Nisarg Purabiarao, Engineering, Best Researcher Award

Doctorate Nisarg Purabiarao: Research Scholar at Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan

Purabiarao Nisarg Hirens is a materials science researcher specializing in the development of next-generation biodegradable and wearable electronics. Currently serving as a MEXT-funded Research Scholar at the Kyushu Institute of Technology, Japan, he is actively engaged in designing and optimizing flexible energy devices including piezoelectric nanogenerators and quantum dot solar cells. His research integrates both experimental fabrication and computational simulations to enhance device performance, sustainability, and integration into real-world applications. With publications in high-impact journals and presentations at international conferences, he has emerged as a promising early-career researcher in flexible electronics and sustainable energy systems.

Online Profiles

ORCID Profile

Education

Nisarg is currently completing his Master of Technology in Biodegradable Electronics at the Kyushu Institute of Technology, with an expected graduation in September 2025. He is set to begin his Ph.D. in the same field and institute from October 2025, continuing under the Japanese Government’s MEXT Research Scholarship. His education combines interdisciplinary knowledge in materials science, nanotechnology, organic electronics, and energy harvesting systems. His academic training also includes prior research work at the Indian Institute of Technology, Indore (IIT Indore), where he developed key foundational skills in thin-film fabrication and semiconductor materials.

Research Focus

Nisarg’s primary research revolves around the fabrication and performance enhancement of flexible, biodegradable electronic devices such as piezoelectric nanogenerators, organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs), and quantum dot solar cells. He is especially interested in surface/interface engineering, defect tuning, lattice strain modulation, and polymer semiconductors like P3HT. His work also explores sustainable alternatives in device architecture for environmentally friendly, self-powered systems. The broader objective of his research is to enable practical applications of these devices in areas such as wearable health monitoring, portable energy sources, and green electronics.

Experience

Over the past four years, Nisarg has built a robust profile in both theoretical and applied research. At IIT Indore, he worked on nanomaterials for piezoelectric applications, gaining hands-on experience in hydrothermal synthesis, UV laser texturing, and material characterization. Since joining Kyutech in 2023 as a MEXT Research Scholar, he has led and co-authored several high-impact studies on ZnO-based energy harvesters and quantum dot solar cells. He has collaborated with interdisciplinary teams, presented internationally, and integrated simulation tools like SCAPS-1D to complement experimental findings. His research experience reflects a blend of innovation, sustainability, and practical device engineering.

Research Timeline

Nisarg’s research progression demonstrates a structured and impactful trajectory. In 2022, he began working on nanogenerators using laser-textured substrates at IIT Indore. In 2023, he transitioned to Japan under the MEXT scholarship and joined Kyutech, expanding his scope to include colloidal quantum dots and organic semiconductors. In 2024 alone, he co-authored three journal articles and presented at six notable international conferences, including ISOME and SAES. His Ph.D. starting in October 2025 will focus on biodegradable device integration for real-world wearables and low-power electronics, further pushing the boundary of eco-friendly energy solutions.

Awards & Honors

Nisarg has received multiple accolades recognizing his academic excellence and research contributions. He was awarded the prestigious MEXT Scholarship by the Government of Japan for both his M.Tech and upcoming Ph.D. studies, covering full tuition and research support. He won the Best Poster Award at the International Conference on New Materials for Industry and Medicine (NMIM-24) in 2024 for his work on ZnO-based nanogenerators. He has also been recognized as a lead presenter at several international events across Japan and India for his innovative contributions to the fields of organic semiconductors and piezoelectric energy harvesting.

Top-Noted Publication

Among his notable works, the 2023 publication titled “Investigations on the Effect of Laser Texturing of Kapton Polyimide on the Piezoelectric Response of ZnO-Based Nanogenerators” in Physica Status Solidi A stands out for its pioneering approach in enhancing nanogenerator performance. The study demonstrated a more than threefold improvement in output voltage and current by using laser-textured polyimide substrates, offering a practical path for high-efficiency, flexible energy harvesters. This work has been widely cited and appreciated for its experimental rigor and direct applicability in self-powered electronics and wearable devices.

  • Purabiarao, N. H., Bhargava, K., & Pandey, S. S. (2025). Enhancing the performance of PbS colloidal quantum dot solar cell: A computational study on absorber crystallinity and interfacial defect engineering. Next Materials, 8, 100689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nxmate.2025.100689

  • Purabiarao, N. H., Lahane, T. K., Agarwal, J., Sahu, A., Singh, V., & Palani, I. A. (2023). Investigations on the Effect of Laser Texturing of Kapton Polyimide on the Piezoelectric Response of ZnO‐Based Nanogenerators. Physica Status Solidi (a), 2300255. https://doi.org/10.1002/pssa.202300255