Dr. Padmakumar Nair

Professor

DIRECTOR, TIET & DEAN TSLAS

PhD in Nano-structured Materials (Nanotechnology), University of Twente, The Netherlands

PhD in Chemical Engineering, The University of Tokyo, Japan

Director, Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Mohali-140507, Punjab

Professor and Dean, TSLAS, Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, Bhadson Road, Patiala-147004, Punjab

Areas of Interest:

Sustainability and Ethics

padmakumar.nair@thapar.edu

Dr. Nair, Director Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology & Dean of Thapar School of Liberal Arts & Sciences, is an accomplished researcher, professor and a scholar in the area of leadership development and sustainability. He specializes in Strategizing for Sustainability, Social & Commercial Entrepreneurship and Nanomaterials with more than 55 publications in journals of international repute to his credit. He has been cited more than 2600 times in academic journals with a Google Scholar H-factor of 26. Dr. Nair has worked both in academia and industry and has a combined experience of more than 30 years in various industries such as oil & gas (Shell in Amsterdam), education (Netherlands, Denmark, US, Japan, China and South Korea), consulting (PwC, Japan and the US) and advanced R&D (NL, Japan and US).
His current interests are in the areas of leadership for sustainability and entrepreneurship with a focus on using evolutionary psychology principles to improve human condition and organizational effectiveness. He has taught, consulted, researched and conducted executive and leadership development workshops in the US, India, Japan, the Netherlands, China, UK and South Korea, in companies such as Ericsson, Texas Capital Bank, Citi Bank, Hitachi, NEC, Kao, Alcatel-Lucent, Compucom, Genesys Labs, Pzer etc.

Before joining LM Thapar School of Management, he was a Clinical Professor of Organization, Strategy and International Management and the Academic Director of the Leadership Center at the University of Texas at Dallas. He was also an aliate Professor at the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at the same University. He has a Ph.D. from the University of Twente in the Netherlands and a Doctor of Engineering (Dr. Engineering) from the University of Tokyo, Japan, an MBA from Heriot-Watt University in the UK and an M.Tech in metallurgical engineering from IIT, Kharagpur, India.

PATENTS

Padmakumar Nair (K-N.P. Kumar), K. Keizer and A.J. Burggraaf, European Patent Application No. NL/08.01.93/ NL 9300038 dated Jan. 05th 1994.
Padmakumar Nair (K-N.P. Kumar) and P.W. Lednor, US Patent # 5,658,497, International Patent Application No. PCT/EP95/04713, dated August 19th, 1997.

