Annual Report 2006-2007

DST Scientific Institutions & Professional Academies

Introduction

The department has been supporting 15 autonomous institutions in specific frontline areas of science and technology to continuously pursue basic research to keep up with the pace of R&D at the global level. These institutions have been instrumental in producing trained manpower and develop several application areas of importance to the nation, in a wide spectrum of scientific and engineering disciplines. Based on the research activities the institutions could be broadly classified into four major groups viz. Institutions focusing on (a) Outer Space Events, (b) Global History & Health, (c) Molecule to Material Science, (d) Science Applications for well being.

Support is also being extended to 5 professional societies, who are actively striving to bring into focus some of the scientific issues of national and global importance requiring scientific inquiry and in, awareness creation, information dissemination, man-power development.

The following sections provide glimpses and highlights of the research contributions made by the institutions during the reporting year.

Outer Space Events

Three Institutes namely IIA, ARIES and RRI have been exploring the basic scientific frontier areas in Astronomy, Astrophysics, Atmospheric & Theoretical Physics and Optics. Specialised areas like, photometric studies of galaxies, planetary physics, solar activity, spectroscopy of the sun, star clusters, stellar energy distribution, stellar populations are being pursued currently. The scope of activities of these institutions include, promoting, guiding and carrying out front-line basic research, establishment of front ranking facilities, providing interactions and making accessible the state-of-art facilities to other institutions including universities to conduct research.

Raman Research Institute (RRI), Bangalore

The Raman Research Institute founded by Prof. C. V. Raman in the late forties, was reorganized in 1970 as a National Institute for research in basic science and has been receiving grants from the DST since 1972. The main fields of research are Theoretical Physics, Light and Matter Physics, Soft Condensed Matter and Astronomy & Astrophysics.

Astronomy & Astrophysics - Studies of radio recombination lines of Hydrogen and Carbon from Galactic and extragalactic sources were carried out using the Very Large Array and the Arecibo Radio telescopes. The physical properties and kinematics of material in these systems were estimated. The Arecibo Radio telescope was used to carry out pulsar surveys. Multi-wavelength observations of Gamma Ray Bursts and Supernovae were carried out leading to constraints on the models for these sources. A molecular line survey of star forming regions was carried out using the radio telescopes in Mopra and Korea. A nearby group of galaxies was imaged in atomic Hydrogen using the Giant Meterwave Radio telescope. A method to use the correlations of spectral intensity fluctuations to mitigate radio frequency interference was developed. Effects of heating due to active galactic nuclei on groups of galaxies was analysed and, related to the production of cosmic rays and the presence of excess Lithium in Halo stars. The radiative transport of dust in galaxies was estimated. Relation between black hole accretion and the growth of bulges was explored. Helical jet in a gravitationally lensed system was modeled. A system of X-shaped radio galaxies were modeled. Generation mechanism of magnetic fields in the early universe was studied. The signature of atomic hydrogen gas from the early universe was estimated.

Light and Matter Physics - Electro-magnetically induced transparency was observed in fluorescence in alkali vapour. The nonlinear optics group has studied and published the results of nonlinear light transmission in nanocomposite polymer films and nanocyrstalline thin films. The experimental set up for the intense laser field - matter (liquid microjet & solid targets) is being optimized. Work on the Bose-

Einstein Condensate is in progress and significant improvements have been made. Investigations of decoherence times for superposition states using Electromagnetically Induced Transparency (EIT) are ongoing. Theory and experiments confirm the dominance of Levy statistics in the intensity of emitted light from Random Amplifying Media (RAM). A novel Fiber-RAM is used to probe the crossover from Gaussian to Levy statistics, providing an optical analogue of the Arrhenius cascade. The quantum interactions group is working towards the laser cooling of Rubidium atoms.

Soft Condensed Matter - The on-going synthesis of new compounds with unusual architecture as well as the characterization of the mesophases exhibited by them are being continued. Atomic Force Microscope and a Confocal Microscope have been procured. New topics of interest such as Rheology and Ellipsometry have been initiated.

Theoretical Physics - The research work carried out falls into three broad areas:

1. Classical and Quantum Gravity - (i) Testing post-Newtonian theory with gravitational wave observations; study of tail effects in the 3PN gravitation wave energy flux of inspiralling compact binaries; study of inspiralling compact binaries in quasi-elliptical orbits; (ii) study of analogies between surface tension and the cosmological constant problem; (iii) study of the connection between Ricci flows and the positive mass theorem of general relativity; (iv) study of reduced models of causal set quantum gravity; problem of recovery of continuum topology from causal sets; (v) study of functional evolution of quantum cylindrical waves; study of quantum resolution of the black hole information loss problem in 1+1 black holes and Dirac quantization of parametrised field theory.

2. Physics in Biology - (i) study of properties of semi-flexible polymers, such as its radius of gyration, in the presence of constraints such as applied links and closed ends; (ii) study of processes within the cell such as dynamics of intracellular trafficking networks, dynamics of active membranes and filaments.

3. Condensed Matter and Non-equilibrium Statistical Mechanics - (i) study of dynamics of solid state transformations; (ii) study of thermal and electrical transport in mesoscopic systems using stochastic approaches; (iii) study of fluctuations in non-equilibrium systems and their implications on the functioning of molecular devices.

Indian Institute Of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore

The Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) is primarily devoted to basic research, instrumentation and training in astronomy, astrophysics, and related physical sciences. At present, the institute has facilities spread over six places: Bangalore, Hosakote, Kodaikanal, Kavalur, Hanle, and Gauribidanur. Institute's facilities were used for singular discoveries in the solar system: (i) atmosphere around Jupiter's satellite Ganymede in 1972, and (ii) rings around Uranus in 1977, (iii) discovery of asteroid, 'Ramanujan' in 1988.

The year witnessed noteworthy developments on many fronts along with significant growth in many areas. The institute has published as many as 85 papers in refereed journals and 60 papers in conference proceedings and books. Several scientists have taken part in the teaching and guidance of graduate students and others from various institutions and university from all over India. Apart from these activities scientists have been invited to talks at various reputed scientific and educational institutions in India and abroad.

A spectacular event in the form of a total solar eclipse lasting about 4 minutes was successfully observed from Antalya in Turkey on March 29, 2006 by a five member team of scientists from the Institute. High spatial resolution narrow band photometric images were recorded of the corona to investigate the nature of coronal waves and physical conditions in coronal structures.

Narrow band image of a portion of the corona in green line at 5303A taken during totality on 29 march, 2006, at Antalya, Turkey.

The High Altitude Gamma Ray Telescope array (HAGAR) at the Indian Astronomical Observatory (IAO), Hanle, consisting of 7 telescopes, each with 7 mirrors having a total collection area of 4.4 sq. m is nearing completion. Two of these telescopes which were installed during the year received first light. Five additional telescopes of HAGAR array, Hanle, were installed during the summer of 2006 completing the mechanical installation of the entire array.

The design of the Ultra Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) payload for ASTROSAT, the first Indian astronomy space mission, scheduled for launch in 2008, is in its final stages. It will be the first UV space telescope from India with three times better angular resolution than any similar telescope, providing new openings to Indian astronomers as well as paving the way for future national and international projects in UV and EUV astronomy. The Institute is a major partner in TAUVEX, an Indo-Israeli collaborative space-based ultraviolet imaging experiment, which is currently scheduled for launch in 2007. It consists of three UV telescopes that will provide a unique data set of the unexplored UV sky. The payload will be provided by Tel Aviv University, while IIA will contribute to mission planning, software development and data analysis.

