Technology Vision |
| Nano-technology, MEMS and Microelectronics
Vision in this area is aimed to develop techniques of fabrication and characterization of material objects on the scale of 1 to 10 nano-metres, to understand their behaviour and to use this understanding for the design and fabrication of useful devices. The range of possible applications is indeed very wide - from high power semiconductor lasers and sensitive electromagnetic radiation detectors, to nano-scale motors, to super catalysts and drug delivery systems. Micro-electro-mechanical-systems (MEMS) and microelectronics are important in the immediate future and share several technical ingredients with semiconductor nano-technologies and are important in converting nano-science into nano-devices. It is proposed to substantially enhance existing efforts in the Department to forge ahead in the area of high power semiconductor lasers at different wave lengths. New material systems like the group III – nitrides will be used in this along with traditional group III-V compound semiconductors. Indigenous development of compact and limited propose epitaxial growth systems is envisaged as a coordinated activity involving several DAE institutions. Together with the development of ultra-power materials and precursors, this will be an important step towards self-reliance. Integrated circuits using strained lasers of Si on Si-Ge alloy are important for high frequency microelectronics. It is proposed to enhance the scope of Si-Ge growth capabilities considerably so that device related activity could take shape. MEMS based sensors and other devices are anticipated to play an important role in the activities of DAE. Simulations and design facilities for MEMS need to be strengthened and enhanced. While in the immediate future, existing or proposed national facilities could be used, establishment of lithography facilities like the focused ion-beam facility in DAE is highly desirable. Projects on other lithography facilities such as the deep X-ray lithography and laser-based lithography also need to be encouraged since a major part of the technological resources already exist or are in construction in the department.
Nano-technology14 differs from other technology areas in that the time-gap between discovery of a new phenomenon or effect and its induction into an application is becoming shorter and shorter. This time, however, depends on the available infrastructure as well as the knowledge and skills base. It is, therefore, necessary to provide substantially enhanced support to be research community in this area to build this knowledge and the related skills base. In particular, research on semiconductor and metal quantum dots, interface and surface physics and chemistry, and magnetic quantum structures need to be encouraged as a coordinated activity. It is also expected that increased interaction between basic and applied scientists and engineers is needed, specially to address some of the gap areas like thermo-mechanical properties of nano-composites and sensors and actuators based on nano-structures.
Light Sources and Particle Beams
Equation of state data and material opacity data is of strategic
interest. Laser based particle accelerators will contribute to basic
sciences. The highly energetic particles and photons emitted by
femto-second laser-produced plasmas can generate intense neutron
flux with application to material studies and sub-critical laser
driven fissile assembly. Nuclear waste utilization scheme proposes
to extract useful elements from spent fuel. Transmutation experiments
with high intensity tabletop lasers will make an impact on nuclear
waste management. Advanced photochemical techniques for LIS synergize atomic and molecular approaches with technological simplicity for large-scale isotope production. Laser ablation and removal of hazardous radioactive substances from surfaces can be deployed for surface decontamination of components, equipments and structures. Advanced optical diagnostics can analyze materials in situ for on-line process monitoring for nuclear fuel cycle and waste management applications. Radiation resistant fibres will extend fibre optic usage in reactor instrumentation. Femto-second laser material micro-machining allows removal of individual atoms on time scales shorter than that required for heat generation and conduction. Plasma-based surface modification using directed electron beam techniques and non-equilibrium plasma sources will solve a wide range of material modification problems. Mega watt electron beam sources will be developed for delivering high-energy flux for melting and refining of nuclear, aerospace and reactive alloys. Mega watt class plasma torches can find applications in reactive metal processing, vitrification of active waste as well as treatment of hazardous biomedical and industrial wastes and to generate energy from waste. Relativistic 3D codes using extensively parallel computers to interpret experiments, understand the roles played by the different processes, and to predict and control the concurrent complex processes present in intense laser-produced plasma will be developed. The highly nonlinear behaviour and wide ranging spatial as well as temporal scales in plasma processing to aid device and process system design, process control and online correction, product simulation and scaling will also be simulated. Accelerators, Superconductivity, Cryogenics, Vacuum engineering, magnets, High Power RF and Fusion Technologies All these technologies are necessary for the development of new energy sources and also for carrying out world class basic & applied research in the country and require intense and multi-pronged efforts in several areas. Widespread utilization of accelerators in the fields of medicine and industry-in some cases almost inescapable - has been well recognized. It is now well established that superconductivity, both for magnets and radio frequency (RF) cavities, will play a very major role in the development of accelerators and thermonuclear fusion machines. In order to reach the ultimate energy of over 1 GeV for protons with unprecedented intensity of several tens of milliamperes for ADS and spallation neutron sources, development of superconducting RF cavities is essential. Further, large superconducting magnet systems are considered a must for large fusion devices. As a first step towards achieving the ultimate goals for the ADS accelerators, a 100 MeV proton linear accelerator (linac) capable of delivering about 25 milliamperes beam current is to be developed. It could be a room temperature, separated drift tube linac (SDTL). However, use of superconducting re-entrant type cavities also needs to be studied. Development of room temperature or superconducting radio frequency quadrupole (RFQ) at the low energy end for high current accelerators is a challenging task. An altogether different but promising approach would be to develop a superconducting ring cyclotron and self- extracting cyclotron for obtaining high current proton beams for ADS. Recent developments, the world over, have shown that new and frontline research in nuclear and allied sciences will be done with radioactive ion beam (RIB) accelerator complexes17 . Fortunately, several issues between such accelerators and ADS related accelerators are common. Development of one type would lead to advancement of the other. Effectiveness of RIB accelerator facilities is, however, strongly dependent on the effectiveness of special techniques such as thick targets and on-line ionization of radioactive atoms that are also proposed to be developed. Frontline research in accelerator science and technology needs
to be taken to a significant level in the years to come. We need
to initiate activities related to plasma and laser-based accelerators
and other advanced accelerators such as several GeV electron linac
for X-ray FEL and other applications, including ADS. This would
be a highly fruitful ‘investment’ for the future in
many ways including generation of world class experts in the field.
