Vol. X October 2003 No. 4

CSIR Foundation Day celebrations

Inaugural Function : Chief Guest Dr. D. Bhattacharya lighting the ceremonial lamp.

The day-long CSIR Foundation DayCelebration at National MetallurgicalLaboratory, Jamshedpur included,besides the formal function at the NMLAuditorium, an essay competition amongthe staff, a debate competition among theschool children and an Open Day forstudents, entrepreneurs and generalpublic.

Dr. D.Bhattacharya, Director, NationalInstitute of Technology, Jamshedpurformally inaugurated the function bylighting the lamp in a traditional way. Theoccasion was attended by eminentscientists, local entrepreneurs, schoolstudents, dignitaries, special inviteesincluding retired personnel and the press.

The Chief Guest Dr. D. Bhattacharya inhis address gave an overview on theCSIR Labs and the academia - for a jointventure incorporate, which was thoughtprovoking. Earlier Mr. Premchand, Sr.Scientist introduced the chief guest.

Dr. R.N. Ghosh, Director Grade Scientistwelcomed the gatherings. He briefedabout different activities organised atNML as a part of CSIR Diamond Jubileecelebration over the year. Dr. Ghosh alsobriefed on CSIR and its evolution overthe last sixty years. The CSIR society, anautonomous body with Prime Minister ofIndia as the President and Union Scienceand Technology Minister as the Vice-President funded through the Ministry of

IETE Bimal Bose Award

The coveted 1911 IETE Bimal BoseAward, 2002-2003 has been conferredon Dr.S.K. Mandal. Scientist for his"outstanding contributions in the field ofPower Electronics in the BroadestSense". Dr. Mandal's contributions haveseen recognised in the field of Designdevelopment, Testing of DC-DCconverter systems, Solar Photo-voltaicCharge Controller systems, 4-10mATelemetry systems, Automatic CathodicProtection systems and AC/DC Motordrives at improved power factor. VariousPulse Width Modulation Techniquesusing latest switching devices such asPower Thyristors, Transistors andMOSFETS are very frequently used inthese above systems.

Shri Mandal did his B. E. in ElectricalEngineering (1983) (Jadavpur Uni-versity), M. Tech. in ElectricalEngineering (1985) (IIT Kanpur). Ph.D.(1999) in Electronics & ElectricalCommunication Engineering (IITKharagpur), and ICWAI (1994), Kolkata.

difficult times when technologies were notaccessible to them due to reasons otherthan technical or scientific.

Top (L to R) Shri Premchand, Dr. D. Bhattacharya, Dr. R. N. Ghosh and Shri Rameshwar DassBottom : Dr. D. Bhattacharya, Director, NIT. Jamshedpur addressing the gathering.

Science and Technology Minister as

the Vice-President funded through theMinistry of Science and Technology, Govt.of India came into existence on 261hSeptember 1942 with a wide charter offunctions. These included promotionguidance and co-ordination of scientificand industrial research, collection anddissemination of information on researchand industry, founding of laboratories tofurther scientific and industrial researchand exploitation of the research resultsfor development of industry. CSIR wasalso charged with other tasks such asrendering assistance to other institutions,conducting research, awarding fellow-ships and publishing scientific journals.Presently, CSIR mission has been toprovide scientific industrial R&D thatmaximise the economic, environmentaland societal benefits for the people ofIndia.

After a gap of 20 years, Govt. of Indiahas launched the Science and Tech-nology Policy - 2003 at the IndianScience Congress in Bangalore. TheScientific Policy Resolution of 1958 andthe Technology Policy Statement of 1983were the two policy pronouncements thatinspired and guided the Nation's pro-grammes and initiatives in S&T The newpolicy integrates both Science and

Technology in a symbolic and holisticmanner. This policy heralds us in thefuture realm of science and technologywith our feet firmly rooted in our richculture and heritage. A mere policy is notenough - it needs to be quickly andcarefully implemented. We must ex-peditiously move forward to put togetherthe instruments and mechanisms for itsimplementation.

