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Atharva Sahasrabudhe

1010 Noyes Street, Apt #111 Personal Contact: atharva19101991@gmail.com

Evanston, IL, USA. Personal Webpage: www.atharvabs.weebly.com

EDUCATION

Indian Institute of Science Education and Research-Kolkata (Aug 2010-Jun 2015)

Integrated BS/MS Dual Degree, Chemistry

Thesis Advisor: Dr. Sayan Bhattacharyya

Director’s Gold Medal for overall Academic Excellence

INSPIRE Fellow, Govt. of India (2010-2015)

CGPA: 9.03/10; CGPA (Major Courses) : 9.49/10 on an absolute scale

Master’s Dissertation: A Dual Sensitization Strategy for High Performance Quantum Dot Solar Cells

Higher Secondary School Certificate Examination (Pune, India) (Feb 2009)

Maharashtra State Board: 81.23%

Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (Pune, India) (Mar 2007)

Maharashtra State Board: 90.76%

Ranked third overall in the graduating batch of ~320 students

Standardized Test Scores

Chemistry Subject GRE: Scaled Score 860 ; Percentile: 90

General GRE: 329/340 (Verbal: 163/170, 92nd

percentile; Quantitative: 166/170, 92nd

percentile) AWA: 4.5/6

PUBLICATIONS (h-INDEX: 4)

JOURNAL ARTICLES (FIRST AUTHOR and Co-FIRST AUTHOR)

1. Common-Paper Based Flexible and Highly Stable Electrodes for Efficient Overall Water Splitting;

Atharva Sahasrabudhe and Sayan Bhattacharyya* (submitted)

2. Graphitic Porous Carbon Derived from Human Hair as 'Green' Counter Electrode in Quantum Dot Sensitized

Solar Cells; Atharva Sahasrabudhe, Sutanu Kapri and Sayan Bhattacharyya*, Carbon, 2016, 107, 395

Featured as a news item in The Hindu, a widely circulated English daily in India.

Featured on Solar Novus Today, an online platform covering latest solar technologies globally.

Featured as a news item in Anand Bazar Patrika, widely circulated Bengali daily.

Featured on the program Science Monitor hosted by Rajya Sabha TV (RSTV); RSTV is a television channel

owned and operated by the Rajya Sabha (Upper House of Indian Parliament), Govt. of India.

3. Dual Sensitization Strategy for High Performance Core/Shell/Quasi-Shell Quantum Dot Solar Cells;

Atharva Sahasrabudhe and Sayan Bhattacharyya*, Chemistry of Materials, 2015, 27, 4848-4859.

4. Photoactive Gold Nanoparticle Softoxometalates (SOM) using a Keplerate for Synthesis of Polystyrene Latex

Microspheres by Photo-polymerization;

Atharva Sahasrabudhe and Soumyajit Roy*, J. Mol. Eng. Mater. 2014, 2, 1440002

5. Synthesis and Properties of a Novel Quarternerized Imidazolium [α-PW12O40] Salt as a Recoverable Photo-

polymerization Catalyst;

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D. Chen#, A. Sahasrabudhe

#, W. Peng, R. Yuan, S. Roy*, Dalton Trans. 2013, 412, 10587 (

#Co-First

Author)

6. Supramolecular Thermo Aeroable Gelators (STAGS) for Synthesis of Hydrogels;

F.Xue#, D. Yuan

#, A. Sahasrabudhe

#, S. Biswas, P. Wang, X.Tang, D. Chen, R. Yuan, S. Roy*, New. J. Chem.

2012, 36, 2541 (#Co-First Author)

JOURNAL ARTICLES (Co-AUTHOR)

7. Microwave Synthesized CuxS and Graphene Oxide Nanoribbon composite as Highly Efficient Counter

Electrode for Quantum Dot Sensitized Solar Cells; D. Ghosh, G. Halder, A. Sahasrabudhe and S.

Bhattacharyya*, Nanoscale, 2016, 8, 10632.

