Dr. Jayant M. Gadgil, Scientist

A freelance researcher, consultant, teacher and science communicator.

Patent Ownership

Invention of a catalyst for depolymerisation of HDPE, LDPE Polystyrene, rubbers etc. 

Research assignments

  1. a) A process for waste management of Polyurethane foam, a project completed for NCL Innovation center.
  2. b) A Patent for invention of a catalyst for depolymerisation of HDPE, LDPE Polystyrene, rubbers etc.
  3. c) Process for reclaiming waste Plaster of Paris for various applications such as idols, denture and construction waste.
  4. d) Process for generating hydrocarbon from non-edible oil for a project funded by ISRO and concieved by Dr. Vasant Gowariker, as one of his dream project.
  5. e) Coloration of brass and bronze using chemical reactions, used in sculpture.
  6. f) Polymeric material for dental applications
  7. g) Photosensitive polymers for lithography

Publications

  • 3 patents assigned,
  • 2 patents applied for,
  • About a dozen research papers 

Teaching

  • More than a decade for teaching polymer science at Masters level of science at Nowrosejee Wadia College and engineering at MIT Kothrud. It covered many courses such as introduction, history of polymers, Synthesis of Polymers, their kinetics of reactions, characterization, physical properties, process, applications such as Adhesives, Coatings, frontier topics such as thermally stable polymers, Liquid crystalline polymers
  • A decade of teaching an introductory polymer science for certificate course in Rubber Technology, on behalf of All India Rubber Industries.
  • Teaching science to school kids from 5th std to 10 std using Lec-Dem and participation using constructivist approach. 

Science Communication

  • Lecture – demonstration at Science Park at SPPU (Savitribai Phule Pune University) and other organizations.
  • Articles in regional language (Marathi) in news papers on the topics of current research in science.
  • Lectures: De -mystification of Science, Technology, Environmental challenges at various organizations for general audience.
  • Creative Writing: Translation in Marathi about cruelty to animals, Narration script for museum, Science Fiction Novel etc.

Education and academic research

  • Post doctoral Fellow at ESPCI Paris, France for one year, on thermo-associative smart polymers.
  • D.(Pune University) as CSIR fellow 1987-1992 at NCL on “Synthesis and Characterisation of Functional Polyelectrolytes”
  • Sc. IIT Mumbai 1983-85 in Chemistry with a project on synthesis of anti-malerial chemical.