ISSN 0409-7467 VOL 57 NO 14 30 JULY 2007 NEERI transfers Know-how on Field Kit for Arsenic Detection in Water NEERI transfers Know-how on Field Kit for Arsenic Detection in Water T HE know-how developed by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, on 'Field Kit for Arsenic detection in water' was transferred to Dr C.L. Lakhotia, LTEK System, 2-B, Rajkamal Complex, Panchsheel Square, Wardha Road, Dhantoli, Nagpur. The terms and conditions for this know-how transfer were: Lumpsum fee: Rs 1.5 lakh; Royalty: Nil; Period of License: Exclusive for a period of two years; Duration of transfer: three months from the date of signing licensing agreement. A cheque of Rs 1.5 lakh was presented to Dr Sukumar Devotta, Director, NEERI by Dr C.L. Lakhotia on this occasion. Dr Sunil P. Pande, Scientist and Head, RDPU and Dr Leena Deshpande, Scientist, GEM Division, the inventors of this field kit, were also present during the presentation of lumpsum fee. The meeting for this know- how transfer was organized by Shri P. S. Dutt, Scientist and Head, Business Development Unit (BDU). Dr Sukumar Devotta, Director, NEERI, inspecting the Field Kit for Arsenic. Also seated with him is Dr C.L. Lakhotia
Transcript
30 JULY 2007 221221221221221
ISSN 0409-7467
VOL 57 NO 14 30 JULY 2007
NEERI transfers Know-how on Field Kit for Arsenic Detection in Water
NEERI transfers Know-how on Field Kit for Arsenic Detection in Water
THE know-how developed by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, on 'Field Kit for Arsenic detection in water' was transferred to Dr C.L.
Lakhotia, LTEK System, 2-B, Rajkamal Complex, Panchsheel Square, Wardha Road, Dhantoli, Nagpur. The terms and conditions for this know-how transfer were: Lumpsum fee: Rs 1.5 lakh;
Royalty: Nil; Period of License: Exclusive for a period of two years; Duration of transfer: three months from the date of signing licensing agreement. A cheque of Rs 1.5 lakh was presented to Dr Sukumar Devotta, Director, NEERI by Dr C.L. Lakhotia on this occasion. Dr Sunil P. Pande, Scientist and Head, RDPU and Dr Leena Deshpande, Scientist, GEM Division, the inventors of this field kit, were also present during the presentation of lumpsum fee. The meeting for this know-how transfer was organized by Shri P. S. Dutt, Scientist and Head, Business Development Unit (BDU).
Dr Sukumar Devotta, Director, NEERI, inspecting the Field Kit for Arsenic. Also seated with him is Dr C.L. Lakhotia
CSIR NEWS222222222222222
Beating the Ferro electricity limit in barium titanate nanoparticles
THERE is a recent revival ofrevisiting several basic issuesrelated to material science
following the development of novelchemical and biological techniquesto synthesize metals, semiconductor,magnetic and dielectric materials innanometer size with an excellentcontrol over grain size and shape.However, still it is quite challengingto synthesize several of thesematerials (especially complex oxidenanomaterials) in size less than 10nm using conventional wet-chemicalmethods. Among the ferro-electricoxides, barium titanate has beenstudied in detail both in bulk as wellas in nano-size. However, most ofthe previous studies on bariumtitanate show the absence of ferro-electric-tetragonal phase at roomtemperature when the particle sizeis reduced below few tens ofnanometer. Recently, there is asignificant interest among thescientific community in the ferro /piezoelectric nanoparticles toexplore various fundamental issuessuch as (i) the critical size limit forthe existence of ferro-electricity /piezoelectricity, and (ii) writing
electrical information on theseparticles by polarizing them, muchsimilar to what is done in theirferromagnetic counterparts that canbe found in computer hard-drives.The information storage in magneticmedia has already reached to theroadblock of size-limit due to theunstability of bits owing to“superparamagnetism” where themagnetic information written overeach particle may be lost over timedue to the relaxation. Additionally,the role of surface capping andcrystalline imperfections insideferro-electric nanoparticles instabilizing the ferro-electric phaseis also important. Investigatingthese issues is not only important forthe fundamental understanding butalso to enrich a field which hasgenerated several electronic devicesover the years in form of multi-layercapacitors, piezoelectric sensors,actuators, dynamic random accessmemory (DRAM), etc.
Recently, Dr Absar Ahmad andco-workers of Biochemical SciencesDivision, National ChemicalLaboratory (NCL), Pune, havesuccessfully synthesized 5 nm
barium titanate particles using aroom-temperature fungus-mediatedtechnique in a proper crystallinephase. Dr Pankaj Poddar and co-workers from Physical andMaterials Chemistry Division ofNCL investigated these particlesand their composites in polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) for thestructural and dielectric propertiesand demonstrated that it was indeedpossible to store electricalinformation in tiny barium titanateparticles as small as 5 nm bypolarizing them at will (in reversedirections) by using atomic forcemicroscopy probes. The electricalinformation thus written wasdirectly imaged using Kelvin probemicroscopy technique at NCL. Thisis especially interesting as a directevidence of a clear ferro-electric toparaelectric (tetragonal to cubic)phase transition across the Curietemperature could be shown at suchsmall size in any ferro-electricmaterial.
