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HomePosts Tagged "IIT Guwahati"
Agro Universities, R&D

 The findings of the study offer valuable insights for advancing hydroponic systems and soil-less agriculture.

 Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati researchers have developed a portable, cost-effective microfluidic system designed to replicate soil-like conditions. This system has demonstrated that optimising nutrient flow can improve root growth and nitrogen uptake, leading to enhanced crop yields.

Prof. Pranab Kumar Mondal, Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering and an associate faculty in the School of Agro and Rural Technology at IIT Guwahati, and his team leveraged microfluidics to gain insights into how the primary root emerging from a seed absorbs nutrients from the soil. Their innovative use of microfluidic technology to analyse root behaviour holds the potential to significantly enhance crop management and boost agricultural yields by optimising nutrient delivery and root development in practical farming applications. Their research work has been supported by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB/ANRF), Govt. of India.

The primary root of a germinating seed serves as the plant’s anchor, crucial for absorbing water and nutrients. This root must navigate various soil conditions during early growth, a critical phase for plant survival. Factors such as nutrient supply, pH levels, soil composition, aeration, and temperature significantly influence root development. However, studying root dynamics has been challenging due to the limitations of traditional experimental setups, which often require large containers and complex handling.

Microfluidics—the study of fluid flow in micrometer-sized structures—has revolutionized research in cell studies by enabling precise control and characterization of fluid dynamics at small scales. Existing microdevices primarily focus on phenomena like root-bacteria interactions, hormonal signaling, and pollen tube growth, with limited exploration into real-time plant root dynamics. Specifically, the impact of mechanical stimuli from nutrient flow on root growth and thigmomorphogenesis (the response of plants to mechanical stress) has not been extensively studied.

To address these challenges, Prof. Mondal and his team investigated the high-yielding mustard variety, Pusa Jai Kisan, known for its effective root diameter in the micrometer range. Their goal was to understand how different nutrient flow conditions influence root growth and nitrogen uptake during the critical post-germination stages.

Speaking about the research, Dr. Pranab K. Mondal said, “Our study provides new insights into plant root dynamics through the use of microfluidic devices. We validated our setup’s design and findings by simulating nutrient flow, measuring nitrogen uptake, and analyzing the effects of nutrient uptake and fluid pressure on root cells. This research enhances our understanding of how mechanical stimuli and nutrient uptake interact, with practical implications for agriculture.”

The researchers found that increasing the flow rate of the nutrient medium enhanced root length and nitrogen uptake up to an optimal rate. Beyond this point, excessive flow-induced stress reduced root length. Notably, roots exposed to flow conditions consistently performed better than those in no-flow conditions due to superior nitrogen uptake. This research highlights that carefully managed nutrient flow induces significant morphological changes in the root, promoting plant growth.

Looking ahead, the team plans to explore the molecular mechanisms underlying flow-induced changes in root growth. Understanding these cellular and molecular processes could lead to the development of more resilient hydroponic systems and support soil-less crop production.

 The findings of the study offer valuable

Agro Universities, India, R&D

The research aims to convert a large-scale agricultural waste into a sustainable value-added product to mitigate marine oil pollution.

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) have developed a Silica Nanoparticles coated cotton fabric that can separate oil from oil-water mixture. This research aims to convert a large-scale agricultural waste into a sustainable value-added product to mitigate marine oil pollution. The said nanoparticles have been developed by utilising rice husk, an agricultural waste, as the primary source material. The findings of this study can aid in development of economical, sustainable platforms for separating oil/water mixtures or harmful components from aqueous/non-aqueous mixture.

Oil spills due to industrial discharge, or accidental mishap causes irreversible damage to the aquatic ecosystems. Conventional cleaning techniques such as skimming, or in-situ burning is ineffective, costly and causes additional pollution. Researchers around the world have been trying to develop energy efficient materials to separate the oil and water mixtures. However, the sustainable and economically viable conversion of biomass to modified silica for oil spill mitigation had not been explored earlier.

Explaining the eco-friendly method Prof. Vaibhav V. Goud, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati, said, “Our technology has multiple beneficial effects on the environment. Rice husk is an agricultural byproduct, rich in silica that is generated in millions of tons every year. It generally ends up being burnt unscientifically causing air pollution. With our technique this waste rice husk is converted to 3D sorbents that mitigates oil contamination by following a selective active-filtration process.”

