Defence is planning to use nano technology to improve its arms, particularly in Arjun Tanks, said Dr B S Murty, a scientist and Head, Nanotechnology Laboratory at IIT- Madras, here on Monday. He added that Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR) is also using nano technology in Fast Breeder Reactors (FBR).
Speaking to Express, he said, “We are planning to use nano technology in the Army to improve the efficiency of arms. Take Arjun Tanks for example, whenever the bullet is released from the barrel, there will be erosion inside the barrel and hence the thrust becomes less. Around 250 firings can be done now, with the erosion.
If we use nano coating inside the barrel, we can increase the firing level upto 500. Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in Pune is also planning to use PZT materials, (a material used in nano technology) in detecting the defects in submarines such as detecting the crack, its size, its depth, etc. IGCAR also uses nano technology in FBR to withstand high temperature”.
In its 7oth Foundation Day, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and one of its national laboratories Structural Engineering Research Centre (SERC), popularly called as CSIR-SERC, had organised a lecture in which Murty was the chief guest. Murty, who has more than eight patents for his inventions, delivered his lecture on ‘Development of Nanocomposites with Exceptional Properties by High Energy Ball Milling’.
Nanotechnology has become popular with scientists because of its wider usage. From tooth pastes to wall paints, nano particles are used in every products.
Nano technology is even applied in the health sector. Researchers say that it could be used in cancer treatment.
Murthy said, “Nano technology can be used in treating cancer tumours called ‘Hyperthermia’. During the treatment we destroy the cancerous tumours by heating it above 42 degree Celsius. But the problem is it will also affect the surrounding tissues. Now ‘Hyperthermia’ is in its advanced stage of research, whereby we are trying to find out which type of nano particles are bio-compatible and only kills the tumours and save the surrounding tissues.”
In his address he said, “Nano is no more used in labs. It is also used in commercial products. The technology, which fascinates the scientists of today, was found in the ancient period itself. Delhi’s Iron Pillar or Ashoka Pillar for instance is called as ‘rustless wonder’ because of the composition of metals, more accurately, the composition of nano particles”.
Earlier, people used steel from Andhra and Karnataka that had excellent composition of nano particles. The steel was called Ukku in Telugu.
Later, the Westerners called it as Wootz. The steel was used to make swords and they named it as ‘Damascus Steel’. According to Murty, India had lost is pride in discovering steel in this way.
During the event, he distributed awards and merit certificates to the staff and students of CSIR-SERC.
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