The Nanotechnology Research Group, is a cluster of 36 researchers comprising academics, postdoctoral researchers and postgraduate students, within the University of Limerick’s Bernal Institute. The group conducts leading research on environmental and energy sustainability, with a specific focus on nanomaterials and nanotechnologies for sustainable energy storage & conversion and for sustainable industrial processes.
The Nanotechnology Research Group has a strong track record of leading scientific discoveries and of delivering research-led training and education at postgraduate and undergraduate levels. The group provides students and researchers the opportunity to work on cutting edge research, under the supervision of leading research thought leaders at the University of Limerick, and with access to state-of–the-art R&D infrastructure at the Bernal Institute.
Ryan Group
Kennedy Group
Singh Group
Padrela Group
Geaney Group
Mcnulty Group
PhD & Postdoctoral Researchers
Dr. Ibrahim Saana AminuPrincipal InvestigatorResearch Interests: Novel Nanomaterial Design, Li-ion Batteries, Al-ion Batteries, EVs
Dr Kwadwo Asare OwusuPostdoctoral ResearcherDeveloping new nanomaterials and chemistries for energy conversion and storage devices
Dr Marina Moraes LeitePostdoctoral ResearcherNa-ion batteries, material synthesis and characterization.
Dr Amit KumarPostdoctoral ResearcherCharacterization and optimization of the curing of Benzocyclobutene for semiconductor application
Dr Syed Abdul AhadPostdoctoral ResearcherMetal anode, Li-ion and Na-ion batteries, Nanomaterial synthesis for energy storage applications
Dr Dominika CapkovaPostdoctoral ResearcherLithium-Sulfur Batteries, Lithium-ion Batteries, Material and Electrochemical Characterization.
Dr Balasubramaniam MPostdoctoral Researcher (IRC)Research Interests: Designing Novel Nanostructures through Facile Routes and Characterization, Na-ion Batteries, and Supercapacitors.
Dr Infanta Diana MichaelPostdoctoral Researcher Research Interests: Materials synthesis and characterization for Na-ion batteries
Dr Suvodeep SenIRC Postdoctoral FellowResearch Interest: Colloidal synthesis of transition metal chalcogenide heterostructures for (Photo)electrocatalytic HER and OER.
Dr Ankita BoraPostdoc ResearcherInterested in Colloidal Nanocrystal Synthesis and study of their Optical Properties
Mohini Mishra Phd Student (Supervisors K Ryan, S Singh)PhD Student Feb 2019 Start
Research Interests: Synthesis of colloidal nanocrystals, characterization, and assembly.
Adrian Hannon PhD Student (Supervisors T Kennedy, K Ryan,Research Interests: Nanodevice Fabrication, Nanowire Synthesis, Charge Carrier Mechanisms & Behaviour, Materials Characterisation, Nano Deposition Techniques
Rebecca FordePhD Student Amber (Supervisors K Ryan, H Geaney)Aluminium sulfur batteries, Lithium sulfur batteries, Nanomaterials
Mei LiPhD Researcher Supervisors K Ryan, H Geaney, T KennedyNanomaterial Synthesis, Lithium ion batteries, electrochemistry energy conversion
Niraj PatilPhD ResearcherDesign of nanoscale functional materials and understanding their fundamental properties and mechanistic insights
Aaron O'Sullivan PhD ResearcherSupercritical fluids, Atomization, (Bio)Pharmaceuticals, Cocrystals, Crystallization
Kelly MurphyPhD Researcher Lithium-ion batteries, Sodium-ion batteries, nanomaterial synthesis.
Hannah McKeeverPhD ResearcherSynthesis of colloidal nanocrystals for energy & environmental applications.
Misbah MushtaqPhD ResearcherNa-ion battery , CNFs synthesis and characterization
Aaron HennessyPhD ResearcherResearch Interest: Developing new bespoke battery technologies for autonomous mobile robots using silicon materials.
Deaglan BowmanPhD Researcher (Supervised by Dr. David McNulty)Li-S batteries, CNS synthesis and characterisation for energy storage applications.
Muhammad Zain Bin AmjadPhD ResearcherStarting date of PhD: November 2022
Research Interests: ~Silicon Nanowire / Graphite Composite Material for Lithium-Ion Batteries~Sodium Batteries ~SupercapacitorsMaryam TahertalariPhD ResearcherDevelopment of Li metal batteries and modelling techniques for energy storage applications
Manoj PalabathuniPhD ResearcherCurrent Research: - Study of Ternary Metal Dichalcogenides Nanocrystals for energy harvesting and storage applications.
Marco CornagoFormer PhD ResearcherSolid-state batteries, solid electrolytes, Lithium-ion batteries, nanomaterial synthesis
Manh Xuan Pham Former PhD studentResearch Interests: Synthesis of anisotropic colloidal nanocrystals; characterization and assembly
Luigi Jacopo Santa MariaFormer PhD ResearcherResearch interests: Ionic liquids electrolytes, Li-ion batteries, Silicon NW as anodes in Li-ion batteries
Nilotpal Kapuria Former PhD Student (IRC Laureate) Supervisors K Ryan, S SinghDate of PhD start: 23rd Oct’ 18. Graduated: 30th August '23.
