Dr. Mrinal Pal | Materials Science | Lifetime Achievements Award

Doctor. Mrinal Pal, CSIR-Central Glass And Ceramic Research Institute, India 🎓

🧑‍🎓 Early Academic Pursuits

Dr. Mrinal Pal embarked on his academic journey with a B.Sc. in Physics from Calcutta University in 1986, followed by an M.Sc. in Physics with a specialization in Solid State Physics from the same university in 1990. He further honed his expertise by earning a Ph.D. in Science from the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS), under Jadavpur University, in 1997. Driven by a thirst for knowledge, he pursued postdoctoral research in prestigious institutions in Italy and Japan, laying the groundwork for his future contributions to the field of material science.

🧑‍🔬 Professional Endeavors

Dr. Pal’s illustrious career began as a Lecturer and later a Senior Lecturer of Physics at The University of Burdwan from 2002 to 2010. In 2010, he transitioned to CSIR-CMERI as a Principal Scientist, marking the start of his long-standing association with the CSIR. In 2014, he joined the CSIR-Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute (CGCRI), where he currently serves as Chief Scientist and Head of the Functional Materials and Devices Division. His professional journey is marked by significant contributions in research and development, particularly in the domains of spintronics, multiferroics, magnetic materials, and glass and glass-ceramic materials.

🧪 Contributions and Research Focus

Throughout his 27+ year career, Dr. Pal has focused on the development of novel materials for various applications. His early work centered on spintronics, multiferroics, magnetic materials, and glass and glass-ceramic materials. He made significant breakthroughs, including the observation of giant magnetodielectric properties in Sm-doped bismuth ferrite nanoparticles and the beneficial effects of Y-doping on the optical properties of BiFeO3 nanoparticles. In the latter half of his career, Dr. Pal shifted his focus to chemiresistive gas sensors for biomedical applications. Notably, he developed a prototype device for the non-invasive detection of diabetes from exhaled breath, a groundbreaking achievement in the field. Additionally, he explored the development of white phosphorescence from pristine materials by tailoring point defects, contributing to the advancement of light-emitting technologies.

🏆 Accolades and Recognition

Dr. Pal’s contributions to science have been widely recognized. He is a Fellow of the West Bengal Academy of Science and Technology (2018) and a recipient of the MRSI Medal (2016). His work has also earned him the STA Fellowship from the Government of Japan (1998-2000) and the Bharat Joyti Award in 2012, among other honors. His research has been extensively published, with over 120 papers in esteemed journals, garnering more than 4200 citations and an h-index of 38.

🌍 Impact and Influence

Dr. Pal has played a pivotal role in shaping the scientific community through his editorial work, serving as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Modern Nanotechnology and as an Associate Editor for Frontiers in Chemistry (Nanoscience). He has also been an active reviewer for several prestigious journals and has contributed to the organization of conferences and seminars, fostering knowledge exchange within the scientific community. As an educator, Dr. Pal has supervised 10 Ph.D. students and over 30 postgraduate theses, instilling in his students the same passion for research that has driven his own career. His teaching experience spans over a decade, during which he has designed and taught courses in Solid State Physics, Materials Characterization, and Electroceramics.

🧬 Legacy and Future Contributions

Dr. Pal’s legacy is one of relentless pursuit of scientific advancement and dedication to nurturing the next generation of scientists. As a divisional head, he has worked to align long-term divisional goals with national needs, ensuring that his contributions have a lasting impact on both his institution and the broader scientific community. His ongoing research in gas sensing, magnetic materials, and light-emitting devices continues to push the boundaries of what is possible, paving the way for future innovations in these fields.