21st July 2025 (12 Topics)

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Eco-Friendly Reusable Water Filter

Context

Scientists from INST Mohali, IIT-Dharwad, and IIT-Kharagpur have developed a biodegradable, reusable water filter that removes harmful industrial dyes using a novel piezo-photocatalytic process.

Institutions Involved:

Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali
IIT-Dharwad
IIT-Kharagpur

Pollution Problem Addressed:

Industrial effluents, especially from textile industries, often discharge Congo Red and Methylene Blue dyes. These organic dyes are non-biodegradable and pose serious health hazards (skin irritation, gastrointestinal and respiratory problems).

Limitations of Existing Technologies:

Conventional water treatment methods like ozone treatment and Fenton chemistry are effective but are energy-intensive, expensive, and unsustainable due to chemical and electricity consumption, increasing carbon footprint.

Innovative Filter Composition:

Polylactic Acid (PLA): A biodegradable polymer, initially hydrophobic but treated with sodium hydroxide to become hydrophilic.
Bismuth Ferrite Nanoparticles (BFO): Deposited on PLA sheets to act as a catalyst under visible light (photocatalysis) and ultrasound (piezoelectric effect).

Mechanism – Piezo-Photocatalysis:

Photocatalysis: BFO under visible light generates reactive oxygen species (ROS) to degrade dyes.
Piezoelectric Effect: BFO generates internal electric fields under ultrasonic vibration, enabling dye degradation in the absence of light.
Piezo-Photocatalysis: A synergistic effect combining both, effective day and night.

Real-world Application:

Successfully tested on actual wastewater from a textile plant.
Potential for deployment in Jal Nigam and Namami Gange initiatives.

Use of Artificial Intelligence:

Machine learning models (Random Forest, XGBoost, Neural Networks) used to predict dye degradation rates under varying experimental parameters, showcasing the integration of AI in environmental engineering.

Urgent Need for Aviation Sector Reform in India

Governance

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Economy

India’s Opportunity to Lead Global AI Governance

Science & Technology Artificial Intelligence

Temple Funds and the Mandate of Social Justice

Polity & Governance

EU Age-Verification Plan under the Digital Services Act

International Relations

Coal Plant Exemption Weakens Air Goal

Ecology and Environment Environmental Pollution