INTRODUCING OUR UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS

Department of Physics is one of the frontline departments in the country and it has made a great contribution in the development of subject in Shivaji University.  The department was established in 1964 and great physicists like Dr. A.V. Naralikar, Dr. K.R. Narayana, Dr. R.N. Patil and Dr. S.H. Pawar worked in the department.  It conducts M.Sc., M.Phil., and Ph.D. courses in physics.  Following are

Specialization offered to M.Sc. part II students :

1. Materials Science

2. Solid State Physics

3. Energy Studies

4. Modern Optics (Spectroscopy)

5. Space Science

6. Theoretical Physics

Following are thrust areas – Development of materials for advanced technologies –

Thrust Area:  “Development of materials for Advanced Technologies

“

The department has collaboration with the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG), Mumbai in Space Science and Seismological studies, since last 14 years in the following respects:

Ionospheric Scintillation: Used to study the characteristic features of ionospheric small-scale irregularities.

Night Airglow: To study the ionosphere thermosphere plasma dynamics.

Partial Reflection Radar: Used for measurement of mesospheric winds and its dynamics.

Global Positioning System Studies: Used to estimate the latitudinal total electron content (TEC).

Seismic Studies: Reftek CMG 40T broadband seismometer is installed to study the seismic activity of Kolhapur region near to seismic prone Koyna and Warna regions.

The funds were received from UGC/CSIR/ DST/ MNES/ DAE/ DRDO etc.

Ongoing research projects by individual teachers of the department :

Experimental facilities

The laboratories are equipped with the following major equipment.

1. Scanning electron microscope, (3 nm resol., 3 lakh magnification) with EDS

2. High temperature furnaces

3. Precision LCR meter (20 Hz – 1 MHz)

4. Microwave setup (X and Ku bands) (8 GHz – 18 GHz)

5. Helium Cryostat

6. 10 K close cycle helium gas cyclo generator

7. Electron microscope

8. Pyrolytic gasifier System

9. Solar PV systems

10. Autoclaves

11. PID controllers

12. Solar radiometer

13. Ionosonde

14. Satellite Scintillation Measurement Unit

15. Proton Magnetometer

16. ULF/ VLF Magnetometer

17. P-R Radar

18. Night Airglow, GPS

19. Spray pyrolysis units

20. Versastat – II model

21. Keithley Electrometer

22. Auto scanning Potentiostat

23. Thermal Conductivity meter

24. 8.5 digit Precision voltmeter

25. Holography unit

26. Optical microscope

27.  FT Raman spectrometer

28. Surface profiler

29. Gas Chromatograph

30. Gas sensor Unit

31. Supercapacitor testing unit

32. AMEL Potentiostat etc.

 Computational facilities:

a.      HCL PIV – […….MHz /…….MB RAM /…….GB HDD] - 11 nos.

b.      Pentium Deskpro SB [P-III, 800 MHz / 64 MB RAM / 20 GB HDD] – 12 nos.

c.       Pentium Deskpro [P-IV, 1.5 GHz / 128 MB RAM / 20 GB HDD] – 1 no.

d.     Pentium [P-I] – 5 nos.

e.      Server with network facility – 1 with 8 nodes

 Consultancy and Extension Services

The School of Energy Studies of this department is involved in the following consultancy services:

1.      Extending the consultancy services in the areas of Solar, Thermal, Photovoltaic, Biogas, Wind Energy and Gasification and other power generating systems

2.      Certifying the performance and efficiency of hot water boiler manufactured by different firms in the University jurisdiction (Satara, Sangli, Kolhapur and Solapur). Based on the consultancies extended and modifications made thereon, most of the firms are benefited and are recognized by the MNES, MEDA and other agencies.

3.      Establishment of well developed Energy Park.

4.      Energy Awareness Programs:

a.       We are organizing the energy awareness programs for High School and graduate students and teachers on 1^st January every year [Annual Meet of Physics Students], National Science day and International Sun Day. Around 18 National level Conferences / Seminars / Workshops were organized in these areas so far.

b.       Students from Engineering and Science faculty are successfully guided for the completion of their projects related to energy.