CSIR has performed its assigned role inconsonance with national needs andpriorities. In the last 60, years, CSIR hasemerged as a vibrant mammoth scientificand industrial organisation with wide-ranging competence, core strength andmany major accomplishments. CSIR nowhas 38 laboratories and employs over21,000 qualified and skilled manpower.These laboratories cover the whole gamutof Research and Development activityranging from microelectronics to meta-llurgy; medicinal plants to industrialmachinery; chemicals to molecularbiology. CSIR has over the years develo-ped over 3,000 technologies and hasabout 6,000 clients using its techno-logies. The annual industrial productionbased on CSIR techniques is estimatedover USD 1 billion. The CSI R technologieshave stood by Indian Industrialists at

Environmental consciousness coupledwith economic urgency has been behindmany of CSIR energy-eff icient processes.A recent example is the retrofit technologyfor two and three-wheeler motor vehiclesdeveloped by Indian Institute of Petro-

leum, Dehradun. Going back in time,

during sixties and seventies when LiquidPetroleum Gas was in short supply, mostmiddle class housewives depended onkerosene wick stoves for cooking andsooty flame was a common problem ofsuch stoves. CSIR developed a cleanerstove that not only provided more heatbut also produced less soot. The newstove called Nutan became a rage amongthe housewives and is vogue even now.

Most of the iron ores in India have beencharacterised by the National Meta-llurgical Laboratory (NML), Jamshedpurand almost all the beneficiation plants areafter the flow sheet prepared at NML.Further, with its bench and pilot plantscale (0.5 to 5tpd) facilities to treatmetallic and non-metallic ores and fullrange of "state of art" characterisationfacilities has successfully handledinterna-tional assignments from Egypt,Syria, Nepal, Myan-mar, Philippines,Malaysia, Bhutan and Thailand.

The Indo-Pak war of 1965, highlighted thestrategic importance of the magnesiummetal. Magnesium, required for wartime'flares' in short supply and no one waswilling to sell it to India. In a rousingresponse to this technology denial, by1975 NML had built a stockpile for thedefence sector. In 1980, the technologywas licensed to private company. In 1990,CSIR won WIPO Gold Medal fordevelopment of Magnesium Technology.

CSIR has also contributed significantlyto high sectors like aeronautics. It hasdesigned and fabricated Hansa-3, atwo-seater all-composite trainer aircraft.This commercially produced aircraft isbeing used and is gaining further marketfor training commercial pilots. Recently,a 14-seater multirole aircraft, SARAS,was worked out with CSIR commitment

46

to have the first test flight during this year.CSIR thus heralds an era of civil industryin the country.

While being active in acquiring patents,CSIR has also been protectingIntellectual Property Rights (IPR). Thebiggest challenge came in 1996, on theUS patent granted on Turmeric Powder(Haldi). As a result of CSIR challenge, theUS patent on turmeric was revoked(1997) and revocation of patents grantedin case of neem, aayahusca and basmati(1998) followed with CSIR action. Thushas set a precedent for other developingnations to challenge the onslaught ofwestern countries on their traditionalknowledge. As India's strongest holder ofIntellectual Property Rights, CSIR leadsthe way for protecting traditionalknowledge strength while adding to thenew IPR capital.

Hon'ble Prime Minister in the CSIRSociety Meeting held on April 10, 2003,congratulated CSIR on its securing thesecond ranking as per the Patent Co-operation Treaty and expressed hishappiness over the fact that CSIR hasbeen granted 145 US Patents, almost40% of the total patents granted to India.

The declining interest in Science as acareer amongst our youth has been amatter of great concern. CSIR has drawnschemes like Research Fellowship (JRF& SRF), Research Associate, Funding ofextra mural research schemes at univer-sities/institutes; granting visiting Asso-ciateship; Travel/conference/SymposiumGrants; Programme on Youth for leader-ship in Science; New Millennium IndianTechnology leadership Initiative; ShyamaPrasad Mukherjee Fellowship and so onto nurture young persons to take up R&Das a career.

CSIR has completed its Diamond Jubileeyear and thus moving forward tocomplete many more years . The TenthFive year plan has been formulatedagainst the backdrop of high expec-tations in S&T . CSIR being amongst thelarger R&D funded organisations inthe industrial sector has an addedresponsibility of helping the IndianIndustry to regain its lost growth ratesand become competitive globally.