Research Interests: Synthesis of anisotropic colloidal nanocrystals, characterization, and assembly
Abinaya Sankaran Former PhD Student (Si-Drive H2020) Joint with Dr H GeaneyPhD Student March 2019 Start
Research Interests: Nanomaterials, Electrochemical Energy devices-Fuel cell and Batteries.
Dr. Michela OttavianiFormer Postdoctoral ResearcherResearch Expertise in the synthesis of silicon-based nanomaterials for energy storage applications.
Maria Zubair Former PhD Student (SFI) Supervisors K Ryan, S SinghResearch interest: Material Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Colloidal Synthesis
Dr Cathal O’DonnellFormer Postdoctoral ResearcherRenewable Energy Generation, Large Scale Energy Storage, Smart Grid technology, Electric Vehicles.
Esther AdegokeFormer PhD Student (SFI Joint with Prof U Bangert)Date of PhD start: Jan, 2019
Research Interests: High resolution and in-situ electron microscopy techniques
Dr Muhammad RashadFormer Postdoctoral ResearcherPostdoc: November 2020 - March 2023
Metal Matrix Composites, Synthesis of Functional Nanomaterials, Mg/Li-Ion Batteries
Dr S. Chandra SekharFormer Postdoctoral ResearcherPostdoc: April 2022 - January 2023
Na-ion batteries, Li-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and water splitting
Sumair ImtiazFormer PhD Student (SFI MaREI) Supervisors K Ryan, T KennedyPhD Completed: December, 2018 - Dec 2022
Research Interests: Alloy-based Nanomaterials Synthesis and Characterisation for Li-ion and Beyond Li-ion Batteries
Research Interests: Novel Nanomaterial Design, Li-ion Batteries, Al-ion Batteries, EVs
Developing new nanomaterials and chemistries for energy conversion and storage devices
Na-ion batteries, material synthesis and characterization.
Characterization and optimization of the curing of Benzocyclobutene for semiconductor application
Metal anode, Li-ion and Na-ion batteries, Nanomaterial synthesis for energy storage applications
Lithium-Sulfur Batteries, Lithium-ion Batteries, Material and Electrochemical Characterization.
Research Interests: Designing Novel Nanostructures through Facile Routes and Characterization, Na-ion Batteries, and Supercapacitors.
Research Interests: Materials synthesis and characterization for Na-ion batteries
Research Interest: Colloidal synthesis of transition metal chalcogenide heterostructures for (Photo)electrocatalytic HER and OER.
Interested in Colloidal Nanocrystal Synthesis and study of their Optical Properties
PhD Student Feb 2019 Start
Research Interests: Synthesis of colloidal nanocrystals, characterization, and assembly.
Research Interests: Nanodevice Fabrication, Nanowire Synthesis, Charge Carrier Mechanisms & Behaviour, Materials Characterisation, Nano Deposition Techniques
Aluminium sulfur batteries, Lithium sulfur batteries, Nanomaterials
Nanomaterial Synthesis, Lithium ion batteries, electrochemistry energy conversion
Design of nanoscale functional materials and understanding their fundamental properties and mechanistic insights
Supercritical fluids, Atomization, (Bio)Pharmaceuticals, Cocrystals, Crystallization
Lithium-ion batteries, Sodium-ion batteries, nanomaterial synthesis.
Synthesis of colloidal nanocrystals for energy & environmental applications.
Na-ion battery , CNFs synthesis and characterization
Research Interest: Developing new bespoke battery technologies for autonomous mobile robots using silicon materials.
Li-S batteries, CNS synthesis and characterisation for energy storage applications.
Starting date of PhD: November 2022
Development of Li metal batteries and modelling techniques for energy storage applications
Current Research: - Study of Ternary Metal Dichalcogenides Nanocrystals for energy harvesting and storage applications.
Solid-state batteries, solid electrolytes, Lithium-ion batteries, nanomaterial synthesis
Research Interests: Synthesis of anisotropic colloidal nanocrystals; characterization and assembly
Research interests: Ionic liquids electrolytes, Li-ion batteries, Silicon NW as anodes in Li-ion batteries
Date of PhD start: 23rd Oct’ 18. Graduated: 30th August '23.
Research Interests: Synthesis of anisotropic colloidal nanocrystals, characterization, and assembly
PhD Student March 2019 Start
Research Interests: Nanomaterials, Electrochemical Energy devices-Fuel cell and Batteries.
Research Expertise in the synthesis of silicon-based nanomaterials for energy storage applications.
Research interest: Material Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Colloidal Synthesis
Renewable Energy Generation, Large Scale Energy Storage, Smart Grid technology, Electric Vehicles.
Date of PhD start: Jan, 2019
Research Interests: High resolution and in-situ electron microscopy techniques
Postdoc: November 2020 - March 2023
Metal Matrix Composites, Synthesis of Functional Nanomaterials, Mg/Li-Ion Batteries
Postdoc: April 2022 - January 2023
Na-ion batteries, Li-ion batteries, supercapacitors, and water splitting
PhD Completed: December, 2018 - Dec 2022
Research Interests: Alloy-based Nanomaterials Synthesis and Characterisation for Li-ion and Beyond Li-ion Batteries