Scientist from CSIR- National Chemical Laboratory, India
Dr. Jayashree Swaminathan is a highly accomplished scientist specializing in electrochemistry and catalysis, with a strong research focus on green hydrogen generation technologies. Currently serving as a Scientist at the Catalysis Division of the National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune, she has held impactful roles in both academia and industry, including Senior Scientist at Ohmium India Pvt. Ltd. and General Manager at H2e Power Systems Pvt. Ltd. Her work has consistently bridged the gap between fundamental research and industrial application, particularly in areas such as MEA fabrication, water electrolysis, hydrogen fuel generation, and nanomaterial synthesis. With over 200 citations, an h-index of 6, and several high-impact publications, her scientific contributions are significant and growing. She has co-authored a U.S. patent on anion exchange membranes and has been recognized nationally and internationally through fellowships, awards, and internships. Her collaborations include work with eminent scientists like Dr. Pulickel Ajayan and Dr. Sampath. In addition to research, Dr. Swaminathan is actively involved in peer reviewing for high-impact journals. Her expertise spans catalysis, defect engineering, spectroscopy, and nanomaterials, making her a valuable contributor to the future of sustainable energy technologies.
Professional Profile
Education
Dr. Jayashree Swaminathan holds a Ph.D. in Physical Sciences, specializing in Electro-inorganic Chemicals from the CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute (CECRI), completed between 2013 and 2019. Her doctoral research focused on defect-driven electrochemical and photo-electrochemical water splitting using nanocrystalline titanium dioxide, under the mentorship of Dr. S. Ravichandran. Her thesis emphasized hydrogen fuel applications, contributing a key demonstration of a hydrogen-fueled stove. Prior to her Ph.D., she earned an M.Sc. in Nanoscience from the University of Madras, where she excelled academically with a score of 84% and was honored as a gold medalist for her outstanding performance. Her undergraduate education in Physics, also at the University of Madras, culminated in an impressive 86% score, reflecting her strong foundational knowledge in the physical sciences. Throughout her academic career, Dr. Swaminathan has been the recipient of several prestigious scholarships and fellowships, including the DST-INSPIRE Fellowship and the Madras University Merit Fellowship. Her educational background combines theoretical rigor with hands-on research in electrochemistry, catalysis, and materials science, providing a solid platform for her diverse and impactful scientific career.
Professional Experience
Dr. Swaminathan’s professional trajectory showcases a dynamic blend of academic research and industrial application. Since December 2023, she has served as a Scientist at the Catalysis Division of the National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune, where she focuses on catalyst development and water electrolysis systems for green hydrogen production. Prior to NCL, she held the role of Senior Scientist at Ohmium India Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, where she led initiatives in MEA fabrication and stack assembly for hydrogen technologies. From July 2022 to March 2023, she was General Manager at H2e Power Systems Pvt. Ltd., where she oversaw the stack manufacturing process and safety systems related to hydrogen fuel. Her research experience includes a Research Associate position at Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (2020–2022), where she contributed to green hydrogen projects, and earlier work at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), focusing on Langmuir-Blodgett thin film techniques. Her career began with a Project Fellowship at Madras University, followed by a Project Assistant role at CSIR-CECRI, where she contributed to patented research on anion exchange membranes. Her multifaceted experience bridges theoretical insights and real-world innovation in sustainable energy systems.
Research Interests
Dr. Jayashree Swaminathan’s research interests lie at the intersection of catalysis, electrochemistry, and green energy technologies. She has specialized in the design and development of heterogeneous catalysts for electrochemical and photo-electrochemical water splitting aimed at sustainable hydrogen fuel production. Her core focus includes defect engineering in nanomaterials—particularly metal oxides like TiO₂ and Co₃O₄—to enhance their catalytic activity and efficiency. She is also deeply engaged in water electrolyzer technology, including MEA and stack fabrication, in-situ spectroscopy, and hydro-cracking processes. Beyond catalyst synthesis, she is interested in the development of zeolites, defect-rich nanostructures, and substitutional doping to manipulate electronic and structural properties for improved performance. Her interdisciplinary approach incorporates advanced material characterization techniques and real-time electrochemical analysis. Collaborating with leading researchers and institutions such as Rice University and IISc Bangalore, her work contributes to both theoretical understanding and scalable applications in renewable energy. This diverse research portfolio not only addresses global energy challenges but also aligns with India’s national mission for green hydrogen technologies.
Research Skills
Dr. Swaminathan possesses an extensive skill set that encompasses a broad spectrum of electrochemical and materials science techniques. She is adept in synthesizing and characterizing heterogeneous catalysts and nanomaterials, with a focus on defect-rich systems to improve electrocatalytic efficiency. Her technical expertise includes electrochemical characterization methods such as cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, and impedance spectroscopy. She is highly skilled in MEA fabrication and stack assembly for electrolyzer systems, with hands-on experience in the complete water-splitting setup. Dr. Swaminathan also brings deep knowledge in thin film deposition techniques, particularly Langmuir-Blodgett films, and she has applied in-situ spectroscopy methods for real-time catalytic studies. Her strong foundation in physical and analytical chemistry allows her to integrate spectroscopic and microscopic tools—like SEM, XRD, and UV-Vis spectroscopy—for detailed material analysis. She has co-developed a patented anion exchange membrane for electrochemical applications, underscoring her innovation in applied research. In addition, she is a skilled scientific communicator, with multiple high-impact publications and experience in reviewing for top-tier journals. Her ability to work across both laboratory-scale investigations and industrial-scale processes makes her a valuable asset in advancing clean energy technologies.
