Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology is an international and multidisciplinary peer-reviewed journal covering fundamental and applied research in all disciplines of science, engineering and medicine.

Prakash Somani

Editorial Board Member of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology

Associate Professor, College of Engineering, Bharati Vidyapeeth University, India

Research Areas

Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Advanced Materials and Electronic Devices, Energy Conversion, Environment Related Issues, Chemistry

Education

2002Ph.DUniversity of Pune,National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune,India
1996M.ScPhysics Department, Pune University, Pune,India
1994B.ScPune University, Pune,India

Experience

2009-presentDepartment of Applied Science, Bharati Vidyapeeth University,Dhankawadi, Pune,India,Associate Professor
2008-2009Department of Quantum Engineering,Graduate School of Engineering, Nagoya University, Nagoya,Japan,Research
2007-2008Department of Electronics and Information Engg.,Chubu University, Kasugai, Japan,Research
2005-2007Department of Electronics and Information Engg.,Chubu University,Kasugai, Japan,JSPS Fellow
2004-2005Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS-Pilani),Rajasthan, India,Lecturer
2004Jaypee Institute of Information Technology(JIIT), Noida, India,Lecturer
2004National Chemical Laboratory (NCL),Pune-8, India,Guest Researcher
2002-2003Institute for Nanostructured Materials Studies(ISMN), Bologna, Italy,Post Doctorate Researcher
1998-2002Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology, Staff Technical
1997-1998National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Research Fellow
1996-1997 Physics Department,Pune University, Research Fellow

Academic Achievement

1994 First Rank in B.Sc. examination at Arts, Comm., & Science College Akole (A. Nagar)
1991-1994 S. J. Jindal Educational Trust Scholarship, Bangalore, India
2002-2003 UNESCO-ICTP-CNR-ISMN Fellowship (Italy)
30/5/2005-31/5/2007 JSPS International Fellowship (Japan)

Membership

Life Member of the "Indian Association of Physics Teachers, Kanpur"
Life Member of "Indian Science Congress Association, Calcutta"

