Thematic Research
The objective is to work on aspects of science to make meaningful contributions for the society and environment at large in the days to come.
Green chemistry and technologies
Prayogas , Green Chemistry and Sustainable Technologies research develops eco-friendly materials and processes that reduce dependence on hazardous chemicals and non-renewable resources. Guided by sustainability and circular economy principles, the work focuses on safer, resource-efficient alternatives for real-world applications.
Advanced and Functional Materials
Prayogas , research in Advanced and Functional Materials focuses on designing and synthesizing innovative materials with tailored properties for applications in technology, energy, healthcare, and engineering. By combining chemistry, nanotechnology, and materials science, the work explores materials with unique optical, electrical, magnetic, and mechanical capabilities.
Wellness
Prayoga ,elness research focuses on life sciences innovations in protein chemistry, enzymes, synthetic peptides, and bioactive compounds to address health and wellness challenges. The work spans diagnostics, therapeutics, non-invasive disease detection, and the study of plant and microbial metabolites for medicinal and environmental applications.
Food and Agriculture
Prayogas , Food and Agriculture research develops innovative solutions to improve food security, nutrition, and sustainable farming practices. The work focuses on crop improvement, nutraceuticals, micronutrient fortification, pest management, and reducing post-harvest losses through science-driven approaches.
Earth Sciences
Prayoga , Earth Sciences research focuses on understanding natural processes to support sustainable development, water security, and climate resilience. The work explores carbon sequestration, hydrogeology, soil health, and bio-mediated technologies to improve agricultural productivity and address environmental challenges.
Green chemistry
The Green Chemistry and Sustainable Technologies research at Prayoga focuses on developing environmentally sustainable materials, chemical systems, and processes that reduce reliance on hazardous substances and non-renewable resources. The work is guided by the principles of sustainability, circular economy, and resource efficiency. This thematic area spans bio-based materials, green synthesis pathways, and sustainable industrial substitutes, with an emphasis on replacing conventional systems that pose environmental and health risks.
Saponin-Mediated Green Synthesis of Copper Oxide Nanoparticles for Environmental Applications
Conventional nanoparticle synthesis relies on synthetic stabilizers that can be toxic and environmentally harmful. This project explores the use of saponins, natural surfactants, as sustainable stabilizing agents for synthesizing metal oxide nanoparticles, particularly copper oxide. Saponins are extracted through aqueous methods and used as capping agents during synthesis.
The process is optimized to achieve stable particles with controlled morphology. The resulting nanoparticles are evaluated for photocatalytic activity, antimicrobial properties, and potential environmental applications, especially in water purification systems.
Development of Biodegradable Sponge Materials from Natural Polymers and Agricultural Waste
Polyurethane foams used for decorative and absorbent applications are non-biodegradable and contribute to microplastic pollution, creating environmental concerns. This project develops a biodegradable sponge material using natural polymers and agricultural waste to replicate water absorption, retention, and structural properties of conventional foams.
Various formulations of polymers, fibers, and crosslinking systems are being designed to create porous structures. These are optimized for strength, retention, and biodegradability, and evaluated against commercial foams through application-based performance testing.
Working under the thematic area of Green Chemistry and Technologies, Mahika N M, Anveshana student researcher 2025 explored how sustainable leather alternatives can be naturally coloured using biodegradable materials.
Her project—“Imparting Different Colours to Sustainable Leather Alternatives Using Natural, Biodegradable Materials”—was guided by Dr. Subhadip Senapati and Parikshit Kumar, who helped her explore the world of science.
Advanced and Functional Materials
Advanced and functional materials drive modern innovations across scientific and engineering fields. Designed with tailored properties, they serve diverse applications ranging from electronics and aerospace to renewable energy, biosensors, and biomedicine. Prayoga aims to lead in the design and synthesis of such materials by leveraging advanced research in chemistry, nanotechnology, and materials science. These efforts focus on synthesizing and characterizing materials with varied sizes, shapes, and structures that exhibit unique optical, magnetic, electrical, and mechanical properties
Advanced and Functional Materials
Engineering Biodegradable Piezoelectric Materials for Self-Powered Wearable Sensing Applications
Conventional electronic sensors often contribute to electronic waste and require external power sources. There is growing interest in self-powered and environmentally benign sensing systems.
The objective is to develop biodegradable piezoelectric materials that can convert mechanical stress into electrical signals, enabling self-powered sensing applications. Biocompatible and biodegradable materials are engineered to exhibit piezoelectric behavior. These materials are fabricated into sensor structures and evaluated for energy generation efficiency, sensitivity, and durability, particularly in wearable and low-power applications.
Development of Flexible and Transient Electronic Systems for Wearable and Biomedical Applications Modern electronic systems increasingly require flexibility and adaptability, particularly in wearable and biomedical applications. Conventional rigid electronics limit such applications. The project focuses on developing flexible and transient electronic systems that can operate reliably under mechanical deformation and, where required, degrade after use. Flexible substrates and conductive materials are combined to create bendable electronic systems. Mechanical and electrical performance are evaluated under repeated deformation to ensure reliability in real-world use cases.
Design and Development of Ferrite-Based Flexible Films for Electromagnetic Shielding
Ferrites are widely used for their magnetic properties, making them suitable for electromagnetic (EM) shielding applications. By modifying their composition, their performance can be tuned for specific needs.
This project focuses on developing ferrite-based materials and incorporating them into flexible films to block electromagnetic radiation. Different compositions are studied to understand how effectively they absorb radiation at various frequencies. The goal is to identify optimal material combinations that provide efficient shielding while maintaining stability and practical usability.
Sunay P Mittal and Hrishikesh Narayanan, student researchers from Anveshana, mentored by Dr. Omprakash and Research Associate Pooja V D, presented their research project, “Investigating the EM Shielding of ZnXCo1−XFe2O4 in PVA Matrix”, at the IRIS National Fair in Delhi.
Wellness
Wellness area focuses on diverse branches of life sciences, emphasizing protein-rich foods, protein chemistry, and synthetic peptides for various applications. Research includes enzymology and secondary metabolites to address health and wellness challenges. Efforts involve isolating enzymes from microbial sources for diagnostic, therapeutic, and environmental use. Non-invasive disease detection and treatment using advanced materials and instruments are key areas. Studies also explore plant and microbial secondary metabolites, including their isolation, purification, and evaluation for biological and medicinal applications.
Food and Agriculture
To address global food security challenges driven by population growth, research in Food and Agriculture focuses on innovative and practical solutions. Key areas include the application of materials science in food, nano-bio composites, nutraceuticals, and micronutrient fortification. Research also targets improving crop yields, pest management, and reducing post-harvest losses. Efforts include developing formulations to combat malnutrition and creating pest- and drought-resistant, high-yield plant varieties. Additionally, scientific validation of Indian culinary practices forms an important component of this theme. Earth Eciences The Earth Sciences department focuses on understanding natural processes
Food and Agriculture
Earth Sciences