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Dec 27, 1999
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SPECIAL SERIES Devang
Khakhar, 43
Chemical Engineer
FLUID
MOVER
Compared
to some of the fossilised fogeys you see in chemistry labs, he's liberal
and dynamic. And probably the youngest professor at IIT Mumbai. But Devang
Khakhar is no novice. His passion is polymers. Or simply, molecularly
engineered plastic -- strong as steel, but light and flexible. With
applications in aerospace and cables, polymers are lionised by a handful
of scientists. The other area he specialises in is "fluid
mechanics" -- the art of mixing liquid and solid chemicals.
"Believe it or not, it's fascinating," he chuckles dryly.
But
Khakhar isn't content to remain at the "molecular level".
"Ultimately, all fundamental research has to be translated into
practical and useful applications," he says emphatically.
"That's where my future lies." A bright one, surely.
-Farah
Baria
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