The Institute organized various scientific conferences, workshops and schools during 2006. Continuing in the tradition of past years, a three-week summer school at the Kodaikanal campus was conducted for graduate and post graduate students on physics and astrophysics. Speakers from various reputed institutes delivered lectures in the school. Workshops on Science from the Himalayan Chandra Telescope were also organized at IIA, Bangalore. The institute has conducted an 'In-house Workshop' during April 17-18, 2006. Most of the scientists of IIA gave a short description of their research activities. The presentation covered a vast range of topics such as solar physics, stars and stellar systems, novae and planetary nebulae, galaxies, Earth's atmosphere, theoretical astrophysics, and instrumentation.

In solar physics, scientists are trying to measure variations of temperature, and non-thermal velocity in coronal loops, sunspot motions and waves, irradiance variability, activity and coronal holes. Other work includes theoretical modelling of the dynamics and nature of wave propagation in the magnetic network. The characteristics of type II radio bursts are being analyzed and efforts are in progress to estimate the coronal magnetic field. Experiments continue at Hanle with a view to understanding the sources and distribution of carbon dioxide emission in the terrestrial atmosphere. In planetary science, the impact plume caused by the NASAs Deep-impact probe on comet Tempel 1 was recorded and is being studied.

Turning to stellar and galactic astronomy, it is satisfying to note that a large number of observations were carried out using the telescope facilities of the Institute. In-house built focal point instruments such as the fibre-coupled echelle spectrograph and speckle interferometer for the 2.34 m Vainu Bappu telescope (VBT), Vainu Bappu Observatory (VBO) in Kavalur, are producing new results. An auto-guider system was recently installed on the remotely operated 2 m Himalayan Chandra telescope (HCT) in Hanle. Both these telescopes are over subscribed. Research by the institute scientists has focussed on young stellar objects, evolved stars, star clusters, binary stars, chemical composition and abundance analysis, high resolution spectroscopy, interstellar matter, planetary nebulae, brown dwarfs, exo-solar planets, exploding stars, galactic disk, and active galaxies.

Long Trace Profilometer (version II).

The Institute has an active theoretical group working on a range of problems in astrophysics and physics. Studies are being carried out on the magnetohydrodynamics of accretion disks, pulsars, radiative transfer, dynamics of galaxies, relativistic astrophysics particularly dark energy, and quasar redshift distribution. The physics group is exploring parity non-conservation effects in Ba+ as a probe of physics beyond the standard model.

In the area of instrumentation, the Institute proposes to acquire a high resolution spectropolarimeter for HCT in Hanle. Noteworthy progress has been achieved in the design and development of a wavefront sensor which is an integral part of an adaptive optics system. Experiments were performed in bacteriorhodospin (BR) films. A two-beam spectropolarimeter for Kodaikanal Tower telescope has also been developed. The primary mirror of the 1 m telescope has been successfully replaced by one developed in-house and the instrument is being used regularly for stellar observations. A new modern 1.3 m stellar telescope for imaging is being acquired for VBO, Kavalur.

Graduate Studies Program

The Institute has a vibrant graduate studies programme with students working towards their doctorates on a range of diverse research areas. The Institute faculty actively participates in teaching graduate courses. Several IIA scientists received awards in recognition for their achievements.

Library

The library has created an Open Access Repository, which is a repository of IIA theses, publications (reprints and preprints), Bulletin of the Astronomical Society of India papers and archival collection. This resource is accessible on the internet through the institute website.

Computer Section

The computer section has installed a new system for high performance computing that is ideally suited for parallel processing. The institute recently joined the national grid computing initiative GARUDA, that provides even higher levels of computational resources through a nation wide distributed network.

Public Outreach

As a part of the public outreach programme, the Institute celebrated National Science day on 28th February. Lectures on astronomy, and film shows on the laboratories and observatories of the Institute were among the several activities during the day, in which the public and school children participated.

Aryabhatta Research Institute Of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital.

ARIES, a reincarnation of 50 years old State Observatory, came into existence on March 22, 2004. The longitude of ARIES locates it in the middle of about 180 degree wide longitude band having modern astronomical facilities between Canary Island (~ 20° W) and Eastern Australia (~ 155° E). The observations, which are not possible in Canary Island or Australia due to day light, can be obtained from ARIES. ARIES has facilities like 104-cm, 56-cm, 52-cm and 38-cm optical telescopes, Cooled CCD Cameras, Spectrophotometers, Photoelectric photometer, 15-cm Solar Telescope. Steps are being taken for developing the research as well as infrastructural facilities. The GRIMM aerosol spectrometer, athelometer, Micro top- II, Sun Photometer and Ozonometer and CCD Camera have been procured and their installation is under process.The back end instruments like filters, gratings, controllers, UPS and batteries and infrastructural facilities like computers, vehicles, EPABX that were procured have been operationalised during the period of review.

Global History & Health

Three institutions namely IIG, BSIP and WIHG are fundamentally concentrating on exploring the nature and evolution of planet Earth. A range of cutting edge research areas relating to understanding the Upper Atmospheric structure and perturbations, Solid Earth Geomagnetism, fundamental and applied Palaeobotany, basic and applied research related to Himalayan geology are being pursued. Recent emphasis has been on understanding the Quaternary eustatic sea level changes, global climate change, paleo and neo- tectonic activities and rates. The institutes have also been carrying out long term multi-parametric observations through sophisticated instruments for monitoring the variations in solid earth geomagnetism, crustal dynamics etc. for evolving and refining models for better understanding of the phenomena.

Indian Institute Of Geomagnetism (IIG), Navi Mumbai

The main areas of research at the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) are: Observatories and Data Analysis, Upper Atmospheric Sciences, and Solid Earth Geomagnetism. The instrumentation division of IIG is involved in development and maintenance of various instruments used for observations in the above areas. Highlights of some of the major scientific activities undertaken at IIG during the above period are presented here.

Observatories and Data Analysis

The Institute continued to operate nine magnetic observatories at different locations in the country, where geomagnetic field variations were continuously recorded using variometers, digital fluxgate magnetometers, Intermagnet system, and proton precession magnetometers. Construction of a new magnetic observatory in the campus of Saurashtra University at Rajkot has been completed. IIG maintains the data from the observatories in one of the six World Data Centres at Mumbai for use by the research community Data from Alibag magnetic observatory is utilized in the computation of a global magnetic activity index, for quantitative description of "space weather". Geomagnetic data is also regularly supplied to ONGC.

A major issue related to "space weather" is the geoeffectiveness of coronal mass ejections (CMEs) from the sun. The present solar cycle produced many solar flares and CMEs, which gave rise to intense geomagnetic storms. The global geomagnetic response to sudden compression of the magnetosphere due to a sudden change in solar wind dynamic pressure is a storm sudden commencement (SSC) or a sudden impulse (SI). Impulsive enhancement of ion energies as seen by GOES 10 satellite after the shock encounter have a significant correlation with the post shock spikes in the 'H' component at the low latitude station Pondicherry.

India has a unique advantage in having the dip equator pass through its southern tip. One of IIG's magnetic observatories is located at IIG's Equatorial Geophysical Research Laboratory (EGRL) at Tirunelveli near the dip equator. Geomagnetic data from this and other low latitude observatories of IIG have been used together with multi-satellite observations of solar wind parameters associated with some major geomagnetic storms to study the changes in the magnetospheric storm time electric field and associated effects in the equatorial electric field, estimated using the disturbance time equatorial electrojet strength parameter.

Observations with an induction coil magnetometer installed at IIG's Dr. K. S. Krishnan Geomagnetic Research Laboraory (KSKGRL) at Allahabad to study ULF magnetic field variations revealed pearl type pulsations of about 4 Hz just after thunderstorm activity and also Schumann resonance at ~ 8 Hz. It is necessary to understand the origin and characteristics of such ULF variations caused by sources external to earth, in order to be able to identify possible electromagnetic precursors of earthquakes in this frequency range.

