Soundarya Composite PU College gets air purifier donated by IISc
Praveen C. Ramamurthy, Professor from the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), IISc, explained its features and environmental impact. The purifier installation marks a move towards cleaner air and sustainable campus practices.
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Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
Tackling untouchables: IISc patents tech to deal with MLPs, textile waste
BENGALURU: In the global battle against waste, two streams stand out for their notorious resistance to recycling: multi-layered plastics (MLPs) and synthetic textiles. Dubbed 'untouchables' in the recycling world, these materials are complex, chemically diverse, and largely destined for landfills or incineration. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now But a new technology developed at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) may offer a viable and scalable path forward. The breakthrough comes in the form of 'SaLSO', short for Solvent-Assisted Layer Selective Opening, a patented process created by Prof Suryasarathi Bose and his team at IISc's department of materials engineering. Used extensively in packaging (like potato chips) for their barrier properties and durability, MLPs are nearly impossible to recycle due to their mixed composition. At the same time, synthetic textile waste from polyester-based and nylon-based clothing continues to swell landfills and leach microplastics into ecosystems. 'Together, MLPs and synthetic textiles represent a mounting global challenge. MLPs alone form a market worth over $168 billion, while the textile industry generates more than 92 million tonnes of waste each year, a significant chunk of it synthetic. Recycling efforts have struggled to keep pace, hamstrung by technical and chemical limitations,' the researchers pointed out. The new patent builds on earlier work by the team — which has been reported — where SaLSO was tried on Polyurethane and Epoxy, and found to be efficient in transforming those difficult to recycle materials. In the current process that has been granted a patent, SaLSO separates the individual components of complex plastic and textile waste streams, allowing each material to be recovered and reused in high-value applications. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'It's a solution that's not just technically impressive but also environmentally sound. It is a game-changer. We've developed a process that works on materials considered unrecyclable — category-7 plastics, mixed polyester textiles —and turns them into usable, upcycled products,' Bose told TOI. His co-researchers, Indranil Dey, Ashish and Siddharth, echoed the sentiment, adding that SaLSO could play a catalytic role in scaling up circular economy solutions across sectors that currently have limited recycling pathways. What makes SaLSO remarkable is its simplicity and sustainability. The process uses only seawater and bio-acids — naturally occurring and even edible chemicals — to separate polymers like polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from complex waste matrices. The result? A recovery yield of more than 99%, achieved without toxic solvents, high temperatures, or energy-intensive steps. In lab trials, the team processed a variety of real-world waste, including snack packets with aluminum linings and flour bags, using a reactor that currently handles about 500 grams of MLP per batch. While small-scale now, the system is designed for easy scale-up to industrial capacities. The extracted polymers are not just recycled, they are upcycled. '...The feedstock produced can enhance the performance of lower-quality plastics, creating stronger, more durable materials without adding virgin polymers or fillers. And the applications go far beyond theory,' Bose added. With industrial trials in the pipeline and conversations ongoing with potential partners, IISc hopes to bring SaLSO to market soon. If widely adopted, the technology could radically expand the boundaries of what's considered recyclable, bringing circular economy principles to industries that have long lacked them.
