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BOARD OF RESEARCH IN NUCLEAR SCIENCES

For the growth of nuclear and allied sciences in the country, DAE promotes research and development activities in the universities and other institutions of higher learning through the Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences (BRNS).  The Board also sponsors conferences, symposia, workshops and seminars on topics of relevance to DAE programmes.

During the period of report, following MoUs were signed by BRNS:

• With Pune University, for setting up a National Centre for Free Radical Research at University of Pune.  The MoU envisages establishment of a 7 MeV LINAC facility for pulse radiolysis studies in the areas of chemistry, physics and biology.  It aims at the development of collaborative programmes with scientists of BARC, University of Pune and other universities.
• With Rajasthan Agricultural University (RAU), Bikaner, for establishing a Radiotracer Laboratory and Multi-locational Testing and Seed Production of Crop Varieties developed at BARC. The project envisages a collaborative research programme for use of radiations and radioisotopes for improvement in the field of agricultural and veterinary sciences in the western dry region of India.

Experimental setup for Scanning Force Microscopy

 The Board approved financial assistance for 54 new project proposals. The Board also approved renewal of 134 ongoing projects and provided financial support for 174 conferences/ symposia.

Under the BRNS Visiting Scientist Scheme, two scientists from IIT Kanpur visited BARC for formulation of project proposals and a scientist visited various units of DAE and advised the Department on IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) related issues.

 Under the second batch of BRNS scheme called Dr. K.S. Krishnan Research Associateship (KSKRA), 7 post-doctoral fellows joined various R&D units of DAE.

 For review of new proposals and renewal of ongoing projects, several Technical Programme Discussion Meetings (TPDMs) were conducted by BRNS advisory committees.

These included a brainstorming meeting on DNA chips.

NATIONAL BOARD FOR HIGHER MATHEMATICS (NBHM)

The National Board for Higher Mathematics (NBHM) was constituted under the aegis of the DAE in the year 1983 with the objective of promoting excellence in higher mathematics education and research in the country. With this mandate, the Board has initiated several schemes such as helping the development of mathematical centres, giving scholarships to research workers at doctoral and post doctoral levels. In 2000-2001 an annual budget of about Rs.5 crore was allotted to NBHM.

A major portion of the budget of NBHM is given to the mathematics departments of about 80 universities/institutions to enable them to purchase the latest mathematical books and journals. During the year under report about Rs. 3.50 crore was distributed under this scheme. In collaboration with the International Mathematical Union, NBHM has also initiated schemes for making mathematical literature accessible through electronic communication.

During the year NBHM provided about seven new fellowships at doctoral level and three at post-doctoral level. An annual feature are the three Instructional Conferences to train young students at post-graduate level and research workers in the current areas of modern mathematics. In addition sixteen National and eight International conferences were partially supported by NBHM.

During the year, 16 young mathematicians were provided with travel expenses and six Professors (Indian & foreign) were supported for their short term visits to Institutions in India.
 

Team members with Prof. M S Raghunathan,Chairman, NBHM,  Deputy Leader of  the Team Prof. Hemalatha Thiagarajan of  Regional Engineering College, Trichy, and Leader of the Team Dr. C.R. Pranesachar of the Olympiad Cell-NBHM,  Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

The Chairman, NBHM was nominated as a ‘Fellow of the Royal Society, London’ awards. He was also awarded the prestigious civil award ‘Padmashree’.

With a view to spotting the talent at a very young age, NBHM conducts Olympiad contests at plus two (+2) level. NBHM is also responsible for selecting the Indian Team for participation in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO). A team of six students participated in IMO-2000 held at Seoul, Korea in July 2000 and won five Silver and one Bronze medals. NBHM provides an annual grant of Rs.30.00 lakh for these activities. The successful students in the Olympiad Contests are nurtured for the succeeding four years and cash prizes are awarded to students whose progress is satisfactory.

UNESCO had declared the year 2000 as WORLD MATHEMATICAL YEAR (WMY). Several new activities were undertaken throughout the country in the form of seminars/conferences/workshops/Maths-FEST etc.

Grant in Aid

The Aided Institutions of DAE are an integral part of the Department in as much as there is a growing synergy between these institutions and the Research and Development Units of the Department. Several joint projects have been undertaken between the Units and Aided Institutions and there is frequent interaction of the academicians from the Aided Institutions and the scientists of the R & D Units.

The Department has seven Aided Institutions, which are funded almost entirely in terms of their recurring and non-recurring expenditure by the Department. The research work undertaken by the Aided Institutions and the activities of the AEES has been disscussed in the following sections.

Given below in the Table are the details of the non-recurring and recurring funds granted to these aided institutions by the DAE in the financial year 2000-2001.

