PU Secures Patent for Breakthrough UV-C Protective Coating

Chandigarh, April 4, 2025: In a landmark development, Panjab University (PU) has been granted a patent for a novel, multifunctional surface coating capable of absorbing up to 96% of harmful UV-C radiation.

Developed by Prof. Gaurav Verma, a material nanotechnologist at Dr. SSB University Institute of Chemical Engineering and Technology (UICET) and currently serving as Director of Sophisticated Instrumentation Laboratories at Panjab University, along with his student Dr. Anjali Sharma, the innovation is a remarkable fusion of ancient Indian knowledge systems with cutting-edge nanotechnology.

The coating, which can absorb up to 96 percent of harmful UV-C radiation, presents a significant advancement in protecting both living beings and materials from high-energy ultraviolet exposure. This multifunctional innovation is particularly relevant to industries such as healthcare, aerospace, automotive, and construction, where equipment and infrastructure are regularly exposed to UV-C rays used for sterilization and disinfection. Such exposure often leads to material degradation, increased maintenance costs, and health risks, all of which this breakthrough seeks to mitigate.

The coating was created by combining nanocurcumin—a natural antioxidant derived from turmeric—with modified clay to form a hybrid nanofiller. Taking a clue from the traditional haldi ceremony in marriages, Prof Verma proposed using a derivative of curcumin in nanoform and integrating it with clay which is derived from earth. Both when combined form a unique nanohybrid filler which is shaped like a platelet with orb-like structures adhered to it.

In addition to its UV-blocking ability, the formulation offers a 100 percent increase in corrosion resistance, prevents leaching, enhances thermal and mechanical stability, and provides antibacterial properties, making it highly durable and eco-friendly. Unlike conventional coatings, this innovation not only ensures material longevity but also contributes to a sustainable safer environment for human health due to the usage of green technology in the formulations.