Research Summary
Dr. Porpin Pungetmongkol's research focuses on nano-enabled electrochemical sensing and the fabrication and synthesis of functional nanomaterials for diverse applications. Building on her early work in label-free electrical detection of single DNA molecules using nanogap electrodes and impedance spectroscopy, she now develops low-cost sensors enhanced with a range of nanomaterials, including copper oxide nanorods, gold nanoparticles, graphene, and carbon quantum dots, many of which are produced from inexpensive or waste-derived sources. These sensors target non-invasive clinical diagnostics, such as sweat glucose and creatinine monitoring for chronic kidney disease, as well as environmental monitoring, with smartphone-based readout for point-of-care use. Her overall aim is to develop cutting-edge nanomaterials and translate them into affordable, portable analytical tools for healthcare and environmental applications.
Research Themes
Nanoscale Biomolecular Sensing
Label-free electrical detection of single DNA molecules using nanogap electrodes and electrical impedance spectroscopy.
Nanomaterial Fabrication and Synthesis
Sustainable synthesis of high-value functional nanomaterials from low-cost and waste-derived resources.
Non-Invasive Clinical Diagnostics
Rapid electrochemical platforms for the early detection of disease biomarkers, integrated with smartphone-based readout for point-of-care monitoring.
Environmental and Food-Safety Monitoring
Portable electrochemical sensors for the on-site detection of contaminants in agricultural and food samples.
Education
| Apr 2012 – Sep 2015 | Ph.D. in Mechanical and Control Engineering — Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan — (Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship) — Dissertation: A label-free, high-sensitive electrical detection method of biomolecule using very high electric field created in nanogap electrodes |
| Oct 2011 – Apr 2012 | M.Eng. in Mechanical and Control Engineering — Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan — (Japanese Government (MEXT) Scholarship) — Thesis: Study of Electrical Physics in Nanochannels Using an Impedance Analyzer |
| May 2007 – May 2011 | B.Eng. in Nano-Engineering (First-Class Honours) — Chulalongkorn University, Thailand — Senior Project: Study of Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) for Knee Prosthesis Applications conducted at the Dartmouth Biomedical Engineering Center, New Hampshire, USA |
Careers
| Jan 2016 – present | Lecturer of Nano Engineering program (International School of Engineering) — Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand |
| Oct 2011 – Sep 2015 | Research Assistant — Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan |
| Dec 2013 – Feb 2014 | Visiting Scholar — California Institute of Technology, California, USA |
| Aug – Dec 2010 | Exchanged Student — Dartmouth Biomedical Engineering Centre, New Hampshire, USA |
| May – Jul 2010 | Visiting Researcher — Biodesign Institute, Arizona State University, USA |
Course Taught
- Nanofabrication Technology
- Statistics in Research and Methodology
- Signal Processing & Instrumentation
- Polymer Engineering
- Applied Genetic Engineering
- Micro-nanofabrication
- Microelectromechanical System
- Molecular Chemistry
Journal Publications
2026–present
- Thiraset Suksaenkraisorn, Chanokphat Thana-dachophol, Kanokon Somkaew, Porpin Pungetmongkol (2026). Charcoal to graphene: a sustainable route via electrochemical exfoliation. Carbon Letters, 1-13.
- Pasihn Nimmanpipak, Phurit Sophontewarit, Rattapas Phornpimonchoke, Thiraset Suksaenkraisorn, Porpin Pungetmongkol (2026). Electropolymerized Molecularly Imprinted Polyaniline for Sensitive Creatinine Detection. IEEE Sensors Letters.
- Saranrut Naranchayangkun, Pinpinut Chalermchok, Ta-Wei Chou, Thiraset Suksaenkraisorn, Porpin Pungetmongkol (2026). Facile One-Pot Electrochemical Exfoliation of AuNP–Graphene Nanocomposite for Modified screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE). IEEE Sensors Letters.
2021–2025
- Thitima Jianpinitnun, Thanakit Weraphattana, Sasipon Terayawan, Thiraset Suksaenkraisorn, Sirada Janjaochay, Charusluk Viphavakit, Porpin Pungetmongkol (2025). Synthesis of Carbon Quantum Dots from Corn Husk Waste for Enhanced Nonenzymatic Glucose Sensing. ACS Sustainable Resource Management 2(11), 2125-2135.