Publications: Journals

[1]  Electrochromic response in polypyrrole sensitized with Prussian Blue. Prakash Somani, S. Radhakrishnan. Chemical Physics Letters, 292 (1998) 218-222 (TC = 23, IF = 2.257).
[2]  Sensitization of photocurrents in solid state electrochemical cells using conducting polypyrrole. S. Radhakrishnan and Prakash Somani. Materials Letters, 37 (1998) 192-196 (TC = 24).
[3]  High piezoresistivity and its origin in conducting polyaniline/TiO2 composites. Prakash Somani *, R. Marimuthu, U. P. Mulik, S. R. Sainkar, D. P. Amalnerkar Synthetic Metals 106 (1999) 45-52 (TC = 54, IF = 1.376).
[4]  Charge transport mechanism and the effect of poling on the I-V characteristics of conducting polyaniline/BaTiO3 composites. Prakash Somani *, B. B. Kale, D.P.Amalnerkar. Synthetic Metals, 106 (1999) 53-58 (TC = 25, IF = 1.376). Cited by Nobel Laurate-Sir, Prof. A. G. MacDiarmid (2006).
[5]  Effect of moisture (in solid polymer electrolyte) on the photosensitivity of conducting polypyrrole sensitized by Prussian Blue in solid state photocells. Prakash Somani *, D. P. Amalnerkar, S. Radhakrishnan. Synthetic Metals, 110 (2000) 181-187 (TC = 18, IF = 0.8).
[6]  Study and development of conducting polymer based electrochromic display devices. Prakash Somani *, A. B. Mandale, S. Radhakrishnan. Acta Materilia, 48/11 (2000) 2859-2871 (TC = 64, IF = 2.2).
[7]  Synthesis, characterization and charge transport mechanism of conducting polyaniline/V2O5 composites. Prakash Somani *, R. Marimuthu, A. B. Mandale. Polymer, 42/7 (2001) 2991-3001 (TC = 35, IF = 1.681).
[8]  Effect of dye aggregation on the photosensitivity of conducting polypyrrole sensitized with Prussian Blue in solid state electrochemical cells. Prakash Somani * and S. Radhakrishnan Materials Chemistry and Physics 70/2 (2001) 150-155 (TC =13, IF = 0.757).
[9]  Novel Dye + SPE materials for optical humidity sensing. Prakash Somani *, A. K. Viswanath, R. C. Aiyer, S. Radhakrishnan. Organic Electronics 2/2 (2001) 83-88 (TC = 25, IF = 3.636).
[10]  Charge transfer complex forming dyes incorporated in solid polymer electrolyte for optical humidity sensing. Prakash Somani *, A. K. Viswanath, R. C. Aiyer, S. Radhakrishnan. Sensors and Actuators B : Chemical 80/2 (2001) 141-148. (TC = 36, IF = 1.44).
[11]  Charge transport processes in conducting polypyrrole/Prussian Blue bilayers. Prakash Somani *, S. Radhakrishnan. Materials Chemistry and Physics 76/1 (2002) 15-19 (TC = 15, IF = 0.778).
[12]  Sensitization effect in conducting polyaniline by Rhodamine 6G. Prakash Somani *, S. Radhakrishnan Journal of Materials Science : Materials in Electronics 13 (2002) 735-74. (TC = 3, IF = 0.66).
[13]  Synthesis and characterization of polyaniline dispersions. Prakash R. Somani * Materials Chemistry and Physics 77/1 (2003) 81-85 (TC = 30, IF = 1.183).
[14]  Solid state electrochemical reaction in photocells made using conducting polyaniline and sensitized with methylene blue. Prakash Somani *, S. Radhakrishnan. Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry, 7 (2003) 166-170 (IF = 1.195).
[15]  Thermal degradation properties of SPE (PVA+H3PO4)/methylene blue composites. Prakash Somani *, R. Marimuthu, A. K. Viswanath, S. Radhakrishnan. Polymer Degradation and Stability, 79/1 (2003) 77-83 (TC = 18, IF = 1.405).