PUBLICATIONS

Journal Publications

Peter van der Sijde, P Nair, Wim During, “Graduates' Perception of Employment in SMEs and Large Enterprises,” International Journal of Business and Social Science Vol. 4 No. 6 (2013)
S.K. Sharma, Himanshu Gupta, L.P. Purohit, K.-N.P. Kumar, BoGyun Kim, R. Kumar, R.M. Mehra, “Optical properties of Se or S-doped hydrogenated amorphous silicon thin films with annealing temperature and dopant concentration”, Journal of Alloys and Compounds 509 (2010) 3338–3342
Suminto Winardi, Rino R. Mukti, K-N. P. Kumar, Junzheng Wang, Wilfried Wunderlich, and Tatsuya Okubo, “Critical Nuclei Size, Initial Particle Size and Packing Effect on the Phase Stability of Sol-Peptization-Gel-Derived Nanostructured Titania”, Langmur, 26(7), 4567–4571 (2010)
K-N.P. Kumar, D.J. Fray, J. Nair, F. Mizukami and T. Okubo, “Alcohol washing as a way to stabilize the anatase phase of nanostructured titania through controlling particle packing” J Mater Sci., DOI 10.1007/s10853-009-3819-7 (2009)
Shuqiang Jiao, K-N. P. Kumar, Kamal Tripuraneni Kilby, Derek J. Fray, “Preparation and electrical properties of xCaRuO3/(1 _ x)CaTiO3 perovskite composites”, Materials Research Bulletin 44 1738–1742 (2009)
S.K. Sharma, K-N.P. Kumar, K.J. Kang and R.M. Mehra, “Effect of illumination on hydrogenated amorphous silicon thin films doped with chalcogens” J. Non. Cryst. Solids., vol. 355, 31-33, 1638-1643 (2009)
Jeff Hicks and Padmakumar Nair, “If You Cannot Solve The Problem, Change It! Techniques For Effective Problem Design”, Journal of Practical Consulting, Vol. 3 Iss. 2, pp. 14-21 (2009)
Jeff Hicks, Padmakumar Nair and Celeste Wilderom, “What if we shifted the basis for consulting from knowledge to knowing? Exploring an alternative approach to consulting practice”, Management Learning, Vol 30 (3) July (2009)
K. Prabhakaran, J. Kurian, K-N.P. Kumar and Y. Chabal, “Formation of periodic nanostructure network through substrate-mediated assembly”, Applied Surface Science, Vol. 255, Issue 5, Part 1, 30 December (2008)
K-N.P. Kumar, D.J. Fray, J. Nair, F. Mizukami and T. Okubo, “Enhanced Phase Transformation without Exaggerated Particle Growth in Nanostructured Titania” Scrpta. Mater, Vol 57/8 pp 771-774 (2007)
Jalajakumari Nair, Padmakumar Nair, Giel B. M. Doesburg, Jan G. Van Ommen, Julian R. H. Ross, and Anthonie J. Burggraaf and Fujio Mizukami, “Pore Structure Evolution of Lanthana–Alumina Systems Prepared through Coprecipitation”, J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 83 [8]: 1942-1946, (2000)
Jalajakumari Nair, Padmakumar Nair, Giel B. M. Doesburg, Jan G. Van Ommen, Julian R. H. Ross, and Anthonie J. Burggraaf and Fujio Mizukami, “Sintering of Lanthanum Zirconate”, J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 82 [8]:2066-72, (1999)
Padmakumar Nair, J. Nair, Anuj Raj, Kazuyuki Maeda, Fujio Mizukami, Tatsuya Okubo and Hiroyuki Izutsu, "Critical Nuclei Size Effect in the Densification of Nanostructured Niobia Ceramics", Materials Res. Bulletin (34, 3, 1999)
Jalajakumari Nair, Padmakumar Nair, F. Mizukami, O. Oozawa, and T. Okubo, "Microstructure and Phase Transformation Behaviour of Doped Nanostructured Titania", Materials Res. Bulletin (34, 8, 1999)
J. Nair, Padmakumar Nair, E. B. M. Doesburg, J. G. Van Ommen, A. J. Burggraaf, F. Mizukami, “Textural stability as a characterization tool of high temperature catalysts” Mat Res Innovat 2 [2], 72-78 (1998)
Martine Salou, Yoshimichi Kiyozumi, Fujio Mizukami, Padmakumar Nair, Kazuyuki Maeda and Shuichi Niwa, “Influence of Solid-state Transformation Time on the Nucleation and Growth of Silicalite 1 Prepared From Layered Silicate”, J. Materials Chem., 8 [9], 2125-2132 (1998)
Gyula Tasi, Fujio Mizukami, Istvan Palinko, Jozef Csontos, Werner Gyorffy, Padmakumar Nair, Kazuyuki Maeda, Makoto Toba, Shuichi Niwa, Yoshimichi Kiyozumi and Imre Kirichi, “Enumeration of the Conformers of Unbranched Aliphatic Alkanes”, J. Phys. Chem. A 102, 7698-7703 (1998)
Padmakumar Nair, F. Mizukami, Jalajakumari Nair, M. Salou, Y. Oozawa, H. Izutsu, K. Maeda and T. Okubo, " Pore-structure stabilization of nanostructured rutile titania containing a "structure-directing second-phase stabilizer"" Materials Res. Bulletin, 33 [10] 1495-1502 (1998)
J. Nair, Padmakumar Nair, J.G. van Ommen, J.R.H. Ross and A.J. Burggraaf, "Effect of post-precipitation treatment on the pore-structure stability of sol-gel derived lanthanum zirconate", J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 81, 1487 (1998).
J.. Nair, Padmakumar Nair, J.G. van Ommen, J.R.H. Ross , A.J. Burggraaf and F. Mizukami, "Influence of peptisation and ethanol washing on the pore structure evolution of sol-gel derived alumina catalyst supports" J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 81, 2709-12 (1998)
Padmakumar Nair, J. Nair, E.B.M. Doesburg, J.G. van Ommen, J.R.H. Ross , A.J. Burggraaf, Y. Oosawa and F. Mizukami , "Porous Nanocomposites 2: Pore-Structure Stability of Pure ZrO2, ZrO2 (matrix)-Al2O3 and Al2O3 (matrix)-ZrO2 Nanocomposites" J. Porous Materials 6 (1): 69-76 (1999)