The DAE has signed a tripartite agreement with the North-Eastern Council and the Government of Assam for revitalisation of the Dr. Bhubaneshwar Borooah Cancer Institute (BBCI), Guwahati. This hospital is a regional centre for cancer treatment and control in the North-Eastern Region. The Department’s share in the agreement will be approximately Rs. 18 crore, which includes construction, for expansion of the hospital as well as major radiation related equipment. The Department also provides funds to the Cancer Institute, Adyar, Chennai, which undertakes cancer related research projects. An annual grant of Rs.1 crore was given to this Centre.

Besides these, the Department also funds cancer hospitals in other parts of the country. These funds support primarily the projects of radiation related equipment for cancer treatment. The following hospitals have been given aid in the current financial year 2000-2001.

Miscellaneous

The M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF) was established in July 1988 as a non profit and non-political Trust committed to the mission of harnessing science and technology for environmentally sustainable and socially equitable development. MSSRF’s research, training, communication, extension and networking programmes in the fields of agriculture and rural development, seek to link ecological security to livelihood security in a mutually reinforcing manner. MSSRF’s activities promote a pronature, pro-poor and pro-woman orientation to technology development and dissemination.

The Department approved a collaborative project titled "Nuclear & Biotechnological Tools in Costal System Research" undertaken by MSSRF at an estimated cost of Rs.3 crore. The ongoing project intends to develop models for sustainable natural resources management and development in a number of places including Kudankulam, a semi arid region with severe water scarcity. The project also aims at exploring the benefits of the"Application of rare earth in agriculture". The financial commitment is spread over a period of 4 years with an annual release of Rs.75 lakh.
 

6.1 Tata Institute of Fundamental Research

TheInstitute’s academicprogrammes are divided into three Schools: School of Mathematics, School of Natural Sciences and School of Technology & Computer Science. The academic programmes are backed by state-of-art common research facilities.

School of Mathematics

In addition to the continuation of the academic programmes, the computation was facilitated by procurement of hardware and software.

Investigations were made in Algebra, Algebraic, Geometry Differential Geometry, Lie Groups, Topology. Number Theory, Combinatorics and Differential Equations. Computational infrastructure was augmented. From February, 2001 the School of Mathemetics initiated the special year on Algebraic Geometry and langlands programmes.

School of Natural Sciences

The members of the Department of Theoretical Physics continued their investigations in areas of High Energy Physics, Mathematical Physics, Condensed Matter and Statistical Physics. Computations were performed for extraction of parameters of the Standard Model using techniques of lattice gauge theory. Studies were made in String Theories and Blackholes. Work was carried out in the areas like diffusion and percolation, non equilibrium systems, superconductivity and foundations of quantum mechanics. In the Department of Astronomy and Astrophysics the Indian X-ray Astronomy Experiment, identified black hole candidates. Spectroscopic study of molecular clouds and the study of solar interior from helioseismic observations with GONG project were continued. The Department of High Energy Physics participated in the large international collaborations at CERN and Fermilab. The L3+C experiment at CERN saw the installation and data taking by the array of detectors designed by institute members. The experiments to detect high energy gamma rays sources at Pachmarhi & Ooty and to test the equivalence principal at Gauribidnur continued. In the Department of Nuclear and Atomic Physics significant progress was made towards the construction of LINAC booster to the Pelletron. The heavy ion beams from the Pelletron Accelerator were used in a variety of experiments in nuclear, atomic and condensed matter physics. High power lasers were used to study the highly excited imploded atomic matter. The Department of Condensed Matter Physics and Materials Science continued investigations in the areas related to magnetism and superconductivity, semiconductors and nano-materials and thin films. Investigations on interplay of superconductivity and long-range magnetic order in magnetic borocarbides, vortex state of superconductors and spin glass properties were carried out. Novel optoelectronic devices based on semiconductors were designed. Laser techniques were used to fabricate high quality superconducting thin films. The work in Department of Chemical Sciences was carried out in the areas of Chemical Dynamics, Bioinorganic Chemistry and Molecular Biophysics. In the Department of Biological Sciences a confocal microscopy facility was set up. Signal transduction mechanisms in plants and animals have emerged as a focal point of research in the recent years. Last year saw a new programme on neurobiology of stress being initiated.

At the National Centre for Radio Astronomy, Pune the GMRT was used for routine pulsar observations. The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Mumbai continued to distinguished itself in the Mathematics and Physics Olympiad training programme in addition to writing school textbooks. The National Centre for Biological Sciences, Bangalore has moved into the newly constructed laboratory and work on structural & cell biology, molecular & system neuroscience, neurogenetics and biology of diseases was carried out.