[16]  Sensitization effect in the doped and undoped state of polypyrrole by methylene blue in solid state electrochemical cells. Prakash Somani *, S. Radhakrishnan. Chemical Physics Letters 379/5-6 (2003) 401-405 (TC = 5, IF = 2.438).
[17]  Effect of solid polymer electrolyte on the sensitization of photocurrents in solid state electrochemical cells using conducting polypyrrole. Prakash Somani *, S. Radhakrishnan. J. Material Science : Materials in Electronics 15 (2004) 75-79.
[18]  Solid state dye PV cells using opal inverse TiO2 films. Prakash Somani, C. Dionigi, M. Murga, D. Palles, P. Nozar, G. Ruani. Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells 87/1-4 (2005) 513 (TC=20, IF = 2.002). ScienceDirect TOP 25 Hottest Articles (Apr.-Jun. 2005).
[19]  Nanostructured hydrogenated amorphous carbon films doped with nitrogen on p-Si. Prakash Somani *, A. Yoshida, R. A. Afre, S. Adhikary, T. Soga, M. Umeno. Physica Status Solidi (a) 203/8 (2006) 1982-1991. (TC = 5)
[20]  Planer nano-graphenes from camphor by CVD. Prakash R. Somani *, S. P. Somani, M. Umeno. Chemical Physics Letters 430 (2006) 56-59 (TC = 17, IF = 2.438).
[21]  Concept and Demonstration of all organic Gratzel solar cell (Dye Sensitized Solar Cell). Prakash R. Somani *, S. P. Somani, M. Umeno, A. Sato. Applied Physics Letters 89 (2006) 083501-1 to 083501-3 (TC=4, IF = 4.2). TOP 50 Most Downloaded Articles (September 2006). Virtual Journal of Nanoscale Science and Technology 14/10 (2006).
[22]  Carbon Nanotubes by spray pyrolysis of turpentine oil at different temperatures and their studies. R. A. Afre, T. Soga, T. Jimbo, M. Kumar, Y. Ando, M. Sharon, Prakash R. Somani, M. Umeno. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 96 (2006) 184-190 (TC = 18, F = 2.2).
[23]  Improving photovoltaic response of poly(3-hexylthiophene)/n-Si heterojunction by incorporating double walled carbon nanotubes. S. P. Somani, Prakash R. Somani *, E. Flahaut, M. Umeno. Applied Physics letters 89 (2006) 223505 (TC = 1, IF = 4.2). Virtual Journal of Nanoscale Science and Technology 14/24 (2006).
[24]  Field electron emission of Double Walled Carbon Nanotube film prepared by drop casting method. Prakash R. Somani *, S. P. Somani, S. P. Lau, E. Flahaut, M. Tanemura, M. Umeno. Solid State Electronics 51 (2007) 788-792 (TC = 9, IF = 1.247).
[25]  Improving photovoltaic response of Poly(3-octylthiophene)/n-Si heterojunction by incorporating double walled carbon nanotubes. Prakash R. Somani *, S. P. Somani, E. Flahaut, M. Umeno. Nanotechnology 18 (2007) 185708-1 to 185708-5 (TC = 28, IF = 2.993).
[26]  Self vertically aligned conical carbon nanofibers by pulsed discharge plasma chemical vapor deposition and its field electron emission. Prakash R. Somani *, S. P. Somani, A. Yoshida, T. Suzuki, M. Noda, M. Tanemura, S. P. Lau, M. Umeno. Physica Status Solidi (a) 204/9 (2007) 3096-3101.
[27]  Towards organic thick film solar cells : Three dimensional bulk heterojunction organic thick film solar cell using fullerene single crystal nanorods. Prakash R. Somani *, S. P. Somani, M. Umeno. Applied Physics Letters 91 (2007) 173503-1 to 173503-3 (TC=14, IF = 4.2). Virtual Journal of Nanoscale Science and Technology 16/19 (2007). TOP 20 Most Downloaded Articles (October 2007).
[28]  Nitrogen induced nanostructure formation in hydrogenated amorphous carbon films doped with nitrogen. Prakash R. Somani *, A. Yoshida, S. Adhikary, M. Umeno. Physica E:Low Dimensional Systems and Nanostructures 40/3 (2008) 709-713