These findings generaterenewed interest in exploring otherferro-electric and multiferroic oxidematerials of various shapes andsizes. This work also paves waytowards realization of ultradenseferro-electric based memories,nanosensors and actuators.Scientists are also looking forwardto explore the ferro-electricrelaxation and piezoelectricproperties as a function of sampletemperature using techniques suchas piezoresponse force microscopyand electrical force microscopywhich will generate new informationabout these materials.
Higher magnification SPM image of barium titanate particles obtained inpotential mode after application of +4 V external DC bias voltage
Technology for Long-life Dispenser Cathodes developed at CEERI
THE technology for long-life and high-emissioncurrent density Dispenser Cathodes has beendeveloped under a CSIR network project by the
Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute(CEERI), Pilani. The project was aimed at using thistechnology for ground and space applications.
The details of cathode being developed are shownin figure. The main components of the cathode areporous tungsten pellet, supporting sleeve, contra-wound filament. The cathode is impregnated using Ba-Ca-aluminates, which is subsequently coated with aternary alloy of composition W-2Re-2Os for emissionenhancement. The heater is potted with non-shrinkablealumina, which is provided by the Central Glass &Ceramics Research Institute (CGCRI), Kolkata. Amicro-helix is introduced into the free end of filament,which is partially buried into the potting zone. Thisacts as a spring that takes care of thermal and
Schematic Diagram of Dispenser Cathode
Parts of Dispenser Cathode
I-V Characteristics of Diode
Contra-woundfilament
Supportingsleeve
Cu-loadedTungstenpellet
CSIR NEWS224224224224224
mechanical stresses. A noveltechnique has been developed towind the micro-helix of diameter0.12 mm out of a 0.05 mm W-3%Rewire. The fabricated parts areshown in figure.
A diode assembly has been madeand pulse emission measurementshave been carried out at CEERI. TheI-V characteristics are plotted asshown in figure. The work functionis estimated from thesecharacteristics. The work functionis found to be 1.76 eV, which is nearto the state-of-art.
Some dedicated facilities havebeen created/ upgraded fordevelopment/analysis purposes:namely, (a) DC Triode sputtering formetal/alloy coating, (b) Auger
Pulse current density of upto 40A/cm2 has been drawn while therequirement for a groundapplication is <10 A/cm2. The otherspecifications on filament wattageand work function have been met.With an aim to use these cathodesin TWTs, efforts are going on toinitially test them in the TWTelectron guns. CEERI has plans touse the cathode technology formaking cathodes in near future forthe on-going projects on Gyrotronsand Klystrons.
For space TWT applications,long-life and reliability are of criticalimportance. These will beestablished by continuedaccelerated life-tests using LTVs forthe next 3-4 years.
Diode Bulb for Life-testing of Cathode Life-Test Vehicle Cabinet
Electron Spectroscopy (AES) forsurface analysis, (c) Low EnergyElectron Diffraction (LEED)system for crystalline andsecondary emission, (d) pulsar forstudying cathode emission studies,and (e) table-top furnace (which cango upto 2000°C in a hydrogenatmosphere) for filament sintering,heater potting and pellet brazing.
For ensuring long-life of thesecathodes, testing is carried out byputting them in a life-test vehicle(LTV). One of these LTVs is shownin figure. The cathode is undergoingaccelerated life-test, sinceNovember 2005. The emissionperformance is stable till now. Thelife-tests are expected to continuefor the next 5-6 years.
The manipulation of liquids andgases in micro-channels has becomea viable platform for performinganalytical tasks typically done withbench-top instruments. A lab-on-a-chip for chemical analysis wasdesigned and fabricated by theCentral Electronics EngineeringResearh Institute (CEERI), Pilani ,with six integrated electrodes forsample injection, separation andelectrochemical detection. Thedevice is a ready-to-use system,which does not need any extramechanical apparatus for electrodeinsertion. The micro-analytical chiphas been successfully tested formeasuring hydrogen peroxide,ascorbic acid and uric acidsimultaneously.
This work was carried outthrough the collaborative efforts ofCEERI, RRL-Bhopal and CECRI-Karaikudi under the CSIR networkproject on MEMS andMicrosensors.
• Process know how forproduction of a bacterialformulation for cropenhancement and yieldimprovement.
• A new strain BLI-ARUN forcultivation and production oflemongrass.
