Student Project won the prize in “AVISHKAR” held by TEQIP cell VTU, Belagavi.

The students of Civil Engineering, Shri Madhwa Vadiraja Institute of Technology and Management Bantakal won second prize in project competition ‘AVISHKAR’ under EAP category for the project titled “Synthesis of Nano Particles Using Medicinal Herbs and Utilization in Water Treatment” held by TEQIP cell VTU, Belagavi.

Synthesizing nanoparticles using medicinal herbs and use them for the water treatment is the main objective of the project. Here plant extract of locally available herb ‘Tulasi’ is used as a base, instead of using chemicals for the synthesis of Zinc nanoparticles.

The Tulasi leaves are grinded and boiled, later obtained Zinc acetate solution is added and is solicited. The tests show the presence of nanoparticles of size 272.5 nm. The tested samples show that anti-microbial activity against pathogens viz., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Usage of nanoparticles for the water treatment will help in reducing the amount of chemicals used. Also, utilizing commonly available herbs for the synthesis of nanoparticles will help reduce the release of chemicals to the environment and economically which will be more feasible for the procurement of raw materials. Provided the biosynthesis of nanoparticles, the technology would be relatively cheaper. This will facilitate the water purification technologies to the poorer sections of the society as they are the ones who have the least access to clean drinking water, hence widening the ambit at which it could serve the people.

The winners of project Mr. Shetty Pavan Anand, Mr. Shilpa S Acharya, Ms. Sheethal B R and Ms. Shreya, were announced in the E-function ‘AVISHKAR SUMMIT-2020’ an award ceremony, held on 19 August 2020. The project was guided by professors of Dr. K K Shrinivasan and Mr. Rohith Prakash Veigas.