Aim
This course provides a practical and industry-oriented understanding of how to design and synthesize inorganic encapsulation containers (micro- and nano-scale shells, capsules, coatings, porous carriers, and core–shell structures) for diverse applications. Participants will learn key synthesis routes, material selection, encapsulation strategies, and performance testing methods to build robust encapsulation systems for sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, coatings, catalysts, energy storage, and environmental remediation.
Program Objectives
- Understand Encapsulation Concepts: Learn how inorganic containers protect, carry, and release functional payloads.
- Material Selection: Choose suitable inorganic materials (silica, alumina, zeolites, clays, calcium phosphate, metal oxides) based on end-use needs.
- Synthesis Skills: Master core synthesis methods for shells, porous carriers, and core–shell architectures.
- Encapsulation & Release Design: Control loading efficiency, barrier properties, and triggered release behavior.
- Characterization & Testing: Evaluate morphology, porosity, stability, and release profiles using standard tools.
- Industrial Translation: Learn scale-up considerations, reproducibility, safety, and regulatory expectations.
Program Structure
Module 1: Encapsulation Basics & Industrial Motivation
- What are inorganic encapsulation containers and why industries use them.
- Core–shell systems, hollow particles, porous carriers, inorganic microcapsules.
- Key performance metrics: protection, compatibility, shelf-life, release, and durability.
Module 2: Inorganic Materials Used for Containers
- Silica (Stöber), alumina, titania, zinc oxide, iron oxide, calcium phosphate.
- Layered materials: clays, LDHs, graphene oxide hybrids (conceptual).
- Porous frameworks: zeolites, mesoporous silica (MCM-41/SBA-15), MOF concepts (optional).
- How to match material properties to payload and application environment.
Module 3: Synthesis Routes for Inorganic Shells & Capsules
- Sol–gel coating and shell growth strategies.
- Co-precipitation methods and controlled nucleation.
- Emulsion/mini-emulsion templating for microcapsules (process overview).
- Template removal approaches to create hollow containers (etching/calcination concepts).
Module 4: Porous Containers & High-Loading Carriers
- Designing porosity for loading and controlled diffusion release.
- Mesoporous synthesis control: pore size, surface chemistry, and stability.
- Adsorption-based loading vs in-situ encapsulation.
- Sealing pores and “gatekeeping” strategies (stimulus-based concepts).
Module 5: Encapsulation Strategies for Different Payload Types
- Encapsulating small molecules, catalysts, fragrances, corrosion inhibitors.
- Encapsulating sensitive payloads (enzymes/biologics) with compatibility considerations.
- Barrier design: moisture/oxygen/UV protection and chemical resistance.
- Encapsulation efficiency, loading capacity, and leakage prevention approaches.
Module 6: Triggered & Controlled Release Engineering
- Release mechanisms: diffusion, degradation, dissolution, and shell cracking.
- Trigger concepts: pH, ionic strength, temperature, redox, light (overview).
- Designing release profiles for industrial performance (burst vs sustained release).
- Modeling basics: release curves and selection of fit models (intro).
Module 7: Characterization & Performance Testing
- Structure and morphology: SEM/TEM, particle size (DLS), surface charge (zeta potential).
- Phase/chemistry: XRD, FTIR/Raman, UV-Vis (as relevant).
- Porosity: BET surface area, pore volume distribution.
- Stability and compatibility: thermal, mechanical, chemical durability tests.
- Release testing: in-vitro release style workflows adapted for industrial media.
Module 8: Application Pathways Across Industries
- Pharma/biomed (conceptual): protection and controlled release for actives.
- Agrochemicals: slow-release fertilizers and pesticide encapsulation approaches.
- Coatings & paints: self-healing and anti-corrosion inhibitor release containers.
- Catalysis & chemical processing: catalyst immobilization and recyclability.
- Energy & environment: additives for batteries, adsorption carriers, remediation agents.
Module 9: Scale-Up, Quality Control & Safety
- Batch vs continuous synthesis thinking; reproducibility and yield control.
- Process variables: mixing, pH control, temperature, aging, washing, drying.
- Quality checks: lot-to-lot consistency, stability, and shelf-life testing.
- Safety: nanoparticle handling, EHS practices, waste management basics.
Module 10: Packaging, Regulatory & Commercial Readiness
- Choosing container formats for final products: powders, dispersions, slurries, coatings.
- Regulatory overview (high-level): materials safety data, application-specific constraints.
- Cost drivers and manufacturability: raw materials, energy, solvents, time.
- Tech transfer checklist: documentation, SOPs, and validation mindset.
Final Project
- Design an inorganic encapsulation container for a chosen industrial use-case.
- Define material choice, synthesis route, loading method, and release mechanism.
- Build a testing plan: characterization + stability + release/performance metrics.
- Example projects: silica shell for fragrance protection, mesoporous carrier for corrosion inhibitor release, hollow oxide container for catalyst immobilization.
Participant Eligibility
- Students and researchers in Chemistry, Materials Science, Nanotechnology, Chemical Engineering, and related fields.
- Industry professionals in coatings, agrochemicals, pharma, catalysis, and energy materials.
- R&D teams working on formulation, controlled release, and functional additives.
Program Outcomes
- Ability to select inorganic materials and match them to payload and application needs.
- Practical understanding of synthesis routes for shells, porous carriers, and core–shell systems.
- Confidence in designing encapsulation and controlled release strategies.
- Hands-on knowledge of characterization workflows and performance testing.
- Awareness of scale-up challenges, safety, and industrial quality expectations.
Program Deliverables
- Access to e-LMS: Full access to course materials, protocols, and reference resources.
- Assignment Sets: Structured tasks for synthesis planning, feature engineering, and data interpretation.
- Project Guidance: Mentor support for project design, validation, and reporting.
- Final Examination: Certification awarded after successful completion of exam and assignments.
- e-Certification and e-Marksheet: Digital credentials provided upon successful completion.
- Documentation Pack: Sample SOP templates and QC checklist (course-provided).
Future Career Prospects
- Materials / Formulation Scientist
- Encapsulation R&D Specialist
- Nanomaterials Process Engineer
- Coatings & Functional Additives Developer
- Controlled Release Technology Associate
- Industrial R&D Scientist (Catalysis / Energy / Environment)
Job Opportunities
- Coatings & Paints Industry: Self-healing and anti-corrosion encapsulated additives.
- Agrochemical Sector: Controlled-release fertilizers and pesticide formulations.
- Pharma & Life Science Suppliers: Inorganic carriers and protective delivery systems (R&D roles).
- Chemical Manufacturing: Catalyst supports, additive carriers, and formulation development.
- Energy & Environmental Companies: Functional materials for batteries, adsorption, and remediation systems.
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