How to make Collaborative

Research Proposal

State Project Implementation Unit, Madhya Pradesh (SPIU-MP)

April 30, 2019

Shaibal Mukherjee, Associate Professor

Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group,
Electrical Engineering,
Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India 453552
IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group
 HNRG Leader
Shaibal Mukherjee, Associate Professor, Electrical Engineering

Citation Indices (Google Scholar)

h-index: 14
i10-index: 25
Total Citations: 669

Before Joining IIT Indore

Post Doctoral Research Scientist, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Northwestern
University, USA, 2009 - 2010
Ph.D., Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Oklahoma, USA, 2009

Office Address
Room no. 304, Scandium Building, IIT Indore

Research Group: Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group (HNRG)

Tel: +91-731-2438916 (Lab),

Fax: +91-731-2361482, +1-484-2317876
Website: http://iiti.ac.in/people/~shaibal/
Email: shaibal@iiti.ac.in, shaibal.mukh@gmail.com

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 HNRG Resources
Research Funding

Collaborators
IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group
 Brief on HNRG Research Output
Summary of Patents and Publications
Patents (Published): 3+2 Peer-reviewed Journals: 75
Book/Book Chapter: 7 Proceedings in International Conference: 73

Manpower Development
Doctoral Thesis Supervision: 10 (Completed) 8 (Ongoing)
M.Tech./M.Sc. Thesis Supervision: 3 (Completed) 2 (Ongoing)
B.Tech. Project Supervision: 5 (Completed) 1 (Ongoing)

Selected Awards and Distinctions

• 2019 DAAD Fellowship to visit Karlsruhe Institute of Technology under Bilateral Exchange of Academics
Program
• 2018 Materials Research Society of India (MRSI) Medal
• 2018 Bhaskara Advanced Solar Energy (BASE) Internship Award to PhD student (Brajendra S. Sengar) under
the program supported by DST and the Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) with UNLV, USA
• 2017 BASE Fellowship Award under the program supported by DST and IUSSTF with ORNL, USA
• 2016 Young Faculty Research Fellowship (YFRF) under Visvesvaraya PhD Scheme for Electronics and IT, MeitY

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 HNRG: Research Focus
0.35
at -30 V
0.30 2.0

Responsivity (A/W)
at 0 V

Responsivity (mA/W)
0.25 1.6

1.2
0.20 D1
0.8
0.15 D2
´10 0.4
0.10
0.0

Photodete 0.05
300 350 400 450
Wavelength (nm)
500

ctors 0.00
300 330 360
Wavelength (nm)
390 420 450 480 505

TCO
Buffer Layer
Back Scattering Layer
Absorber
Mo Back Contact

Non- Ultrathin Substrate(Glass)

Volatile Solar
Memory Cells 0.22

Normalized Intensity (a.u.)

0.20

HNRG 0.18 P2
P3
Research 0.16

0.14
P1
0.12
Expanded
0.10
Plasmonic Region
16 18 20 22 24 26 28
Energy (eV)
Sheet carrier density ´10 (cm )
-2

2.9 MgxZn1-xO/Cd0.15Zn0.85O
14

2.8 Fitting curve

2.7

2.6
In contacts
HEMT / Bio-
2.5 HFET chemical
2.4
MgxZn1-xO
Cd0.15Zn0.85O
Gate
Sensors
p-Si (100)
5 !m

2.3
0.05 0.10 0.15 0.20 0.25 0.30 Source Drain
Mg composition (x)
SiO2

17 Substrate Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

IIT Indore
 Collaborative Research
Scheme (CRS)

under TEQIP

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Objectives

1.1. To provide incentive for young TEQIP faculty from different institutes
to collaborate on research and build research community.
1.2. To support innovation &research across institutes with collaboration
among TEQIP Faculty, Regular faculty of Project institutions (focus and
non-focus) & Premier institutions of the country.
1.3. The scheme targets for 200 proposals in 1 year.

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Eligibility
3.1 The proposal should be submitted by a group of faculties (PI & Co-PIs) from
different TEQIP institutions (at least 2 institutions).
3.2 The group shall consist of at least 3 faculty (sr. no. 1,2 & 3) of following:
1. One TEQIP-faculty who should essentially be a Principal Investigator (PI).
2. One Regular faculty of same institute to which the PI belongs shall be Co-PI.
Such Co-PI may not be working in same research area (though preferred) but
should belong to the same Department to that of PI.
3. For institute collaboration, First priority should be given to collaborate with
TEQIP mentor institute or NIT/ IIT of the same state or region and that too
which is nearer to host institute and the faculty concerned shall be Co-PI.
4. Scheme allows the youngsters to work with faculty partner / collaborating
institution of their choice.
5. Additional Co-PI faculty from any other TEQIP institutes.
6. The group may have as many additional Co-PI as necessary from any
institution (TEQIP or Non-TEQIP institute from India or Abroad).

