Piumantha Samaranayake | Gas Sensors | Best Researcher Award

Mr. Piumantha Samaranayake | Gas Sensors | Best Researcher Award

Demonstrator, University of Ruhuna Sri Lanka

Piumantha Dilnuwan Samaranayake is an undergraduate student in Physics at the University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka, specializing in theoretical studies for gas sensing applications. He is working on his research project focused on the adsorption interactions of toxic gases with PdO-Graphene composites for gas sensor applications. Piumantha has a keen interest in computational modeling and electronic systems and has been involved in various teaching and voluntary activities at his university. He has contributed significantly to physics-related exhibitions and innovation events, fostering student engagement in science and technology. His goal is to further explore the potential of computational physics in solving real-world problems.

Publication Profile

Scholar

🎓 Education

B.Sc. Honors in Physics (2019-2024): University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka; GPA of 3.27. Relevant courses: Electronics, Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics, Solid-State Physics, Computational Physics.

💼 Experience

Teaching Assistant (Current): University of Ruhuna; Supervising General Physics Laboratory, Electronics Laboratory, and Engineering Workshop. Undergraduate Research Project: Investigating PdO-Graphene composites for gas sensing of toxic gases using Density Functional Theory. Voluntary Roles: Member of Physics Society and Ruhuna Invention and Innovation Club, organizing events like “Stella Night Astro Camp” and “Sahasak Nimavum”.

🏆 Awards & Honors

Research Publication: “Theoretical Study of CO, NO, NO2, Cl2, and H2S Adsorption Interactions with PdO–Graphene Composites for Gas Sensor Applications” published in Micromachines (2025). Active participant and organizer in Physics Exhibitions and Innovation Events.

🔬 Research Focus

Piumantha’s research explores the use of PdO-Graphene composites in gas sensors for detecting toxic gases like CO, NO, NO2, Cl2, and H2S. Using Density Functional Theory (DFT), he investigates the interactions between gas molecules and graphene, aiming to improve gas sensing properties. His work focuses on understanding adsorption mechanisms, binding energies, and charge transfer, contributing to the development of efficient toxic gas sensors.

Conclusion

Piumantha’s innovative research, technical skills, and community involvement make him a strong contender for the Best Researcher Award. By diversifying his research collaborations and expanding his global presence, he is poised to make significant contributions to science and technology in the years ahead.

Publication Top Notes

Title: Theoretical Study of CO, NO, NO2, Cl2, and H2S Adsorption Interactions with PdO–Graphene Composites for Gas Sensor Applications
Authors: P. Samaranayake, A. Ahamed, V. Silva, N.M. Wickramage, M.R.R. Kooh, and others
Published in: Micromachines, Vol. 16 (1), Article 9
Year: 2024

 

 

 

 

Anchal Garg | Air Quality | Best Researcher Award

Dr. Anchal Garg| Air Quality | Best Researcher Award

Dr at Stanford University India

Dr. Anchal Garg is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at Stanford University, focusing on the health impacts of indoor air pollutants from gas stoves. With a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from GGSIPU, Delhi, and extensive experience in air quality research, they handle advanced instruments like GC-FID and Aroma analyzer. Their work spans air quality monitoring across the USA, Australia, UK, Europe, China, and India. Dr. Anchal Garg has received numerous accolades, including the BRICS Young Scientist Award and DST INSPIRE Fellowship. They are also an accomplished educator, having taught environmental studies at the University of Delhi and mentored several students in environmental research.

profile:

Scholar

🌟 Profile Summary: Post Doctoral Research Fellow at Stanford University 🌟

Current Position:

Post Doctoral Research Fellow, Stanford University, USA (September 2022 – Present), Project: Modeling and measuring health consequences of indoor air pollutants from gas stove combustion., Measurement: Emission factors and health risks for CO2, CH4, NOx, NO2, VOCs, PM, and CO. Regions Monitored: USA, Australia, UK, Europe, China, India. Instruments: GC-FID, Aroma analyzer (VOCs), GRIMM and RDS (PM), Aeries (Greenhouse gases), Tedylene (NOx), low-cost sensors. Policy and Governance: Sustainable and cost-effective solutions for gas stove usage. Research Collaboration: NGOs and international universities.

Academic Qualifications:

Ph.D. in Environmental Science (89%, Course Work) GGSIPU, Delhi, India (August 2016 – September 2021), PG Diploma in Applied Statistics (82%) IGNOU, Delhi, India (March 2017 – June 2019), M.Sc. in Environment Management (86%, Gold Medalist) GGSIPU, Delhi, India (July 2014 – May 2016), B.Ed. in Teaching of Science (79%) MDU, Rohtak, India (July 2013 – July 2014), B.Sc. in Life Science (78%, 3rd Position) Delhi University, India (July 2010 – June 2013)

Research Experience:

Ph.D. Research (2021): Study on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons, VOCs, and PM in Delhi’s urban atmosphere (Advisor: Prof. N.C. Gupta). M.Sc. Dissertation (2016): Air quality assessment in Delhi (CPCB, Advisor: Dr. S.K. Tyagi). M.Sc. Internship (2015): Ambient air quality in non-attainment cities in India (CPCB, Advisor: Dr. Tarun Darbari).