NDTV
a day ago
- NDTV
GATE 2026: Registration Begins On August 25; Check Eligibility, Exam Pattern
GATE 2026: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati has launched the official website for the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) 2026, The registration process will begin on August 25, 2025, and candidates can apply without a late fee until September 25. The extended deadline, with a late fee, is October 6. GATE is a national-level entrance exam conducted jointly by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and the IITs on behalf of the National Coordination Board (NCB), Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education. The examination assesses the candidates for a comprehensive understanding of different undergraduate-level subjects in Engineering, Technology, Science, Architecture, Humanities. GATE 2026 Exam Dates The GATE 2026 exam will be held over four days: February 7, 8, 14, and 15, 2026 (Saturdays and Sundays) The result will be declared on March 19, 2026. Who Can Apply? Students in their third year or higher of undergraduate programmes, or those who have completed a government-approved degree in Engineering, Technology, Architecture, Science, Commerce, Arts, or Humanities are eligible to apply. Applicants with qualifications from professional societies like IE, ICE, IETE, AeSI, IIChE, IIM, and IIIE must ensure that their certification is approved by MoE/AICTE/UGC/UPSC as equivalent to a BE/BTech/BArch/BPlanning degree. Foreign degree holders or students in their third year or above of equivalent programs are also eligible. Detailed Eligibility Criteria Candidates pursuing or holding a higher degree than the ones listed are also eligible to appear for the exam. GATE 2026 Papers and New Addition GATE 2026 will be conducted in 30 subjects, with a new sectional paper on Energy Science (XE-I) introduced under Engineering Sciences. Candidates can choose to appear in one or two papers, but only certain two-paper combinations are allowed. The full list of papers includes: Engineering & Technology: CE, ME, EE, EC, CS, IN, etc. Science & Humanities: PH, MA, ST, XH, XL, etc. New Subject: XE-I (Energy Science) Each paper is of 100 marks, which includes 15 marks for General Aptitude (GA) and 85 marks from the subject-specific section. Exam Pattern And Paper Codes Each paper is conducted in English and follows a standardised format. For sectional papers like XE, XH, and XL, candidates must attempt compulsory sections and select from optional ones. For example: XE (Engineering Sciences): Compulsory Math + any 2 optional sections (e.g., Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics) XH (Humanities): Compulsory Reasoning + one optional (e.g., Economics, Psychology) XL (Life Sciences): Compulsory Chemistry + 2 optional (e.g., Botany, Zoology) Applicants must note their paper codes, which are essential during registration and at the time of the exam. Application Guidelines Candidates must submit only one application. If planning to appear for two papers, the second can be added within the same form. Multiple applications will be rejected, and no fee refund will be provided for rejected entries. For complete details, paper-wise syllabus, eligibility requirements, and updates, candidates are advised to visit the official website:
Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Beyond imagination: How Quantum Computing is reshaping the world of AI, blockchain, and India's digital destiny
In the heart of Bengaluru's tech corridor, a group of young quantum engineers recently gathered at a startup incubator. Their mission wasn't just another AI prototype or blockchain wallet; they were simulating molecular interactions using quantum processors to aid in personalised cancer treatment. Around the same time, in Hyderabad's Genome Valley, pharmaceutical companies were exploring quantum machine learning to predict how drugs interact with human DNA, dramatically cutting down trial-and-error cycles. And just down south in Amaravati, a new government-supported technology company, under the Chief Minister's innovation vision, announced its foray into quantum research for governance and secure citizen data frameworks. These aren't distant dreams from Silicon Valley, they're happening in India, now. A technological revolution is silently gathering momentum. But unlike anything we've seen before, this isn't just faster or smarter, it's fundamentally different. It's called quantum computing, and it's not here to break technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and blockchain. It's here to elevate, reshape, and revolutionise them. The myth: Quantum Computing will kill AI and Blockchain Headlines often frame quantum computing as a destroyer, especially of blockchain and traditional AI. The fear is that quantum algorithms like Shor's will break cryptography, rendering our current systems obsolete, and that classical AI will look laughable compared to quantum-enhanced models. But here's the truth: every great invention in history was feared before it was understood. The printing press, the telephone, and even electricity were met with scepticism. And just like those milestones, quantum computing isn't replacing, it's rewriting the rules of what's possible. Quantum Machine Learning – When algorithms dream deeper Classical AI learns from data in a linear, sequential fashion. It sifts through patterns, often needing hours or days to optimise deep learning models. Quantum Machine Learning (QML), on the other hand, uses superposition and entanglement to analyse multiple possibilities simultaneously. This means faster pattern discovery, real-time learning, and the ability to make decisions in incredibly complex environments. Take Hyderabad's fintech startups, for instance. Several are beginning to explore quantum-enhanced