Calling the additive a perfect solution for the rising pollution in metros, Narayan said the formulation, based on nanotechnology, is waiting for a patent at the moment and will be launched in the American, Indian and Chinese markets within a year. Narayan is on a three-day visit to the IIT-K for the international conference on Metals and Alloys- Metallo 2007.

The native of a village near Kanpur, Narayan completed his engineering degree from IIT-K in 1969, followed by a Masters and doctorate from the University of Berkeley.

In an exclusive interview with The Indian Express, Narayan said nanotechnology could provide solutions for energy and pollution-related problems throughout the world. “The reason for poor mileage and harmful emissions is friction and this additive reduces the friction and repairs the internal surface of the engine, thus increasing efficiency and cutting down on carbon exhaust,” he said. He, however, refused to give information about the components of the additive due to patenting reasons. Narayan said that adding just 10 cc of the additive to engine oil would increase the life of the engine and cut down on the frequency of changing the engine oil. “Once the additive is mixed with the oil, it would last for five to six years. It could be used in all sorts of automotive engines,” he said.