Ayurvedic bhasma oldest form of nanotechnology: BARC prof

TNN 14 December 2009, 11:11pm IST

SURAT: The bhasmas' used in Ayurveda for treatment of various diseases for the past several centuries is the oldest form of nanotechnology, said head of solid state chemistry section at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, Prof AK Tyagi.

Tyagi was in the city to take part in a one-day seminar on Nanotechnology and its application' at department of chemistry in Veer Narmad South Gujarat University (VNSGU).

"We are preparing to use it again for various purposes," Tyagi said. The seminar was organized with funds given to the department of chemistry by University Grants Commission (UGC) under special assistance programme. The department is also awarded five research scholarships.

Apart from Tyagi, Dr PA Hassan, Dr V Sudarshan and Dr Dimple Dutta, all from BARC, participated in the seminar and delivered lectures.

In his lecture Tyagi said the nano particles are 1 crore times smaller than a hair and due to its small size, the basic characteristics also get changed. Due to change in electrical, thermal, magnetic, optical, chemical and biological characteristics, the particles can be used for various products. Use of nanotechnology has already been started in food technology and medical technology. Research is on across the globe for use of technology in robotics and at advance level of health facilities. Gradually, the technology will become part of routine life of human beings, he added.

VNSGU vice-chancellor BA Prajapati, head of chemistry department P Bahadur and faculty member KC Patel were also present at the event.

Source: Times of India