http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/4901 Research articles authored by NIIST researchers published in 2025 2026-05-13T17:41:46Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5148 Title: Wild rice-associated Vibrio promotes plant growth and exhibits genomic and phenotypic plasticity for plant adaptations Authors: Kirti, K; Rameshkumar, N Abstract: Vibrio is an important marine heterotroph, primarily studied for its pathogenesis or symbiotic relationship with marine organisms and humans. However, little is known about the association of vibrios with plants in brackish environments and their potential benefits. To address this knowledge gap, we focused on Vibrio porteresiae MSSRF30T and brackish-grown Pokkali rice as our research subjects for this study. MSSRF30T displays multifaceted plant beneficial traits, including nitrogen fixation, 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate (ACC) deaminase production, and zinc and tricalcium phosphate solubilization. Further, MSSRF30T efficiently colonizes the host roots and significantly improves the Pokkali rice growth in nitrogen-replete and nitrogen-limiting brackish conditions, highlighting its plant growth-promoting ability, a trait previously not well recognized in vibrios. Additionally, MSSRF30T can utilize various carbon-rich substrates derived from plant roots, demonstrating its metabolic adaptation to the plant rhizosphere niche. Using in planta root transcriptome analysis and whole-genome sequencing, we provide the first insights into how MSSRF30T interacts with Pokkali rice in brackish conditions. Additionally, we have identified several genome features for a plant-associated lifestyle, previously unreported in this genus. These features include plant expansin, PEP-CTERM surface anchoring with exopolysaccharides, plant-associated Hrp-type three secretion system, ACC deaminase production, PQQ-independent glucose dehydrogenase pathway for phosphate solubilization, plant-derived sugar/organic acids utilization operons, carbohydrate utilization loci, and specific plant depolymerizing CAZymes. Notably, MSSRF30T lacks key genome features critical for the animal association. Overall, this study adds new knowledge in the field of Vibrio biology, especially Vibrio-plant beneficial interactions, a relationship largely underexplored. 2025-10-27T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5147 Title: WS2/Metal Oxide Nanohybrid Electrodes for High-Performance Supercapacitors Authors: Mohan, V V; Rakhi, R B Abstract: Tungsten disulfide (WS2) nanosheets decorated with cobalt oxide (Co3O4) and ruthenium oxide (RuO2) nanoparticles (WS2/Co3O4 and WS2/RuO2) are synthesized using a simple hydrothermal method followed by chemical deposition for supercapacitor applications.WS2 provides mechanical stability and serves as a conductive channel, while metal oxides contribute to high capacitance. The electrochemical performance of WS2/Co3O4 and WS2/RuO2 electrodes are evaluated in symmetric two-electrode configurations, achieving specific capacitances of 425 and 753 F g−1, respectively, at 1 A g−1. The devices exhibit energy densities of 38 Wh kg−1 (WS2/Co3O4) and 67 Wh kg−1 (WS2/RuO2) at a power density of 0.8 kW kg−1. Both devices demonstrate excellent cyclic stability over 10 000 charge-discharge cycles. Additionally, the supercapacitor successfully powers an LED, highlighting its practical applicability. 2025-08-04T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5143 Title: Synergistic effect of a one-pot synthesised kaolinite–cerium melamine cyanurate hybrid for an improved metal protective coating Authors: Nithyaa, J; Nishanth, K G Abstract: This paper presents the cerium–melamine cyanurate (CeMC) complex as an anticorrosive pigment prepared by one-pot synthesis. Further, kaolinite is integrated to prepare KCeMC to improve the barrier performance of the anticorrosive coating. The effectiveness of the synthesised pigment-loaded epoxy coatings was assessed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) confirmed the release of the cathodic inhibitor Ce3+, which forms a protective layer over defective areas of the coating. A five-fold increase in the initial coat resistance was observed compared to the pristine epoxy, as measured by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). A 1 wt% KCeMC loaded epoxy coating reveals better durability among all the synthesised pigment loaded coatings. The impedance results exhibited remarkable long-term durability, maintaining a high coating resistance of 7.70 × 109 Ω cm2 after 2 months of immersion in a saline medium. The improved protective properties of the epoxy coating containing KCeMC are attributed to the synergistic effects of cerium inhibition along with the barrier performance provided by kaolinite and melamine cyanurate. 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z http://localhost:8080/xmlui/handle/123456789/5138 Title: Self-Poled PVDF Infiltrated Nylon 11 Aerogels with Oriented Crystals for High-Performance Piezoelectric Energy Harvesters and Self-Powered Acoustic Sensors Authors: Ashitha, G; Athira, B S; Chandran, A; Surendran, K P; Gowd, E B Abstract: Efficient piezoelectric polymers with enhanced electromechanical conversion gain significant attention for energy harvesting and sensing applications. Among them, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and odd-nylons stand out due to their high piezoelectric coefficients and thermal stability. However, achieving a piezoelectric phase with a preferred crystal orientation for optimal performance remains challenging, particularly under mild processing conditions. In this study, a vacuum-assisted infiltration technique is introduced to fabricate PVDF-infiltrated nylon-11 (PVDFIPA11) aerogels with oriented polymer crystallites. Anisotropic nylon-11 aerogels, featuring aligned polymer crystals, serve as templates for PVDF infiltration under vacuum. This process facilitates the formation of highly oriented β phase PVDF crystals alongside γ phase nylon-11 crystals, yielding a fully self-poled system without the need for external poling. A piezoelectric nanogenerator (PENG) based on the PVDFIPA11 aerogel exhibits a high output voltage (peak-to-peak) of ≈45 Vpp and a peak power density of 2.2 Wm⁻3 significantly outperforming pristine PVDF and nylon-11 aerogels. Additionally, the PVDFIPA11 aerogel PENG is demonstrated as a self-powered acoustic sensor, effectively distinguishing sound signals at varying pressure levels. This work provides a scalable and practical strategy for developing self-poled piezoelectric polymer aerogels, paving the way for next-generation energy-harvesting devices and sensors. 2025-07-03T00:00:00Z