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Format of Proposal
The collaborative research proposals are expected to be related to issues on
social / industrial problems related to:
Ø Energy
Ø Environment, Climate Change & Sustainable Habitat
Ø Healthcare
Ø ICT
Ø Materials (advanced)
Ø Nanotechnology Hardware
Ø Manufacturing
Ø Security & Defence
Ø Water Resources

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Format of Proposal
The online application form will include the following:
Ø Objective
Ø Research status (national and international level)
Ø Methodology
Ø Component of funding
Ø Expected outcome etc
The components of budget estimate shall be:
Ø Equipment (60%)
Ø Domestic travel (15%)
Ø Consumables (10%)
Ø Contingencies (10%)
Ø Miscellaneous (5%)

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Format of Proposal
Ø The proposal may include purchase of relevant equipment, Computer or laptop,
software, data logger and other peripheral equipment along with justification for
each one of them.
Ø Though procurement is limited to 60% of the project cost, it may be increased
maximum to 80% on the recommendation of the experts.
Ø The equipment’s etc. procured under the scheme shall be entered into stock
register of the host institute and shall be made available at the time of audit/
store verification. The assets shall remain the property of the host institution.
Ø As tendering process will take 6 months, equipment will only be purchased
through GeM. If the equipment is not available on GeM, it may be accessed
through the Co-PI institution (NITs/IITs/Mentor institutions).
Ø The special cases of procurement of equipment, which is neither possible
through GeM nor available with mentor institute, may be referred to
procurement division of NPIU and on approval such procurement shall be
monitored by NPIU using TEQIP Purchase guidelines (World Bank guidelines).

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 GeM

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 NPIU

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Format of Proposal
Ø The proposal should be endorsed by the head of institution in which the faculty
member works. The certificate to that effect will be uploaded on the online
portal.
Ø No international travel is permissible. The maximum admissible expenditure
on domestic travel will be 15% of the project cost. It may include travel and
accommodation of PI and Co-PIs and any experts invited for the research
project.
Ø There is no limit on submission of number of proposals per institute.

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Scrutiny and Review
Ø AICTE will review the proposal received through portal as per the prevailing
AICTE procedures through the team of experts and select the proposal along
with the funding pattern.
Ø AICTE will also conduct quarterly review on the progress through experts,
preferably through the same experts, who have approved the proposal, as per
AICTE procedure.
Ø AICTE will communicate the acceptance of the proposal along with the
approved budget to NPIU for release of funds.
Ø Also, the progress on quarterly review and further release of funds shall be
provided by AICTE from time to time as per the timelines so as to provide funds
in time.

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Release of funds and monitoring
Ø Though maximum limit per project shall be Rs. 25 lacs, approved funding shall
be based on the contents of the project. This limit may also be extended on
the recommendation of expert committee.
Ø Thus, for example, for Rs. 25 lacs, the budget components will be:
v Equipment: Rs. 15 lacs (60%) to Rs. 20 lacs (80%)
v Domestic travel: Rs. 3.75 lacs (15%)
v Consumables: Rs. 2.5 lacs (10%)
v Contingencies: Rs. 2.5 lacs (10%)
v Miscellaneous: Rs. 1.25 lacs (5%)
Ø AICTE submits list of approved projects along with approved budget. NPIU
releases funds to Institutes through PFMS as an advance and would be
debited in the account of the institute. The institute spends advance and
submits UC (with SoE) based on which expenditure will be booked in PFMS.

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 PFMS

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Release of funds and monitoring
Ø Initial release shall be 25% of approved project cost as seed money
immediately after approval and complying formalities of fund release (account
details and bank mandate).
Ø The funding shall be provided to host institution. The host institution shall
submit utilisation (jointly signed by PI & Head of Institution) on quarterly basis
and final utilization by the end of current FY (March 2020).
Ø Host institute has to open a separate account for the transaction related to
research expenditure on the proposal.
Ø Next release shall be based on the outcomes as per the time line and the
requirement after submitting UC (mentioning amount received, spent and
balance).

