Internationally renowned scientist, Professor Ajay K. Sood,
recipient of over a score of prestigious national awards and a number of fellowships,
national and international, was today honoured by the Panjab University Vice-
Chancellor Prof. R.C. Sobti by bestowing on him Visiting Professorship of the
university.  Prof. Sood was honoured in the presence of two former Vice-Chancellors of
the Panjab University Prof. R.P. Bambah and Prof. K.N. Pathak at the Golden Jubilee
Hall packed with a gathering of students, faculty and other important persons.  The
Vice-Chancellor informed the audience that the eminent scientist, an alumnus of this
university, would be felicitated by conferment of the Vigyan Rattan Award on him at
the forthcoming Convocation about which the Syndicate and Senate has already accorded
approval.  Professor Sood is currently a senior scientist at Indian Institute of
Science, Bangalore.  
    Prof. Sood, a speaker at the distinguished lecture series being organised by
the university under the DST PURSE programme of the union government focused his talk
mainly on “Nano-Avatars of Carbon” and discussed development of newer forms of carbon,
nanotubes and their properties.  The scientist explained qualities of Raman
spectroscopy which has proven a boon for nanotechnologists.  Revealing important
properties of graphene and its electronic structure, Prof. Sood said the material
could be of immense value in X-ray diffraction and electrical measurements.  
Interacted with water, nanotubes can convert mechanical energy into electrical.  
Sensors can also be devised to measure human breath.  Prof. Sood talked of “artificial
noses” which could be developed for the detection of explosive materials by the
defence and security personal
    Thanking the versatile scientist, Prof. Sobti said there was an answer to many
health problems like cancer, arthritis etc. in nanotechnology and the work of the
noted scientist was a sure bet.   Prof. A.S. Ahluwalia, Dean, Faculty of Science and
Prof. J.B. Singh, Director, Central Instrumentation Laboratory of the University, the
chief organizers were also present.  
Press Note No.570
AK/PS