Good day, Dr. Rajat Subhra Karmakar. 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?

Yeah, sure. Uh, I'll, I'm more than glad to Ready to start.

Please start by introducing your professional journey in academia.

Alright, my name is Doctor Rajat Subra Karmakar and.

Right now.

I'm an early career researcher.

I did my bachelors in B uh in Electronics and communication engineering from Mushidawa College of Engineering and Technology.

In 2000, uh 10.

Uh, then.

Then I did my mom.

Did my masters in VLSI and Microelectronics from Techno India, Salt Lake under Beauty in 2012 and then I did my PhD in Electronic Engineering and my specialization was in conducting polymer-based pressure sensors and I did my PhD in Taiwan Changang University.

Then I did one almost one year of post doc research in Sangang University, Taiwan and then since 2020 to until now.

I've worked as a postdoctoral researcher in National Taiwan University and currently I've been working on Currently, I've been working on wearable sensors and their applications for biomedical applications. And so far I have published 11 papers and right now I'm right now I'm looking forward to have. A stable academic position, so where I can?

Focus more on teaching and also on research.

Thank you for sharing your background, Dr. Karmakar. Let's delve into a few areas to better understand your academic and research expertise. To begin, could you provide a concise overview of how your research on conducting polymer-based pressure sensors has evolved into your current work on wearable sensors for biomedical applications? Specifically, I'd like to hear how your materials and fabrication expertise have contributed to this transition.

Alright, so this is a very good question regarding my research and when it comes to when it comes to the materials and the techniques I've used previously. I used to use the conducting polymers such as P dot PSS for my work and I have predominantly used spin coating for this for this and as a substrate I've used the the plastic based materials. Such as?

Such as pet based subject substrates later on I I have switched to the paper based substrates, you know literally the papers as that is a cellulose fiber based materials for my device fabrications because I wanted to go forward with more.

Uh, biodegradable and biocompatible substrates which which also which, which, which is also low cost and I have developed the later on I've developed the cheaper conductive inks based on polyethylene glycol or polyvalent Poly vinyl alcohol with it. And I have used the screen printing for the device fabrications. And if you ask me.

Solution Then I have tried to, uh, I've tried to evolve, uh, I've, I've tried to evolve my device more into the biocom, uh, biodegradable and uh, focusing more on the ease of fabrication, so it can be done almost anywhere and with limited resources.

Yes.

Uh, that's a very good question. Now, when it comes to the wearable sensors and their applications, uh, you know, for, for the biomedical applications and focusing on biodegradability or biocompatibility, yes, that's a very, that's a very key part here. Let's address 1 by 1. When it comes to the biocompatibility, first thing first, they're wearable sensors. So there is, there is no, you know, in vivo testing. So we are safe in one way that we don't have to go.

We don't have to go through the toxic, the toxicology report or any such things. So we only need to make sure that if we attach a sensor on on our skin.

Does it create any irritations or not? And to be and just to be safe, we are, we always, uh, use, uh, we always use the.

The packaging materials, the, you know, the commercially available packaging materials which can be, you know, which can be easily attached to our body #1 #2 the durability. That's a very good question. The durability is a very key concern for the paper based materials, especially when you attach to our body and you want to apply, you know, repeatedly so far the durability is concerned. Our sensor can be. Our sensor can be used for used for.

Uh, at least 1000 to 2000 cycles in a lab setup and now in real time situations it can be used for at least one weeks to two weeks. That is the lifetime. After that there are some symptoms can be can be observed, for example the the signal drifting or you can say that the, you know the output is not the same after like. Two weeks you can say that.

That is, uh, that is one thing. And also, uh, one thing I have, uh, I have, uh, tried to focus like, uh.

If we want to if, if we keep on using it then.

Then after using, what we can do with it, uh, are we going, if we, so that's why, uh, that's why the paper based materials or paper based devices are, uh, are important to me because then we can, uh, we can discard it if we have to without thinking of the major consequences because paper is bi degradable. That's a very key issue here.

Yup.

OK.

Now yes please.

Uh, could you repeat that question?

Certainly, Professor Karmakar. How do you balance the theoretical foundation of a subject with its practical application when teaching students, particularly in engineering disciplines?

That's a very good question here.

