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Chemistry Research on Advanced Functional Materials & Technologies

Where materials
meet meaning.

At CRAFT Lab, we synthesize and engineer functional materials — from fluorescent nanoclusters and metal nanoparticles to organic cocrystals and Schiff bases — for sensing, catalysis, biological, and agricultural applications.

Department of Chemistry · Netaji Subhas University of Technology, Delhi

Explore Research View Publications
22
Publications
2
Patents
2
Current PhD Students
14
PG Students Mentored
About

The Lab & Principal Investigator

Dr. Nancy Gupta
Assistant Professor & Principal Investigator · Dept. of Chemistry, NSUT Delhi

PhD: IIT Bombay (in 2016, under Prof. Anindya Datta)
M.Sc. Chemistry: IIT Roorkee
B.Sc. (Hons.) Chemistry: Hindu College, Delhi University
Postdoctoral research: IISER Pune with Prof. Angshuman Nag (semiconductor nanomaterials)
Prior to NSUT: worked at Thermo Fisher Scientific and explored science entrepreneurship at Entrepreneur First.

✉ Email Scholar ORCID LinkedIn

CRAFT Lab — Chemistry Research on Advanced Functional Materials & Technologies — was established in June 2021 at the Department of Chemistry, NSUT Delhi. We work at the intersection of synthesis, materials science, and real-world applications.

Our research spans fluorescent metal nanoclusters, metal/metal-oxide nanoparticles, single crystal and organic cocrystal development, Schiff base chemistry, and bio-polymer nanoformulations for agricultural use. We build materials that sense, catalyse, protect crops, and fight disease.

Dr. Gupta also serves as Public Relations Officer, Industry Coordinator, and Hostel Warden at NSUT

"Good materials chemistry starts with curiosity about why something glows, reacts, or crystallises the way it does — and ends with something that matters."
Research

What We Work On

🔬
Fluorescent Metal Nanoclusters

Synthesis of copper, silver, and gold nanoclusters with tailored photoluminescence for sensing, bioimaging, and catalysis. Green synthesis routes using bio-ligands such as enzymes, amino acids, and proteins.

⚗️
Metal & Metal Oxide Nanoparticles

Design of ZnO, CuO, TiO₂, SnO₂, and MgO nanoparticles for antimicrobial, photocatalytic, and crop-protection applications, with focus on eco-friendly synthesis and structure-property relationships.

💎
Organic Cocrystal & Single Crystal Development

Crystal growth and design of novel organic cocrystals (e.g., salicylic acid-based non-centrosymmetric systems) for nonlinear optical properties and structural elucidation of functional materials.

🌾
Agri-Nanoformulations

Bio-polymer-based nanoformulations (chitosan, pectin) for controlled delivery of pesticides and herbicides, improving crop-protection efficacy while reducing environmental chemical load.

🧪
Schiff Bases for Sensing & Agriculture

Rational design of multi-functional Schiff base ligands for selective fluorimetric/colorimetric detection of heavy metal cations and anions, and for antimicrobial activity against crop pathogens.

🩺
Biological & Medical Applications

Nanomaterials for cancer cell inhibition, antibacterial activity, and drug delivery. Includes L-Carnosine-capped copper nanoclusters for lung cancer, and dual-ligand white-light-emitting nanoclusters.

Publications

Publications

Patents

P2
Dual-Ligand Engineered Copper Nanoclusters and Process Thereof
Mittal, R.; Gupta, N. · Applicant: NSUT
Published
P1
A Fluorescent Nanocluster and a Method of Synthesis Thereof
Mittal, R.; Gupta, N.; Kumari, N.; Maruthi, M. · Applicant: NSUT
Indian Patent Office · Granted: 01 May 2025
✓ Granted

Journal Publications

22
Biodegradable Calcium-Crosslinked Pectin Nanoformulation for Halosulfuron-Methyl: Controlled Release, Biosafety, and Efficacy
Saifi, I.; Tomar, K.; Kala, S.; Chauhan, S.; Gupta, N.
Polymer Bulletin, 2026, 83, 431
Agri DOI ↗
21
Silver Nanocluster-Modified V₂O₅ Semiconductor for High-Performance Room-Temperature Hydrogen Sensing
Sheetal, S.; Dhariwal, N.; Kumar, V.; Gupta, N.
International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2026, 207, 153361
NanoclusterSensing DOI ↗
20
Dual-Ligand Engineering for Single-Component White-Light Generation: New Opportunities in Copper Nanoclusters
Mittal, R.; Gupta, N.
Spectrochimica Acta Part A, 2026, 360, 128029
Nanocluster DOI ↗
19
Post-Synthetic and In Situ Engineering of Metal Nanoclusters for Enhanced Stability and Multifunctional Applications
Mittal, R.; Gupta, N.
Analytical Methods, 2026, 18, 3445–3464
Nanocluster DOI ↗

