IIT Guwahati researchers bridge innovation and hands-on education

GUWAHATI: Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati (IITG), led by Dr. Rajiv K. Kar, Assistant Professor, Jyoti, and Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences and Technology, IIT-Guwahati, have made important discoveries regarding the use of modified graphene oxide for biomedical applications.

The team has also developed cost-effective experiments for modifying graphene oxide that can be useful in other academic institutions to train personnel needed for cutting-edge projects in semiconductors, nano-electronics, healthcare, and quantum technologies supported by the Indian Government.

Graphene, a Nobel Prize-winning material, is exceptionally strong and possesses outstanding electrical and thermal conductivity. Its oxidized form, called Graphene Oxide (GO), offers a large surface area and low cytotoxicity, making it suitable for medical applications. GO can be further engineered through defects, doping, and functional modifications, which enhance its optical and electrical properties for improved biomedical sensing applications.

Speaking on functionalized graphene oxide, Dr. Rajiv Kar, Assistant Professor, Jyoti and Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences and Technology, IIT Guwahati, said, "We studied how amino acid-modified graphene oxide behaves in liquid. We found that a particular bond in Cys-GO sheets enhances their stability, reducing random movements. This research has the potential to aid in the development of biomarkers for disease detection."

The team's extensive knowledge of graphene-based materials has led to the development of innovative laboratory experiments designed to provide students with hands-on skills and inspire them to explore the possibilities of advanced materials. These experiments are integrated into a Biomedical Science and Engineering (BMSE) course at IIT Guwahati's Jyoti and Bhupat Mehta School of Health Sciences and Technology.

Speaking about the innovative course for biomedical education, Dr. Kar said, "These low-cost laboratory experiments are applicable also to chemical, material science, nanotechnology, and interdisciplinary courses. We believe these techniques will help in developing hands-on skills and inspire budding researchers and future scientists to find innovative solutions in the field of biomedical science and engineering."

The Journal of Physical Chemistry C and Journal of Chemical Education published the findings of the research in a paper from Dr. Rajiv K. Kar, along with his research scholars, Mr. Rajan Singh, Ms. Shweta Tiwari, and Ms. Jyotirekha Jena.

The research has the support of the Indian Council of Medical Research and the Indian Nanoelectronics Users Programme, with funding from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), a press release said.

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