
Roop L Mahajan
MU-VT Chair Professor
mahajanr@vt.edu
Dr. Roop is the Professor In-Charge, VT at MU-VT IARCT2
Dr. Roop L. Mahajan is Lewis A. Hester Chair Professor and Director of the Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science at Virginia Tech, where he also holds a joint appointment as tenured professor in the departments of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science Mechanics. He serves as Director Strategic Research and Innovation – VT India Global Ambassador. With over 35 years of experience as an interdisciplinary scientist and leader in private and educational sectors, he excels in convective flows, transport phenomena in semiconductor manufacturing, electronic packaging, artificial neural networks, nanotechnology, humanistic engineering, and bio-MEMS. His research stands out for high quality, seamless transition from basic to applied work, and interdisciplinarity, driven by forward-thinking vision that anticipates technology trends.
Education
- Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Cornell University (1977).
- M.S. Mechanical Engineering, Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, 1969
- Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, 1964.
- Inaugural Chair Professor, Mahindra University (MU)- Virginia Tech Interdisciplinary Advanced Research Center for Transformative Technologies (IARCT2), November 2024- present.
- Inaugural Chair Professor, Thapar Institute of Engineering &Technology- Virginia Tech Center of Excellence in Emerging Materials, July 2019- present
- Director, Institute for Critical Technology and Applied Science (ICTAS), July 2006-June 2016.
- Lewis A. Hester Endowed Chair Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering- Virginia Tech – July 2006- Present
- Founding Co-Director, MicroElectronic Devices in Cardiovascular Applications (MEDICA), University of Colorado at Boulder, 1999-2006
- Founding Director, Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Packaging for Microwave, Optical and Digital Electronics (CAMPmode): University of Colorado (CU) at Boulder, 1992-2006.
- Research Leader/Bell Labs Fellow, 1979-1991
- Member Research Staff, 1976-1979
- Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Punjab Engineering College, Chandigarh, India, 1965-1972
Publications
- Innovation
- US Patent 12,269,744 B2, “One-pot Process for Synthesis of Graphene and graphene Derivatives from Coal” Inventors: Roop L. Mahajan and Seul-Yi Lee, Date of Issue: April 8, 2025.
- Scholarship
- Singh P, Aider Y, Phanikumar MS, Mahajan RL, (2025), “Experimental study on flow and thermal transport in additively manufactured lattices based on cube cells, ASME J. Heat & Mass ransfer 147(2).
- Sonavane, Prasad, Mahajan, Roop L, (2025), “Partially Filled Metal Foam Channels for Improved Thermal-Hydraulic Performance in Forced Convection: An Experimental Investigation”, J. Thermal Sciences, 211, 109496, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2024.109496.
- Jagadis Gautam, Roop L Mahajan, Seul-Yi, Lee, Soo-Jin Park, (2025), “Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Zn–Air Batteries: A Comprehensive Review of Design Optimization and In-Situ Characterization, Materials Science and Engineering R, v. 166, 101058, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mser.2025.101058.
- Lee, Seul-Yi, Sim, Nicole, Gautam, Jagadis, Prabhakar, Savita, Kim, Young-Teck, Park, Mahajan, Roop L., and Lee, Ji Hoon, (2025), Simultaneous Synthesis of Multiple Functional Carbon Emitters and their Biosensing Applications”, Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials, 20258:231, https://doi/org/10.1007/s42114-025-01301-5.
- Garg, Anushka; Basu, Soumen; Mahajan, Roop; Mehta, Rajeev, (2025),” Effect of rGO synthesized from different precursors on the enhancement in mechanical properties of GFRPs”, Scientific Reports (2025) 15:29108, https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-04488-1.
- Marini, L; Dinesh Kumar S; Suman K. Jhajharia; M. K. Padmanabhan; L. Mahajan; and Chithra Lekha P, (2025), “Screen Printable, Sustainable Water-Based Functional Ink from Coal-Derived Reduced Graphene Oxide for Humidity Sensing,” IEEE Sensors Letters, v.9., no. 1, pp. 1-4, Art no. 2000204, https://doi.org/10.1109/LSENS.2024.3510873.
