Indian Institute of Technology Guwahati has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the South Dakota Mines to advance research into two-dimensional (2D) materials, and biofilms.

The collaboration enables both institutions to share resources and leverage research funding opportunities while joining multidisciplinary teams at both institutions to maximize complex problem-solving.  

Professor Tapas Kumar Mandal, Department of Chemical Engineering and Centre for Nanotechnology IIT Guwahati mentioned, “IIT Guwahati has world-class state-of-the-art facilities and equipment in the Central Instrumentation Facility and the Center for Nanotechnology, available to researchers and graduate students with expert faculty oversight and training. This collaboration between IITG and Mines will benefit all of us. The multidisciplinary research can utilize various strengths and expertise to move us to the next level and to benefit society.” Manoj Tripathi, Ph.D., a research fellow at the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom says, “This agreement between Mines and IITG facilitates the young researchers and the top scientists to easily collaborate and apply for grants together.”  

The research into 2D materials and biofilms has vast potential for future applications across many fields. This includes the medical field with research into new classes of anti-cancer, antibacterial, and other pharmaceuticals. This research can also help advance new types of energy production and storage; has benefits for agriculture, including better new ways to protect and nourish crops for maximum yields; and has applications in corrosion protection that will increase the longevity of structures like steel bridges, ships, and buildings. The research collaboration can also yield new startup businesses in any of these fields that add economic development opportunities tied to each university.

South Dakota Mines is one of the USA’s leading engineering, science, and technology universities. The agreement also creates an international pipeline of graduate students who will continue advancing science into the next generation. The MOA creates an exchange program where student researchers in each university can learn from faculty at both institutions and can access testing and research equipment at both facilities.

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