India

The DAE-BRNS Fourteenth National Symposium and Workshop on 'Thermal Analysis' (THERMANS-2004), organized by the Indian Thermal Analysis Society, Mumbai and sponsored by the Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences, Department of Atomic Energy, was held at the Applied Physics Department, Faculty of Technology and Engineering, M.S. University of Baroda, Baroda, from January 20-24, 2004. Dr. Anil Kakodkar (Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission & Secretary, Government of India, Department of Atomic Energy) opened the Symposium and Dr (Smt). Mrinalini Devi Puar (Chancellor, M.S. University of Baroda) presided over the opening ceremonies.

Opening Ceremonies (L to R): Dr. S. Bharadwaj, Dr. (Smt). Mrinalini Devi Puar, Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Dr. V. Venugopal, Dr. K. D. Singh Mudher, Porf. V. N. Potbhare and Dr. S. K. Sali

Prof. S.M. Joshi (Dean, Faculty of Technology and Engineering, M.S. University of Baroda) welcomed the delegates and other invited guests. Dr. K.D. Singh Mudher (Fuel Chemistry Division, BARC), Convener of the Symposium and Workshop, highlighted the focal theme of the symposium: "The Role of Thermal Analysis in Materials Research related to Nuclear and other High Technology Areas". Dr. V. Venugopal (Chairman, National Organizing Committee and Associate Director, Radiochemistry and Isotope Group) paid rich tributes in his opening remarks to the founder members of the Indian Thermal Analysis Society (ITAS) and spoke about the significant contributions made by ITAS and the various units of DAE to the development of the science of Thermal Analysis in India. He made a special mention about the applications of Thermal Analysis in the development of various fuels for nuclear reactors; especially Thoria based fuels, carbides, nitrides and metallic fuels.

Dr. Anil Kakodkar complimented the efforts of BRNS and the Indian Thermal Analysis Society in his inaugural speech for holding such symposia and workshop, which have proven to be very useful to the scientific community at large. He was happy to note that THERMANS-2004 symposium coincided with the 50th glorious year of service of the Department of Atomic Energy to the nation and is one of the many symposia being organized to commemorate the Golden Jubilee Year of DAE. He also discussed the interactions between the University Grants Commission, Inter University Consortium and the Department of Atomic Energy, which enable University students and researchers to participate in the DAE research projects by mutual collaborations. He remarked that, collaborative research is nourished by symposia such as THERMANS 2004, which are traditionally held in universities like M.S. University of Baroda.

Dr. Anil Kakodkar (Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission & Secretary, Government of India, Department of Atomic Energy) Presents the Proceedings Volume.

In her presidential address Dr. (Smt) Mrunalini Devi recounted the contribution of Maharaja Sayajirao Gaikwad in the promotion of science for the benefit of the common man and noted that symposia like THERMANS 2004 are the stepping stones to achieve the bigger vision of our President, Dr. Abdul Kalam, i.e., to make our nation a developed one by the year 2020. Dr (Mrs.) Shyamala Bharadwaj, Hon. Secretary, ITAS announced the names of the winners of the Awards for the year 2004. The Netzsch-ITAS Award for outstanding contributions in the field of thermal analysis and the TA Instruments-ITAS Young Scientist Award were presented, during the opening ceremonies, to Dr. Gurdip Singh of Chemistry Department, DDU Gorakhpur University and Dr. R. Mishra, Applied Chemistry Division, BARC respectively. Mr. Amol Naik of Institute of Science, Mumbai was the winner of 'Dr. M.D. Karkhanavala Memorial Essay Competition 2004'. Dr. Arun Pratap, Applied Physics Department, Faculty of Technology and Engineering, M.S. University of Baroda, proposed a vote of thanks.

Dr. R. Mishra (Applied Chemistry Division, B.A.R.C.) receives the TA Instruments - ITAS Award from Dr. Michael Uptmor of TA instruments.

The symposium was held over the first three days and covered papers on "Fuel Systems", "Glass, Ceramics and Catalysts", "Instrumentation", "Solid State Kinetics", "Polymers", "Biomaterials", "Inorganic Chemistry" etc. A total of 162 delegates attended the Symposium. Experts in their respective fields presented nine invited lectures on the key themes of the symposium. The best papers presented in both oral and poster sessions were recognised with awards. A special session devoted to presentations by students was also organized and the best papers presented in this session were also recognised with awards. A preprinted volume, incorporating the papers accepted for presentation and the invited lectures, was distributed to the delegates at registration. A total of 109 papers were accepted for presentation in both oral and poster sessions.

Dr. Gurdip Singh of the Chemistry Department, DDU Gorakhpur University, receives the Netzsch-ITAS Award from Dr. Anil Kakodkar.

A panel discussion was conducted at the end of the symposium and the panelists were Dr. V. Venugopal, (Associate Director, Radiochemistry & Isotope Group, BARC), Dr. S. K. Handoo (General Manager, R & D, National Council for Cement and Building Materials, Ballabgarh), Dr. P. V. Ravindran (Analytical Chemistry Division, BARC) and Prof. N. S. Saxena (Department of Physics, University of Rajasthan). The panelists recommended advanced research in the field of nanotechnology, biomaterials and catalysts as well as improvement in instrumentation. The panelists appreciated the efforts of the organizers to attract young talent for participation in such symposia.

Dr. Arun Pratap (Applied Physics Department, Faculty of Technology and Engineering, M.S. University of Baroda), Convenor of the Symposium, addresses the gathering.

A two day workshop on the 'Role of Thermal Analysis in Research and Industry was held after the symposium between January 23-24, 2004. 62 participants, drawn from many different parts of the country, attended the workshop. Nine invited lectures were delivered during the workshop by eminent scientists in their respective fields: 'Thermoanalytical techniques-an overview', 'Kinetic equations in thermal analysis', 'Processing of functional ceramics by thermal techniques', 'Calorimetric techniques', 'Vapor pressure measurements', 'High temperature-XRD', 'Applications of Differential Scanning Calorimetry in Food Industry', 'Thermal conductivity of solids: modes of heat conduction and methods of measurement' and 'Application of thermal analysis in catalysis'. Experimental demonstrations were also arranged during the workshop. The texts of the invited lectures were distributed to the delegates of the workshop. A feedback session was conducted at the end of the workshop. The participants appreciated the program and expressed a wish for similar events to be held on a more frequent basis in the future.

Dr. S. K. Mukerjee
Dr. K. D. Singh Mudher
Dr. Arun Pratap