- Marini L, Chithra Lekha P, Roop L Mahajan, Devasena T, (2025), “Flexible Screen-printed Graphene oxide-based Biosensor for Sweat Sodium Detection”, Current Applied Physics, v. 80, pp. 145-150.
- Coal-derived Graphene: A Safer Antiozonant for Tires”, https://www.aiche.org>Publications>CEP>April 2025. Based on a project report to NSF by Roop L Mahajan and Suman Jhajharia
- Marini, L, Dinesh Kumar S, T, Devasena, Roop L Mahajan, M K Padmanabhan, Chithra Lekha P, “Biodegradable enzymatic fuel cell for self-powered glucose monitoring”, Poster presentation at the 35th Anniversary World Congress on Biosensors (BIOS 2025), held in Lisbon, Portugal -22 May 19-22, 2025.
- Oral presentation on “Screen Printable, Sustainable Water-Based Functional Ink from Coal-Derived Reduced Graphene Oxide for Humidity Sensing” Marini L, Dinesh Kumar S, Suman K. Jhajharia, M. K. Padmanabhan, L. Mahajan, and Chithra Lekha P, at the 3rd International IEEE APSCON, held at IIT Hyderabad, India. 20-22 Jan 2025.
- Marini L, Roop L Mahajan, Chithra Lekha P, T Devasena, “Biomimetic Self-Sustained Ion Oscillation in Miscibility Gap and Chemical Inductance impact in Potassium Sensing”, Biosensors and Bioelectronics, January 2026, Article # 118413.
- Jhajharia, Suman K, Singh, Tushar, Bejger, Gerald, Ramesh, Kailash, Krishanmoorthy, Sailaja, Selvaraj, Kaliaperumal, Rost, Christina M, Mahajan Roop L, “Layered Niobate/Coal Graphene Superlattice: Maneuvering In-situ Generated Mott-Schottky junctions and oxygen vacancies for High-Current-Density Hydrogen Evolution”, Nano Energy.
- Marini L, Dinesh Kumar S, Roop L Mahajan, M.K Padmanabhan, T Devasena, Chithra Lekha P,” Biocompatible substrate from nutraceutical waste for flexible printed electronics” Institute of Physics Flexible and Printed Electronics.
- Marini, L; Aarju M. Koshy; Parasuraman Swaminathan; M.K Padmanabhan; T Devasena; Roop L Mahajan; Dinesh Kumar, "Eco-friendly Nanocellulose Substrate for Flexible Printed Electronics: Demonstration in LED Relay and Enzymatic Biosensing" Biosensor and Bioelectronics.
- Monica C. Gonmei, Mareeshwari Paramasivan, Madhan Jeyaraman, Marini, L, Roop L Mahajan, M K Padmanabhan, Rajeshwari Hari, Chithra Lekha P, “Review on the ascent of Injectable scaffolds for knee cartilage regeneration”, Inter. J. Biol. Macromol.
- Gupta, Shashaank; Sakthivel, Udhayakumar; Ghose, Sayan; Chandran, Sudakar; Padmanabhan, Myoor, Mahajan, Roop, “Title: Ergodicity controlled excellent transverse and shear mode piezoresponse in samarium doped PMN-xPT ceramics Corresponding Author: Acta Materialia.
- Kumar, Dinesh, Jhajharia, SK, Xavier, D, Padmanabhan, M.K., Subramanian, V, Mahajan, Roop L, “Highly sensitive, flexible, wearable PVDF-coal GO composite for arterial pulse monitoring” in final stages.
- Innovation
- Patent number US 11, 903, 690, “Devices, systems, and methods for real-time monitoring of electrophysical effects during tissue treatment”, Davalos RV, Bonakdar M, Latouche EL, Mahajan RL, Robertson JL, Arena C, Sano M, Issued 02/20/2024, US Patent App. 18/404,473.