When it comes to the balancing the theoretical aspects with the practicality.

Then I personally believe first thing first, I'd like to talk to the students about the basics, because everything starts with the basic, with the basics, right? So I will try to teach them about the basics.

As simple as simply as possible, because from a student's perspective, I can understand that the the theoretical jargons can be overwhelming for the students, especially for the for the undergrads. So I I prefer to break it down.

You know, to its simplest form #1 and #2 is when it comes to the teaching to the students with the theory, I prefer to give them the real time applications like where it is, where it is applicable nowadays, like how it how it affects. I mean, for example, like in in general, when we talk about like, you know, when we talk about like the present days, Microsoft microprocessors. Or all the advanced.

Chips and all like the base, the foundation of these of these processors are the are the CMOS technology, right? So for so for example, if I teach them about CMOS technology and how CMOS technology has been developed from the very from the very ground, ground level, then after teaching after giving them the example like how CMOS technology has been evolved for example, then how it can be translated, how it can be translated? You know.

In this present day, present day industry which has turned it into a juggernaut, something like that. Or for example, let's say if I if I give an example of my work like I like the flexible electronics per say, let's say we talk about the flexible sensors or wearable sensors to my students in future, then I will teach them. What are the piezoresistive sensors or capacitive sensors from the very ground level?

Like what are we measuring? How are we measuring? What are the process like? What are the, you know, the functions then exactly what kind of devices are out there and exactly what are we achieving? So this so the students can feel interested that OK, so these are not just theory. These are happening. We are surrounded by it. So that would be my philosophy that.

Uh, making it as simple as possible so they can connect to it, they can feel interested and also they know that, you know, they are literally surrounded by it. So they feel that, I mean, so they, they feel that they're not, you know, detached to it. That's the way I see it.

Thank you for sharing your perspective, Professor Karmakar. It's admirable that you prioritize making complex concepts accessible and connecting them to real-world applications to engage students. This demonstrates your commitment to both clarity and relevance in teaching. Now, shifting focus slightly—could you describe how you approach evaluating student performance in both theoretical and laboratory settings?

OK, my approach of evaluating students, right?

For the theoretical aspects, of course. I mean, uh.

I would prefer to, for example, uh, after, after I give, after I give the lectures, Then of course I would, I would prefer to, uh, evaluate them by giving them, uh, homeworks or, you know, assignments and see them exactly how they're performing #1 #2 is I would prefer to ask them in this way, like.

Rather than, you know, what do they know from, from the notes or from the lectures or from the books? I would, I, I'd like to ask them what do they think? And I want them to know it's a safe space, The classroom supposed to be a safe space. There they will not be humiliated and they will not be judged. They will be evaluated. So the evolution process will go on, but they will, they will, they will not be any judgement. So they can share their perspective and they can share.

What do they think of this present theory or what is their perspective?

Their ideas about, about the theories they're learning, that's one and all. And of course, I would prioritize about, you know, the, their presence and the presence as of course the physical presence and of course their presence during the lecture. So they listen. And if I see that some somebody or at least one or two students, they cannot connect, then I would like to know exactly what is bothering them.

Because I understand that every, every students are different. Some may connect to it, some may not. Those who cannot connect, I'll, I need to know, I have to know that exactly where this, you know, disconnection is happening. That's come from the theoretical, theoretical, you know, lesson perspective, taking the class and when it comes to the lab, of course. I prefer to see them, you know, by myself. Like, exactly.

How they, how they're doing it. First thing first, I would like to teach them by myself like about first thing about the theory like what are they doing? They need to know what are they doing, what is happening. And then I like to teach them like the basic principles and the processes. And then I will, I will let them repeat it in a safe environment. So there will not be any. Any accidents or any hazards because we know that how laboratory environments.

This needs to be safe for the students and after that when they're when they're ready, then I will let them at certain point, I will let them to be creative. If there is a, if there, if there is a scope for it, that's how I see it.

Thank you, Professor Karmakar. Your thoughtful and student-centered approach to evaluation is evident. Encouraging critical thinking, creating a safe space for intellectual exploration, and personalizing your guidance highlight your dedication to student success. It’s especially noteworthy that you pay equal attention to both theoretical comprehension and hands-on laboratory skills. Now, could you share an instance where you successfully guided a student in a research or academic project, perhaps highlighting the challenges you faced and how you resolved them?

