May 2025: Thomas B. Day Outstanding Faculty Award for Excellence in Physics
Behura has received  Thomas B. Day Outstanding Faculty Award for Excellence in Physics  for 2025. This endowment, created in memory of President Day, annually awards one excellent professor and one or more excellent students in San Diego State University’s Physics department. The accolade supports faculty and students financially as they progress in their academic and professional pursuits. Prof. Behura was selected as the faculty recipient. Behura’s achievements in quantum materials research and student mentorship strengthen SDSU’s standing as an R1 research institution.

May 2025: Behura Selected as a Scialog Fellow
Behura has been selected as a Scialog Fellow in Quantum Matter and Information by the Research Corporation for Science Advancement (RCSA). This Scialog seeks to promote broader interactions among different sectors of the quantum science community and will facilitate connections among early career researchers from a across disciplines that help enhance our understanding of the quantum world.
March 2025: Behura Group @ APS March Meeting
Behura Research Group members including Postdoc Research Fellow Dr. Abinash Bhuyan, PhD Student Antonio Cobarrubia, MS Student Ryan Palmares, and Undergraduate Researchers Mary Becker and Miche Maral will present their research work on areas from quantum materials synthesis to photonic qubits characterization at the APS Global Physics Summit in Anaheim, CA during March 16-21, 2025. 
Feb. 2025: MonArk Partners Workshop at SDSU
The MonArk Quantum Foundry is an NSF program that includes Montana State University (MSU), University of Arkansas at Fayetteville (UAF), San Diego State University (SDSU), South Dakota School of Mines and Technology (SDSMT), and University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB). On February 7, 2025, prior to the NSF review of the MonArk Quantum Foundry activities that is anticipated in May 2025, the MonArk research leadership team came together for a one-day workshop to strengthen cohesiveness. The workshop was organized at the San Diego State University. ​
Nov. 2024: Nicholas Schottle's MS Thesis Defense
Congratulations, Nicholas Schottle for successfully defending his MS Thesis title 'Fabrication and Characterization of MoS2/WS2 Moiré Superlattices'. This thesis is focused on studying the creation and control of interlayer excitons in 2D semiconductor moiré superlattices using Raman and PL spectroscopy. Here, we explored the fabrication of moiré materials from the ground up, examining how the constituent layers influence the resulting moiré material’s crystals structure and optoelectronic properties.
June 2024: SURP UG and HS Mentoring Program
Behura Research Group has received a 20-week and a 10-week 2024 SDSU Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) awards for mentoring two undergraduate students (Miche Maral and Mary Becker) during March-August 2024 and one high school student (Huy Trinh) during June-August 2024, respectively. The SURP supported students are working on experiments related to machine learning-based layer identification of 2D semiconductors, chemical vapor deposition of 2D insulators, and gold-assisted transfer of 2D materials.
​April 2024: Sancia Tauro's MS Thesis Defense
Congratulations, Sancia Tauro for defending her MS thesis on 'Optical Properties of Hexagonal Boron Nitride Defects'. This thesis is focused on studying the optical properties of defects in hexagonal boron nitride using Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopic tools. Here, we show that isotopic mass defect is the reason for the different phonon mode frequencies. A systematic study is conducted to control the thermal annealing-based defects creation and characterization.
March 2024: Maryam Mirzakhani Award to Antonio 
Antonio Cobarrubia, a PhD student in the Behura Research Group has received 'Maryam Mirzakhani Award' in the ACSESS 2024 organized by SDSU Computational Science Research Center. Antonio presented his research work on 'Quantum Control of Qubits in Hexagonal Boron Nitride Quantum Defects'. The certificate of recognition is for Antonio's outstanding performance and dedication and high standard of excellence. Congratulations Antonio!​
January 2024: Group's Research Program in News 
Behura Group's research on Photophysics of Quantum Materials is highlighted in SDSU NewsCenter and College of Sciences Website as Featured News Article. Behura’s teams of undergraduate, master’s and doctoral researchers are currently working on several projects that contribute to the field of QIST. 
October 2023: Fulbright Outreach Lecturing Fund
Fulbright program has awarded an Outreach Lecturing Fund to SDSU for hosting Prof. Neetu Goel, a Fulbright Visiting Scholar from Michigan Technological University. She will visit Behura Research Group in the Department of Physics during November 6 - 9, 2023.
October 2023: Keynote Speaker at UALR MSRS
Behura presented an Invited Keynote Talk titled 'Photophysics of Two-Dimensional Quantum Materials' at the Materials Science Research Symposium at the University of Arkansas Little Rock. This event was organized by the Materials Research Society Student Chapter at University of Arkansas Little Rock. Program started with UALR faculty and student presentations on research areas of physics, chemistry, and engineering of nanomaterials. Behura's Keynote Talk focused on 2D Materials Synthesis, Light-Matter Interactions and Photophysics Characteriztion of Quantum Materials.
June 2023: Anharmonic WS2 Phonons in iScience
Understanding the optothermal physics of quantum materials will enable efficient design of next-generation photonic and superconducting circuits. Here we have studied the optothermal properties of physically exfoliated WS2 van der Waals crystal via temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy and machine learning strategies. This fundamental investigation will lead to unveil the Raman thermometry of layered materials.