3. As per the demand of some of the schools (e.g. City High School, Sangli) we have examined the availability of class-room intensity and suggestions were made for the required intensity.

Seminar and other activities

The Department has a policy to undertake outstretch field activities and regular conduct of seminars, symposia, conferences and refresher courses for college teachers. The Department also participates in the University activities like National Science Day celebrations, Annual Physics Students Meets, ‘Sankalp’ and Campaigns on University Research and Training [COURT]. The department has successfully organized about 30 Seminars / Conferences / Workshops / Symposia / Annual Meets / Refresher courses etc.

Noteworthy Research Activities:

• Electrochemically oxidized high Tc superconductors and Heterostructures,
• Transparent monolithic silica aerogels of the size 8x5x1cm³,
• Nanocrystalline ferrites and Magnetoelectric (ME) composites,
• Theoretical studies of Nonlinear Optical Phenomena in the bulk media and Optical Fibers,
• Holographic interferometric studies on surface deformation in optical materials and thin films,
• Nanocrystalline V-VI compound thin films,
• Electrochromic materials,
• Solar Cell Materials,
• Supercapacitors,
• Nanocomposite synthetic metals,
• Fuel Cells
• Thick Film microstrip elements
• Sensor Materials

Distinctions and Awards earned by faculty members

1. Prof. S. H. Pawar

I.         First Best Teacher Award Shivaji University, 1994.

II.       Dr.Vikram Sarabhai Award, D.S.T. Delhi 1996.

III.      Indian Cryogenics Council's Prof. M.C. Joshi Award 1993.

IV.    Marathi Vidyan Parished Award 1993.

V.      MRSI Medal 2002.

VI.    Visiting Professor, University of Yangon, Myanmar

VII.   UGC National Associate

VIII. UGC Visiting Professor

2. Prof. A. V. Rao

I.         Visiting Scientist,  Elico Polytechnique, Palaiseau, France (1989)

II.       Region Rhone-Alpes Professor, University of Lyon, France (1992)

III.      Invited Professor, University of Lyon, France (1995)

IV.    Guest Scientist, Norweigian University of Sci. & Tech., Trondheim, Norwey (1999)

V.      MRSI Medal 1999

VI.    Invited Professor, Poivoitiers University, France (2005)

3. Dr. C. H. Bhosale

I.         INSA Visiting Fellow 1998-1999

4. Dr. C. D. Lokhande

I.         Visiting Scientist, Indo-Pilish CEP (1991-1992)

II.       Visiting Associateship, CSIR (1994-1997)

III.      National visiting fellow of DST, New Delhi (1994-95)

IV.    INSA Visiting   Fellow 1993-94

V.      Alexander von Humboldt Fellowship, Germany (1996-98), 1998, 2000, 2001

VI.    Visiting Scientist, Brain Pool Program,  S. Koria (2003-2004)

5. Dr. A.K. Sharma

I.         Associate, IUCAA (1995-98)

II.       Meerut Vigyan Sancharak Award (2002)

6. Dr. P. S. Patil

I.         DAAD Fellowship, Germany (1996-98)

II.       Brain-Pool Fellowship, Seoul, South Korea (2005-2006)

Three students of the department passed NET exam, nine passed SET exam and 2 passed GATE examination.  The department organizes Shramadan of students every year.  It also organizes annual physics conference of students of physics. 

Department of Physics is one of the frontline departments of the University as it had completed research projects worth Rs. 5 Crore and at present it has research projects worth Rs. 2 Crores in the hand.  It has been recognized as second University department after Osmania University as far as composite material research lab is concerned.  It is conducting front line research activities in the area of super conductor and I.T.C.  There is innovation in teaching as there is multi media research project with extension of internet facilities.  There is book bank for students and there are more than 300 books in it. 

In the internal NAAC accreditation the department secured 75 marks out of 100.  The department has opted for departmental autonomy and development of materials for the advanced technology is the motto of the Department.  Since 1964, 161 students secured Ph.D. degrees in the subjects of Physics, School of energy studies has also made an excellent contribution in the development of the alternative sources of energy.