8. Micro-optomechanical Movements (MOMs) with Soft-oxometalates: Controlled Motion of Single Soft-

Oxometalate Peapods Using Exotic Optical Potentials

B. Roy, N. Ghosh, P. Panigrahi, A. Banerjee, A. Sahasrabudhe, B. Parasar, S. Roy*, J. Mol. Eng. Mater.

2014, 2, 1440006.

PATENTS FILED

1. Metal Nanoparticles and Method of Preparation Thereof; 2103/MUM/2013 (Indian Patent Application

Pending)

Inventors: Atharva Sahasrabudhe, Abhishek Sahasrabudhe, Soumyajit Roy

BOOK CHAPTER

1. Applications of Nanoheterostructures in Energy Conversion and Sensing

Dibyendu Ghosh, Ganga Halder, Atharva Sahasrabudhe and Sayan Bhattacharyya*; Imperial College Press

2015 (In Press)

CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS (PEER-REVIEWED)

1. One-Step, Microwave Assisted Green Synthesis of Biocompatible Carbon Quantum Dots and Their Composites

with [α-PW12O40] for Visible Light Photoctalysis;

A. Sahasrabudhe, M. Chatti, S. Pant, B. Maity, P. De, S. Roy* AIP Conf. Proc. 2014, 1591, 353

CONFERENCE TALKS/POSTERS

1. Atharva Sahasrabudhe and Sayan Bhattacharyya*, Tuning the Light Matter Interactions in Type-II CdTe/CdS

Core/Shell Quantum Dots for Photovoltaics (Poster Presentation)

Two-day Workshop on Light-Matter Interaction, IISER Kolkata, India, 12-13 July 2015.

2. Atharva Sahasrabudhe and Sayan Bhattacharyya*, Core/Shell/Quasi-Shell Quantum Dot Absorbers: A Dual

Sensitization Strategy for High Performance Photovoltaics (Oral Presentation)

IONS Karlsruhe 2015, International OSA Network of Students, Karlsruhe, Germany, 26-29 June 2015.

3. Atharva Sahasrabudhe and Soumyajit Roy*, From POMs to Photoactive SOMs (Poster Presentation)

International Conference on Structural Chemistry of Molecules and Materials (SCOMM14), Centre for Research in

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CRNN), University of Calcutta, 30 Nov-2 Dec, 2014

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4. Atharva Sahasrabudhe and Soumyajit Roy*, Photoactive Gold Nanoparticle-Softoxometalates for Polystyrene

Latex Synthesis by Photopolymerization (Poster Presentation: IMRE BEST POSTER AWARD)

41st International Co-ordination Chemistry Conference (ICCC), Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition

Centre, Singapore, 21-24 July, 2014.

5. Atharva Sahasrabudhe, Shashank Pant, Manjunath Chatti, B. Maity, P. De and Soumyajit Roy*, Carbon

Dot/Polyoxometalate Organic/Inorganic Hybrids as Novel Visible Light Photocatalysts (Poster

Presentation; AWARDED NATIONAL TRAVEL GRANT)

58th Department of Atomic Energy-Solid State Physics Symposium, Thapar University, Patiala, India, 17-21

December, 2013

6. Atharva Sahasrabudhe, Shubharanjan Biswas and Soumyajit Roy*, Supramolecular Thermo Aeroable Gelators

for Synthesis of Hydrogels (Poster Presentation)

Annual Department Day, Department of Chemical Sciences, IISER-Kolkata, India, 7th November 2012

7. Atharva Sahasrabudhe, Bibudha Parasar, Shubharanjan Biswas and Soumyajit Roy*, Understanding the

Temporal Evolution of a Giant Metal Oxide Nanocage (Poster Presentation)

Tenth Symposium of CRSI Kolkata Chapter "Current Trends in Chemistry", IISER-Kolkata, India, 8th August

2012.

