Dr. Iyakutti Kombiah | Materials Chemistry | Lifetime Achievement Award

Dr. Iyakutti Kombiah, an eminent physicist and computational materials scientist, has made outstanding contributions to condensed matter physics, nanomaterials, and energy storage research, with a career spanning over four decades. He obtained his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Madras, followed by postdoctoral research in quantum chemistry at Uppsala University, Sweden, supported by SIDA. He served as Lecturer at the University of Madras, Reader and Professor at Madurai Kamaraj University, and later as Professor Emeritus and CSIR Emeritus Scientist at SRM University. His pioneering expertise lies in computational design and experimental validation of nanomaterials for hydrogen storage, photovoltaics, and CO₂ conversion, demonstrated through his leadership of multiple AOARD and ONRG-funded international projects. A prolific scholar with over 229 publications, 1,804 citations, and an h-index of 24, his research continues to influence the fields of energy materials and quantum chemistry. Dr. Iyakutti has held visiting positions at leading institutions in Japan, Canada, and the USA, fostering global collaborations. His recent works (2020–2025) focus on graphene-based hydrogen storage, Heusler alloys, and 2D nanomaterials, combining density functional theory with experimental studies. Honored with CSIR and UGC Emeritus Fellowships, he remains a leading figure advancing computational and sustainable energy materials research in India and beyond.