Thalappil Pradeep’s research explores water across scales – from molecular and interfacial phenomena to technologies that deliver societal impact. Through contributions spanning clean water technologies, microdroplet chemistry, ice and clathrate science, and atomically precise materials, his work connects fundamental chemistry with large-scale human needs.
A major part of his work has focused on affordable drinking water technologies based on advanced nanomaterials. These efforts led to the development of widely deployed purification systems for arsenic and other contaminants, providing access to safe water for millions of people across India. To accelerate translation of laboratory discoveries into societal technologies, he founded the International Centre for Clean Water at IIT Madras Research Park.
Alongside societal technologies, his group investigates the fundamental chemistry and physics of water interfaces. His recent work on charged water microdroplets has revealed unusually rapid chemical transformations, including spontaneous mineral weathering and nanoparticle formation under ambient conditions. These studies have contributed to the emerging area of microdroplet mechanochemistry and have highlighted the unique reactivity of electrified aqueous interfaces.

His broader research interests include atomically precise clusters, molecular materials, spectroscopy, interfacial chemistry, and advanced instrumentation. In atomically precise clusters, his group has discovered new structures, new phenomena, and new applications. His work has helped establish that clusters can exhibit molecule-like behaviour, bridging the gap between atoms, molecules, and materials.