J.. Nair, Padmakumar Nair, J.G. van Ommen, E.B.M. Doesburg , A.J. Burggraaf and F. Mizukami "Preparation and Characterization Of Lanthanum Zirconate, J. Mat. Sci., 33:4517-4523 (1998)
Padmakumar Nair, T. Okubo, F. Mizukami, J. Nair. K. Keizer and A.J. Burggraaf, " High Temperature Catalyst Supports and Ceramic Membranes: metastability and particle packing", AIChE J., 43 [11A] 2710 (1997)
H. Izutsu, Padmakumar Nair and F. Mizukami, "Structure and Properties of TiO2-SiO2 prepared by Sol-Gel Method in the Presence of Tartaric Acid", Mater. Res. Bull., 32, 9, 1303-1311 (1997)
H. Izutsu, Padmakumar Nair and F. Mizukami, "Physical Stabilization of Anatase (TiO2) by Freeze Drying", J. Mater. Chem., 7(6), 855-856 (1997)
H. Izutsu, F. Mizukami, Padmakumar Nair, Y. Kiyozumi and K. Maeda, "Preparation and Characterization of Porous Silica Spheres by the Sol-Gel Method in the Presence of Tartaric Acid", J. Mater. Chem., 7, 767-771 (1997)
K-N.P. Kumar, J. Tranto, Jalajakumari Kumar, J.W. Høj and J.E. Engell, "Pore-Structure Stability and Phase Transformation in M (M=La,Ce,Nd,Gd,Cu,Fe)-doped Porous Nanostructured Alumina Membranes", J. Mater. Sci. Lett., 15, 266-270 (1996)
K-N.P. Kumar, Jalajakumari Kumar, K. Keizer, T. Okubo, M. Sadakata and J. Engell, "Pore-Structure Stabilization by Controlling the Particle Coordination", J. Mater. Sci. Lett., 14, 1784-87 (1995)
K-N.P. Kumar, "Growth of Rutile Crystallites During the Initial Stage of Anatase-to-rutile Transformation in Pure Titania and in titania-alumina nanocomposites", Scripta Metallurgica and Materialia , 32 [6], 873-877 (1995)
K-N.P. Kumar, "Porous Nanocomposites as Catalyst Supports Part I. 'Second phase stabilization', Thermal Stability and anatase-to-rutile transformation in titania-alumina nanocomposites", Appl. Catal., 119 [1], 163-183 (1994)
K-N.P. Kumar, J. Tranto, B.N. Nair, Jalajakumari Kumar, J.W. Høj and J.E. Engell, "Effect of Sintering Atmosphere on the Pore-Structure Stability of Ce-Doped Nanostructured Alumina", Mat. Res. Bull., 29 [5], 551-558 (1994)
K-N.P. Kumar, Jalajakumari Kumar and K. Keizer, "Effect of Peptization on the Densification and Phase Transformation Behaviour of Sol-Gel Derived Nanostructured Titania", J. Am. Ceram. Soc., 77 [5], 1396-1400 (1994)
R.S.A. de Lange, K-N.P. Kumar, J.H.A. Hekkink, G.M.H. van de Veld, K. Keizer, A.J. Burggraaf, W.H. Dokter, H.F. van Garderen and T.P.M. Beelen,"Microporous SiO2 and SiO2/MO2 (M is Ti, Zr or Al) For Ceramic Membrane Applications; A Microstructural Study of the Sol-stage and the Consolidated State", J. Sol-gel Science and Technology, 2, 489-495 (1994)
K-N.P. Kumar, K. Keizer and A.J. Burggraaf, "Stabilization of the Porous Texture of Nanostructured Titania by Avoiding a Phase Transformation", J. Mater. Sci. Let., 13, 59-61 (1994)
K-N.P. Kumar, K. Keizer, A.J. Burggraaf, "Textural Evolution and Phase Transformation in Titania Membranes: I Unsupported membranes", J. Mat. Chem., 3, 1141-1149 (1993)
K-N.P. Kumar, K. Keizer, A.J. Burggraaf, T. Okubo, and H. Nagamoto, "Textural Evolution and Phase Transformation in Titania Membranes: II Supported membranes", J. Mat. Chem., 3, 1151-1159 (1993)
K-N.P. Kumar, K. Keizer and A.J. Burggraaf, "Textural Stability of Titania-Alumina Composite Membranes", J. Mat. Chem., 3, 917-922 (1993)
K-N.P. Kumar, K. Keizer, A.J. Burggraaf, T. Okubo, and H. Nagamoto, "Synthesis and Textural Properties of Rutile Membranes" J. Mat. Chem., 3, 923-929 (1993)
K-N.P. Kumar, K. Keizer, A.J. Burggraaf, T. Okubo, S. Morooka and H. Nagamoto, "Densification of Nanostructured Titania Assisted by a Phase Transformation", Nature (London), 358, 48-51 (1992)
K-N.P. Kumar, V.T. Zaspalis, K. Keizer and A.J. Burggraaf, "Drying Process in the Formation of Sol-Gel Derived TiO2 Ceramic Membranes", J. Non. Cryst. Solids., 147 & 148, 375-381 (1992)
J.H.L. Voncken, C. Lijzenga, K-N.P. Kumar, K. Keizer, B.C. Bonekamp and A.J. Burggraaf, "A New Method for the Measurement of Stress During Drying of Thin Gel Layers Produced During the Formation of Ceramic Membranes", J. Mat. Sci. 27, 472-478 (1992)
H.K. Varma, K-N.P. Kumar, K.G.K. Warrier and A.D. Damodaran, "Silver-YBCO Composite Derived From Citrate Gel", Supercond. Sci. Technol., 3, 73-75 (1990)
K-N.P. Kumar, R. Ramesh, K. Seshan and V.C.S. Prasad, "Liquid-Phase Sintering of Lead Borosilicate Glass-Alumina Composites", J. Mat. Sci. Lett., 9, 663-665 (1990)
H.K. Varma, K-N.P. Kumar, K.G.K. Warrier and A.D. Damodaran, "Thermal Decomposition of Citrate Precursor for 1-2-3 High-Tc Superconductor", J. Mat. Sci. Lett., 8, 1313-1316 (1989)
H.K. Varma, K-N.P. Kumar, K.G.K. Warrier and A.D. Damodaran, "Effect of K2O on the Sintered Microstructure of Preseodymium-Doped ZnO Varistors", J. Mat. Sci. Lett., 8, 974-976 (1989)
K-N.P. Kumar and A.D. Damodaran, "Sintering of Solution Infiltered SnO2 Ceramics", J. Mat. Sci. Lett., 1425-1426 (1989)
K-N.P. Kumar, V.C.S. Prasad, P.S. Mukherjee and P.G. Mukunda, "Behaviour of Lead Borosilicate Glass/Alumina Composite in the Temperature Range 900-1100oC", Mat. Sci. & Eng., B5, 1-4 (1989)