School of Technology & Computer Science

Work continued on real-time programs, mobile computing and formal methods with the emphasis on building systems for automatic analysis, synthesis and verification of hybrid systems and concurrent systems. The work also continued on secure internet programming, robot path planning & algebraic engineering and on speech enhancement using properties of speech signal. The civil work started for the laboratory for Computational Mathematics set up at Pune in collaborations with the BARC scientists. One of the main objectives of the laboratory is to develop a new paradigm that synthesizes symbolic and numerical computation.

6.2 Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics

The Saha Institute of Nuclear Physics (SINP) at Kolkata, celebrated its Golden Jubilee year 2000-2001 with numerous workshops and conferences, national as well as international. The topics covered many research areas in which the scientists of the Institute are actively engaged.

Golden Jubilee Celebration at SINP

During the year of the report, the Institute made contributions in research and development in physical, chemical and biological sciences. It published over 200 research papers in national and international journals. Furthermore, the Post-M.Sc. teaching programme and the summer programme for college and university students attracted many participants from all over India.

As a major boost to research in the area of material science, a high current isotope separator followed by a 200 kV ion implanter was set up as a national facility. The CERN-India collaboration is also at an advanced stage. Construction work for the auditorium and the third phase building has started.
 

High Current Isotope Separator

Major Activities

In the Theory Group gross properties of protoneutron stars in strong magnetic fields were investigated. Comparison of statistical theory versus large shell-model calculations in nuclear studies were carried out. Effects of pairing correlations on nuclear level densities and nuclear shape transitions in relativistic mean field (RMF) theory were studied. Onset of chaos in quantum many-body systems was investigated. Nuclear liquid-gas phase transition in the RMF theory as well as in the isospin dependent lattice-gas model from nuclear multifragmentation phenomenon were investigated. Various properties of quark-gluon plasma (QGP) and signatures of the QGP formation were studied. An algebraic scheme was developed to construct a new class of quantum integrable models and integrable interactions between chains of spin and correlated electron systems. Transverse spin in QCD and transverse polarised deep inelastic scattering were studied in the context of light front field theory. Near horizon symmetries of black holes were studied in the context of black hole entropy. Nonperturbative symmetries and bound states in string theories were investigated and the relation between string theories and large N gauze theories was studied. Neutrino mass and magnetic moment in supersymmetric theories without R-parity were investigated. Non-universal gravitational couplings of neutrinos in matter were analysed.

In the Condensed Matter Physics Group multilayer Ni/Cu with a bilayer thickness of 5.5 nm was prepared to investigate GMR. Nanoparticles of spinel oxide were prepared for magnetism studies. Intermetallic alloys , manganates and titanates were prepared to study the Colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) problems and metal-insulator transitions. 1/F noise, transport in joule regime in composites and disordered systems were investigated. A millimetre spectrometer was set up to study transient molecules.

A perturbation method based on modified Lang-Firsov phonon basis was developed for the Holstein model for obtaining some exact results in a finite system. It was proved analytically that the aperiodic Thue-Morse lattice supports only delocalized electronic eigenstates. CMR was studied using small polaron picture with finite band width effects. First Mean-field like analytic description of the "dynamic transition" of a ferromagnetic system induced by competing pulsed magnetic field was developed. Magnetic properties of Mott-Hubbard insulator were studied using a theory, which goes beyond mean field theory. Density Matrix Renormalisation Group calculations were done with a model Hamiltonian. The ground state phase diagram with reference to the CDW and SDW phases of a chemically modulated Hubbard chain was studied using real-space renormalisation group methods. Relaxation dynamics, with two power-law regimes were observed in the RRTN model. The surface and catalytic properties of bimetallic nanostructures were studied by MC simulation.

In the Material Physics Group a Langmuir-Blodgett trough and a state-of-the-art SIMS machine were set up. Dynamic SIMS measurements were done on a 400 Angstrom thick spin-coated polystyrene film. SIMS studies were also done on a dc magnetron sputter-deposited metallic films and MOCVD grown semiconductor multilayers. Bombardment induced light emission spectroscopy studies on magnesium were made as a function of oxygen pressure. Ultra-thin gold films of different thickness were studied by scanning tunneling spectroscopy. The change in metallicity observed for these films is not only related to quantum confinement effect due to thickness but also with modified dielectric value due to porosity. Single, multilayer and composite films were grown by RF/DC magnetron sputtering. The multilayer has the potentiality to be used as an efficient Bragg mirror. The facility of high current isotope separator and the ion enabled to observe ripple topography.

