Putting Odisha on the map: NIT-Rourkela files breakthrough patents across water, health, food and bioscience in just six months

In an extraordinary burst of innovation, the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela has emerged as a national trailblazer, filing multiple patents and publishing pioneering research across disciplines in just the first six months of 2025.

From advanced cardiac diagnostics to sustainable water treatment systems, the institute is redefining what it means to be a 21st-century research powerhouse.

While Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) typically dominate headlines, NIT Rourkela is fast catching up, not through media fanfare, but with deeply impactful, solution-driven research that addresses real-world problems.

Solar-Powered Wastewater Purification: A Sustainable Leap

In May, a team led by Prof. Subhankar Paul in the Department of Biotechnology and Medical Engineering introduced a groundbreaking photocatalyst-based wastewater purification system. 

The technology, relying on spherical concrete beads activated by natural sunlight, achieved over 82% chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduction in test samples and retained over 90% efficiency after 15 reuse cycles.

Unlike traditional systems that require artificial UV light or expensive chemical agents, this setup can be easily deployed in rural and resource-poor regions. Two patents have already been filed, making it a potential game-changer in India's water-scarce zones.

Cardiac Care Revolution: Precision in Arrhythmia Detection

Earlier in May, the institute also announced a major medical breakthrough: the Atrial Lead System (ALS) for improving ECG precision in atrial arrhythmia detection, a major cause of strokes.

The research, helmed by Dr. Sivaraman, Dr. N. Bala Chakravarthy, and Prof. Kunal Pal, in collaboration with MIOT International, Chennai, and Jaiprakash Hospital, Rourkela, enhances the visibility of P-waves in ECG readings.

By repositioning ECG leads to better detect electrical signals from the heart’s atria, the ALS makes early and accurate diagnosis of atrial fibrillation far more feasible.

Breast Cancer Biosensor: No Labs, No Labels, Just Results

A standout in medical diagnostics came in late May with the development of a label-free biosensor to detect breast cancer cells using dielectric properties, a method that requires no chemicals or reagents.

Designed by Prof. Prasanna Kumar Sahu and Dr. Priyanka Karmakar from the Electrical Engineering Department, the device leverages Tunnel Field Effect Transistors (TFETs) and detects cancer by analysing how cells react to microwave frequencies.

Freshness Indicator for Seafood: Smart Packaging Goes Native

In April, Prof. Preetam Sarkar from the Department of Food Process Engineering unveiled a biodegradable packaging film that changes colour to indicate seafood freshness.

Made from Kodo millet starch, gum tragacanth, and beetroot peel extract, this pH-sensitive film reacts to volatile amines released during spoilage, providing a real-time freshness indicator.

Published in Food Packaging and Shelf Life, this innovation not only addresses food safety but also exemplifies sustainable engineering by using indigenous grains and food waste.

ALSO READ: NIT Rourkela researchers develop natural bio-ink for 3D bioprinting of bone tissue

Healing Bones with Bioinks: A 3D-Printed Future

In March, Prof. Devendra Verma and his team unveiled a patented bioink for 3D printing bone-like structures. The ink remains liquid at room temperature but solidifies upon contact with body heat and pH levels, allowing it to be printed directly onto injury sites.

This addresses key limitations of traditional bone grafts, like donor shortages, rejection risk, and rigid implants. With a patent already granted (Patent No. 562791), the research is poised to enter clinical trials.

Smart Colourimeter: Monitoring Healthy Food Substitutes

In collaboration with the University of the Philippines Los Banos, NIT-R developed an IoT-enabled smart colourimeter that monitors temperature and colour shifts in oleo gels, a plant-based fat alternative increasingly used in processed foods.

As the food industry pivots away from unhealthy trans fats, this real-time tracking device helps optimise ingredient quality, especially during high-heat processing, ensuring that nutritional standards aren’t compromised.

Ceramic Membranes Meet Nanotech: Cleaning Toxic Dye Wastewater

And finally, back in February, Prof. Sujit Sen and his collaborators unveiled a patented hybrid process to treat industrial dye wastewater using nanocomposite-coated ceramic membranes combined with microbubble technology.

Supported by India’s Anusandhan National Research Foundation, the system breaks down persistent dyes like Bismarck Brown R under light, providing an effective, scalable solution for textile industry effluents.

The research, published in the Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, could significantly reduce the environmental burden of industrial zones across India.

ALSO READ: 1,26,125 applicants for 2,750 seats: What’s fuelling demand for B.Ed courses in Odisha

Beyond Rankings, NIT-R is Solving India’s Problems

While global rankings often prioritise publication counts and citation indices, NIT Rourkela is earning its reputation through actionable science and research that addresses India’s pressing problems in healthcare, environment, sustainability, and food safety.

In just half a year, the institute has achieved what many institutions spread across multiple campuses struggle to accomplish annually. With at least four patents, six published papers in top-tier journals, and multiple interdisciplinary collaborations, NIT-Rourkela is discovering world-changing science right in the heart of eastern India.