In a major boost to research and innovation in the field of material sciences, the Department of Atomic Energy’s (DAE), Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS) has sanctioned a three-year research project worth ₹47.50 lakh for the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar.

The sanctioned project, titled “Compositional engineering of AREXO (A=Li, K, Cs; RE=Gd, Y, Lu; X=Si or Ge) type of phosphor compounds for X-ray imaging technologies via their storage/scintillation characteristics”, will be led by Dr. Vijay Kumar, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics at NIT Srinagar.

According to the official memorandum issued by BRNS (No. 58/14/16/2025-BRNS/726), the project has received administrative approval from the President of India.

The sanction includes ₹22.68 lakh for the first year (2025–26), with the remaining funds to be released in subsequent years. The funding will cover equipment such as pH meters, spin coaters, and thermoluminescence units, as well as staff salaries, research consumables, travel expenses, and institutional overheads.

Welcoming the development, Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia, said the grant reflects the growing recognition of the institute’s research potential.

“This project will not only enhance our capabilities in advanced materials research but also place NIT Srinagar on the map of institutes contributing significantly to healthcare-related imaging technologies. We are grateful to BRNS and the Department of Atomic Energy for reposing trust in our faculty and institution,” he added.

Registrar NIT Srinagar, Prof. Atikur Rehman, also described the grant as a milestone that would inspire future research endeavors on campus.

“It is a proud moment for the NIT fraternity. The sanctioned project will open new avenues for our researchers and students, especially in areas where science directly serves medical technology and public health,” he said.

Principal Investigator Dr. Vijay Kumar explained that the project aims to tackle existing challenges in X-ray imaging by designing innovative phosphor compounds.

“Our focus will be on compositional engineering of novel phosphor compounds with enhanced scintillation and storage properties. These materials are vital for developing next-generation X-ray detectors that can improve resolution, efficiency, and safety in medical diagnostics and security systems,” Dr. Kumar said.

He added that the project would also create opportunities for young scholars to engage in cutting-edge research under national-level funding.

Dr. Kumar is among the most distinguished researchers of NIT Srinagar. He has authored more than 100 publications in reputed international journals, edited 16 books, and holds two granted patents.

He has successfully guided more than eight Ph.D. students and has also appeared consecutively three times in the list of the world’s top 2% scientists, compiled by Stanford University.

The BRNS, which functions under the Department of Atomic Energy, supports research across universities and institutes in nuclear sciences and allied fields.

This project has been approved under the “Basic Research in Engineering Sciences (BRE)” category and will be supported through the Competitive Doctoral Programme (CDP-8).

The project also involves close collaboration with scientists from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). Dr. P. S. Sarkar and Dr. Mohit Tyagi from BARC will serve as collaborators, bringing their expertise in assessing the performance of fabricated phosphors for X-ray imaging technologies.

The BARC team will evaluate the storage capacity of the synthesized phosphors, study their reusability, and analyze potential effects on imaging plates after repeated X-ray exposure.