Development of high power electron accelerators on a large scale, primarily linacs, has been strongly advocated in view of their immense use in irradiation of food products for prolonged storage, treatment of flue gases, industrial waste water purification, medical sterilization etc.. In the near future, fusion technologists will concentrate on developing appropriate technologies necessary for a viable Prototype Fusion Breeder Reactor and a thermonuclear fusion based tokamak power plant. Development of modular tritium and fissile fuel breeding blanket systems for the fusion breeder reactor with a high 14 MeV neutron fluence was visualized. Emphasis is also placed on fundamental knowledge and scientific understanding in the fields of tritium breeding and recovery systems, fissile fuel breeding, low activation structural materials, neutron multiplier and thermal and nuclear shielding. Highly advanced and powerful neutral beam injection system is envisaged for fusion grade plasma heating purposes. The other thrust technology areas include special materials development and characterization, plasma facing components, first wall components, refueling systems, remote handling systems, large volume superconducting magnets, cryogenic systems, RF based auxiliary heating systems, powerful diagnostics and monitoring devices etc. Development of broad-based infrastructure18 to produce and characterize special materials, devices, components and systems on a large scale for accelerators has also been visualized. Emphasis needs to be laid on technologies to produce superconducting cavities, cables, grade ‘A’ helium, helium liquefiers/refrigerators, cryo-coolers, helium screw compressors, cryogenic instrumentation etc. Development of large capacity cryogenic systems (25 to 30 kW rating in a temperature range of 4 to 20K) is important for several applications and requires multi-disciplinary efforts. Further, development of high power thyratrons, klystrons and magnetrons along with components like circulators, isolators, directional couplers, loads, power dividers, ceramic windows, stable power supplies, powerful RF systems, vacuum systems etc. has been underlined to be a must for the success of any large scale accelerator or fusion programme. A limited production facility for these devices is envisaged to sustain indigenous development. Strong participation of the national institutions and industry is required in this effort. Computers, Communications and Information Management The vision for research and development in computers, communication and information management envisages development of various key computer based applications in scientific, engineering, control and instrumentation as well as data/information handling. This would require development of the-state-of-the-art IT infrastructure with robust and comprehensive scheme of security, products and systems by carrying out frontline research in various core areas such as high performance computing, high-end visualization, DAE-wide grid infrastructure, collaborative computing and security tools and encryption algorithms. Hence, there is an immediate requirement for a collaborative effort between the communities of researchers specializing in the above-mentioned areas in DAE. The effort will be towards development of better, efficient and well-engineered software packages, innovative hardware/embedded products. Further, next generation computing and communication infrastructure will be developed by deploying cutting-edge IT technologies to provide transparent and seamless access for any authorized DAE employee.