8. Atharva Sahasrabudhe, Bibudha Parasar and Soumyajit Roy*, Trapping and Controlled Motion of Soft-

Oxometalates Using Exotic Optical Potentials (Poster Presentation)

Symposium on Polymer Science (SPS-2011), IISER-Kolkata, India, 10th December 2011

9. Atharva Sahasrabudhe, Bibudha Parasar and Soumyajit Roy*, Micro-optomechanics with Soft-

oxometalates (Poster Presentation)

Current Topics in Condensed Matter, Suresh Neotia Centre of Excellence for Leadership, 7-9 October 2011

10. Atharva Sahasrabudhe (along with Deep Chatterje, Vaibhav Karve, Mohit Pandey and Animesh

Biswas), Icons of Evolution (Oral Presentation)

As a part of the Basic Humanities Course (HU101), IISER-Kolkata, India, 2010.

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

Core/Shell Quantum Dot Light Harvesters in Sensitized Solar Cells (Apr 2014-June 2015)

(Masters’ Dissertation)

Supervised By: Dr. Sayan Bhattacharyya (Advanced Functional Materials Lab, IISER-Kolkata)

In this project I hypothesized and synthesized different type-II core/shell semiconductor nanocrystals for

light-to-electricity conversion, followed by understanding their fundamental optical and electronic properties

using steady state and time resolved absorption and photoluminescence spectroscopies.

The quantum-dots were then integrated into a liquid junction solar cell device and several

electrochemical/optoelectronic characterizations were performed to understand the interfacial charge transfer

dynamics and optimize device performance.

Light Triggered Single Crystal-to-Single Crystal Transformation (May 2014-Jul 2014)

(Summer Internship)

Supervised By: Prof. J. J Vittal (Dept. of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, Singapore)

I worked on aspects of solid state photo-reactivity of 2-dimensional co-ordination polymers

A light sensitive chemical transformation, the [2+ 2] cycloaddition, was used to initiate solid state reactivity in

single crystals of transition metal co-ordination polymers. The extent of reaction was tracked by 1H-NMR

spectroscopy before and after exposure to radiation.

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Structure-Function Co-relation of Donor-Acceptor Dyes in DSSCs (Sept 2013-Feb 2014)

(Voluntary Undergraduate Research)

Supervised By: Dr. Sanjio Zade (Organic Electronics Lab, IISER-Kolkata)

I conceived, assembled, and implemented device fabrication/testing facilities for liquid junction photovoltaic

devices through this project.

Optimized DSSC fabrication using N719 dye with best recorded efficiency of 8.3%. I worked independently

to ascertain structure-function correlation of donor-acceptor dyes by measuring their performance in a dye

sensitized solar cell device.

Hands-on Experience in Fabrication and Characterization of Dye Sensitized Solar Cells (Nov-Dec 2013)

(Winter Internship)

Supervised By: Dr. S. B. Ogale (Centre for Excellence in Solar Energy, National Chemical Lab, Pune, India)

Hands-on experience in fabrication and characterization of 3rd generation photovoltaic devices

Assembled a Dye Sensitized Solar Cell prototype by doctor-blading mesoporous TiO2 layers composed of

differently sized nanoparticles which served as active and scattering layers. The device was assembled with

binder clips and tested under illumination with a potentiostat to record the I-V response and impedance

spectrum.

Soft-Oxometalate (SOM) and Polyoxometalate (POM) Chemistry (March 2011-Sept 2013)

(Voluntary Undergraduate Research)

Supervised By: Dr. Soumyajit Roy, FRSC (Eco-friendly Applied Materials Lab, IISER-Kolkata)

I worked with Dr. Roy over a period of ~3 years on different aspects of materials chemistry ranging from

supramolecular interactions, soft-oxometalates, optomechanics to photo-catalysis.

The unifying theme for much of the work done during this period was to understand at the fundamental level

how seemingly simple molecular interactions can lead to complex materials.

I successfully completed projects and published multiple papers working independently during this period.