Teaching Experience:

Assistant Professor (Guest Basis), Dyal Singh College, University of Delhi (March 2021 – July 2021), Lecturer, Department of Romance and Germanic Studies, University of Delhi (January 2022 – March 2022), Instructor, School of Open Learning, Janki Devi Memorial College, University of Delhi

Industry Experience:

Freelance Air Quality Expert, EarthWatch Institute, India (June – December 2021) Air Quality Consultant, Swaniti Global Initiative, New Delhi (March – May 2022). Consulting Member, International Gas Stove Exposure Project, PSE Health Energy, California (December 2022 – Present)

Awards and Recognitions:

M.Sc. Gold Medalist, Environmental Management, GGSIPU, Delhi (2016). International Young Scientist Award, International Science Community Association, Bhutan (2018). BRICS Young Scientist Award, Government of India (2019). DST INSPIRE Fellowship, Government of India (2017). Indraprastha Research Fellowship, GGSIPU, Delhi (2017). UGC NET & JRF, Government of India (2017). Women in Citizen Science Award, EarthWatch Institute, India (2021). Postdoc Research Fellow ($150,000), Stanford University (2022). New Map of Life Fellow, Stanford Center on Longevity (2023)

Research Supervision:

  • Supervised summer training and dissertation projects for M.Sc. students on topics related to ambient air quality and health risks.

Publication:📝

  • A comprehensive study on spatio-temporal distribution, health risk assessment and ozone formation potential of BTEX emissions in ambient air of Delhi, India
    • Authors: A Garg, NC Gupta
    • Journal: Science of The Total Environment
    • Volume: 659 (C)
    • Pages: 1090-1099
    • Citations: 97
    • Year: 2019

 

  • Comprehensive study on impact assessment of lockdown on overall ambient air quality amid COVID-19 in Delhi and its NCR, India
    • Authors: A Garg, A Kumar, NC Gupta
    • Journal: Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters
    • Volume: 2
    • Article Number: 100010
    • Citations: 43
    • Year: 2021

 

  • Impact of lockdown on ambient air quality in COVID-19 affected hotspot cities of India: Need to readdress air pollution mitigation policies
    • Authors: A Garg, A Kumar, NC Gupta
    • Journal: Environmental Claims Journal
    • Volume: 33 (1)
    • Pages: 65-76
    • Citations: 23
    • Year: 2020

 

  • The great smog month and spatial and monthly variation in air quality in ambient air in Delhi, India
    • Authors: A Garg, NC Gupta
    • Journal: Journal of Health and Pollution
    • Volume: 10 (27)
    • Article Number: 200910
    • Citations: 21
    • Year: 2020

 

  • Short-term variability on particulate and gaseous emissions induced by fireworks during Diwali celebrations for two successive years in outdoor air of an urban area in Delhi, India
    • Authors: A Garg, NC Gupta
    • Journal: SN Applied Sciences
    • Volume: 2 (12)
    • Article Number: 2092
    • Citations: 14
    • Year: 2020

 

  • Study of seasonal and spatial variability among Benzene, Toluene, and p-Xylene (BTp-X) in ambient air of Delhi, India
    • Authors: A Garg, NC Gupta, SK Tyagi
    • Journal: Pollution
    • Volume: 5 (1)
    • Pages: 135-146
    • Citations: 13
    • Year: 2019

 

  • Levels of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene near a traffic-congested area of East Delhi
    • Authors: A Garg, NC Gupta, SK Tyagi
    • Journal: Environmental Claims Journal
    • Volume: 31 (1)
    • Pages: 5-15
    • Citations: 12
    • Year: 2019

 

  • Episodic Levels of PM10, PM2.5 and PM1 during Diwali: A study in urban area of Delhi, India
    • Authors: A Garg, NC Gupta
    • Journal: International Research Journal of Environmental Sciences
    • Volume: 7 (3)
    • Pages: 25-30
    • Citations: 8
    • Year: 2018

 

  • BTEX emissions, seasonal variability and its associated health risks on human health in outdoor air of Delhi
    • Authors: A Garg, NC Gupta
    • Journal: IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science
    • Volume: 489 (1)
    • Article Number: 012021
    • Citations: 4
    • Year: 2020

 

  • Assessment of health risks for criteria air pollutants present in 11 non-attainment cities of Uttar Pradesh, India
    • Authors: K Sharma, A Garg, V Joshi, A Kumar
    • Journal: Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal
    • Volume: 29 (1)
    • Pages: 103-122
    • Citations: 2
    • Year: 2023

 

  • Mitigating CH4 and N2O Emissions from the Rice Crop System in IGP Region in India
    • Authors: P Kumar, A Garg, NC Gupta
    • Journal: Environmental Claims Journal
    • Volume: 32 (2)
    • Pages: 125-138
    • Citations: 2
    • Year: 2020