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To: Think4Yourself who wrote (54632)	11/12/1999 3:43:00 PM
From: reikjavic	Respond to of 95453

timesofindia.com Shipping petrol as solid: It's possible now By Seema Singh BANGALORE: It's a dreamer's technology, but it's real. This simple reversible technique to solidify any uncharged liquid without any chemical process is all set to revolutionise the industrial world. Developed by Prof. Ram Rajasekharan and his student Jayanth Daniel of the biochemistry department, Indian Institute of Science, the technology has been sold to the Nagarjuna Group and is under development. Speaking to The Times of India, Prof Rajasekharan said, "When I dream of ideas I look like a fool but I make my students believe in them. Chemical hydrogenation is a well-known process all over the world. The common example we have is vanaspati, but this method is expensive and not healthy for diet. But our method is new where the molecule is defined. The agent used is originally from a plant source and can be synthesised in large quantities." Talking of the incredible ramifications in the mineral oil (petrol, diesel, kerosene), edible oil and industrial (castrol) oil sectors, Daniel said it was a simple process like making curd -- "it's just like putting curd culture in milk, no science is involved." The provisional patent has been obtained and the final patenting process would be complete in a month, he added, the confidence emanating from the fact that the famous Kumaran and Sagar Co., New Delhi, of basmati and turmeric fame, are handling the patent issue in the international market. Head of the life sciences division in Hyderabad Rahul Raju said: "Since the technology is in the business development stage I cannot say much. We are exploring all possible areas of application. At a time when technology is playing a major role in adding value to an effort we want to make our company a global player." A couple of oil companies in Europe and the US have been working in this area but, according to Prof Rajasekharan, no one has come out with this methodology. "I am surprised how scientists have missed this," he quipped. Scientists here believe the technology has immense application potential. A litre of oil in laboratory conditions can be solidified in five minutes and the process reversed in 10-12 minutes. From transforming the oil transportation sector (by enabling shipping of solid petrol at room temperature) to making healthy butter from sunflower oil, to using castor oil in shoe-polish (with dyes) instead of mineral oil, the list is endless. "It can can run as wild as the imagination. We have shown the way but it is up to the industry to use it," Prof Rajasekharan noted. As per the MoU signed between the Indian Institute of Science and Nagarjuna Group, the former would get royalties. "We can provide input if the industry requires," said Daniel who works on bio-synthesis of oil in oilseeds and looks forward to cloning the gene for the 'miraculous' liquid solidifying agent.