Page update - Coding: LabVIEW / GenAI

 Have a look at new page for LabVIEW and GenAI coding projects...

Revisiting my PhD thesis (2010) with the #genAI.

The synthesis and characterization of gadolinium-doped ceria (GDC) as a high-performance electrolyte for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells.

GenAI produced slides:

Listen to full story - podcast style!

Analyst Assistant 4.0: Automating Elemental Analysis Workflows with LabVIEW

For analytical researchers handling high-throughput experimentation, data generation is rarely the bottleneck—data processing is. Elemental characterization techniques generate massive volumes of raw data across various file formats (.txt, .csv, .xlsx). Manually importing, filtering, trimming, and analyzing this data to meet standard operating procedures (SOPs) is not only tedious but also introduces the risk of human error.

Illustration of workflow adapted for AA 4.0 (AI generated)

To bridge the gap between raw instrument output and final reporting, I developed Analyst Assistant 4.0 (AA 4.0), a comprehensive MS Windows® application programmed entirely in LabVIEW®.

The Core Objective

The primary goal of AA 4.0 is to completely automate the data analysis and processing workflow for elemental characterization while keeping the analytical chemist in control of critical decision points.

Seamless Instrument Integration

To accommodate a versatile analytical laboratory, the AA 4.0 Launcher features a built-in sequence initiator tailored for a wide range of industry-standard instruments. The software natively processes data generated by:

Agilent ICP-MS: (Models 8900, 7900)
Spectro ICP-OES: (Models FHS22, FHD32)
Panalytical WD-XRF: (Zetium 4.0)
Elementar CHNSO: (Configured for CH, CHN, and CHN+O)
TE Instruments TNTS: (Xplorer)

PAC TNTS: (Multitek and Elements)

The Human-in-the-Loop Workflow

Automation shouldn't mean a black box. Every sequence initiated in AA 4.0 rigorously follows established SOPs for data processing, but it is deliberately designed to prompt the analyst for inputs at critical stages.

Automated Ingestion: The program automatically imports the raw data files, regardless of whether the instrument exports in text, CSV, or Excel formats.

Pre-Processing: The software handles the routine filtering, trimming, and baseline calculations automatically.

Analyst Intervention: The software pauses to allow the analyst to visually inspect the data and manually choose critical points for final processing and analysis, ensuring expert oversight remains part of the calculation.

Traceability and LIMS Integration

In any certified laboratory environment, data traceability is just as important as the result itself. Upon completion of the processing sequence, AA 4.0 automatically generates two distinct deliverables:

The LIMS-Ready Template: The processed results are mapped directly into a standardized template, ready for immediate import into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). This eliminates manual data entry and transcription errors.

The Meta-Data File: A separate Excel workbook is generated to serve as a comprehensive audit trail. This file contains distinct sheets detailing every single step, formula, and analyst input used to process the data from the raw import to the final report, ensuring 100% traceability.

By automating the routine data-handling tasks while preserving analyst input for critical evaluations, Analyst Assistant 4.0 drastically accelerates turnaround times and ensures pristine data integrity across multiple elemental characterization platforms.

Moisture data logging with Custom Automation - DewPt 2.5 - LabVIEW based application

AI generated concept illustration

In the continuous effort to streamline laboratory operations and reduce manual intervention in experimental workflows, automating long-term setups is a practical necessity. To address this bottleneck, a custom physical reactor paired with a dedicated software application was developed for data collection processes.

Designing the Physical Architecture and Instrumentation

To monitor the internal environment, the system utilized an industrial dew point sensor. This sensor was biased using a 24V power supply from National Instruments (NI). The sensor's analog output, specifically a generated current signal (up to 20 mA), was continuously measured using a high-precision Keithley multimeter. 

DewPt 2.5: The LabVIEW-Driven Core

To bridge the hardware control and data logging, a custom LabVIEW based windows application DewPt 2.5 was programmed in LabVIEW. This software designed to interface with the Keithley multimeter to run reliably for days or even weeks without interruption.