In Plasma physics area several interesting results were obtained in the floating potential asymmetry, helicity balance and injection, runaway behaviour, sawtooth phenomenon, temperature fluctuation, current penetration and neutral particle mass spectrum in the tokamak. Major thrust was laid on lower hybrid current drive. A power source for the first stage was procured and the antannae were designed. Simulation studies were done on wave launching.

In the Nuclear Science Group, the prototype MANAS chips were fabricated and tested (for CERN-INDIA Collaboration). Experiments with detectors showed that MANAS chips fared best in their category. Field programmable Gate Arrays (FPGA) were developed to be used as a cost-effective VLSI platform.

Extensive research work was carried out using heavy ion beam from different accelerator centres in India. The trace element studies using the XRF system was initiated. In the Applied Nuclear Physics the use of accelerators coupled with positron annihilation technique elucidated surface and bulk properties of materials. Positronium chemistry based techniques were also used to study liquid systems and complex formations. The prototype Log detector for the MEGHNAD charge particle array were fabricated and tested on line with heavy ion beam from TIFR-BARC pelletron.

The experiments on back-angle quasi-elastic excitation function measurement for barrier distribution studies in ¹²C + ^142,146Nd were completed. A formalism was developed to account for target-projectile symmetry effects on the emission of fast light ejectiles in heavy ion induced reactions. Radioactivity studies were initiated to estimate uranium and radium in geological samples. X-ray fluorescence analysis and radioactivity studies of different industrial wastes continued. A cascade-photon coincidence experimental set up was developed for the cascade free lifetime measurement of atomic states

In the Bioscience Group flash frozen crystal structures of Winged bean chymotrypsin (1.9 A) two recombinant proteins, Ervatamin B (1.6A) and Transferrin (4A) were solved. Data from Ervatamin C(2 A) was collected. Studies on haplotype analysis in and around the myotonic dystrophy gene gave important observations. With a view to understand tumour formation and treatment studies on anti-apoptotic gene bcI-2 in model cell culture systems were developed and telomerase inhibition studies were carried out. Structural basis for biomolecular recognition in biological key process like transcription was studied. Theoretical approaches such as ab-initio quantum mechanical methods were employed to understand gene-counter ion recognition. Novel spectroscopic probes containing indole group were designed and employed to study structural changes in protein/membrane. Interaction of denatured proteins with spectrin was studied. The applicability of gene therapy as a potential tool to combat blood related diseases was investigated.

In nuclear and radiochemistry, lanthanide and non-lanthanide target elements were irradiated with medium energy heavy ions to produce carrier-free radionuclides useful for nuclear medicine. In polymer chemistry, conducting polypyrrole and polyaniline composites with polyvinyl alcohol were prepared and characterised. In radiation and photpchemistry, transient intermediates formed in photoinduced electron transfer reactions, were identified and their physical properties and dynamical behaviour were studied using laser flash photolysis and low magnetic field. In biophysical chemistry, spectroscopic studies of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs belonging to the oxicam group were carried out. Structural transitions in prothrombin were also studied. The effect of hetero aggregation on activity of the enzymes sucrose and cellobiase extracted from the filamentous fungus Termitomyces clypeatus was studied.

6.3 Tata Memorial Centre

The Tata Memorial Centre (TMC) comprises Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH) and Cancer Research Institute (CRI). The Centre is engaged in diagnosis, treatment and research in cancer as well as in training and education to provide the highest standard of patient care.

Following were some of the activities and achievements of the Centre during the period of this report:

Tata Memorial Hospital

November 17, 2000 was an important day for the Tata Memorial Hospital when several projects came to culmination. The new Minor Operation Theatre Complex and the Cobalt Therapy machine were inaugurated. New Digital Library also started working. It is now possible to access various journals, abstracts and other research materials from the existing campus-wide-network. A Tele Pathology facility was also demonstrated which could be used for cross consultation of pathology slides from a remote rural area of Barshi, Solapur Dist. in Maharashtra in the first instance. The Cytology Lab. was relocated and recommissioned on January 11, 2001. During the year renovation/ modification works in various departments were undertaken and some new facilities were added.

The Computerised Time & Card Attendance system, which records arrival/departure of an employee was set up. This system provides important inputs to Leave Accounting/Pay Roll Systems.

A Touch-Screen facility was set up in the Hospital, which provides information on cancer, prevention, information about the Hospital etc. This facility is being extensively used by visitors.

Recognition from University of Mumbai was received for conducting MD in Immunohaematology and Blood Transfusion.

The Ethics Committee of the Tata Memorial Hospital reviewed and approved 15 research projects. An important seminar to discuss all aspects and implications of informed consent was organised on January 25, 2001. Medical, legal and patients’ inputs were very valuable.

