NIT Rourkela Makes a Stellar Advancement in Cancer Research

India takes pride in its stellar academic ecosystem that comprises the National Institutes of Technology (NIT) and Indian Institutes of Technology spread across the country. What differentiates them is often their unique interventions to solve societal challenges. One of the recent such interventions came from the NIT Rourkela. The researchers from NIT Rourkela have designed a new semiconductor device-based biosensor that can identify breast cancer cells without the need for complicated or expensive laboratory procedures.

The new device, Tunnel Field Effect Transistor (TFET), developed using Technology Computer-Aided Design (TCAD) simulation,

has proven to be an effective tool for detecting breast cancer cells. While Field Effect Transistors (FETs) are typically utilized in electronics, this innovative adaptation transforms them into highly sensitive detectors for biological materials. Unlike many conventional diagnostic tests, this biosensor operates without the need for additional chemicals or labels, making it a more efficient and potentially less invasive detection method.

According to the report published in Microsystem Technologies journal, this new method uses the physical properties of cancer cells, which hold more water and are denser than healthy tissues, to detect them. These cells interact differently with microwave radiation, and these differences help distinguish between healthy and cancerous cells. As the next step, the research team is exploring potential collaborations for fabrication and scientific validation of the developed technology. We congratulate the research team led by Prof. Prasanna Kumar Sahu, Department of Electrical Engineering, NIT Rourkela, and we are delighted to publish this special yearly issue dedicated to the reputed alumni of NIT Rourkela. Do let us know your thoughts.