Projects undertaken
Grant-in-aid• Study of fluoride contents in the
water system of Jorhat district ofAssam and creation of a fluoridedatabase undertaken on behalf ofDepartment of Science &Technology, Government. of India,New Delhi. (Total estimated costRs 24 lakh for 3 years)
• Setting up of a training-cum-production centre on non leatherfoot ware centre in Udaipur,South Tripura (Joint project ofNEIST and CLRI, Chennai)undertaken on behalf of Ministryof Human Resource Development,Government of India, New Delhi,(Total estimated cost Rs 60 lakhfor 1 year)
• Study of diversity and abundanceof Eukaryotic Hypomycetesgroup fungi in the flood proneAlluvial plain soils between theNoa Dihing and Burhi Dihingrivers of the Upper Brahmaputravalley undertaken on behalf ofMinistry of Science & Technology,Government. of India, New
R&D at NEIST
THE R&D achievements and new programmes of the North - East Institute of Science and Technology(NEIST) (erstwhile Regional Research Laboratory), Jorhat, during the past 3-4 months include:
Delhi (Total estimated costRs 12.48 lakh for 3 years, PI: DrParan Baruah)
Consultancy• Preparation of Road-map in the
medicinal and aromatic plantsector of Assam undertaken onbehalf of the State MedicinalPlants Board, Office of theDirectorate of Health Services,Hengerabari, Guwahati (Totalestimated cost Rs 1.2 lakh for 6months, PI: Dr P. R. Bhattacharjee)
• Gradation of NECIL coals bydetermination of heat values ofthe samples undertaken onbehalf of North Eastern CoalFields, Coal India Ltd,Margherita. (Total estimated costRs 0.68 lakh for one month, PI :Shri B. P. Baruah)
Consultancy Projectscompleted
• Geotechnical investigation fordiesel hydrotreater project ofBongaigaon Refinery andPetrochemicals Ltd, Dhaligaon.(PI: Shri A. K. Biswas)
• Gradation of NECIL coals bydetermination of heat values ofthe samples undertaken onbehalf of North Eastern CoalFields, Coal India Ltd, Margherita.(PI: Shri B. P. Baruah)
Process released
• The strain “BLI Arun” (RRLBranch, Itanagar) released to(i) M/s Nyimi Extracts Pvt. Ltd,
Nyokum Lapang, Itanagar,Arunachal Pradesh and (ii) M/sShelly Welfare Society, P.O.Doimukh, Dist. Papumpare,Arunachal Pradesh
• The process bacterial formulationfor crop enhancement and yieldimprovement released to (i) M/sCarnation Flora, IID Centre,Assam Industrial DevelopmentCorpn.Ltd. Kundargaon, Titabor,Assam and to (ii) Shri Rajib Bora,Dhruba Nagar, Golaghat, Assam.
Patents
Filed in India• Application No.: 0385NF2005/IN
: An improved process for thepreparation of 4,5,6-substituted 3,4-dihydropyrimidin-2-ones andtheir 2-thioxo analogues, M. J.Bordoloi, D. K. Roy Filing ( 09/03/2007)
Granted in USA• Application No.: 0223NF2001/
US: An improved process forisolation of bioplasticpolyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) fromBacillus mycoides RLJ B-017, M.J. Bordoloi Patent No. 7129068Grant date : 31/10/2006
Agreement/MoU signed
• MoU signed with M/s JoramSocio-Cultural & LiterarySociety, Zero, Arunachal Pradeshby NEIST Branch, Itanagar, forhanding over a 600 kg/batchcapacity distillation unit under aDBT funded project.
THE highlights of basic research carried out at the Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB),Hyderabad, were covered in CSIR News 57 No 12 (2007), pp 192. A brief account of the sociallyrelevant and applied research is presented here:
Research Relevantto Societal Needs
Human genome diversity:Unique origin of Andamanislanders—insight fromautosomal lociThe mtDNA and Y chromosomestudies of Andaman islandersundertaken by CCMB have led tothe conclusion that the Andamanese“Negrito” mtDNA lineages havesurvived in the Andaman Islands incomplete genetic isolation fromother South and Southeast Asianpopulations. The recentinvestigation pertains to theautosomal microsatellite loci of theGreat Andamanese, Onge andNicobarese to infer about theirorigin. Interestingly, the Andaman‘Negrito’ populations do not showgenetic affinities either with theAfrican or the Indian populations,confirming their unique origin. Incontrast, the Nicobarese show closeaffinities with the Northeast Asianpopulations suggesting their morerecent entry in the islands.
Molecular diagnosis of commongenetic disordersCCMB scientists have beenseriously involved in attempts toreduce the burden of geneticdisorders in the society through
molecular diagnosis, carrieranalysis, predictive diagnosis,prenatal diagnosis and geneticcounseling for almost a decade. Theyhave added diagnostic tests for fivemore common genetic disorders, inaddition to providing such facility toabout 600 families with geneticdiseases like haemoglobinopathies,musculopathies, neuro-degenerativedisorders, bleeding and clottingdisorders and other congenitalanomalies. In addition to thisendeavour. Several phenotypes, havebeen identified, which do not fit inthe diagnostic criteria of any specificdisease and hence provide excellentopportunity to dissect their geneticbasis and help these families inavoiding the birth of another affectedbaby.
