Research Blogs
Hyderabad's Hidden Divides: A Closer Look at Urban Segregation
November 7, 2024: Hyderabad, is a city celebrated for its rich history, diverse cultures, and thriving technology sector. Prof. Suchismita Satpathy and Rohit Jha from BITS-Pilani Hyderabad Campus delve into the city's hidden socio-spatial divides, exploring how they shape access to essential resources and influence daily life for many residents. Various indices and metrics revealed how groups are distributed across neighbourhoods and how access to public amenities varies across different parts of the city. Urban segregation is not just about building roads and bridges—it’s about acknowledging and addressing the deeper social structures that underpin where and how people live.
Original Paper:
Enhancing Heat Transfer with Nanofluids: A New Frontier in Cooling Systems
October 21, 2024: Researchers from BITS-Pilani, Goa Campus are exploring how efficient heat transfer can be optimized by using nanofluids as superior coolants. Led by Dr. Samarshi Chakraborty, the group focused on the thermal properties and flow behaviour of 45 different nanofluids to fine-tune their utilization. By employing the figure of merit analysis, the study aimed to determine the suitable operational flow regimes and overall thermal effectiveness of these nanofluids. The insights gained from this study could pave the way for more efficient cooling systems across industries.
Original Paper:
Harnessing Nature’s Brightest: Antioxidant Pigments from Salt-Loving Microorganisms
September 26, 2024: Researchers from BITS-Pilani, Goa Campus are exploring how certain halophilic archaea produce antioxidant pigments in the quest for natural solutions to fight oxidative stress and enhance skincare. Led by Dr. Judith Maria Braganca, the team focused on two specific strains- Halorubrum sp. M5 and Haloarcula sp. E2, that were isolated from salt pans in Tamil Nadu and Goa, India. The results were promising as both pigments demonstrated excellent radical scavenging activity, comparable to Vitamin E highlighting the potential use of these compounds as alternatives to synthetic antioxidants in various industries.
Original Paper:
Boosting Wastewater Treatment Efficiency with Machine Learning and Advanced Control Strategies"
August 9, 2024: Researchers from BITS-Pilani, Dubai Campus are enhancing wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) efficiency using advanced control strategies and predictive modeling through machine learning. Led by Dr. Swarnalatha R, Dr. Murchana Changmai, and Ms. Aparna KG, the team tested two control approaches: a hybrid feedforward-feedback system and a self-organizing fuzzy inference system (SOFIS). Their research shows that integrating these advanced techniques improves pollutant regulation, operational efficiency, and compliance with standards, while also potentially lowering costs and improving effluent quality.
Original Paper:
Tackling Obesity: The Role of Pancreatic Lipase and Innovative Treatments
July 24, 2024: Obesity is a major global health issue, leading to extensive research on effective interventions. Prof. Atish T. Paul and his Natural Product Research Group (NPRG) at the Department of Pharmacy, BITS Pilani, are exploring various weight loss strategies. Their research includes designing and synthesizing novel preclinical candidates, developing combination therapies, and investigating untapped microbial sources. They focus on pancreatic lipase (PTL), an enzyme that breaks down 50-70% of dietary triacylglycerol (TAG), making it a key target for obesity prevention and treatment. Currently, Orlistat is the only long-term anti-obesity drug that inhibits PTL to prevent fat digestion and absorption.
Original Paper:
Revolutionizing Rheumatoid Arthritis Treatment: Hyaluronic Acid-Based Drug Delivery Systems
July 18, 2024: In the dynamic field of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment, innovative strategies are continually shaping better outcomes and enhancing quality of life for patients. Among these pioneering approaches, the utilization of hyaluronic acid (HA) in drug delivery systems has emerged as a game-changer.
