Lakshmi Munukutla

Professor, Department of Engineering Technology, College of Technology and Innovation

Lakshmi V. Munukutla has been actively involved in curriculum development in engineering technology programs at ASU since 1992. She established a strategy map to provide direction to move the Department of Electronic System forward with guidance of the Industry Advisory Board established by her as a Chair of the Electronic System Department. She restructured the BS degree curriculum and established a new and popular concentration; Alternative Energy Technologies both at undergraduate and graduate degree levels. Lakshmi is an ASEE Fellow and member of ASEE and IEEE professional societies and served as an educational chair of IEEE CPMT local chapter from 1995 to 1997. She is a recipient of an ASEE Faculty Award, June 1986.

Education

Ph.D. Solid State Physics, Ohio University, Athens, Ohio

M.SC. Nuclear Physics, Andhra University, India

B.SC. Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry, Andhra University, India

Expertise

Applications specific carbon nanotube fabrication, Wafer bonding, Semiconductor packaging/Fuel cell packaging, Surface characterization of thin films, Oxidation and planarization studies of SiGe epitaxial films grown on Si using CVD techniques, non destructive thin film thickness measurements using Ellipsometer, Direct nitradation of silicon dioxide studies of the resultant oxide-silicon interface and synthesis of Saran carbon for cryocoolers.

Research Interests

Lakshmi has been active in research and NSF, JPL (Jet Propulsion Laboratory), Motorola Inc. ON semiconductor Inc. and Research Initiative Awards from ASU have funded the research projects. Her current research interests are in materials for energy applications, nano materials and nanotechnology fabrication processes, surface characterization and educational research pertinent to this field. She is working with other faculty members and graduate students in the department of Electronic Systems exploring application specific fabrication of multi-wall and single-wall carbon nanotubes for applications such as hydrogen storage and gas diffusion layers for methanol based fuel cell applications. Lakshmi has served as a PI for several funded projects by the National Science Foundation and industry and at present she is a PI for NSF funded project, $900K for three years to develop Alternative Energy Technologies curriculum for two-year and BS degree students. Lakshmi has approximately 60 refereed journal and conference publications to her credit. She serves as an associate editor for the Journal of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.