NIT Srinagar Hosts National Meet on Nano, Supramolecular Chemistry

SRINAGAR: A two-day national conference focusing on the emerging fields of nanochemistry and supramolecular chemistry began on Thursday at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Srinagar, drawing scholars and researchers from across India.

Titled the 1st National Conference on Nano and Supramolecular Chemistry (NCNSC-2025), the event is being hosted by the Department of Chemistry and is aimed at exploring the latest scientific breakthroughs with potential applications in medicine, energy, materials science, and environmental sustainability.

The inaugural session was attended by academics from institutions including IITs, NITs, Jamia Millia Islamia, Panjab University, University of Kashmir, and other reputed centres of research. Former University of Kashmir professor Mohammad Akbar Khuroo presided over the session as chief guest.

In his virtual address, NIT Srinagar Director Prof. Binod Kumar Kanaujia said nanoscience is opening transformative possibilities in fields ranging from engineering to targeted medicine. “The deliberations at this conference will inspire young researchers,” he said.

Echoing this sentiment, Dean Research and Consultancy Prof Roohie Naaz Mir noted that nanochemistry and supramolecular chemistry are revolutionising diagnostics, energy storage, and smart materials. “This conference is a step towards interdisciplinary collaboration,” she said.

Registrar Prof Atikur Rehman described the gathering as a “platform for dialogue, discovery and direction,” highlighting the growing convergence of chemistry with practical societal needs.

Chief Guest Prof. Khuroo, in a reflective address, recalled the historic ties between NIT Srinagar—once known as the Regional Engineering College—and the University of Kashmir’s chemistry faculty. He underlined the relevance of the conference theme in today’s medical landscape, especially in developing precision therapies. “This discipline is like designing guided missiles at the molecular level,” he said.

Chairing the event, Head of the Chemistry Department Prof. Kowsar Majid outlined the purpose of the conference, saying it would foster meaningful dialogue among early-career researchers and senior scientists. “These fields are deeply complementary. While nanochemistry is about designing materials at the atomic scale, supramolecular chemistry focuses on how molecules self-assemble,” she said.

Prof. Kowsar also acknowledged the foundational contributions of senior faculty member Prof. M.F. Wani, who was felicitated during the session. She credited him and former NIT directors with establishing major research infrastructure including the ₹10 crore Central Research Facility Centre and the Tribology Research Centre.

The technical sessions featured several prominent speakers. Prof. Rajnish Misra from IIT Indore delivered the keynote address on mechanofluorochromism and stimuli-responsive materials. Dr. Hirakendu Basu from BARC Mumbai presented on 2D nanostructures for solar water purification and disinfection.

Other invited talks included Dr. Raghu Chitta (NIT Warangal) on light-harvesting systems, Dr. Dar Aijaz Ahmad (University of Kashmir) on optical polymorphism, and Dr. Suriya Rehman (Iman Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Saudi Arabia) on biomimetic nanoparticles for antifungal treatment.

In a session chaired by Dr. Aabid Hussain Shalla of IUST Awantipora, discussions focused on advanced hydrogel systems for colonic therapy. Another panel led by Prof. Robinna Aman of SSJ University, Almora, addressed sustainable wastewater treatment technologies.

Parallel oral sessions also saw presentations on nanomaterial-based sensors, porphyrin systems, antimicrobial profiling of medicinal plants, and agricultural nanotechnologies.

The conference has brought together researchers from diverse scientific backgrounds to examine how nano and supramolecular chemistry can provide innovative solutions to real-world challenges.

The event concludes on Friday.