Hyderabad: Professor Chandra Shekhar Sharma from the department of chemical engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad (IIT-H), has won the prestigious Young Scientist Platinum Jubilee Award, instituted by the National Academy of Sciences, India. He has been selected for his work on electrospun nanofibers and nanostructured carbon materials which can be used in environmental protection and healthcare.
Professor Chandra Shekhar and his team recently introduced female sanitary napkins, using electrospun nanofibers (biodegradable polymer). Most sanitary napkins use non-biodegradable superabsorbent polymers (SAP) to increase their commercial value. However, they cause health hazards and also environmental problems. The product will soon hit the market after field trials.
Furthermore, the team has also received a grant from the department of science and technology under the nano mission programme. The team has also developed an inexpensive way of creating electrodes. The award, started in 2005, is given to scientists in the field of physical, chemical and biological sciences.