The application handles several critical operational tasks:

• Continuous Automated Logging: Executes automated cycling processes, capturing moisture values consistently over extended timeframes.

• Real-Time Signal Processing: Captures the incoming current measurements (mA) from the Keithley multimeter on the fly and converts them into the desired moisture measurement units.

• Dynamic Visualization: Computes and graphs these derived values in real-time within the UI, allowing the user to visually estimate the precise cut-off points for the experiments.

• Automated Archiving: Saves all raw current data and computed moisture values directly to local files for downstream analysis.

Changemakers of Tomorrow (CoT) 2024 at KTPO, Bangalore.

 Attending Shell's Changemakers of Tomorrow (CoT) 2024 at KTPO, Bangalore.

Detas at https://www.shell.in/energy-and-innovation/changemakers.html

At European Nuclear Young Generation Forum 2023 in Krakow, Poland.

Gave a talk at the European Nuclear Young Generation Forum (ENYGF) 2023 in Krakow, Poland. My talk, entitled "An Overview on Harnessing the Power of nuclear energy for a Hydrogen Economy," highlighted the crucial role of nuclear power in developing a sustainable hydrogen economy. 

As we strive towards a net zero future, nuclear energy can play a vital part in producing carbon-free fuels such as #hydrogen. By utilizing water #electrolysis technologies, nuclear power can work alongside #

renewable energy sources to drive the transition to a low-carbon economy.

Thank you to ENYGF2023 for providing the platform to share these insights and to everyone who attended the talk.

Link to LinkedIn post: Click here.

Collabrative paper with computational group at NOMATEN

Collaborated with the computational group at NOMATEN for a paper entitled, Dynamical pathways for the interaction of O2, H2O, CH4, and CO2 with α-alumina surfaces: Density functional tight–binding calculations which is published in Physica Status Solidi B (Phys. Status Solidi B 2023,  2200567)

Link for the publication: https://doi.org/10.1002/pssb.202200567 

NOMATEN -IMDEA Materials Institute bilateral meeting, Madrid Spain.

NOMATEN Centre of Excellence at the National Centre for Nuclear Research visited IMDEA Materials Institute to strengthen our relationship in #multifunctional #materials and explore the possibility of future collaborations. Date: February 1-2, 2023.

IMDEA news coverage at Twitter: LINK

The details of the agenda:

Participated in Horizon4Poland'22 conference in Warsaw .

Participated in Horizon4Poland'22 conference held on 22 NOV 2022 at POLIN Conference Center, Warsaw, Poland.

The conference provided the platform for companies and R&D institutions to network and became a part of the Horizon Europe Programme.

More details at: https://horizon4poland22.b2match.io/

NOMATEN Autumn School at VTT, ESPOO, Finland.

Attended the NOMATEN Autumn School at VTT, ESPOO, Finland during 26-29 Sep 2022.

This event provided the opportunity for NOMATEN (@ National Centre for Nuclear Research) to exchange updates on the #teaming_project with the collaborator from CEA and VTT.

Participated in e-SPARK: International Summer School 2022

Participated in International Summer School in Warsaw (Poland) during 19-24 Sept 2022.

e-SPARK: International Summer School on Experimental Electrochemistry. The school was held in the laboratories of the Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland.

12th Int. Conf. Nanomaterials: Applications & Properties at Kraków, POLAND

Recently attended IEEE-NAP 2022 (Krakow, Poland) 

• Gave an Invited_talk on "Oxide supported electrocatalysts..."
• Chaired a session on "Electrochemistry of Nanomaterials"
• Had excellent interactions with participants and organizers

Automating the Anodizing Station with LabVIEW

LabVIEW controlled Keithley SourceMeter (Model 2611B) as anodizing workstation (GUI)

Achieving highly reproducible results in surface engineering requires rigorous control over electrochemical parameters. To streamline this process, a custom LabVIEW application was developed to fully automate an anodizing workstation. This software replaces manual instrument adjustments with a robust, digital interface tailored for high-precision surface treatments.