IIG continues its active participation in Indian Antarctic expeditions, since observations at Indian Antarctic station, Maitri, are very important for understanding the transfer of energy from the solar wind as a result of solar wind-magnetosphere coupling. Correlation between magnetic field variations and 30 MHz cosmic noise absorption recorded at Maitri has been studied. It is seen that absorption increases many folds during most magnetic disturbances, while no absorption was observed during few disturbances. This feature requires further analysis.

Upper Atmospheric Sciences

Near-earth space offers a laboratory to study various kinds of wave phenomena in a plasma. These phenomena are associated with other aspects of "space weather" such as magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling. The relationship between pulse widths and periods of high frequency waves in magnetized plasma consisting of hot electrons, cool electrons and cool ions waves, as well as the effect of the propagation angle on electric field structures have been investigated using the fluid approach and the results compared with satellite observations. A linear theory of low frequency waves has been developed in four-component magnetized plasma consisting of three types of electrons, namely cold background electron, warm electrons, warm electron beam and ions, to explain some features of the low-frequency part of broadband electrostatic noise commonly observed in different regions of the Earth's magnetosphere, such as the auroral region and plasma sheet boundary layer.

Satellite observations have revealed solitary potential structures in the Earth's magnetotail region having both positive and negative electrostatic potentials. A mechanism for nonlinear evolution of electron acoustic solitary waves has been developed to show the co-existence of compressive and rarefactive solitary structures for a specific plasma parametric range. The amplitude, velocity, and width associated with these positive and negative solitary structures are numerically obtained. These estimates are in good agreement with the observed solitary wave structures.

A portable all-sky scanning photometer unit with six filters was fabricated and installed at Kolhapur. Structures of bubbles or depletions observed in all-sky images of OI 630.0 nm at Kolhapur have been investigated with simultaneous observations of VHF backscatter radar echoes at Gadanki. Two advanced digital ionosondes have been installed at KSKGRL, Allahabad, and EGRL, Tirunelveli, respectively, to study the spatial distribution of ionospheric plasma under different conditions. The ionosonde at Allahabad fills a gap that existed for studying the low latitude ionosphere in Indian longitudes. Comparison of data from the two sites should yield information about the dynamics of the equatorial anomaly.

Under the GPS-Aided Geo-Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) project of ISRO, temporal variations of the vertical total electron content (TEC) have been examined during and after a large magnetic storm to delineate an enhancement in TEC due to a disturbance dynamo set up by heating of the neutrals at high latitudes. Equatorial spread F irregularities were studied using simultaneous observations of VHF scintillations with spaced receivers located at Tirunelveli and Mumbai, GPS TEC and L-band scintillations at various locations in India, and ISRO's MST radar at Gadanki, which are sensitive to irregularities of different spatial scales. These irregularities have detrimental effect on communication and navigation systems such as GPS, and hence the necessity to study their generation and spatial evolution.

The diurnal tide is the dominant dynamical component at upper mesospheric heights (80-90 km) at low latitudes. The long-term MF radar data sets from Tirunelveli encompassing more than 13 years have been used to consolidate the long-term variabilities of the diurnal tide. Over the Indian site, tidal activity observed at upper mesospheric heights is strongly modulated by the lower stratospheric quasi-biennial oscillation in mean zonal winds, which the existing tidal models are yet to reproduce.

The ball antenna sensors designed to separate and monitor the conduction, convection and displacement current densities that add to drive the total air-Earth Maxwell current density, were deployed in the field and the electrometers tuned to obtain useful current measurements.

Solid Earth Geomagnetism

Palaeomagnetic, rock magnetic, and low field AMS investigations on 24 NW - SE oriented dolerite dykes, which traverse the Bundelkhand Craton, have yielded a high quality and statistically significant isolated primary component (ChRM) direction, which yielded a virtual geomagnetic pole (VGP) grouping well with the Late Archaean Indian poles, that represent 2150 Ma pole from the Indian Shield. Rock magnetic studies, comprising low and high temperature susceptibilities, Magnetostratigraphic and magnetic fabric studies on a 5500 m Cenozoic sedimentary section, which is exposed along the New Silchar-Halflong Road, of the Assam -Arakhan basin were undertaken. The demagnetization protocol used was successful in isolating the ChRM directions from the samples yielding a magnetic polarity stratigraphy (MPS) containing 18 normal and 21 reversal polarities. The obtained MPS was matched with the standard geomagnetic polarity time scale (GPTS) and the ages for the studied formations were defined between 6 Ma to 30 Ma. The average sediment accumulation rate was noticed as 24 cm/ka with an unconformity of 2.14 Ma between Renji and Lower Bhuban Formations. Magnetic foliations and lineations data suggested a NE-SW directed palaeo-current direction, indicating that the sediment input was from the positive areas like Mishimi Hill, which is located at the northeastern margin of the Assam-Arakan Basin.

Magnetostratigraphic investigation of samples collected from 250 sites of lower karewa deposits in the river Romushi, indicate a total of 8 normal and 8 reversed polarities during the deposition of Romushi sediments, providing for the first time an age of 0.79 to 4.68 Ma for the Kashmir Karewa formation. Measured magnetic susceptibility has been used as the main indicator of direction of magnetic mineral movement/ accumulation and also for spatial and temporal changes in their concentration, in a study of sediment movement along the Redi, Aravali and Vengurla beaches of Sindhudurg District, Maharashtra. Latur sediments affected by 1994 earthquake were studied to determine crustal stress changes based on stress dependent magnetic sediment properties. It is found that small particles have a higher internal stress increasing the magnetic hardness. Archaeological artifacts from Tamil Nadu were subjected to various rock magnetic measurements in order to select samples for measurements of palaeointensity and various mineral magnetic parameters.

Broadband magnetotelluric (MT) studies were carried out over a 120 km long profile from Tejpur to Tawang, in the Assam-Arunachal Pradesh region. A total of 20 stations were sounded in the Tawang-Tejpur- Diphu region. These studies suggest that the Mikir hills have a significant extension beneath the Brahmaputra sediments up to Tejpur. The entire region shows several NW dipping thrusts conforming to the general trendof the Himalayan thrusts to the north. A regional conductance map of Andaman-Nicobar region, based on geomagnetic depth sounding and ocean bottom magnetometer observations, is under preparation. Long period MT field investigations were completed for the DST sponsored project "Magnetotelluric studies across Eastern Ghat Mobile Belts (EGMB) and the adjoining Dharwar and Bastar Cratons' along an east-west profile from Karwar (West coast) to Ongole (east coast), cutting across the EGMB.

In a Global Positioning System (GPS) study of crustal deformation in northern Andaman region, an analogous situation to the Nijiima-Kozushima in Izu peninsula, Japan was found. For each seismic zone in the Andaman region, the calculated velocity shows greater stress accumulation in the southern regions. A GPS database study of the characteristics of post-seismic crustal deformation after the 2005 Kashmir Earthquake has also been undertaken. Velocity field of the Schirmacher Glacier in Antarctica was derived from two GPS surveys, which demonstrated the strain partitioning and dynamic nature of this glacier.

Instrumentation

A Proton Precession Magnetometer (PPM) of 1 nT sensitivity was assembled and tested. Several constant current sources were assembled, tested, and sent to IIG's magnetic observatories at Nagpur, Alibag, and Shillong. Work on development of a Fluxgate Magnetometer is in progress with current focus on its temperature compensation. Development of a vector PPM and a declination-inclination magnetometer has also been undertaken. Frequency response of a sensor designed and fabricated for an Overhauser magnetometer is being tested. A TM mode cable type resonator was also designed for this project and is now being fabricated.