Non-invasive detection ofhormonal steroids in scatsamples of lionsSteroid hormone analysis plays acrucial role in establishing thefertility status of animals and alsothe breeding cycle of animals.Therefore, an ability to establishprotocols for hormonal analysis ofcritical endangered animals usingnon-invasive methods would be veryessential with respect toconservation of endangered species.A method has been developed tomonitor progesterone and estradiol
in scat samples of lions to establish
their reproductive cycle and fertility
status. The levels of the steroid havealso been correlated with
behavioural clues of the animal
when in heat. These studies would
now help detect lions in heat andthus facilitate appropriate breeding
programmes.
Birth of Spotty by artificialinseminationThe technique of ArtificialInsemination (AI), althoughroutinely practiced in domesticanimals, has not been commonlyapplied to wild animals. Using an Altechnique, CCMB scientistsachieved a successful delivery of alive fawn in March 2006. This wasfirst successful artificialinsemination in the spotted deer inIndia; the baby was named Spotty.The only other two countries, whichachieved such success in deers usingthe same procedure, are USA andAustralia.
The Toda Buffalo:A unique breed in Nilgiri hillsThe Toda buffalo is an endangeredbreed reared by the Toda tribes,both are endemic to Nilgiri hills of
the south India. These buffaloesoccupy a central place in theirsocial, religious and cultural life.There is no knowledge either on theorigin or on the arrival of this tribe
Centre for Cellular & Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad
pathogens from the clinical samplesat two different hospitals correctly.The primers, probes and theprotocol developed at CCMB havebeen handed over to a commercialcompany for packaging and productdevelopment.
Development of Species-specificmicrosatellite markers/technology for SSR markerdevelopmentMicrosatellites are the most desiredDNA markers for genetic studies,but are limited in their availability(except for relatively few plants/animal species) owing todevelopment cost in terms of work,time and cost. CCMB scientistshave developed such markers formany species, including first eversets for many important plants andanimals, namely, Mulberry,beetlevine (plants of economicimportance) and Red Panda/oliveridleys (endangered fauna). Thesemarkers provide efficient tools forgenetic studies and are expected tobe very useful in germplasmcharacterization and populationstudies on these species.
They have also developed ahighly efficient PCR-based pre-cloning enrichment strategy forgenerating small-insert genomiclibraries for development of species-specific microsatellite markers. Thenew method developed in the labprovides success rate of >80%which is significantly more than thesuccess rates of any other similarmethod developed/reported till dateworldwide.
or buffaloes in the Nilgiri hills.Microsatellite markers andmitochondrial DNA analyses byCCMB scientists show that thisbreed is genetically unique and,therefore, needs to be conserved.The time of divergence of Toda breedfrom the other Indian buffalo breedshas been estimated approximately900 to 2700 years and it is alsopossible that the Toda people mighthave occupied these hills aroundthat time.
Application-orientedResearch
Gene silencing and RNAinterferenceCCMB scientists in collaborationwith IICT scientists, have unraveledthe mystery of complex processes inanimal and human developmentusing RNAi. These path-breakingresults were published in ‘Cell’ andthey have presented an intriguingnew example of how the RNAimachinery contributes to nuclearorganization with a consequence ongene expression. For their studies,they used the genetically well-developed model organism, fruitflyfor understanding the role of RNAi.They have further investigated howdifferent developmental genes areregulated through RNAi machineryin executing the specific body planin a sequence-specific manner.Their findings, for the first time,suggested that the fascinating newmechanism of RNAi machinery notonly influences the regulation of aspecific gene but also helps inbringing the genes from differentchromosomes together promoting
higher-order nuclear organizationwhich is essential for thedevelopment and maintenance ofthe organism.
The understanding of themechanism of RNAi could be helpfulin modern medicine by using thepower of RNAi for destroying, forexample, the machinery ofinfectious organisms, and as apowerful therapy against broadspectrum of complex and contagiousdiseases and for developmentalabnormalities.
Antibacterial activity bypeptidesInvestigations on the molecularmechanisms of antibacterial activityby peptides derived from humanbeta defensins by CCMB scientistsindicate that cell death in Gram-negative bacteria such as E. coliarises as a result of rapid large-scaledestabilization of the bacterial cellsurface and membranes. This modeof action is considerably differentfrom the effects shown bytherapeutically used antibiotics.
DNA macro chip for ophthalmicinfectionsAs a part of the NMITLI project,scientists at the CCMB havedesigned and developed uniqueprobes for identifying 15microorganisms that are known tocause ophthalmic infections. Theseprobes are designed formultiplexing. They couldsuccessfully multiplex 21 pairs ofprimers. The prototype of DNAmacro chip developed at the CCMBcould successfully identify all the
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Symposium on Aircraft Design
A one-day symposium on Aircraft Design was organizedon 14 June 2007 at the
National Aerospace Laboratories(NAL), Bangalore, to honour Dr K.Yegna Narayan, ProgrammeDirector, Civil Aviation Programme(PGD, CAP). Dr S. Viswanath,Head, Structures Division; and ShriR. Rangarajan, Deputy Head, C-CADD and Project DirectorHANSA. The symposiumconcentrated on the various aspectsrelated to aircraft design anddevelopment, both civil and othertypes.