Awards and Honors
Dr. Jayashree Swaminathan has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards and honors throughout her academic and professional journey. Most recently, she received the ANRF Fellowship (2025), awarded by the Prime Minister’s Early Career Research Grant to support her research initiation at NCL. She was selected as a BASE Intern in 2018, receiving $7,500 from DST & IUSSTF for her top-ranked research proposal and completing an internship at Rice University under Dr. Pulickel Ajayan. During her Ph.D., she held the highly competitive DST-INSPIRE Fellowship from 2013 to 2018 and was also named a HEAM Scholar in 2013 for her innovative hydrogen energy project. She has earned multiple academic distinctions including the Madras University Merit Fellowship and a gold medal in M.Sc. Nanoscience. Additional accolades include awards for oral and poster presentations in national science events and competitions, highlighting her strength in research communication. She has contributed to a U.S. and an Indian patent, demonstrating the practical impact of her work. Furthermore, she serves as a peer reviewer for prestigious journals such as Journal of Materials Chemistry A and PCCP, further validating her authority in the field.
Conclusion
Dr. Jayashree Swaminathan exemplifies the qualities deserving of a Research Excellence Award through her consistent and impactful contributions to green hydrogen technologies and electrochemical catalysis. Her research spans academic excellence, industrial application, and international collaboration, reflecting a deep commitment to scientific innovation and sustainability. With a portfolio that includes a U.S. patent, over 200 citations, and high-impact publications, her work is both novel and practical. Her expertise in MEA fabrication, water electrolyzer development, and defect engineering has real-world relevance, addressing urgent energy challenges. Despite her accomplishments, continued focus on increasing international visibility and expanding collaborative networks could further elevate her profile. Overall, Dr. Swaminathan’s credentials, dedication, and scientific output position her as an outstanding candidate for the Excellence in Research Award, with strong potential to influence future developments in clean energy solutions.
Publications Top Notes
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Title: Defect-Rich Metallic Titania (TiO₁.₂₃) — An Efficient Hydrogen Evolution Catalyst for Electrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: J. Swaminathan, R. Subbiah, V. Singaram
Journal: ACS Catalysis, 6 (4), 2222–2229
Year: 2016
Citations: 108
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Title: Switchable intrinsic defect chemistry of titania for catalytic applications
Authors: S. Jayashree, M. Ashokkumar
Journal: Catalysts, 8 (12), 601
Year: 2018
Citations: 71
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Title: Tuning the Electrocatalytic Activity of Co₃O₄ through Discrete Elemental Doping
Authors: J. Swaminathan, A. B. Puthirath, M. R. Sahoo, S. K. Nayak, G. Costin, R. Vajtai, …
Journal: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 11 (43), 39706–39714
Year: 2019
Citations: 25
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Title: Insights into the Electrocatalytic Behavior of Defect-Centered Reduced Titania (TiO₁.₂₃)
Authors: J. Swaminathan, S. Ravichandran
Journal: The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 122 (3), 1670–1680
Year: 2018
Citations: 18
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Title: Pseudobrookite based heterostructures for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: N. Fernando, J. Swaminathan, F. C. R. Hernandez, G. Priyadarshana, …
Journal: Materials Reports: Energy, 1 (2), 100020
Year: 2021
Citations: 11
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Title: Asphaltene-derived metal-free carbons for electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution
Authors: J. Swaminathan, S. Enayat, A. Meiyazhagan, F. C. Robles Hernandez, …
Journal: ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 11 (31), 27697–27705
Year: 2019
Citations: 11
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Title: Substitution of copper atoms into defect-rich molybdenum sulfides and their electrocatalytic activity
Authors: Z. Wang, H. Kannan, T. Su, J. Swaminathan, S. N. Shirodkar, F. C. R. Hernandez, …
Journal: Nanoscale Advances, 3 (6), 1747–1757
Year: 2021
Citations: 10
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Title: Probing the defect-driven tunable photo(electro)catalytic water-splitting behavior of pulsed-laser-deposited titania
Authors: J. Swaminathan, S. Ravichandran, P. Palani, M. Mathankumar, …
Journal: Energy & Fuels, 35 (5), 4512–4523
Year: 2021
Citations: 3
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Title: Calcium silicate hydrate anion exchange membrane useful for water electrolysis and fuel cells and a process for the preparation thereof
Authors: J. Swaminathan, S. Ravichandran, D. J. Davidson, G. Sozhan, S. Vasudevan, …
Patent: US Patent 10,260,155
Year: 2019
Citations: 1
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Title: The emergence of analytical techniques for defects in metal oxide
Author: J. Swaminathan
Book Chapter: Metal Oxide Defects, pp. 27–60
Year: 2023