Dr. V. N. Mani completed his (B.Sc-Physics) in 1983 and (M.Sc, Physics-Electronics, Presidency College, University of Madras) in 1985 and Ph.D. (III-V epitaxial Semiconductors Modeling areas-Anna University-Technical, Chennai) in 1990. He has joined Department of Electronics, Govt. of India, New Delhi in 1991 as Scientist-B. Presently holding the post of Scientist-E at Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET), Department of Information Technology, Govt. of India, Hyderabad. He has more than 24 years of experience and expertise in the areas of pure electronic and energy materials purification, processing, class clean packaging and devices development. He has carried out his postdoctoral research works at LCM & MCI, France, NRC-Taiwan in the select areas of GaAs and ZnO epitaxial semiconductor devices and solar systems development areas. He has take-up the following major and critical R&D projects with a view to develop indigenous process and product technologies relevant to DRDO/ISRO/DAE.

He has/ is directly involved in the capacities of (Project Leader/Manager/Principal Investigator/ Team Leader) for projects such as:

1. Gallium refining (3N to 5N purity level).
2. ILTP-Indo-Russian Project on New Crystals /Materials for Modern Technology Indian Side Project Collaborator- Completed.
3. Gallium Purification (5N to 6N purity level).
4. Automation and Upgradation of Basic Zone Refiner.
5. Development of nano pure gallium and GaN for devices applications.
6. Design & Development of Controlled Melting and Freezing System for Preparation of Ultra Pure Materials for Optoelectronics, DST.

He and his team has developed the following indigenous critical systems namely:

1. Gallium Chlorinating System.
2. Directional Solidification System.
3. Zone-Refiners-Vertical/Horizontal.

He has received and awarded the following major fellowships/awards:

1. Young physicist award.
2. Commonwealth research fellowship.
3. Postdoctoral fellowship-National science council, Taiwan.
4. Overseas research fellowship- CNRS, France, e) Best research paper awards.
5. UGC/CSIR junior/senior research fellowship. h)Best indigenous process & product technology award( 2010).

He has 67 publications, 07 review reports, 04 technology development reports and 02 patents to his credit.

He has attended more than 170 national/international conferences/ workshops / schools/ tutorials/ training programs and presented papers/ talks. He has delivered about 98 invited lectures/talks and chaired about 70 technical sessions in international / national conferences/ workshops/ schools/ tutorials.

He also served/ serving as in Expert Member-DST/CSIR/ DIT/UGC Projects Reviewer/ Committees and Editorial Board-Materials Research/ Bulletin of Materials Science/ Nano Technology – Journals.

He is a member in 07 scientific societies/associations. He is a Visiting Professor/ Examiner/ Board of Studies/ Research Council Member in KL University, Vijayawada, GITAM University, Hyderabad, PSN Engg. College, Trinelveli, SRM/VIT University, Chennai and SR & VC Colleges of Engineering.

He has guided 11 Ph.D scholars and 12 M.Tech students. As a mentor, he has delivered 34 talks & exhibited products / gave demonstrations in DST Inspire Science Camps.

His and his team’s SIGNIFICANT contribution include :

1. Relying and revolving around the solidification & Bridgman crystal growth ideas, an indigenous rotational directional solidification system & ultra- high and nano purification process technology for 7N pure gallium’ was developed.
2. Successful Maiden Attempt in Developing Indigenous Zone-refining Systems & Process Technology for Indium Ultra-Purification and Related Instrument Development. These efforts were appreciated by DIT/DST/DRDO/ISRO.