Inter School Science Debate

As part of CSIR foundation celebration,Inter School Science Debate was heldat NML on 19th September, 2003 wherein

eleven schools: (1) ADL Sunshine School,Sakchi; (2) Church School, Beldih Triangle; (3)DAV Public School, Bistupur; (4) DBMS EnglishSchool, Kadma; (5) Jamshedpur Public School,Baridih; (6) Kerala Samajam Model School,Sakchi; (7) Loyola School, Beldih; (8) MotilalNehru Public School, Sakchi; (9) Mrs. K. M. P.M.InterCollege, Bistupur;(10) RajendraVrdyalaya,Sakchi and (11) St. Mary's School, Bistupurparticipated. Ina close contest, the winningfortune was showered on Shn Shamim Pervezand Ms. Rajender Kaurof Motilal Nehru PublicSchool, Sakchi.The runners-up team wasKerala Samajam Model School ofSakchi, represented by Ms. Puja and ShriAritra Sarkhel. Ms. Rajender Kaur hasbeen adjudged as the best speaker.

Dr. S. Tarafder, scientist, NML was themoderator and added flavour in conduc-tion of the debate. Dr. ShantanuChakrabarti of Tata Steel, Dr. KeyaMazumder of Jamshedpur Women's Col-lege and Shri K.K. Gupta, scientist NMLacted as the judge on this occasion. Theprizes to the successful participants wereawarded in the foundation day function.

EXTRACTION OF MAGNESIUM FROM INDIGENOUS RAW MATERIALS

Magnesium is fast emerging as an important structural

material of commercial importance. The auto majors of the world

such as Ford, BMW, Hyundai are investing significantly in

the production of this metal since magnesium is expected to

replace a significant portion of the existing structural material in

the automobiles. India has vast resource of magnesium in the

form of dolomite. NML has been pursuing a project funded by

the Dept. of Mines and Dept. of Science & Technology. The aim of

the project is to produce the magnesium metal using dolomite -

the indigenous resource by electro thermal route. A

pilot plant has been designed, fabricated, installed and

commissioned to produce 100 kg magnesium per day. During the

commissioning of trial run, magnesium sponge was produced

which was remelted with suitable flux. Magnesium metal of 98% purity could be achieved. Further, after commissioning

of the pilot plant, a number of trials have been conducted under different conditions to understand the process variablesand slag chemistry. Efforts are being made to optimise the process conditions to achieve the desired recovery and purity

of magnesium metal.

Prof. S. P Mehrotra, Director expressing his happiness over theproduction of magnesium during the trial run at NML Pilot Plant.

47

Prof. S. P. Mehrotra

I am once again glad to communicate withyou through this formal periodical me-dium. Over the past one year, we haveregistered good progress in several frontsviz. Formalisation of our participation inseven of the 55 task force networkedprojects of CSIR and Leadership in one"Technology for Engineering Critical As-sessment", take off of NDT centre, as-signment of two major projects from DODfor advanced studies in extraction of me-tallic values from sea nodules, ISO9001:2000 certification etc.

During the last one year of my steward-ship here, I also felt it essential to review

DIRECTORRESEARCHCOUNCIL

R DDIVI IONS

(H 0)

CE ES(H417)

the organisation and functions of the labo-

ratory, a 53 year old centre of excellencein Metallurgical & Material Science R&D.I did this review with the help of severalof my senior colleagues and otherstaff members. In the Life cycle oforganisations too, a stage comes when itreaches a plateau in its performance. Areview of organisation and its functions

through conscious questioning of why we

are doing what we are doing, how elsewe can do vis-a-vis changes in environ-ment, may give valuable insights to takecorrective measures and put back theorganisation in the path of growth. Thereview, among other things was basicallynecessitated owing to the following:

• The concept of networking has beenintroduced in the CSIR system in abig way with about 55 networkedprojects, which promotes pooling ofresources and the need to emulatethis philosophy at the Laboratory level.

• Overlapping R&D programmes/projects across a few Divisions

• Dwindling number of scientists / staffin few Divisions owing to super-annuations reducing the strength ofpersonnel below critical mass.

