The scientists from all over world are engaged in research and development of nanotechnology and its application in various fields. Our country is also no more behind in this respect.
The scientists from Banaras Hindu University have devised a simple method to produce carbon nanotube filters that efficiently remove micro-to-nano scale contaminants from water and heavy hydrocarbons from petroleum. Made entirely of carbon, the filters are easily manufactured. The nanotubes composition also makes the filters strong, reusable and heat resistant. They can also be cleared easily for reuse.
Using the nano sensors, developed by prof. A.K. Sood of IISC, Bangalore, a typhoid detection kit has been developed by DRDE, Gwalior, Prof. A.K Sood and his student Shankar Ghosh have found that liquid flow in carbon nanotubes can generate electricity current. One of the most exciting applications to emerge from the discovery is the possibility of a heart pacemaker -like device with nanotubes, which will sit in the human body and generate power from the blood. Instead of batteries, the device will generate power by itself to regulate defective heart rhythxri.
A search group headed by Prof. A.N Maitra of the University of Delhi has developed cloven nano patentable technologies for improved drug delivery system using nanoparticle and four of these process have been granted USA, patents one of the important achievements at the initial stage of drug to delivery research was development of a reverse micelles based process for the synthesis of hydrogel and ‘smart’ hydrogel nanoparticles for encapsulating water soluble drugs. This method has enabled one to synthesize hydrogel nano particles of size less then 100 ran diameter.
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Apart from these, DMSRDE, Kanpur is synthesizing non-aligned, quasi-aligned and aligned carbon Nano-tubes with a batch size of 50 grams using a fast synthesis process. It has maximum operating temperature of 1200°c. Considering the importance of Nano Technology, in October 2001 the government has launched a modest programme in nano Science and Technology, called the Nano Science and technology Initiative.
Under NSTI, since May 2007, DST has supported a number of activities is Nano Science and Technology; such as support for R & D projects to individual scientists, strengthening of characterisation facilities, establishment of centers of excellence, international collaborative programme, institution-industry linker projects and public private partnership activities and Human Resource Development in Nano Science and Technology.