Dr. Sarvesh Kumar's Talk

Aug 01, 2016 - 17:00

Aug 01, 2016 - 18:00

Room 118 Chemical Engineering

Seminars

Dr. Sarvesh Kumar MIT-DBT Postdoctoral Program IIT Bombay

Abstract: With advances in nano/biosciences there has been a prominent shift towards miniaturization of technology which has become an integral part of our everyday life. Nano/Micromotors (also referred to as nano/microbots) is a relatively new concept involving self-propelled autonomous microstructures that can be manipulated within aqueous environments for diverse applications like environmental sensing and remediation site-directed drug delivery and cell/tissue manipulation among others. These artificial nano/micromotors can be regarded as mechanical assemblies of certain specified geometries that convert chemical/external energy into mechanical motion (similar to a macroscopic motor but they do so under the physical and chemical constraints that are present at very small length scales). These nano/microbots have tremendous potential towards the future of biomedical sciences among others possessing active carrier properties with better analyte capturing capacity to manipulate cells or to transport cargo (like drugs) environmental sensing and remediation. This talk aims to highlight the recent advances in the area of smart materials for biomedical and environmental applications. I will provide a basic introduction of this technology followed by some interesting cases highlighting how these nano/microsystems can be used towards the very future of our technology. This approach generally involves the fabrication of a multi-component nano/micro systems coupled with high aspect-ratio microstructures so as to provide two vital features: (1) Autonomous or guided propulsion with the ability to control trajectory (e.g. steer under the influence of external fields/gradients); (2) Applied aspects pertaining to chemical or biological activity (e.g. stimulated drug release optical sensing cell surface binding for cell manipulation). Owing the multidisciplinary nature of my research we will discuss a range of coherently linked topics involving chemistry-materials-cellular biology. I will present some results from our recent paper on ‘Medibots’ which is a dual-action biohybrid micromotor capable of performing microsurgery at a cellular-level together with drug delivery properties. These drug-loaded micromotors facilitate localized micromanipulation of a single-cell (HeLa cells) followed by the sustained release of an anti-cancer drug (Camptothecin) thereby combining the feature of non-invasive surgery together with a targeted-drug release capability. We will also present our recent findings in the area of environmental remediation highlightening the first of its kind wastewater activated microbots for water remediation. These next-generation hybrid micromotors are fabricated by growing catalytically active Pd particles over thin-metal films (Ti/Fe/Cr) which are then rolled-up into self-propelled tubular microjets. The improved intermixing ability of the micromotors caused faster degradation ca.10 times higher as compared to its non-motile counterpart. Finally I will present my prospective research plan in the area of smart materials and nano/micromotor technology. This talk serves as an introduction to integrative nanotechnology with an aim to highlight the ‘blue sky’ approach it tends to offer.Bio: Dr. Sarvesh Kumar Srivastava is a visiting postdoctoral fellow under the aegis of MIT-DBT postdoctoral programme at IIT-B India. He has recently completed his postdoc tenure at the IFW Dresden Germany where he independently developed his research towards next-generation micromotor technology. Prior to that Dr. Srivastava completed his PhD in the area of bio-nanomaterial synthesis and applications from the Department of Chemical Science and Chemical Engineering Kobe University Japan (2014). He also obtained his Masters in ‘Nanosciences and Nanotechnology’ (URV Spain) and an engineering degree (Biotechnology) from India. With an inherent interest in bottom-up synthesis approach Dr. Srivastava highlights a multi-disciplinary research profile with his scientific interests spanning across environmental remediation biogenic materials drug delivery clean energy and supramolecular chemistry. At a relatively young career stage he has already been the recipient of several prestigious International awards/funding from DAAD Germany Japanese Govt. fellowship EU-Type C Award i-BioK research award etc. With several reputed publications in journals like Advanced Materials Nano letters Carbon Chem Eur J etc. his contribution in the area of nano/micromotors has been highlighted in many scientific news/media outlets like Science (as Editor’s choice) New scientist Chemistryviews ACS cutting edge etc. Note: Attendance is mandatory for those enrolled in CL 702.