Publication

SCI Journals: 13
Non-SCI Journals: 4
Scientist/ published paper: 2
Cumulative impact factor: 14.049
Papers presented in international conferences: 16

Specialized Services Offered

(1) Sub-surface electrical conductivity structure derived from magnetotelluric studies in the NE Himalayan region, around Tejpur and surrounding areas have been provided to M/s Power Grid Corporation of India for selecting a suitable low resistivity site for the ground electrode.

(2) Digital data for 2006 from three of IIG's magnetic observatories were supplied against payment to ONGC Ltd., Dehra Dun, for use in estimation of the diurnal correction in the processing of marine magnetic data.

(3) 13 landing compasses and 3 Datum Compasses received from Indian Navy were calibrated at magnetic observatory Alibag.

External Cash Flow

External cash flow/ scientist: Rs. 2.86 lakhs

On-going Collaborative Research Programs/Projects

(a) Within India: 8
(b) With foreign partners: 2

Training Imparted

Six M.Sc. students from Cochin University; 2 from Sholapur University; 2 students of M.Sc. (Tech.) from Andhra University; 2 students from Annamalai University, and one student from SRTM University, Nanded, completed their dissertation projects at IIG.

Wadia Institute Of Himalayan Geology, (WIHG) Dehradun

Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology is devoted to undertake basic and applied research on geology and its related fields including geodynamic processes, natural resources, environment, and natural disasters in order to understand the orogenic dynamics of the majestic Himalaya. The focal objectives and nature of studies undertaken by the Institute are as follows:

• The passive seismology, magnetotelluric, gravity studies providing geometry of the thrust structures. This coupled with geological mapping aided with strain analysis, clay modeling, petrographic, geochemical, geo-thermo-barometeric, and geochronologic studies are being used to model orogenic uplift and exhumation.
• Studies of pre- syn- and post collision basins are carried to provide continental drift history and associated climato-tectonic variations. Investigations on sedimentary proxies in the Siwalik Foreland, Lesser and Tethys Himalaya provide climate-tectonic interactions on varied time.
• Peat deposits, glacier and tree line fluctuations are used to resolve decadal variations in monsoon.
• Understanding of geodynamic processes causing earthquakes, landslides, cloudburst, and lake outbursts etc, are the priority research areas.
• The mega- and micro-fossil records in the Himalaya are archives of evolution, diversification, and extinction of life in the global context. An integrated approach involving taxonomy, morphometry, magneto- and bio- stratigraphy, geochemistry is being pursued to understand biodiversity and its environmental linkage across major geological boundaries (PC/C, P/T, K/T).
• Himalayan glaciers are pivotal to climatic balance and fresh water resources of Indian sub-continent. The mass balance studies to understand glacial dynamics in view of global warming are embarked on, where glacial water chemistry and discharge variability allow to estimate sediment/water production, transport and to model the headwater river runoff resource in management perspective.

End users:

The basic research carried out by the scientists is more of academic interest. In addition, the institute also aims at serving the end user community with specific information. Some of it are listed below:

Institute extends geotechnical nature of work to end users like Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (HPPWD), Border Road Organisation (BRO), Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB), Himachal Pradesh Irrigation and Public Health Department (HPIPH), Himachal Pradesh Forest department, Construction companies involved in hydro-electric projects.

Extends analytical facilities and expertise for carrying out chemical analysis to the research scholars, M.Sc./M.Tech students from other Institutions and Universities, as well as industries.

Urban Development and Town Planners, and Planners of development of Power Projects have been getting help from the institute for deriving information using remote sensing data.

The Hydrogeological data generated has been extensively used by the state government agencies like Uttaranchal Jal Sansthan and Jal Nigam for augmenting better water supply to the inhabitants. Suggested measures for the recharge of springs are under consideration by government agencies for implementation. Baseline water chemistry/quality data has been generated for facilitation of assessment of impact of human activities on the quality of water of the region.

More than 5000 glaciers have been identified in different parts of the Himalaya and their water discharge is catering to various domestic, commercial and ecological needs of adjoining and down stream population.

The results of the Seismic studies will provide new evidences on the interrelation between block-structure of the crust and seismic activity, this is of great importance for better understanding of seism-genesis. The final outcome is expected to be of substantial contribution to the practical problem of seismic risk mitigation.

Scientist to published paper ratio and Impact Factor :

Different teams of nearly 60 scientists with expertise in nearly all major branches of earth sciences supported by equal numbers of scientific & technical personnel provide research leadership. The Institute awards visiting fellowships to promote national and international collaboration and research fellowships to students for pursuing Ph. D. in earth sciences.

Research Publications

(April - September 2006)

Specialized services offered :

The Institute provided geohydrological investigations and water quality assessment. It is also recognized by a large number of Universities and Institutions as research centre, and provides support to researchers by providing the library facilities and training in different sample preparation techniques for analysis using sophisticated instruments.

External Cash Flow/scientist

The DST has sanctioned two Sponsored Projects during this period (i) "Geodynamic evolution of the eastern syntaxis" to Dr. N.S. Gururajan, with a grant amount of around Rs. 69 Lakhs, and (ii) "Quaternary climate and tectonics in Ladakh-Karakoram" to Dr. N.R. Phadtare, with a grant amount around Rs. 20 lakhs.

The Institute provides analytical facilities on nominal charges to outside users. During the last six
months, the Institute generated an amount of Rs. 4.00 lakhs involving 2 scientists. The cash flow is of the order of Rs. 2.00 lakhs per scientist.

The Institute provides consultancy services on geo-engineering aspects. During the last six months period, the Institute generated an amount of Rs. 0.36 lakhs through consultancy work.

Total number of on-going collaborative research and technology development projects within India and with foreign partners :

On the Integrated Long Term Project (ILTP) programme with Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, WIHG has integrated program on "Physics of earthquake process and comprehensive analyses of multiparameter observation for precursory research". Under this exchange programme, Prof. Alexander Ponomarev, Institute of Physics of the Earth, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow visited the Institute for a week. From the Institute, Dr. S.K. Chabak and Dr. Naresh Kumar visited Russian Acamedy of Sciences for 21 days in June-July.

The Institute is also having integrated programme on "Automatic detection of Seismic Phases" with University of Akureyri, Iceland. As a part of this programme Prof. Ragnar Stefansson visited Wadia Institute on a 2 months exchange programme.

The Institute is having collaborative programme with France on "Crustal deformation studies associated with Lake Impounding. As part of this programme, Dr. B.R. Arora, Director WHIG, visited the Laboratoire de Geologie de l' Ecole Normale Superieure at Paris, France in September.

The Institute is also having collaborative programme with the International Institute for Geoinformation Sciences and Earth Observation (ITC), Netherlands. The collaboration aims at developing the expertise in Multi-channel Analyses of Shear Wave (MASW) and Resistivity Imaging for Microzonation, Paleoseismicity and shallow surface studies.

Apart from this, Wadia Institute has also signed a MOU with the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI), Birbal Sahni Institute of Paleobotany (BSIP), and Govt. of Uttaranchal to take collaborative programmes in the areas of rock magnetic, palaeoclimate and palaeoecological changes, tectonics and sedimentation history in the Precambrian and Upper Palaeozoic-Quaternary succession in the Himalaya (with BSIP), collision dynamics to understand the uniqueness and lateral variability in the mountain building processes as well as addressing problems of seismogenesis of Himalaya (with NGRI) and microzonation of landslides and involvement of WIHG in disaster management and public awareness programme of the Govt. of Uttaranchal. Also with Central Scientific Instruments Organisation (CSIO), Chandigarh, wherein WIHG shall provide domain knowledge in the area of landslides and CSIO shall develop an Early Warning System. Partner in DREAM and sharing of expertise in up keep of analytical and seismological instruments.