Azo-functionalized Porous Aromatic Frameworks for Light Triggered Gas Uptake (May 2013-Jul 2013)

(Summer Internship)

Supervised By: Prof. Ben Teng (State Key Lab for Preparative Inorganic Synthesis, Jilin University, China)

I worked independently on conception, synthesis and characterization of a smart photo-responsive porous

aromatic framework for light triggered reversible gas uptake and release.

Azo functionalities which are known to undergo cis/trans photo-isomerization were used as “smart nodes” to

synthesize the photoresponsive framework

The as-synthesized framework was characterized by BET surface area measurements before and after light

irradiation to understand the dynamics of photo-induced gas uptake

Organic/Inorganic Hybrid Reusable Photo-polymerization Catalyst (May 2012-Jul 2012)

(Summer Exchange Student)

Supervised By: Dr. Dianyu Chen (Functional Nanomaterial Lab, Changhshu Institute of Tech., China)

A recoverable photo-polymerization catalyst based on an imidazolium moiety and a polyoxometalate, viz.

(BMIm)2(DMIm)PW12O40 was synthesized and characterized.

This catalyst could photo-polymerize a large variety of industrially important monomers over multiple cycles

with a high TON. The remarkable activity of this compound was shown to arise from the hydrophobic

pores/channels which were capable of stabilizing the transient oligomeric intermediates.

Understanding the Self Assembly of a Nanoscale Transition Metal Oxide Cluster (Dec 2011-Jan 2012)

(Winter Internship)

Supervised By: Prof. T. Pradeep (DST Unit of Nanoscience and Thematic Unit of Excellence, IIT-Madras)

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I used Electrospray Ionisation Mass Spectrometry to unravel the complex self -assembly process of a

nanosized metal oxide cluster: (NH4)42 [MoVI

72MoV

60O372 (CH3COO)30 (H2O)72] in aqueous solution.

The temporal evolution of the ESI spectrum was analyzed and solved for transient species in solution. When

correlated with the corresponding Raman spectra, I could come up with a plausible self -assembly mechanism

for the famous [Mo132] cluster which explained the "curling up" of 2D intermediates into the final 3D cluster

sphere.

Perovskite Based Heterogeneous Catalysts for Transfer Hydrogenation Reaction (May 2011-Jul 2011)

(Summer Internship-NIUS Fellow)

Supervised By: Prof. Radha Jayaraman (Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, TIFR, Mumbai)

I was selected for an extended nurture program specially designed for freshmen undergraduate students after

an extensive screening process.

Perovskite based heterogeneous catalysts (ABO3; A = La, B = Mn, Fe, Co) were designed and synthesized for

transfer hydrogenation reaction by a standard sol-gel route. The transfer hydrogenation reaction was

performed and the reaction kinetics was understood using gas chromatography interfaced to a mass

spectrometer.

ACADEMIC PROJECTS

Ag3PO4 Nanocubes as Visible Light Recoverable Photo-polymerization Catalyst (CH3204, 2013)

Designed and synthesized nanoscale Ag3PO4 photo-polymerization catalyst with cube morphology through a

simple wet-chemical precipitation route. This was further employed for polymerizing styrene under ambient

sunlight.

Fluorescent Carbon Quantum Dots and Visible Light Photocatalyst Design (CH3105, 2012)

Synthesized nanometer sized quantum confined carbon dots using a tri-peptide precursor. Photocatalytic action

of nano-composites of carbon dots and [α-PW12O40] was shown through degradation of Methylene Blue dye.

