CSIR News - NISCAIR€¦ · CSIR News JUNE 2013 121 ... bridges quickly and effectively. Simple and robust in construction, the unit is mounted over a 25-ton truck chassis. The

CSIR NewsJUNE 2013 121

Volume 63 No. 11 & 12 June 2013website: http://www.csir.res.in

In The News • IndigenousBridge

InspectionUnit• BioinspiredNanoparticles

forGeneTherapy• DWRRadomefor

Cherrapunji

I n T h i s I s s u e

National TechnologyDay Celebrations

ISSN0409-7467

Newsletter of the CouNCil of sCieNtifiC & iNdustrial researCh

For the first time in the country a Mobile Bridge Inspection Unit (MBIU) has been developed at a very low cost. The MBIU technology has been developed indigenously by the CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI) Centre of Excellence for Farm Machinery (formerly MERADO, Ludhiana). A functional demonstration of the Mobile Bridge Inspection Unit on a test ramp (Simulated Bridge) was given to Director-General, CSIR, Prof. Samir Kumar Brahmachari on 6 April 2013.

Sponsored jointly by the Department of Science & Technology and CSIR-Central

In The News

CSIR-CMERI Centre Develops Indigenous Bridge Inspection Unit121

MoUs132

Symposia/Seminars134

Training Programmes

Workshops

Foundation DayCelebration

134135136

137

Lectures140

Road Research Institute (CRRI), MBIU will provide easy and convenient access to the intricate parts of concrete road bridges quickly and effectively. Simple and robust in construction, the unit is mounted over a 25-ton truck chassis. The articulated structure having three rotary and three linear joints is activated through PLC-controlled electric drives for each motion. Keeping in view its operating nature and environment, adequate safety features have been built in the system.

The inspection team can easily maneuver themselves to a desired point under the bridge, while the vehicle is

parked on top of the bridge. After completion of a stage (between pillars), the vehicle, equipped with special electrical drive, is propelled forward or rearwards without unfolding the unit. With this unit, civil engineers can systematically inspect the bridges, take samples or undertake non-destructive tests to forecast the residual life of bridges.

R&D Hughlights • ThermalandStructural

AnalysisofRFWindowfor aGyrotron• CarbonFoam–Lightweight EngineeringMaterial

125

Visits143Appointments144

Mobile Bridge Inspection Unit in action

R&D Facilities • CentreforPrecision&

ConservationFarming Machinery(CPCFM)

•MARTFacility

130

Conferences133

Honours & Awards144

CSIR News

CSIR NewsJUNE 2013122

Currently, no such device is availableindigenously. Only a few companies in theworld like Moog of Germany and Hydra ofUSA are manufacturing MBIUs which arehydraulically-operated folding machines andcost as high as Rs 6-7 crore. Annualmaintenance cost of such machines rangesbetween Rs 20-30 lakhs and requires highlyskilled manpower. MBIU, on the other hand,costs just Rs 1 crore. Its maintenance cost isalso very low and it can be easily operatedby semi-skilled manpower.

The indigenous technology was recentlydemonstrated before a select gathering.Speaking on the occasion, Director, CSIR-CMERI, Prof. Gautam Biswas expounded onthe merits of MBIU and his vision for CSIR-CMERI Centre of Excellence for FarmMachinery (CSIR-CMERI CoEFM),Ludhiana.

The occasion was graced by otherdignitaries like Prof. B.S. Dhillon, ViceChancellor, Punjab Agriculture University,Ludhiana; Prof. D.V. Singh, Expert, DST; Dr.Sudeep Kumar, Head, PPD, CSIR; Mr. S.S.Kohli, Scientist ‘F’/Director, SERC, DST;Prof. Vedachalam, Former Director, LPSC,ISRO; Prof. S.R. Verma, Ex Dean, Facultyof Agricultural Engineering, PAU, Ludhiana,

and Prof. V.P. Agarwal from ThaparUniversity, Patiala.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. D.V.Singh expressed satisfaction at the successfulDST-sponsored MBIU project andacknowledged the great efforts despite theCentre having limited resources. He alsostated that the project had twists and turns.However, the scientists showed greatdetermination and completed the project.

Prof. Brahmachari, DG-CSIR,appreciated the efforts of CSIR-CMERICoEFM scientists in developing the MBIUtechnology. He said that the region hadvast potential in the manufacturing fieldbecause of the spirit of entrepreneurship inthe people. He expressed desire to makethe Centre a part of the NetworkingLaboratory for Manufacturing Technology.The DG also emphasized the imperative needto move at a faster speed to make thingshappen.

CMERI, Ludhiana is working withAgricultural Universities such as PAU,Ludhiana; IARI, New Delhi; G.B. PantUniversity, Pant Nagar; CICR, Nagpur;CSIR labs, CMERI, CSIO and otherinstitutes like C-DAC, Mohali in networkmode.

With the availability of human genomesequences and the advent of personalizedmedicine, gene therapy holds promise oftreating diseases that are difficult to cure.But delivering nucleic acids as drugs or genemedicines has faced hurdles due to the lackof non-toxic delivery systems.

With innovative peptide and lipid-basedpolymers as non viral vectors, scientists atthe CSIR-Centre for Cellular and MolecularBiology (CCMB) have succeeded indelivering therapeutic genes and smallinterfering RNAs (siRNAs) into living cellseffectively, using RNAi as a tool. RNAi isnow recognized as a potential treatmentstrategy due to lack of cytotoxicity, minimaloff-target transcriptional changes andnon-immunogenicity. But, the lack of anefficient delivery system was until now theprimary bottleneck for clinical application of

Bioinspired Nanoparticles for Gene TherapysiRNA.

Gene therapy is executed by viruses thathave evolved intelligent mechanisms forendosomal getaway. However,understanding of the uptake pathways andintracellular trafficking behaviuor ofbiopolymeric carriers is still ambiguous. Aclear understanding of nanoparticlebehaviour, uptake properties, intracellularbarriers, interaction with cell surfacemolecules and intracellular organelles wouldmost certainly foster devising efficientdelivery platforms.

A research group led by Dr. VijayaGopal is finding answers to these basicquestions while devising delivery platformsusing structure-based design principles andgenetic engineering approaches to tailor novelpeptide-based carriers that can ferrybiological macromolecules into cancer cells.

The indigenous

Mobile Inspection

Unit developed by

CSIR-CMERI Centre

of Excellence for

Farm Machinery cost

just Rs 1 crore as

against Rs 6-7 crore

for units developed

by companies

abroad. Its

maintenance cost is

also very low and it

can be easily

operated by semi-

skilled manpower.

In The News


Significant advances in this direction can helppave the way for treating diseases in a waythat stimulates the delivery of therapeuticnucleic acid molecules into cells in a diseasedcondition. However, the main impedimentto these tasks lies in the packaging anddelivery of therapeutic DNA/siRNA.Collectively termed as nucleic acids, thesenegatively charged molecules have to beprotected from degradation by nucleases thatabound in biological systems, thus making ita challenging task.

According to the researchers at CSIR-CCMB, chimeric proteins with differentfunctional properties could be derived fromvirtually any organism or a virus andoverproduced in bacterial factories usingstandard practices of recombinant DNAmethodologies. De novo chimeric proteinsproduced in this manner have beendemonstrated to target tissues specifically andat the same time foster introduction oftherapeutic RNAs that have the ability tosignificantly suppress HER2 positive breasttumors. These peptide-based vehicles offerscope for further development by finetuning existing delivery platforms that arecritical components in lipid-basedformulations.