Adjunct/Visiting Faculty/Research Staff affiliated to Institutions or Research Program :

The Institute has 60 scientists working in various projects defined in the 10th Five Year Plan. The Institute is also supporting one RA, one SRF and four JRF's. In addition to these a number of research scholars and research assistants are working in various sponsored projects of the DST.

Other Information :

The Institute has organized a 12 weeks 'Summer Training-cum-Research programme' for nine post graduate students to generate interest in some specialized branches of applied geosciences in the Himalaya and to stimulate research acumen and aptitude. The major themes included for training are: (i) Seismology, Active Fault Mapping, and (ii) Landslides, Glaciology, Geophysical field studies. The work was carried out in Frontal and Lesser Himalaya of Uttaranchal.

The Institute organized S.P. Nautiyal Memorial Lecture on April 10, 2006, Dr. S.R. Shetye, Director of National Institute of Oceanography, Goa delivered the memorial lecture on "Source region of the 26th December 2004 Tsunami and Indian Tide Gauge Records". Dr. S.K. Gupta, Scientist 'G', Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad delivered the Technology Day lecture on "Studying Patterns, Processes and Functions of Hydrological Cycle Components through Water Isotopes" on May 11, 2006.

The Institute celebrated its 38th Foundation Day on June 29, 2006, the Hon'ble Governor, Uttaranchal, Mr. Sudarshan Agarwal was the Chief Guest on the occasion. The 'Foundation Day Lecture' on 'Water' was delivered by special invitee Prof. V. Rajamani, JNU, New Delhi. The Institute also organized the Foundation Day Seminar on "Emerging Issues in Uttaranchal for the Development of Water Resources".

The Institute has brought out Himalayan Geology vols. 27 (2); Ashmika (Hindi magazine) vol. 12; and Annual Report for 2005-2006 (both in Hindi and English). As a part of Hindi Pakhwara celebrations from September 14-28, 2006, a two day Hindi Karyashala on "Khuli Arthvyavastha aur vigyan: Uttaranchal ke parepekshya mein" was organized on September 14-15, 2006 along with essay, debate and quiz competitions for school children and staff members of the Institute. Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeobotany (BSIP), Lucknow

The Institute is engaged in fundamental and applied research aspects on Palaeobotany. The following are the major five thrust areas:

(i) Precambrian Biotic Events- Research revolves around Exploration and documentation of Early Life records from India through study of microfossils. Clues obtained from the microbial remains have also been used to trace the environmental changes in different epochs in the history of earth. The group has also prepared a Catalogue of Archaean and Proterozoic palaeobiological evidences (stromatolites, microfossils, macrofossils and ichnofossils) recovered from Indian Shield.

(ii) Gondwana Floristics, Palaeoclimate and Palaeoecology relevant to breakup of gondwanaland- The focus of research of this group is on biodiversity of coal forming vegetation in different geologic age, and their correlation to palaeoenvironment based on information generated using coal bearing sedimentary basins. Some of the interesting findings of this group are:

• New plant fossils (silicified ovules/seeds) recorded from the Rajmahal Formation (Jharkhand) having podocarpaceous affinity confirms the palaeo-position of Indian subcontinent during Early Cretaceous period.
• New pteridospermic leaves from Wardha-Godavari, Satpura and Son-Mahanadi basins having similarity with northern flora of Europe and America reconfirms the presence of mixed flora during Late Palaeozoic.
• Fertile axis showing megasporangium discovered for the first time indicates the affiliation of dispersed megaspores with lycopsid group of plant.
• Atlas of spore and pollen from Triassic Succession of India has been prepared. The atlas gives details of morphotaxonomic and stratigraphic information of spores-pollen taxa recorded from the Triassic sequence in different basins of India.

(iii) Biopetrology of coals and its relevance to CBM - This group categorises the coal types and determines the depositional environment of coals and lignites. Following are some significant findings:

• Evaluated coals in terms of macerals/microlithotypes compositions and their characterization for determining the rank from Pachwara Coalfield of Rajmahal Basin and Mailaram area of Godavari Valley.
• Ascertained the maturity of Neyveli lignite based on qualitative characterization of varied lignite macerals.
• Synthesized data on fluorescing coal macerals to characterize the Indian Gondwana coals and Tertiary coals and lignites.
• Prepared a Training Manual for coal petrological studies.

(iv) Palaeobiology of Phanerozoic basins & its bearing on Hydrocarbon potential - Study of floristic biodiversity, palaeoclimate and evolutionary trends; Marine and terrestrial microfossils help in high resolution biostratigraphy, palaeoenvironmental reconstruction, sea level changes and source rock studies.

Some of the significant findings include:

• Elucidated the reproductive strategy, distribution mechanism and energy flow in the ecosystem during the Tertiary Period and also related it to the migratory paths of angiosperms in India through morphotaxonomical study on the plant megafossils and fossil leaf assemblages around Nayveli.
• Fossil impressions studied from the Disang sediments of Wokha District (Nagaland), supports extension of Bay of Bengal hundreds of kms inside during the Middle-Late Eocene.
• Rich and diversified assemblage of plant fossils comprising 26 new species of 13 angiospermous families recovered from Lower-Middle Siwaliks of Darjeeling District (WB).
• Recorded 20 new leaf fossil species from Lower Siwalik sediments exposed in Koilabas area in the Himalayan foot-hills of western Nepal.
• Potential of palynoflora in biostratigraphic dating and correlation evaluated from Tertiary sediments of Kutch Basin, East Coast, Meghalaya-Assam, Mizoram and Tripura. Floral migration, palaeoclimate and depositional environment have been deduced.
• Calcareous algae studied from Early Palaeocene sequence of Cauvery Basin to evaluate its role in the reconstruction of palaeogeography, palaeoecology and palaeobathymetry.
• Prepared the following catalogues: "Catalogue of fossil dinoflagellate cysts from India", Catalogue of fossil calcareous nannoplankton from India', Catalogue of Tertiary spores & pollen from India" and "Catalogue of fossil fungal spores from India".

(v) Quaternary Vegetation, Eustatic Sea Level Changes, Global Climate Change & Anthropogenic Impact- Study of both continental and marine areas for Quaternary Palaeoclimate reconstruction including Indian Monsoon System, Ice Age and past sea level fluctuations and study of archeological sites for understanding human plant relationship are carried out by this group. Some of the significant findings are:

• Pollen records from 1.2 m deep lacustrine profile from Tundabhuj, depict vegetation and climate change in the subalpine belt of Kullu District (HP) during Holocene.
• Pollen assemblage recorded from a 1.75 m deep sediment profile from Tula-Jalda, Shahdol District (MP) has shown the dominance of non-arboreals over arboreals (trees & shrubs) and overall existence of open mixed tropical deciduous forests under a moderately warm and moist climate.
• Palynological studies of bottom samples of sediment profile of Bhagwanpur, Mahanadi Delta, Orissa (BS-1152; ± 30,625 yrs B.P.) exhibit high values of core mangroves along with dinoflagellates cysts and microforaminifera.
• Pollen analysed surface sediments from Margherita and Lekhapani, Tinsukia District (Assam) reflected the existence of tropical deciduous forest. Conifers are represented as the exotic taxa from higher reaches.
• Palyno-chronostratigraphical study in sedimentary soil sections/cores from estuaries and lagoons in the coastal area along the south-east coast of India reveals that mangroves and shoreline migrated to about 18-20 km E since Middle Holocene (7 ka). The change is attributed to delta progradation, climate and hydro-isostatic adjustments influenced by tectonic activity.
• The palaeo-ethnobotanical studies (of seed/fruit remains) from Chalcolithic site Sanchankot, district Unnao (UP) reveal a rich assemblage of field-crop remains (cereals, pulses) suggesting agriculture based ancient plant economy during 1000 B.C. to A.D. 300 in Ganga Plain.
• Prepared tree-ring width chronology of Himalayan Cedar from Kinnaur (HP) spans from AD 1286- 2005. The chronology is highly sensitive to changes in precipitation in the area. The reconstructed data show strong correlation with the sea surface temperature over the Pacific Ocean indicating linkage with the oceanic features.

