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Probing Structure and Dynamics at Complex Interfaces

Probing Structure and Dynamics at Complex Interfaces

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Probing Structure and Dynamics at Complex Interfaces
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<strong>Seminar of the School of Physical Sciences -------------------------------------------------</strong> <strong>Title: Probing Structure and Dynamics at Complex Interfaces</strong> <strong>Speaker: Ravindra Pandey</strong> (University of Texas, Austin) Date: <strong>May 18, 2016 </strong>(Wednesday) <strong>Abstract: </strong>Interfaces play an important role in a number of intriguing charge transfer processes relevant in biology, catalysis, environmental chemistry, and molecular electronics. Fundamental information about molecules at an interface is limited as many experimental methods are incapable of selectively probing these regions. However, owing to its inherent interfacial sensitivity, sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy is an ideally suited technique to provide information on the structure and dynamics of molecules at interfaces. I will highlight two examples where SFG spectroscopy is used to determine how molecules arrange themselves at protein-water interfaces and at junctions within organic semiconductor (OSC) devices. I will describe how specific bacteria trigger ice formation by controlling the molecular structure of interfacial water. The freezing transition is further facilitated by the highly effective removal of latent heat from the nucleation site, as apparent from time-resolved vibrational SFG spectroscopy. SFG can also be applied in the visible spectral range to nondestructively investigate the interfacial electronic structure of OSC thin films, coper phthalocyanine (CuPc) deposited on SiO2. By modelling SFG spectra measured as a function of film thickness we can identify changes in CuPc's electronic density of states at both its buried interface with SiO2 and air-exposed surface. Such information will significantly help to improve strategies for designing OSC-based optoelectronics.

A warm welcome to the modified and updated website of the Centre for East Asian Studies. The East Asian region has been at the forefront of several path-breaking changes since 1970s beginning with the redefining the development architecture with its State-led development model besides emerging as a major region in the global politics and a key hub of the sophisticated technologies. The Centre is one of the thirteen Centres of the School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi that provides a holistic understanding of the region.

Initially, established as a Centre for Chinese and Japanese Studies, it subsequently grew to include Korean Studies as well. At present there are eight faculty members in the Centre. Several distinguished faculty who have now retired include the late Prof. Gargi Dutt, Prof. P.A.N. Murthy, Prof. G.P. Deshpande, Dr. Nranarayan Das, Prof. R.R. Krishnan and Prof. K.V. Kesavan. Besides, Dr. Madhu Bhalla served at the Centre in Chinese Studies Programme during 1994-2006. In addition, Ms. Kamlesh Jain and Dr. M. M. Kunju served the Centre as the Documentation Officers in Chinese and Japanese Studies respectively.

The academic curriculum covers both modern and contemporary facets of East Asia as each scholar specializes in an area of his/her interest in the region. The integrated course involves two semesters of classes at the M. Phil programme and a dissertation for the M. Phil and a thesis for Ph. D programme respectively. The central objective is to impart an interdisciplinary knowledge and understanding of history, foreign policy, government and politics, society and culture and political economy of the respective areas. Students can explore new and emerging themes such as East Asian regionalism, the evolving East Asian Community, the rise of China, resurgence of Japan and the prospects for reunification of the Korean peninsula. Additionally, the Centre lays great emphasis on the building of language skills. The background of scholars includes mostly from the social science disciplines; History, Political Science, Economics, Sociology, International Relations and language.

Several students of the centre have been recipients of prestigious research fellowships awarded by Japan Foundation, Mombusho (Ministry of Education, Government of Japan), Saburo Okita Memorial Fellowship, Nippon Foundation, Korea Foundation, Nehru Memorial Fellowship, and Fellowship from the Chinese and Taiwanese Governments. Besides, students from Japan receive fellowship from the Indian Council of Cultural Relations.