[29]  Carbon nanocapsules encapsulating cobalt nanoparticles by pulsed discharge plasma chemical vapor deposition. Prakash R. Somani *, S. P. Somani, M. Noda, M. Umeno. Diamond and Related Materials 17 (2008) 576-580.
[30]  Double walled carbon nanotubes incorporated donor-acceptor type organic photovoltaic devices using poly(3-octylthiophene) and fullerene (C60). Prakash R. Somani *, S. P. Somani, E. Flahaut, G. Kalita, M. Umeno. Japanese Journal of Applied Physics-Special Issue on Molecular Electronics and Bioelectronics, 47/2 (2008) 1219-1222. (TC = 4) Virtual Journal of Nanoscale Science and Technology 17/10 (2008).
[31]  Field electron emission of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and carbon nanofibers grown from camphor. Prakash R. Somani *, S. P. Somani, A. Yoshida, M. Tanemura, S. P. Lau and M. Umeno. Solid State Electronics 52 (2008) 941-945 (TC = 1).
[32]  Photocarrier injection effect in hydrogenated amorphous carbon doped with nitrogen/p-silicon heterostructures. Prakash R. Somani *, S. P. Somani, M. Umeno. Physica E : Low Dimensional Systems and Nanostructures 40/8 (2008) 2783-2786 (TC = 1).
[33]  Single crystals of Fullerene (C60) makes organic thick film solar cells and selfsupporting organic solar cells possible. Prakash R. Somani *, S. P. Somani, M. Umeno. Carbon-Science and Technology 1 (2008) 1-3 (TC = 1).
[34]  Carbon Nanotube incorporation : A new route to improve the performance of organic-inorganic heterojunction Solar Cells. Prakash R. Somani *, S. P. Somani, M. Umeno. Diamond and Related Materials 17 (2008) 585-588 (TC = 7).
[35]  Taguchi optimization of device parameters for Fullerene and Poly(3-octylthiophene) based heterojunction photovoltaic devices. G. Kalita, S. Adhikari, H. R. Aryal, Prakash R. Somani, S. P. Somani, M. Sharon and M. Umeno. Diamond and Related Materials 17 (2008) 799-803. (TC = 2)
[36]  Room temperature synthesis and characterization of cobalt-doped carbon nanofibers. D. Takeuchi, Z. P. Wang, A. Miyawaki, K. Yamaguchi, Y. Suzuki, M. Tanemura, Y. Hayashi and Prakash R. Somani. Diamond and Related Materials 17 (2008) 581-584 (TC = 2).
[37]  Application of metal nanoparticles decorated carbon nanotubes in photovoltaics. Prakash R. Somani, Savita P. Somani, M. Umeno Applied Physics Letters 93 (2008) 033315-1 to 033315-3. (TC = 7)
[38]  Carbon Nanofibers and multiwalled carbon nanotubes from camphor and their field electron emission. Prakash R. Somani *, S. P. Somani, A. Yoshida, M. Tanemura, S. P. Lau and M. Umeno. Current Applied Physics 9/1 (2009) 144-150 (TC = 5).
[39]  Platinum and Ruthenium nanoparticles decorated multi-walled carbon nanotubes as electrodes for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Prakash R. Somani *, S. P. Somani, A. Sato and M. Umeno. Diamond and Related Materials 18 (2009) 497-500 (TC = 1).
[40]  Is 'Vacuum annealing converts p-type single wall carbon nanotube field effect transistor (in air) to n-type (in vacuum) is universally true' (?) Prakash R. Somani *, A. Kobayashi, Y. Ohno, S. Kishimoto, T. Mizutani. Carbon-Science and Technology 2 (2009) 98-102.
[41]  Carbon Nanobeads from Brassica Nigra Oil : Synthesis and Characterization D. E. Kshirsagar, V. Puri, M. Sharon, S. Jaybhaye, R. A. Afre, Prakash R. Somani, M. Sharon Advanced Science Letters 2 (2009) 388-390.
[42]  Pressure sensitive multifunctional solar cells using carbon nanotubes. Prakash R. Somani Applied Physics Letters (2010) (Published).

