Annual Report 2000 - 2001

Infrastructure Development

Regional Sophisticated Instrumentation Centres (RSIC)

Sophisticated analytical instruments are required for scientific research in many areas. These instruments are not available to a large number of users at R&D institutions, Universities/Colleges and industries. Non-availability of these instruments makes it difficult for scientists to pursue high research and important developments/discoveries in Science & Technology. Department of Science & Technology has set up Regional Sophisticated Instrumentation Centres (RSICs) and Sophisticated Instrumentation Facilities (SIFs) way back in 1974 and in subsequent years to provide facilities of Sophisticated Analytical Instruments to the scientists/users covering different regions of the country. The RSICs/SIFs are located at IIT, Chennai; IIT, Mumbai; Bose Institute, Calcutta; CDRI, Lucknow; Punjab University, Chandigarh; NEHU, Shillong; Nagpur University, Nagpur; V.V. Nagar, Gujarat; IISc, Bangalore; AIIMS, New Delhi; Guwahati University, Guwahati. In addition, EPMA facility has been supported at University of Roorkee.

Equipment Available in RSICs/SIFs

RSICs/SIFs are equipped with sophisticated analytical instruments such as ICP, NMR, EPR, Mass Spectrometers, XRD, TEM, SEM etc. TEM, UV-VIS-NIR Spectrophotometer and FT-IR Spectrometer were procured by SICART, V.V. Nagar during the year. Secretary, Department of Science & Technology formally inaugurated this Centre. The users have started utilising these instruments.

In order to enhance the capabilities of the existing instruments at these Centres, a few accessories such as Graphite Furnace for AAS were provided. Majority of the instruments at the RSICs/SIFs are being maintained inhouse by the Centres.

Utilisation of Facilities at RSICs/SIFs

• About 5000 scientists/users have been utilising the facilities at RSICs/SIFs. Users from almost all the universities have been utilising the services offered by these Centres.
• About 50,000 samples were analysed at the RSICs/SIFs during the year.
• RSICs/SIFs have been organising short term courses/training programmes to create awareness among the users about the application of various instruments/analytical techniques and on maintenance/repair/use of instruments. Some of the training programmes organised by the Centres are as follows:

  - Short term training programme on Scientific Instruments and training programme on
  advanced physical chemistry by RSIC, Chennai.
  - Training in operation and maintenance of GLC, HPLC and IR by RSIC, Lucknow.
  - Workshop on Electron Microscopy by RSIC, Chandigarh.
  - Recent advances in Electron Microscopy and Workshop on FT-NMR Spectroscopy
  by RSIC, NEHU, Shillong.
  - Training programmes on Sample processing, viewing of samples and maintenance of
  SEM and TEM by SIF, New Delhi.
  - International symposium on Luminescence and its applications and a short term
  course on Electron Microscopy by SICART, V.V. Nagar.
  - A symposium on NMR Facility by SIF, Bangalore.

• Value added services are being provided by the Centres to the users by offering a total package of solution to problems including sampling, spectrum analysis and interpretation of results.
  
• Instrument prototypes and accessories to the existing instruments are being developed by some Centres.

Unique Measurements/ Methods

• Improved pulsed scheme for hetro nuclear dipolar has been developed by SIF, Bangalore.
• New method for quantum logic gates and quantum algorithm has been developed using NMR by SIF, Bangalore.
• New method for setting the magic angle for solid state NMR has been developed by SIF, Bangalore.
• Detection of heavy metal toxicity and trace element deficiency in wild animals of
  North-East was carried out by RSIC, NEHU, Shillong.
• Pathogenic microbes on soiled currency notes were detected by RSIC, Shillong using
  SEM.

In order to meet the diverse challenges of the next millenium, an urgent need for strengthening the existing S&T infrastructure support system in the universities and other academic institutions was felt. A major new initiative for rebuilding the Science & Technology infrastructure titled "Fund for Improvement of S&T infrastructure in universities and higher educational institutions (FIST) was launched during the year. The scheme aims to provide basic infrastructure and enabling facilities and environment for promoting R&D in new and emerging areas and attracting fresh talent. The total allocation of funds is Rs 75.0 Crores during the current 9th Plan period.

