A significant breakthrough
has been achieved in nano-technology, which converted into applications
can influence many areas. Prof. Ajay Sood of Indian Institute
of Science, Bangalore, recently discovered that when a liquid
passes over carbon-nano tube a voltage is generated across the
two ends of the tube. This work being patented, will have far-reaching
effects in enhancing the efficiency of several technologies.
This information was revealed at a function organised here today
to observe the 15th Foundation Day of TIFAC i.e.
the Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council
of the Department of Science & Technology (DST).
The Chairman of
TIFAC and the Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government
of India Dr. R. Chidambaram, released on the occasion a state-of-the-art
TIFAC Report on ‘Management of Steel Plant Solid Wastes’, while
the Secretary, DST Prof. V S Ramamurthy released another Report
on ‘Transgenic Animal Models’. Dr. Chidambaram also inaugurated
a Seminar on ‘Knowledge Management for Developed India’ organised
to mark the TIFAC Day. He said India can be called a developed
country only when the quality of life in non-urban areas becomes
comparable with that of the urban areas. That means, he said
the focus should be more on the development of rural areas with
suitable technologies. There has to be a rural bias in all our
endeavours, especially in the S&T environment and the industry
environment. He described TIFAC as a unique instrument of national
development and a catalyst. The former Executive Director of
TIFAC Shri Y.S. Rajan delivered the keynote address. He said
TIFAC will soon come out with more reports on bio-degradable
plastics, technology forecasting for the cement industry and
bio-chips.
Referring to the
report on steel plant wastes Dr. Chidambaram said that waste
generated in all the model plants have been analysed and measures
suggested for eliminating or minimising dumping. Establishment
of community ferruginous waste processing plants based on currently
available technologies will go a long way in the implementation
of zero-waste programme in steel industry, Dr. Chidambaram said.
On ‘Transgenic
Animal Models’, Prof. Ramamurthy said that since setting up
of state-of-the-art and certified laboratories is an expensive
proposition, the Report suggests that national facilities may
be created for generation and maintenance of transgenic lines.
Further research and development on those transgenic lines could
be undertaken at biotech incubators. Such incubators could be
a part of common infrastructure being set up at various biotech
parks in different parts of the country, he said.