(vi) Radiocarbon dating- A core Centre for radiocarbon dating facility in the country for Quaternary Palaeoclimate archeological sites is in operation at the institute for providing C14 dating to scientists from BSIP and other institutions & universities.

• Radiocarbon analysis of annual rings of teak tree from central India reveals that the 14C amplitude of the bomb peak during 1964-65 is significantly smaller relative to that observed in similar latitudes in northern hemisphere.
• Recalibration of high vacuum glass system is done by analyzing an international standard (IAEA C3 cellulose) of known 13C at BSIP. The average of 10 measurements yielded a 13C value of - 25.033±0.33 ‰ against the accepted value of -24.91±0.15 ‰. This glass system can be used for processing various kinds of samples, such as sediment organic matter, wood, peat, charcoal, fossil plants etc to determine their carbon isotopic ratio.

Scientist to published paper ratio: 60:25

Impact Factor (as per 2005)

Total Published papers 25- 18 in following Impact Factor Journals

Current Science - 0.728 (8 papers)

Journal of Geological Society of India - 0.96 (7 papers)

Journal of Micropalaeontology (London) - 0.472 (1 paper)

Cretaceous Research - 0.981 (1 paper)

Tropical Ecology - 0.325 (1 paper)

Specialized services offered:

1. Training imparted to research scholars from Universities & Oil Industry scientists;

2. Provided palynological & coal petrological consultancy to Geological Survey of India (Coal Wing), Central Mining Research Institute,

3. Developing palynological/ palynofacies model of Modern Delta System (K-G Basin) for hydrocarbon exploration studies with KDMIPE (ONGC)

4. Prepared a proposal to establish a "National Centre for Fossil Fuel Exploration Research" & "Central Core-Lab Facility" at BSIP under the aegis of Directorate General of Hydrocarbons, New Delhi ( under consideration of DGH)

5. Interacted with Petrotech Society for enhancing Academia-Industry Interface

6. Served as the National radiocarbon dating facility

7. Donated publications and fossil specimens to science departments of colleges and Institutions for dissemination of palaeobotany

External cash flow :

Sponsored Projects (DST, CSIR) : Rs. 12,10,767/=

Sale of Publications: Rs. 31,055/=

Contract Research & Consultancy earned:

Contract Research:

Singareni Colliery Co. Ltd. - Palynology & Coal Petrology, Wardha- Godavari Coal Field

Central Mining Research Institute, Dhanbad: Coal Petrology

Consultancy earned: Rs. 2,26,435/=

Radiocarbon dating facility; SEM facility; Training of Personnel (coal petrology)

On-going Collaborative Research :

(a) Under long term MoU

(b) Other Institutions:

i). With in India

Agharkar Research Institue, Pune- Tertiary Fossil woods from Kerala-Konkan Basin

Department of Geology, Visakhapatnam - Quaternary Palynology of K-G Basin

Department of Geology, Lucknow University- Dinoflagellate cyst & Palynofacies study of Palaeogene of western India.

Department of Ancient Indian History & Archaeology, Lucknow University- Archaeobotanical Studies

Department of Geological Sciences, Gauhati University & G.C. College, Silchar- Palaeogene Calcareous Algae from Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya

Palaeontology Division, Northern Region, GSI, Lucknow- Study of Algal Microflora of Shell Limestone, Mussouri Syncline; Precambrian Microbiota & Tertiary plant fossils.

M.L.K. P.G. College Balrampur, U.P.- Plant Megafossil study of Lower Siwaliks.

IOP, Bhubaneswar- Collaborative work underway for reconstruction of atmospheric radiocarbon activities using tree rings

ii). With foreign partners -

Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China (Prof. Cheng-Sen Li) - Tertiary Plant Fossils

UFZ Centre for Environmental Research, Germany (B.W. Scharf), F. García-Rodríguez, Uruguay & M. Mohanti, Utkal Univ., India- Holocene evolution of Chilka Lake, anthropogenic impact and pollution problems

Molecule to Material Science

Research activities relating to Molecular Biology, Biomedical, Sciences, Biotechnology, Quantum Mechanics and Condensed Matter Physics are being pursued through a group of institutions for generation of new knowledge; develop possible applications as well as techniques for inventing new products and processes. Research activities in the areas of Nano and Bio-sciences, is being expanded while, transdisciplinary research in the areas overlapping physical and medical sciences is being encouraged. Thrust is also being laid in enhancement of infrastructure facilities and manpower development through Ph.D programme to carryout front line research. Jawaharlal Nehru Centre For Advanced Scientific Research Jakkur, (JNCASR) Bangalore.

The JNCASR continues to be one of the premier research institutions for higher learning and research in the interdisciplinary and frontier areas of Chemistry and Physics of Materials, Evolutionary and Organismal Biology, Molecular Biology and Genetics, Theoretical Science and Engineering Mechanics.

Targeted research niches and its national significance/intended end users

• To carry out front-line research in selected areas of science and engineering;
• To promote collaborative research with scientists at the Indian Institute of Science and other institutions in the country
• To promote a national and international forum for in-depth discussions on important scientific topics in areas of vital interest to the country at large ;
• To organize periodic winter and summer schools in certain areas, where young talented scholars would be associated;
• To provide opportunities for talented young students to carry out research projects;
• To provide facilities to visiting scholars and faculty from all over India and Abroad to work for extended periods with the faculty of the Centre.
• To publish monographs and reports on frontier and futuristic areas of science as well as of educational value.

The activities planned in different units of the Centre are as follows:

In the Chemistry and Physics of Materials Unit, new chemical approaches to nanostructures and
electronic and mechanical properties of inorganic nanowire-polymer composites, new ways of making metal sulfide nanotubes are being examined besides other research initiatives. In the Chemical Biology Unit focused microwave induced reactions are being attempted. The Education Technology Unit is working towards development of Mathematics and Geography multimedia packages and a geography web site for the primary level. The Condensed Matter Theory Unit continues to concentrate on the area of Strongly Correlated Quantum Many-body Systems. The Evolutionary and Organismal Biology Unit, in its Chronobiology Laboratory proposes to investigate further the multi-oscillatory control of eclosion and oviposition rhythms in D melanogaster and determine the limits of enrainment of the oscillators. The focus of the Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, is on (a) Infectious diseases including Malaria and AIDS (b) Chromatin Remodelling and Transcriptional Regulations in relation to Cancer (c) Developmental Biology and Genetics in relation to Angiogenesis, Deafness and Epilepsy. The Theoretical Sciences Unit is aiming to develop strong research programmes in the field of Computational material design, Multiscale modelling of condensedmatter systems, Computational nanoscience, Quantum phase transitions, Biomolecular simulations and other biologically motivated problems in condensed-matter and statistical physics.

Scientist to published paper ratio

• The Faculty of the Centre published more than 60 scientific papers in reputed international journals during the reporting period. Scientist to published paper ratio is 25:64 (1:2.5) for April - September 2006.

Citation & Impact of published research

• The Average Impact Factor is 3.99.

Specialized services offered

The Centre admitted 25 new students for M.Sc. and one for Integrated Ph D taking the total strength to about 130. Ten students have been awarded Ph D degrees, two M S (Engg.) degree and one M S (Int. Ph D) degree.

The Summer Research Fellowship Programme (130 students), Project Oriented Chemical Education programme (28 students) and Project Oriented Biological Education Programme (10 students) have been highly successful.

Nine research scientists from R & D institutions in the country have been offered Visiting Fellowship for 2006-07 and nine candidates have been offered DST Postdoctoral Fellowship in Nano-Science and Technology for 2006-2007.

Many distinguished lectures were organized. 22 seminars/workshops, 5 Fluid Dynamics Colloquia and 10 Discussion meetings/conferences supported by the Centre were held.

External Cash Flow/scientist

The following Projects have been sanctioned during the period under report :

• Genetic Manipulations and Apicoplast Targeting Studies with Plasmodium Type II FAS proteins, Prof Namita Surolia, sponosred by DBT.
• Setting up of National Facility for "Screening Drugs and their biological effects for Cancer. AIDS and Malaria, Prof Nimita Surolia, Prof Tapas Kumar Kundu and Prof Ranga Uday Kumar, sponsored by DST
• Lattice dynamical and structural study of Be based II-VI Semiconductor alloys, Prof N Chandrabhas, sponsored by IFCPAR
• J C Bose Fellowship, Prof M R S Rao, President, sponsored by DST
• Spectroscopic Investigation of dip pen nanolithography pattern , Indo-Italian Project, Prof C N R Rao and Prof G U Kulkarni
• CSIR Centre of Excellence in Chemistry, Prof C N R Rao, sponsored by CSIR.

The total estimated cost of the above projects is Rs.555.48 lakhs.

Contract research and consultancy earned

• An MoU was signed with University of California for Science and Technology Initiative.
• A proposal for establishment of International Centre for Materials Science was submitted.
• An Agreement of collaboration "TWAS-UNESCO Associateship Scheme at Centres of Excellence in the South" between JNCASR and TWAS has been signed
• Consultancy work for the Honeywell Technology Solutions Lab., Bangalore, for a initial period of six months, has been approved.
• A Subcontract Agreement between Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University, New York, and JNCASR has been signed in order to comply with the "NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts

Total number of on-going collaborative research and technology development projects within India and with foreign partners

There are 70 on-going collaborative research and technology projects sponsored by DST, DAE, DBT, CSIR, DUPONT, DRDO, DSERT, ICMR, IFCPAR, INSA, ISRO, MIT, NIHH, NPOL.

Adjunct/Visiting Faculty/Research Staff affiliated to Institution or Research Program

Under the Academic Exchange Programme, several scientists from India and abroad had spent considerable time pursuing research in the centre.

• JNCASR continues to be active in research at the frontiers of Biology and Materials. Recent experiments and simulations have demonstrated that low but not high levels of migration can stabilize the dynamics of fragmented animal populations, opening up interesting new directions for further studies of dynamics of metapopulations.
• Invention of photo responsive organic field effect transistor has been awarded a US patent. National Phase Patent Applications have been filed at USA and Europe for the invention titled Polyisoprenyl Benzophenones as Inhibitors of Histone Acetyl Transferases and Uses Thereof.
• Indian patent complete specification application and International Patent Application (PCT) have been filed for the invention titled: Derivatives of 4, 6-disubstituted 1,2,4- Triazolo-1,3,4-Thiadiazol - a process and uses thereof. By JNCASR and University of Mysore.
• Indian Provisional Patent Applications have been filed for the following new inventions: (a) A Highly Specific Human Polyclonal Beta Actin Antibody and its uses thereof. Inventors: Prof Tapas Kumar Kundu, et al. (b) Polyhydroxy Derivatives of [2,3,7,8-tetra-hydroxyl(1) Benzopyrano(5,4,3,(DE)(1) Benzopyran 5,10-dione) as a novel, specific inhibitors of Histone methyltransferase (HMTase) and its uses thereof.

The Centre's faculty have received a number of national and international recognitions.

A Nano Laboratory with latest state of the art technologies and equipment has been inaugurated by Shri Kapil Sibal, Hon'ble Minister for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, Government of India, at the Centre.

Impact Factor of publications during 01.04.2006 to 30.09.2006

Average impact factor of the publications is 3.988.

Centre For Liquid Crystal Research, (CLCR), Bangalore

Targeted Research niches and its National Significance

• Exploration of novel ways to accelerate the thermal back relaxation in photostimulated systems: a path to achieve possible dynamic optical pattern storage
• Complementary effects of UV radiation and frequency of the applied electric field to achieve two frequency operable optical devices
• Dynamic self-organization of a layered phase: a first step to understand the dynamic self-assembly ubiquitously present in nature
• First demonstration of large electric conductivity induced by gold nanoparticles in a nematic liquid crystal environment
• Design and construction of a high pressure cell to measure DC/AC electrical properties of fluid media with an operating range of 0-400 MPa and up to 575 K
• Demonstration of the efficacy of the electrical high pressure cell
• First observation of situations attributable to the coupling of homogeneous and electroconvection modes and resembling the inhomogeneous Freedericksz state. The understanding of this phenomenon assumes significance owing to the fact that many liquid crystal display devices are based on the Freedericksz effect.
• Design & synthesis of dipeptides that are derived from the neutral amino acid residues, and observation of the first biocompatible helical fluid columnar liquid crystal phases.
• Realization of dimers in which an achiral bent-core entity is covalently tethered to cholesterol through odd/even parity alkylene spacer. These dimers show the amorphous blue phase over the longest thermal range ever reported.

Note: These studies are very significant from a fundamental point of view but generally with a bias towards technology

Scientist to published paper ratio: 3.8 (till September)

Citation & Impact of published research :

• Cumulative Impact factor : 44.946
• Average Impact factor : 2.365

Specialized services offered :

• Fab High Resolution Mass Spectrometer for molecular weight upto 6000 Dalton, Differential scanning calorimeter system with sub-ambient cooling assembly, Elemental Analyser for CHN analysis, UV/VIS/ NIR Spectrometer with integrating sphere covering the wavelength range 180-2500nm, Xray Diffraction Equipment, CD Spectrometer for absorbance and Circulation Dichroism Measurements

External Cash Flow / Scientist : Rs.3.19 Lakh / Scientist

Contract research and consultancy earned : Nil

Total number of on-going collaborative research and technology development projects within India and with foreign partners :

• Two projects within India [ SERC and CSIR project]
• Two projects with foreign partners [Indo-Hungary and Indo-Italian project]

Adjunct / Visiting Faculty affiliated to Institution:One Indian Association For The Cultivation Of Science, (IACS), Kolkata

In the department of Solid State Physics, magnetic shape memory alloys involving the magneto-structural transition in some Heusler systems have been investigated. Transport and magnetic properties of self doped manganites and magnetic nanoparticles have been studied. Relaxation dynamics of different nanophases materials grown from glasses and polymers as templates have been studied and a new structural model was developed to interpret the results. Molecular dynamics simulation study of A-DNA decamer, and crystal structures of two peptide compounds and two polymorphic (binuclear) copper complexes have been investigated.

In the department of Materials Science, nanostructured CuInS2 thin films were prepared by a two-stage ILGAR process where the particle radii varied from 6 to 21 nm with annealing. Structure elucidation of a novel diterpene, Farnesiaside, was completed, and synthesis and crystallization of new complexes of thiourea have been undertaken. Inorganic-organic hybrid nanocomposites have been investigated by dispersing SiO2 and SnO2 nanoparticles within the conducting polymer matrix and by intercalation into layered graphite oxide. Doped nanomaterials for photonic applications have been investigated. Novel inorganic and organicinorganic hybrid microporous and mesoporous materials have been invented. Response function of superfluid Fermi gas of ultracold atoms at finite temperature has been calculated. Coherent control of vibrational rotational population transfer in H2 and Li2 by STIHRAP and MPD of HD+ by two-colour laser fields has been investigated.

In the department of Spectroscopy, interesting formation of mono- and di-cationic species of substituted benzimidazoles and also a flip-flop between ionic and zwitterionic species could be observed on pH change. After having doped with optical monomer, good contrast of FLC cell has been achieved. Method for calculating the spectroscopic constants of weakly bound molecules, some novel synthesized rigid thiophene systems containing electron donor and acceptor functionalities were found to behave as future model photovoltaic cells in presence of TiO2 nanoparticles. Spectroscopic methods for the diagnostic determination of high temperature plasmas have been achieved. Ferrocene-doped poly(methyl methacrylate) thin films containing chloroform molecules could be used as photoswitching elements. Size selective photoluminescence has been observed in poly(methyl methacrylate) thin solid films with dispersed silver nanoparticles synthesized by a novel method. Design and fabrication of layer-by-layer sequential adsorption instrument (Project No. IDP/Sen/94/03) financed jointly by DST and a Kolkata based industry named Apex Instrument Company has been successfully completed. Coherent control over molecular dynamics has been achieved which can be used for quantum information processing. A three level lambda system can be used as switch for EIT to EIA and LWI by controlling the probe field intensity. A new analytical method has been developed for the study of ground state property of BEC atoms.

In the department of Theoretical Physics, the stability problem of the Randall Sundrum braneworld has been reexamined and it has been shown that even in the presence of stabilizing bulk fields the instability persists because of back reaction and that a scalar field can stabilize a braneworld only when it has a tachyon like action. The phenomenology of the wino LSP as obtained in the AMSB and some string models have been studied. A new approach to non-equilibrium statistical mechanical problems has been designed by using a fictitious time variable. This helps understand the connection between some growth models and fluid turbulence. Composite overlapping tRNA genes and the mechanism of alternate intron splicing has been successfully treated.

In the Energy Research Unit, nanocrystalline and protocrystalline silicon thin films have been developed and applied in solar cells. Structural and optoelectronic characterisations of the layers as well as the degradation of thin film silicon solar cells have been studied. Computer modelling of N-a-Si:H / P-c-Si front heterojunction and micro-crystalline silicon solar cells have been carried out using an indigenously developed global electricaloptical model. The aim was to find means of improving the open-circuit voltage in these structures. Also development of silicon nanostructures and quantum dots from helium diluted silane plasma has been carried out.

In the department of Biological Chemistry, methylglyoxal the lead compound in anticancer formulation, was shown to be a strong immunomodulator. Different pathways of cell signaling by methylglyoxial like IFN- , iNOS have been studied. Creatine and Creatine kinase have been identified as marker of malignancy in human. Adsorption of mercury from its aqueous solution by Aspergillus versicolor biomass had been found to be most efficient in this respect. The adsorption process followed Langmuir-Freundlich isotherm model. Hilsa fish allergen of molecular mass 50 kDa was purified to homogeneity and its secondary structure in different conditions was evaluated, by CD study in far uv. Molecular understanding of the origin of the chirality in aqueous micelles and its correlation with the proficiency of stereo selective ketone reduction was developed using an efficient and biocompatible methodology where the cationic micellar surface serves as a host. An interesting relationship between the head group size of the surfactant and the activity of interfacially solubilized lipase in w/o microemulsions of cationic amphiphiles has been established for the first time in the field of micellar enzymology.

In the department of Organic Chemistry, in the course of a vigorous programme on Green Chemistry, Indium(I) Iodide promoted cleavage of diphenyl diselenide and subsequent palladium(0)-catalyzed condensation with vinyl selenides was accomplished. Indium(I) Iodide promoted cleavage of dialkyl disulfides and application in Michael addition of resulting thiolate anions to conjugated carbonyl compounds and regioselective ring opening of epoxides were studied. Indium triflate catalyzed rearrangement of arylsubstituted cyclopropyl carbinols to 1,4-disubstituted 1,3-butadienes was established as a viable transformation. Zinc tetrafluoroborate catalysed simple and efficient synthesis of highly substituted pyrroles was achieved by a solvent-free reaction. Intramolecular cyclization of functionalized bromo-alkynes to substitutedtetrahydrofurans was carried out using indium(I) iodide as a radical initiator. Catalysis by ionic liquids was demonstrated with cyclopropyl carbinyl rearrangements catalyzed by [pmIm]Br under organic solvent free conditions. Towards synthesis of complex molecules and developing methodologies to assemble complex structural framework, a synthesis of heliannuol C, an important allelochemical from cultiver sunflowers, incorporating a benzoxepane ring system has been completed. This involved a novel application of the Bargellini condensation to coumarins to furnish o-carboxyvinylphenoxy isobutyric acids. An expedient synthesis of carbocyclic nucleosides, potential antiviral agents, using ring-closing metathesis as a key step was accomplished. Stereocontrolled synthesis of pisiferol, pisiferal, oxoferruginol and shonanol was completed. New and improved synthetic methods were developed for benzothianopyrans and radical cyclizations were employed to synthesize trisubstituted tetrahydrofurans. A mild and efficient allylation of aldehydes mediated by titanium(III) chloride has been developed. In addition, evidence for stereocontrolled formation excimer in naphthalene analogues of Chalcone has been obtained. New pyrazole-based ligands promoted palladium-catalyzed coupling reactions under mild condition was developed. Water-soluble Fischer carbene complexes were shown to be an excellent reagent for synthesis of metal nanoparticles on protein surface.

In the department of Physical Chemistry, MFE on steady state luminescence from Pyrene-DMA RP system has been used as a tool to explore the heterogeneous environment of various aqueous and nonaqueous reverse micellar (RM) systems. The femtosecond up-conversion facility setup under the IRHPA program of DST has started functioning and this has been used to study ultrafast solvation and excited state proton transfer (ESPT) processes. Using the picosecond set up, anisotropy decay in cyclodextrins and detected formation of a nano-tube aggregates have been studied. The effect of neutral, cationic and anionic micellar environments on the ground and excited state proton transfer reaction of salicylidine-3,4,7-methylamine (SMA) has been studied by steady state and time resolved fluorescence spectroscopy. An algorithm for direct numerical simulation of dichotomous noise to solve Langevin dynamics has been established with applications to ratchets and other aspects in classical systems. A proposal for a new phenomenological model to understand simultaneous glycolytic and insulin oscillations in -cells and how glycolysis provides a mechanism for pulsatory insulin secretion in the light of basic experimental findings has been an important offshoot of our work on nonlinear dynamics of glycolysis. Parallel GA based algorithm has been developed to compute eigenvalues and eigenvectors of a Hamiltonian matrix through an energy dependent partitioning method. The properties of single carrier 2-D quantum dots in the presence of a Gaussian or an exponential impurity (scatterer) have been studied theoretically with a configuration-interaction type of approach with special emphasis on level spacings distribution. Coupled electron-pair approximation (CEPA)-like various approximants to the parent spin-adapted state-specific multi-reference coupled cluster (SS-MRCC) theory which demand on the inclusion of EPV terms to various degree has been proposed. An inexpensive 2W FM RF generator in the VHF band to be used to study the radiofrequency magnetic field effect on the RP system has been fabricated.

The department of Inorganic Chemistry is involved in many frontier areas of research in synthesis, structure, properties and reactivity of inorganic molecules. The major areas of scientific research include Supramolecular Chemistry and hydrogen bonding interaction in transition metal complexes; Coordination Chemistry including synthesis, characterization and magnetic