Customized carriers of therapeuticmolecules, as seen from recent studies, haveunique cell targeting potential that makesthem less toxic than conventional procedurestargeting all cells. The lab is actively examiningthe toxicity aspects of delivery formulationswith validated therapeutic nucleic acids andpromising lipid molecules tailored for cell-specific targeting. The work opens up severalavenues for cancer nanotechnology thatforms the basis for the delivery of geneticmaterial as pharmaceuticals.

Drawing reference to their recentlypublished work in Biomaterials, the approachto deliver nucleic acids as drugs has beensummarized in a review published in TheJournal of Controlled Release in March this year.Peptide-based platforms appear to bepromising for suppressing the growth ofbreast and ovarian tumors in mice models.However, further investigations are essentialto validate the efficacy in a preclinical setting.

Further efforts are underway to evolvepeptide-based platform technology withother homing ligands recognizing differenttargets. Considering the multifunctionalproperties that could be unified in onebiomolecule, the work represents a highlightin gene delivery where CSIR-CCMBscientists foresee the impending value of amulti-pronged approach.

According to Dr. Ch Mohan Rao,Director, CSIR-CCMB, a completeunderstanding of the physiochemicalproperties of nanoparticles as deliverysystems, including peptides, is essential toimprove the clinical utility of this approach.Targeted drug delivery would be less toxicas it attacks only the disease cells and sparesthe normal cells. Drugs may be packagedinto small particles made frombiodegradable synthetic polymers ordesigned peptides.

Scientists at the CSIR-CCMB areattempting to study and develop suchsystems. In addition to delivering RNAi andDNA, they are also investigating such systemsfor cancer treatment and conditional releasesystems for ophthalmic applications. Futuremedicine is likely to depend on targeted andcontrolled delivery of therapeutic moleculeswhich will make the drug more effective withminimal or no side effects.

Scientists at

CSIR-CCMB are

attempting to study

and develop such

targeted drug

delivery systems that

attack only the

disease cells and

spare the normal

cells.

Use ofNucleic

Acids forGene

Therapy


Braving the tough logistics of a remotelocation, the hilly and dusty terrain, and gustsof wind, a group of scientists at the CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL) recently installed an indigenously

developed radome inCherrapunji in recordtime.

The 12.88 metrediameter compositespherical DopplerWeather Radome(DWR) will protectthe weather radarbelonging to BEL/ISRO in the IMDcampus, situated at adistance of just 30kilometer from theIndo-Bangla border. Itis for the first time thatan indigenouslydeveloped ground-based radome hasreached this remotepart of the country.

The task was anextremely challengingone for the CSIR-NAL team. Thelocation is nearly 170km from Guwahati,Assam and can bereached only after asix-hour drive througha hilly terrain. Apartfrom the security-related issues, thedusty atmosphere dueto quarrying oflimestone and coal inthe nearby minesrenders the livingas well as workingconditions unsavoury.The time given tocomplete theinstallation was justtwo months – before

CSIR-NAL’s DWR Radome Installed inCherrapunji

the arrival of the pre-monsoon showers.This included the logistics of

transporting all the 66 radome panels fromCSIR-NAL to the site along with theassociated spares and accessories. Stationedin Shillong, the CSIR-NAL personnel workedat the site from sun rise at 6.30 am till sunsetat 5 pm.

Matching and aligning the 66 panels tothe required contour, fastening 3600 bolts,braving the wind gusts while holding a panelof 7 square metre area on the scaffold erectedon top of the three-storey building (nearly35 feet above the ground), and assembling ata height yet another 45 feet above toeventually close the radome top posed greatchallenges. Yet, the CSIR-NAL team installedthe radome in record time using a cost-effective method of chain and pulleyarrangement, doing away with the expensiveroute involving the use of crane.

The radome will protect the 12-croreworth antenna installed by ISRO from theharsh vagaries of the weather. In fact, theday the radome assembly was finished andthe final joints were sealed and checked, aheavy downpour was recorded!

Setting the stage —BEL/ISRO Antenna

being positioned atopthe tower

CSIR-NAL’s DWARadome assemblybelow the equator

level

Radome assemblyabove the equator

The majestically standing CSIR-NAL’s DWARadome at the IMD Office, Cherrapunji

In The News


A gyrotron is a high power microwave tubethat emits coherent radiation at approximatelythe electron cyclotron frequency or itsharmonics. Gyrotron is widely used in plasmafusions, ECRH heating, industrial heating,material processing, etc. The need for highpower, high frequency RF sources formagnetic fusion research experiments hasprovided much of the impetus for thedevelopment of present day gyro oscillators.

Since the last three decades, Gyrotronoscillators have played a key role in magneticfusion experiments. Magnetic confinedplasma fusion is the most importantapplication of Gyrotron oscillator as a highpower, high frequency RF source. Therequirement of this special device isincreasing with demands for more and morepower at high frequency. Therefore, researchin this type of fast wave tube, particularlyGyrotron, becomes important from both theIndian point of view, as well as the globalscenario.

The activity around Gyrotron in Indiawas initiated as a multi-institutional projectwith an aim to develop a 42 GHz, 200 kWgyrotron for the Indian tokamak system atCSIR-Central Electronics EngineeringResearch Institute (CEERI). RF windows arethe most critical components of microwavetubes, which are used as a microwavepenetrable barrier between the vacuum anda transmission line. This system separates theultrahigh vacuum environment inside thetube. The wave-guide type microwavewindows are generally preferred for highpower microwave tubes due to their highercapacity for handling high peak and averageRF power.

Thermal Analysis of GyrotronThe objective of thermal analysis is to assessthe temperature distribution, axial stress,radial stress and thermal expansions in theRF window for the 42 GHz Gyrotron duringextreme case of operation, i.e. at saturation.ANSYS finite element code v.10.1 has been

used for 3-D analysis of RF window.Transient thermal analysis is used todetermine the temperature distribution as afunction of time. RF transmission loss of2W on ceramic window is taken as heat load,which is estimated by considering lowinsertion loss in the window assembly of 200kW of the tube. A nominal window radiusof 42.5 mm was considered.

The return loss and insertion loss of theRF window have been obtained -40.5dB and0.01dB respectively. Input parameters usedin simulation are material property, coolantproperty, heat flux, film coefficient and bulktemperature. Output parameters are thetemperature profile of RF window. Thecooling channel designed around thewindow outside surface for proper coolingof the window. The coolant flow ratechanged from 2 to 12 L/min. to see itseffect.

Fig. 1. Schematic diagram of double discwindow

Figure 1 shows the geometry of RFwindow used in this analysis. The window’sboundaries consist of two parallel faces, oneof which is isolated and heat flow across theother face is given by equation:

q= h (Ts-Tb)

R&D Highlights

Thermal and Structural Analysis of RF Windowfor a Gyrotron


Fig. 2. 3D model of RF windowusing ANSYS

Fig. 3. Initial mesh structure of window using ANSYS

Fig. 4. Return loss performance ofRF window using CST

Fig. 5. Temperature distribution on discwith heat flux 2550.6 (W/m2)

Fig. 6. Temperature distribution ondisc with heat flux 10370.5 (W/m2)

Fig. 7. Temperature profile versuscoolant flow rate using ANSYS

R&D Highlights


where h is film coefficient, Ts surfacetemperature of the disc and Tb bulktemperature of the coolant. The edges ofthe sapphire disc are assumed to be isolated.The temperature distribution is obtained by3D thermal analysis. For an initial coolanttemperature of 200 K the maximum powerhandling capability of the window is limitedto 300 kW.

Structural Analysis of GyrotronStructural analysis has been used to determinethe displacements and stresses in windowcaused by heat loads. The material propertiesrequired for structural analysis are Young’smodulus, Poisson’s ratio and coefficient ofthermal expansion. The finite element stressanalysis of RF window was performed onthe inner disc. This disc has higher pressureloading due to the internal vacuum of theGyrotron tube.

