Prof. Tungabidya Maharana is an accomplished academician and researcher in the field of Chemistry and Materials Science with more than 15 years of teaching, research, and innovation experience. She is currently serving as Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at NIT Raipur since October 2022. Prior to this, she served as Assistant Professor at NIT Raipur from 2013 to 2022 and at Ravenshaw University from 2011 to 2013.

Her expertise spans Inorganic Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Nanomaterials, Energy Storage Materials, and Sustainable Functional Materials. She is widely recognized for integrating multidisciplinary approaches in chemistry, nanotechnology, renewable energy, environmental remediation, and advanced polymeric materials.

Research Contributions & Scientific Excellence

Assoc. Prof. Maharana has established herself as a leading researcher in conducting polymers, supercapacitors, nanocomposites, microbial fuel cells, sustainable materials, and advanced catalytic systems. Her research focuses on the development of high-performance energy storage devices, graphene-metal oxide composites, conducting polymer nanocomposites, wastewater remediation technologies, and AI-assisted energy systems.

She has successfully completed and contributed to numerous prestigious sponsored research projects funded by agencies such as:

• ANRF
• DST
• CSIR
• UGC
• BRNS
• TEQIP

She has also worked as a consultant for industrial research projects, demonstrating strong academia–industry collaboration.

Publications, Patents & Scholarly Achievements

Assoc. Prof. Maharana possesses an outstanding research record with:

• 55+ high-quality peer-reviewed research publications
• Multiple book chapters and edited scholarly books
• Several granted and published patents
• Extensive publications in reputed international journals including:
  • Reactive and Functional Polymers
  • Journal of Energy Storage
  • Fuel
  • Polyhedron
  • ACS Applied Polymer Materials
  • Chemical Society Reviews
  • Progress in Polymer Science

Her research output has significantly contributed to advancements in:

• Flexible supercapacitors
• Conducting polymers
• Sustainable nanomaterials
• Polymer-supported catalysts
• Heavy metal remediation
• Biodegradable polymers
• AI-integrated microbial fuel cells

Awards & Recognitions

Assoc. Prof. Maharana has received several prestigious honors, including:

• Outstanding Woman Researcher in Polymer Chemistry (2026)
• DST Young Scientist Award
• Best Oral Presentation Award at APCBEES International Conference, Taipei
• AICTE National Doctoral Fellowship
• International publication recognition award for contribution in Progress in Polymer Science

These recognitions highlight her consistent excellence in scientific innovation, impactful research, and academic leadership.

Innovation, Patents & Technology Development

She has developed innovative technologies in:

• Supercapacitor electrode materials
• Bio-electrochemical sensing systems
• Conducting polymer-based nanocomposites
• Flexible energy storage devices
• Wastewater monitoring technologies

Her granted patents demonstrate strong translational research capability and practical scientific impact.

Mentorship & Academic Leadership

As an educator and mentor, Assoc. Prof. Maharana has guided numerous students and young researchers in advanced materials chemistry, polymer science, and nanotechnology. She is known for fostering collaborative research environments, promoting interdisciplinary innovation, and encouraging scientific excellence among scholars and faculty members.

Eligibility for Outstanding Researcher Award 

Assoc. Prof. Tungabidya Maharana is highly eligible for the Outstanding Researcher Award under Scientific Laurels due to her exceptional and sustained contributions to chemistry, polymer science, nanotechnology, and energy materials research. Her eligibility is strongly supported by:

• An extensive portfolio of internationally indexed research publications
• Significant contributions to sustainable energy storage technologies and advanced functional materials
• Multiple funded national research projects from premier Indian funding agencies
• Granted patents with practical industrial and environmental applications
• Internationally recognized scholarly contributions in high-impact journals and edited books
• Excellence in interdisciplinary research combining chemistry, materials science, environmental sustainability, and artificial intelligence
• Strong academic leadership, mentorship, and commitment to scientific innovation

Her pioneering work in conducting polymers, flexible supercapacitors, graphene-based nanocomposites, microbial fuel cells, and environmentally sustainable technologies demonstrates the high level of originality, societal relevance, and scientific impact expected for the Outstanding Researcher Award.