Clinical Activities

During the year, over 21,600 new cases were registered. In addition, 9340 Referral Cards were issued for certain investigations such as mammography, pathological investigations etc (Table-1).
 
 

A patient undergoing treatment at the  Tata Memorial Hospital

Beyond Therapy

Towards maintaining excellence in patient care using innovative ideas TMC established several mechanisms to help patients.

Medical Social Service Department provided guidance to over 12900 new patients and counselling to over 3900 patients. Chemotherapy drugs at concessional rate were given to poor patients (4032) and general medicines to needy and deserving patients (5265). Rail/Air/ST concession forms were issued to over 73300 patients. Accommodation was arranged for 3453 patients and transportation was provided to over 1900 patients. Apart from this, the financial help to the tune of Rs.29 lakh was organised from donors for deserving patients.

Dept. of Rehabilitation Services had established the Rehabilitation Research Centre (RRC), at the Dr. Ernest Borges Home, Bandra in the year 1998. The centre offered all types of prosthesis and orthosis and activities of daily living devices specially designed for cancer patients. RRC has developed a biaxial hip joint prosthesis for hip disarticulation and
 
 

hemipelvectomy patients which facilitates squatting and cross legged sitting. Specially designed supportive braces like the modified Taylor’s brace, Lumbosacral brace and cervical collars and various splints are prepared in RRC. RRC has been developing a dynamic prosthesis for patients, who have undergone rotation plasty surgery, which will make the patient totally independent in daily activities.

As part of the Regional Co-ordination Agreement programme of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Tissue Bank provided allografts which were sterilised by gamma irradiation. During the year, it acquired, banked and distributed amniotic membrane, dura mater, bone blocks, bone chips, bone powder, iliac crest, femoral heads and ribs.

Cancer Prevention

Large fraction of cancer cases are related to cancer due to life style and many cases can be cured if detected early. Thirty percent of the cancers can be prevented if the life-style is changed. Therefore, education and prevention are vital weapons against cancer. The Dept. of Preventive Oncology has continued its efforts on cancer prevention by arranging several cancer awareness programmes, exhibitions, training programmes etc. International Women’s Day marked the start of various awareness activities focussing on women’s cancers with a thrust on cervical cancer. The entire month of October was treated as Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Modernisation & Support

The phase-I of computerisation, namely the patient administration was successfully implemented during this year. Apart from improving the services to the patients, the computerisation resulted in improved co-ordination between the departments, management information system reporting, answering various queries, avoiding duplication of work and others. The preparation of Software Requirement Specification for phase-II of computerisation for LAB Module consisting of Pathology & Radiology Information System was underway. This would lead to Electronic Patient Medical Record System.

Academic Activities

During the year, TMH published 97 scientific papers in international and national journals of repute. 21 Conferences/Workshops/Seminars were conducted, 36 post-graduate students were registered and 23 students were awarded Degrees/Diplomas.
 

Demonstration of Tele Pathology Facility

The Hospital is a recognised training Centre for cancer education and research by national and international organisations such as WHO and IAEA. 14 WHO/IAEA Fellows were trained during this year. Under an ongoing programme on Continuing Education in Oncology, trainees were registered for various training courses.
 
 

Epidemiological Studies

TMH continued epidemiological studies in respect of Radiation Occupational Workers and their families at the nuclear power stations sites in India. During the year, analysis of data collected at two power stations, viz. Narora Atomic Power Project and Kaiga Generating Station was completed. The data collected at MAPS reached final stage of processing.

Cancer Research Institute

The main thrust areas of research at the Cancer Research Institute (CRI) continued to be on cancers head and neck, breast and leukemia- lymphomas. One of the major achievements was the development of new transgenic mouse. A modulator of growth factor named enhancing factor (EF) was isolated at the CRI. After identification of this protein, its gene was cloned and expressed in cells. Mouse embryos were injected with this gene construct for developing transgenic mice expressing EF. Two transgenic mice were developed in the first set of experiments and second generation of mice were developed. These animals may form a good model for environmental carcinogenesis.

The CRI completed initial studies on genes that may cause susceptibility to tobacco induced cancers and the project on environmental monitoring of tobacco industry workers.

Studies were conducted on familial breast cancers and on signalling process in chronic myeloid leukemias. Techniques for the enrichment of stem cells from the umbilical cord blood have given high enrichment of stem cells. Efforts continued to provide development of media for long term cryopreservation of these cells and their subsequent revival.