The 3D stress analysis indicates that thedouble disc is operating close to itsmaximum stress level. The largest stresscontribution comes from the mechanicalloading of the discs by the coolant pressure.The large tensile stresses are compensatedto a limited extent by the thermal stresseswhich arise during Gyrotron operation. Themaximum radial tensile stress of 152 MPaoccurs near the window. The maximumcompressive stress is 250 MPa. Figure 2

shows the geometry of RF window usingANSYS.

Results and DiscussionThe thermal and structural analysis has beencarried out for the estimation of temperaturedistributions and resulting stress developedon the various components under thesaturation condition. Figure 3 shows the initialmesh structure of window using ANSYS.Figure 4 shows the return loss performanceof RF window using CST. Figure 4 showsthe return loss performance of RF windowusing CST.

Figures 5 and 6 show the temperaturedistributions on the ceramic RF window fordifferent heat flux. Figure 7 shows thetemperature profile versus coolant flow rate.In the presented design, the temperature onthe ceramic disc of RF window does notexceed 100o C and is found in safe limit.The subsequent thermal stresses do notdeteriorate it.

The RF window optimized design allowslow heat loads in the ceramic andconsequently low temperature increase andlow stresses. It has been established that thereare RF window designs available capable ofhandling the thermal and mechanical loadingin a 200 kW CW Gyrotron.

M.K. Alaria and A.K. Sinhaat CSIR-CEERI

The world is witnessing the increasing useof wireless electronic devices today. Whilescientists are keen on developing stableworking conditions for electronic appliances,they are also looking at ways to mitigate theharmful effects of electromagnetic radiationson humans.

In recent times, due to the growth ofeconomy of developing countries andglobalization of the world market andeconomy, civil and military air transportationhas increased significantly. Therefore, there

Carbon Foam – Lightweight Engineering Materialis a need for materials that could mitigateelectromagnetic interference (EMI) fromelectronic systems and protect humans fromhazards of space radiation. For instance, inaerospace vehicles, especially in the 8-12.4GHz (X band) frequency region.

EMI shielding refers to the reflectionand absorption of electromagnetic radiationby the material. In case of reflection of theradiation by the shielding material, the shieldmaterial must have mobile charge carriers(electron or holes) which interact with the

In CSIR-NPL,

scientists of the

Physics and

Engineering of

Carbon group have

developed light

weight carbon foam

derived from coaltar

pitch. It can be used

in different

applications such as

in electrode in

lithium ion and lead

acid batteries, heat

sinks in electronic

industries and

thermal management

material.


shielding, as conduction requires connectivityin the conduction path.

Traditionally, metals have been the mostwidely used EMI shielding materials. Theyfunction mainly by reflection due to the freeelectrons in them. Examples are boron,tungsten, titanium, tantalum, silver, gold, orsome combination of these materials. Butthese materials have disadvantages like highdensity, corrosion, difficulty in processingand low specific shielding capability. On theother hand, absorption of the shield materialdepends on the electric or magnetic dipoles,which interact with electromagnetic field ofthe radiation.

Other than reflection and absorption,another mechanism of shielding is multiplereflections, which refers to the reflection ofelectromagnetic radiation at different surfaceor interfaces in the shield material. Thismechanism requires the presence of a largesurface area or interface area in the shieldmaterial.

The losses due to multiple reflectionscan be neglected when the distance between

the reflecting surface and interface is largeas compared to skin depth. Theelectromagnetic radiations at high frequenciespenetrate only near the surface region ofthe conducting material and this phenomenonis known as skin effect. The conductivepolymers have become increasingly availablebut they are not common and tend to bepoor in process ability, mechanical properties,thermal stability and thermal conductivity.The continuous fiber polymer-matrixstructural composites are capable of EMIshielding, which is needed for aircrafts andaerospace electronic enclosures. But thefibers in these composites are typically carbonfibers that have low electrical conductivity.They require a metal coating or need to beintercalated to increase the conductivity buthave the disadvantage of thermal stability.Electrical/thermal conductivity and thermalstability are the prime requirements in theaerospace system.

Among other alternates, carbon materials(e.g. graphite, carbon black, carbon fibers,carbon nanotubes, grapheme, etc.) havegained popularity because of their highelectrical/thermal conductivity, low density,good corrosion resistance, thermal/environmental stability and processingadvantages. But technologists and scientistsare looking for highly efficient, thermallyconducting and lightweight engineeringmaterials. Carbon foams fit the bill.

Carbon foams are the next generationsponge-like high performance lightweightmaterials in which graphitic ligaments areinterconnected to each other. They haverecently attracted a lot of attention owing totheir potential applications in various fields.They possess low density, large surface areawith open cell wall structure, high specificthermal and electrical conductivity, thermaland mechanical stability.

There are several methods to developthe carbon foam. Most of them are based onfoaming of pitches followed by oxidationstabilization, carbonization and graphitization.Foaming is achieved by either using blowingagent or pressure release employing theexpensive high temperature-high pressureautoclave systems. But technologists and

Fig. 1. Image of lightweight carbon foam ofbulk density 0.52 g.cm-1

electromagnetic field in the radiation. As aresult, the shield material tends to beelectrically conducting. The electricalconductivity is not a scientific criterion for

Technologists and

scientists are

looking for highly

efficient, thermally

conducting and

lightweight

engineering

materials. Carbon

foams fit the bill.

R&D Highlights


scientists are always looking for relativelysimple and inexpensive techniques.

In CSIR-NPL, the Physics andEngineering of Carbon group has developedlightweight carbon foam derived from coaltar pitch by sacrificial template technique. Inthis the polyurethane foam is used as atemplate and it is impregnated by the coaltar pitch. The coal tar pitch impregnatedpolyurethane foam is converted into carbonfoam by several heat treatments up to 2500ºC.To improve the properties of carbon foamdeveloped from coal tar pitch, differentapproaches are adapted such as incorporatingthe nanosize organometallic compound,multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)in the starting carbon precursor anddecoration of multi-walled carbon nanotubesover the carbon foam surface by chemicalvapor deposition technique.

Figure 1 shows an image of carbon foam,in which pores are uniformly distributed. Thepore walls are called ligaments which areinterconnected to each other and responsiblefor overall properties of the carbon foam.

The EMI shielding effectivenss (SE) ofcarbon foam developed from differentapproaches are depicted in Figure 2. Thespecific SE of carbon foam (A, in Figure 2)derived foam coal tar pitch is 90 dB.cm3g-1.In the first case, nanosize organometalliccompound acts as a catalytic agent inimproving the structural properites of carbonfoam having bulk density in the range of 0.5to 0.6 g/cc, giving higher electrical andthermal conductivity of the ultimate carbonfoam. The higher value of conductivity hasa positive effect on EMI shieldingeffectiveness (SE) of the carbon foam. Thespecific EMI SE of the lightweight CF was130 dB.cm3.g-1 (B, in Figure 2).

In another case, MWCNTs incorporatedcarbon foam specific EMI is in the order of126 dB.cm3.g-1 (C, in Figure 2) while specificEMI SE of MWCNTs direct growth overthe carbon foam surface by chemical vapordeposition technique is 163 dB.cm3.g-1 (D, inFigure 2). We have compared this value withspecfic SE of solid copper (10 dB.cm3g-1)which is much less than carbon foam (E, inFigure 2).

Besides, from the specific EMI SE inall the cases, thermal conductivity, thermalstability and mechanical properties of carbonfoams are improved. It can also be used indifferent applications such as in electrode inlithium ion and lead acid batteries, heat sinksin electronic industries, thermal managementmaterial, etc.

