28 March,2011 06:54 AM IST | | Priyanjali Ghose
Scientists from Hyderabad have discovered biodegradable polymer made of starch and coconut fibre; to make the country proud at an international competition in California
India once again puts itself on the global map, and this time it is for the invention of a natural substitute for plastic and a diagnostic kit that can automate pathological tests. The discoveries were made winners of Next Big Idea, an initiative by IIMB, and will be showcased in California University at the end of 2011.
Discovery of india: IIT Kharagpur student Sushant Guptau00a0secured first
position and won Rs 1.5 lakh for his project Micromed
Vivek Patel and Asheesh Nigam, scientists from Hyderabad, will represent India in the international competition in California. The duo has discovered biodegradable polymer made of starch, coconut fibre and nano materials like clay, which can be used as a substitute for plastic.
"Unlike normal plastics, biodegradable polymer will degrade in three months without the use of any machines," said Patel, who plans to quit his job in the next three months and turn entrepreneur. Likewise, IIT Kharagpur student Sushant Gupta and his friend Debapriya Chakraborty have made Micromed, a clinical diagnostic kit.
"Now lab personnel will just have to place specimen samples in the kit for testing, and the rest will be done automatically," said Gupta.u00a0 He added, "The kits used in clinics cost above Rs 30,000, while Micromed will cost around Rs 6,000. Our aim is to save cost and time. Micromed will increase affordability and access to health care."
