About Schnaiffer
Schnaiffer is a cutting-edge sensor technology company born out of academic excellence and entrepreneurial ambition. A proud spin-off from BITS Pilani, Schnaiffer is incubated at the Rakesh Kapoor Innovation Center, Pilani — a hub dedicated to translating scientific research into impactful real-world solutions.
Meet the Team
Prof. Arnab Hazra
Co-Founder & Scientific Advisor
Dr. Arnab Hazra is the Co-Founder of Schnaiffer and currently serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus. A specialist in Semiconductor Device Physics, he holds a Ph.D. backed by more than a decade of pioneering research in nanoscale materials, advanced devices, and sensor systems.
With collaborative experience spanning prestigious institutions such as KIIT (Germany), Brescia University (Italy), and Tel Aviv University (Israel), Dr. Hazra has played a key role in leading high-impact, cross-border R&D initiatives. His work is widely published in reputed international journals, earning him recognition in both academic and industrial spheres.
At Schnaiffer,. his focus is on creating robust, scalable, and high-performance sensing solutions that address critical needs in industrial monitoring, environmental sensing, and IoT-driven smart systems. With a passion for real-world impact, Dr. Hazra ensures that Schnaiffer’s R&D remains grounded in academic rigor while staying aligned with emerging industry demands.
Prateek Bindra, PhD
Co-Founder & Marketing Advisor
Dr. Prateek Bindra is the Co-Founder of Schnaiffer. With a Ph.D. in Nanotechnology from BITS Pilani and postdoctoral research experience at KU Leuven, Belgium, his expertise spans nanomaterials, sensor fabrication, and electronic device innovation.
Dr. Bindra is a driving force behind Schnaiffer’s vision to commercialize next-generation sensing technologies. He has led initiatives in nanomaterial synthesis, interdigitated electrode development, and gas sensor prototyping, bridging lab research with market-ready solutions.
With a strong commitment to applied innovation, he actively connects academic research, industrial needs, and startup ecosystems. Dr. Bindra plays a pivotal role in defining Schnaiffer’s strategic direction, product roadmap, and collaborative outreach, ensuring that the company delivers reliable, scalable, and high-performance sensing solutions for emerging applications in healthcare, environment, and smart devices.
Nicolas Chanut, PhD
Head of Global Strategy and Deep Tech Innovation
Dr Nicolas Chanut is an accomplished scientist and global innovation leader with a focus on sustainable materials, nanotechnology, and electrochemical energy storage. He brings deep academic and technical expertise through his research roles at MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology), Boston, USA and KU Leuven,Belgium where his work spans structural supercapacitors, gas separation, and carbon-based cement materials.
As the Head of Global Strategy and Deep Tech Innovation at Schnaiffer, Nicolas drives the company’s R&D roadmap, partnerships, and technology foresight. He plays a pivotal role in connecting cutting-edge scientific developments with real-world applications in sensor technology, energy systems, and materials engineering.
At MIT, Nicolas contributed to the founding of the EC³ Hub, focusing on multifunctional cement for large-scale energy storage. At KU Leuven’s cMACS group, his research investigates the behavior of small molecules in porous media—crucial for next-generation materials in carbon capture and sensing platforms. At Schnaiffer, he leads with vision, helping transform breakthrough science into scalable, impactful technology.
Uttam Thakur, PhD
Lead – Deep Learning and Sensor Software
Dr. Uttam Thakur is a distinguished expert in sensor intelligence and deep learning, specializing in the development of intelligent sensing systems that bridge the gap between hardware and advanced software analytics. With a Ph.D. in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from BITS Pilani, his research has been pivotal in creating portable electronic nose systems and thin-film sensors for detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
At Schnaiffer, Dr. Thakur leads the Deep Learning and Sensor Software division, where he oversees the integration of machine learning algorithms with sensor technologies to develop real-time, adaptive systems. His work focuses on enhancing the capabilities of sensor arrays through advanced data processing techniques, enabling applications in environmental monitoring, healthcare diagnostics, and industrial automation.
His interdisciplinary approach combines expertise in sensor design, data analytics, and software development, positioning him at the forefront of innovations in smart sensing technologies.
Anjali NU
Senior Technical Manager
Anjali N. U. is currently working as a Senior Technical Manager at Schnaiffer, where she contributes to the development and characterization of advanced nanomaterials for sensing applications.
With a Master’s degree in Chemistry and hands-on research experience at CMET in the fabrication of wearable strain sensors, Anjali brings expertise in materials synthesis, sensor design, and laboratory analysis. She is passionate about exploring the intersection of materials science and real-world problem solving.
Sumit Kumar
Business Development Manager
Sumit leads Business Development at Schnaiffer, where he blends his technical proficiency in ERP systems and software development with a strategic vision for growth.
With hands-on experience in Frappe/ERPNext and client engagement, he plays a pivotal role in aligning advanced sensing solutions with real-world market demands.
Pioneering the Future of Smart Sensing
At Schnaiffer, we are not just one of many — in several critical areas, we are the only one. Our unique combination of research, fabrication, and commercialization capabilities puts us in a league of our own, both in India and globally.
When you work with Schnaiffer, you aren’t choosing a vendor —You’re partnering with pioneers who are pushing India and the world forward in the field of smart sensing, nanotechnology, and real-time detection systems.
Recognition & Support
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