Fig. 2. Comparison of specific EMI shieldingeffectiveness of carbon foam with copper

Published paper citations:1. Improved electromagnetic interference

shielding effectiveness of light weight carbonfoam by ferrocene accumulation, RajeevKumar, S.R. Dhakate, Parveen Saini and R.B.Mathur, RSC Adv., 2013, 3, 4145-4151

2. Effective improvement of properties of thelight weight carbon foam region by decorationwith multi-wall carbon nanotubes, RajeevKumar, Sanjay R. Dhakate, Tejender Gupta,Parveen Saini, Bhanu P. Singh and Rakesh B.Mathur, Materials Chemistry A, 2013 (DOI:10.1039/C3TA10604G)

Dr Sanjay Dhakate andcollaborators at Physics and

Engineering of Carbon Group,CSIR-NPL

Materials

A B C D E

Spec

ific

shie

ldin

g ef

fect

iven

ess

(db.

cm3 .

g1 )

180

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0


through state-of-the-art tools like CAD andCAM, advanced manufacturing processes,automation using sensors, PLC andcomputers in farm equipment. The Centre’sthrust is on mechanization and automationin agriculture, which could enhanceproductivity and quality.

It has already developed prototype unitsof Precision Planter for simultaneous sowingof fine vegetable seeds such as carrot,cauliflower, cabbage, tomato, fenugreek, andspinach in three rows, without muchdependence on labour. This is a tractor-towed accessory that may cost around 1.5lakhs as against imported units of around 5to 7 lakhs. It has also been established thatimported planters are not suitable for Indianconditions and cropping systems.

An Irrigation Scheduler has also beendeveloped so that a farmer can pre-programhis irrigation requirements for a month orso. The irrigation scheduler will control thesolenoid valves thereby controlling the waterrequirement. The estimated production costof the unit is about Rs 10,000 only.

The Inter-row Rotary Cultivatordeveloped by the Centre facilitates inter-rowoperations such as weeding, earthing,fertilizing etc. for row-crops like cotton,sugarcane, and vegetables simultaneously inthree rows. This will reduce human drudgeryin agriculture.

Under the same programme,development of cotton picker head andoffset rotavator for orchards is also underway. Encouraging results have been reportedon development of electrostatic nozzle, atechnology that would enhance the efficacyof insecticides as charged spray particleswould be attracted towards plant leaves. Thiswould reduce insecticide consumption by 40to 50 percent. In addition to cost saving, theprime advantage is that soil contaminationand its ill effects would be eliminated orreduced.

Rotavator has established itself as an

R&D Facilities

DG-CSIR Inaugurates Centre for Precisionand Conservation Farming Machinery

Prof. Samir Brahmachari, Director-General,CSIR dedicated the renovated building ofthe Centre for Precision and ConservationFarming Machinery (CPCFM), Ludhiana tothe nation on 6 April 2013. The Centre aimsto enhance agricultural productivity throughmachinery development to support precisionand conservation farming, which areaccepted as the most modern conceptsworldwide.

The Centre seeks to undertake thedevelopment of agriculture machinery

Prof. S.K. Brahmachari, DG-CSIR,inaugurating the CPCFM building.

Prof. Gautam Biswas, DirectorCSIR-CMERI is also seen (in red shirt)

DG-CSIR walking through the exhibition ofagricultural machinery developed under the

CPCFM programme

R&D Facilities


important agriculture tool in the Indiancontext. However, quality indigenous bladesare rarely available while imported bladesare costly. Hence, an initiative has been takenat CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur to developindigenous blades using AustemperedDuctile Iron (ADI). ADI blades can be castedwhereas conventional blades are forgedneeding expensive dies and a complexmanufacturing process. It is envisaged that

the cost of blades would reduce to an extentof 60 percent. The first field trials of ADIblades have shown encouraging results.

Since such complex problems involvemulti-dimensional research inputs, the projecthas been conceived by CSIR and theDepartment of Science and Technology innetworking mode between R&Dorganizations and state agriculturaluniversities.

The Micro air vehicle Aerodynamics Research Tunnel (MART)was inaugurated by Lt. Gen. Dr. V. J. Sundaram, Advisor, Microand Nano System, NDRF on 11 March 2013 at CSIR-NAL.

This special purpose wind tunnel being established as aNational Facility under the National Program on Micro AirVehicle is sponsored by AR&DB, DRDO. The tunnel withadvanced instrumentation will meet all the full-scale testingrequirements of sub 500 mm MAVs of fixed, flapping androtary wing MAVs.

During the brief inaugural function, Dr. G. Ramesh, Head,MAV Unit spoke about the genesis of this facility and presentedthe special features of the tunnel like open-jet test sectionwith Betz chamber for the flapping and rotary wing MAVstudies, active gust-generation mechanism for simulation ofatmospheric gusts, low turbulence levels for laminar flowstudies, retractable screens, etc. Some of the research activitiesenvisaged include design validation of unconventional MAVairframes, Low Reynolds number airfoil studies, stability undergust, active flow control, laminar separation bubble, unsteadyaerodynamics etc.

Lt. Gen. Dr. V.J. Sundaram, in his address, recalled all theefforts and support received from individuals and institutionsfor the NPMICAV. He wished all the national facilities set upunder this programme be made available to the MICAV researchcommunity and student researchers.

Shri Shyam Chetty, Director CSIR-NAL, urged the youngresearchers to appreciate the sheer excitement of working inMAV development and faster realization of several researchideas compared to a large aircraft programme. He further addedthat the MAV community should put in hard work and greatefforts to attract world class researchers with innovative researchwork carried out in these special facilities. The function wasattended by former directors, researchers from DRDO,academic institutions and private industries involved in thedevelopment of MAVs in the country.

MART Facility Inaugurated atCSIR-NAL

Glimpses of the facilityinauguration function


MoUs

MoU between CSIR-CRRI andSchool of Planning and Architecture

CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CRRI)has entered into a MoU with School ofPlanning and Architecture, New Delhi toenhance the working capability of both theinstitutes.

Dr. S. Gangopadhyay, Director, CSIR-CRRI and Prof. Chetan Vaidya, Director, SPAsigned the MoU on 25 April 2013 at CSIR-CRRI, New Delhi. The broad objectives andterms and conditions of the MoU are asfollows: Exchange of personnel through

deputation as per the rules of therespective institute, for limited periodsas mutually agreed upon.

Organization of joint conferences andseminars.

Practical training of SPA students atCSIR-CRRI.

Joint guidance of student project/thesisat SPA by CSIR-CRRI on mutuallyagreeable terms.

Undertaking joint sponsored researchand consultancy assignments offered bygovernments/public sector organizationsthrough mutually agreed terms andconditions.

Undertaking capacity build-up trainingprogrammes for various clients in thearea of specialization of the twoinstitutes based upon mutually agreedterms and conditions.

The MoU being signed by CSIR-CRRI and School of Planning and Architecture

MoUs


Conferences

International Conference on Advanced Materialsfor Energy Efficient Buildings organized atCSIR-CBRIAn international conferenceon Advanced Materials forEnerg y Ef ficient Buildings(AME2B-2013) wasorganized by the CSIR-Central Building ResearchInstitute (CBRI), Roorkeeduring 13-15 February 2013at New Delhi. Theconference was inauguratedby Prof. Samir K.Brahmachari, DG-CSIR.Prof. S.P. Shah,Northwestern University,USA was the Guest ofHonour and Prof. S.K. Bhattacharyya,Director CSIR-CBRI, Roorkee presided overthe function.

