RAMD Group - Dr. Sanjay Kumar (PI)

Sanjay Kumar

Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) & Visiting Researcher (LJMU, UK)

Department of Electrical Engineering

Indian Institute of Technology Patna

Trusted Areas of Research (but not limited to):

Non-volatile Memories, Memristor Crossbar Array Devices and Systems, 2D Materials, Transition Metal Oxides (TMOs), Physical and Analytical Modelling of Memristor/ReRAM Devices; Neuromorphic Computing, In-memory Computation, Artificial Synapses, Optoelectronic Memories, Retinomorphic and In-sensory Hardware, and Ferroelectric-Memristor; Molecular Memristor; Micro/Nano Fabrication Processes, MEMS-based Capacitive Transducers, Flexible and Wearable Electronics, and Biological Sensors.

Honours/Awards:

Prime Minister Early Career Research Grant (PMECRG) by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF). (April 2026).
Department of Science and Technology (DST) National Postdoc Fellowship (NPDF) award. (August 2025).
Department of Science and Technology (DST) INSPIRE Faculty Award. (March 2024).
Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) National Postdoc Fellowship (NPDF) award. (February 2024).
Department of Science and Technology (DST) PhD INSPIRE Fellowship award. (May 2018-Dec 2022).
1st Rank (Gold Medalist) in Rajasthan Technical University (M.Tech-Nanotechnology (Electromechanical)) [Oct 2016].
Received the prestigious “IEEE NTC Best Chapter Award 2021" by the IEEE Nanotechnology Council (NTC) [Oct 2021].
Received the prestigious “Darrel Chong Student Activity Award 2022-Bronze" by the IEEE NTC [March 2022].

Profile Links:

Scopus ID

Brief Biography:

Dr Sanjay Kumar is working as an Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bihar, India. Before joining IIT Patna, he worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher at the Centre for Electronics Frontiers, School of Engineering, University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK, under the supervision of Prof. Themis Prodromakis. He completed his PhD at the Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group (HNRG) in the Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore (IIT Indore), India, in February 2023, under the supervision of Prof. Shaibal Mukherjee.

His research interests include Resistive Random Access Memory (ReRAM), Memristor Devices and Systems, Neuromorphic Computation, In-memory computation, Physical/Analytical Modelling of Memristor/ReRAM Devices, Artificial Synapses, Optoelectronic memories, Retinomorphic hardware, and 2D-TMD-based Gas Sensors, Capacitive Sensors and Transducers.

Key Highlights for My PhD. Research Work: During his PhD. he has developed wafer-scale Y2O3-based memristive crossbar arrays sizes of (15×12) and (30×25) with superior switching stability, high endurance, and retention characteristics, high device yield (>90%), ultralow values of coefficient of variability for device-to-device (D2D) and cycle-to-cycle (C2C), multilevel current programming functionality, random alphabet writing capability, synaptic leaning with potentiation and depression processes, and spike time-dependent plasticity (STDP) as analogous to the Hebbian learning rules which are similar to the functionality the real human brain.

Experiences [Teaching & Research Experience (~10.5+ Years)]

Organization/Institute: School of Engineering, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool, UK

Designation: Sr. Postdoc Research Fellow (Duration: June 1, 2026, to Ongoing)

Responsibilities: I am working on the design and development of Memristive and memimpedance/memcapacitive devices based on metal oxides and 2D materials, and their heterostructures, for optoelectronic memories; the realisation of bionic visual hardware; Nanoscale memristors for advanced neuromorphic/analogue computing; and exploring memristor applications in digital computation. Additionally, we are developing MEMS-based capacitive transducers and sensors for various emerging applications.

Organization/Institute: Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bihar, India

Designation: Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) (Duration: July 21, 2025, to Ongoing)

Responsibility: Teaching UG/PG courses (mainly Micro/Nanofabrication, Micro/Nanoelectronics, VLSI Design, Semiconductor Physics, Advanced Memory Technologies, and Neuromorphic Engineering, etc.). I am working on the design and development of Memristive and memimpedance/memcapacitive devices based on metal oxides and 2D materials, and their heterostructures, for optoelectronic memories; the realisation of bionic visual hardware; Nanoscale memristors for advanced neuromorphic/analogue computing; and the exploration of memristor applications in digital computation. Additionally, we are developing MEMS-based capacitive transducers and sensors for various emerging applications.