• Pressure on Director's time with is-sues related to management of R&Dand general administration, which can

MANAGEMENT

COUNCIL

ADMN.Applied Chemistry Analytical Chemistry NML Madras (COA)

Centre (ANC) C& Corrosion (ACC) entre

Business Development - Information Management L_ Ahmedabad FINANCE &

& Monitoring (BDM) & Dissemination Centre Field Station ACCOUNTS(IMDC) (DYFA)

Engineering Division(ENG) Calibration Centre

(under ENG Div.) STORES &Materials Science & PURCHASETechnology (MST) Non Destructive Testing (SPO)Centre (under MST Div.)Mathematical Modeling& Simulation (MMS)

Metal Extraction &Forming (MEF)

Mineral Processing

(MNP)

be handled with equal efficiency bysenior level scientists.

• Need to delineate routine functionsfrom R&D agenda of the Divisions tomake both of them efficient and ef-fective.

After the review, a re-organisationproposal was discussed with all scientists

and technical officers on 811 April, 2003.

Written suggestions also were invited and

received. Based on this extensive inter-action a final proposal on reorganisationof the Laboratory was discussed in a simi-lar meeting on 26th May, 2003. The Man-agement Council vetted this proposal on15.07.03 and the same was submitted tothe Research Council on 24.07.03 for in-formation and expert inputs. According tothe reorganisation the existing 13 Divi-sions would reduce to 7 and 4 centreswould be created with functions culled outof the existing Divisions for better focusin their function and customer orientation.Position of two to four advisors createdto shoulder the management of R&D andother administrative responsibilities forensuring speedier response on mattersrelated to the management of men, ma-chinery, materials and money.

(Source : Director 's Desk, July 2003)

ORGANISATIONAL CHART OF NML(After reorganisation w.e.f. 1st Sept. 2003)

h

COM ITTEES(CH RMAN)

Apex StandingCommittee (ASC)

Researchppraisal &A

MonitoringCommittee(RAMC)

Int. S&T AffairGroup . (ISTAG)

GrievanceRedressal

House Allotment

Stores & Purchase

Construction &MaintenanceCommittee (CMS)

Others need basedCommittees

Is

Advisor 1Centralised R & 0 PlanningModernisation & RefurbishingProjects InitiatioNMonitoringRAMC, ConvenerInter-lab/Inter-Institrdus. collaboration

Advisor 2General AdministrationField Station Related MattersWelfare/Community MattersHealth & MedicalHousingSecurity

Advisor 3Research CouncilBudget Planning & MonitoringAuditingStores, Disposal & Write-offTransport & Pudic Relations.

Advisor 4HRD Related MattersRecruitment at all levelsTraining Serminar/Conferences

48

47th Research Council Meet

ITop (L to R) : Prof. DD. Misra, Prof. S. P. Mehrotra, Shri P. Parvathisem and Shri R. N. Parbat.

Bottom (L to R) : Prof. T. Sundarajan, Dr. V.N. Mishra, Dr. G. Sundararajan and Dr. D. K. Biswas.

The 47th Meeting of the Research Council (RC) of the Laboratory was held on July 24,2003. The meeting was attended by its Chairman, Shri P. Parvathisem, MD, SpexEngineering Pvt. Ltd. and members : Dr. G. Sundararajan, Director, InternationalAdvanced Research Centre for Power Metallurgy & New Materials, Hyderabad; Shri R.N. Parbat, Former MD, INDAL Hydro Extrusion Ltd.; Prof. T. Sundarajan, IIT, Chennai;Prof. D.D. Misra, Director, CMRI, Dhanbad; Dr. V.N. Mishra, Director, RRL, Bhubaneswar;Prof. S.P. Mehrotra, Director, NML; scientists and technical officers of the laboratory.The RC reviewed the progress made by the laboratory during the last six months andexpressed happiness over the significant achievements presented in the meeting.

