Dr. Akash Rasal a distinguished academic and researcher in the field of Material Science. He earned his Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering with First Class honors from the Nao-Chemistry Laboratory at the National Taiwan University of Science & Technology (NTUST) during the period spanning September 2018 to June 2021. His doctoral research focused on the design and fabrication of environmentally friendly, efficient, and stable Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells (QDSSCs) through innovative electrolyte engineering approaches. The culmination of his academic journey is reflected in his thesis titled “Design and Fabrication of Green, Efficient, and Stable Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells Through Electrolyte Engineering.” This work not only underscores his commitment to advancing the field of chemical engineering but also highlights his dedication to sustainable and cutting-edge technologies in the realm of solar energy.
He completed his Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Analytical Chemistry with First Class honors at the Department of Chemistry, Shivaji University Kolhapur (SUK), Maharashtra, India, from July 2013 to March 2015. Under the guidance of Prof. G. B. Kolekar, his thesis titled “Pine Wood Derived Carbon Quantum Dots for Fluorescence Applications: Hydrothermal Synthesis and Characterization” showcased his expertise in the field. Subsequently, from July 2010 to April 2013, he attained his Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Chemistry with First Class with Distinction at the Department of Chemistry, Shrimant Babasaheb Deshmukh Mahavidyalaya, Atpadi, affiliated to Shivaji University Kolhapur (SUK), Maharashtra, India. 🎓
Building on this foundation, he pursued a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering with First Class honors at the Nao-Chemistry Laboratory, National Taiwan University of Science & Technology (NTUST), Taiwan. 🌐 His doctoral research, conducted within the timeframe of September 2018 to June 2021, focused on advancing the field through the design and fabrication of green, efficient, and stable Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells (QDSSCs) via electrolyte engineering. 🌞📚
Research interests
Current research interests are highly aligned with the most exciting and cutting-edge areas of research in materials
science and engineering, including but not limited to the synthesis of quantum dots (QDs) and two-dimensional
(2D) nanomaterials for advanced energy technologies.
Green and solution-processed QDs: Development of novel, non-toxic, water-based alloyed semiconductor QDs,
such as ZnCuInS, ZnCuInSe, AgCuInSe, and AgCuInSe, with higher quantum yield (QY) and lifetime for energy
conversion and storage applications. In addition, synthesize lead-free perovskite (Cs3Bi2Br9, CsSnI3, etc.) QDs and
carbon-based QDs (graphene, polymer dots, etc.) for energy applications.
Printed and flexible electronics: Development of new printing and solution-based processes for the fabrication of
photovoltaic cells, supercapacitor devices, and Zn-air batteries on flexible substrates, such as polymers and
conducting paper. This could include the development of new inks, printing techniques, and quasi-solid state gel
electrolyte (QSSGE) methods.
Multifarious electrocatalysts: Development of new, high-performance, stable, and multifunctional electrocatalysts
for multidisciplinary applications of photovoltaics, water splitting, Zn-air batteries, supercapacitors, and other
advanced technologies.
Honors and awards
He has an impressive academic and research background, having secured a series of fellowships and scholarships in Taiwan. Beginning with a full Ph.D. fellowship funded by the Ministry of Education (MoE) and the Department of Chemical Engineering at the National Taiwan University of Science & Technology (NTUST) from September 2018 to August 2021, he demonstrated commitment and excellence in his doctoral studies. Following this, he embarked on a succession of National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Postdoctoral Research Fellowships, spanning from August 2021 to July 2024.
These prestigious fellowships, awarded annually, reflect the recognition of his research contributions and potential in the field. This trajectory highlights his dedication to advancing scientific knowledge and positions him as a promising researcher in the domain of materials science and engineering.
WORKSHOPS/CONFERENCE •
He has actively participated in and contributed to various academic and professional events, showcasing a diverse range of interests and engagements. In February 2018, he attended the International Conference on Advances in Chemical Sciences (IC-ACS 2018), hosted by the Department of Chemistry at Shivaji University, Kolhapur, MS, India. Additionally, he participated in a one-day workshop on “Hands-on Training Programme on GC/MS” organized by USIC (CFC), Shivaji University, Kolhapur, in collaboration with Toshvin Analytical Ltd. Mumbai in November 2017. Earlier, in September 2017, he engaged with the National Conference of Recent Trends in Nanomaterials (NCRTN), organized by the Department of Nanoscience and Technology at Yashawantrao Chavan (Y.C.) Institute of Science in Satara, MS, India.
