IIT Madras develops extremely water-repellent coating

The superhydrophobic coating exhibits a water contact angle of more than 160 degrees. It has high mechanical durability and chemical stability, and can be coated or spray painted on any surface including paper and glass. Nanocellulose-based liquid dispersion that renders the coated surface extremely water repellent — superhydrophobic with water contact angle more than 160 degrees — … Continue reading IIT Madras develops extremely water-repellent coating

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IIT Madras: Now, silver ‘grows’ in paddy fields

A rice variety originally from West Bengal is able to accumulate high concentration of the metal in its grain. It is a rice variety with a silver touch, literally. Garib-sal one of 505 types of rice plants tested by scientists, is capable of absorbing silver found naturally in soil and accumulating it in the grain … Continue reading IIT Madras: Now, silver ‘grows’ in paddy fields

IIT Madras researchers prove the superiority of arsenic water filter which got $18 million funding

An exhaustive research carried out by a team of researchers led by Prof. T. Pradeep from the Department of Chemistry at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, spread over four years has put to rest the scepticism about the merits of the arsenic water filter developed by them. The water filter has been in … Continue reading IIT Madras researchers prove the superiority of arsenic water filter which got $18 million funding

IIT Madras researchers with a Midas touch, on a nanoscale

In a breakthrough, a team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has successfully transformed nanoscale pieces of silver to gold and gold to silver by replacing their atoms one at a time. The shape and structure of these materials before and after transformation are identical, although they are completely different chemically. … Continue reading IIT Madras researchers with a Midas touch, on a nanoscale

IIT Madras scientists’ cheaper solution to make brackish water potable

It may soon become possible to convert brackish water into drinking water at about 12 paisa per litre right on the kitchen table by using a potential difference of just 1.8 volts, thanks to researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras (IIT-M). The researchers used a stack of tissue papers and carbonised them at … Continue reading IIT Madras scientists’ cheaper solution to make brackish water potable

With $18 million venture funding, IIT Madras Prof breaks the glass ceiling

“I am glad that technologies from academic labs are getting venture funding in units of millions of dollars,” says Prof. T. Pradeep from the Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. It was only a couple of days ago that he signed the final agreement with Nanoholdings based in Connecticut, U.S. wherein Nanoholdings will … Continue reading With $18 million venture funding, IIT Madras Prof breaks the glass ceiling

IIT Madras researchers dissolve silver using glucose water

In a finding that may have many implications, IIT Madras researchers have found that silver can slowly dissolve in water if heated to about 70 degree C in the presence of glucose.  As much as 0.5 weight per cent of a silver plate can get dissolved in glucose water within a week.  The results of … Continue reading IIT Madras researchers dissolve silver using glucose water

IIT Madras: designer alloys by chemical reactions

Nothing whatsoever will happen if large chunks of silver and gold kept in proximity even for infinite period. But the same cannot be said when the two metals are at nanoscale. A path-breaking work by a team led by Prof. T. Pradeep, Department of Chemistry, IIT Madras has shown that two nanoscale pieces of metals … Continue reading IIT Madras: designer alloys by chemical reactions

IIT Madras: graphene nanoribbons produced by a novel method

For the first time, researchers have been successful in bringing about spontaneous chemical reactions between two different varieties of carbon nanotubes without using any chemicals. In fact, a simple mechanical grinding of the carbon nanotubes with a mortar and pestle was all that was required to induce chemical reactions.  The end result was the production … Continue reading IIT Madras: graphene nanoribbons produced by a novel method

IIT Madras: A novel way to produce safer drinking water

Making drinking water a lot safer by killing an overwhelming number of bacteria and most viruses is now possible. A novel research to this end was carried out by a team led by Prof. T. Pradeep, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras. In May 2013, the same team was able to achieve … Continue reading IIT Madras: A novel way to produce safer drinking water