Times News Network
Ludhiana: The electron microscopy and
nanoscience
lab (EMN-Lab), department of soil science, Punjab Agricultural University (PAU), organised 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. Gurpreet Singh Selopal, aq visiting delegate from Dalhousie University, Canada, held an interface with Satbir Singh Gosal, Vice-Chancellor, PAU; Ajmer Singh Dhatt, Director of Research; Charanjeet Singh Aulakh, Dean, College of Agriculture; Dhanwinder Singh, Head, Department of Soil Science; and other experts of EMN Lab.
Gosal stated, “It is fascinating to develop self-powered greenhouses using
poly sheets
composed of nanocrystals that concentrate the light towards the edges of greenhouse windows, where solar panels are placed which enable it 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.
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.
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.
