Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Guwahati have developed four new organic co-crystal systems with potential applications in drug discovery, therapeutics, fiber-optic communications and optical devices.

Co-crystal engineering enables a combination of compounds to enhance their functionality, wherein these compounds find applications across diverse fields, ranging from drug development to new generation semiconductor devices. However, the challenge posed is that most of the reported co-crystals are highly planar and rigid.

The IIT Guwahati researchers, in collaboration scientists from the University of Hyderabad and IISc Bengaluru have formulated four novel organic photo-functional co-crystals which can emit light efficiently with minimal loss.

Further, in regard to the cancer therapy potential, these tiny rod-shaped crystals efficiently guide light, making them promising for advanced technologies. Specifically designed, they could prove to be essential materials in high-speed internet via fiber-optic cables. These findings open new avenues for innovative applications, marking several key milestones in the field.

The research has been funded by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB)-Department of Science and Technology (DST), Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY), Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Max-Planck-Gesellschaft.