Soft Nano Technology Course | IIT Kharagpur | Prof. Rabibrata Mukherjee
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 75 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 8 weeks |
| Categories | Chemical Engineering |
| Credit Points | 2 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 13 Mar 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 29 Mar 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Mastering the Meso-Scale: An In-Depth Look at the Soft Nano Technology Course
The fabrication of functional structures at the nanoscale is revolutionizing fields from electronics to medicine. At the heart of this revolution lies Soft Nano Technology, a discipline focused on patterning and manipulating soft materials, like polymers, at dimensions bridging the molecular and macroscopic worlds. A comprehensive course offered by the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur (IIT KGP), instructed by the renowned Prof. Rabibrata Mukherjee, provides a unique deep dive into this cutting-edge domain.
Course Overview and Instructor Profile
This 8-week course is designed for undergraduate and postgraduate students, offering a rigorous exploration of nano-patterning techniques essential for modern technology.
The course is led by Prof. Rabibrata Mukherjee, an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Kharagpur. With a distinguished career spanning industry and academia, including 12 years as a Scientist at the Central Glass & Ceramic Research Institute, Prof. Mukherjee brings immense practical and theoretical expertise. His academic credentials are impeccable, with a B.Tech., M.Tech., and PhD from leading Indian institutes, and his research has been recognized with awards like the CSIR Young Scientist Award (2007) and the MRSI Medal (2014). Notably, he also received the best teaching feedback at IIT Kharagpur in 2015 for this very subject matter.
Why Study Soft Nano Technology?
The meso-scale (nanometers to microns) is where extraordinary phenomena occur. Controlling structure at this scale enables breakthroughs in:
- Molecular Electronics & Flexible Displays: Creating circuits on bendable substrates.
- Advanced Sensors & Structural Color: Developing highly sensitive optical devices and color without dyes.
- Super-Adhesives & Self-Cleaning Surfaces: Mimicking gecko feet and lotus leaves for revolutionary materials.
- Tissue Engineering: Designing scaffolds that guide cell growth for medical implants.
This course equips students with the knowledge to harness these applications by mastering the patterning techniques that make them possible.
Detailed Course Curriculum
The 8-week program is meticulously structured to build from fundamental concepts to advanced characterization techniques.
| Week | Topics Covered |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction to Patterning, Applications, Wetting (Cassie/Wenzel), Surface Tension |
| Week 2 | Nano-Fabrication Regimes, Self-Assembly, Micelles, Intro to Photolithography |
| Week 3 | Photolithography Deep Dive: Photo Resists, Spin Coating, Exposure, Development |
| Week 4 | Nano Imprint Lithography |
| Week 5 | Soft Lithography: Introduction and Various Techniques |
| Week 6 | Continued Exploration of Soft Lithography Techniques |
| Week 7 | Fundamentals of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) |
| Week 8 | Different Imaging Modes of Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) |
Key Learning Modules
Module 1: Foundations & Concepts
Students begin with the core principles of surface tension, wetting phenomena, and the critical Cassie and Wenzel states, which govern how liquids interact with nano-patterned surfaces—a key to understanding super-hydrophobicity.
Module 2: Photolithography
This module covers the workhorse technique of micro and nano-fabrication. The process from spin-coating photoresists to exposure and development is explained in detail, forming a basis for understanding patterning limitations and capabilities.
Module 3: Soft Lithography
A focus area of the course, this module explores versatile techniques like replica molding and microcontact printing that use elastomeric stamps to create patterns, crucial for flexible and large-area nano-manufacturing.
Module 4: Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
Characterization is as important as fabrication. This module demystifies the AFM, teaching its basic operation and various imaging modes essential for visualizing and measuring nano-scale features.
Who Should Enroll?
Intended Audience: This course is ideal for UG, PG, and PhD students across disciplines like Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, and Nanotechnology (BE, B.Tech, ME, M.Tech., MS, MSc, PhD).
Prerequisites: A basic knowledge of fluid mechanics is helpful but not mandatory, as core concepts are built from the ground up.
Recommended Textbooks & Resources
To supplement the lectures, the course references authoritative texts:
- “Alternative Lithography”, edited by C. M. Sotomayor Torres.
- “Creating Micro and Nano Patterns on Polymeric Materials”, edited by A. del Campo and E. Arzt.
- “Micro Fluidics and Micro Scale Transport Process”, edited by Suman Chakraborty.
The Soft Nano Technology course from IIT Kharagpur is more than just a series of lectures; it's a gateway to the forefront of materials engineering. Under the guidance of an award-winning instructor, students gain the theoretical foundation and practical knowledge to contribute to the next generation of nanotechnology innovations. Whether your interest lies in renewable energy, biomedicine, or next-gen electronics, this course provides the essential toolkit for working at the fascinating meso-scale.
Enroll Now →