Water Testing Lab to be set up by NML, UnicefJharkhand State will soon have its first state-of-the-art water testing laboratory, courtesyUnicef and National Metallurgical Laboratory.The Unicef team that was on a four-day visitto the city had hectic deliberations with NMLscientists. NML has agreed to share the ex-pertise, in terms of both technology and man-power, with Unicef in plugging the loopholesin water and sanitation projects being imple-mented by Unicef in East Singhbhum. NML isawaiting a formal proposal from the Unicef.The laboratory will be set up in Ranchi. Threeregional centres will also be set up eventu-ally. Sahebganj and Daltonganj are the twolocations which has been decided and the thirdis yet to be finalised. Poor quality of drinkingwater, especially in villages of the six districtsof the state where there projects (Water andSanitation, Swajaldhara and the recent TotalSanitation Campaign) are being implementedunder the Rajiv Gandhi National DrinkingWater Mission, is a major cause of concernfor Unicef. For, high iron, arsenic and acidcontent in drinking water supplied through

these projects are forcing the villagers turntowards other unhygienic sources of water. "Ina model village, Dorkasai in Potka block,though all the 15 hand pumps installed therewere functional, yet the villagers showed amarked aversion towards drinking that water:'said Umesh Mehta, executive engineer, Phed,who had accompanied the Unicef team to thevillage . In other villages , pipes of hand pumpshad broken down due to high iron content.

On enquiring from the Village Watsan Com-mittee (VWSC) of Dorkasai , the villagers saiddue to extremely high iron content in the wa-ter, they were forced to consume river wateror water from other hazardous sources. Thewater testing laboratory at the office of thesuperintendent engineer . PHED , is not so so-phisticated enough to study water quality. NMLwas approached as it has a separate wing onanalytical chemistry and also has the requiredequipment and expertise for doing such work:"said Nirmal Singh , district co ordinator.

(Source : H. T. July 25)

Best Paper Award

Dr. R. K. Jana, Scientist has been awardedthe Institute's Gold Medal for the year2002-03 by the Mining Geological andMetallurgical Institute of India, Kolkata.Themedal was awarded at the Institute's 97"'Annual General Meeting held at OberoiGrand Hotel, 15, J.L.Nehru Road, Kolkata.

The Medal was conferred on Shri Jana forhis outstanding publications entitled,"Electrochlorination of sea nodules - anovel single step process for recovery ofCu, Ni and Co Published in MGMI Trans.Vol. 99 No. 1&2 (2002-03). The summaryof his work is given below

The idea of using sodium chloride aselectrolyte, readily available from sea waterprovided motivation to explore thepossibilities of electrochlorination in theprocessing of sea nodules. In such aprocess, direct electrowinning of copper,nickel and cobalt from the Indian Oceannodules has been attempted in thediaphragm cell using sodium chloride asthe electrolyte. Initially, anodic polari-zationstudies were conducted to examine theelectrodissolution of the desired metalfrom the sea nodules. It was revealed thatthe electrodissolution of oxide ore like seanodules is feasible when sodium sulphideis mixed with such an ore body. Theelectrochlorination studies conducted byeither using sodium chloride or ammoniumchloride as electrolyte with the addition ofsodium sulphide to the sea nodules yieldedappreciable dissolution of the valuablemetals. Subsequent polarisation studiessuggest that direct electrowinning of metalat cathode with sodium chloride aselectrolyte is possible only in the presenceof buffering agents like acetic acid of formicacid. Finally electro-chlorination of seanodules mixed with Na2S were carried outusing 3M sodium chloride buffered withacetic acid or formic acid. About 98% eachof copper, nickel and cobalt iselectroleached during the electrochlorina-tion. The cathode deposits were analysedto contain about 53% Cu, 58% Ni and 36%Co in 8 hrs or electrolysis. The cathodedeposits have been characterized by XRDand SEM studies.

49

Papers PublishedBandyopadhyay D., Singh S . D., Sanyal D.,Singh K . K. and Singh K.N. 2003.A studyon dissolution kinetics of carbon in liquid-ironbath. Chemical Engineering Journal, 94(2),pp. 79-92.

Bhagat A.N. Ranganathan S. and MohantyO.N.2003.Electrical-resistivity studies in low-carbon and HSLA-100 Steels. Materials Sci-

ence and Technology, 19(3), pp. 343-346.

Chakraborty J., Das S . K. Rao V. and SinhaA. 2003. Behavior of iron-ion in themorphosynthe-sis of magnetite particles. Ma-terials Transactions. 44(6), pp. 1124-1127.

