It was a research and industry interface once again on the occasion of National Technology Day at CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology here today.
Rajasamy Rajaram, Emeritus scientist, department of Chemistry, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai delivered a lecture on Nanotechnology, it’s vast scope and uses, as chief guest while S K Barua, managing director, Numaligarh Refinery Limited as guest of honor delineated the areas in which NRL could collaborate with NEIST.
“In the oil and gas sector we do not have much by way of research and development. We should focus more in this area and this time some amount should be earmarked in this year’s budget and a good R&D facility should be set up at NRL,” he said.
Barua further announced that two weeks ago NRL had signed a joint venture agreement with Finland based bio refining company Chempolis Dy Limited for setting up of the first bio refinery in India at NRL.
The Refinery will produce bioethanol and by products forfural and acetic acid among others. Another byproduct coal would be used for electrification at NRL. The biomass resources would mostly be bamboo from which cellulose would be extracted to produce the ethanol.
“It is a huge project with a budget of Rs 1200 crore a lot of risk and we are working out what we can provide to Chempolis. Maybe NEIST could be also involved in this project,” he said.
Barua further said that they had Rs 10 crore start up fund and anybody wanting to start a project could apply online as there was still time till May 15.
Last year out of 362 applications, 10 had been shortlisted and four were being funded, he added. Barua enumerated the areas in which NRL could collaborate with NEIST including separation of micro-crystalline sludge.
Rajaram, on the other hand gave a detailed presentation on Nanotechnology and its uses in industry, the remarkable dreams and fascinating promises.
NEIST director D Ramaiah said that the multidisciplinary research lab had succeeded in translating technology to the users as its anti-arthritis cream had made a pan India presence and several other technologies produced by NEIST were not only being used in the State but had been transferred to entrepreneurs across the country.
“Last year was especially good with several technologies being transferred and this year already 12 have been transferred and we are expecting 10 to be marketed soon,” he said.
Ramaiah further said that there was need to accelerate the collaboration and cooperation with industries so that they could make a difference jointly.
He related that they were already working with Oil India Limited for bio remediation of oil spoilt land. Three technologies were transferred today, one bioorganic fertilizer and two improved quality of lemon grass.