The three-day conference deliberated onadvanced materials for achieving energyefficiency in buildings. Thematic sessionssuch as Nanotechnology based AdvancedMaterials, Energy Efficient Coatings, EnergyEfficient Building Materials andTechnologies, Composite Building Materials,Waste to Wealth, Nanotechnology basedCementitious Materials, and SustainableConcrete had presentations by distinguishedspeakers like Prof. I. Manna, Director, IITKanpur; Prof. Mark Irle, France; Prof. Chi-sun Poon, Hong Kong; Prof. K. Sobolev,USA; Prof. P. Rohatgi, USA; Prof. LI Zongjin,Hong Kong; Prof. J. Provis, UK; and Prof.S.H. Kwon, South Korea.

Since Materials and Energy are the coreresearch areas for sustainable growth, theconference was organized at a time whenthe construction of energy-efficient buildingsto save energy is at the core in the country’slong-term growth planning. In recent years,awareness of environmental aspects in thebuilding construction sector has grown.Manufacturing processes of buildingmaterials contribute greenhouse gasses(GHG), such as carbon dioxide, to theatmosphere to a great extent. There is a greatconcern and necessity to reduce the GHG

emissions into theenvironment to controladverse ecological effects.

Energy requirement ofbuildings in developed anddeveloping countries arejust opposite to each other.In developed countries alarge quantity of energy isused for heating andcooling, thus, energy is arecurring requirement.Whereas, in developingcountries most of theenergy of a building is in

the form of embodied energy of materialsand manufacturing processes. Therefore, theresearch orientation in both developed aswell as developing countries is different butultimately geared towards energyconservation. The conference had speakersand delegates from both the segments thusproviding an excellent opportunity to discussand share their views.

In the rapidly changing scenario of thebuilding sector, planners, architects, engineersand builders are looking for new materialsand technologies to adopt in futureconstructions that endow benefits like energyefficiency, resources & water conservation,improved indoor air quality, life cycle costreduction and durability. To attain theseobjectives, application of the latestadvancements in various technologiesincluding developments in material science,use of environment friendly buildingmaterials, and obtaining energy efficiencywhile producing such materials are of primeconcern.

Considering the devastating effect ofclimate change the government has beentrying to promote “Green Buildings” thatensure basic living without imposing stresson non-renewable resources. These buildingsshould be cost effective and time-efficient,while also being environment friendly withmaximum use of “Green Materials”.

Since Materials and

Energy are the core

research areas for

sustainable growth,

the conference was

organized at a time

when the

construction of

energy-efficient

buildings to save

energy is at the core

in the country’s

long-term growth

planning.

Prof. Samir K. Brahmachari,DG-CSIR, addressing the audience


Symposia/Seminars

CSIR-NEIST Organizes Seminar onPopularization of Coir Technologies

CSIR-North East Institute of Science andTechnology (NEIST), Jorhat organized aseminar to popularize various coirtechnologies in the Northeastern Region atPragna Bhawan, Agartala, Tripura on 3 May2013 in collaboration with the Central CoirResearch Institute, Kerala and Tripura StateCouncil for Science & Technology (TSCST),Agartala.

The objective of the seminar was tofocus on generating awareness amongentrepreneurs, NGOs, SHGs andprospective small scale industrialists aboutthe various technologies available fordevelopment of entrepreneurship by settingup of coir-related enterprises utilizing readilyavailable raw materials for self employment.

The seminar was inaugurated by Ms.Bijita Nath, Minister of Science, Technology& Environment, Government of Tripura.Dr. R.C. Boruah, Director, CSIR-NEISTaddressing the participants during theinaugural session of the seminar stressed theimportance of such technology popularizationseminars for commercialization of technologiesand socio-economic development. He alsohighlighted the activities of CSIR-NEIST inthe state of Tripura.

Different coir-based technologiesdeveloped at CCRI and other ruraltechnologies developed in CSIR-NEISTwere presented for creating awarenessamong the participants. About 90 participantsfrom various districts of Tripura participatedin the seminar.

Workshops

ASEAN-India Marine Biotechnology WorkshopConcludes at CSIR-NIO

A four-day ASEAN-India MarineBiotechnology Workshop organised at theCSIR-National Institute of Oceanography(NIO), Goa concluded on 22 March 2013.This cooperative effort was mainlysupported by ASEAN-India S&TDevelopment Fund, Department of Scienceand Technology (DST), Government ofIndia and the Sub-Committee on MarineScience and Technology (SCMSAT) ofASEAN countries.

SCMSAT focal point representatives ofASEAN member countries and India

deliberated upon the theme areas such as:mariculture biotechnology, marine naturalproducts biomining, pollutionbioremediation, marine enzymes of industrialimportance, threats related to shippingactivities, algal biotechnology andprospecting of marine algal flora for biofuelsin eight science sessions and two plenarysessions.

Twenty-two delegates from nine of theten ASEAN Member countries attended theWorkshop. Twelve Indian experts fromresearch laboratories like CIBA (ICAR),

Symposia/Seminars/Workshops

Dr. R.C. Boruah, Director, CSIR-NEISTaddressing the audience


CCMB, CSMCRI, NIIST, NIO (all CSIR),and from private sector such as Piramal LifeSciences (Biomolecules and Drugs),Sea6Energy (Biofuel Industry) and MykoTech (Marine Bioproducts) delivered invitedtalks. Besides this, members placed theirideas in 54 presentations and 18 posters.ASEAN member country representativespresented the status of marine biotechnologyresearch.

The ASEAN delegates recommendedformulation of a programme coveringmariculture biotechnology, biomining formarine natural products and pollutionbioremediation. It was agreed that a 3-5 yearprogramme be conceived, developed and

implemented soon wherein all ASEANmember countries and India would worktogether addressing both R&D as well astechnology development related aspects.

Dr. Ramaiah, Chief Scientist from CSIR-NIO, was entrusted with the job of collating,interacting and developing a full-pledgedprogramme. A draft of the concept noteon this programme would be prepared,presented and submitted for considerationby the SCMSAT at the forthcoming ASEANmember countries meeting to be held inPhilippines during 20-21 May 2013. Theprogramme is likely to focus holisticattention on many inter-related aspects ofmarine biotechnology.

Group photograph of the Workshop participants at CSIR-NIO

CSIR-Central Food Technological ResearchInstitute (CFTRI) recently concluded aunique Summer School Programme forstudents of 13-15 years of age from variousgovernment high schools of Mysore District,Karnataka.

The aim of this Summer School was toestablish an interest in science in the mindsof these young students. CSIR-CFTRIinitiated this programme keeping in mind thatmany students from rural areas are driftingaway from science. Twenty students fromvarious government schools participated in

Training Programmes

Summer School Programme Concludes atCSIR-CFTRI

the programme. The two-week programmeincluded features like spending quality timewith scientists in the laboratory, gettingexposure to laboratory practices andobserving the operations of state-of-artinstruments.

The students were also motivated bymeans of lectures and demonstrations byscientists of the institute. The students visitedthe Food Engineering Centre, Pilot Plant,Analytical Quality Control Lab, CentralInstrumentation Facility, Glass BlowingSection, Mechanical Workshop, Animal


House, Library and International School ofMilling Technology.

The programme was free of cost andtransportation was provided as well. Thestudents had freedom to ask any questionswhich came to their mind and were

encouraged to interact with scientists as muchas possible. They were also encouraged togive lectures on the topic of their choicethus developing self-confidence within them.

The Summer School was inaugurated byProf. Ram Rajasekharan, Director, CSIR-CFTRI who in his address to the studentsasked them to be fearless, curious andcheerful always. He said science was adynamic area where the scope of researchwill always exist. He also remarked thatconducting research to solve problems willmake life meaningful and selecting a careerin science should be the students’ aim.

On the concluding day, the certificatepresentation ceremony was held in theAssembly Hall. During the occasiondepartment heads, scientists, research scholarsand Head Masters of various governmentschools were also present.

