DST INSPIRE Faculty develops nanomaterials based supercapacitors 

DST INSPIRE Faculty develops nanomaterials based supercapacitors 

Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Science and Technology

In News:

• Recently, a DST INSPIRE Faculty, at IIT (Varanasi), along with his team has developed nanomaterials which have energy storage application & optical sensors for water pollution control.
• They have also developed Surface-Enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) that can help detect harmful molecules present in water at ultra-low concentrations.

Key takeaways:

• These nanomaterials are based on supercapacitors to achieve high energy density.
• Constant current can be withdrawn for longer duration without recharging due to such density. 
• Automobiles will be able to run longer distances by using supercapacitors.
• The team has also developed a novel green approach for synthesis of Iron-based nanocatalyst, which can be used for large scale production of Cabon Nanotubes.
• These findings shall help in producing materials which can be used as advanced photo detectors that may help in water pollution control.

Important value additions:

Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)

• It is an innovative programme.
• It is sponsored and managed by the Department of Science & Technology for attraction of talent to Science. 
• Objective: 
  • To communicate to the youth the excitements of creative pursuit of science
  • To attract talent to the study of science at an early age  
  • To build the required critical human resource pool for strengthening and expanding the Science & Technology system and Research & Development base.
• No competitive exams are conducted for identification of talent at any level. 
• The programme relies on the efficiency of the existing educational structure 

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) 

• These are tubes made of carbon with diameters measured in nanometers.
• Bulk carbon nanotubes are used as composite fibers to improve the mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of the bulk polymer product.
• They can act as antennas for radios and other electromagnetic devices. 
• They are used in brushes for commercial electric motors.