In this process, inexpensive agricultural-waste, rice husk is gradually heated and efficiently converted to charcoal also known as bio-char. Subsequently, this bio-char is subjected to further heating to transform it to silica nanoparticles. The size of these nanoparticles can be customized by adjusting the pH of the bio-char. To render the nanoparticles water-repellent, they are treated with special chemicals known as silanes. Finally, these treated nanoparticles are coated over a cotton material creating a natural, three-dimensional sorbent for separating oil-water mixture.

Explaining the significance of their work, Prof. Goud, said,” Our experiments at IIT Guwahati have demonstrated that the coated cotton fabric particularly adsorbed oil, while the uncoated sample adsorbed both oil and water. The developed superhydrophobic material has shown a remarkable 98 per cent efficiency and retained its functionality even after repeated use and exposure to harsh environments.”

The details of the natural 3D oil absorbing material have been published in the prestigious international journal Biomass and Bioenergy. The paper has been co-authored by Prof Vaibhav V. Goud and his research scholar Sutapa Das.

The research aims to convert a large-scale

Agro Universities, Agrotech, India, R&D, Sustainable Energy

Under the Microalgae Biorefinery Model, multiple research projects are underway on Renewable and Sustainable Energy.

The School of Energy Science and Engineering, Dept of Chemical Engineering, Dept of Bioscience and Bioengineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati are working actively to make major contribution in building a sustainable future. Under the Microalgae Biorefinery Model, multiple research projects are underway on Renewable and Sustainable Energy.

The rapid depletion of fossil fuels, anthropogenic emissions and ever-increasing energy consumption has triggered an increasing interest in the alternate fuels based on renewable resources. Researchers worldwide have shown that microalgae-based treatment of wastewater can be coupled with simultaneous production of various types of fuels as well as other value-added products under a biorefinery concept.

Highlighting the need for research on sustainable development, Parameswar K Iyer, Officiating Director, IIT Guwahati said, “Alternate fuel production is the need of the hour. IITG is working since last 25 years in this domain where various researchers have contributed significantly in developing a microalgae based biorefinery model under which waste treatment as well as fuel productions can be carried out simultaneously. Efforts to utilise the rich biomass of NE reason for bioethanol/ methanol/butanol production as an alternate to fossil fuels”

Some of the major research highlights on related topic include –

  • Research on transforming residual microalgae/biomass into energy fuel and chemicals

Vaibhav V Goud, Head, School of Energy Science and Engineering, IIT Guwahati, and Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati, and his research team have formulated an efficient strategy that transforms residual microalgae/biomass into energy fuel and chemicals. By implementing specific alteration strategies, such as inhibiting steps, researchers have diverted the process cycle to recover the product of choice (H 2 , biogas, and chemicals). As per their findings, the combined use of residual microalgae with biomass (rice straw) helped enhance energy recovery. It also provides a sustainable approach for developing a biomass/microalgae-based biorefinery for producing energy fuels and chemicals.

  • Research on Integration of wastewater treatment and high-value biofuel production

Kaustubha Mohanty, Adjunct Faculty, School of Energy Science and Engineering and Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering and his research team have developed an advanced microalgal biorefinery model that integrates wastewater treatment and high-value biofuel production via hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) where domestic sewage sludge and microalgal biomass are used as co-feedstock. The Co-HTL used microalgal biomass and sewage sludge as cofeedstock, resulting in 40 per cent biocrude yield and properties comparable to petroleum crude. Their developed biorefinery process theoretical conversion and mass balance suggested that one million domestic sewage wastewaters will deliver ̴ 2,500 kg biomass feedstock which further resulted in 980 Kg biocrude followed by ̴ 5,000 kg CO 2 sequestration. The biomass can provide 600 kg biofuels to support a city bus to run ten return trips (60 km) for 26 days with 20 percent blending (B20) with commercial diesel.

The research team has collaborated with eminent Scientists from national and international organisations such as IIT Kharagpur, CSIR-IICT Hyderabad, and Technical University Denmark, to develop an advanced biorefinery process. The industry partners for technology transfer include Purabi Diary Assam, Symbiosis Center, Denmark and HPCL. Presently the team is working on pilot-scale demonstrations of advanced microalgal biorefinery processes to generate biocrude.

  • Research on producing bioalcohols from waste invasive weeds

V S Moholkar, Adjunct faculty of School of Energy Science and Engineering and Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering at IIT Guwahati and his research group have developed lab-scale know-how for producing bioalcohols like bioethanol and biobutanol from waste invasive weeds that are ubiquitous in northeast India. Moholkar’s group has developed the sonic fermentation technique for synthesis of bioalcohols from mixed invasive weeds, which is not only faster than conventional fermentation, but also gives higher yields. Especially, biobutanol can be blended with petrol up to 80 percent due to very similar properties as petrol.

