Latest news with #IndianInstituteofTechnologyGuwahati
Hans India
2 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Social media, food delivery apps transforming food culture: IIT Guwahati study
New Delhi: -The rise of social media combined with food delivery apps is significantly changing food practices and consumption patterns in urban India, according to an interesting study by Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati researchers. The study explored how the digitisation of food influences consumer behaviour while simultaneously changing social dynamics such as class, caste, and labour. The findings, published in the prestigious Sociological Bulletin (SAGE Publications) journal, showed that digital food practices and cultures have become a habitual part of people's lives, especially among the urban Indian middle-class youth. Digital technologies such as food ordering applications, and online reviews on social media platforms have been gradually integrated into everyday culinary habits. Food economies are becoming platform-dependent. Platforms providing services such as search, social media, and content aggregation are becoming digital gatekeepers of access to food-related content, revealed the research led by Dr Rituparna Patgiri, Assistant Professor, from the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Guwahati. 'Food has been viewed as aproduct that moves through five stages -- production, distribution, preparation, consumption, and disposal. In this research, I argue that one must now add a sixth stage digitalisation,' Patgiri said. While earlier research has examined how globalisation has impacted food practices in India, the new study significantly reveals how digital technologies are reshaping food practices in ways that reinforce existing caste, class, and gender hierarchies. It shows that digital food culture practices such as food blogging, online review, and aesthetic presentation, are largely confined to upper- and middle-class, and urban groups, while small businesses and lower socio-economic communities are often excluded, Patgiri said. The study highlights the need for inclusive digital policies that support marginalised food producers, regulate platform-driven practices, and promote equitable visibility. It also underscores the importance of using digital platforms for public health messaging and the preservation of diverse culinary traditions. It also urges policymakers to address the socio-economic implications of digitalisation in food systems through targeted support, regulation, and cultural inclusion.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Social media, food delivery apps transforming food culture in urban India: IIT Guwahati study
New Delhi: The rise of social media combined with food delivery apps is significantly changing food practices and consumption patterns in urban India, according to an interesting study by Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati researchers on Saturday. New Delhi, June 28 (IANS) The rise of social media combined with food delivery apps is significantly changing food practices and consumption patterns in urban India, according to an interesting study by Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati researchers on Saturday. The study explored how the digitisation of food influences consumer behaviour while simultaneously changing social dynamics such as class, caste, and labour. The findings, published in the prestigious Sociological Bulletin (SAGE Publications) journal, showed that digital food practices and cultures have become a habitual part of people's lives, especially among the urban Indian middle-class youth. Digital technologies such as food ordering applications, and online reviews on social media platforms have been gradually integrated into everyday culinary habits. Food economies are becoming platform-dependent. Platforms providing services such as search, social media, and content aggregation are becoming digital gatekeepers of access to food-related content, revealed the research led by Dr Rituparna Patgiri, Assistant Professor, from the Department of Humanities and Social Sciences, IIT Guwahati. 'Food has been viewed as a product that moves through five stages -- production, distribution, preparation, consumption, and disposal. In this research, I argue that one must now add a sixth stage -- digitalisation,' Patgiri told IANS. While earlier research has examined how globalisation has impacted food practices in India, the new study significantly reveals how digital technologies are reshaping food practices in ways that reinforce existing caste, class, and gender hierarchies. It shows that digital food culture practices such as food blogging, online review, and aesthetic presentation, are largely confined to upper- and middle-class, and urban groups, while small businesses and lower socio-economic communities are often excluded, Patgiri told IANS. The study highlights the need for inclusive digital policies that support marginalised food producers, regulate platform-driven practices, and promote equitable visibility. It also underscores the importance of using digital platforms for public health messaging and the preservation of diverse culinary traditions. It also urges policymakers to address the socio-economic implications of digitalisation in food systems through targeted support, regulation, and cultural inclusion.
