Professor J. C. N. Rajendra

Senior Professor in Physics

BSc (Jaffna), DPhil (Sussex), CPhys (UK), MInstP (UK), MIP(SL)

Physics
Faculty of Natural Sciences
GS
Contact:

CRC, 3rd floor, Science and Technology building, Room No : 214

Office: 0112-881056, Ext: 596 Mobile: 776369416

E-mail: jcraj@ou.ac.lk josephrajendra@gmail.com

Prof. J. C. N. Rajendra received his primary and secondary education at St Patrick’s College Jaffna, Sri Lanka. In 1984, he obtained his Bachelor of Science (Hons), specialising in Physics, from the University of Jaffna, Sri Lanka (UOJ). He joined the Eastern University, Sri Lanka (EUSL) in 1986 and awarded a British Council Scholarship in 1987 for postgraduate research studies at the University of Sussex. In July 1991, he was awarded the Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil) by the University of Sussex, United Kingdom. He returned to Sri Lanka in 1991 and continued his service at EUSL. At EUSL, he served in different capacities, including as a Head of the Department of Physics (Feb 2001 – Oct 2001 & Feb 1992 – Feb1998) and Dean of the Faculty of Science (Oct 2001 – Oct 2004).

Prof. J. C. N. Rajendra won the Commonwealth Fellowship in 1998 and proceeded to the University of Sussex on sabbatical. There, he worked as a Visiting Research Fellow in Experimental Physics (1 Aug 1998 – 31 July 1999). In 1999, He received his MInstP and CPhys title from the Institute of Physics (United Kingdom). During his second sabbatical, he served as a Senior Lecturer Gr I at the OUSL (1 Nov 2004 – 31 Oct 2005). Subsequently, he joined the Vavuniya Campus of the University of Jaffna (VCUOJ) in 2006 and served there till 2009. At VCUOJ, he served as Head of the Department of Physical Science and Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science for a shorter period. Later, he joined the OUSL in 2009 and promoted to Professor in Physics (Oct. 2009 to Oct. 2017). In Oct. 2017, he was promoted to Senior Professor in Physics and became the Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences of the OUSL in October 2018.

Prof. J. C. N. Rajendra has over thirty-three years of research and teaching experience in physics. His research in Low-Temperature Physics involves studying the Physical properties of Liquid Helium and Liquid Hydrogen in confined geometries and Heat Capacity techniques to investigate the possibility of Superfluidity in para hydrogen (a boson system). Currently, he is interested in fabricating nano-crystalline Si and SiO2 from locally available post-harvest waste materials for industrial applications. In addition, he has spent a substantial amount of his professional life in enhancing teaching, and learning practices in Physics Education and research focused on Open and Distance Learning (ODL) environment. He enjoys sharing his passion for physics and research with members of the general public, occasionally giving talks in schools and, where possible, organising or taking part in outreach events for students and teachers.

Last Updated on 2 years

Areas of Specialization:

Low Temperature Physics

Research interests:
  • Fabrication of nano-crystalline Si and SiO2 from post-harvest waste materials for industrial applications.
  • Physical properties of Liquid Helium and Liquid Hydrogen in confined geometries, Heat Capacity techniques to investigate the possibility of Superfluidity in para hydrogen (a boson system).
  • Teaching-learning procedure and its recent challenges focused on Science Education in Sri Lanka, Online Education, Open Educational Resources (OER) and Open Educational Practices (OEP).
Affiliations:
  • Charted Physicist and Member of the Institute of Physics – IOP (UK)
  • Charted Physicistand Member of the Institute of Physics Sri Lanka (IPSL)
  • Member – Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science (SLAAS)
Course Coordination:
  • PHU5312/PYU3173 – Solid State Physics
  • PHU6302/PYU4162 – Advanced Quantum Mechanics
  • PHU6308/ PYU4169 – Classical Mechanics
  • PHU3300/PYU1160 – General and Thermal Physics – Till the academic year 2015/2016
  • PYU2160/PHU4300 -Modern Physics – Till the academic year 2019/2020
Awards:
  • ‘ICDE Prizes for Innovation and Best Practice 2015’; Shironica P. Karunanayaka, SomNaidu, J. C. N. Rajendra and H. U. W. Ratnayake; awarded the ICDE Prize for Innovation and Best Practice in Open, Distance, Flexible, Online Education and E-learning  for  the  paper ‘From OER to OEP: Shifting  Practitioner  Perspectives  and  Practices  with Innovative  Learning Experience Design’ at the 26th   ICDE  World  Conference,  Sun City, South  Africa,  14 – 16 October  2015.
  • Commonwealth Universities Fellowship (Aug 1998 – July 1999).
  • British Council Scholarship under the Eastern University Sri Lanka – University of Sussex UK link programme (1987 – 1991).
Publications:

PUBLICATIONS

Indexed Journals/Journals – Peer reviewed

  • ‘Improving the photovoltaic parameters in CdS quantum dot sensitized SnO2 based solar cells through incorporation of chemically deposited compact SnO2 layer’ T. S. M. Liyanage, T. Jaseetharan, W. I. Sandamali, M. A. K. L. Dissanayake, V. P. S. Perera, J. C. N. Rajendra, N. Karthikeyan, G. K. R. Senadeera, Ceylon Journal of Science, (2021),50(3), 243–248
  • ‘The effect of surface plasmon resonance on the photovoltaic properties of CdS quantum dot sensitized solar cells’ I. Sandamali, G. K. R. Senadeera, M. A. K. L. Dissanayake, T. Jaseetharan, V. P. S. Perera, J. C. N. Rajendra, Navaratnasamy Karthikeyan, L. A. Wijenayaka, Sri Lankan Journal of Physics, (2021), 22(1), 71–79
  • ‘The influence of citric acid linker molecule on photovoltaic performance of CdS quantum dots sensitized TiO2 solar cells’G.K.R. Senadeera, I. Sandamali, M.A.K.L. Dissanayake, T. Jaseetharan, V.P.S. Perera, J.C.N. Rajendra, N. Karthikean and Lahiru. A. Wijenayaka, Bull Mater Sci, (2021),44, 205
  • ‘Designing Continuing Professional Development MOOCs to promote the adoption of OER and OEP’ShironicaKarunanayaka, Som Naidu, J. C. N. Rajendra, S. A Ariadurai, Open Praxis, Vol. 10 issue 2 (2018), 179-190
  • ‘Designing Reflective Practice in the context of OER-Based e-learning’ ShironicaPriyanthiKarunanayaka, Som Naidu, J. C. N. Rajendra and H. U. W. Ratnayake, Journal of Learning for Development-JL4D, Vol. 4, No. 2 (2017), 143-160
  • ‘Peer-facilitated discussions to enhance OER-based e-learning’ S. P. Karunanayaka, J. C. N. Rajendra, H. U. W. Ratnayake and Som Naidu, Asian Association of Open Universities Journal Vol. 11 No. 1, (2016), 90 – 104, Emerald Group Publishing Limited
  • ‘From OER to OEP: shifting practitioner perspectives and practices with innovative learning experience design’ Shironica P. Karunanayaka, Som Naidu, J.C. N. Rajendra and H.U.W. Ratnayak Open Praxis, Vol. 7 issue 4 (2015), 339–350
  • ‘A study on plain radiography rooms in Sri Lanka with emphasis on radiation protection’ W. Nilantha, A.S. Pallewatte and C. N. Rajendra, Sri Lanka Journal of Radiology (SLJR) Vol.1(2015), 13 – 18
  • ‘Preliminary Investigation on Physical and Mechanical Properties of Bambusa and Dendrocalamusgigantius for Industrial Flooring’ P.Peratheepan, J.C.N.Rajendra and B.S.B. Karunaratna Ceylon Journal of Science (Physical Science) Volume: 14(2008), 39 – 51
  • ‘Preparation and Resistance measurements of BSCCO superconductors’ K. Ganesan, N.Pathmanathan, J.C.N.Rajendra and B.S.B.Karunaratna, JSc EUSL Vol. 1No1(2000),60 – 66
  • Thermal Anomalies in Molecular Hydrogen Supercooled in Vycor Porous Glass’ D.F.Brewer, J.C.N.Rajendra and A.L.Thomson, Journal of Low Temperature Physics Vol. 101 Nos 1/2 (1995), 317 – 322
  • ‘Thermal Anomalies in Supercooled Parahydrogen in Vycor Porous Glass’ D.F.Brewer, J.C.N.Rajendra, and A.L.Thomson, Physica B 194 – 196 (1994), 687 – 688
  • ‘The Melting Properties of Helium on Two Different surfaces’ D.F.Brewer, J.Rajendra, N.Sharma, A.L.Thomson and Jin Xin, Physica B 165&166 (1990), 551 – 552
  • ‘Low Temperature Hydrogen which has not solidified’ D.F.Brewer, J.Rajendra, N.Sharma and A.L.Thomson, Physica B 165&166(1990), 569 –570
  • ‘The thermal properties of Helium confined in small geometries’ D.F.Brewer, J.Rajendra, N.Sharma, A.L.Thomson and Jin Xin, Physica B 165&166 (1990), 577 – 578