- Natchanon Jiwarawat, Thapan Leukulwatanachai, Kunbhass Subhakornphichan, Siwagorn Limwathanagura, Sittinadh Wanotayan, Nithi Atthi, Apirak Pankiew, Porpin Pungetmongkol (2024). Electrochemical exfoliation of graphene from pencil lead. Scientific Reports 14(1), 15892.
- Noppasit Thianngoen, Nutthun Thanajantaporn, Jiraphat Pongpoon, Siwagorn Limwathanagura, Sittinadh Wanotayan, Chanchana Thanachayanont, Porpin Pungetmongkol (2024). Modification of CuO Nanorods on SPCE for EIS Measurement of Organophosphate Pesticides. IEEE Sensors Letters 8(10), 1-4.
- Kittipat Sathitaphiwan, Natchanon Auewetchanichkul, Thitasiree Kaewparadai, Siwagorn Limwathanagura, Sittinadh Wanotayan, Porpin Pungetmongkol (2024). Sweat glucose sensor with SPCE modified by CUO nanorods. IEEE Sensors Letters 8(5), 1-4.
- Phichamon Sakdarat, Jidapa Chongsuebsirikul, Chanchana Thanachayanont, Seeroong Prichanont, Porpin Pungetmongkol (2021). Development of a nonenzymatic electrochemical sensor for organophosphate pesticide detection using copper (II) oxide nanorod electrodes. Journal of Nanomaterials 2021(1), 6623668.
2010–2020
- Porpin Pungetmongkol (2020). TiO2 Nanoparticles-Graphene Composite for Photocatalytic Application. Microscopy and Microanalysis Research–The Journal of The Microscopy Society of Thailand 33(2), 11-15.
- P Stitnimankarn, T Siripoorikan, N Thanomkul, P De Silva, P Pungetmongkol, J Staubs (2020). Transient CO2 diffusion from vehicle cabin micro-environment in hot and humid climates. Int J Environ Sci Dev 11(5), 273-277.
- Porpin Pungetmongkol, Takatoki Yamamoto (2019). Single-Molecule Detection of DNA in a Nanochannel by High-Field Strength-Assisted Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy. Micromachines 10(3), 189.
- Porpin Pungetmongkol (2018). Speculation of Nano-gap Sensor for DNA sequencing technology: A Review on Synthetic Nanopores. Engineering Journal 22(6), 229-250.
- Porpin Pungetmongkol, Katsuo Mogi, Ryuji Hatsuki, Takatoki Yamamoto (2014). Direct evaluation of the electrokinetic properties of electrolytes in a nanochannel using electrical impedance spectroscopy. Israel Journal of Chemistry 54(11‐12), 1607-1614.
Conference Publications
2021–2025
- Thitima Jianpinitnun, Thanakit Weraphattana, Sasipon Terayawan, Porpin Pungetmongkol (2025). Simple and Low-Cost Synthesis of Carbon Quantum Dots from Corn Husks. 2025 IEEE 20th International Conference on Nano/Micro Engineered and Molecular Systems (NEMS), 326-329.
- Pudchakarn Natnarin, Tantiraksachai Thithat, Punsuwan Pattapol, Sakdarat Phichamon, Thanachayanont Chanchana, Pungetmongkol Porpin (2025). Organophosphate Pesticide Sensor Using Copper Oxide Modified on Homemade Screen-Printed Carbon Electrodes. International Conference on Manufacturing, Material and Metallurgical Engineering, 161-168.
- Natchanon Jiwarawat, Thapan Leukulwatanachai, Kunbhass Subhakornphichan, Siwagorn Limwathanagura, Sittinadh Wanotayan, Porpin Pungetmongkol (2024). Rapid and low-cost fabrication of graphene from pencil lead. 2024 IEEE 24th International Conference on Nanotechnology (NANO), 258-261.
- P Bulpakdi, P Dhanasomboon, S Sungkobol, C Thanachayanont, P Pungetmongkol (2022). Organophosphate pesticides sensor using copper oxide nanorods modified on screen-printed carbon electrodes. 2022 IEEE 22nd International Conference on Nanotechnology (NANO), 500-503.
- R Arampongpun, P Ounsawatdipong, K Trakoontiwakorn, C Thanachayanont, P Pungetmongkol (2022). Modified Co-doped ZnO nanostructures on SPCE for Xanthine detection in early food spoilage. 2022 IEEE 22nd International Conference on Nanotechnology (NANO), 511-514.
