Currently, Dr. P. Thangadurai is a Professor and Head of the Centre for Nanoscience and Technology at Pondicherry University, India. With over two decades of research and academic experience, he has made substantial contributions to the fields of materials science, nanotechnology, and electron microscopy. His expertise lies in the synthesis, structural analysis, and electrical characterization of nanostructured materials for diverse applications, including nanoelectronics, photocatalysis, energy storage, bioimaging, and environmental remediation.

After completing bachelors and Masters degrees in Physics, Dr. Thangadurai earned his Ph.D. in Physics–Materials Science Interdisciplinary from the University of Madras, focusing on the synthesis and study of nanocrystalline materials such as PbF₂, SnO₂, and La₂O₃-stabilized ZrO₂. His research journey spans prestigious institutions worldwide, having served as a Postdoctoral Fellow at TECHNION-Israel, a Marie Curie Researcher at NCSR “Demokritos” in Greece, and a Raman Fellow at Case Western Reserve University, USA. In these roles, he carried out pioneering work on high-k dielectrics for MOS devices, electron-beam-induced damage in microelectronic materials, and advanced characterization using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and related analytical techniques. During his post-doctoral fellowship he works on a European project named “RIMANA”, which involved the development of electron beam lithography technique to do a Direct-Write Projection Maskless Lithography.

Currently, Dr. Thangadurai leads research on fabricating metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) devices using high-k materials like ZrO₂, HfO₂, and Al₂O₃, replacing traditional SiO₂ gate dielectrics. He explores the incorporation of metal nanoparticles in gate oxides to enhance memory and charge-trapping performance. Concurrently, his work on chemically synthesized nanostructures—such as quantum dots, core-shell nanostructures, and metal oxide composites—finds application in bio imaging, gas sensing, and photocatalysis. He is recently developing materials for environmental remediation and hydrogen production through water-splitting.
A prolific researcher, Dr. Thangadurai has authored over 90 refereed journal publications, delivered more than 100 invited talks, and presented 80 plus conference papers. He has successfully guided 8 Ph.D. scholars and 50 plus M.Tech projects. His Google Scholar metrics include over 3100 citations and an h-index of 31, reflecting the strong global impact of his research.
Dr. Thangadurai has completed six major research projects with a cumulative funding of over ₹99 lakhs and is actively involved in new research proposals. His technical repertoire encompasses a wide range of tools and techniques, including HRTEM, SEM, EELS, EFTEM, HAADF-STEM, FIB specimen preparation, impedance spectroscopy, Raman and FTIR spectroscopy, and advanced thin-film deposition methods.
As an educator, he teaches core and advanced courses for M.Tech Nanoscience and Technology students, covering quantum mechanics, nanophotonics, simulation, and experimental fabrication. His commitment to interdisciplinary education and hands-on learning is reflected in his dynamic teaching and mentorship style.

With a vision grounded in innovation and scientific rigor, Dr. Thangadurai continues to advance the frontiers of nanoscience, integrating fundamental research with real-world applications. His multifaceted contributions have positioned him as a leading figure in India’s nanotechnology landscape and a respected collaborator in international research communities.

High-K based MOS Devices, Quantum dots, Environmental Remediation, Electron Microscopy