Ruby Nandini Ghosh

Ruby Nandini Ghosh serves as a Fixed Term Associate Professor in the Department of Physics & Astronomy at Michigan State University's College of Natural Science, with an additional appointment as Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering within the College of Engineering.

Dr. Ghosh earned her doctorate in applied and engineering physics from Cornell University, with graduate work in solid state physics and electrical engineering. She completed postdoctoral research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology and previously worked at Bell Laboratories in New Jersey.

Her research program spans three interconnected domains. First, she investigates silicon carbide semiconductor devices for high-temperature applications, having developed catalytic gate hydrogen sensors with millisecond response at 600°C capable of continuous operation for months in power plant environments. Second, her work on optical oxygen sensing leverages metal-halide clusters whose phosphorescence is quenched by oxygen, enabling applications from aquaculture monitoring to biomedical imaging. Third, she develops chemical signatures of combustion products to create remote fire monitoring systems for first responders. Her approach consistently translates fundamental physics into practical sensing solutions.

Dr. Ghosh's publication record reveals an evolution from fundamental materials research toward increasingly applied sensor development. Early work established the physics of silicon carbide interfaces, which matured into specific power plant monitoring applications. Later research pivoted to optical methods for oxygen detection in diverse environments, while recent publications extend these principles to fire science. Throughout, she maintains focus on creating robust, field-deployable technologies that solve real-world problems in energy, environment, and public safety.

• $600,000 federal grant from National Energy Technology Laboratory (Department of Energy, 2002) for fiber optical micro-detectors
• $914,000 grant from Michigan 21st Century Jobs Fund (2006) for dissolved oxygen monitoring in aquaculture

Dr. Ghosh actively pursues commercialization through Opti O2 LLC, founded in fall 2011. This venture aims to bring her oxygen sensor technology to multiple markets including aquaculture, biomedical research, beverage production, and environmental monitoring. Her interdisciplinary team includes collaborators from Chemistry, Fisheries and Wildlife, and Materials Science departments at MSU, demonstrating her commitment to translating academic research into practical solutions.