I received my bachelor’s degree, specializing in chemistry, from the University of Colombo in 2009. Later, I completed my PhD in Nanoscience and Physical Chemistry from the University of Iowa, USA in 2015. Upon my return to Sri Lanka, I served at the Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC) as a Post-doctoral Fellow and later as a Senior Scientist, before joining the Open University of Sri Lanka as a Senior Lecturer in 2019. At the Open university, I am mainly involved in teaching elementary practical chemistry and advanced physical chemistry courses, while continuing research on metallic and semiconducting nanoparticles, specifically focusing on novel and sustainable synthetic routes, innovative nano-architectural designs, and the engineering of nanomaterials for improved efficacy in applications, alongside other research work related to online and distance education.
Physical Chemistry and Nanoscience
Noble metal and semiconductor nanomaterials: Novel synthetic approaches and ensuing applications
- Senior Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, The Open University of Sri Lanka (2019 to present)
- Senior Research Scientist, Sri Lanka Institute of Nanotechnology (SLINTEC), Pitipana, Homagama (2015 – 2019)
- Graduate Teaching/Research Assistant, Department of Chemistry, University of Iowa, Iowa, USA (2009 – 2015)
CYU3302 – Basic Practical Chemistry
CYU5614 – Physical Chemistry I
CYU5308 – Instrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis
- Development of novel, tunable, and green approaches for nanoparticle synthesis
- Morphological design and optimization of nanoparticles for optimized functionality
- Investigation of novel engineered nanoparticles for synergistic environmental remediation applications
- Lahiru A. Wijenayaka, Ruchira N. Wijesena, Nadeeka D. Tissera, Nisansala Bandara, Ishara Dharmasena, Indrachapa Bandara, D. Dahanayaka, and K. M. Nalin de Silva. Infrared Absorbing Nanoparticle Impregnated Self-heating Fabrics: A Novel Paradigm of Improved Moisture Management (In submission)
- Roshanthi Eranga Karunaratne, Lahiru A. Wijenayaka, Sandya Sulochana Wijesundera, K.M. Nalin De Silva, Chamila Priyangani Adikaram and Jennifer Perera. Use of nanotechnology for infectious disease diagnostics: application in drug resistant tuberculosis (In submission)
- Pramujitha Mendis, Rohini M. de Silva, K. M. Nalin de Silva, Lahiru A. Wijenayaka, Kalana Jayawardana and Mingdi Yan. Nanosilver rainbow: a rapid and facile method to tune different colours of nanosilver through the controlled synthesis of stable spherical silver nanoparticles. RSC Adv., 2016, 6, 48792-48799
- Lahiru A. Wijenayaka, Michael R. Ivanov, Christopher M. Cheatum, and Amanda J. Haes, Improved Parameterization for xDLVO Predictions of Functionalized Gold Nanosphere Stability. J. Phys. Chem. C, 2015, 119 (18), pp 10064–10075
- Lahiru A. Wijenayaka, Gayan Rubasinghege, Jonas Baltrusaitis, and Vicki H. Grassian. Surface Chemistry of α-FeOOH Nanorods and Microrods with Gas-Phase Nitric Acid and Water Vapor: Insights into the Role of Particle Size, Surface Structure, and Surface Hydroxyl Groups in the Adsorption and Reactivity of α-FeOOH with Atmospheric Gases. J. Phys. Chem. C, 2012, 116 (23), pp 12566–12577
- Lahiru A. Wijenayaka and Sujatha Hewage. Designing of a Water Quality Index for Weras Ganga. Abstracts 2007/2008. Department of Chemistry. University of Colombo; p 67
- Lahiru A. Wijenayaka and Sujatha Hewage. Designing of a Water Quality Index for Weras Ganga. Proceedings of the 64th Annual Sessions of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science; 2008 December 1-5; Colombo, Sri Lanka; p 148; Abstract No. 619/E2