Indian Express
17-06-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
IIT Guwahati and University of Southern Denmark sign agreement to boost academia–industry–government partnership
The Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati (IIT Guwahati) has signed an agreement with the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) to promote bilateral cooperation in research, innovation and academic exchange. Five foreign universities announce campus in India: Which institutes are included in the list? The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati, and Prof. Henrik Bindslev, Dean, Faculty of Engineering, SDU, in the presence of Jørgen Mads Clausen, Chairman, Danfoss, and Honorary Consul for the Kingdom of Denmark in the Emirates. The presence of Clausen during the event reinforced the academia – industry – government connection, a crucial part for impactful and scalable innovation, a statement issued by IIT Guwahati said. He emphasised the importance of international partnerships in fostering technological breakthroughs and nurturing globally competent talent. Key highlights of the collaboration include the establishment of a Center of Excellence for Indo-Danish innovation and translational research at IIT Guwahati, along with joint Master's and PhD programmes featuring co-supervision and mutual credit recognition. The partnership also promotes student and faculty exchanges to encourage academic mobility and cultural exchange, while fostering collaborative research in areas like sustainable technologies, energy efficiency, and climate solutions. Speaking during the MoU signing event, Prof. Devendra Jalihal, Director, IIT Guwahati, said, 'This collaboration reinforces our vision to position IIT Guwahati as a global hub for technology, research, and academic excellence. Together with SDU and through industry engagement, we aim to develop sustainable solutions addressing pressing global challenges.' The collaboration will be governed by a Joint Steering Committee comprising academic and industry representatives from both institutions. It will also actively seek industry participation and financial support to enhance the reach and effectiveness of the programs under this MoU, the institute said.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
IIT Guwahati harnesses clay sedimentation to identify and measure Coronavirus
Guwahati: Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati researchers have developed a novel method for detecting and measuring the amount of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The innovative approach is based on how quickly a clay-virus-electrolyte mixture settles; a process commonly known as sedimentation, offering a simple and affordable alternative to the complex and expensive methods currently in use for virus detection. The findings of this research have been published in the prestigious peer-reviewed journal, Applied Clay Science, in a paper co-authored by Prof. T V Bharat, Department of Civil Engineering, and Prof. Sachin Kumar, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering, along with research scholars Dr Himanshu Yadav and Deepa Mehta at IIT Guwahati . Posing a threat to human lives globally, COVID-19 pandemic revealed a critical gap in how viral infections are detected and tracked. Current methods, such as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), are highly sensitive but time-consuming and require heavy equipment. Similarly, the antigen testing is fast but lacks accuracy, while antibody testing is used after the infection has occurred, highlighting limitations at various levels. Additionally, many of these methods are not practical in resource-limited settings or during large-scale outbreaks. To address these gaps, Prof. T V Bharat, Dept. of Civil Engineering, IIT Guwahati, along with his research team has used Bentonite clay, a clay well known for its ability to absorb pollutants and heavy metals due to its unique chemical structure in collaboration with Prof. Sachin Kumar, Department of Biosciences and Bioengineering. Previous studies have shown that clay particles can bind with viruses and bacteriophages, making it a promising material for virus detection. The research team focused on how Bentonite clay interacts with virus particles in a salt environment. The research team found that a Coronavirus surrogate and Infectious Bronchitis Virus (IBV) bind to the negatively charged clay surfaces at a controlled room temperature and a neutral pH of 7. Speaking about the findings of the research, Prof. T V Bharat said, "Imagine a world where detecting viruses is as simple as watching sand settle in water. That is the breakthrough we have achieved! Our new method uses clay to quickly identify and measure viruses, like the coronavirus. By observing how the clay settles in a solution, we can determine if a virus is present and how much of it there is. This innovative approach offers a faster, more affordable, and accurate alternative to current methods, paving the way for better disease monitoring and treatment strategies, especially during pandemics, this study is in continuation with our recent studies published in prestigious journals like Langmuir in developing exclusive biomedical waste facilities for disposing pathogenic waste sponsored by Department of Science and Technology, Government of India." The research team validated their findings using established virus-detection methods, including plaque assay for a coronavirus