Dr A. R. Upadhya, Director,
NAL, formally welcomed thedistinguished gathering. In hisaddress, Dr Upadhya mentionedthat the civil aviation programmewas started in NAL in a very smallway in the 80’s with LCRA underProf. R. Narasimha and late Prof.R. B. Damania . “Today NAL hasaccomplished the mission of havingHANSA 3 certified by DGCA,SARAS PT1 and PT2 flying”. Heexpressed his happiness to have seenHANSA 3 participate at theAustralian International Air Show2007.” This symposium provides anopportunity to all NAL scientists tointeract with those from outside
working on other aircraftdevelopment programmes, said DrUpadhya. Prof R. Narasimha , FRS,Chairman, EMU, JNCAR andformer Director NAL wasintroduced as the doyen ofAeronautics.
Prof. Narasimha inauguratedthe symposium. In his address hementioned that the seeds of thedream for the civil aviationprogramme was grown and nurturedat NAL by Dr K. Yegna Narayanand his colleagues. He alsomentioned that civil aviation is forthe consumer and the civilaeronautics is for R&D. He
SymposiaSymposiaSymposiaSymposiaSymposia
Glimpses from Symposium on Aircraft DesignGlimpses from Symposium on Aircraft DesignGlimpses from Symposium on Aircraft DesignGlimpses from Symposium on Aircraft DesignGlimpses from Symposium on Aircraft Design
expressed his gratitude to these three scientistsDr K. Yegna Narayan, Dr S. Viswanath andShri Rangarajan “who are being honouredtoday, have shown outstanding commitment tothe idea that NAL should play a leading rolein establishing a civil aircraft design anddevelopment capability in the country”. Prof.R. Narasimha released the Proceedings of theSymposium and said “C-CADD will grow togive India an international presence in theworld of civil aeronautics”.
The keynote address was delivered by DrK. Yegna Narayan on Design issues in NAL’sCivil Aircraft Programmes. He mentioned thathe and Prof Narasimha shared a typical guru-shishya relationship since 1967. He gave aninsight into solved and unsolved problems ofcivil aviation programme at NAL. “The LCRAexperience gave NAL enormous confidence inundertaking design and development ofcomposite aircraft”. He recounted the NALLAexperiment, which had been abandoned. LaterNAL’s HANSA got successfully certified byDGCA in 2000. He spoke about salient featuresof HANSA, SARAS PT1 and PT2 and somemajor technology design issues like — Effectof propeller slip stream on drag, nacelle design,flap operating mechanics and weight reduction.He further said that NAL has forged first publicprivate partnership in aircraft design anddevelopment in India with tie-ups withMahindra Plexion Technologies Ltd, in the 4-5 seater General Aviation Aircraft developmentcurrently underway at C-CADD. He projectedNAL’s much more ambitious civil aircraftproject in development of a state of the art 70seater Regional transport Aircraft. He finallysaid “NAL has traveled a long way from LCRAto SARAS and now NAL should have concreteplans for the future”.
Prof. Narasimha while presenting amemento to Dr K. Yegna Narayan proudlyproclaimed that he is very proud to have ashishya like Dr K. Yegna Narayan.
Shri M. S. Chidananda, Joint Head,C-CADD proposed a vote of thanks.
AMPRI participates inthe Exhibition on ‘Materials and
Processes for SustainableDevelopment’
THE Advanced Materials and Processes ResearchInstitute (erstwhile Regional Research Laboratory)
(AMPRI), Bhopal, participated in the ‘NationalConvention on S & T Communication for Growth andEmpowerment’ organized by the Madhya Pradesh Council
of Science and Technology (MPCST), Bhopal. On thisoccasion, AMPRI also displayed its ‘Materials and Processesfor Sustainable Development’, showcasing the Building
Materials using the industrial wastes like fly ash and redmud; Bulk Utilization of Fly Ash in Agriculture; Sisal FibreTechnologies, Environmental and Disaster Modeling and
Environmental Chemistry aspects.The AMPRI display was visited by a large number of
dignitaries including Dr Balram Jakhar, Governor and Shri
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh,scientists, technocrats, entrepreneurs, students and thegeneral public and lauded the contribution of the institute
to the development of the rural sector.The AMPRI stall was adjudged as the second best stall
in the exhibition.
Dr Balram Jakhar, Governor of M.P. visiting AMPRI stall in the exhibition.
