R. Mohan Sankaran

R. Mohan Sankaran is the Donald Biggar Willett Professor in the Department of Nuclear, Plasma & Radiological Engineering at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, part of the Grainger College of Engineering. His research focuses on plasma nanosynthesis, plasma physics and fusion, and plasma sources and processing. He leads the SPEC Lab, advancing applications in sustainable chemistry, energy systems, and material fabrication.

His work spans interdisciplinary areas including plasma-electrochemical ammonia synthesis, nanoparticle synthesis via non-thermal plasmas, and plasma-based materials engineering. Key contributions include catalyst-free ammonia production from nitrogen and water, plasma-driven organic synthesis, and understanding plasma-liquid interface dynamics. He teaches courses on plasma science, plasma laboratory techniques, and fusion energy.

Research highlights include collaboration on the DARPA food synthesis project and contributions to the INFUSE fusion program. His lab explores plasma applications in environmental remediation, additive manufacturing, and semiconductor processing. Over 150 peer-reviewed publications reflect his impact across plasma science and engineering.

Professional affiliations include editorial roles in plasma science journals and leadership in international conferences. His work bridges fundamental plasma physics with industrial applications, addressing global challenges in energy, materials, and sustainability.