In-Depth

Jun
04
2021
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By Poulami Mondal
The Beauty of Graphene nanoplatelets improving Tyre Performance properties

The Beauty of Graphene nanoplatelets improving Tyre Performance properties

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A recent study has investigated the effect of nanofillers on air impermeability properties of Brominated isobutylene-isoprene rubber (BIIR)/ Epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) blend for automotive applications. A team of researchers led by Prof Kinsuk Naskar from Rubber Technology Centre at IIT Kharagpur along with his student, Ms. Aswathy T R and the collaborator, Mr. Sujith Nair, the vice president of R&D, CEAT Tyre Limited have developed rubber nanocomposites by blending BIIR with ENR 25 and ENR 50 (25% and 50% epoxidation) at the optimized weight proportion, and thereafter different levels of carbon black have been replaced by graphene nanoparticles (GNP).…
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Apr
21
2021
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By Shreyoshi Ghosh
IIT Kharagpur Study Predicts River Basin-wise Agricultural Droughts-North India Shows High Vulnerability

IIT Kharagpur Study Predicts River Basin-wise Agricultural Droughts-North India Shows High Vulnerability

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With inputs from Rituparna Chakraborty Highlights: The study predicts future status climate change-induced agricultural droughts across India. More intense droughts in North, North-East and Central India are expected as compared to South India. About 20 and 50% of the area in India is expected to face extreme and moderate agricultural droughts, respectively, by the end of the 21st century. Farmers in India’s north, north-east and central regions may have to be more cautious of agricultural droughts in the future - reveals IIT Kharagpur study. The data shows a geographically contrasting change in future drought patterns that indicates more intense agricultural…
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Apr
19
2021
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By Shreyoshi Ghosh
Research scholar Jyotsana Priyadarshani talks about ‘organ-on-a-chip’ research

Research scholar Jyotsana Priyadarshani talks about ‘organ-on-a-chip’ research

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For over two decades, researchers at IIT Kharagpur have been working on the development of affordable, portable and remote technology in the healthcare domain. The School of Medical Science and Technology and the Microfluidics Lab at the Dept. of Mechanical Engineering have collaborated on several such projects. In a similar work research scholar, Jyotsana Priyadarshani is pursuing her PhD in the area of “organ-on-a-chip” under the supervision of Prof. Soumen Das at the School of Medical Science & Technology and Prof. Suman Chakraborty at the Microfluidics Lab. Her research focuses on utilizing the frugal fabrication technique and microfluidic applications to…
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Apr
19
2021
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By Poulami Mondal
Climate Change Signals from North-Eastern India, the Wettest Place on Earth

Climate Change Signals from North-Eastern India, the Wettest Place on Earth

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In a recent study, researchers from IIT Kharagpur have observed a significant change in the rainfall in the northeast in general and specifically at the wettest place on Earth, Cherrapunji-Mawsynram. The researchers observed rainfall changes in the past century (1901–2019) over the wettest place on the Earth and unveiled the first evidence for the signals of climate change and anthropogenic influence on rainfall changes in the region. The analysis of 119 years of rainfall data at 17 stations in Northeast India revealed that most of the stations show negative trends in rainfall, the highest in the summer monsoon and the…
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Apr
09
2021
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By Shreyoshi Ghosh
IIT Kharagpur’s Essential Oil Extractor to Economize Betel Leaf Oil Production in India

IIT Kharagpur’s Essential Oil Extractor to Economize Betel Leaf Oil Production in India

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Antimicrobial and antioxidant rich betel leaf essential oil finds wide use in industrial applications including medicines, cosmetics and chewable mouth fresher The essential oil extractor reduces betel leaf wastage making essential oil production economically viable The process increases yield by 16%, reduces process time by 44% and energy input by 30%   There have been many tales of Paan - in songs, history and literature, religion and culture for many millennia, across hierarchies of society, in South and South-East Asia. While the use of Paan as a mouth freshener is under the radar of health agencies for carcinogenic effects, however,…
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Mar
25
2021
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By Shreyoshi Ghosh
Ozone and Ultra-filter based manufacturing tech to extend shelf life of packaged Sugarcane juice