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Expected Outcome
Ø Joint research project between institutions through young TEQIP faculty and
develop bilateral relationships (academic & research) among TEQIP
institutions.
Ø Promote knowledge transfer from well performing institute.
Ø Produce educational and research contents in the form of jointly authored
publication, book chapters, research monographs, patents, demonstrable
technologies and action-oriented research outcomes and product and
dissemination in teaching in multiple institutions.
Ø The equipment procured under the scheme may be used for consultancy
purpose by the host institution.
Ø The facilities created may be used by students for Lab work & Projects of
B.Tech. / M.Tech. / PhD students.

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Sample CRS Application Form

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Sample CRS Application Form

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Sample CRS Application Form

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Sample CRS Application Form

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Sample CRS Application Form

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Example: Objectives

In view of the solar-blind photodetectors (SBPDs), we aim to

Ø Design and fabricate SBPDs based on heterostructure and multiple
quantum well-based SBPDs.
Ø High crystalline quality epitaxial growth of materials to realize SBPD
structure.
Ø Fabrication of SPBD array for commercial, space, and military
applications.

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Relevance: NASA Space Expedition (2017-2030)

US-based organizations involved to explore moon and other asteroids for raw
materials:
• Moon Express
• Deep Space Industries
• Planetary Resources

ü Amount of raw materials stored on Moon surface: $140-500 quadrillion!

ü Investment from Luxembourg alone: EURO 223 million!

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Example: Research Status
Ø International Status:
v A tabular form is most suitable with relevant and most-recent literature
reviews
v One has to demonstrate what is lacking and the current need in terms of
global competitiveness

Ø National Status:
v A tabular form is most suitable with relevant and most-recent literature
reviews
v One has to demonstrate what is lacking and the current need of the
country

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Example: Expected Outcome
Structure Heterostructure SBPD MQW SBPD

176 mA/W for AlGaN p-i-n SBPD by MOCVD

170 mA/W for AlGaN SBPD by MBE
200 mA/W for MgZnO p-i-n SBPD by VCC
Responsivity
> 800 mA/W for MgZnO MQW SBPD
> 500 mA/W for MgZnO p-i-n SBPD
270, 280, 300 nm 280, 300 nm
Cut-off
wavelength ~ 200 – 280 nm ~ 200 – 280 nm
3.16 × 1012 cm Hz1/2 W-1 ~ 6.4 × 1010 cm Hz1/2 W-1
Detectivity
> 1013 cm Hz1/2/W-1 > 1012 cm Hz1/2/W-1
External ~89 % ~ 50%
quantum
efficiency ~ 100 % ~ 80%

Red highlighted text – Best reported values; Blue Highlighted text – Targeted values
IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group
 Example: Research Methodology
Ø One has to mention in a stepwise manner how to reach the technical goals in
detailed work plan and methodology.
Ø Each such step should be inter-connected and relevant in terms of proposal
objectives.
Ø Example, let’s consider your objective is fabrication of a solar cell:
v Analytical modeling: To optimize the complex solar cell architecture in
terms of its performance matrices
v Material growth: Optimization of growth conditions for semiconductor
materials to be used to fabricate the solar cell, which has been finalized
through the analytical modeling
v Material Characterization: Structural, morphological, elemental,
electrical, optical, and interfacial characteristics
v Device Fabrication and Characterization: Fabrication of solar cells using
various Cleanroom processing and fabrication steps with subsequent
device characterization and performance analysis

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Example: Work Plan for SBPD

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Example: Technical Novelty
Ø One has to clearly mention what is new in the proposal objectives. This has
to be in unison with the national and international status of research, which
has already been included.
Ø Example:
v Technical uniqueness can be defined in terms of performance parameters
or technical goals of one’s research deliverables
v One may target cost-effectiveness of the products with superior product
performance parameters
v Novelty can be in terms of delivering an efficient algorithm to solve an
issue
v Novelty should be in correlation with various novel and unique missions of
The Government of India in various sectors such as Agriculture, Urban
Planning, Electricity, Healthcare, Rural Development, Education etc.

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Example: Possible Patentability
Ø One needs to express which component of the proposal may be
patented.

Ø In addition to Intellectual Protection Right, one has to mention the other

deliverables such as

ü publication in peer-reviewed journals

ü proceedings in international conferences

ü manpower training for capacity building

ü organizing workshops / seminars / symposia

ü consultancy etc.

