Latest news with #IIT-Guwahati
The Print
25-05-2025
- Science
- The Print
IIT-Guwahati develops sustainable solution using mushroom waste for wastewater treatment
The findings of this research have been published in the prestigious Journal of Environmental Management. The technology — BHEEMA (Biochar-based Hydrological Enzyme regulated Efficient Mechanism for Antibiotics removal) employs laccase-mediated degradation to remove antibiotics from wastewater, preventing the formation of toxic byproducts commonly associated with conventional treatment methods. New Delhi, May 25 (PTI) Researchers at IIT-Guwahati have developed an eco-friendly alternative to conventional wastewater treatment methods by combining biochar derived from Spent Mushroom Waste and laccase, a natural enzyme, according to officials. The developed system has been recognised as the top seventh finalist under the Water Sanitation theme of the Vishwakarma Awards 2024, organised by the Maker Bhavan Foundation. According to Sudip Mitra, the Head of the School of Agro and Rural Technology at IIT Guwahati, the research team targeted the removal of harmful fluoroquinolone group of antibiotics, including Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, and Norfloxacin, generally found in hospital discharge, industrial effluents and surface water. 'Contrary to traditional wastewater treatment methods such as advanced oxidation and membrane reactors, which are both costly and generate secondary pollutants, our approach uses laccase, a naturally occurring enzyme, to degrade the contaminants. 'To make the enzyme stable for reusability, our research group immobilised it on biochar derived from spent mushroom waste, an easily available agro-waste product in this region,' Mitra told PTI. The developed biochar is a cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable alternative to activated charcoal. On a lab scale, within three hours of application, the developed system achieved 90–95 per cent degradation efficiency of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics. 'Another key feature of the developed system is that the byproducts recorded in the degradation process are non-toxic, making the technology sustainable and safe for the environment,' said Anamika Ghose, a PhD scholar. The prototype has been developed in collaboration with Latha Rangan, a professor at the Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, IIT-Guwahati, along with her research scholars. At a laboratory scale, the developed prototype costs between Rs 4,000–5,000, covering materials, enzyme immobilization, and reactor setup, making it a feasible option for scaling up and adoption in both urban and rural settings. In the next step, the research team is working towards scaling up the developed prototype by engaging with stakeholders for field testing and market validation. The research team recently organized a hands-on training session for farmers on Biochar preparation and its multiple benefits for agriculture. Conducted in collaboration with the District Agricultural Office of Morigaon at their office premise, a total of 30 local farmers attended the training session. PTI GJS GJS NSD NSD This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
25-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
IIT-Guwahati develops sustainable solution using mushroom waste for wastewater treatment
NEW DELHI: Researchers at IIT-Guwahati have developed an eco-friendly alternative to conventional wastewater treatment methods by combining biochar derived from Spent Mushroom Waste and laccase, a natural enzyme, according to officials. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The technology, BHEEMA (Biochar-based Hydrological Enzyme regulated Efficient Mechanism for Antibiotics removal) employs laccase-mediated degradation to remove antibiotics from wastewater, preventing the formation of toxic byproducts commonly associated with conventional treatment methods. The findings of this research have been published in the prestigious journal of environmental management. The developed system has been recognised as the top seventh finalist under the Water Sanitation theme of the Vishwakarma Awards 2024, organised by the Maker Bhavan Foundation. According to Sudip Mitra, the head of the School of Agro and Rural Technology at IIT Guwahati, the research team targeted the removal of harmful fluoroquinolone group of antibiotics, including Ciprofloxacin, Levofloxacin, and Norfloxacin, generally found in hospital discharge, industrial effluents and surface water. "Contrary to traditional wastewater treatment methods such as advanced oxidation and membrane reactors, which are both costly and generate secondary pollutants, our approach uses laccase, a naturally occurring enzyme, to degrade the contaminants. "To make the enzyme stable for reusability, our research group immobilised it on biochar derived from spent mushroom waste, an easily available agro-waste product in this region," Mitra told PTI. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The developed biochar is a cost-effective, scalable, and sustainable alternative to activated charcoal. On a lab scale, within three hours of application, the developed system achieved 90-95 per cent degradation efficiency of the fluoroquinolone antibiotics. "Another key feature of the developed system is that the byproducts recorded in the degradation process are non-toxic, making the technology sustainable and safe for the environment," said Anamika Ghose, a PhD scholar. The prototype has been developed in collaboration with Latha Rangan, a professor at the department of biosciences and bioengineering, IIT-Guwahati, along with her research scholars. At a laboratory scale, the developed prototype costs between Rs 4,000-5,000, covering materials, enzyme immobilization, and reactor setup, making it a feasible option for scaling up and adoption in both urban and rural settings. In the next step, the research team is working towards scaling up the developed prototype by engaging with stakeholders for field testing and market validation. The research team recently organized a hands-on training session for farmers on biochar preparation and its multiple benefits for agriculture. Conducted in collaboration with the district agricultural office of Morigaon at their office premise, a total of 30 local farmers attended the training session.