Full list on Google Scholar ↗

Team

The People of CRAFT Lab

Dr. Nancy Gupta
Principal Investigator · Assistant Professor, Dept. of Chemistry, NSUT Delhi
PhD: IIT Bombay
M.Sc.: IIT Roorkee
B.Sc. (Hons.): Hindu College, Delhi University
Postdoc: IISER Pune
Public Relations Officer · Industry Coordinator · Hostel Warden, NSUT
Current PhD Students
IS
Iltisha Saifi
PhD Student
Nanoformulations of herbicides encapsulated in biopolymers for efficient weed control
Enrolled 2022
S
Sheetal
PhD Student
Synthesis and characterization of metal nanoclusters for various applications
Enrolled 2022
PhD Alumni
RM
Ritika Mittal Completed
PhD · 2021–2026
Synthesis and characterization of copper nanoclusters for various applications
SG
Siddharth Gautam Completed
PhD · 2021–2026
Schiff bases for sensing and agricultural applications
Current M.Sc. Dissertation Students
📋
New M.Sc. batch joining soon
M.Sc. Dissertation 2026–2027
Positions for M.Sc. dissertation projects are available every year for NSUT students. Contact Dr. Nancy Gupta for available topics in nanoclusters, crystal design, agri-nanotechnology, and sensing.
M.Sc. Alumni 14 students total
BS
Bhavya Sharma Alumni
M.Sc. · 2025–2026
Crystal growth and characterization of SAL-Pro cocrystal for nonlinear optical properties
DC
Dharmendra Singh Chauhan Alumni
M.Sc. · 2025–2026
Design, synthesis and characterization of a novel non-centrosymmetric salicylic acid based cocrystal
J
Jyoti Alumni
M.Sc. · 2025–2026
Novel and green synthesis of MgO nanosheets for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye
GG
Gunjan Garg Alumni
M.Sc. · 2025–2026
Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye by MgO nanosheets
News & Updates

Latest from CRAFT Lab

2026
📄 Second Patent Published

Our patent on "Dual-Ligand Engineered Copper Nanoclusters and Process Thereof" (Ritika Mittal & Nancy Gupta, NSUT) has been published by the Indian Patent Office.

May 2025
🎉 First Patent Granted!

"A Fluorescent Nanocluster and a Method of Synthesis Thereof" (Ritika Mittal, Nancy Gupta, Neetu Kumari, Mulaka Maruthi) officially granted by the Indian Patent Office on 01-05-2025.

2025–2026
🔬 2 PhD Positions Open

CRAFT Lab is recruiting 2 motivated PhD students. Areas include nanoclusters, crystal design, Schiff bases, and agri-nanoformulations. Write to Dr. Nancy Gupta with your CV.

Hiring

Join CRAFT Lab

We are a growing lab with an open, collaborative culture. If you are excited about functional materials chemistry — nanoclusters, crystal design — we would love to hear from you.

● OPEN
🔬
PhD Position — Nanomaterials & Sensing
Full-time · NSUT Delhi

Fluorescent metal nanoclusters for chemical sensing, biological and catalytic applications.

  • M.Sc. in Chemistry or related field
  • CSIR NET / GATE qualified preferred
  • Passion for synthesis and characterization
Apply via Email ↗
● OPEN
💎
PhD Position — Crystal Design & Agri-Nano
Full-time · NSUT Delhi

Organic cocrystal growth and design for nonlinear optical properties and biologial applications.

  • M.Sc. in Chemistry or related field
  • CSIR NET / GATE qualified preferred
  • Interest in crystal growth or agri-chemistry
Apply via Email ↗
ANNUAL
🎓
M.Sc. Dissertation Projects
Annual · NSUT Students

Dissertation projects are available every year for NSUT Chemistry students across all active research areas. Projects are hands-on and publication-oriented.

  • NSUT M.Sc. Chemistry students
  • Genuine curiosity about materials
  • Commitment and regularity in the lab
Express Interest ↗
What to include in your email
01 Your CV / resume
02 Brief note on research interests (3–4 lines)
03 GATE / NET score if applicable
04 Any prior research experience
Write to nancy@nsut.ac.in — we try to respond within 1–2 days.
Dr. Nancy Gupta

Beyond the Lab

Science and creativity have always gone hand in hand for Dr. Gupta. Outside the lab, she writes Hindi poetry, explores science communication through video, and finds balance through sports, travel, and music.

✍️
Hindi Poetry & Short Stories

Dr. Gupta has written approximately 200 Hindi poems and several short stories — a creative outlet that reflects the same curiosity and attention to nuance she brings to her research. Her writing is available on Instagram.

Instagram: @nancy_hindi_writer ↗ YouTube: Hindi Poetry Channel ↗
🎥
Academic YouTube Channel

Dr. Gupta has created educational videos for chemistry students, making complex concepts accessible. A small step toward science outreach and democratising quality academic content.

YouTube: Dr. Nancy Gupta ↗
Contact

Get in Touch

CRAFT Lab

📍
Address
Department of Chemistry,
Netaji Subhas University of Technology,
Dwarka, New Delhi – 110078, India
✉️
Email
nancy@nsut.ac.in
🔗
Google Scholar
View full publication list ↗
⚡ 2 PhD Positions Open

Join CRAFT Lab

We are recruiting 2 motivated PhD students passionate about materials chemistry, crystal design, or nanoclusters, research. M.Sc. project positions are also available every year for NSUT students.

For PhD and M.Sc. dissertation opportunities, see the Hiring section.

Send an Email ↗