BTP - Nitin Srirang

Respondent: Nitin Srirang

What project were you working on?

Properties of grain boundaries in phosphorene - phosphorene is a 2d material that got a lot of attention from 2014 for it's unique and excellent electronic, optical and thermal properties. Grain boundaries are defects that are naturally formed while the 2d sheets are produced by mechanical exfoliation and CVD. My project was a first principles study on how the grain boundaries affect the electronic and optical properties of pure phosphorene sheet. I used DFT as implemented in VASP to do calculations. First part was studying the properties of the pure sheet and second part was comparing the calculations on the sheets with defects, with the former.


Name of the Guide

Alok Shukla


Is the professor still taking students under the same project?

Not sure

Courses that were part of the curriculum/ additional courses that helped you? Any other tools/softwares that helped you during your project?

Courses that helped - ICMP (required), Semiconductor Physics, Applied SSP
Softwares - VASP, xmgrace (plotting), python, jmol, vesta

Any feedback or further details you'd like to add?

About Prof - basically only gave me vague goals but has no experience working on  both phosphorene grain boundary defects. That was a disaster because I could not have fruitful discussions on obstacles I faced, I got the "check literature, contact authors, just try things" everytime. No helping me break down the problem. He'll let you work on your own time but will expect you to come to him frequently and won't say a word about it. He never complains to you or discusses your shortcomings with you until the presentation in which he is the biggest threat (if the project doesn't go well). Also defends you and gives good grades and reco letters if it goes well. Takeaway from this project was mostly how to do everything on my own, like working with a grad school advisor who doesnt fit with you. The computations experience is worth the time and trouble. The prof has a good background in CMP and semi conductors and provides notes if required.

Contact: nitin.srirang@gmail.com