All these activities should not be limited to research groups, but ECIL should also be appropriately involved. Robotics and Automation Robotics, automation and remote handling technologies play a crucial role in almost all facets of nuclear fuel cycle. The phenomenal advancements in this fascinating area have been due to the unique necessity in nuclear industry - reduction in exposure of plant personnel to radiation. Inspection, survey, maintenance, repair and any other handling operation in radiation environments needs to be done using remote handling tools. In the area of fuel fabrication19 , robotics and automation have
been playing key roles in automated inspection resulting in reduction
of rejection ratio and increase in productivity. Implementation
of modern concepts like intelligent processing, where feedback from
inspection is given to the process for online correction, could
result in zero defects. Automation also facilitates higher levels
of documentation of all important parameters of critical components
like fuel pellets, end plugs, fuel pins, etc. Large scale fuel fabrication
using 233U needed in the thorium fuel cycle will be possible only
in a fully automated fabrication facility as radiation level due
to daughter products of 232U can be very high. ISI and repair of nuclear reactors and reprocessing plants are
other challenging areas. A number of systems and gadgets have been
successfully made and are already being utilized. These include
PHWR coolant channel inspection using BARCIS and core shroud inspection
of TAPS. There exists an urgent need to develop advanced ISI tools
and vehicles for PFBR, fast reactor fuel reprocessing plants and
fusion reactors. In the area of fuel reprocessing, current concepts of automation needs augmentation for ensuring high reliability, productivity and robustness of the plants. Introduction of rugged automation concepts with possibility of robotic or remote dismantling and repair possibilities will greatly facilitate a plant layout that is more structured and not dependant only on the reach of conventional master-slave manipulators. Reprocessing and re-fabrication using advanced concepts like pyro-chemical or pyro-metallurgical methods are only possible in an automated manner. It can be stated that until now, attention to automation had been limited to system level development. However, the plant level automation is very important for future nuclear fuel cycles and needs urgent attention. The developments to be taken up in the coming years can be broadly classified under following categories: o Remote fuel fabrication o Remote inspection and repair in nuclear
reactor/reprocessing plants o Remote handling and automation for o Decommissioning of nuclear systems and
plants o Decontamination and survey of active plants
/ cells o Mobile systems o Novel data communication / data analysis / usage systems High Precision Engineering Precision Engineering is the-state-of-the-art manufacturing technique for making high quality (in terms of geometry, form and surface texture) products having robust performance on repetitive basis. In nuclear applications, precision engineering plays a crucial role in such products as nuclear detectors, sensors, accelerator cavities, optics for laser and deep X-Ray beams, probe tips for atomic force microscope, using micro-machining and nano-finishing techniques.
High Precision Engineering applies advance scientific practices, measurements and diagnostic tools to existing manufacturing techniques. Harmonious blending of precision engineering and microelectronics will usher a new generation of products that are miniature in size and smart, while being robust in performance. Intelligent and extreme manufacturing techniques will provide launching pad for the MEMS and Nano-technology development. High precision engineering systems, products and components required for major DAE programmes in large numbers are consolidated under three categories as described hereafter. o Advance Research Programmes: These are ambitious long-term scientific programmes that require development of high precision, the-state-of-the-art manufacturing capabilities.
o Synchrotron beam line
programme20 o Accelerator driven sub-critical
system programme21 o Metallic mirrors for gamma ray telescope - Advance Technology Development Programme:
This forms the backbone for product development in fields like optical
sciences, new reactor systems, food processing by radiation, MEMS
and nano-technology. The advanced technologies that need to be developed
include: - Nuclear Power Programme:
To meet the demands of the expanding nuclear power programme, there
is a need to enhance the existing and set up new production capacity
of several high precision engineering components with the aim to
further improve operating performance, safety and service life.
The components that require particular attention are the following.
To develop all the above components and systems, the technologies
that need to be developed are the following. Biotechnology Biotechnology has gained importance in various fields of research and applications including agriculture, environment, medicine and development of analytical tools. Biotechnological advances have opened up newer avenues to genetically manipulate microbes and crop plants for increasing productivity and tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses as well as for developing bio-factories for production of useful compounds including recombinant proteins and secondary metabolites. Genetically modified organisms and plants are expected to play a significant role in remediation of environmental pollutants and industrial wastes. This is of specific importance in view of Department’s accelerated nuclear power programme and in ensuing treatment of large volume of low-level radioactive waste. Miniaturized bio-analytical tools, particularly biosensors/bio-MEMs, hold promise for the detection of environmental pollutants and microbial pathogens as well as for developing clinical diagnostics. Therapeutic recombinant protein production is beginning to revolutionize medical biotechnology. In this endeavour of biotechnology research, bio-informatics is expected to play a pivotal role by aiding in analysis of enormous nucleic acid and protein sequence data, in prediction of bio-molecular structures and in developing molecular models and molecular interaction simulation programmes.
To realize our biotechnology research ambition and to further our contribution in this field, research is proposed to be taken up in some of the frontline areas like development of optimum gene expression system by the isolation of strong/ inducible/ tissue specific promoters, using regulatory sequences and facilitating proper protein folding by targeting them to endoplasmic reticulum. After successful establishment of such modular technology, attempts will be made to express different useful proteins including therapeutic and edible vaccines in suitable candidate crops. It is also proposed to establish hairy roots and micro-algae as expression systems for the production of therapeutic proteins. Metabolic engineering to enhance the levels of some of the therapeutically important secondary metabolites like vincristine and vinblastine in plant cell culture will be taken up. Development of crop plants with virus resistance using coat protein/ replicase genes and disease/ pest resistance using anti-microbial peptides and cry genes from Bacillus thuringiensis will be undertaken. Exploring gene pyramiding approach using different genes to confer drought and salinity stress tolerance are of our interest and such technologies will be of societal and commercial value.