Dr N. Ramakrishnan, Director, AMPRI is also seen
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THE Council of Scientific &Industrial Research (CSIR)(TNBD Division) organized
the second CSIR-Industry meet atthe Indian Institute of ChemicalTechnology (IICT), Hyderabad, withthe theme ‘CSIR: A partner forInnovation Driven R&D’. This two-days (17 and 18 May 2007) event hadspecial focus on biotechnology and
CSIR-Industry Meet 2007
drugs and pharmaceuticals. Itreceived a tremendous response.About 135 industry representativesactively participated in the meet.From CSIR, Directors of 12 ofconstituent Laboratories madespecific presentations to highlightcore strengths in the focused areasand elaborated exploitable leadsavailable. Focused brainstorming on
Glimpses from CSIR-Industry Meet 2007
Technology Partnership inBiotechnology and Drugs andPharmaceuticals respectivelyfollowed at the end of day’stechnical sessions. Dr T. Ramasami,Director General, CSIR put forth inthe meet a broad frameworkfor initiating well focused R&Dactivities in public-privatepartnership mode. He said
that CSIR, hasbeen engaged inthe technologytransactions model forlong. A relationshipmodel based onpartnerships whichpromise co-generationof values to each other,for industry as wellas CSIR, is theessential next stepforward. He suggestedsector specific indepth discussions toarrive at a commonunderstanding so thatroadmap for initiatingwell defined R&Dactivities be developed.Dr Ramasami furthersaid that suchpartnership modelscan be an independententity with industryand CSIR co-owning it.Following the meetseveral industries haveinitiated discussionwith the laboratories toidentify the possiblecollaborative/contractresearch projects.
National Technology Day Celebrations atCGCRI, NAL, and NBRI
THE National Technology Day (NTD) is celebrated every year by the whole nation to commemorate thethree major events that marked the resurgence of technology in the country: (i) the nuclear tests atPokharan, announcing India’s entry into the exclusive Nuclear Club; (ii) successful launch of Trishul
missile showing the country’s capability to defend itself and (iii) flight of HANSA-3 heralding the dawn of civilaircraft industry in the country on 11 May 1998. As in the past, this year also CSIR laboratories/institutes joinedthe whole nation to celebrate the occasion.
Presented here is a brief account of NTD celebrations at the Central Glass & Ceramic Research Institute(CGCRI), Kolkata; National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Bangalore; and National Botanical Research Institute(NBRI), Lucknow, to cite a few examples of NTD programmes at the CSIR labs/instts.
Celebrations at CGCRI: Role of Technology in Energy Security
Dr H.S. Maiti, Director, CGCRI, felicitating Dr S.P. Gon Chaudhuri, Director,West Bengal Renewable Energy Development Authority. Prof. H. S. Mukunda,
Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, is seated on the right.
The theme of celebrations atCGCRI was ‘The Role of Technologyin Energy Security’. The ChiefGuest on the occasion was Dr SujanChakraborty, Member ofParliament. Two thematic lectureswere delivered: (i) ‘Solar lightingMission for India’, by Dr S.P.GonChaudhuri, Special Secretary toGovernment of West Bengal andDirector, West Bengal RenewableEnergy Development Authority(WBREDA),(ii) ‘Can India reducethe foreign exchange outgo on oil toabout a third of the current value’by Prof. H. S. Mukunda, IndianInstitute of Science, Bangalore.Participation to the function wasfrom various institutes and industryin and around Kolkata.
Welcoming the guests andcolleagues, Dr H. S. Maiti, Director,CGCRI, explained the significanceof the day as well as the theme ofthe two lectures.
Dr Gon Chaudhuri in hislecture explained the link betweenthe spread of solar power in the ruralareas and the uplift of the rural
m a s s e sthrough thepossibility ofb e t t e re d u c a t i o nand higherstandards ofliving. Hee x p l a i n e dhow the useof solarpower couldavoid the useof fossil fuelssuch askerosene. Hesaid that thei m m e d i a t etarget users for the use of solarpower should be those who residein the remote desert, hill areas,islands, and forest areas. He saidproviding light to 10 million familieswithin the shortest possible timewould require action on a Missionmode. The savings in subsidy onkerosene oil could be one of theincentives for funding the missionmode activities, he pointed out.
Prof. Dr H. S. Mukundadiscussed the far reaching role thatthe use of biogas generated powercould play in energy management inthe country, reducing the extent ofdependence on the conventionalfossil fuels. He said there wasenough technological capability inIndia in this regard. In fact, some ofthe Indian designed plants werebeing exported. He discussed how
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Dr Sujan Chakraborty, Member of the Parliament andthe Chief Guest on the occasion of the NTD celebration at
CGCRI, delivering his address
Celebrations at NAL : National Power and Vedas
the biomass could be derived fromvarious sources and the varioustechnology options, which wereavailable. He presented an analysisof waste assets and ascribedagriculture, plantation, waste landsand urban activities as the wastesources. He also discussed strategiesfor waste land uses and the techno-economic issues. Gasificationtechnologies are more efficienct atsmaller energy scales of 10kWe to 3MWe. He reported a not too wellknown feature of the gasificationsystems, that is, the system requiresone-fourth of the water required foroperating a steam power generationsystem.
Dr H.S. Maiti then presentedthe current activities of the institute.His presentation focused on theachievements in three broadsectors, namely the NationalSecurity/Strategic, IndustrialGrowth and Societal Activities. Heexplained that CGCRI was aparticipant in the six out of sixteentechnology sectors identified byCSIR in the Eleventh Five YearPlan. These are (i) Materials,Minerals and Manufacturing, (ii)Communication & Instrumentation(iii) Health Care, (iv) Energy &Environment, (v) Water Technology
and (vi) RuralDevelopment.
