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Manoj K. Nayak

Also known as: Dr. Manoj K Nayak

CSIR-Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIR-CSIO), CSIR Central Scientific Instruments Organisation, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Sambalpur University, Utkal University

ORCID iD 0000-0002-1984-425X
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About

Dr. Manoj K. Nayak earned his M.Sc. in Chemistry with a specialization in Organic Chemistry from Sambalpur University, Odisha (India) in 1998, and his Ph.D. in Physical Organic Chemistry from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT Kanpur) in 2004. He has extensive expertise in sustainable materials chemistry, polymer science, and nanotechnology, supported by eight years of international postdoctoral research experience at Seoul National University (South Korea), the University of Victoria (Canada), Texas A&M University at Qatar, and McGill University (Canada). During this period, he contributed to research in sol–gel chemistry, thin-film formation and characterization, luminescent probes, Turn-on/Turn-off fluorescent sensors, metathesis block polymers for detection and controlled release, and heterostructured nanocatalysts for enhanced visible-light-driven photodegradation of organic pollutants.
Dr. Nayak has been actively involved in the development of magnetic-graphene-based ion-exchange resins and membranes capable of repeated regeneration, significantly reducing operational costs by minimizing the need for large resin inventories. Since 2013 at CSIR-CSIO, he has focused on molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) as synthetic molecular recognition materials mimicking natural receptors, such as antibodies and biological ligands. His research includes the optimization of sustainable ion-exchange resins and conducting/luminescent MIPs as nano-adsorbents, integrated into multi-column systems to enhance reusability, chemical stability, desalination, regeneration, and selective separation/removal performance.
Since 2020, at CSIR-CSIO Chandigarh, he has also been developing biomass-derived innovative polymer materials for active food packaging, coatings, and sensors for food-spoilage monitoring, aimed at improving the shelf life and quality of food and agricultural products. Additionally, his group is working on e-waste-derived graphene-based ion-exchange resins, membranes, and ion-imprinted membranes for the selective recovery of valuable metals from e-waste streams and for environmental remediation.
Dr. Nayak has published over 58 peer-reviewed research articles, four book chapters, and holds three patents/copyrights. He has successfully executed six nationally significant R&D projects. He has supervised 8 Ph.D. scholars and guided 52 M.Tech./M.Sc./B.Tech. dissertations and internships. He is currently supervising four Ph.D. scholars and four M.Sc./M.Tech./B.Tech. trainees.
He is a member of several professional societies, including the American Chemical Society (ACS), the Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI – Lifetime Member), the Indian Society of Systems for Science & Engineering (ISSE – Lifetime Member), and the Electron Microscope Society of India (EMSI – Lifetime Member). He serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Food Technology and Applications (ACCScience Publishing, Singapore). Additionally, he is an external expert and BOS member of the Department of Chemistry at NIT Jalandhar and a Research Degree Committee/BOS member of the U.I.S. Department of Chemistry at Chandigarh University, Mohali.

Employment

  • CSIR-Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIR-CSIO) Senior Principal Scientist
    2023 - Present
  • CSIR Central Scientific Instruments Organisation Principal Scientist & Associate Professor
    2017 - 2023
  • Central Scientific Instruments Organisation Sr. Scientist & Assistant Professor
    2012 - 2017
  • Université McGill Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow
    2008 - 2012
  • Texas A&M University at Qatar Postdoctoral Fellow
    2008 - 2012
  • University of Victoria Postdoctoral Research Associate
    2007 - 2008
  • Seoul National University BK 21 Postdoctoral Researcher
    2005 - 2007
  • Indian Institute of Science Research Associate
    2005 - 2005

Education

  • Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur PhD [Physical-Organic Chemistry]
    1998 - 2004
  • Sambalpur University M.Sc [Chemistry] , Specialization Organic and Bio-Chemistry
    1995 - 1997
  • Utkal University B.Sc (Chemistry Hons)
    1992 - 1995

Projects & Funding

Projects & funding information is unavailable.

Publications (51)