Hardware Integration

The core of the hardware setup relies on the Keithley SourceMeter Unit (SMU). By interfacing directly with this equipment via serial communication, the software ensures highly accurate power delivery and measurement throughout the anodizing process. The system is built around the following specifications:

Primary Instrument: Keithley SourceMeter (Model 2611B)
Maximum Current Capability: 10 A
Maximum Voltage Capability: 200 V

Rated Capability: 30 kV

Photograph of anodizing station setup with LabVIEW controller app running.

Core Software Features

The custom LabVIEW front panel, as demonstrated in image_0299a7.png, serves as a comprehensive control hub. The user interface is designed to give the researcher complete authority over the experimental parameters while automating the data acquisition.

Dual Operation Modes: Researchers can seamlessly toggle between Constant Voltage (CV/Potentiostatic) and Constant Current (CC/Galvanostatic) modes to suit specific anodizing requirements.

Real-Time Visualization: The interface dynamically plots the applied current and resulting voltage against time, allowing for immediate visual feedback of the electrochemical process as it happens.

Customizable Measurement Timings: The UI allows users to configure precise data measurement intervals (down to the millisecond) and set exact total experiment durations.

Automated Data Logging: The program automatically generates data files with timestamps and custom text appended to the filename, ensuring perfect traceability for post-processing.

Hardware Safety Interlocks: A dedicated indicator continuously monitors the status of the workstation's safety door, ensuring a safe operating environment before high-voltage output is authorized.

Impact on Surface Engineering Workflows

This automation tool was specifically engineered to enhance the experimental capabilities within the Surface Engineering and Corrosion Lab, supporting the advanced research initiatives of Prof. Aleksandra Baron-Wiechec. By combining the precision of the Keithley 2611B with the flexibility of LabVIEW, the system minimizes human error, standardizes the anodizing protocols, and drastically reduces the time spent on manual data logging.

Joined as Assistant Professor (adiunkt) at NOMATEN CoE @ NCBJ, Poland

Joined as Assistant Professor - Specialist in Electrochemistry and Corrosion at NOMATEN Center of Excellence, National Center for Nuclear Research (NCBJ), Poland. 

Responsibilities:
* Organization of a corrosion laboratory (purchase of equipment, installation, and supervision)
* Conduct corrosion tests in various environments as part of scientific projects. 
* Support the activities of NOMATEN by organizing cooperation with other research groups. 
* Initiating new research directions.

Motivation for LabVIEW for researchers - Introduction to LabVIEW

Motivation for LabVIEW for researchers - with an example.
- Introduction to LabVIEW for scientists/engineers - for newbies!

#youtube #playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL6WmR8cYtwWx0LH2pLzXLME_U9TvFv5kz

NOTE: Native English speakers should play videos at x1.5 speed... for a better experience.

The hydrogen color spectrum or colors code

What colors does the hydrogen come in?

Hydrogen colors codes (in brief): 

For more details:

Professional timeline (2005 - 2022...)

 Also visible in the "More about me" section...

The research article published in Open Ceramics!

The research article entitled, "Investigation of quality and performance of Cu impregnated NiO-GDC as anode for IT-SOFCs" published in Open Ceramics. 

The article is open access!

Click here to go to the article...

Publication in MCP on "recycling of Pt from end-of-life fuel cell stack as Pt based catalyst for fuel cell"

The research article entitled, "Gram-size Pt/C catalyst synthesized using Pt compound directly recovered from an end-of-life PEM fuel cell stack" published in Materials Chemistry and Physics. 

The article is open access!

Click here to go to the article...

Shantou High-level Talents award (2021)

Shantou High-level talent award is a recognition of High-level Talents in Shantou City by Shantou Municipal Committee, Guangdong, China!