- Tinn Hongboontry, Surada Ponwaranon, Supphakorn Sirijongdee, Chanchana Thanachayanont, Porpin Pungetmongkol (2021). Low-cost and portable creatinine electrochemical sensor for non-invasive chronic kidney disease monitoring. 2021 IEEE 21st International Conference on Nanotechnology (NANO), 159-162.
- Narat Maraprasertsak, Patamaporn Subpanyadee, Punvinai Vinaisuratern, Chanchana Thanachayanont, Porpin Pungetmongkol (2021). Smartphone sensor for pesticide monitoring using CuO modified screen printed electrodes. 2021 IEEE Sensors, 1-4.
2010–2020
- Nattida Rongwaree, Tongchatra Watcharawittayakul, Cholthisa Sooksamphanwong, Phichamon Sakdarat, Chanchana Thanachayanont, Seeroong Prichanont, Porpin Pungetmongkol (2020). A comparative molecular study between chlorpyriphos and parathion using CuO nanohair pesticide sensor. 2020 IEEE 15th International Conference on Nano/Micro Engineered and Molecular System (NEMS), 316-319.
- Nattida Rongwaree, Tongchatra Watcharawittayakul, Cholthisa Sooksamphanwong, Phichamon Sakdarat, Chanchana Thanachayanont, Seeroong Prichanont, Porpin Pungetmongkol (2020). Low cost CUO nanorod growth on screen-printed carbon electrode for pesticide analysis. 2020 IEEE 20th international conference on nanotechnology (IEEE-NANO), 189-192.
- Thanin Wangsawangkul, Thiti Maneepipat, Nattapong Sukumdhanakul, Porpin Pungetmongkol, Prabhath De Silva, Pradit Mahasaksiri (2020). A Control System for Maintaining Passenger Cabin Air Quality. WCX SAE World Congress Experience 237384.
- Phichamon Sakdarat, Jidapa Chongsuebsirikul, Angkana Phongphut, Yoottapong Klinthingchai, Seeroong Prichanont, Chanchana Thanachayanont, Porpin Pungetmongkol (2019). Copper oxide nanorods pesticide sensor for methyl parathion detection. 2019 IEEE 19th International Conference on Nanotechnology (IEEE-NANO), 113-116.
- Jidapa Chongsuebsirikul, Phichamon Sakdarat, Angkana Phongphut, Yoottapong Klinthingchai, Seeroong Prichanont, Chanchana Thanachayanont, Porpin Pungetmongkol (2019). Copper oxide nanorods electrodes for organophosphate pesticide sensor. 2019 IEEE 14th International Conference on Nano/Micro Engineered and Molecular Systems (NEMS), 520-523.
- Porpin Pungetmongkol, Katsuo Mogi, Takatoki Yamamoto (2015). Conformation dependent non-linear impedance response of DNA in nanofluidic device. 2015 IEEE 15th international conference on nanotechnology (IEEE-NANO), 1163-1166.
- Pungetmongkol, P. & Yamamoto, T. (2015). Non-linear Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy of DNA in Nanogap Electrode. 7th International Symposium on Microchemistry and Microsystems (ISMM 2015), 8–10 June, Kyoto, Japan.
- Hatsuki, R., Pungetmongkol, P., Honda, A. & Yamamoto, T. (2014). Evaluation of Electrical Characteristics of Viruses by Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy in a Nanogap Electrode. 12th International Conference on Nanochannels, Microchannels, and Minichannels (ASME 2014), 3–7 August, Chicago, USA.
- Pungetmongkol, P. & Yamamoto, T. (2013). Revealing the dynamic structure of electric double layer by electrical impedance spectroscopy. RSC Tokyo International Conference 2013, Analytical Biochemistry & Biophysics, 4–5 September, Tokyo, Japan.
- P Pungetmongkol, R Hatsuki, Takatoki Yamamoto (2013). Electrical evaluation of hydrated diameter dependent thickness of electric double layer in nanochannel. 2013 Transducers & Eurosensors XXVII: The 17th International Conference on Solid-State Sensors, Actuators and Microsystems (TRANSDUCERS & EUROSENSORS XXVII), 1123-1126.
International Workshops
- Pungetmongkol, P. & Yamamoto, T. (2015). Direct evaluation of electric double layer in nanochannel by electrical impedance spectroscopy. International Workshop on Extended-Nanofluidics (IWENF 2015), 26–27 March, Tokyo, Japan.