Good day, Nisanth 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?

Yes, Sir.

Go ahead, Professor.

I have completed my B.Tech in Electronic Communication engineering from Government Engineering College, Kanur.

In the year 2005 and I have completed my M Tech in Microelectronics and VLSI Design from Nat Calicut in the year 2014 and I have completed my PhD in Electronic Communication Engineering from NIT Calicut in 2024 and my research area includes.

Micro electromechanical system based sensor designing and energy harvesters. Their design, simulation, fabrication and characterization. These were the important topics covered under my thesis and I had roughly around 13 years of teaching experience after my BTEC and I have been handling the subjects like electronic circuits, basic electronics, linear integrated circuits, then specifically for fabrication process related subjects like VLSI technology.

Are done semiconductor microfabrication, etcetera.

And I have participated in various FTPS specifically a few workshop that was a initiation of Government of India that is skill development through simulator 3D program that is a joint venture by IAC Bangalore, then Lamb Research and ISM Government of India. And currently I'm working at NITA University as an SM professor and I'm the single point of contact here for that particular course and we.

Now introduced a new course based upon the training program what we have undergone at IAC Bangalore and that course have been introduced into the students. So for that we have to 1st prepare a detailed curriculum that we have completed and we have introduced that course and it have been successfully conducted for two batches.

Professor Nisanth, I have reviewed your resume and the job details. Let us proceed by verifying your skills and expertise relevant to the role of a Professor. I will ask you specific, targeted questions covering various aspects. Ready?

Yes, Sir.

Let's start with your expertise in Image Processing. Can you explain, at a foundational level, how you would teach students about edge detection techniques in digital image processing? Please include examples of algorithms you might cover.

Specifically, uh.

But my research work is not related to image processing. But what I can, what I'm expecting or what I'm trying to contribute in the sense is that.

I have worked on mainly, uh, MEMS piece, solar trick, energy harvesters, then MEMS sensors, all those things and this output of these sensors. We all know that the sensors are the core objects for all the. What is that called?

Our integrated system, so if you want to automize any system, sensors are mandatory and the output of sensors are normally of very low amplitude and it will be disturbed by so much of noise sequence. So there is a significant role for that image processing as far as this subject is concerned. And we have to introduce signal processing algorithms and methodologies to filter out the noise and improve the performance of the output of the sensors.

Thank you, Professor Nisanth. You’ve connected your knowledge of MEMS sensors with the relevance of signal processing and noise reduction, which is indeed critical. Let’s move on and delve into your expertise with Embedded and Communication systems. How would you introduce students to the fundamentals of embedded system design, particularly focusing on real-time applications? Could you provide a practical example?

Uh, yeah, sure. So with respect to an embedded system, uh, if you take any embedded system, so sensors are the fundamental parts of that. So if you want to gather the data from the surrounding, for example, we can take sensor like accelerometers, pressure sensors.

And motion sensors also. So these kind of sensors will be embedded in that particular system which is used for a particular application. So that performance of that sensor is highly contributing to the performance of our overall embedded system. So by introducing some novel methods, if we can enhance the performance of our sensors in terms of specifically sensitivity.

Then reliability. So in that way we can contribute to the.

Embedded system in a better way?

Understood, Professor Nisanth. You’ve highlighted the integral role of sensors within embedded systems and their impact on system performance, particularly in enhancing sensitivity and reliability. Let us now explore your teaching approach. How would you structure a laboratory course to help students grasp the challenges in sensor data acquisition and processing?

Uh, it depends upon the level in which with our course is introduced or the lab course, if it is for an undergraduate student. So definitely, uh, prior to that laboratory course, we have to introduce a theoretical component. If that theoretical course, they have not undercover, What we have to do is we have to introduce a specific theory session. Before conducting a particular lab session, the student should be aware of what are the.

