atomic clusters

nanoscience

condensed matter

Education

• Ph.D., Physics, University of California Riverside, 1970
• M.Sc., Physics, Utkal University, 1966
• B.S. (Hons) with Distinction, Physics, Utkal University, 1964

Research

• Condensed matter physics
• Nanoscience
• Atomic clusters
• Cluster-assembled materials
• Energy production and storage
• Catalysis
• Electronic structure

Select Publications

• Feng, X; Fang, H.; Wu, N.; Liu, P.; Jena, P.; Nanda, J.; Mitlin. D.: “Review of modification strategies in emerging inorganic solid-state electrolytes for lithium, sodium, and potassium batteries”, Joule 6 (3), pp.543-587 (2022)
• Jena, P. and Sun, Q.: “Super Atomic Clusters: Design Rules and Potential for Building Blocks of Materials”, Chem. Rev. 118, 5755-5870 (2018)
• Zhang, S., Zhou, J., Wang, Q., Chen, X., Kawazoe, Y., and Jena, P.: “Penta-graphene: A New Carbon Allotrope”, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 112, 2372 (2015)
• Jena, P.: “Materials for Hydrogen Storage: Past, Present, and Future”, J. Phys. Chem. Letters (invited) 2, 206 (2011).
• Zhou, J., Wang, Q., Sun, Q., Chen, X. S., Kawazoe, Y., and Jena, P.: “Ferromagnetism in semihydrogenated graphene”, Nano Letters 9, 3867 (2009)

Affiliations

• Fellow, American Physical Society Jefferson Science
• Fellow, U.S. Department of State

Courses

• Introduction to Quantum Mechanics

Awards

• Professor A K Chandra Memorial Award of the Indian Chemical Society, 2021
• Outstanding Scientist of Virginia, 2015
• Presidential Medallion, Virginia Commonwealth University, 2011
• Outstanding Faculty, State Council of Higher Education of Virginia, 2001
• University Award of Excellence, Virginia Commonwealth University, 1993

Links

• A ‘modern-day alchemist,’ VCU’s Puru Jena brings a longtime spirit of innovation to one of society’s top challenges