SCHOLASTIC ACHIEVEMENTS

Cambridge-India-Ramanujan Fellowship (Declined) award to pursue PhD in Physics at the Cavendish Lab,

University of Cambridge, U.K. (Mar 2016)

Winton Fellowship (Declined) award to pursue PhD in Physics at the Cavendish Lab, University of

Cambridge, U.K. (Mar 2016)

Honorary Benefactors’ Scholarship (Declined), St. John's College, University of Cambridge for funding

graduate studies at the University of Cambridge, U.K. (Mar 2016)

Directors Gold Medal for graduating with highest GPA amongst all Dual Degree BS/MS students in the

Department of Chemical Sciences, IISER-Kolkata (Jun 2015)

Ranked 5th

overall amongst all graduating students across all departments at IISER-Kolkata (Jun 2015)

IMRE Best Poster Award at the 41st ICCC-Singapore. Only undergraduate to have received the award

amongst a participant pool of 460 graduate students (Jul 2014)

Awarded National Travel Grant by IISER-K for attending the Department of Atomic Energy sponsored 58th

Solid State Physics Symposium. One amongst 3 students selected for the academic year 2014-2015 across all

departments at IISER-K (Feb 2014)

Summer Exchange Student at Changshu Institute of Technology, P. R. of China for a 3-month long research

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internship at the Functional Nanomaterial Lab (May 2012)

Recipient of the “Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research” (INSPIRE) Fellowship instituted

by the Department of Science and Technology, Govt. of India to “attract talent for the study of basic sciences at

an early stage” (Aug 2010-May 2015)

Secured an All India Rank of 7179 (out of 400,000 test takers) in the IIT Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-

JEE) (2010)

Ranked 3rd

amongst participant pool of ~320 students in the graduating class for the Secondary School

Certificate Examination, Maharashtra State Board (2007)

Recipient of the Maharashtra State Talent Search Scholarship (2005)

TEACHING

Teaching Assistant (General Physical Chemistry, CH1201) (Jan 2015-May 2015)

Conducted weekly tutorials, doubt solving sessions and graded assignments for a class of 120 freshmen

Teaching Assistant (Basic Quantum Chemistry, CH2102) (Aug 2014-Nov 2014)

Conducted weekly tutorials, doubt solving sessions, set-up and graded assignments for a class of 70 sophomores

RESEARCH SKILLS

Materials Synthesis Methods

Well versed in varied syntheses methods such as Sol-gel, Hydrothermal, Microwave, Hot-injection, Electro-

deposition, Solid State Thermal Decomposition, Chemical Vapour Deposition, Conventional multi-step organic

transformations, sensitive Schlenk-line Chemistry and handling the Glove-box.

Materials Characterization Techniques

Proficient at recording and interpreting the following: Powder X-ray Diffraction, Electronic Absorption

Spectroscopy, Photoluminescence Spectroscopy, Time Correlated Single Photon Counting, FT-Infrared

Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy, Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry,

Dynamic Light Scattering, Zeta Potential, Cyclic Voltammetry , Linear Sweep Voltammetry, Electrochemical

Impedance Spectroscopy, Tafel Polarization, Incident Photon to Current Conversion efficiency measurements,

Chronoamperometric Charge-Discharge, Optical Trapping.

Device Fabrication and Characterization

Quantum Dot Sensitized Solar Cells

Dye Sensitized Solar Cells

Solid State Symmetric/Asymmetric Supercapacitors

Photo-electrochemical Water Splitting Cells

ENTREPRENEURIAL SKILLS

Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer

As the co-founder and CTO of an early-stage start-up on advanced emissions control technology, my role is to

conceptualize and develop breakthrough solutions by harnessing innovatively designed nanomaterials.

I have developed a unique and cost effective nanomaterial catalyst based on a mesoporous metal oxide scaffold

that can be deployed onto a catalytic converter.

The method uses an easily scalable synthesis technique keeping in mind the currently used industry assembly

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line. The technology development is actively under progress and patent applications are being filed.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

Co-Event Organizer of “EXHIB” at INQUIVESTA, Science Festival of IISER-Kolkata (2012)

Student Representative (Academics) of the Department of Chemical Sciences, IISER-Kolkata (2013-2015)

Member of the Gold Medal winning Cricket Team in the institute cricket tournament (2013)

Qualified the Intermediate Grade Drawing exam conducted by the Govt. of Maharashtra; exam tests

professional drawing and painting ; standard qualification required for professionals (2006)

in govt. establishments

Represented high school at the district level table tennis competitions. (2005-2006)