Postdoctoral Researcher Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University Bedfordshire, United Kingdom

Nandini Dixit

I coat ceramic membranes with two-dimensional materials so they can take the salt out of water at industrial scale.

Ceramic membranes survive conditions that destroy polymer ones, including heat, pressure and aggressive chemistry. What they have lacked is selectivity. My work at Cranfield applies 2D material coatings to multichannel ceramic supports, and deals with the harder problem underneath: making a coating that stays defect-free when you scale it from a coupon to a full module.

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Feed enters the channel under pressure. Water threads the tortuous path between stacked nanosheets and emerges as permeate; hydrated salt ions are too large for the interlayer spacing and leave as concentrate.

0Citations on Google Scholar

0Peer-reviewed journal articles

0As first author

0Book chapters

Current research · Cranfield Water Science Institute

2D ceramic composite membranes for desalination

Desalination at scale is limited less by what a membrane can do in a lab than by what survives being manufactured. I work on two-dimensional material coatings applied to large multichannel ceramic membranes, where the science of selective transport meets the engineering reality of coating hundreds of parallel channels uniformly.

Selective 2D coatings

Laminar assemblies of 2D nanosheets create interlayer galleries narrow enough to pass water while excluding hydrated ions. The work is in controlling that spacing, and holding it stable once the membrane is wet and under pressure.

Multichannel geometry

A multichannel monolith puts far more membrane area into the same footprint than a flat sheet. It also makes coating far harder: every internal channel has to receive the same layer, with no thin spots and no pinholes.

Scale-up and defect control

Rejection is set by the worst defect, not the average film. Taking a coating from coupon to full-length module means understanding where defects form during deposition and drying, then designing the process so they don't.

From coupon to module

Fabrication path Defect feedback loop

Doctoral Research, 2020–2026 Environmental Nanotechnology Lab, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay Mumbai, India

Cleaning water with electrons, not chemicals

My PhD, awarded in April 2026 under Prof. Swatantra Pratap Singh at the Environmental Nanotechnology Lab, established that a conductive carbon surface can disinfect water using an applied potential instead of an added biocide, and explained the mechanism well enough to engineer it.

A single pass of a CO₂ laser turns an ordinary polyether sulfone membrane into porous, conductive graphene. Doped with copper or silver and held at a small potential, that surface inactivates bacteria and viruses as water flows across it, with no residual chemical dose left behind.

The central finding was that the kill is not uniform across the surface. Nanofibres at the texture's peaks locally amplify the electric field, and cells entering those regions lyse on contact. Once that was clear, laser parameters could be tuned deliberately to produce the texture rather than stumble onto it.

Alongside it ran the controlled-release question: how to keep doped metal in the material long enough to matter, without leaching into the treated water. Beyond leaching, we wanted to see how the surface behaved under varying microbial conditions,, which led to the finding that bacteria and viruses aggregating together on the surface actually boost electrochemical disinfection rather than hinder it.

ENano Lab, IIT Bombay

Single-step fabrication. Polyether sulfone → porous laser-induced graphene → metal-doped electroconductive filter. Microbes entering the amplified field at the fibre tips are inactivated without added chemicals.

Projects

Ten threads, one question

Different materials, different institutions, same underlying problem: how do you build a surface that keeps working on real water, at a size that is worth manufacturing?

Current · Cranfield Water Science Institute

2D ceramic composite membranes for desalination

Applying two-dimensional nanosheet coatings to full-size multichannel ceramic supports: uniform deposition down every channel, stable interlayer spacing under pressure, and defect control through scale-up. The composite pairs the chemical and thermal durability of a ceramic support with the ion selectivity of a laminar 2D film, tested across flux, salt rejection, fouling and long-run stability.

Doctoral · J. Environ. Sci.

Optimising metal doping in laser-induced graphene

Metal incorporation is what makes LIG useful where there is no electricity at all. This work optimised antimicrobial metal nanoparticles for disinfection in both powered and unpowered systems.

Read the paper

Doctoral · Process Saf. Environ. Prot.

Tuneable silver ion mobility for safer disinfection

How fast silver leaves a silver-LIG composite, and what governs it. Co-ions in the water and the applied electrical potential both shift the release rate, which makes the dose tuneable rather than fixed by the material alone.

Read the paper

Doctoral · Water Research

Bacteria and viruses inactivate better together

In mixed consortia, bacteria and viruses aggregate on the electroconductive surface. Rather than shielding each other, that aggregation boosts electrochemical disinfection, which changes how performance on real water should be predicted.

Read the paper

Doctoral · Environ. Sci.: Nano

Why surface texture decides the kill

A mechanistic account of how LIG surface texture governs electrochemical disinfection, specifically the role nanofibres play in locally amplifying the electric field.

Read the paper

Doctoral · ES: Water Res. Technol.

Controlled release of disinfectants

Release too much biocide and you lose the material and pollute the water. This work developed controlled-release systems that hold up over long-term disinfection duty.

Read the paper

Doctoral · COMSOL Multiphysics

Simulating the electrochemical system

COMSOL models of the electric field distribution and the electrochemical parameters, used to optimise the treatment system itself: electrode configuration, applied potential and the field conditions the microbes actually encounter.