- International patent application PCT/IN2024/052149, bearing Indian patent application number 202411069871, titled “Hyperthermia-induced gut microbiome-mediated modulation of host immune system for treatment of gastric/ gastric malt/ duodenal cancer”. Inventors: Mr. Diptiman Choudhury, Ms. Komal Attri, Mr. Bhupendra Chudasama and Mr. Roop L. Mahajan. The PCT application filed on 29/10/2024.
- Garg, Anushka, Basu, Soumen, Mahajan, Roop L and Mehta, Rajeev, “Cost-effective Enhancement of Mechanical Properties of E-Glass Fiber reinforced Epoxy Composites by Addition of Coal-Derived Graphene Oxide and Halloysite Nanotubes”, filed by Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, February 4, 2024.
- Kumar. Dinesh, Mahajan, Roop L.,”AI based Piezoelectric digital stethoscope”, Indian Patent, Application No: 202441057893, 30/07/2024 P. Chithralekha, Marini L, Jhajharia SK, Aadinath W, Muthuvijayan V, Paramasivan M, Gonmei M, Padmanabhan MK, Jeyaraman M, Mahajan RL, “Edge-Functionalized Coal-Derived Graphene Oxide in Bacterial Nanocellulose Hydrogel for Active Wound”, Indian Patent, Complete Application No. 202341090376 dated 31.12.2024.
- Scholarship
- 1. Singh, Prashant and Mahajan, Roop L, “Thermal Transport in Engineered Cellular Materials: A Contemporary Perspective”, for Advances in Heat Transfer, Volume 57, ISSN 0065-2717, pp.184-236, https:/doi.org/10.1016/bs.aiht 2024, 02.001, Invited Article.
- Gupta S, Sakthivel U, Padmanabhan MK, Mahajan RL, (2024), “Dynamics of polarization reversal in neodymium- doped PMN-PT ceramic”, (2024), J. Alloys and Compounds, 83(24),173814. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2024.173814.
- Attri K, Chudasama B, Mahajan RL, Choudhury D, (2024), “Integrated Insulin-Iron Nanoparticles: A Multi-Modal Approach for Receptor- Specific Bioimaging, Reactive Oxygen Species Scavenging, and Wound Healing, Discover Nano, 19(1),1-18.
- Chithralekha, Marini L, Jhajharia SK, Aadinath W, Muthuvijayan V, Paramasivan M, Gonmei M, Padmanabhan MK, Jeyaraman M, Mahajan RL, (2024), “Edge-Functionalized Coal-Derived Graphene Oxide in Bacterial Nanocellulose Hydrogel for Active Wound Healing”, International J. of Biological Macromolecules, 272, 132589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132589.
- Garg, Anushka, Basu, Soumen, Mahajan, Roop L, Mehta, Rajeev, (2024), “Enhancement in Mechanical Properties of GFRP-Coal-derived Graphene Oxide Composites by Addition of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Halloysite Nanotubes: A Comparative Study”, Polymer Composites, 1-16. doi:10.1002/pc.28694.
- Chitral Lekha, P; Mareeswari, Paramasivan; Niranjan, Balaji K; Varshini R; Shuvetha Priya S; Monica, Chingchuilin Gonmei; Yugesh, Prasanna B; Padmanabhan, M.K; Mahajan, Roop L, “Biopolymer-based Sustainable Membrane for Skin Regeneration”, Materials Circular Economy (2024) 6:17, https://doi.org/10.1007/s42824-024-00112-1.
- Garg A, Basu S, Mehta R, Mahajan RL, (2024), “Enhancement in mechanical properties of GFRP-coal-derived graphene oxide composites by addition of multiwalled carbon nanotubes and halloysite nanotubes: A comparative study”, Polymer Composites 45 (14), 13164-13179; http://doi.org/10.1002/pc. 27931, pp.1-18.
- Belal MA, Khalil, HH, Rashad AE, Khattab SN, Ahmed EM, Mahajan RL, (2024),“layered structure design of inkjet-printed graphene/Co3O4 for high-performance flexible supercapacitors Energy Storage 101, 113900.
- Singh, P., Aider, Y. Phanikumar, M. S, and Mahajan, R. L, (2024), “Experimental study on flow and thermal transport in additively manufactured lattices based on cube-shaped unit cell”, ASME Heat and Mass Transfer, 1-18. Doi:https://org/10.1115/1.4066775.