Here is the thing, During my postdoctoral tenure, I didn't really have any student my of my own. But in my lab, I used to take care of our master students who used to who were new in this field. And I used to teach them about the processes of my sensor fabrication and how they're supposed to work on the sensor developments and stuff like that. So usually what I do.

All right.

I would, I would teach them from the ground up. And sometimes they have questions like why are we doing this and how are we doing this and, and exactly why I'm following this process. And if we, if they can do it differently. And of course sometimes they do it differently, they will have problems. So what I usually do.

I teach them as I as I said before, I teach them my process, the one I follow, because we all know that, you know, we all know that.

In practical. In practical exam? In practical examples.

There is certain differences between the theory and the practical applications, right? There's the the standard operating procedures kind of varies from device from from the equipment to equipment. So sometimes you just know exactly why you are doing it and how you are doing it. So I would teach them that. And let's say if somebody makes a mistake, I would be there, I would tell them, OK. This is where you may have gone wrong.

So let's start again. No worries. Don't worry about the about the materials or anything. I understand materials are expensive, but let's not forget about that. A student is more important than any materials because the material can be replaced or can be bought or can be developed. An alternative can be found, but the student, a lab member, we cannot really replace them. They're, you know, they're individuals, right? So I would, so I would, I would tell them.

That OK, let's start again. Then we find out where where exactly are we going wrong something, something like that. And of course after that I would teach I would analyze the data with them I would teach them like how to analyze the data and.

Exactly which direction they can go or they, they can prefer to go regarding their research. So that's the approach I used to take. For example, there was one, there was one guy, you know, who was quite frustrated during his time when I was present in my lab. So I, I taught him, I told him one thing that don't worry about the, about the, about the bad results or anything. Just know this, there is no such thing like bad data.

Taser data, just record everything. Even if even if your experiment doesn't work, you will know why it's not working if you record every single details of it. So in future, what I heard from my professor that that single talk kind of changed his perspective. So that's how I see that's, that's how I see it at least.

Thank you, Professor Karmakar. It’s evident that you prioritize mentorship and look beyond the immediate technical challenges to guide students holistically. Your emphasis on learning from failed experiments and valuing individuals over materials demonstrates remarkable leadership and an understanding of the research process. Let’s now pivot slightly to your publication record. You mentioned publishing 11 papers so far. Could you highlight one publication you're particularly proud of, detailing the research problem it addressed and its impact in the field?

Well, uh.

I would say I'm most. Uh, I'm, I'm most.

Out of those 11 publications?

Proud of UH-1 paper I published, uh, when I was due on 2023, I published in Asia's Applied Materials and, and interfaces. And The thing is that paper, uh, that paper was about, it was about the origami inspired of folded.

Uh, pressure sensors and there and, and there actually we kind of.

We kind of, uh, addressed this issue of a paper based sensors and, you know, their, their potential low sensitivity and how a simple folding can improve, you know, can improve the sensitivity.

And how how the idea of origami can can have a significant impact, can have a significant impact on the device performance.

So this paper as it was published in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces and which I'm particularly proud of. And also on that paper we have we have explored several important things, for example, like we have explored the.

The wearable applications for the posture corrections if I'm not wrong and also we have explored the, you know. The trigger, the the detection of trigger finger, the trigger finger evaluation, the bruxism evaluation and as I said, the posture correction, which particularly talks talks about the text rate. The text next stands for you know when.

Whenever we use the mobile nowadays, what happens that we tend to tilt our head quite a lot and that might create a huge problem for our neck. So using that sensor we kind of we kind of try to find a benchmark like if we are tilting our head too much then the sensor would give us the signal like OK, we are doing it too much so we should come back to our original, original position, something like that.

So, yes, based on the, uh, based on the applications and, uh, uh, the very simple but effective, uh, technology and of course the impact factor of the journal, uh, I'm particularly proud of that paper.

Thank you for sharing that, Professor Karmakar. Your work on origami-inspired pressure sensors is both innovative and practical, addressing real-world problems like posture correction and medical evaluations with a creative approach to improving sensor sensitivity. It’s also commendable that you've published in such a prestigious journal, further underscoring the impact of your work. Moving forward, you've mentioned your interest in securing a stable academic position. What would you consider your long-term vision for contributing to the institution in terms of both teaching and research?

