Department of Physics

Coffee with Scientist Programme

Academic Year 2024-25

The Postgraduate & Research Department of Physics at Vimala College (Autonomous), Thrissur, organized an engaging session titled "Coffee with Scientist" for undergraduate and postgraduate students of the department. This event, held in an informal and interactive setting, featured Dr. Anoop Gopinathan, Associate Professor in the Department of Physics at Amrita Viswa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri, Kollam. Dr. Gopinathan delivered an insightful talk on "Next Generation Materials: Recent Trends in Materials Science Research," captivating the audience with his expertise and enthusiasm. Dr. Gopinathan began his talk by discussing the latest advancements in materials science, focusing on cutting-edge developments in nanomaterials and smart materials. He highlighted how these materials are revolutionizing various industries, from electronics and healthcare to energy and environmental sustainability. He shared his own research experiences, illustrating how collaboration across different scientific disciplines can lead to groundbreaking discoveries and innovations. His insights underscored the value of integrating knowledge from physics, chemistry, engineering, and other fields to address complex scientific challenges. The interactive nature of the session allowed students to actively engage with Dr. Gopinathan. They had the opportunity to ask questions, share their thoughts, and gain valuable insights into emerging opportunities in materials science research. The event was well-received by the students, sparking a renewed interest in research and innovation. Many students left the session feeling inspired and motivated to explore the field of materials science further.

Academic Year 2023-24

On September 8, 2023, a highly informative and engaging interaction session unfolded, orchestrated with precision to feature Dr Mrudula G, Senior Principal Scientist at the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) in Bangalore. This specialized event was tailored for both undergraduate and postgraduate final year students of the Department of Physics, offering them a rare glimpse into the expansive realm of aerospace research and development, while also acquainting them with the boundless opportunities awaiting at NAL. The session commenced with a gracious welcome extended to Dr Mrudula G, who was introduced as distinguished alumna of the Department of Physics, belonging to the illustrious 1995 pass-out batch, and a notable luminary in the aerospace sector. Her illustrious career and significant contributions to the field set an inspiring backdrop for the forthcoming session, promising invaluable insights.

Dr Mrudula G embarked on a captivating narrative, unraveling her personal odyssey within the aerospace industry, encapsulating her trials, triumphs, and pivotal junctures. She navigated through the corridors of her professional journey, shedding light on her current role at NAL and illuminating the path with vignettes of groundbreaking projects she spearheaded. The attendees were enthralled as Dr Mrudula G delineated her strategic engagements and the innovative ventures she undertook, offering a glimpse into the cutting-edge advancements in aerospace technology. Following her enlightening discourse, a lively question-and-answer segment ensued, where students eagerly seized the opportunity to glean insights from Dr Mrudula G's profound reservoir of knowledge and experience. Her nuanced responses resonated deeply with the audience, providing them with valuable guidance and perspective on navigating the dynamic landscape of aerospace research and carving out a fulfilling career trajectory.

The exchange of ideas and knowledge during the interactive session invigorated the participants, fostering a sense of curiosity and ambition as they contemplated their future endeavors in the aerospace domain. Dr Mrudula G's exemplary journey served as a beacon of inspiration, igniting a spark of aspiration within each attendee, propelling them towards new horizons of discovery and innovation. As the session drew to a close, the students departed with a renewed sense of purpose, armed with newfound insights and perspectives gleaned from Dr. Mrudula G's illuminating discourse. The event stood as a testament to the department's commitment to nurturing the next generation of aerospace pioneers, equipping them with the tools and inspiration needed to soar to greater heights in their academic and professional pursuits.

Academic Year 2022-23

The Post Graduate and Research Department of Physics has organized "Coffee with Scientist" to provide students with a unique opportunity to connect with eminent scientists. This engaging program occurred on 13th March 2023 at 2:00 pm in the Lissieux Seminar Hall. Serving as the chief guest for the day was Smt. Sujatha K A, Scientist G, Technical Director GTRE, DRDO. Dr. Mini Krishna K, Assistant Professor introduced Smt. Sujatha K A to the students. During the program, Smt. Sujatha K A shared her valuable insights and experiences in the field of "Software Development – Embedded software and MIS systems for Manufacturing Aero Gas turbine Engines." Students had the opportunity to learn from her extensive knowledge and expertise in this area. Additionally, she also shed light on the "Opportunity for Physics Students in DRDO," providing valuable information about potential career paths and prospects within the organization. The event reinforced the department's commitment to nurturing the next generation of scientists and fostering a strong connection between academia and industry.

Academic Year 2020-21

Coffee with scientists’ is a programme organized by the Department to help students to get connected with eminent scientists. This year, it was conducted in the online mode on 18 December 2020. Dr Jinesh K B, Associate Professor, Indian Institute of Space science and Technology was the resource person. Dr Jinesh has a PhD in Physics from Leiden University, Netherlands and a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the Twente University of Technology, Netherlands.  His H-index (as of 2019 October) was 22 and his total citation (as of 2019       October) was 1554. Dr Jinesh was Awarded the “Excellence Starts With You" award of NXP Semiconductors, Netherlands (2009) for the contribution to the high-density capacitors project. Also Achieved the "Clean Energy Research Program (CERP05)" 2012 grant from Economy Development Board ($ 3.75M) for developing CIGS solar cell mini modules in Singapore, together with SERIS, NUS (March 2012) He introduced the facilities and research opportunities available in IIST. In the interactive session, he discussed with students, the advancements in materials science research and hybrid devices for memory technology.

Academic Year 2019-20

Coffee with a Scientist programme of the current academic year was arranged on 1st August 2019 at 3.00 pm in the Silver Jubilee Seminar Hall. Dr. Geetha Ramkumar, head of the Atmospheric Science Lab,Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre,Thiruvananthapuram was the chief guest for the day. Dr.Malini.K.A. head of the department of Physics introduced the guest to the students. This was followed by an interactive session with Dr.Geetha Ramkumar. Being the alumnae of the department her experience at ISRO inspired the minds of the students. She gave a well narrative description about the opportunities offered by ISRO for science students for their higher education. She encouraged the students to attain greater goals in scientific fields. A token of gratitude was given by Dr.Malini.K.A to Dr.Geetha Ramkumar.  

Academic Year 2018-19

On 16/2/2019, Department of Physics arranged an interactive session named ‘Coffee with Scientist’. Students got a golden chance to meet and interact with four generation Scientists: Dr Krishnan Ramanathan (Retired Director of research, CNRS France), Dr M R Anantharaman (Former Head, Dept of Physics, CUSAT), Aravind Puthirath Balan (Research scholar with Publication in nature) and Sreeram P (Research Scholars, CUSAT). They shared about their philosophies and described about the hard work they did for the progress of Research. Students are very much inspired by their talk and it was really a touching experience for all who participated in the program to hear the words of such eminent scientist about their views on science and their personal life. Dr Anantharaman was the research supervisor of two of our faculty members Dr Malini K A and Dr Veena Gopalan E