May 2023: MonArk NSF Quantum Foundry Award
Behura Research Group at SDSU joins MonArk NSF Quantum Foundry starting April 2023. We are looking forward to establish growth facilities for large-area growth of quantum 2D materials, study their structure-property relationship, and understand the light-matter interactions. Behura participated the NSF site visit at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville campus.
April 2023: World Quantum Day at SDSU Physics
A symposium focused on 'leveraging a quantum education nonprofit's infrastructure and programming to sustainably engage in quantum education outreach' is organized. The World Quantum Day is celebrated on April 14, a reference to 4.14, the rounded first digits of Planck’s constant: 4.135667696×10−15 eV.s, a product of energy and time that is the fundamental constant governing quantum physics.
December 2022: Postdoctoral Research Position
The photophysics of quantum materials laboratory in the Department of Physics at SDSU is seeking a highly motivated postdoctoral research fellow. We are looking for candidates interested in design, synthesis, and characterization of 2D materials and van der Waals heterostructures for building integrated quantum photonic circuits. Interested candidates should send the application materials (all-in-one PDF document) to Prof. Sanjay Behura ([email protected]): cover letter describing past research experience and future research interests, CV, and contact information of two references. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for zoom interview. The position will start in Summer 2023.​
December 2022: NSF I-Corps Award - Fall Cohort
Our team 'Quantum Mask' has successfully completed Fall 2022 Cohort of the NSF I-Corps Program. Behura (Technical Lead), Jerri James (Entrepreneur Lead), Bridgett Pinkins (Entrepreneur Lead) and Steve Grant (Industry Mentor) have received 'Perseverance Award' in the graduating ceremony on December 9, 2022. Our team is looking forward to exploring the next steps in this process of learning the scientific entrepreneurship.
September 2022: Welcoming New Group Members
Antonio Cobarrubia (PhD student), Sancia Tauro (MS student) and Nicholas Schottle (MS student) have joined Behura Research Group in Fall 2022. We are looking forward to working with them on photophysics of quantum 2D materials and VDWs heterostructures.
August 2022: Behura Group is Moving to SDSU
Behura Research Group is moving to San Diego State University Physics Department! The Group focuses on Photophysics of Quantum Materials. Behura will be an associated faculty at SDSU Computational Science Research Center and will participate in Joint Doctoral Program with UC Irvine. Looking forward to our group’s next journey at SDSU with exciting research ahead.
August 2022: NSF ExpandQISE Grant - QuAPB
​NSF has awarded an ExpandQISE Track 2 grant to establish QuAPB. Research within QuAPB focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and application of moiré quantum materials. Participants at UALR synthesize quantum dots for single-photon detection scheme. Participants at UAF fabricate quantum photonic chips. We look forward to collaborating.
June 2022: Department of Defense (DoD) Grant
Department of Defense (DoD) has awarded Behura Research Group a research funding to develop 'Quantum Materials Research Laboratory (QMRL)'. The QMRL will enable three closely related research activities: synthesis of 2D materials and the design of heterostructures, growth of bulk single crystals, and characterization of the property of quantum materials and devices. The two primary goals are to discover new quantum materials and heterostructures, with new electrical and optical properties and quantum device applications relevant to DoD and to increase number of minorities receiving science and engineering degrees.
May 2022: U.S. AFOSR Funding is Awarded
U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) has awarded Behura Group a research funding to study 'Quantum Photonics with Moiré Excitons in 2D TMDs Superlattices'. We will design superlattices of 2D atomically-thin semiconductors and study their new structure and photophysics properties.
Jan. 2022: First NSF Grant for The Behura Group
The Behura Group's first NSF funding is now awarded. This funding of $630K will allow us to expand our group and to study 'Next Generation Integrated 2D Quantum Photonics'. Our group will join the 'MonArk Quantum Foundry' through the 2DQP Alliance. Here are Press Releases from NSF, White House & ADG.
Nov. 2021: Chisom Okeke's MS Thesis Defense
Congratulations, Chisom Okeke for defending his MS thesis on 'Machine Learning (ML) as a Tool for Understanding the Effect of Temperature on Raman Vibrational Modes of WS2 Crystals'. Here, we have developed theoretical and ML models based on experimental Raman spectroscopic results to study optothermal behavior of 2D layered semiconductors over a broad temperature range.
November 2021: Behura is Associated with MTU
​Behura is associated with the Physics Department at the Michigan Technological University as as Adjunct Assistant Professor starting from January 2022 to December 2024. He will build the collaborations with the MTU faculty on areas related to quantum materials.
November 2021: Perspective on h-BN in iScience
​Behura group in collaboration with Jariwala group at U-Penn have published a Perspective in iScience. This is focused on the synthetic strategies that involve direct nucleation of h-BN on dielectric substrates and its heterostructures with graphene. We have discussed mechanistic principles of direct growth of h-BN via bottom-up approaches. We have also presented vertical & lateral heterostructures of h-BN & graphene. Congrats Isaac for the first first-author publication! 