Conference/Symposium Proceedings – Peer reviewed

  • ‘Electron Lifetime in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Made of SnO2 Photoanodes Coated with Thin Layer of Silica’ F. Ajward, J. C. N. Rajendra and V.P.S. Perera – Proceedings of the Technical Sessions, Institute of Physics – Sri Lanka 35 (2019), 9 – 16
  • ‘Optimization of Thin Layer of SiO2 Deposited on TiO2 Films Using Electrochemical Measuring Techniques for Dye Sensitized Solar Cell Application’ F. Ajward, J. C. N. Rajendra and V.P.S. Perera – Proceedings of the Technical Sessions, Institute of Physics – Sri Lanka 34 (2018), 74 – 79
  • ‘Enhancement of performance of Dye-Sensitized solar cells by dip coating thin layer of silica on nano structured TiO2 films’ N.F.Ajward, G. C. Wickramasinghe, J.C.N. Rajendra and V.P.S. Perera, 4th International Conference on Solar Energy Materials, Solar Cells & Solar Energy Applications, SOLAR ASIA (2018), 91 – 98
  • ‘Nano structures of Tin (iv) oxide coated with thin layer of silica using silicic acid synthesized from rice husk ash’N. F. Ajward, C. N. Rajendra and V. P. S. Perera, Proceedings of the Annual Academic Sessions 2017, Open University of Sri Lanka (2017), 519 – 522
  • ‘Preliminary Study to use SiO2extracted from Rice Husk to be used in semiconductor composites for solar cell applications’ N.F. Ajward, G.C. Wickramasinghe, J.C.N. Rajendra and V.P.S. Perera – Proceedings of the Technical Sessions, Institute of Physics – Sri Lanka 33 (2017), 6 – 11
  • ‘Analysis of composite films made of Tin (IV) Oxide and Silica using electrochemical techniques’ N. F. Ajward, N. R. A. M. Ruwangika, G. M. L. P Aponsu, D. L. N. Jayathilaka, J. C. N. Rajendra and V. P. S. Perera– Proceedings of the Technical Sessions, Institute of Physics – Sri Lanka 32 (2016), 9 – 15
  • ‘Effectiveness of a modified version of peer assisted study sessions in improving academic performance: An Open and distance learning case study’ G. Bandarage, E.A.D.N.D. Edirisinghe, J.C.N. Rajendra, K. D.V.F. Siriwardena, S. Somarathne, R. U. Tantrigoda1 and J. Wattavidanage– Proceedings of the Annual Academic Sessions 2015, Open University of Sri Lanka (2015), 01 – 04
  • Elemental analysis of rice husk ash obtained from different varieties of rice grown in Polonnaruwa district’ N.F. Ajward, J.C.N. Rajendra and V.P.S. Perera – Proceedings of the Annual Academic Sessions 2015, Open University of Sri Lanka (2015), 49 – 52
  • ‘Performance of Dye-Sensitized solar cells coated with an ultra-thin layer of SiO2 around SnO2 particles’ L.M.N. De Silva, F.M.L.P. Aponsu, V. Fernando, J.C.N. Rajendra, and V.P.S. Perera – Proceedings of the Annual Academic Sessions 2014, Open University of Sri Lanka (2014), 324 – 327
  • ‘Making “Significant Others” partners in motivating freshmen of the B.Sc degree programme at the Open University of Sri Lanka: A preliminary study’ – R. U. Tantrigoda, J. Wattavidanage, J.C.N. Rajendra, B.K.L. Wickramasinghe, N. Edirisinghe and G. Bandarage – Proceedings of the Annual Academic Sessions 2014, Open University of Sri Lanka (2014), 291 – 294
  • ‘Physical properties and content of silica in different varieties of rice husk found in Sri Lanka’ R.M.S.Virajini, V.P.S. Perera and J.C.N.Rajendra – Proceedings of the Technical Sessions, Institute of Physics –Sri Lanka 30 (2014), 105 – 110
  • ‘Characterization of Silica extracted from Post-Harvest residue’ R.M.S.Virajini, V.P. S. Perera and J.C.N.Rajendra – Proceedings of the Annual Academic Sessions 2013, Open University of Sri Lanka (2013), 382 – 386
  • ‘Effectiveness of an Induction programme in inspiring students in engaging in collaborative learning: an ODL case study’  G.Bandarage, P.K.D.Peiris, J.C.N.Rajendra, K. D.V.F.Siriwardena, R.U.Tantrigoda, J.Wattavidanage, and S.R.Weerakoon– Proceedings of the Annual Academic Sessions 2013, Open University of Sri Lanka (2013), 63 – 67
  • ‘Effectiveness of revision in an academic programme based on course completion rates: A case study of the BSc degree programme at the Open University of Sri Lanka’ G.Bandarage, P.K.D.Peiris, J.C.N.Rajendra, K.D.V.F. Siriwardena, R.U.Tantrigoda, J.Wattavidanage, and S.R.Weerakoon – Proceedings of the Annual Academic Sessions 2012, Open University of Sri Lanka (2012), 80 – 83
  • ‘Experience in implementing a student support programme based on the “PASS” model for BSc undergraduates at the open university of Sri Lanka’ G.Bandarage, G.W.A.R. Fernando, C.N.Nupearachchi, P.K.D. Peiris, J.C. N. Rajendra, K.D.V.F. Siriwardena, R.U.Tantrigoda, J.Wattavidanage, and S.R.Weerakoon- Proceedings of the Annual Academic Sessions 2011, Open University of Sri Lanka (2011), 56 – 59
  • “GRKTEXedt” – Tamil TEX editor for scientific typesetting and for LATEX output’, K.Ganeshamoorthy,   J.C.N.Rajendra and S.Kanaganathan – Conference Proceedings – ‘Tamil IT for Tomorrows’ – Tamil Internet  2004 Singapore (2004), 157 – 163
  • ‘Education Perspectives and Challenges in Sri Lanka’ J. C. N. Rajendra – Proceedings of the ASPEN (1992) General Conference and Symposium on Introductory Physics Education in University – TOKAI University Japan – ASPEN (1992), 190 – 193
  • ‘Low-cost Data Acquisition system for time relatively small physical events’ K. Sathiaranjan and J.C.N.Rajendra 2ndAnnual Research Session (ARS) 2001/2002 selected articles – EUSL (2002), 133 – 143

