Himachal Pradesh University secures Rs 1.69 crore defence research projects
The amount is funded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation through the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, New Delhi
Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla, has secured two prestigious research projects worth Rs 1.69 crore funded by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) through the Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), New Delhi. Prof Mahavir Singh, Vice-Chancellor, HPU, said, “The projects aim to strengthen the university’s research capabilities in the areas of nuclear and radiological safety, environmental remediation, biotechnology and national defence.”
He said, “The first project, with a financial outlay of Rs 87.60 lakh, aims to develop advanced lignocellulosic, polysaccharide and metal-organic framework (MOF)-based functional materials for efficient nuclear and radiological decontamination. Dr Sandeep Chauhan, Department of Chemistry, HPU, will execute this project as principal investigator, along with Dr Ramesh Chand Thakur, Department of Chemistry, HPU, and Dr Parikshit Gautam, Department of Physics, Kirori Mal College, University of Delhi, New Delhi, as co-principal investigators.”
Prof Mahavir said, “The second project sanctioned with a grant of Rs 82.10 lakh through the Life Sciences Research Board (LSRB), DRDO, is a three-year multidisciplinary research programme aimed at addressing dirty bomb scenarios through advanced biotechnological interventions. Dr Ravi Kant Bhatia, Department of Biotechnology, will execute this project as principal investigator, in collaboration with Dr Sandeep Chauhan, Department of Chemistry, and Dr Pradeep Kumar, Department of Forensic Science, HPU, Shimla.”
He congratulated both research teams on securing these projects and said that the projects reflected the growing research capabilities of the HPU and its increasing recognition by premier national funding agencies. He added, “The outcomes of these projects will contribute significantly towards the development of indigenous technologies in the areas of nuclear and radiological decontamination, environmental protection and national defence.”