Immunological studies in cancer were focussed on the role of Gamma-Delta T-cells in the destruction of oral and oesophageal cancer and the role of heat shock proteins. A monoclonal antibody, which reacts against surface antigens of carcinogen, was under evaluation for its diagnostic application. Studies were undertaken on the incidence of HPV 16 and 18 in cancer of cervix. Use of these techniques in early screening was under evaluation. A diagnostic kit for HIV1 developed at the Institute was commercialised and will be entering the market. These and several other studies were also carried out on different cancers frequently seen in India.

CRI published 23 scientific papers in international and national journals of repute.

ACTREC Project

The Advanced Centre for Research, Treatment and Education in Cancer (ACTREC) is being set up at Owe Village, Navi Mumbai. Infrastructure for the Project was developed. Construction of Research Centre Bldg., Animal House and Service Building were completed. Construction of Ward Block was almost complete. Constructions of Clinical Research Centre Buildings were in progress. CRI will shortly move to new premises.
 
 

6.4Harish-Chandra Research Institute

The Institute celebrated its silver jubilee year by holding various functions and the concluding event was organised on 19 July2000. The name of the Institute was changed to Harish- Chandra Research Institute from 11 Oct 2000.

During the year 2000-2001 the following were the activities of the Institute:

Academic Activities

Mathematics: Work on p-adic groups, Modular Forms and several areas in Algebra, Geometry and Number Theory continued. A highlight during this year was a proof of a conjecture of H. Jacquet about representations of G(K) which are distinguished by G(K) whenever K is a quadratic unramified extension of a local field. In Number theory, among other things, using the theory of linear forms in logarithms, transcendence of some general classes of series were established.

Physics: In condensed matter physics, the Institute’s members were involved in the areas of strongly correlated electron systems and mesoscopic physics. The condensed matter activity involved an SERC school on ‘Field theories in condensed matter systems’, held last February.

The high energy phenomenology group concentrating on several things, naturally the aspects of neutrino physics, search for physics beyond the standard model in colliders, strong corrections to electroweak phenomena and implications of extra dimensions. The group remained in close contact with high-energy experimentalists, both in India and abroad.

In string theory, most of the work in the institute was centred around proving Sen conjectures on the fate of unstable D-branes. The Institute also co-organised the STRINGS 2001 conference, which was held in TIFR, Mumbai from Jan. 5-Jan. 10, 2001.

The Astrophysics Group primarily focuses on issues related to the origin and evolution of largescale structures in the universe, anisotropy and polarization of the microwave background and quintessence cosmology. A cluster consisting of 12 PCs was configured for parallel programming and parallelized N-body codes to study gravitational clustring.

The fourth session of NBHM Nurture Programme was held in the Institute during June-July, 2000 in which 10 students participated. Eminent mathematicians gave lectures during this 3 week programme.

A 3-day conference on current trends in Theoretical Physics was organised in the Institute in October 2000 which was attended by eminent physicists of the country.

A Workshop on Algebraic Number Theory was organised followed by an International Conference in which leading mathematicians of country and abroad took part.

Conference / Symposia

A conference on "Low Dimensional Topology" was held in collaboration with the University of Allahabad from December 18 to December 31, 2000. A month long SERC School on Theoretical High Energy Physics is scheduled to be organised during Feb.-March 2001.

Awards

Chairman, HRI Governing Council, was awarded the Fellowship of the Royal Society, London and was also given Padmashree in January 2001, along with another senior faculty member of HRI.

Other Activities

An awareness programme for students from class IX and X from rural schools and colleges, was conducted during June 2000 in the subjects of computer, physics and mathematics, under the aegis of Rajbhasha Swarnajayanti year programme.

The Library, Computing facilities and Office Automation plan continued.
 

6.5 The Institute of Mathematical Sciences

The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (IMSc) inaugurated in 1962 is a national institution of higher learning which fosters high quality fundamental research in frontier disciplines of mathematical sciences.

The Institute aims at disseminating knowledge and share information, and thereby cultivate intellectual collaboration with peers inside and outside the country. It also attempts to stimulate creative work among students and young research workers in the country.

The major areas of research of the Institute are

* Theoretical Physics

* Mathematics

* Theoretical Computer Science

At present there are 47 members on the faculty with 13 post-doctoral fellows, and 31 Ph.D. Students.

The output of the Institute comprises 159 research publications in journals of international repute, more than 210 presentations in international conferences by way of invited lectures and contributed papers and research monographs.

Institute of Mathematical Sciences’s Building

The institute organized (or co-sponsored) the following national/international conferences / workshops.

* The Sixth Workshop on High Energy Physics Phenomenology (WHEPP-6)

* Workshop on Foundations of Mobile Computing

* International conference on Foundations of Software Technology and Theoretical Computer Science

* Mini Symposium on Motives

* Workshop on Advances in Data Structures

* Recent Trends in the Quantum Hall Effect

The Institute faculty participated in several symposia/conferences inside and outside India. Reputed scientists from abroad visited IMSc to collaborate with the scientists of the Institute and to participate in seminars and colloquia.

