Worked on developing a Loop-mediated isothermal amplification kit for diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. We participated in a global challenge (XPRIZE) and were a semi-finalist in the same.

We are developing a device for dry specimen storage, stabilization, and transport. The current methods for specimens cause the putrification of samples and the way of handling causes cross-contamination leading to false-positive results.The developed device incorporates microfluidics for uniform distribution of large-volume samples onto a porous paper membrane for rapid drying. They will test various agents for coating the membrane to stabilize the DNA and keep it sterile. The device will is currently designed and tested its ability to detect tuberculosis in clinical sputum specimens from infected patients.

We published our work on synthesis of dermal barrier formulation for metal allergy. Metal allergy affects about 10% of general population, majorly affecting women and are of high prevalence in European countries. Common sources of allergenic metals are false/ jewelleries, watches, belt buckle or even mobile phones. Typical symptoms of this condition includes rashes, itching, blisters etc.Herein we synthesized chitosan based gel that prevents allergenic metal ions from diffusing into the skin. Chitosan is a polysaccharide (means sugars) that is processed from chitin which is abundantly available in crustaceans such as shrimps, fishes and fungi.The gel we synthesized was able to prevent 98% of the metal ions from diffusing into the skin, hence potentially preventing the allergic reaction.▪ Design and synthesis of biopolymeric hydrogel for metal contact dermatitis.▪ Ex-vivo experiments on porcine skin on Franz diffusion cell▪ Analysis of percutaneous absorption of heavy metals by inductively coupled plasma- molecular spectroscopy and elemental analysis of porcine skin by energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy▪ Structural analysis by x-ray diffraction and chemical analysis by FT-IRPls follow the link below to download the open access journal articlehttps://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsomega.9b00326

Project title: Fabrication of polymer magnets for drug delivery applicationsThe aim of the project was to fabricate microswimmers by photolithography for drug delivery application. Magnetic nanoparticles were homogeneously dispersed in photopatternable polymer precursor and patterned by photolithography in class 100 clean room. The patterned structures were characterized for its surface morphology, homogeneity. HeLa mammalian cells were cultured on the microstructures to evaluate the biocompatibility of the fabricated microstructures. Further enhancement of drug absorption to the microstructure was attempted by increasing the surface area by electrospinning the photopatternable polymer.

Project title: Bioreducing Agent Mediated Nanoclusters SynthesisDescription: Metal nanoclusters are a group of hundred metal atoms that has unique chemical, optical and electronic properties. Metal nanoclusters exhibit fluorescence due to distinct inter band electronic transition that can be exploited to replace traditional organic fluorescence dyes, Also because of that there is little photobleaching and good biocompatablity of the material; therefore is considered to be a very suitable material as dye. During the summer internship, The Metal nanoclusters were synthesized by environmental benign method via various bioreducing agent that played dual role as both reducing and capping agent. The synthesized nanoclusters were analyzed for image, structural, UV-Vis and fluorescence spectroscopy.

Project title: Design of Cement Clinker Cooler Wall with Arched Roof ConceptDescription:Clinkers from kiln exit at temperature 1400°C in molten state, handling clinkers at that temperature isproblematic, therefore the hot clinker is cooled by blowing ambient air through the molten clinker, thehot air is then collected and used in preheater and calciner. The device in which cooling of the clinker isdone is called Clinker cooler, Cooler plays very little role in the formation of clinker, the main function of cooler is to increase the thermal efficiency of the system. Majority of the existing designs have flat roof designs with refractory lining in it supported by anchors at the top. Flat roofs are preferred over arch roof, due to its ease in construction and minimal design requirement. While arched roofs are preferred due to the reasons listed below:1. Arched roofs are generally considered as more stable structure than flat roofs.2. Arches are self supporting; therefore it requires no supports in between the span. Thus, overallmaterial cost of arch is lower than flat roof.3. Gas flow is expected to be more streamlined in arch type roof.4. Since arches have no sharp corners unlike flat roofs, the effect of hot air erosion on the inner refractory lining is to a lesser extent than flat roofs. Thereby increasing the life of refractory lining.Unlike normal structural arches, the inherent material properties of refractories, restrain conventional arch design. As an intern my task was to design an arch, work together with Refractory Department and CoolerDepartment in pyroprocessing department. I designed an arch considering various materials properties, geometrical constraints and working condition. The proposed parameters were validated by a computational model.

Project title: Synthesis of Magnetite Nanoparticles by Mechanical Milling for Water Purification ApplicationDescription: Fe3O4 (Magnetite) traditionally used to make permanent magnets have found wide range of applications including ferrofluids, sealants for optical disks etc in the modern era. Iron powder of about 100 microns and Fe2O3 (hematite) of similar size were to be milled in a high-energy planetary ball mill for 100 hours. The powder @10hrs, 20hrs…100hrs of milling were analyzed to find structural properties (XRD), magnetic properties (SQUID), image (Fe-SEM).Secondary aim of the project was to exploit the property of Magnetite nanoparticles which has strongaffinity towards heavy metals for heavy metal removal from water. Affinity of iron nanoparticles for heavy metal ion removal was analysed by ICP-MS.

Title of project: Hetero atom doping of carbon nanotubes for supercapacitor applicationSuper capacitors are interesting alternate to the current storage devices such as batteries and capacitors due to it's higher power density than traditional batteries and higher energy density than traditional capacitors. Carbon nanotubes (CNT) have been extensively studied as electrodes in super capacitors because of its high specific surface area, electrical conductivity and superior mechanical and thermal properties. By the introduction of nitrogen group into CNT, the specific capacitance is considerably increased by pseudocapacitance reaction between the surface and aqueous electrolyte. Heteroatom doped carbon nanotubes were synthesised by chemical vapor deposition with transition metal as catalysts impregnated in mesoporous templates. The surface morphology and structural studies were carried out by FE-SEM and XRD respectively.

Project title: Synthesis of superhydrophobic/Oleophobic surfaces Superhydrophobic surface were synthesised through chemical graft copolymerization of methylmethacrylate (MMA) onto polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) film. Superhydrophobicity of the surface was validated by contact angle measurement, that was >95* deg. Surface morphology was viewed under FE-SEM and structural analysis was performed by x ray diffraction.My contribution to the work was on synthesis of the superhydrophobic/oleophobic surface.