GNDU chemist awarded Rs 60L research grant for sustainable catalysis project
Assistant Professor in the Department of Chemistry, Dr Mandeep Kaur at Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), has been awarded the prestigious Rs 60 lakh Inclusivity Research Grant (IRG) for her pioneering project, “Lanthanides and 3d-Heterometallic Complexes for Energy-Efficient Catalysis.” The grant is backed by the Anusadhan National Research Foundation, established by the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, to promote research and innovation across India’s academic institutions.
Dr Kaur, an organometallic chemist, is designing energy-efficient catalysts using lanthanides in combination with 3d metals, diverging from traditional single-metal catalysts commonly used in industry. Her project aims to develop innovative heterobimetallic lanthanide-3d metal catalysts that efficiently activate small molecules like carbon dioxide, hydrogen, oxides, and metallic air pollutants. By utilising the unique properties of lanthanides and their synergy with 3d metals, her research seeks to improve catalytic efficiency, stability, and selectivity, with potential applications in industrial processes such as hydrogenation, CO2 reduction, and fine chemical synthesis.
Dr Mandeep, who joined GNDU last year after previous stints at IIT Kanpur, ISER Mohali, and the University of Bath, UK, focuses on providing sustainable solutions to counter industrial pollutants in the air. She aims to bridge the gap between pharmaceutical and chemical engineering industries and research. “Research that applies sustainable solutions for industries is a great starting point for transformation towards a data-driven economy,” she said, acknowledging the existing gap that needs to be addressed.
Her work aims to advance catalyst design, enhance mechanistic understanding, and promote sustainability across various applications, particularly in energy storage, conversion, and the pharmaceutical industry. Dr Kaur’s research holds promise for revolutionising industrial processes by developing cost-effective, sustainable metal options to replace expensive noble metals traditionally used in catalysts, like radium.
Her research aligns with global efforts to improve catalytic processes, contributing to the ongoing pursuit of cleaner, more efficient industrial practices. “I started this project to target environmental issues by reducing pollutants like carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide into valuable chemicals, such as methanol. But first, we need a fundamental understanding of the process to find sustainable industrial solutions,” she shared.
This work done by her is part of a broader push by GNDU to promote interdisciplinary research that bridges academia, industry, and other stakeholders to address pressing issues related to sustainable development. This initiative follows a recent recognition of another GNDU scientist, who was awarded a prestigious fellowship from the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bengaluru, making her the third faculty member from the university to receive this honour in the last 55 years.
