Apparao M Rao is an Indian-born American physicist and nanomaterials researcher. He currently serves as the Robert A. Bowen Professor of Physics in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Clemson University and the founding director of the Clemson Nanomaterials Institute. He is known for developing Raman spectroscopy as a versatile tool for characterizing carbon nanomaterials, and for developing the liquid-injection based synthesis methods for carbon nanotubes. His current research at Clemson University focuses on the many applications of carbon and other nanomaterials in energy generation and storage technologies. Because of his sustained research in nanomaterials and for building competitiveness in the State of South Carolina, the Governor of South Carolina, the Honorable Nikki Haley conferred on him in 2014 the State's highest honor - the Governor's award for excellence in scientific research. Rao is also an adjunct professor at the Sri Sathya Sai Institute of Higher Learning, India where he initiated a nanomaterials program, and continues to directs research projects of M.S. and Ph.D. students at SSSIHL.
Early life and education
Rao was born in Bombay, India on February 15, 1961. He became interested in physics during high school education at the Little Angels High School, Mumbai, which led him to purse his B.S. in physics from the University of Bombay, India. As an undergraduate student, he gained hands-on experience in research as a student intern at the Bombay Atomic Research Center in Mumbai. In 1983, he moved to the United States to pursue higher degrees in physics under the tutelage of Prof. Peter C. Eklund at the University of Kentucky. At Kentucky, Rao investigated the optical properties of high temperature superconductors and received his Ph.D. in 1989. As a graduate student, he also developed a deep interest in carbon research after attending the International School of Materials Science and Technology, Erice, Italy. Consequently, he spent two years as a postdoctoral associate with Prof. Mildred S. Dresselhaus at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which led him to work extensively in the field of carbon research and development.
Professional life and accomplishments
In 1991, Rao returned to the University of Kentucky as a Research Assistant Professor where he uncovered the photo-induced polymerization of C60, and pioneered Raman studies of pristine and doped single walled carbon nanotubes. Rao's Raman spectroscopic studies of fullerenes and nanotubes made Raman spectroscopy as a premier characterization tool in nanocarbon research. In 2000, Rao moved to Clemson University and continued to develop a broad spectrum of technologies for the spectroscopic characterization of nanocarbon allotropes, novel synthesis methods for controlling the morphologies of carbon nanotubes and graphene, and scalable nanomanufacturing of nanotube-based devices. In 2013, Rao founded the Clemson Nanomaterials Institute to advance nanoscience and nanotechnology in terms of novel phenomena discovery, device development, photonics, and drug delivery.
Personal life
Rao is a follower of Sathya Sai Baba, and embraced Baba's directive to “Love All, Serve All” as the mantra in his life. He is happily married and has one grown daughter. When he's not working, he enjoys gardening, cooking, and visiting his family abroad.
