Profile
The Department of Applied Chemistry has been functioning since the establishment of the College in 1985. Initially, the department was headed by Dr. T. K. Thirumalpad at the Nazarathpet campus. Subsequently, the department was headed by Dr. G. Devasagayam and is currently led by Dr. Stanly S. The department is supported by a team of highly qualified, experienced faculty members and dedicated technical staff.
The department offers Chemistry courses to all first-year B.E./B.Tech. engineering students, providing a strong foundation in chemical sciences. These courses are designed to develop students’ analytical thinking and scientific temperament, which are essential for advanced studies and professional careers in engineering and technology. The department is well equipped with modern laboratory facilities that cater to the academic and practical requirements of first-year engineering students as well as second-year Marine Engineering students.
The Department of Applied Chemistry is actively engaged in both teaching and research in chemical sciences and allied interdisciplinary domains. Faculty members pursue research in diverse areas, including catalysis, environmental protection, polymer composites, organic synthesis and characterization, batteries and fuel cells, textile materials, nanomaterials, nano materials for corrosion protection, bio-nanomaterials, and energy sciences.
The department has been recognized as a Research Centre by Anna University, Chennai, since 2009 and is approved to offer Ph.D. programmes. Ten research scholars have completed their research and have been awarded the Ph.D. degree. The faculty members possess post- doctoral research experience from reputed international universities and research institutes in countries such as Israel, Spain, and Japan.
Faculty members have received research grants from both internal and external funding agencies. They are actively involved in funded research projects in emerging areas such as supercapacitors, fuel cells and green hydrogen generation technologies. The department has also secured three patents. Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed with H2Next, Karaikudi, under which the department is engaged in providing consultancy services for the development of fuel cell membranes. The department also offers training programmes for faculty members and students in collaboration with the industry partner, thereby strengthening industry–academia interaction.