Dr. B.R. Lokesh and Dr. P.V. Salimath,Chief Scientists, CSIR-CFTRI presided overthe ceremony and presented certificates andmementoes to all the students whoparticipated in the programme.

Prof. Ram Rajasekharan, Director, CFTRI(Centre) is seen with the participants of the

summer school programme held from 15-26April 2013 at CSIR-CFTRI

Foundation Day Celebrations

CSIR-NEIST Celebrates its 52nd Foundation Day

In a function organized at its premises, theCSIR-North-East Institute of Science &Technology (NEIST), Jorhat celebrated its

52nd Foundation day on 18 March 2013. Dr.P.K. Sishodiya, Director of the NationalInstitute of Miners’ Health, graced theoccasion as the Chief Guest and Dr. R.C.Boruah, Acting Director, CSIR-NEISTpresided over the function.

Dr. Sishodiya in his Foundation Daylecture Miners’ Health in India: Present Statusand Future said that occupational healthhazards could be categorized into threecategories: physical, chemical and biological.He said that to eliminate all risks at work isnearly impossible. He also talked about theoccupational health hazards and diseases andsymptoms associated with the miningindustry and professionals.

The lecture was followed by the releaseof an institute publication, Highlights 2012-2013 by the Chief Guest. Every year theRelease of Highlights 2012-13

Training Programmes


highlight, which is an account of theinstitute’s activity for the current financialyear, is released on the Foundation Day.

On the occasion, people who retiredfrom the Council’s service during the lastfinancial year were presented withmementoes by the Chief Guest inrecognition of their services for the growthand development of the institute. The CSIR-NEIST staff who showed exemplaryresearch and support performances duringthe financial year were also awarded withcertificates of appreciation by Dr. Boruah.The award distribution was followed byPresidential address where Dr. Boruahappraised everyone present about theinstitute’s achievement during the financialyear.

The function was attended by a largenumber of invited dignitaries, eminentscientists, retired CSIR-NEIST staff,members of NEIST fraternity, students andteachers of nearby schools, colleges and View of a section of the audience

universities, general public, members of thepress and media.

Earlier in the day, the institute observedan ‘Open Day’ and the laboratory was keptopen in the morning hours between 0900 to1300 hrs. About 400 students and teachersvisited and interacted with the scientists ontheir own.

National Technology Day Celebrations

CSIR-Central Scientific InstrumentsOrganization

The CSIR-Central Scientific InstrumentsOrganization (CSIO), Chandigarh celebratedthe National Technology Day with an OpenDay in which a large number of membersof the general public and students fromschools, colleges and universities from theregion went around laboratories of theInstitute and interacted with the scientists. Aquiz competition was also held in whichquestions related to science and technology,National Technology Day and CSIO/CSIRwere asked.

In a lecture on photonics and detonators,Dr. Manjit Singh, Director, TerminalBallistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh,said that their organization would like tocollaborate with the CSIR-CSIO in areas likefast optical instruments, pyrometers tomeasure transient explosion effects,photonics to measure detonics, blast

measurement systems, laser-based projectilemeasurement systems and laser initiation ofexplosives.

Dr. Girish Sahni, Director, CSIR-CSIO,highlighted the contributions of CSIR-CSIOin medicine, society, defence and other areas.He said that the CSIR-CSIO possessedenough expertise to convert scientificresearch into patents and products useful forsociety.

Dr. Amod Kumar, Chief Scientist in theBiomedical Instrumentation unit of theInstitute talked about research anddevelopment on the anesthesia workstation.He said that tests on anesthesia ventilator,depth of anesthesia and other specific areasrelated to the project have been done. Healso mentioned the organisation’s work onrobotic surgery with the help of whichsurgeries could be done with precision.

CSIR-CSIO

possesses enough

expertise to convert

scientific research

into patents and

products useful for

society.

Dr Girish Sahni,

Director, CSIR-CSIO


The programme was largely attended byscientists, engineers, distinguished guests,eminent personalities from Jorhat district,besides CSIR-NEIST retired and existingscientific community.

In his welcome address, Dr. R.C. Boruahtalked about the events that made possibleIndia’s technological breakthrough in nuclearweapons leading to the successful test seriesat Pokhran, Rajasthan on 11 and 13 May 1998.He said that the Technology Day is observedevery year on 11 May throughout the countryto remember the significant contributions ofscientists that helped make the country anuclear state.

Delivering the Technology Day lecture,Technolog y-Polity Nexus can Stimulate bigInnovations: Examples and Experiences from Indiaand Beyond, Dr. Thyagarajan deliberated onthe role of politics and political intervention

in stimulating some of the greatestinnovations in the world. Citing examples andexperiences of some past and presentpolitical leaders from USA and India, likeJohn F. Kennedy, Harry S. Truman, BarackObama, Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi,Rajiv Gandhi, etc. he said that it was theforesightedness and vision of such leadersthat led to many significant innovations anddevelopments in the field of science andtechnology, such as, Man on the Moon, AtomBomb, Energy Bhabha Effect, Bhatnagar Effect,Birth of ISRO, Formation of CSIR, TelecomRevolution, etc. He stressed on the need fortoday’s leaders also to take interest and initiatedevelopmental changes to transform thenation into a technological power.

On the occasion, a few divisions of theInstitute were felicitated with certificates ofappreciation in recognition of transfer oftechnologies to various industries, privateenterprises, entrepreneurs, etc. during the lastfinancial year 2012-2013. Some of thesetechnologies include ‘Cold Bonded Iron OrePellets’, ‘Liquid Deodorant’, ‘Low DustChalk Pencil’, ‘Herbal Freshener withMosquito Repellent Properties’, ‘HerbalIncense Sticks with Mosquito RepellentProperties’ and ‘Bacterial Formulation forCrop Enhancement and YieldImprovement’.

Certificates of Appreciation were alsoawarded for transfer of marketing rights oftwo product technologies on “Anti-Arthritis”and “Fungi-Destruct” to private enterprises.The Institute’s newsletter for January-February 2013 issue was also released by theChief Guest.

In his Presidential Address, Dr. Boruahexpressed gratitude to the Chief Guest forhis significant deliberations and appealed toall to inculcate the spirit of working togetherand strive for significant innovations andinventions.

An Open Day was also declared in theInstitute for the visit of students and generalpublic from 2.00 to 4.30 pm.

CSIR-North East Institute of Science andTechnology

CSIR-North East Institute of Science andTechnology (NEIST), Jorhat, celebrated theNational Technology Day 2013 with a specialprogramme held on 10 May 2013 at the Dr.J.N. Baruah Auditorium. The programme waspresided over by Dr. R.C. Boruah, ActingDirector, CSIR-NEIST while Dr. G.Thyagarajan, Former Director, CSIR-NEISTgraced the occasion as the Chief Guest anddelivered the Technology Day Lecture.

Dr. G. Thyagarajan deliveringthe Technology Day Lecture

National Technology DayCelebrations


CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory

CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory(NML) celebrated the National TechnologyDay with about 350 students from differentInstitutes like IIT-Kharagpur; IIT-BHU,Varanasi; IIT-Kanpur; National Institute ofTechnology (NIT), Rourkela; NIT-Durgapur;NIT-Jamshedpur; NIT-Warangal;Visvesvaraya National Institute ofTechnology (VNIT), Nagpur; JadavpurUniversity; RGUKT RR Valley, AP; JRD TataTechnical Institute; Aditya Institute ofTechnology, Adityapur; RVS Engineering &Technology, Jamshedpur participating in theevent.

The students were delighted to visit afew of the R&D units of the laboratory. Tomark the occasion, the CSIR-NML AnnualReport 2012-13 was also released.