- Marini L; Dinesh Kumar S; Suman K Jhajharia; MK Padmanabhan; Roop L Mahajan; Chithra Lekha P, (2024), “Screen Printable, Sustainable Water-Based Functional Ink from Coal-Derived Reduced Graphene Oxide for Humidity Sensing" IEEE Sensors Letters, V. 2(3) DOI: 1109/LSENS.2024.3510873
- Sharma N, Sharma S, Sharma SK, Mahajan RL, Mehta R, (2024), “Synergistic corrosion prevention of mild steel bars in concrete using PANI and nano-clay modified coatings”, J. Building Engineering 98, 111509. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jobe.2024.111509
- Lee S-Y, Kim S-H, Choi WJ, Park S-J*, Mahajan RL*, (2024), “Harnessing the potential of Coal-Derived Graphene Oxide/Epoxy Nanocomposites: Enhancing Thermal Conductivity and Fracture Toughness”, Applied Surface Science 684 (2025), 161881.
- Attri K, Chudasama, B, Mahajan RL, Choudhury D, (2024), “Perturbation of hyperthermia resistance in gastric cancer by hyperstimulation of autophagy using artemisinin-protected iron-oxide”, RSC Advances 14(47), 34565-34577.
- Marini L, Jhajharia SK, Mahajan RL, Devasena T, Padmanabhan MK, Chithra Lekha, P, (2024), “Portable impedance-based microfluidic biofuel cell printed on cellulose substrate for enzymatic urea sensing”, 2024 IEEE Applied Sensing Conference (APSCON), January 22-24, Goa, India, pp.1-4, doi:10.1109/APSCON60364.2024.10465718.
- Paramasivan M, Padmanabhan MK, Mahajan RL, Chithra Lekha, P, (2024), “Sustainable solutions for printed electronics”, Young Scientists Conference of International India Science Festival, Faridabad, India, January 17-20, 2024 (Oral).
- Innovation
- Indian Patent filed on “Sustainable matrix for flexible printed electronics”, Application No. 202341077145 dated 11.11.2023; Inventors: Paramasivan M, Padmanabhan MK, Mahajan RL, Chithra Lekha, P.
- Scholarship
- Sharma, Piyush, Kainth, Shagun, Singh, Kulvir, Mahajan, Roop L, Pandey, O.P, (2023), “Investigating non-isothermal oxidation kinetics of a non-stoichiometrically synthesized Ti3AlC2 MAX phase”, J. Alloys and Compounds, v. 959, 170488.
- Attri, Komal, Sharda, Deepinder, Chudasama, Bhupender, Mahajan*, Roop L, Choudhry, Diptiman*,
- (2023), “A Review on Terpenes for Treatment of Gastric Cancer: Current Status and Nanotechnology- enabled Future”, Royal Society of Chemistry J. Sustainability, 1(5), 1109-1124. DOI:10.1039/D2SU00137C. (* Corresponding authors)
- Lee, Seul-Yi, Lee, Jong-Hoon, Kim, Yeong-Hun, Mahajan, Roop L, Park, Soo-Jin, (2023), “Determination of London dispersive component and acido-basicity of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide measured by inverse gas chromatography at room temperature”, Nanomaterials, 113, https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13061113.
- Gupta, S, Padmanabhan, M. K, Mahajan, R. L, Favorable dynamics of switching and non-switching polarizations in <001>pc- oriented Sm:PMN-PT crystal”, Applied Physics Letters, v. 122, Issue 12, 122903, March 2023, DOI:10.11063/5.0140442.
- Sharma, Nikhil, Sharma, Shruti, Sharma, Sandeep K, Mahajan, Roop L, Mehta, Rajeev, (2023), “Investigations on Corrosion Inhibition Performance of Self-healing Nano-clay Modified Epoxy Coatings”, Building Materials, v.70, 1 July 2023, 106368.
