22 July 2026·PIB

Borophene-based green lubricant can help save energy

In this note

1. At a Glance

Indian researchers demonstrated borophene (a 2D nanomaterial) as a high-performance lubricant additive in castor oil for the first time. [1]
Adding just 0.1 wt% borophene to castor oil cut friction by ~42% versus pure castor oil, without any chemical modification of the oil. [1]
Positions India in green/bio-based tribology research — relevant for renewable energy, marine, and sustainable manufacturing applications. [1]
Tests understanding of 2D nanomaterials (graphene-family), nanotechnology governance (DST), and green chemistry/biodegradable lubricants — a recurring Science & Tech Prelims theme.

PIB press release dated 22 July 2026 announcing the borophene–castor oil lubricant breakthrough by scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati. [1]

IASST Guwahati was established in 1979 by the Assam Science Society; it is now an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science & Technology. [2]
Borophene (2D boron sheet) had earlier shown promise in batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells, but had not been explored as a lubricant additive until this study. [1]
Castor oil is already recognized as a renewable, biodegradable base lubricant, but its tribological performance needed enhancement via additives — the scientific gap this research addresses. [1]
Findings published in the journal ACS Applied Engineering Materials (DOI: 10.1021/acsaenm.6c00540). [1]

Item	Detail
Nanomaterial	Borophene — 2D boron nanomaterial
Base lubricant	Castor oil (renewable, biodegradable)
Additive concentration	0.1 weight percent
Friction reduction	~42% vs pure castor oil
Protective layer formed	Tribofilm containing iron oxides, carbonaceous species, boron compounds
Lead researcher	Prof. Devasish Chowdhury
First author	Mr. Ujjibit Boruah (INSPIRE Senior Research Fellow)
Institute	IASST, Guwahati
Parent body	Department of Science and Technology (DST)
Ministry	Ministry of Science & Technology
Publication	ACS Applied Engineering Materials
[1] [2]

Environmental

Reduces reliance on petroleum-based lubricants; castor oil-based formulation is biodegradable and renewable. [1]
Lower friction/wear translates to reduced industrial energy consumption and emissions. [1]

Scientific/Technological

First demonstrated use of borophene as a lubricant additive — a novel application distinct from its known electrochemical (battery/supercapacitor) uses. [1]
Mechanism: forms a protective tribofilm (iron oxide + carbon species + boron compounds) that reduces surface wear. [1]

Economic

Potential to extend machinery lifespan and cut maintenance/energy costs across renewable energy, marine, and manufacturing sectors. [1]

Administrative

Research conducted under India's autonomous S&T institution ecosystem (DST-funded institutes), illustrating decentralized R&D delivery outside central IITs/CSIR labs. [2]

22 July 2026: PIB announces the borophene-castor oil lubricant breakthrough by IASST Guwahati scientists, published in ACS Applied Engineering Materials. [1]

Borophene is a two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterial made of boron. [1]
Borophene was used as a lubricant additive in castor oil for the first time. [1]
Optimal borophene dosage: 0.1 weight percent. [1]
Friction reduction achieved: ~42% compared to pure castor oil. [1]
Research institute: Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), Guwahati. [1]
IASST is an autonomous institution under the Department of Science and Technology (DST). [2]
IASST was established in 1979 by the Assam Science Society. [2]
Lead researcher: Prof. Devasish Chowdhury; first author: Ujjibit Boruah, an INSPIRE Senior Research Fellow. [1]
Borophene had earlier shown promise in batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells. [1]
The protective layer formed during friction is called a tribofilm, containing iron oxides, carbonaceous species, and boron compounds. [1]
Findings published in ACS Applied Engineering Materials. [1]
Castor oil is valued as a renewable, biodegradable lubricant base. [1]
Nodal ministry: Ministry of Science & Technology (not MoEFCC or MoPNG). [1]

Graphene and 2D materials — borophene belongs to the same nanomaterial family; useful comparative study.
Nano Mission / National Programme on Nano Science and Technology (DST) — the umbrella scheme funding such nanomaterial R&D. [2]
INSPIRE Fellowship Scheme (DST) — the fellowship supporting the first author; commonly tested science governance scheme.
Autonomous institutions under DST — governance structure of India's applied science R&D ecosystem.
Green/biodegradable lubricants and tribology — broader sustainability angle in manufacturing.
Castor cultivation in India — agricultural/economic linkage (India is a leading castor oil producer/exporter).
Renewable energy and marine engineering applications — sectors cited as beneficiaries of this lubricant.

Do not confuse borophene (boron-based 2D material) with graphene (carbon-based) — distinct materials with different properties.
Nodal ministry is Ministry of Science & Technology (via DST), not Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas or MoEFCC, despite the "green"/energy-saving framing.
IASST Guwahati is an autonomous DST institution, not a central university or IIT — avoid misattributing to CSIR or IIT-Guwahati.
The additive percentage (0.1 wt%) and friction reduction (~42%) are frequently swapped or rounded incorrectly in MCQ distractors — note precisely.
This is a lubricant additive breakthrough, not a new lubricant "invention" from scratch — castor oil remains the base fluid.