fraud detection systems that can detect subtle anomalies in transaction patterns, an area where classical systems often lag. And in Bengaluru, AI researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) are simulating neural networks on quantum architectures to optimise energy consumption and reduce training time by over 40%. With quantum machine learning, the future AI doesn't just learn faster; it learns deeper, adapting to contexts that are currently inaccessible to even the most advanced algorithms. The blockchain paradox – Threat and transformation Blockchain's strength lies in its encryption and immutability. But quantum computing poses a paradox. Algorithms like Shor's threaten to crack RSA and elliptic curve cryptography, jeopardising the very foundation of blockchain security. This sounds catastrophic until we look at how the blockchain world is responding. Enter post-quantum cryptography (PQC). It uses lattice-based, multivariate, and hash-based cryptographic methods that resist quantum attacks. Hyderabad's blockchain developer communities are already running test nets of quantum-resilient smart contracts, especially for health records and land registry systems. In Amaravati, the state government's e-Governance department is exploring quantum-secured digital identity systems for public services, where sensitive data like caste, land titles, and pension information is protected using quantum key distribution (QKD). By doing so, Amaravati is emerging not just as a smart city, but as a quantum-smart governance model. India's Quantum Leap – A tectonic shift in innovation In 2023, India launched the ₹6,000 crore National Quantum Mission. Its goal? To place India among the top global players in quantum science and technology. This initiative has already spurred research clusters across the IITs, IISc, and specialised innovation centers. In Bengaluru, companies like QpiAI and TCS are investing heavily in building quantum-classical hybrid solutions for logistics, telecom, and material design. Hyderabad, known for its prowess in pharma and health tech, is exploring quantum algorithms for genome sequencing and cancer modeling. In Amaravati, the vision goes a step further. The newly formed Andhra Quantum Solutions, a public-private initiative backed by the Chief Minister's Office, aims to build a quantum-secured digital governance infrastructure from birth certificates to municipal tax records. Their prototype model, being developed in partnership with academic institutions and international researchers, combines AI, blockchain, and quantum in a single-layered system. Real-World use cases—India at the forefront 1. Bengaluru: Quantum-AI for Urban Traffic Optimisation A pilot programme integrates quantum algorithms with AI-powered traffic prediction models. The result? Reduced congestion in major junctions like Silk Board and Whitefield during peak hours, achieving 22% faster rerouting compared to classical models. 2. Hyderabad: Drug Discovery and Genome Engineering Pharma giants and startups alike are using quantum computing for simulating molecular bonds and protein folding, dramatically reducing R&D time from 10 years to just 3–4. Genome Valley is quickly becoming India's 'Quantum Biotech Valley.' 3. Amaravati: Quantum-Secured Public Record Chain The Andhra government is developing a blockchain-based land and birth registry backed by post-quantum cryptography. By embedding QKD in Aadhaar-linked services, Amaravati hopes to become a pioneer in secure, corruption-free public data governance. The Human Element – Ethics, Education, and Equity As AI becomes more powerful with quantum computing, the black-box problem deepens. If a quantum-AI model makes an unethical or inexplicable decision, who's responsible? Explainability becomes murky. That's why India needs not just tech talent, but quantum ethicists, digital philosophers, and policy-makers who understand these systems. Moreover, quantum computing should not widen the digital divide. As with AI, if quantum knowledge and infrastructure remain limited to elite cities and corporations, rural India could be left behind. Amaravati's inclusive model, training local students and rural engineers in quantum fundamentals through university outreach, offers a hopeful counterexample. Toward a converged future The most powerful vision isn't in AI, blockchain, or quantum alone, but in their convergence. Imagine a world where: AI doctors diagnose illnesses based on quantum-modelled proteins. Blockchain secures the identity of every Indian citizen through quantum-encrypted credentials. Smart cities optimise water, electricity, and traffic using quantum-enhanced neural networks. In such a world, India isn't a late adopter. It's a lead innovator. Quantum is not an end, it's a beginning We often talk of revolutions in the past tense. The Industrial Revolution. The computing revolution. But quantum computing is not history, it's now. It's happening in Amaravati's governance labs, Bengaluru's tech parks, and Hyderabad's biotech corridors. This isn't just a story of qubits and algorithms, it's a story of imagination, ambition, and the audacity to reinvent. In the coming years, India will not just witness the quantum era; it will define it. So, let's not ask whether quantum computing will 'break' AI or blockchain. Instead, let's ask: 'What new worlds will it build?' Contributed by: Dr. Naga Sravanthi Puppala, Asst. Professor, Dept of CSE, SRM University-AP. Disclaimer - The above content is non-editorial, and TIL hereby disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, relating to it, and does not guarantee, vouch for or necessarily endorse any of the content. Stay informed with the latest business news, updates on bank holidays and public holidays . Discover stories of India's leading eco-innovators at Ecopreneur Honours 2025