- Kaur, Inderjot, Mahajan, Roop L, Singh, Prashant, (2023), “Generalized correlation for effective thermal conductivity of high porosity architectured materials and metal foams,” J. Heat and Mass Transfer, 2023, v. 200, 123512, https:/doi.org/101b/j.iijheatmasstransfer
- Garg, A., Basu, S., Lee, S-Y, Mahajan, R. L, Mehta, R, (2023), “Simplified One-Pot Synthesis of Graphene Oxide from Different Coals and its Potential Application in Enhancing the Mechanical Performance of GFRP Nanocomposites", ACS Applied Nanomaterials, 6 (15), 14594–14608, https://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.3c03197
- Attri, Komal, Chudasama, Bhupender, Mahajan*, Roop L, Choudhry, Diptiman*, (2023), “Therapeutic Potential of Lactoferrin-Coated Iron Oxide Nanoparticles for Targeted Hyperthermia in Gastric Cancer”, ACS Applied nanomaterials”, Nature: Scientific Reports, 13 (1), 17875, 09/27/2023, http://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-43725-3. (* Corresponding authors)
- Aider, Youssef, Kaur, Inderjot, Mahajan, Roop L, Singh, Prashant, “Enhancing buoyancy-driven convection transport between two parallel plates with symmetric and asymmetric heating, using additively manufactured lattice structures”, J. Heat and Mass Transfer, 12/22/2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer 2023.125141.
- Garg, Anushka, Basu, Soumen, Mehta, Rajeev, Mahajan, Roop L, (2023), “Enhancing the Mechanical Performance of E-Glass Fiber Epoxy Composites using Coal-Derived Graphene oxide”, Polymer Composites, 2023, pp. 1-18. http://doi.org/10.1002/pc. 27931.
- Sharma, Piyush, Kainth, Shagun, Pandey, O. P, Mahajan, Roop L, (2023), “Customized synthesis of Ti3C2 MXene for improved overall water splitting”, ACS Applied Nano Materials.http://doi.org/10.1021/acsanm.3c03986.
- Marini, L, Devasena, T, Fidal, V. T, Padmanabhan, M. K, Mahajan, Roop L, Chithra Lekha, P, “Utilizing Natural Rhythms in Developing a Cost-effective Biosensor”, Proceedings International Conference on Biomedical Materials & Technology – 2023 (BioTEX 2023, New Delhi, India, 27th November-Dec. 1, 2023.
- Seul-Yi Lee, Jong-Hoon Lee, Yeong-Hun Kim, Roop L Mahajan*, Soo-Jin Park*,” Surface energetics of graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide determined by inverse gas chromatographic technique at infinite dilution at room temperature”, J Colloid and Interface Science, V. 628, pp. 758-768, July 2022 (*Corresponding authors)
- Lee, J-H, Yang, G., Kim, C-Hee, Mahajan, Roop L, Lee, S-Yi, Park, S-J,“Flexible Solid-state Hybrid Supercapacitors for Internet of Everything” Review Article, Energy & Environmental Science, V. 15, pp. 2033-2058, June 2022, (IF 38.53).
- Jhajharia, Suman Kumari, Gupta, Shashaank, Selvaraj, Kaliaperumal, Padmanabhan, Myoor K, and Mahajan, Roop L, “Surface alteration driven bi-functional catalytic activity of alkali niobate-N doped graphene composite for exalted oxygen electrochemistry, Applied Surface Science 580, 152160, April 1, 2022. Also available online https://doi.org/1016/apsusc.2021.152160, Dec. 17, 2021.
- Kaur, P., Ghosh, S., Bhowmick, A. Gadhave, K., Datta, S., Ghosh, A., Garg, Neha, Mahajan, R. L, Basu, B., and Choudhury, D. (2022), “Bacterioboat, a novel tool to increase the half-life period of the orally administered drug”, Science Advances, v. 8, Issue 10, March 11, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abh1419.
- Sharma, Nikhil., Sharma, Shruti, Sharma., Sandeep K, Mahajan, Roop L, and Mehta, Rajeev (2022), “Evaluation of corrosion inhibition capability of graphene modified epoxy coatings on rebars in concrete”, Construction and Building Materials, 322, 7 March, 2022.
