VISAKHAPATNAM: Andhra University has received a patent on an invention – Metal Free Hydrogen Sensor and Method of Fabrication thereof – by AU’s chemistry department in a record time of 11 months.
University vice-chancellor Prof. P.V.G.D. Prasad Reddy on Thursday pointed out that patents are typically granted by the Controller of Patents, Government of India, over a period of 4–6 years. “AU’s invention must have been novel at the global level for getting the patent within 11 months,” the VC underlined.
He explained that the Science Engineering Research Board of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India has funded the research project for the development of a metal-free hydrogen sensor. The research has been timely as the hydrogen economy is poised for growth, with metal-free hydrogen sensors finding their application in hydrocarbon and other processing industries.
“Grant of a patent to Andhra University is a strong indicator of high-quality research that is going on in AU,” Prof. Prasad Reddy maintained.
He congratulated Prof. Hanumanthu Purushotham, DPIIT-IPR chair and head of the Centre for Intellectual Property Rights, Andhra University, for getting the patent.
The research is being led by Prof. Kalidindi Suresh Babu and Prof. K. Basavayya of the chemistry department and research scholars Thokala Nany and Valle Krishnaveni, the VC added.