Uh, methods or procedure they are supposed to follow inside the laboratory and they should be, uh, there should be a clear cut idea of the aim of the experiment to each one of the student. So we have to make sure that the students are capable of doing the process. For that they know they have to know the procedure and normally the method.

Is followed is like that weekly if you're having laboratory session. So in addition to the laboratory session, we'll be having theoretical session. So before each lab session, we will try to cover all the necessary components that are required to conduct the lab properly and we'll make sure that the students will be equipped with all the necessary datas.

That’s a well-structured approach, Professor Nisanth. The integration of theoretical sessions before lab work ensures a strong foundation and readiness among students. You’ve emphasized clarity and preparation effectively. Next, let’s shift toward research activities. Can you explain your process for guiding students in selecting and narrowing down a viable research project topic within your area of expertise?

With respect to my research area that is microelectromechanical system or MEMS based sensors, actuators and energy harvesters. So what I'm expecting or what am I? What is my plan is that?

In the coming semester or in the coming years, we will introduce this course in detail and we will make identify a group of students, those who are critically interested in this subject. And if those interested subjects are ready to work means or we have to make them working by providing starting with the simulation tools such as ANSYS, Commsor, Covent Aware, et cetera. So those tools will be providing them the. Basic understanding for finite element analysis.

So by doing those simulation the students will be getting a clear cut idea about the objective of our research. They will be able to model the system. Then once it is modeled they will be getting some result by doing the this one what is it called analysis part. So once the result are got we can try for communicating into reputed conferences and journals and. What I noticed is as far as my area of expertise is concerned.

You know in addition to our simulation works, it will be more better like if you can go for any fabrication process. So currently that fabrication facility, whatever is available with respect to MEMS devices that is in IAC Bangalore. As per my understanding, IAC Bangalore, IAC Mumbai and a few more institutes such as IoT, Madras and have been they have been included under the program called INUP and through those programs our students whether it is B.Tech.

Or PhD, they can submit some proposals and if that proposals are having novel data, so that will be accepted and they will be or we can execute that fabrication program free of cost.

Thank you for that detailed explanation, Professor Nisanth. You've outlined a clear and inspiring process—from equipping students with simulation tools for foundational learning, to guiding them toward high-impact research outcomes, including fabrication opportunities through national programs like INUP. Your approach integrates fundamental skills, research innovation, and practical execution effectively. Let’s proceed by examining your student evaluation methods. How do you ensure fairness and objectivity while assessing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills?

So, if you take any, any class, normally there will be different categories of students. So the levels of student will be different. So the first and the foremost thing is to identify the students. So if there is any specifically any students which are comparatively weak with respect to the others, we have to provide some extra sessions through different methodologies. So as I mentioned, if some students are not able to follow the theoretical concept.

So we have to provide some additional methods in such a way that they will be able to understand the fundamentals. So it can be using any softwares means so many open.

Softwares are there so operator softwares that also we can use and.

Because we can't tell that any particular student is good or bad. So all are having the caliber. The only thing is we have to model them properly. They need proper guidance and good approach toward that. They should like the subject. So we have to represent or present the subject in front of the students in such a way that they should like the subject. So that is the first thing what I believe. So if a student is getting an interest in a particular subject, definitely he will. Try hard for that subject and whatever assignments we are giving and.

That can that will help the students to improve their performance.

So that'll be another approach like we have to give periodical assignments. So as we told this continuous evaluation. So it's not merely like conducting the test and during during the evaluation. So it can happen that even though a student knows things, sometimes they will not be able to score proper or better during the examination. So if those kinds of cases are there, we have to consider that and specifically we have to give them.

A second chance?

That is what I believe.

Thank you, Professor Nisanth. Your approach reflects a thoughtful effort to acknowledge diverse student needs, provide additional support where necessary, and maintain fairness through continuous evaluation. The emphasis on fostering interest and motivation in the subject is particularly commendable. Let us now focus on your research publications. Could you highlight one of your most significant publications and explain the core contribution it made to your field?