The following international collaborative projects are underway.

* Indo-Russian Integrated Long Term Programme of Science and Technology

* Federation arrangement with Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy.

* DST-DAAD Projects in Theoretical Computer Science. This project involves both IMSc and University of Ulm, Germany.
 
 

ECRH- Launching System on ADITYA Tokamak

Prototype Development of TF Coil Winding

6.6 Institute for Plasma Research

Founded in 1986, the Institute for Plasma Research (IPR) is the prime Institution in India committed to the development of nuclear fusion as a futuristic energy source. The major activities of the fusion programme concentrate on :

• Development of Tokamak reactor concept, and technologies for nuclear fusion,
• Studies related to fundamental plasma physics,
• Application of plasma science to industrial technologies, and

• Advanced plasma research – Steady state Superconducting Tokamak-1 (SST-1),
• Fundamental research/experiments, Plasma processing & existing Aditya Tokamak upgrade, and
• Technology development.

Steady State Superconducting Tokamak-1

Vacuum & First Wall System: Prototype development of the vacuum vessel and the cryostat was completed. Vacuum pumps were delivered. Vacuum pumping system was designed, the Limiter fabrication was under process and the first wall components were engineered.

Magnets & Shell Structure: In-vessel magnet system was designed and prototype developments of certain coils were completed.

Cryogenic System: The cryogenic laboratory was set up. The delivery of the liquid helium (LHe) Plant was effected and liquid nitrogen (LN₂) storage system was commissioned. Work on LN2 and LHe Transfer line system was in progress.

RF Systems: The integration process progressed on Aditya Tokamak. This included integration of ECRH system. The Gyrotron and the special H11 mode transmission line were procured and test experiments were carried out. A 200 kW CW RF systems in the ion-cyclotron frequency range (20 - 90 MHz) was fabricated and integratedto Aditya. Experiments in the 50 - 100 kW regime for plasma heating will commence soon on Aditya Tokamak.

NBI System: The prototype development for cryopump, heat transfer elements, and grids were under final stage of completion. The fabrication of the Test Stand for testing the NBI system, continued. Finalisation of specifications of the power system and data acquisition systems reached an advance stage.

DAC System: The first phase DAC system based on VME and VXI protocols, were being prototyped and tested. The timing system for SST-1 experiment was conceptualized and detailed engineering design made progress.

Computer Systems: The campus-wide networking system was already in use. The design of the integrated computer Network System only for SST-1 experiment was being conceptualized and detail engineering design was under progress.

Diagnostics & Electronics: The first phase diagnostics & electronics for measuring the basic plasma parameters in SST-1 reached an advanced state of preparation.

Buildings/Civil Works: The main SST-1 Tokamak buildings and the associated Utility buildings were constructed, and construction of the compressor building reached completion stage.

Fundamental Research/ Pulsed Power Experiment/ Aditya Tokamak Upgradation

The large volume plasma device (LVPD) experiments continued. Upgrading of the Aditya data acquisition system and power supply system - APPS reached completion and the RF-ICRH system at 200KW (20-40MHz) was completed. Test experiments in the RF laboratory were started. The developmental set up for pulsed power experiments continued.

The new activities taken up in the area of plasma processing, progressed and promotion of a number of industrial ventures, based on plasma technologies, continued.

Technology Development

The technology programmes in the NBI system and cryogenic system related work progressed. This work was associated with the prototype development of modules. In the cryogenic system, some of the new prototype developments were nearing completion. A prototype 10-kAmp power supply for superconducting magnets was manufactured and was ready for testing.

6.7 Institute of Physics

The Institute of Physics at Bhubaneswar is an autonomous research institution funded jointly by DAE and Government of Orissa for promotion of fundamental research in frontier areas of physics.

Research Activities

At the Institute the research activities comprise of both theoretical and experimental studies. Theoretical research is conducted in the areas of Nuclear Physics, Condensed Matter Physics and High Energy Physics. The experimental work is mainly focussed on Condensed Matter Physics. There is an Ion Beam Laboratory with a 3 MV Pelletron Accelerator and a 18 KW rotating anode X-ray source, both of which are used as complementary tools for surface studies.

The accelerator was augmented for carrying out Accelerator Mass spectrometry (AMS) studies for dating ancient objects. A surface physics beam line with an ultra high vacuum scattering chamber was set up and made operational. A high resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), which is a formidable characterization tool for studies on surfaces, nanomaterials and cluster assembled solids was procured and commissioned. Some socially relevant studies related to the use of the Fly Ash, (the waste material from thermal power plants) in agriculture was in progress.

