Revolutionizing Industries: Vadodara’s MS University Professor Develops Nanoparticle Process to Combat Pollution from Industries
In the Technology Faculty of MS University in Vadodara city, a professor from the Textile Chemistry Department has developed a nanoparticle process after meeting with a student, and the patent for it has been obtained. Initially, the nanoparticle process was conducted with the help of chemical toxicants. However, the professor has now developed the nanoparticle process using extracts from holy basil (Tulsi) and various metals, significantly reducing the cost of the process, which used to cost only 10% of what it previously did.
Associate Prof. Dr. Bharatbhai Patel from the Textile Chemistry Department of MS University mentioned in an interview with Divya Bhaskar that the patent for this nanoparticle process has been obtained. He stated that this nanoparticle bio-environment follows eco-friendly methods, without the use of chemicals or electric or thermal energy, making it cost-effective and low-energy-consuming.
After four years of hard work, they revealed that, for the dissertation of their student Murtuja Chanivala’s master’s degree, they had chosen a nanoparticle as their research topic. The nanoparticle they are currently working on requires a lot of energy and high voltage, which makes it very expensive and uses chemical methods that are also toxic. Thus, they are using high-toxic chemical and high-energy-consuming processes to create this nanoparticle. It is utilized in various fields, including silver, gold, and zinc nanoparticles. This nanoparticle is antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral.
They added that nanoparticles of silver and gold are used in various industries. In the mechanical industries, they are utilized to make coatings, while in the pharmaceutical industry, they are used as carriers for drugs (vehicles). Nowadays, in the era of computers and mobile devices, silver and gold nanoparticles are also used to make small circuits and chips. During the COVID-19 pandemic, fabrics capable of killing bacteria and viruses could also be made with the help of these nanoparticles.
They mentioned that until recently, this nanoparticle process used to be toxic, involving chemicals and high-energy processes, which resulted in significantly higher costs. To reduce expenses, they have developed nanoparticles from the extracts of plants found in nature, which are then processed to develop nanoparticles. They have designed the process to avoid the use of toxic chemicals, incorporating extracts derived from tulsi (holy basil) and converting metal salts like gold, silver, and copper, using tulsi methanol extract. This entire process is carried out in a controlled temperature environment within the clean room.
They mentioned that until recently, the cost of producing nanoparticles used to be very high. However, with the process they have developed, they are now able to produce nanoparticles for only 10 units of currency. Moreover, the nanoparticles produced through their process avoid emissions of fluorine, which can contaminate water or soil and lead to air pollution. By using tulsi extract and metal salts, they have managed to create nanoparticles without any fluorine emissions.
They mentioned that they are currently conducting experiments with nanoparticles, and currently, they are using them in agriculture. They are using nanoparticles in cabbage farming to double the growth. The experiment with nanoparticles is ongoing, and they have also developed DAP (Diammonium Phosphate) and urea with nanoparticles. They plan to use nanoparticles in various fields once the experiment is complete, and after analyzing the results, they will consider commercializing the technology. They are in discussions with 2 to 3 companies for potential collaboration.
