Advanced Colloid and Interfacial Engineering Laboratory
On-going Research Projects
1. KOTAK-IITM ENERGY ASSESSMENT IN COLLOBORATION WITH IIT MADRAS (Funded by IIT Madras)
The project aims to promote decarbonization among Indian industries. We have established a KISEM center at IIT Ropar with a team of six faculty advisory council members. This mission is part of a CSR initiative by Kotak Bank to help MSMEs with energy assessments at no cost. IIT Ropar received sanction order for three years 2023-2025 with the funding assistance of INR 2.23 crores from IIT Madras for carrying out energy assessment activities for various MSMEs in and around Punjab.
2. Building nano-capsules using water-in-water nano-emulsions (aqueous two-phase systems) stabilized by the self-assembly of oppositely charged biopolymer-based nanoparticles (Funded by SERB under the scheme of CRG)
The stabilization of w/w emulsion using a two-step hybrid process in the presence of oppositely charged biopolymer nanoparticles would offer a simple pathway to make polyelectrolyte complex (PEC)-based biopolymer nano-capsules within the acceptable experimental uncertainties. As the PEC nanoparticles are formed via the self-assembly of oppositely charged polymers in an aqueous medium without involving organic solvents or toxic reagents, the formulation of this class would find many advantages. PEC shells can interact with proteins and get adsorbed to various functional proteins through receptors. The pH-responsive characteristics of PEC would make the nanocarriers favourable for stomach-specific therapy. In addition, the PEC-based nano-capsules provide the benefits such as minimizing drug degradation and increasing drug bioavailability owing to their pH-specific release.