Researchers such as Sakshi Priya, Jeevika Daryani, Vaibhavi Meghraj Desai, and Gautam Singhvi are leading the charge in exploring HA-based technologies to revolutionize RA treatment. HA-based nanocarriers, hydrogels, and microneedles are at the forefront, offering targeted and efficient drug delivery that minimizes side effects and boosts patient adherence.
Original Paper: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132586.
Future of Wearable Tech: Exceptional Performance of Natural Polymer Supported Printed Reduced Graphene Oxide Films
July 5, 2024: The exploration of flexible and wearable electronics has seen rapid advancements, particularly through integrating advanced materials into everyday items like paper and fabric. One notable innovation is the development of Shellac-mediated, one-step laser-induced reduced graphene oxide (rGO) films. The research confirmed successful rGO development on both substrates through structural, morphological, and elemental analysis. XPS analysis revealed chemical bonding, and optical characterizations demonstrated electronic transitions in the material.
This breakthrough represents a significant leap in flexible electronics, paving the way for efficient and versatile device development.
Original Paper: https://doi.org/10.1039/D4MA00151F
Vitamin D and Brain Health: Insights into its Role in Neurodegenerative and Neurological Disorders
July 5, 2024: Vitamin D, long celebrated for its bone health benefits, is now emerging as a vital player in neurological and neurodegenerative health. Recent studies highlight its potential therapeutic benefits for conditions such as Alzheimer's, Parkinson's, Huntington's disease, depression, and stroke. Its impact on menopausal women's health has also garnered significant interest. Vitamin D holds promise as a therapeutic agent for a range of neurodegenerative diseases and mental health conditions. Establishing an optimal daily dosage is crucial for mitigating age-related neurodegeneration and enhancing brain health.
Original Paper: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035-024-03989-w
Exploring the landscape of Green Energy Innovation: Pioneering Environmental Sustainability
June 13, 2024: The researchers from BITS PILANI explore the role of green energy innovation initiatives (GEII) in promoting environmental sustainability, analysing 152 articles from 2002 to 2023. The study identifies six key themes: renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable waste management, green transportation, net-zero buildings, and green and sustainable agriculture.
Aligning with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for clean energy, innovation, sustainable cities, and climate action, this study offers a comprehensive overview of GEII, identifies research gaps, and suggests future research directions. The findings aim to aid strategic decision-making, fostering the development of effective and sustainable green energy solutions.
Together, we can work towards a sustainable and resilient future! 🌍💚
Original article: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-33286-x
Novel Cellulose-Based Drug Nanocarrier Can Help Overcome Bacterial Resistance in Eye Infections
April 13, 2024: Notwithstanding the wide availability of antibiotics which can treat bacterial eye infections, certain bacterial species are able to form a biofilm that serves as a protective barrier and renders standard treatments ineffective.
Now, in a new Carbohydrate Polymers study, researchers from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS)-Pilani Hyderabad campus and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Delhi have developed a novel drug delivery system using nanocellulose fibres that can empower moxifloxacin, a conventional antibiotic, to pierce through bacterial armour. This innovative strategy helps minimise the number of antibiotic eye drop applications needed to clear an infection through sustained drug release, thereby improving patient adherence to treatment.
Original Article: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2023.121558
Exploring wormholes in symmetric teleparallel gravity
March 5, 2024: Wormholes are theoretical celestial tunnels connecting two separate points within the fabric of space-time. They are intricately linked to enigmatic cosmic phenomena such as black holes, dark energy, dark matter, and the Big Bang. Their existence could revolutionize space travel, enabling us to reach distant galaxies within the span of a human lifetime! Inspired by these possibilities, researchers from the Hyderabad campus of Birla Institute of Technology (#BITS) Pilani delved into the properties of wormholes within the framework of a modified symmetric teleparallel gravity. Their findings, published in Annals of Physics, could help answer questions about the fundamental forces of our nature and lead to a comprehensive theory of quantum gravity.