Doctoral · Chemosphere

Emerging contaminants through conductive filters

Establishing the role of LIG-based electroconductive filters in the electrocatalytic degradation of emerging contaminants, including pharmaceuticals via Fenton-based routes.

Read the paper

Doctoral · ACS Appl. Eng. Mater.

Photothermal and electrothermal desalination

Photothermally fabricated graphene interfaces paired with solar energy, aimed at raising interfacial evaporation efficiency for desalination and resource recovery.

Read the paper

Collaboration · IIT Bombay × Ben-Gurion University

Global freshwater diazotrophy

A collaborative field programme mapping diazotrophs across freshwater samples worldwide: surface water sampling, seasonal variation, RNA preservation and biological nitrogen fixation.

Publications

Peer-reviewed work

Twelve journal articles, three book chapters and five international conference presentations. First-author work is set in bold.

2026

Dixit, N., Nair, A. M., Ghosh, A., & Singh, S. P. Synergistic bacteria-virus aggregation boosts electrochemical disinfection on LIG-based electroconductive surfaces. Water Research, 298, 125841.

First author

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2026

Dixit, N., Kumar, P., & Singh, S. P. Tuneable silver ion mobility in silver-laser-induced graphene composites for safer water disinfection: role of co-ions and electrical potential. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 216, 109266.

First author

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2025

Dixit, N., Nair, A. M., & Singh, S. P. Enhanced bacterial and virus disinfection with copper-nanoparticle-optimised LIG composite electrodes and filters. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 152, 623–636.

First author

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2025

Dixit, N., Nair, A. M., Desai, A. N., Ramadesigan, V., & Singh, S. P. Locally amplified electric field in laser-induced graphene surfaces: role of nanofibers for enhanced microbial inactivation. Environmental Science: Nano, 12(4), 2436–2448.

First author

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2025

Dixit, N., & Singh, S. P. Water disinfection via controlled release of biocides for reduced toxicity and extended shelf life: a review. Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology, 11(4), 809–829.

First authorReview

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2025

Misra, U., Barbhuiya, N. H., Dixit, N., & Singh, S. P. Photothermal and Joule heating for interfacial evaporation: synergy through nanomaterial incorporation in laser-induced graphene. ACS Applied Engineering Materials, 3(4), 883–893.

Co-author

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2025

Nair, A. M., Narayanan S. J., J., Dixit, N., Dutta, A. K., & Singh, S. P. Laser-induced graphene nanofibers enable bacteriophage MS2 inactivation in sub-microseconds through local electric field enhancement. ACS Applied Nano Materials, 8(24), 12583–12593.

Co-author

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2024

Barbhuiya, N. H., Nair, A. M., Dixit, N., & Singh, S. P. Iron nanoparticles incorporated laser-induced graphene filters for environmental remediation via in-situ electro-Fenton process. ACS Omega, 9(21), 22819–22830.

Co-author

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2023

Misra, U., Dixit, N., & Singh, S. P. Effect of laser parameters on laser-induced graphene filter fabrication and its performance for desalination and water purification. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 15(6), 7899–7910.

Co-author

View
2023

Kumar, A., Barbhuiya, N. H., Nair, A. M., Jashrapuria, K., Dixit, N., & Singh, S. P. Laser-induced graphene-PVA composites as robust electrically conductive water treatment membranes. Chemosphere, 335, 138988.

Co-author

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2022

Dixit, N., & Singh, S. P. Laser-induced graphene (LIG) as a smart and sustainable material to restrain pandemics and endemics: a perspective. ACS Omega, 7(6), 5112–5130.

First authorPerspective

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2022

Kumar, A., Barbhuiya, N. H., Jashrapuria, K., Dixit, N., Arnusch, C. J., & Singh, S. P. Magnéli-phase Ti₄O₇-doped laser-induced graphene surfaces and filters for pollutant degradation and microorganism removal. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 14(46), 52448–52458.

Co-author

View
2022

Monachan, M.*, Dixit, N.*, Maliyekkal, S. M., & Singh, S. P. Reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) membranes for emerging contaminants removal. In New Trends in Emerging Contaminants: Energy, Environment, and Sustainability. Springer Nature.

Book chapter*Equal contribution
2021

Dixit, N., Shriwastav, A., & Singh, S. P. Metal and carbon-based nanomaterials for water disinfection. In Nanomaterials and Nanocomposites for Environmental Remediation. Springer Nature.

Book chapterFirst author
2017

Mishra, R., Mishra, S. K., & Dixit, N. Adverse effect of cosmetics on women's reproductive health. In Reproductive Health in India: Concerns and Awareness. Enriched Publications.

Book chapterISBN 978-819346343-7
2025

Dixit, N., Nair, A. M., & Singh, S. P. Multifunctional electroconductive filters based on single-step fabricated laser-induced graphene for water disinfection. 11th IWA Membrane Technology Conference, Daegu, South Korea.