Elaborating on his research Moholkar said, India has mandate of achieving 10 percent ethanol blends with petrol. Our know-how has not only provided a viable solution for achieving energy security but has also demonstrated the concept of control through utilisation for the invasive weeds, which cause severe damage to terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.

  • Research on efficiently producing liquid hydrocarbon oil

Debasish Das, Associated Faculty of School of Energy Science and Engineering and Professor, Department of Biosciences & Bioengineering and his research group in collaboration with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has demonstrated a pilot scale technology for production of liquid hydrocarbon oil ALGLIQOL, with a potential to be utilised as transportation fuel via hydrothermal liquification (HTL) of microalgae biomass grown on CO 2 . The technology has been developed by integrating: Process engineering strategy for high cell density cultivation of microalgae biomass; low cost scalable harvesting of biomass and catalytic upgradation of bio-crude oil followed by fractional distillation.

Renewable energy provides reliable power supplies and fuel diversification, which enhance energy security and lower risk of fuel spills while reducing the need for imported fuels. Aligning with the themes of G20 Summit 2023 presided over by India, IIT Guwahati is making its best efforts for enhanced energy security, lower risk of fuel spills for a better and secure future.

Under the Microalgae Biorefinery Model, multiple research

Agrotech, India, R&D, Vegetables

Researchers at IIT Guwahati, led by Prof Vimal Katiyar, Department of Chemical Engineering and Centre for Excellence in Sustainable Polymers (CoE-SusPol), have developed an edible coating to extend the shelf-life of fruits and vegetables. This coating material, which prevents wastage, is tested on vegetables such as potato, tomato, green chili and strawberries, Khasi Mandarin, Apples, pineapples, Kiwifruits and were found to keep these vegetables fresh for nearly two months.
The researchers believe that their development can help the country meet the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 12.3 that is aimed at reducing food losses along the production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
Highlighting the need for such research, Prof Vimal Katiyar, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati, and CuSPol, IIT Guwahati, spoke, “According to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, between 4.6 and 15.9 per cent of fruits and vegetables go waste post-harvest, partly due to poor storage conditions. In fact, post-harvest loss in certain produce items like potato, onion and tomato could be as high as 19 per cent, which results in high prices for this highly consumed commodity.”
Speaking about the developed biodegradable coating, Prof. Vimal Katiyar, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati, “The newly-developed coatings can be mass-produced and are unique. They are very stable to light, heat and temperature up to 40oC, edible and can be safely eaten as part of the product formulation and do not add unfavorable properties to it. They retain the texture, color, appearance, flavor, nutritional value and microbial safety of the fruit or vegetable that has been coated, thereby enhancing their shelf life to several weeks to months”.

Researchers at IIT Guwahati, led by Prof

Agrotech

The technology uses organic materials such as wastewater as input and offers a dual benefit of bioelectricity generation and waste management

Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati  has recently developed a bio-electrochemical device, Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) that can generate green energy by treating wastewater.

The use of organic material such as wastewater in MFC makes it an eco-friendly device that offers a dual benefit of bioelectricity generation and waste management. This research was supported by a grant from the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India.

The research was led by Prof Mihir Kumar Purkait along with his PhD student Mukesh Sharma, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati. They developed a bio-electrochemical device that converts chemical energy contained in organic substrates into electrical energy through microbes.

Commending the work of the research team. Prof T G Sitharam, Director IIT Guwahati, said, “This development has provided an excellent sustainable energy source along with treating several wastewaters. After scaling the process, it can be used as a source of clean energy using municipal wastewater and other such areas economically.”

Explaining the long-term impact of the research Prof Mihir Kumar Purkait, Department of Chemical Engineering, IIT Guwahati, said, “Further implementation of this process may provide an excellent alternative to several costlier renewable energy extraction processes. The conducted study reveals that the prepared CEMs are cheaper and perform better as compared to the several reported membranes, assisting in the separation of charges and potential development.”

The present research of IIT Guwahati is dedicated to synthesising several novel high-performance Cation Exchange Membranes (CEMs) comprising a polymeric blend of several high-end polymers doped with Cellulose Acetate (CA) and other modifiers like Graphene Oxide (GO) to obtain membranes with high Ion Exchange Capacity (IEC) and proton conductivity.

The technology uses organic materials such as