IIT (ISM) Dhanbad Wins Indian Patent for Technology That Extracts Copper from Wastewater

Key facts

• IIT (ISM) Dhanbad has been granted an Indian patent for an electrochemical reactor that recovers copper from wastewater.
• The patent, titled 'An Electrochemical Reactor for Cathodic Recovery of Copper from Wastewater', was granted by the Patent Office, Government of India, to Prof Vipin Kumar of the Department of Environmental Science and Engineering and his PhD scholars Nishant Pandey and Ankur Singh.
• In the cathodic electrochemical process, copper particles deposit on the electrode as wastewater is treated, enabling recovery of the metal and reducing toxicity risks to water bodies and ecosystems.
• The technology has significant potential for mining and allied industries, where copper-heavy wastewater is a major environmental challenge.
• Prof Vipin Kumar's research focuses on environmental microbiology, microbial electrochemical systems, and waste management; he has over 100 published research papers and received the Inder Mohan Thapar Foundation Research Award.