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Annual Report 1999-2000
Scientific Research
Science & Engineering Research Council
(SERC)
The programme was introduced in the
year 1975 with the objective to promote frontline research
in emerging fields of science and engineering. The SERC programme
is focussed primarily in those areas which are of inter-disciplinary
and inter-institutional nature. The scheme is implemented
under the overall supervision and guidance of Science &
Engineering Research Council, an advisory body consisting
of eminent scientists and technologists from Universities,
National Laboratories and Industries. During the year under
report, some of the important highlights of the Council's
activities and deliberations are as follows:
- Enhancement of SERC Visiting Fellowships, Contingency
and Overheads to Host Institute:
The Council discussed at length the existing
norms of SERC Visiting Fellowships, Travel and Contingency
Grants under the project and also Overheads to Host Institute
under this programme. Keeping in view the cost escalation
etc., the Council decided to enhance these fellowships from
Rs.3,000/- to Rs.6,000/- per month, contingency from Rs.500/-
per month to Rs.2000/- per month and also overhead charges
to host institute from Rs.1000/- from Rs.2000/- per month.
- Indian participation in Physics, Chemistry and Biology
International Olympiads:
The council also viewed the performance of Indian
students in their first ever participation in the International
Physics and Chemistry Olympiad. India also participated as
observer in the International Biology Olympiad and the Council
lauded the Indian teams for their achievement. The Indian
team secured 4 silver and one bronze medal in Physics Olympiad
while in Chemistry they won 2 silver and 2 bronze medals.
- Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY):
In order to give further encouragement to those
students who have participated in the Physics and Chemistry
Olympiad, the Council decided to provide them support under
the Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana.
The council deliberated in detail the need to
support the area of Forensic Sciences and taking note of its
importance decided to make efforts to generate R&D programmes
in this area for consideration.
The council also reviewed the progress of few major programmes.
The salient achievements are as follows:
- Under the Programme of Non-Linear Dynamics research was
carried out in the area of chaos, solitons and other non-linear
phenomena. In the project, it has been proposed that MLC
Circuit can play an important role in the study of chaotic
dynamics and engineering chaos for encryption and broad
band signal communication. This centre has helped in nurturing
and training manpower in this area.
- Another important achievement is designing and fabrication
of the wind tunnel. This tunnel is specifically designed
and fabricated for aero-engineering applications as well
as for non-aeronautical tests e.g. wind effect on structures,
air pollution dispersion, wind energy conversion etc.
- Under project dealing with Crustal Deformation of the
South-Indian Peninsula -- Model for its deformation mechanism,
it has been observed how the earthquakes occur due to the
land releasing the elastic stress and strains caused due
to various internal movements.
In addition to above, some of the important
new areas which have been supported by the Council are:
Preparation and Densification of Aluminium Nitride Powder,
Molecular Dynamics in Model Dimeric Liquid Crystals, Non-linear
Optical processes, Microwave Imaging, Ferro Magnetic Fluids,
Neuron-glial signalling, Nano Crystalline Materials, Development
of Automated Rolling Element Bearing, Assymmetric Organic
Synthesis, Inorganic Polymers, Biochemical markers of Cataract
of the eye lens etc., Non-accelerator Particle Physics, Geo-technical
Centrifuge, Industrially Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry.
In addition to the above, SERC also approved Summer/Winter
schools in the areas of Condensed Matter Physics, Materials
Science, Astronomy and Astrophysics, Mathematical Modeling
etc.
The Council has sanctioned 217 proposals during the year.
In addition, 60 scientists have been supported under the SERC
Visiting Fellowships to work in leading national laboratories.
Area-wise details of technical programmes are given below:
Physical Sciences
A number of new projects on several challenging
problems in Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science,
Plasma Physics, High Energy Physics, Nuclear Physics, Astronomy
& Astrophysics, Nonlinear Dynamics, Lasers, Optics, Atomic
and Molecular Physics were supported during the year. Progress
made in the ongoing projects was regularly monitored through
presentations before the respective Programme Advisory Committees
or specially organized Group Monitoring Workshops.
Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science
The projects supported in Condensed Matter Physics and Materials
Science were:
Conducting functionalised polythiophene materials: Development
and structure-property interrelation studies; Ultrasonic properties
of Borate glasses; Fast-ion conducting glass ceramics: Application
to solid state ionic devices; Study the mechanism which controls
the variation in the band gap in semiconducting carbon &
develop a technique to prepare n- and p-type carbon of 1-2
eV band gap from a natural source camphor for commercialization;
Micromagnetic study on ferromagnetic materials; Photo electro-chemical
solar cells based on ion-conducting polymer electrolytes;
Growth and characterization of bulk single crystals of high
temperature superconductors; Electronic and photoelectric
properties of modified amorphous semiconductors; Transport
and thermodynamic properties of ellipsoidal fluids and nematic
liquid crystals; NMR and impedance spectroscopic studies on
ferroelectric an ion barriers for silicon devices; Study of
optical conductivity of some oxide materials showing superconducting
and metal-insulator like transitions; Molecular dynamics of
some ferroelectric and model dimeric liquid crystals; Ferroelectric
thin film capacitors for non-volatile memory applications;
Tetrahedral amorphous carbon (ta-C) films deposited by a filtered
vacuum arc discharge (FVAD) technique; Analysis of the nature
and geometry of defects in semiconductors using nuclear technique;
Electronic properties of disordered materials; Structure and
dynamics of charged quantum fluids.
Two SERC Schools on Condensed Matter Physics were held at
the S.N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Calcutta
and at the Mehta Research Institute of Mathematics and Mathematical
Physics, Allahabad.
In ongoing projects, several significant and interesting results
were obtained. A number of new lanthanum manganites have been
synthesized and their structural, electrical and magnetic
properties have been determined in a project at IISc, Bangalore.
For the first time, an enhanced Colossal Magnetoresistance
(CMR) in epitaxial ferromagnetic/paramagnetic lanthanum manganite
multilayer films at 300K has been observed. A large number
of nanoparticles of metals, alloys, oxides, and ferrites have
been grown employing a number of techniques at IACS, Calcutta.
Effect of particle size on various properties has also been
studied in detail. Highly conducting amorphous carbon films
have been prepared in a project at the IISc, Bangalore which
could be used in reactor applications or in a electro-magnetic
shielding when coated on various substrates. These amorphous
carbon films can also be used as resistors and heater elements
for many applications. A technique has been successfully developed
at IIT, Kharagpur to create tungsten tips for Ballistic Electron
Emission Microscopy (BEEM)/ Ballistic Electron Emission Spectroscopy
(BEES) work.
Plasma, High Energy, Nuclear Physics, Astronomy & Astrophysics
and Nonlinear Dynamics
The projects funded in these areas were:
Fundamental aspects of quantum theory; Calculations of nuclear
magnetic moments and level systematics of transitional and
deformed nuclei; Dynamics of heavy ion collisions at intermediate
energies; Pattern forming instabilities and interface waves;
Search for new particles in Large Hadron Collider at CERN,
Geneva; Study of the dynamics of fusion fission reactions;
Event classification in ultrarelativistic heavy ion collisions
in neural network approach; Studies in heavy ion reaction;
Three channel fast photometer for the UPSO 104 cm telescope;
Studies on the possible existence of chaos in the dynamics
and rheology of suspensions of spheres in simple shear flow;
Emission line studies from radio-loud and radio-quiet quasars;
Quantization of fields in curved spacetime, physical aspect
of Ricci scalar and the early universe; Nonlinear wave propagation
in multicomponent plasmas; Reduction of hydrogen entry and
consequent hydrogen embrittlement in steel substrate by ion
implantation; Study of high spin states in nuclei; Correlating
axial and other noncovariant gauges and Lorentz gauge calculations
in non-abelian gauge theories; Heavy ion induced transfer
reactions around the Coulomb barrier using NSC accelerator
facility; Role of U(1)A anomaly in splittings of baryonic
couplings and masses; Graviton-Dilaton Cosmology; The cosmic
anisotropy in the polarizations of radiowaves from distant
galaxies and the Corkscrew effect; Development of electron
cyclotron resonance source for large-volume, high-density
plasma systems; Plasma-based ion implantation for surface
engineering of titanium alloys to enhance wear and oxidation
resistance; Study of quark gluon plasma at the Large Hadron
Collider (Indian participation in the ALICE experiment).
SERC Schools were held in Astronomy & Astrophysics (NCRA,
Pune), Theoretical High Energy Physics (IISc, Bangalore) and
Nuclear Physics (University of Madras, Chennai) and a School
on "Physics of Beams" was held at CAT, Indore. In
addition, a Young Astronomers Meet was organized at UPSO,
Nainital by Ph.D. students working in the area of Astronomy
& Astrophysics.
Several interesting results were reported from ongoing projects.
In a theoretical project at IIT, Bombay; Relativistic Mean
Field Theory has been applied to odd-A nuclei to obtain significant
results about their behaviour. These studies are quite involved
due to the breaking of time reversal symmetry. Also, the parity
violating effects in nuclear systems, specifically the anapole
moment in Francium, have been calculated within the RMF framework.
These results were published in international journals. As
part of India-WA 98 Collaboration at CERN, Geneva, several
interesting results have been obtained in Pb+Pb collisions
with 158 AGeV Pb beams. Evidence for collective flow at 158
AGeV has been seen; the direct photon production yield has
shown a small excess at high transverse momentum; and, some
evidence for localized Disoriented Chiral Condensate domains
in central Pb+Pb collisions have been seen.
The special pro-active Cross Disciplinary Plasma Science (CDPS)
programme to generate cross-disciplinary projects at the interface
of Plasma Physics with other areas of sciences and engineering
started yielding results. About 15 projects were generated
out of which two got funded. The remaining were in different
stages of reformulation and evaluation with the help of experts
in leading national institutions.
Lasers, Optics, Atomic and Molecular Physics
The following projects have been supported :
Precision laser spectroscopy in Ion and Neutral Atom Traps;
Raman studies on inter and intra-molecular charge transfer
processes; Laser immunoassay analysis for detection of AIDS
in Serum; Development of optical tomographic microscope for
cross sectional imaging of fibre and wave guides; Global optimisation
of lens design; High resolution spectroscopic and nonlinear
optical studies in vapours and solids; Solitons and chaos
in nonlinear optics; Study of novel optical phenomena with
whispering gallery modes of microspheres; Growth and characterization
of nonlinear optical materials; Nonlinear optical processes
in 1-D molecular superlattice polymers
Some interesting results obtained from the ongoing projects
are given below:
105 fs long pulses at an energy of 53mJ, giving access to
fractions of terrawatt of laser power have been successfully
demonstrated. The laser system is being used to perform experiments
on diatomic and triatomic gases as well as to study plasmas
formed in solids. A new method to estimate the absolute X-ray
yields from ultrafast laser produced plasmas has been demonstrated
and the first set of femtosecond domain time-of-flight mass
spectra from simple atoms and molecules has been obtained.
Studies on Non-linear optical properties of porphyrins, phthalocyanines
and C60 through four-wave mixing technique using incoherent
laser light have been carried out. A second peak has been
observed in the four wave mixing experiments which show that
the relaxation times are in the time scale of ps and fs, which
have not been observed earlier. Theoretical studies to support
these observations are in progress.
The reflection properties of a multi-layered medium near a
phase conjugate mirror were studied. Numerical results are
obtained for systems supporting the guided and surface modes.
It is shown that the excitation of such modes leads to enhanced
back scattering which is crucially dependent on the distance
of the guiding layer from the phase conjugate mirror.
Fe(TTP)Cl solubilizes as m -oxo-dimer [(FeTPP)2O] in alkaline
TX-100 detergent micelle which on photoexcitation with 441.6
and 406.7 nm laser lines undergoes photodisproportionation
to yield oxo-ferryl [(TPP)FeIV=0] species. It has become possible
to stabilize and characterize by RR technique, for the first
time, this highly unstable transient intermediate oxo-ferryl
species at room temperature.
Chemical Sciences
During the year, support to frontier areas
of Chemical Sciences was continued and progress of ongoing
projects was monitored.
Organic Chemistry
New projects funded are given below :
Synthesis, characterization and electrochemical studies on
new class of heterocyclic cyclophanes; Oxidation chemistry
of some biologically important indoles and indoleamines; Organometallic
synthetic methods - Application to the synthesis of biologically
active complex natural products; Synthesis of carbohydrate
based signal chemicals for nodulation (in plants); Synthesis
of chiral fused medium-sized cyclic ether and its analogues
using carbohydrate as chiron through regioselective aryl radical
cyclization; A novel methodology towards polycyclic systems
- Synthetic studies towards erinacine-E, Stimulator of nerve
growth factor-synthesis; Rationally designed chiral non-racemic
amines for the diastereoselective addition of nucleophiles
to Carbon-Nitrogen double bond; Conformations and binding
potentials of antihypertensive drugs; Phosphorus Ylides: Development
of newer methodologies and their applications in the synthesis
of biologically useful compounds; Novel approach to chiral
allyl vinyl ethers - precursors to Claisen rearrangement products;
Application to enantioselective syntheses of natural products;
Photochemical cis-trans isomerization; Role of highly polarized/charge
transfer excited state-quantum-chain isomerization; Synthesis
of selection inhibitors in the persuit of carbohydrate-based
antiinflammatory and antitumor drugs; Synthesis of bis-triazoles
and bis-oxadiazoles as possible liquid crystalline materials
and their characterization.
Some interesting results obtained from ongoing projects were
:
Enantioselective synthesis of both the (+) and (-) derivatives
of bicyclo[4.3.0]nonan-8-one and -3,8-diones have been achieved
from R-carvone employing two different strategies. A short
and efficient enantiospecific approach to chiral A-ring derivatives
to taxanes which promises antitumor activities has been developed.
Starting from R-carvone, the first enantiospecific total synthesis
of the optical antipode of the natural pinguisenol and a few
other pinguisanes has been achieved.
A novel approach for the synthesis of various X-azatricyclo
(m.n.O.O)x-y alkenes has been developed. Stereo-and enantioselective
synthesis of X-azabicyclo (2.2.1) alkanes, a constituent of
various naturally occurring biologically important alkaloids
including epibatidine, has been achieved in optically pure
form.
Several interesting observations have been made in higher
order cyclo addition reactions and their potential application
in the construction of medium sized ring systems. It is anticipated
that the products derived from these studies will possess
interesting biological activity.
A new synthetic methodology for cyclo octane annulation used
in taxoid synthesis has been successfully developed. This
protocol is sufficiently novel and could be the method of
choice in the synthesis of other natural products containing
fused cyclo octane ring.
Physical Chemistry
Several projects in frontier areas were funded. Few of them
are : Adiabatic pulses in NMR : applications to ROESY and Quadrupolar
Nuclei; New polymers for surface coatings: synthesis and characterization
- application to printing inks; Studies on polymeric monomolecular
films : Materials for electrooptical devices; Studies on synthesis,
self assembling characteristics and polymerisation reactions
of some surface active monomers; Analysis of charge transport
through redox polymer electrodes; Designing efficient nonlinear
optical organic materials : A quantum chemical approach; Theoretical
studies on the acid-base chemistry of silylenes; Design and
Bilayer-modified electrodes and an assessment of their current
rectification characteristics; Synthesis, characterization and
structure-permeability relationships in organo-siloxane polymers;
Analysis of conducting copolymers by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy;
Development of methanol-tolerant oxygen reduction catalysts
for liquid-feed solid polymer electrolyte direct methanol fuel
cells; A comprehensive study of condensed matter with special
reference to the study of statistical mechanics of liquids,
amorphous solids, molecular acoustics and superconductivity;
Molecular designing of novel low band gap electrically conducting
polymers.
Orientation programme in Catalysis Research was organized
at IIT, Chennai during December 20, 1999 to January 4, 2000.
SERC School on "Statistical Mechanics and Simulation
Techniques" is being organised at IIT, Kanpur.
Some interesting results obtained from ongoing projects are
:
The detailed thermodynamic determination and analysis of normal
micelle formation have been made by the most sensitive microcalorimetric
measurements. Both ionic and nonionic surfactants have been
used in the study. Such a detailed analysis is hardly found
in literature. The microcalorimetric method has also been
used for the determination of critical micellar concentration
and energetics of reverse micelle formation of the surfactant,
Aerosol OT in a number of hydrocarbon solvent. The energetics
of microemulsion formation and the water pool size controlled
enthalpy changes during the growth of microdroplets have also
been investigated. Such an attempt is also rare in literature.
Polyaniline (PANI) colloids have been prepared using a hitherto
unused polymeric stabilizer viz. Ethylhydroxyethyl cellulose.
The morphology and size of the colloid particles are modulated
by changing the composition of the medium of polymerization
from water to aqueous ethanol (30 to 70% ethanol). The colloid
prepared in aqueous ethanol has the remarkable property that
the particles which were some hundreds of nm in dia in the
as-prepared form broke to yield nanoparticles (<20 nm dia)
when their dispersions are subjected to sonication.
A new methodology has been developed to prepare new polymer
membrane with the help of cheaply available polymers, which
has added a new approach in the field of membrane science.
Another methodology for the characterization of grafting has
been developed which is potentially the best technique to
compute the percentage of grafting on to the polymer.
Investigations using polypyrrole coated glassy carbon electrode
have demonstrated that this polymer has allowed electrochemical
measurements for analysis in both moderate and low concentrations
of analytes. Polypyrrole coated GC showed improved sensitivity
than bare electrode for the determination of Endosulfan, o-Chlorophenol
and Direct orange-8.
A new correlation between the surfactant microstructures and
the polymer microstructures has been made. Membrane-based
template synthesized polypyrrole and poly (EDOT) fibrils in
the alumina and polycarbonate membranes were made into an
electrode using gold as the current collector for transient
I-t studies which could lead to the fabrication of nanodevices
using these electrodes.
Inorganic Chemistry
Some of the major programmes supported are as follows:
New approaches for the assembling of Silicon Oxygen bond and
Phosphorous Nitrogen based Inorganic Rings and Polymers; Coordination
Compounds of Copper (II) as conventional/Spectral mimics of
metal Copper Centres in Biology; Activation and utilisation
of Green House Gases, particularly Carbon Dioxide; Synthetic
routes of Group II metal derivatives of main group ligands;
Chiral Catalysts; New photonucleases based porphyrin and metallopolypyridyl
Chromophores.
Life Sciences
Plant Sciences
Thirty nine projects/new programmes were sanctioned during
this year. These are: Development of molecular markers for
the analysis of genetic diversity in sesame (Sesamum indicum);
Genome analysis as well as in vitro anther culture for analysing
the hybridity and production of haploids in Asparagus; Reproductive
ecology of Acacia concinna and Semecarpus anacardium; The
pollination and dispersal ecology of Mussaendra glabrata;
Role of proline and abscisic acid in regulation of ammonia
and accumulation of nitrogenous metabolites in mung bean differing
in salt tolerance; Mass multiplication of Decalepsis hamiltonii
(medicinal plant) through tissue culture; A study to optimise
the production of antineoplastic secondary metabolites from
Nothapodytes foetia (medicinal plan) using cell and tissue
culture techniques; Evolution of the brown-birk inhibitors
of horse gram (Dolichos biflorus); Investigation on the mechanism
of paraquat insensitivity in Hydrilla verticillata –
thylakoid electron transport and a survey to identify the
phenomenon in other macrophytes; Evaluation of biodiversity
of Allium germplasm from Indian gene centre; Ecology of reduced
tillage and mulching in the Central Himalayan crop fields;
Characterisation of calcium mediated changes during somatic
embryogenesis of sandalwood; Flora of Eastern Ghats along
with a computerised database; Biodiversity in the liverwort
flora of India – endemism threat situations and conservation;
Plant biodiversity conservation in the sacred groves of Southern
Andhra Pradesh; Plant immunisation for control of powdery
mildew of pea (Pisum sativum); Effect of Vascular Arbuscular
mycorrhiza and bacteria on sandalwood plants; Studies on the
mycorrhizal association of medicinal plants with special reference
to rare and endangered and threatened plant species; Melittopalynological
studies of coastal Karnataka and their significance in apiculture;
Effect of brassinosteroids on salinity stress induced growth
inhibition of rice (Oryza sativa); Production of phosphocompost
as a substitute for phosphatic fertilizers in crop production;
Molecular genetic analysis of regulatory genes controlling
floral development in Arabidopsis and rice; Cloning and characterisation
of gene coding for a lysine rich seed storage protein from
common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum); Assessment of moisture
oriented feasibility for storage of seeds of timber yielding
wild tree species of Meghalaya; Biological approaches for
the management of mushroom nematodes; Metabolism and chemical
speciation of bioaccumulated Cadmium in Ceratophyllum demersum;
Regulation of root elongation in drying soil – possible
role of stress hormone abscisic acid in root osmotic adjustment,
osmolyte synthesis and wall loosening enzymes; Role of DNA
methylation in silencing genes in plants; Role of cytokinin
in regulation of gene expression in plants; Genetic transformation
of Carnation and Gerbera for resistance to pathogens; Characterisation
of highly thermostable galactosidase from Bacillus stearothermophilus
and its application in soyamilk and animal feed; and Photosynthetic
adaptation of Pearl millet to photoinhibition under high temperature.
Two training programmes were organised to impart training
and develop manpower in the areas of Plant Taxonomy and Biology
and Biotechnology of Ectomycorrizae.
Animal Sciences
The Programme Advisory Committee on Animal Sciences has
met thrice and recommended 16 R&D proposals for funding.
Ten projects were sanctioned. The proposals sanctioned are
in areas like circadian rhythm and role of melatonin in crustacean
endocrinology, amphibian diversity, mutagenic perturbations
of reproductive system, microbial ecology of Kaveri, Caecilians
of Western Ghats, fertility markers in buffalo. A national
facility was created to study biology of social insects at
the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.
CD on "Endangered Mammals of India" has been prepared
by the Zoological Survey of India in consultation with National
Informatics Centre. This CD contains aspects on research and
development related issues and conservation of mammals. This
can be used to teach the students on Mammals of India. Interaction
meetings were organised to develop R&D projects in identified
areas like Mammalian ecology, Ecological herpetelogy, Marine
invertebrate reproduction and early development.
The PAC monitored 24 on-going and completed projects. Some
of the projects have come out with significant achievements.
A project studying bioecology of tadpoles and sex differentiation
among anurans, has come out with finding such as tadpoles
exhibit species-specific morphological diversity correlated
with habitat and behaviour, the sympatric tadpoles of different
species occupy different niche, therefore, composite culture
of such species are possible; tadpoles have kin recognition
ability and have kinship and density interact to affect growth
rates. Another project has demonstrated that there is existence
of specific neonatal window of thyroid hormone action on sertoli
and leydig cells. Suppression of thyroid hormone action during
these specific neonatal windows boosts the number and secondary
activity of the testicular cells. In another project large
scale evergreen forest tree inventories, the much ignored
ecology of lianas, forest under-story and epiphytes and epiphyte-phorophyte
relationships were investigated.
A colloquium was organised on "biodiversity". Various
issues particularly developing the biognomy atlases of India
were discussed.
Health Sciences
During the year 20 new projects were sanctioned which
cover some of the vital areas in Health Sciences such as cardiovascular
diseases, cancer biology, aging, neurophysiology, apoptosis,
reproductive biology, hormonal regulation, thyroid functions,
MR spectroscopy, development of new diagnostic methods, indigenous
drug development and communicable diseases. Some of the new
projects funded were:-
- Modulation of myocardial contraction by sub-optimal levels
of extracellular magnesium in free radical stress.
- Low Density Lipoproteins (LDL) and cardio vascular diseases.
- Role of physical exercise and myocardial aging
- Role of preoptic area in sleep-wakefulness and thermal
preference of Rat.
- The role of phosphoprofilin in phospholipid metabolism
and actin polymerization.
- Cellular glutathione status and its response to radiation
induced cell cycle arrest, p53 expression, apoptosis and
lethal mutation induction.
- Characterization of FAS genotoxic drugs and dexamethasone
induced apoptotic death in mature resting T-cells.
- Microbial load of water and the prevalence of emerging
water borne pathogens in Delhi.
- Insulin-line growth factor system components: Aging, physical
activity and home density in humans.
- Thyroid functions under the influence of dietary goitrogens
in relation to iodine nutrition.
- MR spectroscopy of different stages of neurocepticercosis
and humans.
- Progesterone mediated regulation of primate endometrial
cell differentiation in primary cell culture on biomatrices.
- Multiple microtransplantation approach of nigral dopominergic
neurons in rat model of Parkinson’s disease.
- Development of transdermal therapeutic systems for nicardipine
Hydrochloride.
- Glutathione – s – transferase null mutations
and incidences of tobacco-related oral cavity pre-cancer
and cancer in India.
- Developmental profile of some hypothalamic nuclear groups
in the human fetus:
- Immuno-cytchemical and electron microscopic studies.
- Establishment and organization of a facility on bone bank
for fresh frozen bone allografts and utilization of femoral
heads harvested from live donors.
To introduce the basic principles of sterlogy,
image processing and computerized image analysis for application
in biomedical research and diagnostics, a training programme-cum-
workshop was funded to train young scientists and young faculty
members.
Biochemistry & Biophysics
Some of the new programmes supported are:
- Biochemical markers of cataract of the eye lens
- Microwave imaging of biological objects for medical applications
using free-space complex permittivity measurements
- Biochemical and genetic analysis of protein interacting
with the Mismatch repair protein
- MLH1p during mammalian spermatogenesis
- Molecular genetics of olfactory sense organs-Gain of function
identification of genes that can affect specific cellular
events
- Molecular analysis of human hyaluronic acid binding protein
that has multi-functional activity.
In addition to above, the other areas supported
are related to :
- Cloning and characterisation of Collagenase genes
- Identification and characterisation of Transcription Factors
Interacting with Genes
- Structural Biology, etc.
Engineering Sciences
Engineering Sciences Programme initiated since
Seventh Five-Year Plan is a multi-disciplinary R&D promotion
programme within the scope of Science & Engineering Research
Council (SERC). The objective of the programme is to promote
basic and applied research in frontline areas of engineering
and technology in the various academic and research institutions,
in collaboration with industry and user agencies (where applicable),
and to transfer resulting technologies for industrial and
developmental activities.
The programme objectives cover a range of disciplines within
engineering sciences such as chemical engineering, mechanical
engineering, civil engineering, materials development, manufacturing
technologies, robotics etc. The individual research programme
may address one or more namely, health, bio-medical, transportation,
fuel efficiency & emission control, water management,
structural engineering, building technologies, manufacturing
and process industry etc.
The specific objectives are:
- To promote research in newly emerging and frontier areas
of engineering including multidisciplinary fields.
- To promote research capability in relevant areas of engineering
and technology taking into account capability of the host
and collaborating institutions.
- To set up advanced research facilities for carrying out
R&D activities.
- To conduct SERC (Engineering) Schools in emerging areas
of technologies.
- To develop software and knowledge based expert systems
for various engineering applications.
- To develop technologies for products and processes in
collaboration with industry for import substitution and
technology advancement.
- To develop technologies of relevance to the country in
collaboration with industry and subsequent technology transfer.
The thrust area document on Engineering Sciences
was published during the Eighth Five Year Plan based on discussions
amongst industries, scientists and engineers as well as members
of various Programme Advisory Committees. Towards the end
of Eighth Five-Year Plan, a Vision Document on Engineering
Sciences was published, which has taken into consideration
the aspect of economic liberalisation and consequent impact
on the industries and research strategy.
Achievements during the year 1998-99
Materials, Mining & Mineral Engineering
Facilitation and support of R&D work in laboratories and
institutions in the country have resulted in several publications
in national and international journals. Projects in the nature
of applied research have resulted in products and processes,
some of which are under transfer to industry and user agencies.
A brief summary of activities initiated under various programmes
under Engineering Sciences are given below:
- Under the programme of nano crystalline materials, a UHV
Chamber has been fabricated and commissioned at University
of Madras, for preparation of nano-crystalline materials.
Further studies on synthesis and properties of specific
material system are in progress.
- High density hydration resistant lime sinters and lime
based refractories have been developed at Central Glass
& Ceramics Research Institute, Calcutta with co-sponsorship
from a leading ceramic industry in India.
- A laboratory size horizontal continuous casting machine
has been designed and fabricated at IIT, Mumbai. This machine
has been commissioned and successful casting of 50 mm x
50 mm steel billets has been demonstrated.
- Extensive studies have been carried out at IIT, Madras
on open die extrusion of powder metallurgical pre-forms.
Further investigation is in progress.
- Detailed investigations have been carried out at IISc,
Bangalore on squeeze cast copper and copper alloy based
metal matrix composites with superior mechanical and electrical
properties.
- Formation of porous silicon layer on p-type silicon has
been extensively investigated. Porous silicon based on LDE’s
(primitive level display devices) have been fabricated.
Further studies on influence of process parameters on Electro
luminescence efficiency of PS are in progress.
- Recently a basic investigation on use of micro-organisms
for inhibiting corrosion in under water structures has been
concluded. The results are encouraging. As a follow up,
a more focussed and quantitative study is under formulation.
Areas of work identified for support during
the year include: Mechanical alloying a novel technique for
processing of silver metal oxide composite powders of electrical
contact application, Development & characterisation of
iron based hard facing deposits for high wear resistance,
Recovery of gallium using ion exchange chelating resins, Electro-winning
of titanium dioxide using carbon composite anode and molten
aluminium cathode, Development & characterisation of magnetic
materials and components for audio recording application,
Consolidation of metastable oxides in zircon and alumina based
system, Cavitation behaviour of superplastic alloys, Preparation
and densification of aluminium nitride powder, Improving the
corrosion resistance of 9Cr-IMO steel by surface applied oxide
coating and selective oxidation, Development of low silver
alloy for joining ceramic to metals/ ceramics , Improvement
of the properties of cast aluminium alloys by application
of electric or magnetic fields during solidification, Strain
localisation in steel, Experimental and analytical investigations
of electrolytic multi component boriding.
Chemical Engineering
- A Membrane based module for oxygen enrichment of air capable
of delivering 32 to 35% of oxygen at the rate of 7 to 8
Litre per minute has been developed and successfully demonstrated
in AIIMS, Delhi and Safdarjung Hospital, New Delhi. The
sewage Water treatment module has undergone more than one
year of successful continuation operation in industry.
- In the other case, a Membrane based module has also been
developed to treat sewerage water for recycling and installed
in Industry, which is capable of handling 50,000 LPD of
sewerage water with 92% solid rejection rate and 65-75%
recovery. Further, two oxygen enrichment Units are presently
installed in
- A hydrodynamic cavitation reactor has been successfully
developed at UDCT, Mumbai, which has shown to be 2 to 5
times more efficient than acoustic cavitation ultrasound
based reactor. The hydrodynamic cavitation reactor has been
tried out on a scale of 50 litres with a system KI decomposition
reaction, which is the first in the world on such a large
scale. Engineering design procedures of cavitational reactors
have been developed.
- A project on expansion turbine for small air separation
plant was supported for development of an expansion turbine
for small gas separation plant producing 60 to 80 cc oxygen
per hour. This turbine will be helpful for small air separation
plant units.
Mechanical Engineering & Civil Engineering
- More than twelve demonstration micro hydel projects based
on indigenous cross flow turbine completed in collaboration
with State agencies, in capacities ranging from 10 kW to
2x 100 kW. A few more projects are in progress under different
schemes within DST and outside agencies. Subsequently, related
equipment such as, electronic load controller and induction
motor- based alternators are under development. Two demonstration
microhydel projects in Tirbin (50 kW). Arunachal Pradesh
and Elaneer (40KW), Karnataka are expected to be commissioned.
- National Wind Tunnel Facility at IIT, Kanpur jointly taken
up with AR & DB is completed. Experiments in aeronautical
and non-aeronautical areas are under design and formulation.
- An awareness workshop was held in October 1999, regarding
scope and utilization of recently commissioned Close Circuit
Wind Tunnel at IIT, Kanpur. It is proposed to hold a chain
of workshops/ schools to propagate the non- aeronautical
applications of wind tunnel , such as for buildings, towers,
chimneys , surface transport vehicles and crafts etc.
- Geotechnical Centrifuge Project at IIT,Bombay is nearing
completion. This will serve as a national facility for conducting
studies on scaled models for various geotechnical engineering
applications.
- Facility for Research in Technical Acoustics is being
set-up in IISc., Bangalore. Collaboration with Industry
partners for research and development work is being solicited.
- Daylight measurement programme is in progress as multi-institutional
project with CBRI as nodal agency. Eight measurement stations
have been set up in different parts of the country. The
activity will dovetail with International Daylight Measurement
Programme (IDMP).
- A multi-institutional project on DSS for water management
is nearing completion. Field trials to be conducted in Sone
Command Area Development Agency (Bihar). The project is
jointly funded by DST, ICAR & Govt. of Bihar.
- Reliability and field evaluation of a fuel efficient,
low emission, two-stroke SI engine is nearing completion
in IISc, Bangalore. The engine is expected to be commercialized
soon.
- A project on development of instrumentation system for
condition monitoring of rotating machines in power plants
is in progress as a multi- institutional project with CSIO,
Chandigarh as the nodal agency. IIT, Delhi and IIT, Kanpur
will develop knowledge based systems and, BHEL R&D,
Hyderabad will provide the necessary industry interface.
- A Task Group on Structural Dynamics has been initiated
to deal with various issues related to building vibration
and monitoring. Status reports will be prepared on various
sub- themes relating to the broad area of study. Project
proposals will also be generated in consultation with other
agencies and concerned Ministries.
- A Core Group on Hydrogen Technology Programme has been
formulated in collaboration with CMC Ltd.,to initiate development
and utilization of hydrogen based technologies and devices.
Major projects will be evoloved in dialogue with research
groups and industry.
Cryogenic Technology
- Jadavpur University has developed a technique for preservation
of Litchi, Tuber Rose and Jasmine under modified atmosphere
packaging. With this new technique, these items could be
preserved up to ten days with original aroma and colour.
Technology Transfer agreement between DST and an entrepreneur
is under consideration.
- A project on Cryo-preservation of RH negative blood successfully
completed. Using this technology, RH negative blood can
be preserved in a blood bank for needy patients.
A project on applications of cryo-preservation for seed
production of Indian Major Carps has been completed. The
technology can be used for preservation of seed of Major
Carps throughout the year, enabling the fish farmers several
production cycles in a year.
- During this year two projects namely, (i) Development
of expansion turbine for small air separation gas plant;
and, (ii) Heat capacity and insulating properties of blends
of EVA, Hyterl and PTFE at cryogenic temperature were completed.
- Considerable progress has been made in the project on
Development of two stirling cycle cryogenerator for 20K.
- An interaction meeting on "Gas Separation Industry
-Technology Development/ Adaptation for post 2000 A.D."
was organized at Calcutta. The objective of this meeting
was to bring together the concerned agencies dealing with
gas industry so that coordinated strategy of future needs
and research viability emerge. During this interaction meeting,
40 delegates from industries, R&D and educational institutions
participated. A few areas identified for research are: (i)
Low speed expansion turbine with oil bearing for refrigeration
application for food industry; (ii) Application of cryo
gases in chemical and petro-chemical plants for blanketing,
fire prevention, kneading; and (iii) Oxygen for butyl rubber
production in the bio-reactor were identified.
- An interaction meeting on "Trends in Welding Technology"
jointly with Confederation of Indian Industry was organized
in Delhi. Participants from industry and academic institutions
dealing with welding technology met and identified areas
on welding technology which could be undertaken by the R&D
organizations in collaboration with industries.
Electrical Engineering
Project on design, development and control of
permanent magnet motor being completed at IIT, Delhi with
Kirloskar Electric Company (KEC) as industry partner. The
motor developed will have operating characteristics similar
to a spindle drive presently used in machine tools employing
normal DC motors.
Project on Tuning of power system stabilisers implemented
at IIT, Delhi in collaboration with Asea Brown Boveri (ABB),
Vadodara Power Grid Corporation Ltd., and NTPC, N.Delhi. Power
system stabilisers enhance the transmission capability of
power and the system stability to the power grid.
Bilingual OCR system for automatically scanning and reading
printed documents in Devnagari and Bengali scripts developed
at ISI Calcutta.
Electrical system based on induction generators for stand-alone
microhydel power generation developed. Field trials to be
carried out after site identification.
Robotics & Manufacturing
Project on water jet technology resulted in fine cutting
of granite stone and other hard materials with minimum loss
of material in an environment friendly manner. The outcome
resulted in a joint collaborative effort with German Scientists;
a few industries have expressed interest to adopt the technology
for manufacturing applications.
Project on development of intelligent wheel chair has promising
features to benefit the handicapped for easy movement at affordable
costs.
Super abrasive grinding wheel project has resulted in development
of high performance CBN grinding wheel for intricate grinding
operations without use of coolants and with better material
removal. An industry showed interest to manufacture the high-speed
spindles required for use of these grinding wheels and the
product is being patented.
Cost effective and rugged rapid prototype machine developed
to suit Indian shop floor conditions and these have been performing
successfully.
Centre for Computational Fluid Dynamics, set up to pursue
research in a wide range of areas, namely, flow in IC engines,
air- breathing engines, process plant equipment etc, has been
formally inaugurated at IIT, Chennai.
A one-day Seminar on "Nucleation of the Technology Embryo
through Engineering Science and its Applications in Manufacturing"
was jointly organized by DST, Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.
(BHEL), Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at Hyderabad.
The participants in the seminar, comprising of practicing
engineers from industry, engineers and scientists form academic
and research institutions were appraised of the outcome of
some of the highly successful projects supported by DST in
the area of manufacturing and associated fields, as an efforts
forwards exploitation of these technologies.
The project on design and development of mixed mode and analog
specific integrated circuits (ASICs), jointly funded by DST
and DRDO, came out with a variety of effective design tools
for fabrication of ASICs for use in various electronic and
computer applications, which are ready for adoption by industry.
Earth System Sciences
Earth Sciences programme supported under the
Science & Engineering Research Council (SERC) is basically
aimed at advanced research, development and training (RD&T)
in front-line topics towards having increasingly better understanding
of the morphology and dynamics of the earth's sub-surface
environment, especially focussed on problems of relevance
to the Indian subcontinent such as tectonics, seismicity,
lithospere, mineralogy, petrology, hydrology, coastal erosion,
etc.
During the period of report, the Programme Advisory Committee
on Earth Sciences (PAC-ES) held its three meetings, considered
50 R&D projects and recommended 19 of them for approval
by DST to sustain quality research in Earth Sciences, manpower
development in SAR interferometry, national facilities in
the academic sector to promote research and development in
Earth Sciences. With a view to bring the young earth scientists
of the Northeast in the mainstream of research, contact programmes
for earth scientists of Northeast have been supported. One
of the important recommendations in this meeting was to concretise
a programme on "The Lost Saraswati River". A detailed
discussion on 'Earth Science & Earth Scientist in India
- Today and Tomorrow" was also held.
Under the scheme on Intensification of Research in High Priority
Areas (IRHPA), a "National Facility on Induced Coupled
Plasma - Mass Spectrometer, jointly funded by DST and NGRI,
Hyderabad is being established.
Completed Projects
During the period under review, a number of projects have
been completed. Significant achievements in a few projects
are given below :
- The work carried out on reconstruction of the petrologic
and tectonic history of the granulite facies rocks of the
Eastern Ghats Belt (EGB) through interpretations and synthesis
of deformational and petrological aspects of the rocks reveals
that there are two phases of granulite facies of metamorphism
. The earlier one (M1) is characterised by Ultra High Temperature
(UHT) peak metamorphism (>1000° C, 9 - 10 kbar) attained
through an anticlockwise prograde path. Subsequently, M1
is followed by a near isobaric cooling down to 850°
C, 8-9 kbar (approximately). Afterwards the rocks witnessed
another granulite facies metamorphism (M2) associated with
a steep decompression to 750° C and 5-6 kbar (approximately).
Detailed petrological analyses of the metapelitic rocks
occurring in the different areas of the southern sector
suggest UHT peak metamorphic condition (1000° C) at
variable crustal depths (approximately 18-26 km corresponding
to 6-8 kbar pressure).
- Gravity and magnetic studies along Kiratpur-Leh-Panamik
transect and over Indus Tsangpo Suture Zone in NW Himalayas
have been carried out along a 1000 km geo-transect. A digital
terrain database consisting of nearly 17000 data points
with 30" x 30 " grid size have been developed.
GPS ("Global Positioning System") technology has
been successfully employed for measuring ortho-metric heights
for gravity stations. It has been confirmed through experiment
that GPS can be used, without any leveling survey for measuring
orthometric heights with 1-2 m accuracy in Himalayan terrain.
Combined GPS and leveling measurements have been used for
measuring the geoid undulation across the suture zone in
Ladakh. The geoid anomaly reveals that the actual suture
zone may be located further north of Leh and a low velocity
layer is present in the southern part of the Tibetan plane.
- In a project entitled "Geochemical Modelling of Groundwater
of Salem district, it has been reported that the groundwater
of Salem district is highly saturated with species of carbonate
minerals. The hydro-geochemical study on groundwater and
scale deposits confirms that calcite and aragonite are the
measure scale deposits observed with some impurities of
iron, zinc, barium, nickel and strontium. The total dissolved
solids of groundwater for both the monsoons are less than
2000 for most of the locations and this reveals the suitability
of water for drinking, irrigation and industrial purposes.
It is found that the concentration of Fluoride ion is more
than the permissible limit over many places and dental fluorosis
and skeletal fluorosis are common diseases in these areas.
The salinity and sodium hazard is found to be low to medium
in majority of the places.
On-Going Projects-Progress/Achievements
- A Mathematical Modelling approach to study the deformation
characteristics of fault zones has been carried out along
Darjeeling-Sikkim-Tibet Himalayan wedge. It has been reported
that the Main Boundary Thrust was folded into a fault propagation
synform-antiform pair; the fold geometry was modified by
later activity along footwall imbricates of the MBT. The
latter deformation has also uplifted stream terraces along
the Kalikhola stream and caused the Tista river to flood
and form the Kalijhora Bar. Two different mechanisms of
taper build up in a wedge exist which are separated by a
stress threshold. For lower stresses taper seems to be built
by stacking of horses (bounded by convex upward faults)
in a duplex. At higher stresses, supercritical taper is
built by formation of large scale, basement-cored ramp anticlines
like the structure observed at the back-end of the Darjeeling-Sikkim-Tibet
Himalayan wedge.
- Low Pressure Regional Metamorphism and Isograd Pattern
in the Ramanujganj Region, Surguja District, Madhya Pradesh
is being studied. It has been reported that the area has
undergone two-phases of deformation and three stages of
metamorphic mineral growth. In pelites, the first phase
mineral assemblage includes garnet, biotite and andalusite,
the second phase includes staurolite and muscovite whereas
the third phase includes chloritoid and chlorite. The first
phase of metamorphism is inter kinematic between the two
phases of deformation, the second phase is syn-kinematic
to the second phase of deformation whereas the third phase
is late- or post-kinematic to the second phase of deformation.
Regional grade of the first phase of metamorphism increases
from andalusite grade to sillimanite grade towards northwest.
- The study on deformation and extensional tectonics of
the Higher Himalayan Crystallines (HHC) along Kali Valley,
Kumaon Himalayas, U.P., reveals that four episodes of deformation
(HD1,HD2,HD3 & HD4) are identical in the HHC of the
Kumaon Himalayas. Out of these, the first episode (HD1)
is the pre-Himalayan deformation. Extensional tectonics
is quite widespread in the HHC starting from the MCT(Main
Central Thrust) zone to the basal parts of the TSZ (Tsangpo
Suture Zone) and also throughout the Chiplakot Crystallines.
The different types of extensional fabrics are Extensional
Crenulation Cleavage (ECC), shear bands, foliation boudinage,
brittle normal fault etc. On the basis of the behaviour
of the fabrics, the extensional tectonics in the region
is said to be developed in two different environments.
- Experimental study on the join forsterite-diopside-enstatite
and its natural analogue, a lherzolitic mantle xenolith
under variable P-T conditions to augment facilities at the
National Centre of Experimental Mineralogy and Petrology,
Allahabad were carried out. The data suggest that at this
pressure, the forsterite – diopside cotectic moves
from Di69Fo31 (18600, 50 Kb) to Di61Fo29 (19400C, 70 Kb).
The Fo-En cotectic also moves from Fo70Q30 (19500C, 50 Kb)
to Fo74Q26 (20200 C). There is a significant shift in the
composition of the four-phase (Cpx + Opx + Fo + L) eutectic
point from Di45Fo40Q10 (18400C, 50 kb) to Di35Fo53Q12 (19950C,
70 kb). This contrasts the 20 kb data of Kushiro (1969),
who established that the composition of the four-phase point
in this system occurs at Di62Fo30Q8 at 1330oC. The present
study suggests that from a lherzolitic mantle if partial
melting takes place at low pressure (< 20 kb equivalent
to 60 km depth), a silica-rich "basaltic liquid"
is generated; however partial melting of the mantle yields
a silica-deficient komatitic melt at 70 kb.
- The study of intrusives in the central and southeastern
parts of Saurashtra has revealed that majority of the dykes
are of basaltic composition as dolerites, but one ankaramite
and a few rhyolitic dykes have been encountered. One stock-like
intrusive of essexite has also been encountered. Majority
of the dolerites are of the Low Titanium type of basaltic
magma and show reversed magnetization. One large dyke which
trends east-west is curved in the eastern part to trend
northwest-southeast. The preliminary palaeomagnetic study
reveals that the dyke has been tectonically curved rather
than having intruded along a curved fracture.
- In a Project on the Archaean layered mafic-ultramafic
complexes of Nuggihalli and Shimoga Schist Belts of Karnataka
, definite evidence of PGE mineralisation has been reported.
The Channagiri complex is the most promising and the Shankarghatta
body is almost massive metaperidotite, consisting of abundant
antigorite and smaller proportion of magnesite, chromite,
sulphide (this is especially in the range of millerite and
pentlandite) and occasionally minute native gold grains.
This is expected to serve as a reference guide to the identification
of more targets of PGE mineralisation not only in other
parts of Shimoga belt but also in other greenstone belts
of Karnataka and in the rest of Indian shield. It has been
possible to persuade successfully State Department of Mines
and Geology (DMG) to undertake exploratory core drilling.
- In a project entitled "Biodiversities in scleractinian
corals from Jurassic sediments of Kachchh and Jaisalmer
Basins, it has been reported that Jurassic (Bajocian to
Oxfordian) corals in Kachchh occur at some specific horizons
and localities either in carbonate or in siliciclastic sediments
either as a coral meadow [Patcham Formation (Upper Bathonian),
Jumara], coral biostrome [e.g. Gadhada Sandstone member
of Khadir Formation (Middle Callovian), Mauwana Dome], boulder
beds [e.g. Lower Chari Formation (Late lower Callovian),
Keera Dome], and as isolated specimens of both colonial
and solitary corallum [e.g. Middle Chari Formation (Middle
Callovian), Jhura Dome]. The diversity is much more higher
in the carbonate sediments than in the siliciclastic. The
most striking feature of the Kachchh’s corals, that
the cerioid forms of low diversity (Amphiastraea, Isastraea,
etc.) are exclusively abundant in the siliciclastic sediments
deposited in high energy environments. Whereas corals with
high diversity, which include thamnasterioid forms (Microsolena,
Dimorpharaea and Kobya) and solitary forms (Trocharaea and
Trochoplegma) with fenestrate septa, and Plocoid forms (Stylina),
dominate in carbonate sediments deposited in low energy,
comparatively deep-water environments.
- In a study on fossil biota from the molassic sequences
in Ladakh, new fossil localities comprising levels that
are considered to represent the lower portions of the Ladakh
molasse have been discovered. In addition to the above,
fossiliferous horizons have also been delineated east and
northeast of the village Nyoma in eastern Ladakh. Work done
so far indicates potential for the recovery of a diverse
microfossil assemblage. Biota recovered includes fish, ostracodes,
molluscs and charophytes, and fossil eggshells.
Atmospheric Sciences
Atmospheric Sciences programme supported under
the Science & Engineering Research Council (SERC) is basically
aimed at advanced research, development and training (RD&T)
in front-line topics towards having increasingly better understanding
of the morphology and dynamics of the earth's atmospheric
environment, especially focussed on problems of relevance
to the Indian subcontinent such as for improving its life-sustaining
quality, agriculture, ecology, understanding of aerospace
and ocean-atmosphere environments, electronic communication,
etc.
The Programme Advisory Committee on Atmospheric Sciences (PAC-AS)
held its three quarterly meetings during the period of report.
It considered 25 proposals, out of which the Department of
Science & Technology (DST) recommended 12 research projects,
3 National Seminars/Workshops and 3 advanced training schools
(known popularly as "SERC Schools") for support.
Investigations carried out under the completed/ongoing projects
funded under the programme have been yielding very significant
results in the areas of physical/mathematical/ numerical/
statistical modelling of various atmospheric phenomena; special
techniques/technologies developed under them have been found
to be of immense value towards providing necessary theoretical/experimental
back-up required for implementing several operational aspects
of many diverse atmosphere-related phenomena observed in,
and/or affecting, the country.
The following developments in the programme are only a few
specific examples illustrative of the above-mentioned points:
An artificial neural network (ANN) dynamical model simulating
a hybrid weather prediction system, a computer-based expert
system to assist the meteorologists with regard to interpretation,
prediction and analysis of high-resolution remotely sensed
SODAR data, a mesoscale mathematical model for simulating
flow of winds in the valleys, an improved linear model for
numerical simulation of tropical surface wind variability,
coupled spectral models for assessment of climate variability,
have been developed and suitable mathematical/statistical
models for studying various aspects of air-pollution are being
developed. Special empirical studies on chemical/electrical
composition of the atmosphere as well as changes taking place
in it and their effects at different places in the country,
as also on coupling aspects of the atmosphere between its
different strata such as the boundary layer, troposphere,
stratosphere, mesosphere, ionosphere, thermosphere, magnetosphere,
etc., have been sponsored -- in many of these projects, apart
from the special equipment fabricated and/or procured for
their implementation, use of existing sophisticated observational/
experimental national facilities such as the National MST
(mesosphere-stratosphere-troposphere) Radar Facility (NMRF),
Tirupati, National Balloon Facility, Hyderabad, etc., has
been encouraged. Development of special software packages
for enabling/facilitating analyses/simulation of atmospheric
data has also been supported. A collaborative project between
IIT, Delhi and Mangalore University, Mangalore has been sponsored
to gather micro-meteorological data towards studying the role
of the typical SouthWestern coastal environment in the onset
and extent of monsoon. Sophisticated scientific equipment,
such as Fabry-Perot Spectrophotometer, rotating automatic
slit-scanning high light-gathering power UV-visible spectrometer,
CO2 LIDAR, dual-frequency microwave radiometer, etc., for
observation and/or measurement of various important atmospheric
phenomena/parameters have been specially designed and successfully
fabricated and operationalised. An integrated network of multi-method
ground-based observing stations for monitoring various significant
upper atmospheric phenomena/parameters such as plasma bubbles,
micro-pulsations, neutral wind, irregularities of the ionosphere
(which are well known to affect high-frequency radio communication),
thermosphere wind structure and dynamics, dynamics of plasma
in the upper ionosphere-magnetosphere region and the height
resolution of atmospheric electric field, etc., has been further
developed, strengthened and continues to be operational.
The Indian Solar Terrestrial Energy Programme (I-STEP), one
of the major 9th Plan multi-agency (DST/SERC, DOS/ADCOS, CSIR,
UGC and DOE) sponsored frontline research initiative, launched
during the last year, has been ongoing with intensive coordinated
multi-instrument experimental campaigns participated by a
number of R&D institutions in the country. I-STEP is also
linked technically to the ongoing second phase of the All
India Coordinated Programme on Ionosphere Thermosphere Study
(AICPITS-II) supported by SERC. Necessary groundwork has been
done (in collaboration with DOS) to supplement the above-mentioned
mainly ground-based observing system with a space-borne observing
system on future Indian satellite platforms. The Indian Institute
of Astrophysics (IIA), Bangalore, the designated Anchor Agency
for programme implementation, technically coordinates the
programme.
Study of various minor/micro-constituents of the atmosphere
in the region has been intensified due to their importance
in identifying the parameters affecting natural balance in
the region's geosphere-biosphere system; for this purpose,
necessary instrumentation for monitoring acidity in rain water,
atmospheric carbon dioxide, nitric oxide, ozone, methane,
water content, etc., had been undertaken in the previous year.
Intensification of this effort has been providing vital scientific
information towards enhancing our knowledge in this direction.
Also, extensive multiphase measurements of distribution and
concentration of atmospheric minor as well as major inorganic
constituents (such as Cl, F, NO3, SO4, Na, K, Mg, NH4, etc.)
and organic constituents (such as formate, acetate and precursor
aldehydes) in important regions/areas like Agra, Calcutta,
Raipur, Jaipur, etc., have been made and analysed from a number
of points of view, such as effects of atmospheric pollution
on historical monuments, acid rainfall, etc.
Aimed at prediction of weather with enhanced accuracy using
latest satellite image processing techniques and coupled ocean-atmosphere
simulation models, special studies, on atmospheric boundary
layer (ABL) and sea surface temperature (SST), are in progress.
One of the most important areas of research in atmospheric
sciences in the world today is Climate Research. Under the
Intensification of Research in High Priority Areas (IRHPA)
programme, two major projects on climate research were continued
to be funded at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology
(IITM), Pune and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), New
Delhi. While the first of these is focussed on development
of advanced computer simulation models for climate prediction,
the second is aimed at providing integrated countrywide databases
on the state of chemical composition and dynamics of the lower
atmosphere.
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Introduction
Introduction
