IIT Delhi's eco-friendly innovations to bring about a sustainable environment
What's the story
IIT Delhi is making India and the world a better place, one invention at a time. Today marks the World Environment Day, a day which symbolizes our celebration and nurturing of the world around us. With US walking out of the Paris Climate Agreement, we as the fastest growing economy should pick up the slack. Here's how our young minds are doing their bit.
Asthma
No more asthma attacks, thanks to Nasofilters
Prateek Sharma, an IIT-Delhi graduate along with his colleagues and faculty members of the textile department, has founded a company called Nanoclean Global. This firm builds Nasofilter that blocks the pollutants present in the environment and is going to be available from August at a meager price of Rs. 10. Technology Development Board recently awarded his device with Startups National Award 2017.
Cars
Bringing down the fuel consumption of automobiles
A team from IIT-Delhi's textiles department is trying to replace the steel structure used in automobiles with 3D fabric made from glass, carbon and natural fibers. Head of textiles department, BK Behera said, "By replacing the stainless steel in automobile with this fabric, there will be a nearly 40% reduction in weight. This will result in saving, at least 25%, in fuel consumption."
Emisson
Hydrogen-powered vehicles for Indian streets
India is aiming to be pollution free by going all Electric Vehicles route by 2030; researchers at the Centre for Energy Studies are working on a solution that may achieve the same but without a massive-cost. They are trying to bring hydrogen-powered vehicles in the market, which would have zero emission, improving air quality and also solve the energy crisis we're facing right now.
Paddy
No to smog, Yes to alternative fuel
Researchers, at Centre for Rural Development and Technology, have successfully converted agricultural residue into biomethane, which can be used as fuel and to generate electricity. They have given technical support to Asia's first biogas-based power plant and collaborated with IOC to set up a plant that converts paddy straw into biomethane in Punjab.
Infra
An eco-friendly cement to build India's future
IIT Delhi's civil engineering department researchers have collaborated with JK Lakshmi Cement to carry out full-scale trial production of a new cement and an environment-friendly additive for concrete that can reduce CO2 emissions by 30% and energy consumption by 20% in cement production. This may prove to be pivotal in future as NDA government is now drawing out massive projects to develop India's infrastructure.
Climate
Keeping an eye on India's climate change
Unless someone is as blind as Trump, they will agree climate change is a problem and since we are an agro-centric country, there is a pressing need for an India-centric climate model to gauge effects of climate change on agriculture, health, water resources, and energy sectors. Department of Science and Technology funded Centre of Excellence in Climate Modeling is working to develop the same.
Dolphins
On the trail of the holy river Ganges
Center of Applied Research in Electronics is now tracking dolphins with the Integrated Visual and Acoustic System (IVAS) that it has developed to track the condition of river Ganges by counting the dolphins that are present in the river body. IVAS tracks dolphins by recording the sonar clicks that these aquatic mammals make underwater and collates them with images taken when they surface.