Time of India
22-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Assam signs MoU with IIT-G to train WRD engineers
Guwahati: Looking to strengthen scientific capacity in managing floods and water resources, Assam on Thursday signed an MoU with IIT-Guwahati for a two-year online M-Tech programme for water resources department (WRD) engineers. The course will focus on flood control, sediment studies, climate resilience and sustainable water management. As per the agreement signed between IIT-Guwahati director, Sukumar Nandi, and chief engineer of the water resources department, Bhaskar Sharma, 20 engineers from the department will be able to enrol in an online course on water resources each year. As part of a comprehensive project under the Assam Flood and River Erosion Management Agency (FREMAA), with World Bank assistance, the initiative aims to provide advanced technical knowledge to about 200 engineers from the department over the next 10 years. Water resources minister Pijush Hazarika said, "Just as those in the medical field regularly participate in seminars and courses to acquire new knowledge and innovations, it is crucial for engineers involved in sensitive areas like water resources to stay updated on modern technology." He added that under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, the WRD operates with an annual budget of approximately Rs 2000 crore and managed to reduce flood impact by 60-70% over the past four years. He further said, "Floods have held Assam back for many years. Currently, there is no shortage of funds, but a permanent solution is not possible without the right use of technology." The minister expressed hope that this academic collaboration with IIT-Guwahati will make the department more technically capable. He also mentioned that the state has about 4500 km of embankments, many portions of which urgently need renovation with modern technology. He believes the agreement with IIT Guwahati will play a significant role in this regard. The minister also noted that the department successfully completed embankment repairs using geo-mega tubes during heavy rains in a short period. He urged the engineers to make the most of this opportunity to bring modernization and efficiency to the state's flood and erosion control systems.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- General
- Time of India
Water pipeline bursts in Chandmari, footpath damaged
1 2 Guwahati: Four months after a pipepine burst in Kharghuli, a water transmission pipeline experienced a rupture at Chandmari on Thursday night, damaging a footpath. However, official said it was a leakage rather than a burst. The incident occurred near the Chandmari flyover U-Turn, where vehicles proceed towards Ganeshguri. The 1500mm diameter pipeline's water discharge flooded the Chandmari area while severely damaging the footpath. The Guwahati Jal Board, responsible for operating the JICA-implemented South-Central Guwahati Water project, confirmed a leakage in the water transmission line. They promptly closed the main valves and opened washout valves to manage water flow. Chief engineer Nripen Das confirmed ongoing repairs, expected to finish by Friday night, with water supply resumption planned for Saturday. He outlined preventive measures to avoid similar incidents, announcing plans to implement a water pressure and flow monitoring system. This control mechanism is scheduled for completion next month. The Board issued a notice regarding water supply interruption on Saturday in Leechubagan reservoir areas due to repair works at Chandmari. Services will resume on Sunday after repairs conclude. On Jan 2, a 1500mm diameter pipeline burst in Kharghuli, Guwahati, damaged 12 houses, five shops, and numerous vehicles. This pipeline connects the Kharghuli WTP to the South Central Guwahati Water project's Ramsa Hill reservoir. Subsequently, the Board initiated robotic pipeline surveys to identify welding deterioration and leakages for repairs. The second survey phase continues, according to officials. IIT-Guwahati was consulted to assess the pipeline network and identify vulnerabilities following a 2023 incident where an elderly woman died and several houses suffered damage from pipeline water discharge.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Health
- Time of India
IIT, AIIMS-Guwahati launch 4-year BS course in biomed science and engg
New Delhi: IIT-Guwahati on Monday launched its new four-year BS programme in biomedical science and engineering . The programme will be offered by the Jyoti and Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences and Technology at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Guwahati, in collaboration with AIIMS-Guwahati and the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)-Guwahati. "This interdisciplinary programme brings together engineering, medical sciences and pharmacology on a single platform, addressing the need for professionals who can work across disciplines to tackle future challenges. As the problems of tomorrow will not fit into traditional silos, this programme is designed to bridge those gaps," said Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati Director Devendra Jalihal. "We are confident that this programme will foster the next generation of biomedical engineers , preparing them to innovate and lead in health care and pharmaceutical industries," he added. The application process for the Bachelor of Science (BS) programme will begin on Apr 25 and remain open for a month. "This multi-institutional collaboration is a landmark initiative that will shape the future of health care and education in India. With this initiative, we aim to bridge the gap between engineering, biotechnology and medicine," said AIIMS-Guwahati Director Ashok Puranik. "With advancements in genomics, artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and nanotechnology, it empowers the next generation of biomedical innovators. "By combining the strengths of AIIMS-Guwahati, IIT-Guwahati, and NIPER-Guwahati, we are creating an ecosystem that will drive the future of healthcare and medical technology in India," he added. The programme is open to students who appeared for Class 12 (or equivalent) exam in 2024 or 2025 with physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology, and secured a minimum of 75 per cent aggregate marks in these subjects. Students who qualified the IISER Aptitude Test - 2025 are also eligible to apply.
