LAHORE: The Government College University, Lahore, on Wednesday got another invention patented with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The ZNO-SIO2 Nano-powder was tested at the Punjab Forensic Science Agency (PFSA).

The patent in the field of forensics and Nano-technology is the result of research done by PFSA Director-General Dr Ashraf Tahir, GCU Vice- Chancellor Prof Dr Khaleequr Rahman and its Nano-chemistry laboratory Director Dr Akhyar Farrukh for developing indigenous strong and low-cost nano-powder for lifting latent fingerprints from nonporous surfaces like metal, glass or plastic.

This nano-powder composition contains 40-50 per cent zinc and 10-20pc silicon.

This nano-powder is patented as it lifts even minor fingerprints without contaminating them. It gives very clear images of fingerprints by adhering to the moisture and oily constituents of sweat residue through pressure deficit mechanism.

“ZNO-SIO2 Nano-powder for the development of latent fingerprints is the fourth US patent of GCU that hopefully will be a landmark development for crime scene investigation,” said Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Khaleequr Rahman while talking to media.

He said that nano-powder was a result of strong collaboration between the GCU and the two institutions.

The GCU had also established modern nano-chemistry laboratory to advance research in the fields of solar cells, nano-catalysis, nano-filtration, nano-forensics, nano-drugs, nano-fertilizers and wastewater treatment and was expecting to have more patents in these fields in the coming years.

The United States Patent Office had already patented the GCU’s invented ‘analytical grade salt’, ‘nano-leucite for slow release nitrogen fertiliser and green environment’ and ‘zinc oxide nano-flakes for treatment of pollutants’.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play