Panjab University prof, scholar get patent for water purification sorbent

Chandigarh, July 24

Dr Vishal Sharma, Associate Professor at the Institute of Forensic Science, Panjab University, Chandigarh, and PU research scholar and GoI’s Department of Science and Technology’s Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) fellow Sonal Choudhary, in collaboration with Dr Vijay Kumar of NIT, Srinagar, and Dr Kashma Sharma of DAV College were granted an Indian patent for sodiumdodecylsulfate hydrogel-based sorbent for wastewater treatment, and derived soot for immediate oil-spill-remediation and its preparation process that promises to revolutionise the industry and address environmental challenges.

Providing details, Dr Sharma said that this innovative surfactant-based sorbent effectively adsorbs water contaminants and could be repurposed for oil spill clean-up, addressing two major environmental challenges. This material can be used to clean industrial effluents and oil spills. Additionally, it is capable of removing all types of dyes, including those that are challenging to eliminate, he added.

This innovation offers a safer, more sustainable approach to managing industrial effluents and oily wastewater, Dr Sharma added.