About 90 papers were published in reputed international journals in addition to those presented in conference and symposia.

Collaborations

The two experimental projects under Indo-US collaboration on the development of the (i) Ion Microbeam facility and (ii) surface studies were successfully completed. In particular the Ion microbeam facility has become operational and useful data has emerged from this facility leading to a Ph.D. thesis. This facility is unique in the country. The Indo-French project on Atomic clusters and Cluster Assembled Solids was successfully completed with the setting up of a Cluster Laboratory.

The computer facilities witnessed a further extension with the establishment of a computer laboratory through another Indo-French collaboration supported by INRIA and the Internet Society of France.

The awards bagged by the Institute included Meghnad Saha Gold Medal, Samanta Chandrashekhar Award for Physical Sciences and Young Scientist Award.

Bigyan Academy

As a significant development the Institute succeeded in generating research activities in physics in the various colleges of Orissa, by encouraging college teachers to make use of the library, laboratory and computer facilities of the Institute of Physics, as well as developing sustainable collaborations.
 
 

6.8 Atomic Energy Education Society

With 30 schools at 14 different centres and over 28,000 students on its rolls, Atomic Energy Education Society (AEES) is in the 31st year of its existence. The students, mainly the wards of DAE employees, are provided quality education.

During the year 2000-01, the educational infrastructure was upgraded, and the ongoing reforms in the fields of administration and human resource development were further consolidated.

An All India AEES Junior Science and Mathematics Olympiad was launched for the students of standard VIII & IX with a view to preparing children for International Science and Mathematics Olympiads. The preparatory classes were introduced in Mumbai. The horticulture programme, introduced in 1998 to instil among children a greater awareness in keeping the environment clean and green, was expanded.

A talent nurture programme initiated last year for the bright tribal non-DAE children in the vicinity of DAE establishments at Tarapur, Kakrapar and Rawatbhata, was extended to Kaiga and Manuguru. Such children admitted in AEES schools, were provided free education, a scholarship of Rs. 300/- each, in addition to uniforms and study material.

The results of the Board examinations for the year 2000, showed a significant improvement over the results in the previous years. Over 83 % of Class X students passed the All India Secondary School examination of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) as against 81% last year. One student set a new record by scoring an aggregate of 97.2% marks and standing second in the combined merit list of the CBSE Board.

Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Director BARC & Chairman Atomic Eergy Commission and Shri Kiran Doshi, Chairman, AEES appreciate the paintings put up in the All India AECS Art exhibition Dr. R. Chidambaram, then Chairman Atomic Energy Commission, releasing the Millenium Report of the AEES

Similarly, 89% students passed the standard 12th examination as compared to 85% last year. One student from the Atomic Energy Junior College (AEJC), Mumbai topped the Mumbai Division Board. Five out of 19 Secondary AEC (NTS) Schools scored 100% results in the Board examination. One student from Kalpakkam was sponsored by the Singapore Airlines for admission to Chemical Engineering Course at Singapore. Seven students from AEJC, Mumbai were awarded National Talent Search Scholarship. Six students form AECS, Kalpakkam, four from Rawatbhata and one from Kaiga qualified in the National Talent Search (NTS) examination at the state level. One student from AECS, Rawatbhata bagged a bronze medal in the International Biology Olympiad held in Turkey.

A girl student of Class 8th from AECS, Kalpakkam participated in the Hungarian Youth World Table Tennis Festival held in Hungary and won Gold medal in the individual category. One student form AEJC, Hyderabad was selected to take part in national level Yoga competition. One student from AECS, Narora set a new record in the Javelin throw competition in the CBSE cluster meet. Three students from AECS, Tarapur participated in the national level CBSE Table Tennis. Two students from AECS, Kalpakkam took part in the CBSE National Athletic meet and one of them secured a second position in 200 metres race. The girls’ Table Tennis team of Kalpakkam School was runner up in the CBSE National Table Tennis Tournament.

Two girl cadets from AECS, Mumbai participated in the All India Trekking Camp and 5 cadets in the National Integration Camp. Eight girl cadets and 4 boy cadets took part in the National Integration Camp from AECS, Tarapur. Four girl cadets from AECS, Hyderabad attended the Republic Day Parade at New Delhi.

One student from AECS, Mumbai bagged third prize in an elocution competition conducted by the Discovery Channel. One student from AECS, Kakrapar won the second prize in the state level elocution competition conducted by the Times of India.

Also two teachers of Mumbai were conferred National Awards for the year 1999.

A number of students and several teachers of the AEES distinguished themselves in academics, sports and other co-curricular activities.

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