Seminars

Knowledge of kinetics of reaction among the particulate solids has many diverse applications including synthesis of ceramics cements catalysts ferrites etc. It has been argued in the recent literature that such reactions have to be analyzed taking into account the fact that contact between the reacting particles occurs in a finite number of discrete `contact’ points. Among the models based on such considerations the model of Dalvi & Suresh (2011) has the correct asymptotic limits.

Abstract: Compound semiconductor alloys constitute an important class of materials with unique opto-electronic properties which find use in many devices such as those used for display or data storage applications. The work consists of three sections employing Monte Carlo (MC) simulation techniques; first one is a study of structural properties of III-V binary alloys second one is a study of miscibility characteristics of III-V and II-VI ternary alloys and the third one is a study of structural properties of III-V and II-VI ternary alloys.

Abstract Adsorptive techniques are becoming important when the mixture is complex to separate by conventional methods like distillation. This work is divided into two case studies; first one is “synthesis of carboxylic esters using reactive chromatography” and the other is “separation of hydrogen isotopes using palladium adsorbents”. The integration of a reaction and chromatographic separation into a single unit is called as reactive chromatography (RC).

Abstract Underground coal gasification (UCG) is a well proven technology which permits access to coal which either lies too deep underground or is otherwise too costly to be exploited using conventional mining techniques. During the UCG process a cavity is formed in the coal seam when coal is converted to gaseous products. The rate of growth of this cavity and its shape at any given time depends on the reactant gas flow patterns kinetics. It leaves us with a scope to investigate the kinetics of the processes in UCG.

Abstract Selective reduction of NO_X to N_2 is the most important reaction occurring in automobile emission control devices. The three-way catalytic converter (TWC) is one such extensively used device in automobiles to treat exhaust gas emissions. The main chemical reactions occurring in the TWC are the oxidation of carbon monoxide and hydrocarbons to CO_2 and H_2 O; and the reduction of nitrogen oxides to N_2 . TWC employs metals Pt and Rh in various ratios as the catalyst.

ABSTRACT : Nano-Cure for Neuro-AIDS and drug addiction Although highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) has resulted in remarkable decline in the morbidity and mortality in AIDS patients inadequately low delivery of anti-retroviral drugs across the blood–brain barrier (BBB) results in virus persistence. Opiates act synergistically with HIV-1 to potentiate the HIV-related neurotoxicity that leads to development of Neuro-AIDS.

Abstract: Drug delivery using liposomes for targeting the afflicted areas of the host has attracted significant interest in the scientific community. Despite the development of various processes for liposome synthesis the application is limited due to issues related to process complexity and scale-up. Hence there is an urgent need of an alternative technique that can be scaled up to industrial scale. To this end we focus on the self assembly of lipid molecules leading to the formation of liposomes in the sub-100-nm range via microfluidics.

Abstract: The understanding of the mechanism of water adsorption in the hydrophobic nanospaces of carbons is critical to many industrial processes for gas separation and water purification and to emerging nanotechnologies for desalination CO2 capture from flue gas and separation by nanofluidic devices.

Abstract: Our lab focuses on cyanobacteria which are fascinating from several perspectives. As primary producers they contribute significantly to the fixed carbon budget in terrestrial and marine environments. Thus a broader understanding of their role in biogeochemistry is important particularly as the magnitude and rapidity of global environmental changes become pressing issues. Currently there is a growing interest in cyanobacteria as a source of clean biofuels and specialty products.

Abstract: Cell factories are the key players in industrial biotechnology. It is the concept of using living cells as factories. It stresses at harvesting the natural abilities of microorganisms so as to produce various economically useful products. It is the rational engineering of biological entities (fungi yeast and so on) using various genetic engineering tools such as genomic proteomics and so on.