Annual Report 2001 - 2002

Infrastructure Development

Regional Sophisticated Instrumentation Centres (RSIC)

Sophisticated analytical instruments are required in many areas of modern scientific research. In our country although the number of universities, R&D institutions and industries have increased substantially over the years, a large number of institutions, particularly universities/academic institutions do not have sophisticated analytical instruments/adequate resources to maintain and run them and the absence of these instruments makes it difficult for the scientists to pursue important developments/R&D activities requiring such instruments. These instruments are costly and with our limited resources it is not possible to provide them for each project separately. Department of Science & Technology has set up Regional Sophisticated Instrumentation Centres (RSICs) and Sophisticated Instrumentation Facilities (SIFs) in different regions of the country in order to provide facilities of Sophisticated Analytical Instruments to the scientists/users from universities/academic institutions, R&D laboratories and industries. The RSICs/ SIFs are located at IIT, Chennai; IIT, Mumbai; Bose Institute, Calcutta; CDRI, Lucknow; Punjab University, Chandigdarh; NEHU, Shillong; Nagpur University, Nagpur; V.V. Nagar, Gujarat; IISc., Bangalore; AIIMS, New Delhi; Guwahati University, Guwahati. In addition, EPMA facility at University of Roorkee, Roorkee is also being supported.

Equipment Available in RSICs/SIFs

The RSICs/SIFs are equipped with sophisticated analytical instruments such as ICP, NMR, EPR, Mass Spectrometers, XRD, TEM, SEM etc. GC-Mass Spectrometer, Thermal Analysis System-TGA/DTA/DSC, Laser Particle Size Analyser and Vacuum Coating Unit were recently procured by SICART, V.V. Nagar.
In order to enhance the capabilities of the existing instruments at these Centres, a few accessories such as Graphite Furnace for AAS were provided. The Centres have acquired the capabilities of repair/maintenance of the instruments and majority of the instruments at the RSICs/SIFs are being maintained inhouse by the Centres.

Utilisation of Facilities at RSICs/SIFs

• About 5500 scientists/users have been utilising the facilities at RSICs/SIFs every year. Users from almost all the universities have been utilising the services offered by these Centres.
  
• About 60,000 samples are being analysed at the RSICs/SIFs.
  
• 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/workshops organised by the Centres are as follows:
  • Workshops on "Principles and Applications of X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy" and "Electron Microscopy" by RSIC, Mumbai.
    
  • International workshop on Electron Microscopy by RSIC, Chandigarh.
    
  • Two workshops on FT-NMR Spectroscopy by RSIC, Shillong.
    
  • A workshop on Biosensor and its application and a seminar on "Modern analytical techniques and devices for process control and environment monitoring in chemical industry" were organised by SICART, V.V. Nagar.
    
  • Training workshops on Electron Microscopy were organised for scientists and technicians . The topics of workshop for scientists included Immuno EM, Cryo EM, Quantitative image analysis and Stereology etc.
    
  • Two workshops on processing of NMR data to familiarise the users with available software in public domain was organised 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/Analytical Techniques Developed

• Diffusion Ordered Spectroscopy(DOSY) has been successfully implemented and
  demonstrated by RSIC, Lucknow.
  
• Technique for imaging flower pollens without dehydration and gold coating by SEM
  has been developed by SICART, V.V. Nagar.
  
• Method for estimation of Aluminium content in blood serum by ICP-OES has been
  developed by SICART, V.V. Nagar
  
• New spectral editing techniques using gradients in 1 and 2 D NMR have been
  developed by SIF, Bangalore.
  
• Implementation of TROSY experiments for biological molecules on FT-NMR Spectrometer has been done by SIF, Bangalore
  
• New methods for creation of pseudo-pure slates for quantum computing has been developed by SIF, Bangalore.

Significant R&D Work Resulting from use of RSICs/SIFs Facilities

• Lithium fluoride doped with Cu and co-activated with Mg and P thermoluminescent (TL) phosphor has been developed at IIT, Mumbai. Indian Nuclear Society award has been given for the indigenous development of this phosphor.
  
• A study has been undertaken to investigate the active tectonics and paleoseismicity of Kachchh region of Gujarat state to understand the role of active tectonism in the area, preparation of sequential chronology of various tectonic landforms and to attempt to establish the precise dates using ESR supported by TL, OSL and 14 C dating techniques. Recently ESR lab at RSIC successfully dated gypsum formed along fault plane near Bhuj and is able to give a possible pre-date of the faulting event at the area. Furthermore, quartz samples from fluvial terraces, calcretes and shell materials that came out during recent earthquake have also been successfully dated.
  
• An investigation of Electrospray ionization technique and metal cationization at RSIC, Lucknow has revealed that lithium cationization is a valuable technique not only to confirm the molecular weights of biologically active ritidoid glycosides but also to obtain structurally diagnostic information. This is achieved by MS/MS of the lithium cationized molecules. It was also found that the presence of a carboxyl group in the molecule results in multiple alkali metal ion exchange.
  