Explaining thesignificant achievements ofthe institute during theTenth Five Year plan,which ended on 31 March,Dr Maiti touched upon theachievements in specialtyglasses, engineeringceramics, optical amplifiersand fibre Bragg gratingsensors, bioceramicsprosthesis and implants,nanostructured materials,solid oxide fuel cell,traditional ceramics,arsenic and iron removalplants using ceramic membranetechnology. He said that the plan forthe use of a biogas power generationplant in CCRD, Bankura heraldedan innovative approach for theenergy management in energyintensive ceramic industry.
Dr Sujan Chakraborty in hisaddress as the Chief Guest spoke ofthe need for a clear and supportivepolicy of the planners so thatappropriate technology could bedeveloped and the fruits of thedevelopment could be spreadthroughout all sections of the society.He pointed out as to why the Indian
scientists and the technologistsshould be on the alert to be able tomaintain the leading edge, and didnot lose out to other countries. Hegave his opinion on the role thattechnology could play in controllingthe environmental damage thatwere taking place in the energysector. In this context, heappreciated the choice of the twotopics for the day.
At the end of the function, DrChakraborty inaugurated therenovated and modernized auditoriumnamed after the renowned ScientistDr Meghnad Saha.
NAL arranged two lectures:(i) Air Commodore Dr M.Matheswaran VM, PhD,Commandant, ASTE, Bangaloredelivered the Technology Daykeynote address on TechnologyDimension and National Power: and(ii) Shri Ramakrishnanda
Saraswathy Swamiji of Sri VidyaPeetam, Rishikesh, who is also theFounder of Vedic and ScientificResearch Foundation, Pune, spokeon ‘Scientific Applications of Vedas’.
The celebration commencedwith Dr A. R. Upadhya, Director,NAL, formally welcoming the
gathering. In his address he broughtforth the significance of the eventand highlighted the TechnologyDevelopment programmeundertaken and successes achievedby the laboratory. He also broughtabout the paradox of havingachieved the highest technological
achievements on one side and starkpoverty on the other andemphasized that only throughtechnology can we narrow this gap.
Dr A. R. Upadhya introducedthe chief guest. Air CommodoreMatheswaran was commissioned inthe flying branch as a fighter pilotin 1975. During his career spanningover three decades, he has had thedistinction of having flown varioustypes of fighter, transport aircraftand helicopters, having logged3100h of flying hours. He wasawarded Vayu Sena Medal (VM) bythe President of India in 1997.
Technology Dimension andNational Power
Air Commodore Matheswaranin his illuminating exposition on‘Technology Dimension and NationalPower’, brought about clear linkagesbetween technology and power of anation. He went on to elucidate howin the eyes of internationalcommunity India is being takenseriously post Pokharan. The core ofhis address was his comparison ofToffler ’s theory of the era ofAgriculture, Industrial andKnowledge based economies. Healso made it clear that in thehegemony cycle in the life of nationsit is very important to strategize onthe military, economic, technologicaland political strength as well asweaknesses. He stressed that for the
nation to sustain its strategic andpolitical dominance, it shouldidentify its core technologicalstrength and be focused to masterthe evolving technologies. It was hissurmise that by the year 2020 Indiawill be scientifically proficient. Heaptly concluded his speech byquoting from Dr Manmohan Singh,IDSA 40th Anniversary Speech,2005. ‘Our security policy in theemerging global order must be basedon three pillars. First, strengthenIndia economically andtechnologically. Second, to developadequate defence capability makingoptimal use of modern science andtechnology. Finally, developpartnerships in the strategic,economic and technological spheres,to enlarge our policy choices anddevelopmental options.’
Dr M. N. Sathyanarayan, Jt.Head, KTMD, compered the
function and Dr M. R. Nayak,Advisor, M&A, proposed a vote ofthanks
Scientific Applications of VedasShri Ramakrishnanda
Saraswathy Swamiji in his speechexplained how Vedic rituals andmantras can be scientifically usedto solve the problems of mankind.He mentioned about theexperimental methods used by Vedicand Scientific Research Foundationto study the Vedic ‘manthras’ and‘yagnas’. He chanted two mantrasidentified for the cure of heartdisease and hypertension.According to him the base of thevarious Yagnas and Homas wastotally in tune with reason and logicof science.
Dr M. N. Sathyanarayan, JointHead, KTMD proposed a vote ofthanks.