Organisation/Institute: Department of Electronics Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology (ISM) Dhanbad, Jharkhand, India

Designation: Assistant Professor (Tenure-Track) (Duration: June 18, 2024, to July 20, 2025)

Responsibility: Teaching UG/PG courses (mainly Micro/Nanofabrication, Micro/Nanoelectronics, Semiconductor Physics, Advanced Memory Technologies, and Neuromorphic Engineering, etc.). I am working on the design and development of Memristive and memimpedance/memcapacitive devices based on metal oxides and 2D materials, and their heterostructures, for optoelectronic memories; the realisation of bionic visual hardware; Nanoscale memristors for advanced neuromorphic/analogue computing; and the exploration of memristor applications in digital computation. Additionally, we are developing MEMS-based capacitive transducers and sensors for various emerging applications.

Organization/Institute: Centre for Electronics Frontiers, School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Designation: Postdoc Research Associate (Duration: May 29, 2023 to June 16, 2024)

Responsibilities: Memristive and memimpedance/memcapacitive device fabrication, e-beam evaporation, Maskless Lithography, Photolithography, Atomic Layer Deposition, RF sputtering, Semiconductor Parameter Analyzer-4200A, ArC ONE (customised memory testing tool), Materials and Electrical Characterizations, Oxide Materials such as HfO2, TiO2, Al2O3, and Y2O3 for Memristive Devices, Synaptic Learning, and Neuromorphic Computation.

Organization/Institute: Indian Institute of Technology Indore, India

Designation: PhD Scholar, Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group (HNRG), Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, India. (Duration: Dec 26, 2017 to Dec 25, 2022)

Responsibility: Working for my PhD degree in the field of “Large-area Y2O3-based Memristive Crossbar Array for Neuromorphic Computation” as well as working with other Undergraduate (UG), Post-graduate (PG), and PhD students on analytical modelling and physical simulation of memristive devices and systems, their applications in synaptic learning, and design of digital logic and analogue computation-based project work. Apart from research, IITI has assigned me to conduct various labs and tutorials in joint association with Professors.

Subject Taken:

UG Level

Basic Electrical and Electronics Engineering Lab, BTech 2nd Year

Digital Systems Lab, BTech 2nd Year

M.Tech. (VLSI Design and Nanoelectronics)

Discrete Semiconductor Device: Fabrication and Characterisation, M.Tech 1st Year

Nanotechnology, M. Tech 2nd Year

Organization/Institute: CSIR-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CEERI), Pilani, Rajasthan, India

Designation: Research Project Fellow (Duration: Jan 2016 to July 2017)

Responsibilities: Design and Simulation of MEMS-based Devices such as CMUT, Accelerometer, and ISFET, Photolithography, Mask layout Designing, MEMS Device Fabrication Process Optimization, Si-Wafer Cleaning, I-V Measurement Analysis, Frequency Measurement Analysis of MEMS Devices, Biological Sensor (ISFET) Fabrication and Sensing Characterizations, and MEMS Device Stress Failure Analysis.

Organization/Institute: Rajasthan Technical University, Kota, Rajasthan, India

Designation: M.Tech Research Fellow (Duration: Sept 2014- Aug 2016)

Responsibility: Working for my Master's degree in the field of “Ultrasonic Capacitive Transducer Medical Imaging” as well as working with other postgraduate (PG) students on analytical modelling and physical simulation of capacitive transducers and their potential applications. Apart from research, RTU has assigned me to conduct various labs and tutorials in collaboration with Professors.

Subject Taken:

M.Tech. (Nanotechnology (Electromechanical))

Industrial Nanotechnology, M.Tech 1st Year

Nanosensors and Transducers, M. Tech 2nd Year

Nanoelectronics, M. Tech 2nd Year

Education Qualification

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): Electrical Engineering

Affiliation: Hybrid Nanodevice Research Group (HNRG), Department of Electrical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, India, from Dec 2017 to Feb 2023.

