Dr. Rituparna Duarah joined Trinity College Dublin as Postdoctoral Research Fellow at CRANN/School of Chemistry in February 2020. Prior to this, Dr. Rituparna worked as Research Associate at CSIR NEIST, India, in Materials Science and Technology Division in Advanced Materials Group, for a brief period (November 2019-February 2020).

Dr. Rituparna is specialized in synthesis of bio-based hyperbranched polymers; preparation of nanomaterials and carbon-based nanohybrids. Her research work involved synthesis of high-performance hyperbranched polymers, preparation of carbon-based nanomaterials and subsequent fabrication of polymer nanocomposites for advanced prospective applications such as self-healing, self-cleaning, photocatalysis, coatings, smart biomedical devices (self-expandable stent, antibacterial self-tightening suture, etc.).

Dr. Rituparna’s current project is focused on the development of bio-based polymer nanocomposites as alternatives to petroleum-based polymers for packaging films applications. The aim of the project work is to overcome the challenges posed by biopolymers such as low heat distortion temperature, high gas permeability, and moderate mechanical properties which restrict their use.