Bioremediation of low level radioactive waste by removal/concentration of uranium, thorium, cesium, plutonium, ruthenium etc. and biodegradation of TBP, organic resins, nitrate, chelating agents like EDTA and NTP is of importance to the Department of Atomic Energy22 . In this regard, screening and identification of microbes and plants with bioremediation potential and enhancement of their bioremediation capabilities by genetic modification using biotechnological approaches will be taken up. Bio-informatics tools will be used for genome analysis and genetic engineering of radiation resistant bacteria e.g. Deinococcus and other organisms for enhancing their bio-precipitation and bio-degradation capabilities. Other major areas of research that will be explored in environmental biotechnology include the development of methods for economical and bulk production of bio-sorbent, coupled with proper pelletization technique for large-scale decontamination of waste water and surface decontamination of nuclear structural material by microbial bio-films and bio-corrosion. New strategies for effective de-corporation of radio-nuclides such as thorium from human body after accidental or occupational exposure, will also be developed. Establishing a centre of excellence in computational biology by utilizing the software, hardware and biology resource and talent pool in DAE will complement our wet biology research work. Analysis of nucleic acid and protein sequence data will become a necessity for most of the biology research programmes in DAE. Engineering certain candidate proteins to improve properties such as pH tolerance and thermo-stability will be taken up based on studies related to structure-function relationships. Customized bio-informatics tools will be developed to select organism specific probes and to support some of the ongoing developmental programmes like micro-arrays and mass spectrometry based proteomics study systems. Attempts will also be made to develop capabilities to build miniaturized devices based on silicon or bio-MEMS including biosensor for the detection/typing of human pathogens and environmental pollutants. Sensors, Detectors and NDT Sensors and detectors are indispensable components at the front end of all detection, measurement and control systems for various applications covering important areas such as detection of nuclear radiations, control of nuclear reactors, process control, robotics, nuclear waste repository, environmental assessment, nuclear physics investigations etc.
There is also a need to develop neural networks to provide selectivity in some of the cases mentioned. Nuclear radiation detectors are required for a wide variety of applications covering important activities of DAE from reactors, accelerators, radiation protection23, nuclear and high energy physics investigations, solid state physics experiments and radiation medicine. All these programmes depend heavily on indigenous and sustained R&D efforts on various detector technologies. Indigenous development of nuclear radiation detectors based on Si, Ge and GaAs needs to be taken up in right earnest. Due to excellent position resolution characteristics (few microns) of Si-detectors, they are used in high energy physics (HEP) experiments in different forms viz. Si-pad, Si-strip or Si-pixel detectors. For nuclear spectroscopy work, the useful detectors are based on different scintillating and semiconducting materials. Sealed gas detectors like 3He and BF3 for neutron detection, flow type gas detectors like ionization chamber for low energy nuclear physics experiments, high granularity proportional chambers for HEP experiments are required. For reactor in-core neutron flux measurement, self-powered detectors are very important. In this regard, the detectors responding exclusively to gamma rays are also required for a reliable estimation of neutron flux. Also, fission fragment detectors based on 93% enriched 235U are required for neutron flux monitoring in the start-up range. Charged coupled devices (CCD) based on Si along with scintillators are used for detecting scattered X-rays, which can enable microscopic structural information, be it in engineering or medicine. As for the development of different types of scintillators, a very strong activity is already going on in DAE. However, the work on CCD is yet to be undertaken.
The growth of non-destructive evaluation (NDE) science and technology internationally is driven by the demands from nuclear, aerospace and electronics industries. The impetus for this growth also comes from the relevant developments in diagnostic techniques in medicine. A comprehensive programme involving the development of NDE sensors, instrumentation, software and analysis has been pursued in DAE.
Currently, developmental work on different types of sensors (SQUID,
ferro-fluids, fibre optic etc.) is going on in DAE. The instruments
have been developed for detection of flaws in nuclear fuels, PHWR
coolant channels and other critical structures and components required
for nuclear reactors and other facilities. Further developments
in this area are guided by the advances in techniques, newer applications,
requirements of enhanced detectivities, with regard to safe, efficient
running and ageing management and life extension programmes of existing
PHWRs and BWRs nuclear reactors and also for new generation of nuclear
power plants viz. PWRs, FBRs and AHWRs. |