In keeping with its growing emphasis ontechnological excellence in addition toscientific excellence, Dr. I. Chattoraj, Head,Business Development said, “CSIR- NMLhas achieved significant milestones in the lastfinancial year. The growing importance of

industrial and technological research ismanifest in the fact that more than 60% ofits earning in 2012-13 was from industrialprojects. In the preceding financial year, NMLdeveloped 18 technologies and know-how,filed 33 patents, was granted 8 patents indiverse fields and was able to license anumber of technologies.”

CSIR-NML’s erosion-resistant alloy hasproven to be nearly three times superiorcompared to presently used alloys. Thesematerials are used for fabrication of criticalhydel power components. Components madeusing the CSIR-NML alloy have beensuccessfully field tested in the power plantsof NHPC.

The laboratory has provided the process,technological and engineering inputs indesigning, fabrication, commissioning andstabilization of industrial floatation columnprovided for fabrication and erection of a2.5 metre diameter floatation column for thebeneficiation of low-grade barytes atMangampet, Cuddappah, Andhra Pradesh.

Glimpses of the National Technology Day Function at CSIR-NML


This is the fourth commercial installation ofNML developed column floatation unit.McNally Bharat (now McNally Sayaji) arethe collaborators in these installations.

The paving tiles developed from LD slagby CSIR-NML are being used by a localentrepreneur incubated by the laboratory.Almost 1.5 lakh tiles have been producedtill date and supplied on a trial basis toconsumers. Recovery of tungsten and cobaltfrom tungsten carbide scrap is anothertechnology leading to valuable recovery fromwastes. This technology has been transferredto Bharat Futuristics, Bangalore.

CSIR-NML in collaboration withTechnofour, Pune has developed a Portablemagnetic device for health monitoring ofcritical industrial components like superheatertubes, boilers, screens and others. Theproduct is being marketed by Technofourunder license from CSIR-NML. Severalbiomimetic products have been marketed inthe last few years by the laboratory. In thelast financial year, CSIR-NML transferred thetechnology for “Injectable bone grafts” toIFGL refractories, Kolkata. CSIR-NML hasalso transferred the technology forBiomimetic Hydroxiapatite to Surgiwear, UP.Both these products are ready forcommercialization.

CSIR-NML is presently involved in twonationally important programmes. Itsprogramme on magnesium productiontechnology is of high strategic and economicsignificance. Another programme targetting“zero waste coal util ization” has the

objective of developing technologies for loweffluent coal processing and totalconsumption of wastes generated by thermalpower plants. The laboratory hasdemonstrated at the bench scale its capabilityfor sodium production, another material ofstartegic importance for the nation. Upscalingof this technology will be done by the HeavyWater Board in collaboration with thelaboratory.

The Chief Guest on the occasion,Shri Partha Sengupta, Vice President (RM &CSI), Tata Steel, delivered the TechnologyDay lecture. Shri Sengupta said the economicbackground needs to be understood forresearch and technological development. Hecited that in the next 20-30 years the economyof the world will look flatter. The developedeconomy is expected to grow at 2%, whereasthe developing economy expects a 4%growth. India being a developing countryneeds to be ready not only as a consumer oftechnology but also as the developer oftechnology. He said that engineering practicesmust find a way to work with nature. Hementioned that research should be based onmaking use of minimum resource to get thedesired output. We should focus on workingin the areas of waste utilization and also onenvironmental friendly technologies.

While welcoming the gathering, Dr. S.Srikanth, Director, CSIR-NML highlightedthe importance of technology in our day today life and also society as a whole. He alsoemphasized global issues relating totechnology and human welfare.

Lectures

Diamond Jubilee Lecture at CSIR-NBRI

In the series of Diamond Jubilee Lectures atCSIR-National Botanical Research Institute(NBRI), Lucknow, Prof. Y.S. Rajan, Hon.Distinguished Professor, Space/ISRO,Bangalore delivered a lecture entitled Futureof India and Indians on 26 April 2013. Dr.C.S. Nautiyal, Director, CSIR-NBRIwelcomed the Guest Speaker and othereminent scientists of the country present onthis occasion.

In his lecture, Prof. Y.S. Rajan said that

youth constitute the future of India. Fortypercent of the population of India belongsto youth. As per government of Indiastatistics, persons between 13 to 35 years aredefined as youth. However, assuming that70% of them have not gone beyondelementary schooling and have not beentrained in the skills needed for the moderneconomy emerging in India, he questionedthe future of youth in India. He added thatsince economic growth in villages is

In the next 20-30

years the economy

of the world will

look flatter. The

developed economy

is expected to grow

at 2%, whereas the

developing economy

expects a 4%

growth. India needs

to be ready not only

as a consumer of

technology but also

as the developer of

technology.

Shri Partha Sengupta,

Vice President, Tata Steel

National Technology DayCelebrations


insufficient to support the youth, they moveto towns and cities in search of jobs.However, to cater to the demands of thegrowing population, even the jobopportunities in cities are inadequate. It isestimated that the youth population growsby approximately 20 million each year. Themost critical problem faced by India isjoblessness of this youth, he said.

Prof. Rajan said that although there areseveral components that add to the qualityof life and happiness, the first and foremostis wealth which is a form of steady incomethrough employment. He doubted theclaims of the growing Youth Power of Indiaor that India would be a superpower by2020 or by 2030, as figures do not supportthe claims. Although the government of Indiahad taken measures like promoting more IITs,NITs, creation of National SkillDevelopment Corporation and enacting theRight to Education Act for all Indian childrento pass elementary school.

Efforts like NREGA or Direct CashTransfer through Aadhar cards for those whoare unemployed or jobless have notaddressed the basic issue of providingsustainable income for the youth between13-35 years. Quoting MSD/MV report, hesaid that youth falling under the age bracketof 13 to 35 years do not have sustainableincome. He also said that unemployment rateis not only higher among the young between20 to 25 years but the wages are very low.Even if they manage to get someemployment they can get it only inunorganized sectors. The youth are therefore,leading to a wretched life, with no income,no job and no daily wage, and low self-esteem.

Prof. Rajan said that the reason behindthe state of affairs of the youth may beattributed to lack of education. As per 2007-08 data only 18.8 percent of the workershave completed their secondary leveleducation whereas 4.2 percent complete theirpost secondary level of education. Apartfrom education, there is an increasingdemand for skilled labour, lack of skills inthe youth makes it difficult for them to getemployment. He advocated the necessity ofvocational training for youth along with

education so that it could cater to thedemands of employment.

Moreover, economic slowdown hasmade things worse and has led to decreasein employment opportunities, saidProf. Rajan. Even if you take the highlyhyped IT sector,employment in IT/ITESexport industry is about1.77 million which is verysmall, although betterpaid. As per CRISILreport, it is estimated thatpopulation could grow toabout 1.5 billion by 2030and the work force wouldlikely swell to 962 millionin 2030. Under the currenttrends, if India’s labourparticipation andunemployment ratecontinue, about 423 millionin India’s working agepopulation would be unemployed or unableto participate in the job market by 2030.

He suggested that some policy measuresneed to be implemented to cater to thegrowing workforce and provide themsustainable employment. Some of theminclude reforming the agriculture sector forlarge scale contract farming including FDIs,enable many PPP’s to provide for micro-irrigation and drip irrigation infrastructure inareas that are only monsoon dependent,amending land ceiling and environment/forest laws to enable establishment of manyindustries near villages and village clusters,removing restrictive labour laws, creation ofsmaller-than-optimal firms to comply withlaws that make them non-competitive andgiving special tax deduction to thosebusinesses that employ flexible labour havinglow educational status.

He gave a clarion call that we shouldmake everything possible to accelerate thegrowth of GDP as well, so that more jobscan be created, more incomes generated, andtherefore more taxes collected thus spendingmore for the youth to be enabled and skilledfor better income jobs. Concluding, he saidthat we should have hope in the youth for abetter future.