Ozone and Ultra-filter based manufacturing tech to extend shelf life of packaged Sugarcane juice

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Researchers at IIT Kharagpur have developed new process technology based on ozonization and ultra filtration for manufacturing shelf-stable sugarcane juice Sugarcane juice is a refreshing drink with an enriched nutritional profile. The juice accommodates health components such as, phytonutrients, antioxidants, and vitamins (like Vitamins C&B) which offer quick relief from heatstroke, dehydration, constipation, jaundice, etc. by supplying instant energy. Owing to the absence of simple sugars and low glycemic index (30-40), its average intake by diabetic persons is also acceptable. However, the colour and flavour unique to the juice get deteriorated immediately after its extraction due to biological processes of…
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Mar
24
2021
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By Shreyoshi Ghosh
Making Sanskrit Accessible through AI-based Text Processing

Making Sanskrit Accessible through AI-based Text Processing

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Researchers at IIT Kharagpur are making Sanskrit accessible with their Artificial Intelligence-based system for processing Sanskrit texts There has been a renewed interest in Sanskrit since the announcement of NEP 2020. Various academic institutions both at school education as well as higher education are adopting various approaches for improving the reach of the language through training programs, research and outreach initiatives. While various digital resources have improved the accessibility and use of world languages and even regional languages, Sanskrit presents unique challenges in automated computational processing. In addition to the sheer volume and diversity, both stylistic and chronological, found in…
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Mar
12
2021
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By Shreyoshi Ghosh
Studying Plastic Pollution in the Ganga with National Geographic

Studying Plastic Pollution in the Ganga with National Geographic

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Ganga, the life source of Northern and Eastern India is a prominent area of study by researchers from diverse disciplines, a key among them is the environment. In 2019, the National Geographic Society organized the expedition "Sea to Source: Ganges" to scientifically document plastic waste in the Ganges watershed and support holistic and inclusive solutions. A proud partner in this women scientists-led expedition was IIT Kharagpur along with the Isabela Foundation, University of Dhaka, the Wildlife Institute of India, and Wild Team Bangladesh. Researchers and students from an environment-focused group at the Dept. of Civil Engineering, IIT Kharagpur participated in…
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Feb
22
2021
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By Shreyoshi Ghosh
Turning Steel Slug Dump to Greenery Hub, IIT Kharagpur’s Transformative Work at Odisha

Turning Steel Slug Dump to Greenery Hub, IIT Kharagpur’s Transformative Work at Odisha

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IIT Kharagpur Researchers Transform Steel Plant Slag Dumps in Odisha into Greenbelt Using Traditional Indian Organic Components and Japanese Afforestation Techniques A drive through Angul, near the Dhenkanal region of Odisha will give you vast stretches of green canopy and vegetation on what was once industrial dumpsites. The transformation to a green belt is not a natural reclamation but the Midas touch of the Post Mining Mine Site Restoration group of the Department of Mining Engineering of IIT Kharagpur through a project supported by Tata Steel BSL. The researchers afforested over 32000 square feet in the region following a rapid…
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Feb
21
2021
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By Shreyoshi Ghosh
IIT Kharagpur Innovates DGPS-Enabled Soil Mapping Tech for Effective Fertilization

IIT Kharagpur Innovates DGPS-Enabled Soil Mapping Tech for Effective Fertilization

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Geospatial mapping is a buzzword today with the Govt. of India liberalizing the sector. There is another side of mapping that could transform the food security program of India; soil maps which could be accessed using differential GPS, developed by researchers at IIT Kharagpur for a variable rate of fertilization application in farmlands. The novel technology is aimed towards efficient use of Nitrogen, Phosphorous and Potash for automated soil nutrition management by bypassing both manual labour based operations or sensor-based fertilization technologies which are still under development. Spatial variations in soil type and mineral content in large agricultural tracts are…
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