And in that process, we have done the simulation of different architectures of MEMS piezoelectric energy harvesters because we have selected piezoelectric harvesters specifically due to certain advantages with respect to the counterparts such as electromagnetic energy harvesters are there then electrostatic is also there. So this piezoelectric energy harvested it is some comparatively simple and the power density will be more and.

My PhD work was mainly on design, simulation, fabrication and characterization of MEMS piezoelectric energy harvesters.

We have first work was based upon assimilation study.

And that was published in Microsystem Technologies Design and implementation of MEMS Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters for Low Frequency application. That was the title of the paper published in the year 2021.

And after that we have submitted.

UH-1 Paper.

In another journal called E Prime.

So in that E prime we have we have been analyzing the topology like if you most of both of the papers were containing the basic structure as a cantilever device. So in that cantilever device in the first work we have analyzed the beam geometry, then proof cross geometry etcetera and we come up with a optimized structure which consists of trapezoidal beam and a triangular proof mass and we have verified that it is showing better performance.

Terms of frequency as well as output amplitude.

And the second work, it was like uh, not based upon the purely based upon the geometry of the device rather than that for energy harvesting application, we are using a strip of piezoelectric material.

So what should be the optimum size of that device? So that optimization approach we were trying and we have found that there should be a specific size for your piezoelectric material that is the length of the piezoelectric material and if you compare it that with the length of your.

So that'll be normally deposited on top of our cantilever beam.

Then your performance will be better or sensitivity or output power density will be more. Again, it is dependent upon the beam geometry also because we have extended that analysis for different geometries of beams like rectangular, trapezoidal, reversed, episodal etcetera.

Bean cantilever beam there should be an optimal issue so if it satisfy that ratio.

And our conclusion was like for trapezoidal bin we don't have to go for any detailed optimization, whereas if it is rectangular or reverse trapezoidal, we have to go for optimized length of piezoletic energy harvesters. So these two were the journal publication related to my PhD work and one conference that is in I triple census.

In 2018, we have published one work which was conducted in New Delhi.

And that was my first publication later to PhD work. And it was again, uh, that was uh, actually the starting point of my research towards my first journal and 2nd journal paper because the review comments, whatever received from that, uh, reviewers of that conference, it was extremely significant. And that helped in deciding our way of approach towards design and simulation of these devices. And finally, we have done the fabrication of.

Prices based upon silicon and some other material, novel materials. And we have done a comparative study and we have come up with.

Better result with respect to silicon if you are going for other novel materials and that publication is under preparation and one paper is under review in Microsystem Technologies itself.

Thank you, Professor Nisanth. Your research contributions are impressive, particularly how your systematic simulation, optimization, and fabrication efforts have refined the performance of MEMS piezoelectric energy harvesters. It is evident that your work has strong theoretical and practical implications, especially in harnessing low-frequency applications through innovative designs. Let us proceed by discussing your teaching methods. Clear communication and structured course delivery are essential for a professor. How do you ensure that complex subjects are conveyed in a manner that students from diverse academic backgrounds can easily comprehend?

Yes, Sir, because, uh, recently I had that experience because we, as I told, I haven't, we have introduced one course in our institute only native university. That is as a result of that Lamb research IAC and ISM program. And that subject is actually a little bit difficult to follow for a big tech level student because that fabrication created things are normally introduced in PG level even at IAC Bangalore also it is.

G level it is introduced and uh, we have done a detailed literature review related to that subject. So basic fabrication process only is being generally taught in most of the.

Engineering colleges under, uh, this one usually 1. So there was no course related to advanced fabrication process steps. So in the syllabus we have prepared or we have structured that syllabus in such a way that if you directly go for advanced processes, it will be very difficult to digest for the students. So what we have done is in the first unit, we have introduced the semiconductor ecosystem in India. What are the basic process That is called the unit process.

