The research addresses the critical need for efficient and environmentally friendly solar power systems tailored to Indian conditions, say IIT Mandi researchers.

The study offers valuable insights for investors and policymakers to improve the environmental performance of solar technologies in India, say IIT Mandi researchers.

However, COVID-19 disrupted the solar supply chain, delaying INR 160 billion worth of projects.

Post-COP-26, India’s focus shifted to green solar manufacturing to enhance supply chain reliability, energy security, and decarbonization, aligning with UN clean energy goals, say IIT Mandi researchers.

Understanding

Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of various solar technologies is crucial for establishing effective solar power systems in India.

While numerous studies have been conducted globally, most have evaluated impact categories such as Global Warming Potential (GWP) and Energy Payback Time (EPBT).

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Other critical impact categories, such as human toxicity and ozone depletion, are often overlooked, and not many studies have assessed these technologies under Indian conditions, say IIT Mandi researchers.

Although solar PV systems are environmentally friendly compared to fossil fuels during their operational phase, they do have significant environmental impacts during the manufacturing and usage phases, he said.

Environmental Impact

IIT Mandi researchers evaluated the environmental impacts of the five solar energy technologies using Indian manufacturing conditions, including:

· Mono-silicon

· Polysilicon

· Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS)

· Cadmium Telluride (CdTe)

· Passivated Emitter and Rear Contact (PERC)

Analysis

IIT Mandi researchers performed a cradle-to-gate analysis using the Life Cycle Assessment tool, which included eighteen environmental impact categories.

These categories covered essential aspects such as global warming, stratospheric ozone depletion, human carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic toxicity, and fine particulate matter formation, from raw material extraction to solar panel manufacturing.

Lowest Environment Impact

The researchers found that CdTe technology exhibited the lowest environmental impact among the five technologies studied.

It had the least carbon dioxide emissions, ozone depletion potential, human health effects, and particulate air pollution. This was closely followed by CIGS PV cells, say IIT Mandi researchers.

Implication

Dr. Satvasheel Ramesh Powar, Associate Professor, School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, IIT Mandi, said spoke about the implications of research done by IIT Mandi researchers.

The Life Cycle Assessment of solar module technologies can help identify the most sustainable technology that balances economic, social, and environmental benefits, he said.

Our findings can guide policymakers to promote the most sustainable technologies, boosting the low-carbon economy and reducing the environmental impact of solar energy production, he said.

They plan to investigate these phases in future research, say IIT Mandi researchers.

About IIT Mandi

IIT Mandi has nine Academic Schools and five major Research Centers. The Schools are the School of Biosciences and Bioengineering (SBBE), School of Chemical Sciences (SCS).

Also are, School of Mathematical and Statistical Sciences (SMSS), School of Physical Sciences (SPS), School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering (SMME), School of Civil and Environmental Engineering (SCENE).

The others are  School of Computing and Electrical Engineering (SCEE), School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS), and School of Management (SOM).

The Centers are the Advanced Materials Research Centre (AMRC), Centre for Design and Fabrication of Electrical Devices (C4DFED), BioX Centre, Indian Knowledge System and Mental Health Applications Centre (IKSMHA Centre) and Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics.

This innovative hydrogel-based therapy delivers anti-cancer drugs directly to tumor sites, significantly reducing the side effects typically associated with conventional cancer treatments.

The paper is co-authored by Prof. Debapratim Das, along with his research scholars Ms. Tanushree Das and Ms. Ritvika Kushwaha from IIT Guwahati, and collaborators Dr. Kuldip Jana, Mr. Satyajit Halder, and Mr. Anup Kumar Misra from Bose Institute Kolkata.

Surgical removal of tumors is sometimes not feasible, particularly for internal organs, while chemotherapy’s systemic delivery often results in harmful side effects by affecting both cancerous and healthy cells.

Design

Prof. Debpratim Das, Department of Chemistry, and his team at IIT Guwahati addressed these challenges by designing a hydrogel that delivers drugs precisely to the tumor site, ensuring localized action.

Water-based

Hydrogels are water-based, three-dimensional polymer networks capable of absorbing and retaining fluids. Their unique structure mimics living tissues, making them suitable for biomedical applications.

This newly developed hydrogel acts as a stable reservoir for anti-cancer drugs and releases them in a controlled manner, responding to specific conditions in the tumor microenvironment, say researchers from IIT Guwahati.

It responds to elevated glutathione (GSH) levels, a molecule abundant in tumor cells.

Upon encountering high GSH levels, the hydrogel triggers a controlled drug release directly into the tumor, minimizing its interaction with healthy tissues and reducing systemic side effects, say sources from IIT Guwahati.

Department of Chemistry at IIT Guwahati

Speaking about the breakthrough, Prof. Debapratim Das, Dept. of Chemistry, IIT Guwahati, said, “This work exemplifies how scientific innovation can directly address the pressing needs of cancer treatment.

The hydrogel’s unique properties allow it to work in harmony with the biological environment, offering precision where it is needed most, said Prof Debapratim Das of IIT Guwahati.

We are excited by its potential to transform our thoughts about localized drug delivery, he said.

Preclinical trials

In preclinical trials on a murine model of breast cancer, the hydrogel showcased remarkable efficacy.

A single injection of the hydrogel, loaded with the chemotherapy drug Doxorubicin, resulted in a ~75% reduction in tumor size within 18 days.

Crucially, the hydrogel remained localized at the tumor site, steadily releasing the drug over time without causing detectable side effects on other organs.

Delivery system

This innovative delivery system enhances the drug’s effectiveness while reducing the required dosage, thus minimizing toxicity.

Laboratory studies further demonstrated that the hydrogel improves drug uptake by cancer cells, induces cell cycle arrest, and promotes programmed cell death, thereby attacking tumors on multiple fronts.

Further studies

Further studies are going on to find out the maximum amount of reduction in the size of the tumor by a single dose. Moreover, we are also looking into other types of tumors, say sources from IIT Guwahati.

Once all the studies are complete, will apply to take the material for clinical trial and are looking for an appropriate partner to do the same.

At present, the Institute has eleven departments, nine interdisciplinary academic centres and five schools.

They are covering all the major engineering, science, healthcare, management, and humanities disciplines, offering BTech, BDes, BSc(Hons), MA, MDes, MTech, MSc, MS(R), MBA and PhD programmes.

The institute offers a residential campus to 455 faculty members and more than 8,600 students at present.

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