At the NBRI function Prof. G.K.Garg, Director (R&D), Krishi DhanSeeds, Jalna, Maharashtra was thechief guest. Prof. Sushil Kumar,
IIM, Lucknow and Dr S.K. Gupta,Chief Gamete Antigen Laboratory,National Institute of Immunology,New Delhi, were the other
dignitaries who graced the occasion.Scientists from the institute andresearch scholars of other sisterlaboratories, besides students of
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A dais view of NTD Celebrations at NBRI
process oftechno logytransfer. Inhis opinion,for ane f f e c t i v etransfer oftechnology,it wasnecessary tosurvey themarket, beu p d a t e dabout thelatest intechnology and develop the abilityto do anything in large-scale. If theinstitutes lacked anywhere, it wasat the product designing anddevelopment stage, he added. Whileoutlining the development of biotechindustry in India and abroad, heemphasized the need for enhancingpublic private partnership inbiotech industries throughinnovations, gene discovery andtechnology development. Althoughthere were millions of avenues butthe need of the hour was dialogue,trust and commitment among thepartners for successful publicprivate partnership, he commented.If we succeed in this, India will havethe projected growth in agriculture
to sustain its overall economicgrowth. He also dwelt in detail thegrowth, demand and SWOT analysisof the bio-based Indian agri-industries.
Prof. Sushil Kumar in hislecture, entitled ‘Agribusiness &Food Market: An overview’, spokeon the global and nationalopportunities in agri-business andfood market. Indian agriculture hasalways served as a means forsubsistence, while today’s demandis to make it a successful venture interms of contribution towards theeconomy of the nation. Agri-business involves production andsuccessful marketing of value addedproducts. Without value addition to
various schools and colleges alsoattended the function. The day wasobserved as open day. Members ofgeneral public and students fromvarious local colleges visited thedifferent laboratories of theinstitute.
Dr Rakesh Tuli, Director,NBRI, while welcoming the chiefguest and other dignitaries presenton the occasion, said that it wasimperative that good scientific leadswere converted into technologies forthe benefit of nation and commonman. Referring to the productsdeveloped by NBRI, Dr Tuliinformed that nearly 12 productshave been sent for biosafety valueassessment. Systematic studieswould ultimately developpharmacopoeia for plant baseddrugs. Citing the example of herbalgulal developed by NBRI, he saidthat we need to enlighten thecommon man and utilize theknowledge in various ways to reachthe common man and industry. Healso called upon the students whohad gathered on the occasion to takeup science as a career to contributetowards the industry and nation.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof.G.K. Garg mentioned about thevarious challenges faced during
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Dr Ashwani Kumar takes over asActing Director, ITRC
DR Ashwani Kumar, Scien-
tist F and Head, Environ-mental Biotechnology
Division of Industrial Toxicology
Research Centre (ITRC), Lucknow,has taken over the charge of ActingDirector, ITRC on 13 June 2007.
Earlier, Dr C.M. Gupta, Director,CDRI was having additional chargeof Director, ITRC.
Dr Ashwani Kumar did hisM.Sc. in Biochemistry fromLucknow University in 1976 and
Ph.D (Biochemistry) from Indian Institute of Science (IISc),Bangalore, under the supervision of Prof. G.Padmanaban. Theareas of specialization of Dr Ashwani Kumar are Environmental
Biotechnology — cloning and characterization of degradativegenes, bioremediation of soils that are contaminated withchlorinated pesticides and Toxicogenomics — Microarray based
transcription profiling, 2D-PAGE based proteomics, anddetermination of genetic predisposition in Indian populationby discovery of SNPs using RFLP, dHPLC, and capillary
sequencing.Dr Ashwani Kumar visited NYU School of Medicine, NY,
USA during 1980-84 as Post doctoral Fellow and again during
1988-99 as visiting scientist. He also visited University of Iowa,USA (January-December 1994); University of Stuttgart,Germany 14-18 June 2000); Melbourne, Australia (20-21
November 2003) and Tohoku University, Japan (15 April to 14June 2006). Dr Ashwani Kumar has many national andinternational publications and one patent to his credit. He is
life member of various national and international academicsocieties and professional bodies.
the agri-products, the income of the farmeris not going to increase, he stated.Presenting comparative data of yield ofselected agri-commodities of manycountries, he pointed out that India wasfar behind in terms of per hectareproduction. He stressed the need tofocus on the technological changes inagriculture and turn these into agri-business, as India is the largest producerof tea, jute and other such products. Indiahas the highest share of milk productionand is the largest producer of pulses, andsecond largest producer of wheat and rice,he said. He emphasized the need to findour core competency and develop asynergistic relationship for better results.He called upon the scientists of NBRI todevelop eco-friendly sustainabletechnologies.
Dr S.K. Gupta delivered a lecture,entitled: ‘Innovation in Biotechnology:Opportunities for Scientists’ with specialreference to various application of plantantibodies.
Dr R.K. Srivastava, Scientist, NBRI,presented the various green technologiesdeveloped by the institute which areavailable for commercial exploitation. Anexhibition of the technologies and productsdeveloped by NBRI was also organized forthe benefit of visitors. A book entitled‘Plants for decoration of House’ was alsoreleased.
A significant event of the day was thesigning of R&D agreements with RelianceEnergy Limited; Dabur ResearchFoundation, Ghaziabad and SB Limited,Ghaziabad. Dr R.K. Gupta, Scientist,NBRI, proposed a vote of thanks.
