is in rec Journal of materials Chemistry A. So it's under review and it's about to get published soon as well. So papers I have published papers in very good journals like 1 is carbon, which has an impact factor of 11.6 and I have papers since I work on hydrogen.

My papers also are in International Journal of Hydrogen Energy and one paper is on Applied Surface Science Advances. So I have papers in different journals, different good reputed journals and we are also about to publish a few more which which are in line.

Thank you for sharing, Professor. Your track record of publishing in reputed journals like *Carbon* and the *International Journal of Hydrogen Energy* speaks to the depth and relevance of your research. Beyond publishing, have you engaged in consultancy or industry-related projects, potentially leveraging your expertise in hydrogen storage or materials science?

So I have not been directly involved in any consultancy project as a π or a Co π. But we have, I have an exposure in consultancy projects in the sense I worked on 2 projects before, which is on Biomap and hydrogen Biomap. So in that way, we had contact with industrial partners and we have I've also.

So I have a experience in contacting them and having a understanding or a conversation with him, but not as a Co π or a π as a researcher.

I'm I've also done this project writings.

Thank you, Professor. It’s clear you’ve had exposure to industrial collaborations and project development, even if not in a lead role. Your familiarity with engaging industrial partners and contributing to project writings adds value. Lastly, could you describe your ability to work on interdisciplinary or funded projects, as outlined in the job description? Have you been part of such initiatives?

I feel my strength is that I have a inter interdisciplinary background, so I have an experience. So this industry interdisciplinary background has positioned me to address all the challenges in global energy transition. And also I believe that it has given me a skill set where I can transfer this laboratory prototypes to industrial applications. So yes, I have a interdisciplinary background and I have the capability of cross disciplinary.

Uh, collaborations as well. Collaborations and everything research.

Understood, Professor. Your interdisciplinary background and ability to bridge laboratory prototypes to industrial applications are strong assets for collaborative and applied research. Thank you for discussing these aspects. That concludes the technical skills verification.

Thank you.

Certainly, let's begin. Professor, could you share the specific introductory course in your field that you find most rewarding to teach and explain why?

Uh, so first I would like to start with courses on structure of materials and characterization.

Parties, uh, be it physical or mechanical properties of material depends on the structure of a material. So it's, uh, pertinent that they, uh, we start from the basic as to what is a crystal and how are they, uh, what is a lattice motive? So you have to understand, have a strong understanding on the basics and go further in the technology. So I'll start with the basic course, which is a structure and characterization of materials. Later I'll introduce another course, which is an, which would be an elective, which is.

Professor

On hydrogen economy, particularly focusing on storage, utilization and production of hydrogen, and later I would like to take up courses about energy, materials and nanomaterials.

So this topic I can teach them in the course titled Hydrogen storage. So I will tell them about, umm, I will, uh, take the findings from my research as well and implement and show them in the classroom. I will tell them the different ways to store hydrogen and I'll tell them what is the efficient way to store hydrogen. So by taking the research outputs which I've got from the knowledge I've obtained, I will inculcate those research findings in the classroom teaching.

That sounds well-structured. Professor, you've mentioned starting with the foundational course on structure and characterization of materials, which builds a critical understanding of crystal lattice and related properties. Later transitioning into elective courses on the hydrogen economy and eventually onto energy materials and nanomaterials is a thoughtful progression. Given your background in nanomaterials and solid-state hydrogen storage, I’m curious: how would you tie your research on metal-decorated carbon-based nanohybrids directly to your approach for teaching these topics?

So that they will understand from the work which I've done, from the results, they can critically think and they can also start their projects in that manner.

That integration approach is commendable, Professor. Using your own research findings to guide students through critical thinking and project initiation is an effective strategy for bridging advanced research and classroom instruction. How do you envision engaging students deeply with this research-driven teaching? For example, would you incorporate hands-on experiments, data analysis sessions, or collaborative projects in your courses?

Uh, I would go for both. So I will, uh, encourage them to have a hands on experience with the research in the sense, uh, that's how, uh, they are encouraged to go for internships or industrial visits so that they can, uh, just not come sit and listen to the class, but also they can take it up for industrial applications or they can be encouraged to pursue research for the, in the future. So I plan to encourage them to either become early career researchers or industrialists.

Or code in whatever field they want, but they should not confine their studies on in class but go further and collaborations also will be done because one person can be an expert in all the fields. So I would like to collaborate with experts from different fields and encourage the students to also collaborate with them and end up in a good outcome.

So the assessment which I would do is that only it's on 3D divided into three types, 3 stages, 1 is the theory, 1 will be the projects which they undergo and 1:00 will be the internship trainings which they do which they attend. So it won't be just on the papers which they write, but it is a combination of all the things starting from the theory to the practical implementation of the learned theory. So that's how I assess the students.

That's an excellent strategy, Professor. Encouraging hands-on experience, industrial exposure, and early career research pathways reflects your commitment to nurturing versatile and forward-thinking professionals. Your emphasis on collaboration, both for yourself and your students, demonstrates an insightful understanding of interdisciplinary synergy in advancing research and practical applications. Given your approach, how would you structure assessments for your courses to evaluate both theoretical understanding and practical application skills of your students?

I believe that will be a more effective way to assess the students, to check whether they've actually understood their theory and whether they're actually going to implement the learned subject for practical use.

An assessment strategy encompassing theory, projects, and internship training does offer a comprehensive evaluation, Professor. It ensures students not only grasp theoretical concepts but also learn to apply them practically and adapt to real-world challenges. To deepen this approach, how might you incorporate peer feedback or interdisciplinary teamwork into these assessments to further enhance critical thinking and collaborative skills among your students?

Call eminent professors in the field to give a speech to the students so that they'll get another perspective of the theory of the subject and the students will be encouraged to attend these sessions where they can also interact with the eminent professors and they get to know the knowledge and also the opportunities which are available.

So for example, for example I will.