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Example: Group Expertise
Year Technical Accomplishments Reference

2019 1st demonstration of plasmon-enhanced buffer-less solar Solar Energy, 178(114),

cells based on Ga-doped ZnO and CIGS 2019
2018 1st reliable and repeatable RT acceptor doping in ZnO of 1019 IPR, 201721010866,
– 1020 cm-3 by Li-P PUBLISHED, 2018
2017 1st DIBS-grown 1000% EQE, 2.6 A/W responsivity from IEEE PTL, 19(14), 2017
heterostructure UV PD
2017 1st demonstration of DIBS-fabricated forming-free high- Appl. Phys. Lett.,
endurance Al/ZnO/Al RRAM 110(253509), 2017
2016 1st demonstration of high-quality Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 thin films Solar Energy, 132(1),
for cost-effective photovoltaic application 2016
2016 1st DIBS-grown ZnO-based MQW RT blue (λ = 446 nm) LED J. Lumin., 180(204), 2016

2015 1st DIBS-grown 23% IQE, 58 mA/W responsivity from self- RSC Advances, 5(62603),
powered MSM UV PD 2015
2014 1st DIBS-grown ZnO-based p-i-n heterostructure RT blue (λ = Optics Express,
442 nm) LED 22(30983), 2014

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Example: Budget Outlay
Head Years
First Second Third Fourth Fifth Total
Capital Equipment 2010 - - - - 2010
FE Comp. (INR in
Lakhs)
Consumable stores 15 15 15 15 15 75
FE Comp. (INR in
Lakhs)
Duty on import (if any) Standard and Standard and Standard and Standard and Standard and Standard and
(INR in Lakhs) included included included included included included
Manpower (INR in 20.16 20.16 23.04 23.04 23.04 109.44
Lakhs)
Travel and Training 10 10 10 10 10 50
FE Comp. (INR in
Lakhs)
Contingencies (INR in 10 10 10 10 10 50
Lakhs)
Other expenditure to 10 10 10 10 10 50
be debitable to this
project (INR in Lakhs)
Overhead, if any 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 5.0
Grand Total (INR in 2076.16 66.16 69.04 69.04 69.04 2349.44
Lakhs)

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Example: Capital Expenditure
S.N Item description (including test Foreign Total (INR in
o. equipment, components, materials Exchange Lakhs)
etc.) (FE)
1 Plasma-assisted MBE cluster tool 1 USD = INR 1650
with reflectometry, ellipsometry, 70
STM, RHEED analysis, residual gas
analysis, beam flux monitor
2 Electrochemical capacitance-voltage 180
profilometer
3 Low temperature Hall measurement 100
system
4 Class 1000 Cleanroom fabrication 80

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Justification for Capital Expenditure

Justification for MBE

• MBE is required for epitaxial growth of materials for high-performance
SBPDs.
• There is no MBE system for ZnO materials in India.
• At present, IIT Indore does not have any epitaxial growth mechanism
system such as MOCVD or MBE. However, in order to fabricate high-
performance devices, epitaxial growth system has no alternatives and
therefore, it is extremely crucial.
• In-situ characterization system will be indispensable to monitor crystalline
quality of materials and complex heterostructures during MBE growth.

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Justification for Capital Expenditure
Justification for electrochemical capacitance-voltage profilometer
• Calibration of doping profile along material depth to identify the growth
quality by obtaining information about electrically active dopant density.
• Surface mapping of doping profile.

Justification for low temperature Hall measurement system

• Measurement of doping profile at different ambient temperature to
ascertain MBE growth quality and activation energy

Justification for Class 1000 Cleanroom fabrication

• IIT Indore does not have any Cleanroom at present. To house MBE,
Cleanroom is required.

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Justification for Recurring Expenditure
Justification of Consumable Stores

•Procurement of MBE effusion cell sources.

•Procurement of pumping accessories, lubrications, chemicals, glasswares, labwares,
liquid N2, high-purity O2, N2, and Ar gases.
•Procurement of electronic ICs, chips, gadgets, susceptors, PID controllers, crucible,
MFCs, water flow controllers, Molybdenum platens of varied dimensions, and others.

Justification of Manpower

•4 students will be deployed for their PhD related research work under this project.
•1 dedicated research associate will be devoted for running and maintenance of MBE
on 24x7 basis.

Justification of Travel/Training

•Attending conferences/workshops/symposiums, review meeting, travel for research

work.
•Supporting travel funds to students.

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Justification for Recurring Expenditure

Justification of Contingencies

•Membership fee to join international/professional societies, printing, photo-

copying, stationery, etc.
•Maintenance of MBE, Cleanroom, and other research facilities
•Publication expenses, filing patents, etc.
•Organizing seminars, familiarization workshops, symposiums at the
national and international levels.

Justification of “Other expenditure to be debitable to this project”

•Charges associated with usage of INUP nanofabrication facilities for

Cleanroom device processing and fabrication at IIT Bombay and IISc
Bangalore.

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group

 Thank you

IIT Indore Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group