Conference Abstracts- Peer reviewed

  • ‘Does participation in Peer Assisted Study Sessions in the entry year improve the academic performance of students? A case study in ODL’ G. Bandarage, E.A.D.N.D. Edirisinghe, J.C.N. Rajendra, K.D.V.F. Siriwardana, R.U. Tantrigoda, J. Wattavidanage, Proceedings of the Annual Academic Sessions 2021, Open University of Sri Lanka, – Abstract – 02 (2021)
  • ‘Enhanced Photovoltaic Properties of Cadmium Sulfide Quantum Dot Sensitized TiO2 Solar Cells with Novel SnO2 Based Counter Electrode’ W.I. Sandamali, G.K.R. Senadeera, M.A.K.L. Dissanayake, T. Jaseetharan, J.M.K.W. Kumari, K. Umair, V.P.S. Perera, J.C.N. Rajendraand N. Karthikeyan, 5thInternational Research Conference of UvaWellassa University, IRCUWU2021 Paper ID: IRCUWU2021-458 (2021)
  • ‘Identification of factors affecting programme completion at OUSL: a case study on Engineering and Science streams’ D. D. M. Ranasinghe, G. Bandarage, R. A. N. Dilsha, W. C. W. Navaratna, H. Pasqual, J. C. N. Rajendra and H. U. W. Ratnayake, Proceeding of the 34th Annual Conference of the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU2021) – Abstract No. 85, p. 26 (2021)
  • ‘The photovoltaic performance of CdS quantum dots sensitized solar cell using Ag/TiO2 photoanode’ I. Sandamali, G.K.R. Senadeera, M.A.K.L. Dissanayake, T. Jaseetharan, V.P.S. Perera, J.C.N. Rajendra, N. Karthikean and Lahiru. A. Wijenayaka, Proceedings of 8th Ruhuna International Science & Technology Conference (RISTCON 2021) University of Ruhuna, Sri Lanka – p. 62 (2021)
  • Enhancement of the performance of Dye Sensitized solar cells based on natural pigment extracted from Carissa carand fruit and SnO2 films coated with a thin layer of SiO2, F. Ajward, V.P.S. Perera, J.C.N. Rajendra, G.C. Wickramasinghe, Proceedings of the Annual Academic Sessions 2018, Open University of Sri Lanka, – Abstract – 110 (2018)
  • ‘Electrochemical Measurements of Composite Films Made from TiO2 and SiO2 Extracted from Rice Husk’ F. Ajward, J. C. N. Rajendra and V. P. S. Perera–11th International Research Conference, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, Technical Session, p15(2018)
  • ‘Suppression of recombination channels of Dye-sensitized solar cells made of SnO2 using core shell structure of SiO2 extracted from rice husk’ N. F. Ajward, J. C. N. Rajendra and V. P. S. Perera – Proceedings of the Energy Symposium Sri Lanka 2015, Ministry of Power and Energy, Session 5 Renewable Energy 51 p 56 (2015)
  • ‘Evaluating the success of assessments of a level 3 chemistry course in the BSc degree programme of Open University of Sri Lanka as a tool of measuring the cognitive skills of students: a preliminary study’ R.U. Tantrigoda1, G.Bandarage, C.Nawaratne, N.Nilakarawasam, J.C.N.Rajendra, B.L.Wickramasinghe and M.N.K.de Zoysa – International Conference on Chemical Sciences – Sri Lanka – CE 15 (2012)
  • ‘Entropy changes associated with the anomalous freezing of hydrogen in small pores’ J. C.N. Rajendra, D.F.Brewer and A.L.Thomson – XX11 International Conference on Low-Temperature Physics – Espoo and Helsinki, Finland – LT22 – 9L26 p 424 (1999)
  • ‘Pressure measurements on freezing hydrogen in small pores’ J.C.N.Rajendra, D.F.Brewer and A.L.Thomson – XX11 International Conference on Low Temperature Physics – Espoo and Helsinki, Finland – LT22 – 9L27 p 425 (1999)
  • ‘Preparation and characterization of Bi-based superconductors and attainment of low temperature as low as 55K using liquid nitrogen’ K.Ganesan, N.Pathmanathan, J.C.N.Rajendra and B.S.B.Karunaratna – 55thAnnual Session of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science – E1-02 p182 (1999)
  • ‘Construction of Resistivity probe and Resistance measurements on YBa2Cu3O7 Superconductors’ F.C.Ragel, N.Pathmanathan, J.C.N.Rajendra, S.G.Raymond, K.Ganesan and CaoLiezhao – 53rdAnnual Session of the Sri Lanka Association for the Advancement of Science – E1-08 p295 (1997)
  • ‘The wetting properties of solid helium on a graphite surface’ J.C.N.Rajendra, D.F.Brewer and A.L.Thomson – 17th   IUPAP International Conference on Thermodynamics and Statistical physics Statphys  17 FrP57 (1989)
  • ‘The non-wetting properties of solid helium on glass surfaces’, J.C.N.Rajendra, D.F.Brewer, S.R.Haynes and A.L.Thomson – 17thIUPAP International Conference on Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics Statphys  17 FrP58 (1989)