Prof. Y.S. Rajan delivering the lecture

We should make

everything possible

to accelerate the

growth of GDP as

well, so that more

jobs can be created,

more incomes

generated, and

therefore more taxes

collected thus

spending more for

the youth to be

enabled and skilled

for better income

jobs.

Prof. Y.S. Rajan

Hon. Distinguished

Professor, Space/ISRO


Lectures

Prof. Negishi Delivers CSIR-NCLFoundation LectureThe CSIR-NCL Foundation Lecture wasorganized at CSIR-National ChemicalLaboratory (NCL), Pune on 7 January 2013.Prof. Ei-ichi Negishi, 2010 Nobel Prizewinner in Chemistry, Department ofChemistry, Purdue University, USA spokeon Magical Power of Transition Metals: Past,Present and Future.

Prof. Negishicoined the wordc a r b o m e t a l a t i o n .Negishi coupling/palladium couplingpioneered the use ofpalladium catalyst insynthetic organicchemistry which can beused to synthesizeoptically active purecompounds in highyield with highselectivity.

In his talk, Prof.Negishi said thatdiscovery should startfrom dream, desire, andneed. Further, he saidthat he learned fromhis mentor, Prof. H.C.Brown, about know-ledge, ideas andjudgment on interrelatedcomponents. He saidthat we need to havestrong willpower forexploration. He ex-pected the use oftwenty-three naturald-block transitionelements to change theface of research in the21 st century andbeyond. He said thatsynthesis of anyorganic compound inhigh yield, efficiently,

selectively, economically, and safely leadsto green chemistry.

Prof. Negishi stressed on considering alluseable elements (about 70) for organicsynthesis and suggested avoiding radioactive,inert and inherently toxic elements. Ifdesirable and necessary, he appealed toconsider their binary combination (about50000), as two is better than one.

Prof. Negishi said that d-block elementsstand as Lewis acid and bases simultaneouslyand are also chemically very reactive; anotherimportant property of d-block element is toserve as catalyst as they undergo oxidationand reduction under one set of reaction inreaction vessel under very easy and mildconditions. He also illustrated the strategyof selecting catalyst and generalising it forother metals.

Prof. Negishi also gave the variousNCL-RF awards including Scientist of theYear Award sponsored by Maneckji andShirinbai Neterwala Foundation to Dr. VidyaGupta and Dr. Pradeep Kumar and NCL-RFScientist of the Year Award sponsored byDr. R.A. Mashelkar Endowment Fund to Dr.K. Guruswamy.

Earlier, Dr. Sourav Pal, Director, CSIR-NCL introduced Prof. Negishi to theaudience. He also traced the genesis and pathof CSIR-NCL over the years. The idea ofestablishing CSIR-NCL was born even

Dr. Vidya Guptareceiving the award

Dr. Pradeep Kumarreceiving the award

Prof. Negishi delivering the talk

Dr. Guruswamyreceiving the award

Lectures


Visits

Governor of Meghalaya Visits CSIR-NEIST

Shri Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary, Governorof Meghalaya, visited CSIR-North EastInstitute of Science and Technology(NEIST), Jorhat, on 1 April 2013. On thisoccasion, he took part in an interactivemeeting with the Area Coordinators andHoDs of the Institute. He was felicitated byDr. R.C. Boruah, Acting Director, CSIR-NEIST who made a brief presentation ofthe past achievements and present activitiesof CSIR-NEIST.

Shri Mooshahary congratulated all thescientists of the institute for continuously

developing technologies and transferringthem for the societal uplift of the region.He looked forward to CSIR-NEIST takingmore responsibility to make the NE regionnot only self sufficient for various small-scaletechnologies but also make its societal upliftsustainable. He also mentioned that thetechnological products may also be exported.

After the meeting, the Governor visitedthe Geoscience, Natural Products Chemistryand Cellulose Pulp and Paper divisions. Hepraised the activities being carried out in theinstitute.

Shri Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary, Governor ofMeghalaya (left) and Dr. R.C. Boruah,Acting Director, CSIR-NEIST (right)

The Governor discussing with Dr. R.C. Boruah,Acting Director, CSIR-NEIST and Dr. N.C Barua,

Chief Scientist in the Natural Products Chemistry Division

Dr. R. Duarah, Chief Scientistdemonstrating the activities of

the Geoscience Division

The Governor being shownthe composite boards developed by

the Cellulose Pulp and Paper Division

before the birth of CSIR on 26 September1942. CSIR-NCL was formally inauguratedby Pandit Nehru on 3 January 1950.Dr. Pal further said that, we are fortunatethat on each of the important milestones,the Prime Minister of the country graced

the occasion. He also announced thatNCL-RF would give commendationswhenever publications, patents and externalcash flow would be significantly higher thannormal. Dr. Pal also proposed the Vote ofThanks.


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Appointments

Dr. Navin Chandra Assumes Charge ofActing Director, CSIR-AMPRI

Dr. Navin Chandra, Chief Scientist,assumed the Charge of Acting Director,CSIR-Advanced Materials and ProcessesResearch Institute (AMPRI), Bhopal,with effect from 18 April 2013.

A PhD in Chemistry (1974) from theBanaras Hindu University, Varanasi, Dr.Navin Chandra has been working in thearea of Chemistry, Material Science and

Environment. During his scientific career,Dr. Chandra has worked on industrial wasteutil ization, water quality and effluenttreatment, photochemical decomposition oftoxins, environment management,electrochemical sensors, environmentalaspects in electrochemical industries, nanomaterials for environment, energy andengineering applications, and sol-gel andmicelle based process.

Dr. Chandra is member of the Materials

Research Society of India (Currently,Chairman of MRSI, Bhopal Chapter), IndianInstitute of Metals, and the Society forAdvancement of Electro-chemical Science& Technology (SAEST), Karaikudi.

Dr. Navin Chandra has received severalawards including National Research andDevelopment Council (NRDC) Award forMeritorious Invention (1985) for theDevelopment of Ion Sensitive Electrodes(Electrochemical sensors) useful for process,and pollution monitoring, ICSU/UNESCODistinguished Fellowship in Science Awardfor 1984, Ramachar Award, 1982 byElectrochemical Society of India and DAADaward under the DAAD-CSIR Exchange ofScientists program, 2001.

He has to his credit, 60 publications inrefereed journals, two international patentsand 14 national patents.

Honours & Awards/Appointments

Prof. Samir K. Brahmachari, DirectorGeneral, CSIR has been honouredwith the prestigious Banga Bibhushanaward by the Government of WestBengal in recognition of hisoutstanding contributions to the fieldof Life Sciences. Banga Bibhushan –the highest honour conferred by theGovernment of West Bengal – is thetitle that has been instituted to honourthe services of personalities in variousfields.

Prof. Brahmachari was conferred the

title in the award ceremony organized atScience City, West Bengal on 20 th May2013 by Chief Minister Smt Mamta Banerjeein presence of Governor Shri M.K. Narayanan.

Other prominent personalities to receivethe Banga Bibhushan Award for this yearinclude Shri Saurav Ganguly (FormerCricketer), Shri Rituporno Ghosh (Director),Shri Mithun Chakravarty (Actor), Shri B.K.Birla (Industrialist), Shri P.K. Banerjee (PadmaShree Award winner Footballer), ShriPurnadas Baul (musician and singer of theBaul tradition) and many more.

Honours & Awards

Prof. Samir Brahmachari Honoured withthe Banga Bibhushan Award

Documents

CSIR News - NISCAIR€¦ · CSIR News JUNE 2013 121 ... bridges quickly and effectively. Simple and robust in construction, the unit is mounted over a 25-ton truck chassis. The