Assistant Professor Prashant Kumar

Biographical Information
2012 – B.Tech, M.Tech – Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, IIT Madras, India 
2018 – PhD – Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, USA
2023 – Post-Doctoral – Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA

Dr. Prashant Kumar holds Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Metallurgical and Materials Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras (2012). He earned his Ph.D. in Materials Science from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, focusing on analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

During his doctoral studies, Dr. Kumar made significant strides in the field of two-dimensional porous materials using TEM. His research resulted in publications in journals such as Nature, Science, and Angewandte Chemie, along with a patent related to zeolite membranes. Dr. Kumar's academic achievements were recognized with graduate student awards from the Materials Research Society (MRS) and the Microscopy Society of America (MSA).  As a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, he explored colloidal chiral chemistry. His work on multi-scale chirality control using biomimetic self-assembly demonstrated precise control over twist in colloidal shapes leading to a publication on the cover of Nature, and a patent. Dr. Kumar's contributions were acknowledged with the Biointerfaces’ Institute Post-Doctoral Innovator Award at the University of Michigan.

Beyond academia, Dr. Kumar loves communicating science through microscopy images of the nanoscale world. In his leisure time, he enjoys yoga, weightlifting, badminton, and photography.

Current Research Interests
The Kumar lab of Advanced Techniques for Optimal Manufacturing and Imaging of Colloids (ATOMIC) is an interdisciplinary group of researchers working at the intersection of materials science, chemical engineering, and biomolecular engineering. We develop next generation materials for advancements in sustainable manufacturing, optoelectronics, and healthcare. 

Our fascination with the nanoscale world drives us to uncover the secrets of atomic organization. We're not just observers; we're architects, understanding the rules of atomic interactions to craft materials with tailored structural and electronic properties, one atom at a time. In our pursuit, we peer into materials using state-of-the-art techniques like aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy, revealing the intricate dance of atoms. Through precise synthesis methods and a blend of spectroscopy, imaging, and automation, we're pushing the boundaries of what's possible in colloidal synthesis.

Our research group values kindness, honesty, scientific integrity, and direct communication.

Selected Publications

  1. Prashant Kumar, Thi Vo, et. al. Photonically Active Bowtie Nanoassemblies with Chirality Continuum. Nature, 615, 418-424 (2023) Cover Article https://doi.org/10.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-05733-1
  2. Prashant Kumar, Dae Woo Kim, Neel Rangnekar, et. al. One-dimensional intergrowths in two-dimensional zeolite nanosheets and their effect on ultra-selective transport. Nature Materials, 19, 443–449 (2020). https://doi.org/10.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-019-0581-3
  3. Mi Young Jeon*, Donghun Kim*, Prashant Kumar*, Pyung Soo Lee*, Neel Rangnekar, Peng Bai et. al. Ultra-selective high-flux membranes from directly synthesized high aspect ratio zeolite nanosheets. Nature, 543, 690-694 (2017). https://doi.org/10.https://doi.org/10.1038/nature21421
  4. Prashant Kumar, Kumar Varoon Agrawal, Michael Tsapatsis, K Andre Mkhoyan. Quantification of thickness and wrinkling of exfoliated two-dimensional zeolite nanosheets. Nature Communications, 6, 7128 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms8128


Openings for PhD Students and Research Fellows

PhD Openings (3 positions): We welcome applications from driven individuals at all levels of their academic journey, including bachelor's and master's students poised to graduate within the next 6 to 12 months. You can expect a start date between January – July 2025.

Postdoctoral Opening (1 position): We are seeking a highly skilled postdoctoral researcher to join our team starting August 2024, and play a pivotal role in advancing our research endeavors. PhD candidates expecting to graduate between July 2024 – July 2025 can email Prof. Kumar following the instructions below.

Research Focus Areas:

  • Organic/Inorganic Chemistry, Peptide Synthesis
  • Optical Spectroscopy, Simulations
  • Transmission Electron Microscopy, XRD, Atomic Structure Solution
  • Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Image Segmentation

What We Offer:

  • Exciting Research Opportunities: Engage in cutting-edge projects at the forefront of scientific inquiry with impact in optoelectronics, manufacturing and diagnostic devices.
  • Mentorship and Collaboration: Benefit from guidance and support from seasoned researchers while collaborating with fellow scholars across the world.
  • State-of-the-Art Facilities: Access advanced laboratory equipment such as aberration corrected TEM, SEM, FIB and computational resources to facilitate your research endeavours.
  • Professional Development: Enhance your writing, presentation, and analytical skills and broaden your expertise through workshops, seminars, and conferences. Mentorship to advance your career to next stage will be a priority.

How to Apply:
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their application materials, including a CV, cover letter outlining research interests and career goals, and contact information for three references, to Prof. Kumar at [email protected] with subject "PhD/Postdoc applicant".