His involvement in workshops and conferences extends beyond his academic focus, as seen in his participation in a district conference organized by UDAN 2016 and a workshop on “Awareness Programme on Biodiversity Conservation” funded by the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) of New Delhi, India, in September 2016 and 2010, respectively. These diverse experiences reflect his interdisciplinary approach and a commitment to staying abreast of the latest developments in various fields.
ACADEMIC & INDUSTRIAL EXPERIENCE
During the period spanning from July 2017 to September 2018, he served as a Contributory Teacher in Applied Chemistry at the Department of Applied Chemistry, Shivaji University, Kolhapur, MS, India. His teaching responsibilities included delivering the course titled “Quantum Dots (QDs) for Nanotechnology” to M.Sc. students. In this capacity, he not only imparted theoretical knowledge but also conducted practical sessions, overseeing activities such as spectrophotometric determination of Fe in water samples using the standard addition method. Additionally, he guided students in the analysis of biological oxygen demand (BOD) and dissolved oxygen (DO) in wastewater samples.
Prior to these roles, from December 2016 to May 2017, he served as a Lecturer in Chemistry at the Department of General Science, Shivaji Polytechnic, Atpadi, MS, India. In this role, he taught the course “Quantum Dots (QDs) for Nanotechnology” to diploma students and oversaw inorganic practical sessions involving colorimetric analysis, spectrophotometry, nephelometry, and fluorimetry. 🎓🔬 These diverse teaching experiences showcase his commitment to education across different academic levels and his expertise in both theoretical and practical aspects of chemistry.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
Since August 2022, he has been serving as a Postdoctoral Research Associate in the Department of Chemical Engineering at National Taiwan University (NTU), Taiwan, under the guidance of Project Investigator Prof. Wen-Yueh Yu. As a key member of the catalyst and surface chemistry laboratory (CSC), he is actively engaged in the synthesis of high-energy-density catalysts designed for applications in the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and urea oxidation reaction (UOR). Notably, .
His prior experience includes a Postdoctoral Researcher position from August 2021 to July 2022 at the Department of Chemical Engineering at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST), Taiwan, working under the supervision of Prof. Jia-Yaw Chang. As a part of the nano-chemistry laboratory, he played a pivotal role in synthesizing solution-processed, aqueous, and environmentally friendly carbon quantum dots (CQDs) and perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) using a facile microwave synthesis process. 🌐✨
Published
1. Akash S. Rasal, Meng-Hsun Wu, Girum Gatechew, Anil A. Kashale, I-Wen Peter Chen, Jia-Yaw Chang, DefectActivated Ternary Carbon Alloy: A Multifunctional Electrocatalyst for Efficient Oxidation of Water, Urea,
ORR, and Zinc-Air Batteries (Journal of Energy Storage, I.F. = 9.4) doi.org/10.1016/j.est.2023.108186
2. Akash S. Rasal, Hao-Ming Chen, Wen-Yueh Yu, Electronic Structure Engineering of Electrocatalyst for
Efficient Urea Oxidation Reaction (Accepted in Nano Energy, I.F. = 19.069)
3. Akash S. Rasal, Meng-Hsun Wu, Anil V. Ghule, Girum Gatechew, Anil A. Kashale, I-Wen Peter Chen, Jia-Yaw
Chang, Advancing the Stability and Efficiency of Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells Through a Novel,
Green, and Water-based Thixotropic Biopolymer/Ordered Mesoporous Silica Designed Quasi-Solid-State
Gel Electrolytes (Chemical Engineering Journal, I.F. = 16.744) doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.137293
4. Akash S. Rasal, Ting-Ying Lee, Pei-Yun Kao, Girum Getachew, Aswandi Wibrianto, Worku Batu Dirersa, A. V.
Ghule, Jia-Yaw Chang, Composition, Morphology, and Interface Engineering of 3D Cauliflower like Porous
Carbon Wrapped Metal Chalcogenides as Advanced Electrocatalyst for Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar Cells
(Nano-Micro Small, I.F. = 15.153) doi.org/10.1002/smll.202202133
5. Akash S. Rasal, Sudesh Yadav, Anil A Kashale, Ali Altaee, Jia-Yaw Chang, Stability of Quantum Dot-Sensitized
Solar Cells: A Review and Prospects (Nano Energy, I.F. = 19.069) doi.org/10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106854
6. Akash S. Rasal, Ting-Wei Chang, C. Korupalli, Jia-Yaw Chang, Composition Engineered Ternary Copper
Chalcogenide Alloyed Counter Electrodes for High-Performance and Stable Quantum Dot-Sensitized Solar
Cells (Composite part B: Engineering, I.F. = 13.1) doi.org/10.1016/j.compositesb.2021.109610