The key-contributions made by Dr. Sonwalkar to the field of science, technology and educational technology are given below:

• Contribution to Educational Technology:  Dr. Sonwalkar developed the pedagogical framework of “The Leaning Cube” combining media, models and interactivity to develop adaptive learning technology and interfaces.  He developed the “MetaMosaic Interface” and the “Hypermedia Instruction and Teaching Environment, (HITE)” for technology enhanced education at MIT.  He is considered as the pioneer of “Adaptive Learning Technology” and “Adaptive Blended Learning Methodology” which is now adapted by numerous Universities and Colleges in US.  He is also researcher and developer for the “Theory of Synaptic Learning” for the enhancement of technology enabled education.
• As the inventor of adaptive learning technology -- United States Patent office awarded Dr. Sonwalkar with the Patent No. 7,677,896 entitled "System, Method, and Computer-readable Medium for Course Structure Design to Support Adaptive Learning"
• Contribution to Nanotechnology:  Dr. Sonwalkar developed the “Combined Molecular Dynamics and Raman Spectroscopy Method” for the study of nano-scale interfaces.  This methodology was applied in the study of interface between water and metals, ice-metal, ice and ceramic, hydrocarbon and single crystal silicon, and more recently in membrane proteins.  He has published numerous papers in the area of MD Simulations, Molecular Tribology, Ice-solid interfaces, Hydrocarbon-silicon interface, Raman Spectroscopy in the leading scientific and engineering journals.   He has also presented papers in ASME, MRS and Gordon Conferences.
• Contribution to Computational Molecular Dynamics Simulations: Dr. Sonwalkar developed the molecular dynamics simulation methodology for the interface regions by creating a interface potential between two interacting materials at nano-scale.  The development of interface potential for the study of molecular dynamics was a new advance in the area of Molecular Dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations.
• Contribution to Laser Confocal Raman Spectroscopy:  He also made contributions to the development of experimental methodology to study material interfaces by inventing a “Multipurpose Optical cell for Confocal and Raman micro-probe Spectroscopy,”  see MIT Technology Licensing  Office (TLO) disclosure.
• Contributions to Statistical Analysis Secondary Structure of Protein based on Raman Intensities: Dr. Sonwalkar collaborated with the Radiation Oncology department of the Tufts University, School of Medicine, to study the statistical distribution of secondary protein structures before and after radiation exposure in living cells.