- Lahiru A. Wijenayaka, Induni Siriwardena, Anoja Senthilnathan, Damayanthi Dahanayake, Rohini M. de Silva and K. M. Nalin de Silva. Precursor Mediated One-pot Synthesis of the Nanosilver Rainbow: Implications for Morphological Evolution and Ensuing Properties, International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology – 2016, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Maheshika Perera, Lahiru A. Wijenayaka, and K. M. Nalin de Silva. A Novel, Facile, and Green Chemical Route to Gold Nanoparticles, International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology – 2016, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Lahiru A. Wijenayaka, Michael R. Ivanov, Christopher M. Cheatum, and Amanda J. Haes. Size-dependent van der Waals Interactions and the Improved Prediction of Gold Nanoparticle Stability, Optical Science and Technology Center (OSTC) annual symposium 2015, University of Iowa, Iowa, USA
- Lahiru A. Wijenayaka, Michael R. Ivanov, Christopher M. Cheatum, and Amanda J. Haes, Size-dependent Dielectric Properties of Gold: A Novel Insight on Size-dependent Interactions, 127th Annual Meeting of the Iowa Academy of Science 2015, Iowa Memorial Union, University of Iowa, Iowa, USA
- Lahiru A. Wijenayaka, Michael R. Ivanov, Christopher M. Cheatum, and Amanda J. Haes. Size-dependent Dielectric Properties and the Ensuing Size-dependent Hamaker Constants of Gold Nanoparticles, James F. Jacobson Graduate Conference 2015, University of Iowa, Iowa, USA
- Lahiru A. Wijenayaka, Michael R. Ivanov, Christopher M. Cheatum, and Amanda J. Haes. Improved Prediction of Functionalized Nanoparticle Metastability using xDLVO Theory, James F. Jacobson Graduate Conference 2014, University of Iowa, Iowa, USA
- Lahiru A. Wijenayaka, Michael R. Ivanov, Christopher M. Cheatum, and Amanda J. Haes. Improved Prediction of Functionalized Nanoparticle Metastability using xDLVO Theory, Optical Science and Technology Center (OSTC) annual symposium 2014, University of Iowa, Iowa, USA
- Amanda J Haes, Lahiru A. Wijenayaka, Christopher M Cheatum, and Michael Ivanov. Towards the Prediction of Solution-phase Gold Nanoparticle Stability; 248th ACS National Meeting and Exposition; August 2014, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Lahiru A. Wijenayaka, Binaya Shrestha, Christopher M. Cheatum, and Amanda J. Haes. Progress towards the development of surface enhanced two-dimensional Infra-Red spectroscopy, Optical Science and Technology Center (OSTC) annual symposium 2013, University of Iowa, Iowa, USA
Ruchira Wijesena, Nadeeka Tissera, Nalin de Silva, Gehan Amaratunga, Ishara Dharmasena, Nisansala Bandara, Lahiru A. Wijenayaka, Indrachapa Bandara. Near infrared energy absorbing textile. US Patent application number 15/141,292 (filed on 28th April 2016)
- Ms. Nishani Weerasinghe
- Ms. Asha Wickramapala
- Ms. Dilshani Ranasinghe
- Ms. Imasha Kavindi Anuththara
- Ms. Nilushi Pramodi
- Executive Committee Member – STEM Committee, SLAAS (2020)
- President-elect – Section E2, SLAAS (2021)
- President – Section E2, SLAAS (2022)
- AAOU Best Practice Award (Silver Medal) – Annual conference of the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU) (June 2021)
- COL-AAOU 2021 Fellowship Grant – Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU) (June 2021)
- Best Online Course Award (CYU3302 – Basic Practical Chemistry) – Open University of Sri Lanka (November 2020)
- Overall Best Presenter (Delegate) – ICNSNT (International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology) 2016, Colombo, Sri Lanka (December 2016)
- Sessions Best Presenter – ICNSNT (International Conference on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology) 2016, Colombo, Sri Lanka (December 2016)
- Graduate College Post Comprehensive Summer Research Award – Graduate College, University of Iowa, USA (May 2015)
- Graduate College Summer Dissertation Fellowship – Graduate College, University of Iowa, USA (May 2013)
- Outstanding Teaching Assistant Award – Council on Teaching, University of Iowa, USA (May 2012)
- Perlyn Perera Memorial Gold Medal for Best Performance in Physical Chemistry – University of Colombo, Sri Lanka (August 2008)
