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Experimental Dr. Sebastian Kanakkanat

“In one of the products I had worked with, colour disappears on heating, a section of what is called ‘thermochromatic effect’. Unsatisfied by it, I was coaxed to think beyond.” To a reverse effect of it and finally the creation of a dye that when mixed with molten wax changes the colour of the wax. And once cooled, attains its original colour! It was the discovery of heat sensitive colour change known as positive thermochromic that added a spark to candles when lit. Gradually, it led him to work with other products and in other fields. Like the food indicator that changes colour in frozen products when thawed after a specified temperature indicating decomposition. Refreezing these can cause problems like salmonella, “and this is an ideal way to protect from using contaminated food.” Mr. Kanakkanat applied the technology to other factors as well: light, water, electricity and pressure. So much that the dye when incorporated into the front of lenses, sunglasses take upon varied colours when in contact with light or toys that serve as drawing boards without erasers and ink – just light emitted from a pen and a board that has children across USA excited for more. Then there is the security feature for personal and business checks and currency counterfeits checked by using the flash of a light: a hidden strip comes out in colour highlighting true notes!

But it is not just about colour change that Mr. Kanakkanat deals with. Polymer science for him has moved from related to completely new fields: the creation of a shoe sole in plastelastomeric, a polymer called SVK polymer, that is as pliable as flesh (that absorbs movement shock) and when worn in a shoe helps relieve a foot problem called planters fascities. He explains also of a recent product he is working on, “a request from a neuro-specialist at the world famous Cleveland Clinic, to create a composite for the spinal disc.” A replacement that seems ideal in severe cases when the only option would be to take out the disc and fuse the vertebrae together but would hinder easy movement, this thus is the perfect product that can be fitted in place of the disc. And then a compound dissolved in water that shrinks cancer tumors, a product that has currently worked on mice.

It seems the possibilities are endless, and with a little bit of thinking there would be no limit to the possible. It is like this, says he, “there is always a broad spectrum of technologies available. Often, researches tend to be narrowly focused on their subjects. But with a slightly wider perspective and awareness, the exposure to technology becomes synergistic. Enormous discoveries can take place.”

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