Scientists develop new anti-rust formula

The Department of Chemistry at Deenbandhu Chhotu Ram University for Science and Technology (DCRUST), Murthal, has developed a formula to help increase the life of mild steel, protecting such steel from corrosion for a longer period of time.

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The formula has been officially recognised by the Indian Patent Office.

Vice-Chancellor Shree Prakash Singh congratulated the team and felicitated them for their innovative research.

The VC said the innovation would drastically reduce the maintenance cost of iron, and improve the strength and durability of bridges, buildings and other equipment made of mild steel.

The economical and easy-to-use formula was the result of a year of hard work of dedicated researchers of the department, he added.

Such historic research proved how scientific research could advance technological progress and economic development, he said.

With patents and research publications, the university was continuously contributing to the country’s technological self-reliance and industrial innovation, he said, adding that science and technology played an important role in making a country developed.

Science and technology institutions could play an important role in making the country self-reliant, he said.

Mild steel was used extensively in the construction of bridges, railway tracks, building structures, boilers and heavy machinery. However, corrosion significantly reduced the life of these structures and equipment, requiring costly maintenance and repairs, he added.

The new formula could significantly increase the life of mild steel, reducing costs and improving the safety of infrastructure, he said.

Dr Preeti Pahuja Satija, Prof Suman Lata and Dr Sumit Kumar, who played a key role in this research work, attributed their success to the VC and the university administration, stating that the varsity provided all necessary resources and facilities to the department.

The patent for the innovation was first published on August 7, 2020, and, after detailed investigation and evaluation, it was officially approved by the Indian Patent Office on February 27.

The patent certifies the novelty, industrial utility and technical significance of the invention. Dr Pahuja said the biggest feature of the formula was its affordable price and ease of use.

It could be applied directly on the surface of mild steel products, where it formed a strong protective layer, she added. It did not require special equipment or expensive machinery for application, so even small and medium-scale industries could easily adopt this technology, she said.

The innovation was a significant milestone for the Make in India campaign, demonstrating how indigenous research could deliver world-class solutions, she added.

In future, when the formula could be commercially produced, it could become a standard anti-corrosion measure in many industries, saving crores of rupees for the country, making structures more safe and durable, she said.