• The methodology has been developed at RSIC, Lucknow for the complete 1H and 13C assignments of expanded porphyrins which is practically impossible using conventional methods. These expanded porphyrins has applications in photodynamic therapy and MRI contrast agent.
  
• Significant development in Quantum information processing by NMR has been achieved by experimental implementation of several logical quantum gates using one and two dimensional NMR, creation of pseudo-pure -states and implementation of quantum Deutsch-Jozsa algoritham at SIF, Bangalore.
  

In recent years, great concern has been expressed about the lack of infrastructure facilities for imparting good quality higher education and conducting advanced research. As a result of the ongoing efforts departments in the universities and related institutions have made some impact on the development of teaching and research. These departments are now in a stage to be identified for selective strengthening of their infrastructure for post-graduate education and research in emerging areas. It is also necessary to extend such infrastructure support to other higher technical and medical educational institutions. Considering all these factors, the above new scheme "Fund for improvement of S&T infrastructures in universities and higher educational institutions (FIST) " was launched in 2000-2001and 221 Departments (186 Departments in level - I & 35 Departments in Level - II) were identified for support at a total budget of about Rs 112 crores for 5 years.

Under the Program the supports have been provided for basic infrastructure & enabling facilities and conducive environment for promoting R&D in new and emerging areas including ready access to information system, networking, databases & scientific journals and also to computational facilities. This would enable the Universities & academic institutions for attracting fresh talent and pursue competitive research. This would also enhance visibility of these departments.

The Program envisaged two levels of support e.g. Level - I & Level - II in six broad subject areas i.e. Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences & Mathematical Sciences.

During the current year, the supports have been provided to 125 Departments in Level - I and 10 Departments in Level - II at total budgetary allocation of Rs 35 crores. Apart from support for basic equipment necessary for imparting quality teaching & modernization of laboratories provided to a large number of departments in the universities & related academic institutions, the support for creation of a few major facilities such as Ion Chromatography Systems, Automated DNA Sequencers, Ultracentrifuges, FACS, CD-Dicho-graph with stopped flow arrangement, I-Cycler, X-ray Diffraction set up, LC- MS, Scanning Probe Microscope, Oligonecleotide Synthesizer, HPLC-cum-FPLC, Molecular Imaging System, Small size Liquid Nitrogen Plant, High Resolution Powder X-ray Diffractometer, Single Crystal X-ray Diffractometers, 300 MHz & 400 MHz FT-NMRs, Mass Spectrometer, Thermal Analyser Systems, Plasma Deposition Eatching System, Vacuum Melting Furnace, Universal Testing Machines (UTMs), GC-MSs, Reneshaw Raman System, Electron Microprobe Analyser, High Resolution Microscopes etc. are also provided. For accessing Internet and other computational facilities including GIS by the students & faculty members, supports have also been provided to about 35 departments for creation of a `Central Computer Lab' in the department.

For effective implementation of Program, the follow-up visits to the departments including review of the progress are also undertaken. Assistance To Professional Bodies & Seminar/ Symposia

S&T Professional Bodies

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

During the year 78 professional bodies were provided partial support for undertaking various S&T activities. These include Current Science Association, Geological Society of India, Materials Research Society of India, Indian Chemical Society, National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bombay Natural History Society, Indian Physics Association, Institution of Chemists, International Medical Science Academy, Jagdish Bose National Science Talent Search, Asiatic Society of Paediatric Urology, Association of Advancement of Entomology, Indian Science News Association, Centre for Philosophy and Foundation of Science, Indian Association for the Advancement of Veterinary Research, Chennai Mathematical Institute, 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.

175 seminars/symposia including 50 international events were provided financial support during 2000-1. Important ones supported are Works on 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, ISOMALAN 2000, Paediatric Urology, 19th All India Manufacturing Technology Design and Research Conference, Flowmetering and Control, Ageing, 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, ENTOMOCONGRESS 2000, Analysis and its Applications, XX INCA Congress, Photochemical Sciences, Mycobacterial Diseases, Green Chemistry, etc. Assistance for Participation in Conferences Abroad (PFA)

During the current year, 712 candidates were supported which include 275 Young scientists. Priority has been given to those who were invited speakers or were chairing a session or giving keynote/ special lecture. Participation in multi-disciplinary conferences was encouraged. Some of the important events in which the Indian scientists participated are International Conference of Statistics, Combinatories & related areas, American Academy of Ophthalmology Annual Conference, Annual Conference on Magnetism & Materials, International Symposium on Trace Elements in Human, International Conference on Solid Waste Technology, Polymer in Third Millennium, International Conference on Neutron Scattering, World Congress of Neurosurgery, International Society of Sugarcane Technology etc.

The Indian participation has also helped in inviting important and prestigious International events to India.