Researchers of IIT- ISM have derived adsorbents that may help removal of  heavy metal from cow dung  and those can be  developed as Electrodes for energy storage devices. 

The research team led by Brijesh Kumar Mishra, Associate Professor of Department of Environmental Engineering, assisted by Ganesh Chandra Nayak, Associate professor of Department of Chemistry and Dr Sonalika, research associate of Environmental Engineering department have worked on the project with dual objective of ensuring water decontamination as well as energy conservation. 

The team are working on development of cow dung derived cost effective adsorbent to remove heavy metals from water and adsorbent later can also be used to develop an energy storage device. The research project which also fulfills the objective of Gobardhan Framework of Swachh Bharat Mission, meant to support villages in effectively managing their cattle and biodegradable waste is also in accordance with the objectives of Swajal Scheme of the Central Government meant to provide clean and safe drinking water to rural population.

“Cow dung is composed of several mineral types such as phosphorus, nitrogen and carbon, which mainly come from lignin, cellulose and hemicellulose,” said Professor Mishra.

Giving usage of cow dung derived adsorbent for development of Electrodes as energy storage device, Mishra said, “These energy storage devices, being developed from waste materials, would be very cheap and can be integrated with solar panels in rural areas, which can be used to light up homes, roads, public toilets etc.” These devices would be affordable, sustainable and cleaner with no impact on the environment, he said.

Mishra said, the significance of cow dung derived adsorbent in countries such as India, Bangladesh and Malaysia that focus on agriculture and also cattle rearing cow dung is a viable option for generating energy storage devices as each cattle  generate approximately 9–15 kg of cow dung per day.