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tapas.debsharma@chem.iitkgp.ac.in

Department of Chemistry, High-Pressure Lab HP 202, IIT Kharagpur, 721302 Phone: 84614 (within campus) or 03222214614 (from outside campus)

Education

<h2><big><strong><a href="https://debsharma-research.in/"><em>https://debsharma-research.in/</em></a></strong></big></h2>

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<p><strong>Ph.D., University of Potsdam, Germany, Aug 2016 &ndash; Dec 2019</strong></p>

<p>Dissertation: Cellulose derived polymers: synthesis of functional and degradable polymers from cellulose</p>

<p>Advisors: Prof. Dr. Helmut Schlaad</p>

<p>Topics: Biomass-derived carbohydrate-based polymers, ring-opening metathesis polymerization, cationic ring-opening polymerization</p>

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<p><strong>M.Sc. (Chemistry)</strong><strong>, </strong><strong>Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India, 2014</strong></p>

<p>Dissertation: AuCl3-HCCCH2OBn, A new catalyst-system for <em>O</em>-glycosylation of 1, 2 di&ndash;<em>O</em>&ndash; acetyl, 1, 2&ndash;di&ndash;<em>O</em>&ndash;benzoyl sugars as glycosyl donors</p>

<p>Advisor: Prof. Dr. Yashwant D. Vankar</p>

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<p><strong>B.Sc., University of Kalyani (</strong>Santipur College<strong>)&nbsp;India, 2012</strong></p>

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<p><strong>Higher Secondary Examination (</strong>Fulia Shikshaniketan High School<strong>), May 2009</strong></p>

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<p><strong>Secondary Examination (</strong>Fulia Shikshaniketan High School<strong>), August 2007</strong></p>

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Experience

<p><strong>Postdoctoral Researcher, Northwestern University, USA </strong>(May 2023 &ndash; Feb 2024)</p>

<p>Topics: Covalent adaptable networks containing disulfides, siloxane, and amide groups</p>

<p>Advisor: Prof. John M. Torkelson</p>

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<p><strong>Postdoctoral Researcher, Ghent University, Belgium </strong>(May 2020 &ndash; Apr 2023)</p>

<p>Topics: Circular thermoset materials &ndash; Covalent adaptable networks, Vitrimers, Bio-based vitrimers, Fiber-reinforced vitrimer composites</p>

<p>Advisor: Prof. Filip Du Prez</p>

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<p><strong>Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Potsdam, Germany </strong>(Jan 2020 &ndash; May 2020)</p>

<p>Topic: Kinetic studies of ring-opening metathesis polymerization of alkyl levoglucosenyl ethers</p>

<p>Advisor: Prof. Helmut Schlaad</p>

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<p><strong>Research Scholar, University of Potsdam, Germany </strong>(July 2014 &ndash; July 2016)</p>

<p>Topics: Synthesis of carbohydrate-based polyesters and polyamides</p>

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<p><strong>Research Assistant,</strong><strong> IIT Kanpur, India </strong>(May &ndash; July 2013)</p>

<p>Summer project: Functionalization of glucal to 2 C-halo glucal</p>

<p>Advisor: Prof. Dr. Yashwant D. Vankar<br />
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<p><strong>Research Interest</strong><br />
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<p>This is an ORGANIC CHEMISTRY group. We are focused on synthetic&nbsp;polymer chemistry. The general interest of the group is to develop&nbsp;sustainable polymers, both thermosets and thermoplastics.</p>

<p>Thermosets are used in composites (e.g., airplane bodies), mattresses, adhesives, tires, etc. These are cross-linked polymers and non-recyclable. We work in the field of Covalent Adaptable Networks (including vitrimers)&nbsp;which is a ground-up design for thermosets and thermoset-containing materials as recyclable materials. This is achieved by making use of reversible functional chemistries, such as transesterification, transamination, disulfide exchange, siloxane exchange etc.</p>

<p>The other topic of the group is the synthesis of (thermoplastic) polymers from renewable resources (e.g., cellulose), and polymers with degradable functional groups.<br />
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<p><strong>What to expect as a PhD student here in the group</strong><br />
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You will be involved in organic synthesis as well as polymer characterization techniques.</p>