surrogate and RT-PCR for IBV. The developed technique produced accurate results in comparison to the standard detection methods, reinforcing its reliability. Notably, the method can be extended to detect other viruses such as the Newcastle Disease Virus (NDV), which affects poultry and causes major losses in the farming industry. This development holds great promise for improving how viral outbreaks are monitored and controlled, especially in regions where expensive lab equipment and trained personnel are not readily available. With further refinement, the method could be adapted for use in field kits or simple laboratory setups, making virus detection more accessible and efficient in future public health emergencies. As the next step, the research team is planning to collaborate with industry partners with medical facilities for clinical trials for SARS-Cov-2 and other viruses. By partnering with industry, the research team hopes to leverage the resources and expertise necessary to conduct robust clinical trials and ultimately contribute to the global effort to combat viral infections.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Science
- Time of India
‘One material, many solutions': IIT Guwahati develops hybrid aerogel to clean wastewater, remove oil spills, and sense strain
Guwahati: Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati research team has developed multi-functional aerogel with significant potential to address some of today's most pressing environmental challenges—including wastewater treatment , industrial pollution , and oil-water separation . #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India's Rafale-M deal may turn up the heat on Pakistan China's support for Pakistan may be all talk, no action India brings grounded choppers back in action amid LoC tensions Led by Prof. P. K. Giri, Department of Physics and Centre for Nanotechnology, IIT Guwahati , the study introduces a cutting-edge material engineered to tackle industrial waste in multiple ways. Aerogels are ultra-lightweight, highly porous materials with a large surface area and exceptional adsorption properties, making them ideal for a wide range of environmental and industrial applications. The findings of this research have been published in the international journal Carbon and are co-authored by Prof. Giri along with his research scholars, Koushik Ghosh, Sanjoy Sur Roy, Sirsendu Ghosal, and Debabrata Sahu. GIF89a����!�,D; 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Audiologists Are Calling This Hearing Spray a Game-Changer Hear Clearly Again Learn More Undo With rapid industrialisation and agricultural expansion contributing to the release of diverse pollutants. ranging from soluble organic compounds like antibiotics and industrial dyes to insoluble oils—effective wastewater treatment has become a global priority. Compounding the issue is the growing scarcity of clean water, which underscores the need for advanced, efficient, and sustainable solutions. While conventional methods such as membrane filtration and chemical precipitation are widely used, Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOPs) have gained increasing attention for their effectiveness in degrading pollutants. Particularly, Peroxymonosulfate (PMS)-activated AOPs stand out for generating highly reactive sulfate and hydroxyl radicals, capable of breaking down complex organic molecules even at low concentrations. Live Events In this context, the IIT Guwahati team has developed a hybrid aerogel by combining MXene, a two-dimensional material known for its high conductivity and chemical reactivity, with carbon foam. By introducing phosphorus doping into the MXene framework, the researchers significantly improved its PMS activation capability, enabling the efficient breakdown of persistent organic pollutants in wastewater. Beyond wastewater treatment, the aerogel also exhibited excellent performance in oil-water separation. Its porous architecture selectively absorbs oil while repelling water, making it highly effective for cleaning up oil spills and treating industrial effluents. This separation process is not only efficient but also environmentally friendly. Highlighting the significance of the research, Prof. Giri said, 'This study demonstrates how a single engineered material can offer multiple solutions to environmental challenges . The hybrid aerogel we developed shows promising results in wastewater purification, oil-water separation, and strain sensing, combining environmental sustainability with practical versatility.' Additionally, the developed aerogel also functions as a flexible strain sensor. Its electrical resistance changes in response to mechanical stress, opening applications in wearable electronics, smart devices, and structural health monitoring systems. This multi-capability material represents a significant advancement in sustainable materials science , offering scalable solutions for cleaner water, pollution control, and next-generation sensing technologies. Although the Ti3C2Tx-based hybrid aerogel demonstrates excellent performance, its conventional HF-based synthesis raises significant environmental and toxicity concerns. To address this, the research team is exploring acid-free synthesis routes for large-scale applications. Additionally, they are working on introducing a co-catalyst layer to enhance the performance and durability of MXene-based aerogels by preventing the direct degradation of MXene nanosheets during catalysis.