September 2021: Molecular Photoanode in RSER
We focus on understanding the cascading of energy levels in perovskite semiconductor cosensitized naturally-sensitized photoanodes to leverage forward charge transport addressing the voltage loss arising from ITO/TiO2 heterojunction's built-in potential. The β-carotene-sensitized TiO2 photoanode modified with methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) co-sensitizer causes an upward shifting in TiO2 Fermi level.
August 2021: Special Issue is Published in EM
Behura Group in collaboration with colleagues at the Jackson State University, USA and Incheon National University, South Korea have developed a Special Issue on 'Challenges & Opportunities for 2D Material Heterostructure Devices' in Emergent Materials. Many 2D Materials Scientists have contributed to this Special Issue, which is published online in August 2021.
July 2021: Collaborative Research Program Award
Behura Group as Co-PI has received a Collaborative Research Program Award from Arkansas Space Grant Consortium in partnership with our collaborator at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. We will design and study ionic materials for the renewable energy conversion. Congratulations to the Team! Great News.
June 2021: Moiré Physics in Emergent Materials
We reviewed some notable advances in moiré physics associated with twisted bilayer heterostructures of 2D crystals including (A) flat bands in the twisted bilayer graphene, (B) exciton superlattices in twisted transition metal dichalcogenides, (C) topological polaritons and photonic superlattices in the twisted 2D metal oxides, (D) interlayer magnetism in the stacked 2D magnetic semiconductors, and (E) ferroelectricity in 2D moiré quantum materials. Accepted in Emergent Materials.
April 2021: Chapter on 3D GBM in DSSCs in RSC
We have discussed the role of graphene and 3D graphene-based materials (3D GBMs) in dye-sensitized solar cells. The highly porous structure and interconnected pore networks in 3D GBMs provide excellent electrical conductivity, large specific surface area, and high electrocatalytic activity leveraging rapid electron transport in three-dimensional space.
March 2021: 2D Solar Cells in Emergent Materials
2D materials-based p-n junction solar cells of vertical and lateral configurations are thoroughly discussed. The performance of each device design is reviewed based on their carrier collection efficiency. Challenges and limitations with 2D materials-based heterostructure photovoltaic devices are proposed for future study.
Feb. 2021: Paper in Advanced Functional Materials
Nanofluidic reverse electrodialysis (NF‐RED) consisting of vertically aligned boron‐nitride‐nanopore (VA‐BNNP) membranes is presented, which can efficiently harness osmotic power. LPCVD is employed to deposit BN layer within 1D anodized alumina pores.
January 2021: INBRE Equipment & AEOP Awards
We have received research awards from the Arkansas IDeA Network of Biomedical Research Excellence and ARMY Educational Outreach Program.
September 2020: TT Faculty Position at UAPB
Dr. Sanjay Behura has accepted a Tenure-Track (TT) Assistant Professor position at The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. His inter-disciplinary research program at UAPB will be focused on ''Photophysics of 2D Quantum Materials and Heterostructures'.
August 2020: GO/ZnO Heterostructure in ACS AMI
Our study on interfacial chemistry and wettability in designing GO/ZnO nanorod heterostructures is published in ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. A hydroxyl-based dissociation-exchange mechanism is developed to understand the interfacial interactions!
July 2020: Hisham Maddah's PhD Thesis Defense
​Congratulations, Hisham Maddah for defending his Ph.D. thesis on 'Naturally-Sensitized Photoanodes for Molecular Photovoltaics'. We have developed understanding on light-induced charge carrier transport by designing hybrid photoanode architectures with cascaded molecular energy levels. Dr. Maddah will be starting soon his faculty position at King Abdulaziz University, Saudi Arabia. Best Wishes.
​January 2020: Review on Molecular Photovoltaics
Year-2020 starts with an exciting news. Our review on 'Biomolecular Photosensitizers for DSSCs' is published in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews. We provide a comprehensive study on the mechanisms involved in the utilization of biomolecular bacterial-based pigments for an improved bio-sensitized DSSC.
​December 2019: Publication on Crystal Stability
Our publication on 'Cuboctahedral Stability in Titanium Halide Perovskites via Machine Learning' is published in Computational Materials Science. We discussed formability science of titanium-based organic-inorganic and all-inorganic perovskite crystals via ML Tools.
July 2019: Chen Wang's PhD Thesis Defense
Congratulations, Chen Wang for defending his Ph.D. thesis on '2D/3D Heterostructure Interface Design and Property Modification'. We have developed synthetic design to create boron nitride and ultra nanocrystalline diamond-based interlayers for graphene/silicon heterojunctions and study their structure-property characterization. Dr. Wang will be soon starting his faculty position at Chinese Academy of Sciences.
January 2019: Publication in Nature Photonics
Year-2019 starts with a big news. Our publication on 'Graphene-Semiconductor Heterojunction Sheds Light on Emerging Photovoltaics' is published in Nature Photonics. We discussed a unique surface junction architecture in mixed-dimensional heterojunction. Highlighted in UIC News as 'Graphene-Semiconductor Surface Junction Leads to Emerging Photovoltaics'.