Original Article: https://doi.org/10.48550/arXiv.2112.15112
ALIS: A New Metric for Quantifying Scholarly Independence in Academia
October 7, 2023: Citation gaming and inflated h-indices are common problems in academia, as researchers tend to overvalue the number of citations in their studies as a measure of their productivity and impact. Now, research team from India, including Professor Snehanshu Saha from BITS Pilani, has developed an innovative metric called the Author Lineage Independent Score (ALIS), which quantifies the scholarly independence of an author based on their academic genealogy tree, revealing their capability to outgrow the shadows of their mentors and colleagues and pursue new research questions.
Original Article: https://doi.org/10.1177/01655515211039188
Novel Deep Learning Technique Using Calculus Enhances Road Detection in Satellite Images
Researchers from BITS Pilani, India, and Bournemouth University, UK, have devised aninnovative and computationally efficient deep learning-based method for superior identification of roads in satellite images. The method uses a fractional calculus-based mathematical methodthat enhances memory capability and employs a powerful feature combination technique thatenhances the accuracy and speed of road detection. Their tests show that this method outperforms existing state-of-the-art approaches and can help with urban planning, emergency rescue, navigation, autonomous driving, and disaster management.
Read more here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0893608023000436
Water pollution poses significant risks to human health and the environment, with an estimated 80% of global wastewater going untreated. Current water purification methods are often expensive due to the use of costly catalysts. However, researchers from the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani and CSIR–North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST) have developed an affordable, biomass-based catalyst using coconut fibers. This catalyst effectively removes toxic pollutants, including aromatic nitro compounds and antibiotics, from water. The catalyst's high efficiency and sustainability, demonstrated by its ability to maintain 92% efficiency after five cycles, promise a cost-effective solution for global water purification efforts, contributing to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Plastic pollution is one of today’s most pressing issues. Recently, researchers from BITS Pilani and IndianInstitute of Technology Guwahati developed a new type of biodegradable film made entirely fromnatural polymers— starch modified by chitin or cellulose—that could solve part of this problem. Thanksto the innovative addition of date seed extract, these films also have antimicrobial and antioxidantproperties, making them ideal for the packaging of fruits and vegetables.
Read more in Food Bioscience: doi.org/10.1016/j.fbio.2023.102818
Smart Switchable Glazing Windows for Sustainable and Energy-Efficient EV Charging Infrastructure
Researchers from BITS Pilani and the University of Exeter have proposed an innovative solution to improve electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. Their EV charging station with smart switchableglazing windows intelligently regulates its opacity based on available sunlight, reducing the need for energy-consuming HVAC systems. Furthermore, with photovoltaic panels and a vanadium redox flow battery to supplement the energy load, the station becomes self-reliant, energy-efficient, and sustainable.
Read more here: www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0196890423001978?via%3Dihub
Towards Copper-based chemotherapy drugs with fewer side effects
Platinum-based metallodrugs are a hallmark in the treatment of several types of cancer. However, these drugs typically cause serious side effects owing to their toxicities and are thus dose-limited. Now, researchers from #BITSPilani have developed a copper-based complex with remarkable anticancer activity, as confirmed by in vitro experiments. With the potential to use a bioessential element like copper for the design of anticancer drugs, the researchers are paving the way for safer, less expensive, and more effective chemotherapies.
Read more in ACS Omega: https://doi.org/10.1021/acsomega.1c05750
A NEW MATERIAL FOR SMART WINDOWS AND SMART ENERGY STORAGE
An enormous amount of energy is spent on room cooling worldwide, calling for innovative ideas to
manage this problem. Now, researchers from BITS Pilani have developed a novel low-cost polymeric
material for energy storage with electrochromic properties. By applying it to smart windows, one can
regulate the amount of sunlight entering the room, thus minimising the energy consumption of cooling
systems. Moreover, thanks to its energy storage capabilities, the proposed material can also power
electronic devices, serving as an alternative power source.
Read more in #ChemicalEngineeringJournal: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2023.144361