So that will be covered in unit 1.

So once the students are familiar with the basic or unit process then we will proceed with unit 2 which starts with our advanced process. In advanced process, what we are doing is as we scale down the devices there will be so many effects like second order effects will come into picture. So how to nullify that? So how we can overcome the drawbacks due to these small scale effect so as the size is decreasing.

But we have to counter that. So for that what are the different approaches like we are dividing the enter for example if I take a mosfet we are dividing the mosfet into different modules like gate module, isolation module then well module.

Your device performance will come down.

Contact module.

Then interconnect structures, so this metal interconnects, then what is the type of isolation used for devices? Also all those things will come into picture and moreover that if they know the unit process, this advanced processor easy to understand. So that is the main thing. So first we will make the foundation strong, then only we will go for.

Advanced Topics So in addition to to make the students more interested towards the goals, there is one software called Simulator 3D.

So that simulator 3D, we have introduced a parallel to this theoretical part. And during that practical session, uh, whatever unit process or advance process, they are learning in the theory so that they will be able to visualize in a virtual way. So in the system they can see what is our thin film deposition.

What is isolation module? What is uh optical lithography, photoresist application, etching process so everything they will be able to.

Do you in the system. So that was one of the major advantage. So what I understood is the way in which you're presenting and it'll be better in my opinion, it'll be better if you are introducing that course by linking them with real life applications. Because whatever course we are putting in front of the students, finally they will be thinking that why we are learning this or what is the need of this subject.

So, there should be an answer for that and it should not be in such a way that we have to or the faculty or instructor has to explain what is the significance. So that student itself should understand this is the importance of the subject. So if we learn this, we will get this benefit. So these are the areas of application. So like in that way if we can structure a course, I hope definitely students will like the courses.

Your approach is exceptionally well thought out, Professor Nisanth. Starting with foundational concepts and gradually building up to advanced topics ensures that students can grasp and apply complex material. Integrating tools like SEMulator3D is an excellent way to make abstract concepts tangible, while linking theoretical knowledge to real-life applications further enhances engagement. Your focus on fostering independent realization of a subject's significance is a hallmark of effective teaching. We are in the concluding stages of this evaluation. Before we finalize, is there anything specific you would like to highlight or add about your teaching, research, or academic philosophy?

So as a pass, uh, part of my research work, uh, we have submitted, I just wanted to point out one thing that is we have.

Done the fabrication at IAC Bangalore.

And we have done one part of our research at IIT Mumbai also. So the cleanroom facilities, whatever is available in IIT Mumbai, we have spent more than three to four months there and we have done the fabrication of the device and even.

IAC Bangalore, we have done the work mainly based upon silicon devices and it was through a program called Hackathon program and I was one of the participant or one of the winner of that program. Total there was 4 people and we were provided with an opportunity to fabricate our devices in 1/4 of 1/4 inch wafer. So we four people have shared our design and it have been fabricated successfully.

And in IIT Mumbai, we have pending work like characterization but we have done the fabrication. So during the fabrication process we came across with some issues and we rectified that. And the second phase fabrication of the optimized devices going on and my core supervisor is from.

And a few characterization have been also done.

Trivandrum, Dr. Sinavi and there are also there is a clean room facility and during my PhD work, I have been working mainly in the cleanroom facilities and I am familiar with the fabrication equipment such as wet bench, optical lithography of thermal oxidation etcetera.

IST.

Thank you.

Thank you, Professor Nisanth. Your extensive hands-on experience with advanced research facilities, along with your active role in fabrication and characterization processes, underlines not only your technical expertise but also your capability to guide students effectively in cutting-edge research initiatives. If there is nothing further from your side, we are ready to conclude. Please confirm if you would like to finish the interview.

Sorry if you can conclude.

Yes, Sir.

Just to confirm, Professor Nisanth—are you explicitly requesting the interview to be concluded? Would you like me to finalize this now?