When it comes to the long term, uh, vision, uh, for me, I've, uh, I prefer to, uh, have a stable academic positions where I can teach students, I can nurture and guide and help the young minds, you know, which will help our country because I know vit is one of the.

Premier Institutes of India.

So I want to help, uh, I want to help the students. So either they, if they go to the industry or the, if they go to academia like me, you know, they can, they can be the best version of themselves that would help them and help us collectively both #1 and #2 research wise. I would, of course, I, I would bring my expertise and experience. Working in this wearable sensors.

And help them help the university to grow and you know, and be the best at it.

And #3 is, uh, for, uh, for my academic positions, uh, I would, uh, I would contribute in any way possible for the sake of institute because I count myself as a team player and like a good team player.

I would put team ahead of myself, so that's the way I see it.

Thank you, Professor Karmakar. Your vision demonstrates a commitment not only to shaping the next generation of students but also to advancing research and contributing to the broader goals of the institution. Your emphasis on mentorship, teamwork, and driving impactful research aligns well with the values of a premier academic institution. Considering your academic and research aspirations, is there anything more you’d like me to know or discuss regarding your suitability for an academic role of this nature?

Honestly, uh, there are, uh, well, we have covered almost everything in our, in our, in our session and uh, I just like to add this thing, I mean, since as I, as I said before that I have.

Umm.

I've worked on a wearable sensors or wearable tactile sensors for biomedical applications in, you know, previously. So if I give him a chance, I as as a part of my research, research particularly.

I'd like to continue, uh, working on that. And if possible, I would, I would keep the collaboration with my previous lab in National Taiwan University. Uh, so we can have a very, you know, joint collaboration going on. Uh, if, if I give, if, if I have the chance, I would definitely give this a try.

You know then, then I believe in that case through me.

Some of my students at least who are interested in this.

From both areas, they can they can, I can help them to learn about it and also they can have a first hand experience working in another premier university such as National Taiwan University along along with VIT. So I think if I have the chance, I would love to try that. But you know, that's that's on the future. So that part I wanted to share.

They can be benefited from.

Thank you, Professor Karmakar, for sharing your forward-looking plans. Your idea of leveraging your previous collaborations with National Taiwan University to create joint opportunities for students and researchers is commendable. This reflects your dedication to fostering international collaborations and providing enriched academic experiences for future scholars. With all of that covered, are there any final thoughts or questions you have for me about this academic opportunity?

Right now I don't have much, uh, questions. Although, uh.

I would, uh, I would, I would like to know, I mean, if possible, uh.

How, uh, how about, uh, uh, how about the uh, uh, I mean, what kind of uh.

How about the balance between, between the research and and teaching right now at, uh, is there in, in, in vit at present, though I know that vit has, uh, in a lot of great work has been done in vit and it's still going on. Still, I'd, I'd like to know from you and from your perspective.

Oh def oh, definitely. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. That means that means a lot to me.

At VIT, there is a strong emphasis on balancing both teaching excellence and impactful research. Professors are expected to deliver high-quality teaching, including classroom and laboratory instruction, while also actively contributing to research activities. This includes publishing in reputed journals, leading student projects, and engaging in collaborative research efforts. Additionally, those with experience in industry–university interactions and securing funded research projects are encouraged to carry that forward. Given your background in teaching and research, as well as your interest in advancing collaborative opportunities, VIT's environment is structured to support and encourage professors in achieving these goals. Your expertise in wearable sensors and collaboration initiatives could align perfectly with VIT's emphasis on emerging technologies and interdisciplinary research. Does that address your inquiry, Professor Karmakar?

I think it's all. It's all right now. I think we can conclude the session. Thank you.

You're most welcome, Professor Karmakar. Thank you for taking the time to share your experiences and insights. It's clear that you bring not only expertise but also passion and a student-centered vision to your work. I have no doubt that you'll make a meaningful contribution to whichever academic institution you join. Is there anything else on your mind, or can we conclude the session?

Thank you for confirming, Professor Karmakar. Can you please confirm once more if I can officially conclude the session?

Yes, please. You can conclude the session officially.