Publications: Conferences/Workshops/Symposiums

[1]  Conducting polymers sensitized with organic dyes : New materials for electronics and optoelectronics. S. Radhakrishnan, S. D. Deshpande, Prakash Somani Presented in IUMRS-ICA-98, Bangalore, INDIA.
[2]  Electrochromism and photoconductivity of conducting polypyrrole sensitized with organic dyes. Prakash Somani and S. Radhakrishnan Presented in Raman Memorial Conference-97, Physics Department, Pune University, Pune INDIA.
[3]  Optoelectronic properties of conducting polypyrrole sensitized with organic dyes. Prakash Somani and S. Radhakrishnan Presented in a National Conference at BARC-1998, Mumbai, INDIA.
[4]  Charge transport processes in conducting polypyrrole sensitized with Prussian Blue. Prakash Somani and S. Radhakrishnan Presented in "Ninth National Convention of Electrochemists (NCE-IX), 26-27 Nov. 1999, SURAT (INDIA).
[5]  Conducting polymer based electrochromic display devices. Prakash Somani, A. B. Mandale, S. Radhakrishnan Presented in "Raman Memorial Conference-99", Physics Department, Pune University (10-11 Dec. 1999).
[6]  Study and development of conducting polymer based electrochromic display devices. Prakash Somani Presented in "87th Indian Science Congress", Pune University, Pune-411 007 (3-7 Jan. 2000) under "ISCA Young Scientists Award Programm".
[7]  Study of conducting polymer composites for pressure sensor applications. Prakash Somani Presented in "7th National Seminar on Physics and Technology of Sensors", Pune University, Pune-411 007 (14-16 Feb. 2000) INDIA.
[8]  Dye sensitized conducting polymers for photosensor applications. Prakash Somani, D. P. Amalnerkar, S. Radhakrishnan Presented in "7th National Seminar on Physics and Technology of Sensors", Pune University, Pune-411 007 (14-16 Feb. 2000) INDIA.
[9]  Thickness dependence of optical humidity sensing in solid polymer electrolyte. Anu Pillai, Prakash Somani, R. C. Aiyer Presented in "9th National Seminar on Physics and Technology of Sensors", The Institute of Engineers, Pune-411 005 (4-6 March 2002) INDIA.
[10]  Solid state dye PV cells using opal inverse TiO2 films. G. Ruani, C. Dionigi, M. Murga, D. Palles, P. Nozar, P. R. Somani, A. Migliori Presented in "International Conference on the Physics, Chemistry and Engineering of Solar Cells (SCELLS-2004)", Badajoz (13-15 May, 2004) Spain.
[11]  Vertically aligned conical carbon nanofibers : Synthesis and Field emission. P. R. Somani, S. P. Somani, T. Yoshida, T. Suzuki, A. Yoshida, M. Noda and M. Umeno. Presented in "7th International Conference on The Science and Applications of Nanotubes, Nanotube 2006 (NT06)", Nagano (18-23 June) Japan.
[12]  Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes with narrow diameter-distribution by spray pyrolysis of a natural precursor : Turpentine oil. P. Ghosh, R. A. Afre, P. R. Somani, M. Umeno, T. Jimbo, T. Soga. Presented in "7th International Conference on The Science and Applications of Nanotubes, Nanotube 2006 (NT06)", Nagano (18-23 June) Japan.
[13]  Properties and applications of carbon materials and their comparison with ZnO. M. Umeno, P. R. Somani. Invited Talk by Prof. M. Umeno at India-Japan workshop (IJW-2006) on "ZnO Materials and Devices", Department of Electronics Science, University of Delhi South Campus, New Delhi-110021, India (18-20 Dec. 2006).
[14]  Double walled carbon nanotubes incorporated donor-acceptor type organic photovoltaic devices using poly(3-octylthiophene) and fullerene (C60). Prakash R. Somani, S. P. Somani, G. Kalita, M. Umeno. Presented at "4th International Conference on Molecular Electronics and Bioelectronics (M-BE4)", University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (14-16 March 2007).
[15]  Proton exchange membrane fuel cell with multiwalled carbon nanotube based electrodes. S. P. Somani, Prakash R. Somani, A. Sato, M. Umeno. Presented at "4th International Conference on Molecular Electronics and Bioelectronics (M-BE4)", University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (14-16 March 2007).
[16]  Carbon nanofibers and multiwalled carbon nanotubes from Camphor and their field electron emission. Prakash R. Somani, S. P. Somani, A. Yoshida, M. Tanemura, S. P. Lau, M. Umeno. Presented at "4th International Conference on Molecular Electronics and Bioelectronics (M-BE4)", University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan (14-16 March 2007).
[17]  Carbon nanocapsules encapsulating cobalt nanoparticles by pulsed discharge plasma chemical vapor deposition : synthesis and study. P. R. Somani, S. P. Somani, M. Noda, M. Umeno. Presented at "International Conference on New Diamond and Nano Carbons (NDNC 2007)", Senri Life Science Centre, Osaka, Japan (28-31 May 2007).
[18]  Improving photovoltaic response of poly(3-octylthiophene)/n-Si heterojunction by incorporating multi-walled carbon nanotubes. S. P. Somani, P. R. Somani, M. Umeno. Presented at "International Conference on New Diamond and Nano Carbons (NDNC 2007)", Senri Life Science Centre, Osaka, Japan (28-31 May 2007).
[19]  Fabrication and investigation of heterojunction photovoltaic device based on fullerene (C60) and poly(3-octylthiophene). G. Kalita, P. R. Somani, S. Somani, M. Umeno. Presented at "International Conference on New Diamond and Nano Carbons (NDNC 2007)", Senri Life Science Centre, Osaka, Japan (28-31 May 2007).
[20]  Nano sized single crystals of Fullerene : New Material for bulk heterojunction donor-acceptor type 3D solar cells. Savita P. Somani, P. R. Somani, M. Umeno. Presented at "17th International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference (PVSEC-17)", Fukuoka International Congress Centre, Fukuoka, Japan (3-7 December 2007).
[21]  Microstructure and optical properties of carbon films deposited by pulsed discharge plasma CVD. M. Noda, T. Yoshida, P. R. Somani, M. Umeno. Presented at "17th International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference (PVSEC-17)", Fukuoka International Congress Centre, Fukuoka, Japan (3-7 December 2007).
[22]  New concepts in organic solar cells using carbon nanomaterials P. R. Somani, S. P. Somani, M. Umeno. Talk Presented at "Carbon 2008 : International Conference on Carbon and World Conference on Carbon", Nagano, Japan (13-18 July 2008).
[23]  N-type single walled carbon nanotube FETs with Sm as contact electrodes. P. R. Somani, A. Kobayashi, Y. Ohno, S. Kishimoto, T. Mizutani Talk Presented at "Japan Society of Applied Physics (JSAP) 69th Autumn Meeting 2008", Chubu University, Japan (2-5 September 2008).
[24]  Platinum and Ruthenium nanoparticles decorated multi-walled carbon nanotubes as electrodes for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. Savita P. Somani, P. R. Somani, H. Uchida, A. Sato, M. Umeno Presented at "Japan Society of Applied Physics (JSAP) 69th Autumn Meeting 2008", Chubu University, Japan (2-5 September 2008).