Ph.D. Thesis Title: Large-area Y2O3-based Memristive Crossbar Array for Neuromorphic Computation

Thesis Supervisors: Prof. Shaibal Mukherjee, IIT Indore

Summary of PhD Research Work: In this research, analytical/physical modelling of memristive devices, along with the fabrication of memristive crossbar arrays (MCAs) for synaptic learning, analogue computation, and neuromorphic computation applications, has been demonstrated. In analytical modelling, the design and validation of the proposed models have been carried out in MATLAB, and the models have been further validated against experimental data. The physical modelling of the memristive device is performed using COMSOL Multiphysics. The fabrication of the crossbar array is carried out using dual-ion-beam sputtering (DIBS) and DC magnetron sputtering, and the electrical characterisation is performed using a Keithley semiconductor parameter analyser (SPA) SCS-4200A. Moreover, the electrical investigation of the MCAs helps analyse device switching stability in terms of cyclic endurance, retention time, resistance ratio, device-to-device (D2D), and cycle-to-cycle (C2C) variabilities in device-switching voltages (VSET and VRESET). Also, the fabricated MCAs effectively demonstrate multilevel current programming, random alphabet writing, and spike time-dependent plasticity (STDP) functionalities analogous to the Hebbian learning rules in the real human brain. In this work, device scalability is also investigated to enhance the density of the fabricated MCAs, thereby increasing storage capacity and enabling dense neural network architectures for in-memory and neuromorphic computation applications.

Master of Technology (M.Tech): Nanotechnology (Electromechanical)

Affiliation: Centre of Nanotechnology, Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, University College of Engineering, Rajasthan Technical University Campus, Kota, Rajasthan, India, from Aug 2014 to Sept 2016.

Research Topic: Design, Simulation, and Fabrication of Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers (CMUTs) for Medical Imaging and Therapy Applications.

Thesis Supervisors: Dr Sanju Tanwar (Associate Professor, Centre of Nanotechnology, RTU Campus, Kota) and Dr Rishi Sharma (Principal Scientist, CSIR-CEERI, Pilani)

Summary of M.Tech Research Work: This thesis focused on the design, simulation, and fabrication of capacitive ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) for a medical imaging application. The device design verification and simulation were carried out by utilising MEMS tools CoventorWare and CMOSOL Multiphysics. Under an external electric voltage bias (both AC and DC), the suspended oxide membrane over the cavity deflects and vibrates towards the bottom contact, generating ultrasonic waves that are further utilised for medical imaging and therapy applications. Moreover, the deflection of the suspended membrane is dependent on the amplitude of the DC voltage bias, while the speed of vibration is dependent on the amplitude of the AC voltage bias.

Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech): Electronics and Communication Engineering

Affiliation: Rajasthan Technical University, Kota, Rajasthan, India, from Aug 2009 to May 2013.

Project: Universal Remote-Controlled Electrical Home Appliances.

Project Supervisor: Mr Surendra Yadav

Summary of B.Tech Project Work: The project included a universal receiver unit capable of receiving signals from any remote control unit serving as a transmitter. Based on the input signal from the transmitter (either 'ON' or 'OFF'), the receiver unit sent the signal to the relay to power 'ON' and 'OFF' the home appliance circuit unit.

Schooling (10th and 12th)

Higher Secondary (12th) School Exam passed in PCM (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics) in 2009 from Saraswati Bal Niketan Senior Secondary School, Mainana, Board of Secondary Education Rajasthan, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India.
Higher Secondary (12th) School Exam passed in PCB (Physics, Chemistry, Biology) in 2008 from Ravindra Academy, Chirawa, Board of Secondary Education Rajasthan, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India.
Secondary (10th) School Exam Passed in 2006 from Saraswati Bal Niketan Senior Secondary School, Mainana, Board of Secondary Education Rajasthan, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India.

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