Ludhiana, Feb 23 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
The Electron Microscopy and Nanoscience Lab (EMN-Lab), Department of Soil Science, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), organized a collaborative meeting with Dalhousie University, Nova Scotia, Canada on “Nanoengineering Aspects for Sustainable Agriculture.”
The meet aimed to initiate a joint research, to optimize a self-powered greenhouse system, designed to promote sustainable agriculture with the use of nanocrystals as light concentrators.
In this regard, a visiting delegate Dr Gurpreet Singh Selopal from Dalhousie University, Canada, held an interface with Dr Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU; Dr Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research; Dr Charanjeet Singh Aulakh, Dean, College of Agriculture; Dr Dhanwinder Singh, Head, Department of Soil Science; and other experts of EMN Lab.
Dr Gosal stated, “It is fascinating to develop self-powered greenhouses using poly sheets comprised of nanocrystals that concentrate the light towards the edges of greenhouse windows, where solar panels are placed which enable to generate electrical energy for its self-sustainability.
” The farmers will benefit greatly in both the countries, he observed, adding that the technologies must be optimized independently at both the locations.
Dr Aulakh emphasized the need for nanoscience technologies to strengthen the present scenario of sustainable agriculture and address important issues such as clean and green energy use.
Dr Selopal delivered a seminal talk on “Nanoengineering – A Future to the Sustainable World” and discussed diverse clean energy challenges and possible solutions, including solar energy-efficient nanomaterial use.
He also deliberated on advanced sustainable agricultural technologies such as nanocrystals used in harvesting electrical energy through solar panels, nanoformulations of fertilizers, etc.
During the visit to the Nanoscience Centre, Plant Molecular Biology Lab and the Speed Breeding Facility at PAU, he interacted with Dr Mehra Singh Sidhu, Nanotechnologist (Physics); Dr Nitish Dhingra, Nanotechnologist (Physics); Dr Amandeep Mittal, Fruit Molecular Geneticist; and Dr Dharminder Bhatia, Quantitative Geneticist.
Experts discussed possibilities of future collaboration between the two universities that could lead to a monumental leap in sustainable agricultural practices.
Later, Dr Anjali Sidhu, Nanotechnologist (Chemistry), felicitated Dr Selopal with a token of appreciation, while Dr Mehra Singh Sidhu, Coordinator of the collaboration meeting, proposed a vote of thanks. Also present on the occasion was Dr Vishal Bector, Associate Director (Institutional Relations).