Poster pitch13–18 Sep 2025
2025

Dixit, N., Nair, M. A., & Singh, S. P. Transition metal-doping optimisation for laser-induced graphene composite electrodes for enhanced disinfection. AMTTR, IIT Bombay.

Poster · Best Poster Award3–4 Mar 2025
2023

Dixit, N., Nair, A. M., & Singh, S. P. Laser-induced graphene fibrous surface — simple and scalable material for enhanced microbial disinfection. IWA WWMDC, Perth, Western Australia.

Oral3–8 Dec 2023
2022

Dixit, N., & Singh, S. P. Metal-doped laser-induced graphene for electrochemical disinfection. AWWA India Association International Conference & Exhibition, Varanasi, India.

Oral5–6 Dec 2022
2022

Dixit, N., & Singh, S. P. Metal-doped laser-induced graphene nanocomposites for water disinfection applications. ICESE, IIT Bombay, India.

Poster · Best Poster Award20–22 Jan 2022

Full record on Google Scholar

Background

Positions, education and awards

Positions

August 2026 – present

Postdoctoral Researcher

Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University

Aug 2020 – Apr 2026

Doctoral Researcher

Environmental Nanotechnology Lab, IIT Bombay · Prof. Swatantra Pratap Singh

Apr 2023 – Oct 2024

PhD Researcher, G-FREDIZ collaboration

IIT Bombay × Ben-Gurion University, Israel · Prof. Edo Bar-Zeev

Education

Awarded April 2026

PhD, Environmental Science and Engineering

IIT Bombay

2018 – 2020

MSc, Environmental Science and Engineering

IIT Bombay

2015 – 2018

BSc, Applied Physical Science (Industrial Chemistry)

Delhi University

Awards and fellowships

Late Shri Girish Vishnuprasad Desai AwardAcademic and Research Excellence, consecutively 2022 and 2023 · IIT Bombay
International Travel Grant, ANRF IndiaFor the 11th IWA Membrane Technology Conference 2025, South Korea
Best Poster Award, AMTTR 2025Conference on Applied Membrane and Translational Research, IIT Bombay
Best Poster Award, ICESE 2022International Conference on Environmental Science and Engineering, IIT Bombay
Teaching Assistantship FellowshipMSc–PhD dual degree · Ministry of Education, Government of India
JAM 2018, All India Rank 353Joint Admission Test for Masters

Writing and outreach

Merging science, environment and storytelling

Research that stays inside a journal does not change anything. I write about water, nanotechnology and the environment for people outside the field.

Jul 2026 · Envirochronicles

The Filter That Could Cool Down a Century of Refining

Russia is not running out of oil. It is running out of refineries.

Jun 2026 · Envirochronicles

The Sand on Kerala's Beaches Could Power India for 400 Years

So why can't we use it?

Jun 2026 · Envirochronicles

How AI Is Reshaping Scientific Consultancies

And what the people inside them can do about it.

Jun 2026 · Envirochronicles

The Capsule That Drinks Before You Do

Feb 2025 · The Quantastic Journal

Can We Compost Our Power Banks? Are Algae the Future Batteries?

Algal batteries hold a promising future for green power banks.

Jan 2025 · The Environment

Sunkissed Transformation of Plastics

Can UV rays be a solution to the microplastic problem?

Jan 2025 · The Environment

A Gourmet Mushroom Feast in Chernobyl

Mushrooms have an intrinsic ability to remove nuclear waste.

Jan 2025 · Envirochronicles

Beneath the Roots

The unsung story of mangroves, a natural ecosystem purification system.

Nov 2024 · Envirochronicles

Mind over Matter

The power of psychology in shaping environmental decisions.

Oct 2024 · Envirochronicles

The Bitter Taste of Ocean Acidification

Earlier posts

For more, visit the Medium site

Academic engagement

Invited podcast guest, The Water MBA"Water Disinfection: Past, Present and Future" · The Water MBA, Spain
Episode write-up: “Think. Research. Solve.”
Student Chapter LeaderAmerican Water Works Association (AWWA), India
Peer reviewernpj Clean Water (Springer Nature) · RSC Advances · Journal of Colloid and Interface Science (Elsevier)
Core team memberAMTTR and DesaltM conferences, IIT Bombay
Former member, ENano LabEnvironmental Nanotechnology Lab, IIT Bombay · visit the group site

Contact

Get in touch

My work sits at the meeting point of surface and interface science, materials engineering, electrochemistry and separation processes. Desalination and water treatment are where I apply it, but the underlying questions — how to engineer a functional surface, make a coating behave at scale, and keep an interface working in a real environment — travel well beyond water.

I am glad to hear about research collaborations, industrial and consultancy work, invited talks and reviewing, and science-writing commissions. If your problem sits near these areas rather than squarely inside them, that is usually a good conversation to have.

Dr Nandini Dixit Postdoctoral Researcher, Cranfield Water Science Institute
Membranes, surfaces and interfaces for water and beyond

Email

nandini.dixit@cranfield.ac.uk

Institute

Cranfield Water Science Institute
Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Cranfield University
Cranfield, Bedfordshire MK43 0AL
United Kingdom

Previously

Environmental Science and Engineering Department, IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai