Over 200 researchers and students from various universities across the country had an opportunity to interact with eminent scientists on the subjects of nanomaterials during a national seminar on ‘Indigenous Nanomaterials Development for Industrial Applications (INDIA)’ organised by and held at the Centre for Nanoscience and Technology, Anna University, on February 27 and 28. The meet was inaugurated by Dr A B Mandal, director, Central Leather Research Institute, Chennai, was presided over by Dr P Mannar Jawahar, vice-chancellor, Anna University and felicitated by Dr P Kaliraj, dean, A C Tech Campus, Anna University. Dr R Jayavel, director, Centre for Nanoscience and Technology, Anna University, welcomed the gathering.
The University has been actively engaged in conducting diverse projects and research initiatives in the field of nanoscience for the last 10 years with financial assistance of about `20 crore from various institutions. This meeting was a part of its nanoscience initiative that proved to be a platform for students to showcase their research ideas.
Scientists from the industrial sector and research institutions, including IIT, IISC, IIBAT, University of Madras and Dublin City University, Ireland, spoke at the meet. The morning session had lectures by scientists from industries such Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) and Resil Chemicals, on the industrial applications of nanosciences and technology.
Separate sessions were allotted for oral and poster presentations by students and researchers. S Weslen Vedakumari, junior research fellow, Bioproducts Lab, Central Leather Research Institute, bagged the first prize in oral presentation while Vijaya Prakash, scientist, Frontier Lifeline Pvt Ltd, Dr K M Cherian Heart Foundation, won the second prize.
In the poster presentation D Durgalakshmi, PhD, National Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, University of Madras, was the winner while the second place was shared by Shravan Kumar and Balaji Vengatesh, final year students of Rajalakshmi Institute of Technology. The conference came to a conclusion with a lively interactive session.