Book Chapter(s)

  • ‘Learner Perceptions on Learning Resources’ S. A. Ariadurai and J. C. N. Rajendra, Pathways to Open Educational Practices, Edited by Shironica P. Karunanayaka and Som Naidu, (2020), 118 – 154

SUPPLEMENTARY TEXTBOOKS

Authored

  • ‘Introduction to Matter and Radiation’ (2006) ISBN 955-659-062-5
  • ‘Fundamentals of Electronics’2nd Edition (2018) ISBN 978-955-659-148-4
  •  (2009) ISBN 978–955–51404–0-9
  • ‘Introduction to the Concepts in Modern Physics’ (2019) ) ISBN 978-93-5274-406-0
  •  (2019)ISBN 978-955-659-588-8

BOOKS FOR DISTANCE LEARNERS –THE OPEN UNIVERSITY OF SRI LANKA

     Authored

  • PYU2262 – ‘Basics of Semiconductor Physics’ Unit I (2010) – 7 sessions
  • PYU2262 – ‘Digital Electronics’ Unit III (2010) – 8 sessions
  • Practical Guide for General and Thermal Physics (2010) – 14 experiments
  • PHU6302 – Advanced Quantum Mechanics – (in preparation) – 25 sessions
  • PYU6308 – Classical Mechanics – (in preparation) – 25 sessions
  • PHU3300 – General and Thermal Physics (SLQF format)(2018) – 7 sessions

Content Editor (English Medium)

  • PYU3173 – Solid State Physics (2012) – 20 Sessions
  • PHU5312 – Solid State Physics (reviewing and converting in SLQF format – in preparation) – 20 Sessions
  • PHU4300 – Modern Physics – Unit 2 (Quantum Theory of Atom) (reviewed and converted in SLQF format) (2018) – 04 sessions

Content Editor (Tamil Medium) and Language Editor (Tamil)

  • PYU1160 – General and Thermal Physics(2010)– 21 sessions
  • PYU3300 – General and Thermal Physics (reviewed and converted in SLQF format) (2018) – 20 sessions

Online Supplementary material

  • PYU1160 – General and Thermal Physics (2012)
  • PYU2160 – Modern Physics (2015)
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