Against an open advertisement 1158 proposals for support in two levels and six different broad subject areas namely Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences and Mathematical Sciences have been received from different universities and academic institutions. These proposals were categorized according to the levels and subject areas as given below :

Number of Proposals Received in the Program

The Department through a two-tier Committee structure: Advisory Board of Experts on FIST (FISTAB) and six Subject Expert Committees for the above mentioned six broad subject areas, short-listed 295 Proposals (Level-I: 199, Level-II: 96) for detailed presentation. Subsequent to the presentation by the short-listed Departments/ Institutions, 222 Proposals (Level - I: 158, Level - II: 64) in all areas at a total cost of Rs 118.82 Crores for 5 years duration were recommended by the Expert Committees for consideration of the FISTAB. The FISTAB has finally recommended 221 Proposals (Level I : 186 & Level II: 35) at a total budget of Rs 111.93 Crores for five years. The subject area-wise details of recommended budget are given below:

FISTAB Recommendations

S&T Professional Bodies

The S&T Professional Bodies and Academies of Science & Engineering play an important role in creating a cohesiveness amongst the Scientific community by arranging regular Annual Technical Meetings & Seminars, Conferences, Workshops etc. and publishing scientific journals, annals and bulletins.

During the year, 75 professional bodies were provided partial support for undertaking various S&T activities. These include Asiatic Society of Pediatric Urology; Association for Advancement of Entomology; Indian National Cartographic Association; Indian Academy of Social Sciences; Indian Physics Association; Institution of Chemists; Indian Science News Association; Waterfalls Institute of Technology; Centre for Philosophy and Foundation of Science; Institution of Surveyors; Indian Chemical Society; Forum D' Analysts; IETE; Indian Institute of Metals; Indian Society of Life Sciences; International Medical Science Academy; Metrology Society of India; Guha Research Conference; Indian Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Research; Indian Geological Congress; etc. Some of the professional societies that were supported on a continuing basis include Current Science Association; Geological Society of India; National Institute of Advanced Studies; Chennai Mathematical Institute; Bombay Natural History Society; Society of Indian Ocean Studies; Jagadis Bose National Science Talent Search etc.

Seminar/ Symposia

The Department also extended partial support, on a selective basis, for organising seminars/ symposia/ training programs/ workshops/ Conferences at national as well as international level. The support is provided to Research Institutes/ Universities/ Medical & Engineering Colleges and other academic Institutes/ professional bodies who organise such events for the scientific community to keep abreast of the latest developments in their specific areas. The support is generally towards encouraging participation of Young scientists and Research workers in such events and publication of Proceedings/ Abstracts for wider dissemination.

In the current year, 148 seminar/ symposia including 42 international events were provided financial support. Important ones supported are Indian Science Congress, Works of S Ramanujan, International Conference on 'Microbial Biotechnology Trade and Public Policy', Global Sustainable Biotech Congress 2000 AD, LATTICE-2000, STRINGS 2001, Automated Data Analysis in Astronomy, Condensed Matter, ISOMALAM-2000, Pediatric Urology, 19th All India Manufacturing Technology Design & Research (AIMTDR), Flowmetering and Control, Aging, Bioinorganic Chemistry, DNA Enzymes, Land Use Change environment and Sustainable Development, Monitoring Environment, Fibre Optics and Photonics, Integrated Water Resources Management for Sustainable Development, Haemoglobinopathies, Materials Analysis & Nanophase Materials, ENTOMOCONGRESS 2000, Analysis and its applications, XX INCA Congress, Mycobacterial Diseases, Green Chemistry etc.

The Department had completely fulfilled its commitment towards construction of Seminar Complex at Central University, Hyderabad which has been recently completed and likely to be operational soon. Partial Financial Assistance For Participation In Conferences Abroad (PFA)

During the current year, 588 candidates have been supported which include 124 Young scientists. Some of the important events in which the Indian scientists participated are World Conference on Radiation Oncology, Environmental Pollution, Plant Tissue & Cell, Materials & mechanisms of superconductivity & HTS, Earthquake Engineering, Solid Waste Technology Conference, Congress on Plant Molecular Biology, International Congress of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology etc.

The scientists get an exposure at International level where they can discuss their research findings for critical evaluation and review. The Indian participation has also helped in inviting important and prestigious International events to India.