- Gupta, Shashaank, Padmanabhan, Myoor K, Mahajan, Roop L, “Favorable dynamics of switching and non-switching polarizations in <001>pc- oriented Sm:PMN-PT crystal”, Applied Physics Letters, MS #APL22-AR-10230, Dec 2022.
- Bharadwaj, B., Singh, P, and Mahajan, R. L, “Optimal design of additively manufactured metal lattice heat sinks for electronics cooling”, Proceedings ASME 2022 Heat Transfer Summer Conference, Philadelphia, PA, HT2022=85400, July 11-13, 2022.
- Singh, Prashant, Phanikumar, Mantha S, and Mahajan, R. L, “Buoyancy-Driven and Forced Convection in Additively Manufactured Cubic Lattices”, Proceedings ASME 2022 Heat Transfer Summer Conference, Philadelphia, PA, HT2022=85400, July 11-13, 2022.
- Chithra Lekha P, Satheesh Kumar E, Anto Sneha Zarak A, Lijin LL, MK Padmanabhan, and Roop L Mahajan, “Designing a Paper-Based Printed Microfluidic Enzymatic Biofuel Cell for Self-Powered Wearables”, Solid State Physics Symposium sponsored by Atomic Energy Commission, India, Dec. 18-22, Ranchi, India, Proceedings American Institute of Physics.
- Gupta, S, and Mahajan, R. L, (2021), “Quantification of domain reorientation in polycrystalline distorted pervoskites”, Computational Materials Science, v. 200, 10798.
- Lee, S-Y and Mahajan, R. L, (2021), “A Facile Method for Coal to Graphene Oxide and its Application to a Biosensor”, Carbon 181, pp. 408-420.
- Lee, Seul-Yi, Moore. Robert B., Mahajan, Roop L, (2021), “An Al-assisted GO/rGO Janus Film: Fabrication and Hygroscopic Properties”, Carbon 171, pp. 585-596, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbon.2020.09.002.
- Kumar, D, Gupta, S, Swain, A.B, Subramanian, V, Padmanabhan M. K, and Mahajan, R. L, (2021), “Large converse magnetoelectric effect in Sm doped Pb (Mg1/3Nb2/3)-PbTiO3 and NiFe2O4 laminate composite”, J. Alloys and Compounds, v. 858, March 2021, Article 157684.
- Aider, Y, Kaur, I, Mahajan, Roop L, Singh, P. (2021), “Buoyancy-driven convection transport in lattice frame material packed between two vertical parallel plates with symmetric and asymmetric heating”, Proceedings 15th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics, and Thermodynamics (ATE-HEFAT), Virtual Conference, July 26-28, 2021, ISBN:978-1-77592-216-2.
- Bharadwaj, B, Singh, P, and Mahajan, Roop L, (2021) "Thermal Performance of Different Carbonaceous Nanoparticles as Additives to Thermal Paste as an Interface Material." Proceedings ASME 2021 International Technical Conference and Exhibition on Packaging and Integration of Electronic and Photonic Microsystems. October 26–28, 2021. V001T08A002, 8 pages, https://doi.org/10.1115/IPACK2021-69254
Professor Mahajan is a prolific researcher with a stellar reputation in academic and industrial spheres. His contributions span convective flows, transport phenomena in semiconductor manufacturing, electronic packaging, artificial neural networks, nanotechnology, humanistic engineering, and bio-MEMS. Key strengths include high-quality output, bridging basic and applied research, and bold, interdisciplinary innovation. He has received accolades like the Bell Labs Fellow Award (1989) for advances in manufacturing science of condensation soldering and silicon epitaxial crystal growth; Boulder Faculty Assembly Award (1999); ASME Heat Transfer Memorial Award (2002); Subaru Educator of the Year Award (2002); Charles Russ Richards Memorial Award (2003); Ralph Coats Roe Medal (2007); 75th Anniversary Medal of the ASME Heat Transfer Division (2013); and AT&T Technical Journal Great Boss Award (1988).