Other Refereed Publications

K-N.P. Kumar, V.T. Zaspalis, F.F.M. De Mul, K. Keizer and A.J. Burggraaf,"Thermal Stability of Supported Titania Membranes", Better Ceramics Through Chemistry V, MRS, 1992
K-N.P. Kumar, K. Keizer and A.J. Burggraaf, "Stress Development during the Formation of Ceramic Membranes", Proc. 2nd Eur. Conf. Adv. Mater. Processes (1991), Vol. 3, pp. 204-10, Eds. T.W. Clyne and P.J. Withers, Inst. Mater., London
C. Lijzenga, V.T. Zaspalis, C.D. Ransijn, K-N.P. Kumar, K. Keizer and A.J. Burggraaf, "Nanostructure Characterization of Titania Membranes', Key Eng. Mat., 61 & 62, 379-382 (1991)
K. Keizer, K-N.P. Kumar, C. Lijzenga, V.T. Zaspalis and A.J. Burggraaf, "Stress Development During the Formation of Ceramic Membranes-Stressrelaxation in alumina-titania composite membranes during drying", Key Eng. Mat., 61 & 62, 433-436 (1991)
H.K. Varma, K-N.P. Kumar, B. Jalajakumari, K.G.K. Warrier and A.D. Damodaran, "Mechanical and Electrical Properties of Yttrium Barium Copper Oxide (YBCO)-Polyethylene composites", Proc. Int. Conf. Adv. Compos. Mater. (1990), pp. 111-122, Ed. P. Ramakrishna, Oxford & IBH, New Delhi, India, 1991.
K-N.P. Kumar, J.H.L. Voncken, C. Lijzenga, K. Keizer and A.J. Burggraaf, "Initial Stage of Formation of Ceramic Membranes Produced Through Sol-Gel Route", Proc. Int. Cong. Membranes and Membrane Processes, ICOM '90, Chicago, U.S.A., Aug. 20-24, 1990
H.K. Varma, K-N.P. Kumar, K.G.K. Warrier and A.D. Damodaran, "Non-Ohmic Behaviour and Microstructure control of Rare Earth-Doped Zinc Oxide Containing Potassium Oxide", Diffus. Defect Data, Part B, B8-9, 549-553 (1990)
J.H.L. Voncken, K-N.P. Kumar, S.P.M. Oude Vrielink, K. Keizer, B.C. Bonekamp and A.J. Burggraaf, "Process Parameters Influencing the Formation of Ceramic Membranes by Sol-Gel Techniques", Proceedings of the International Congress on Synthetic Membranes, Tubingen, Germany, 1989.

Book Chapter(s)

Divya Bhutani, Kimberly Flicker, Padmakumar Nair and Aard Groen “Is Social Entrepreneurship Transformational Leadership in action?” in Patterns in Social Entrepreneurship Research" (Edward Elgar), Edited by Jill Kikul and Sophie Bacq 2012

Recent Invited Talks

Bhutiani, D, and Padmakumar Nair, invited talk on “Embedding Sustainability” at the AACSB 2019 Asia Pacific Annual Conference on 21-23 October in Seoul, South Korea., 2019
Padmakumar Nair and Johan Roos, invited talk on “What Does the Business School of the Future Look Like? At the Deans Conference of AACSB, Nashville, USA, Feb 4th 2020

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