Das S.K. and Godiwalla K.M. 2003. Phase-field approach-A paradigm shift in metallurgi-cal solidification modelling. Indian FoundryJournal, 49(7), pp.17.

Kumar A ., Tarafder S ., Mukherjee S., DasS.K., Ravikumar B. and Chattoraj I. 2003.Effect of plasma ion-implantation on the hy-drogen embrittlement of Cu strengthenedHSLA-1 00 steel. Journal of Materials Science.38 (12), pp. 2667-2671.

Khanra A.K., Pathak L.C., Mishra S.K. andGodkhindi M.M. 2003. Self-Propagating-High temperature Synthesis (SHS) of ultrafineZrb2 powder. Journal of Materials ScienceLetters, 22(17), pp.1189-1191.

Mehta K . D., Pandey B.D. and MankhandT.R. 2003. Studies on kinetics ofbiodissolution of metals from Indian-Oceannodules. Minerals Engineering, 16(6), pp. 523-527.

Mishra H .N. and Das C . 2003. A review onbiological-control and metabolism of aflatoxin.Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutri-tion. 43 (3), pp. 245-264.

Mishra S . K., Das S . K., Ramachandrarao P.,Belov D.Y. and Mamyan S .2003. Synthesisof zirconium diboride-alumina composite bythe Self-Propagating, High-Temperature Syn-thesis Process. Metallurgical and MaterialsTransactions A-Physical Metallurgy and Ma-terials Science.34A(9). pp. 1979-1963.

Mitra A ., Kim H.Y., Shen B.L., NishiyamaN. and Inoue A. 2003. Crystallization andmagnetic-properties of Fe40Co4O Cu0.5A12Zr9Si4B4.5 and Fe62Co9 5Gd3.5 Si10B15amorphous-alloys, Materials Transactions,44(8), pp. 1562-1565.

Mitra A . Panda A.K., Singh S.R., Rao V. andRamachandrarao P. 2003. Magnetic andstructural behaviors of nanocrystallineFe70.8Nb3.7 Cu 1A12.7Mn0.7Si13.5B7.6 al-loy. Philosophical Magazine.83 (12), pp.1495-1509.

40 Nachankar A.V., Vaish A.K., 2003 HumaneM.M., De P.K. Moghe D.V. and Pathak S.U.2003. Bake hardening mechanism in steels.J. Met. Mater Sc..45 (4). pp. 143-160.

0 Panda A.K., Ravikumar B., Basu S. andMitra A . 2003. Crystallization and soft-mag-netic properties of rapidly solidifiedFe73.5Nb3Cul Si22.5-Xbx (X=5, 9,10,11.2519) alloys. Journal of Magnetism and Mag-netic Materials, 260(1-2), pp. 70-77.

0 Panda A.K., Basu S . and Mitra A. 2003.Demagnetization effect and its correction onthe measurement of magnetic hysteresisloop of melt-spun ribbons. Journal of Mag-netism and Magnetic Materials, 261(1-2), pp.190-195.

0 Parashar S.K.S., Basu D . K., and BanerjeeM.K.2003 . Localised/galvanic corrosion ofMg-Zn-Al Alloy J. Met. Mater Sci., 45(3), pp.137-141.

0 Sinha A., Nayar S ., Murthy G.V.S., Joy PA,Rao V. and Ramachandrarao P. 2003.Biomimetic synthesis of superparamagneticiron-oxide particles in proteins. Journal ofMaterials Research, 18(6), pp. 1309-1313.

• Srikanth S., Rao D .S., Das S.K., RavikumarB., Nandakumar K., Dhanuskodi R. andVijayan P. 2003.Combustion and deposit for-mation behavior on the fireside surfaces ofa pulverized fuel boiler fired with a blend ofcoal and petroleum coke. Combustion Sci-ence and Technology, 175 (9), pp.1625-1647.

0 Sinha A., Chakraborty J., Das S.K. andRamachandrarao P. 2003. Self-assembledgrowth of calcite particles on a tobacco film.Current Science, 84 (11), pp. 1437-1440.

0 Sinha I . and Mandal R.K. 2003. Simulatingthe effect of glass microstructures on thecrystallization and percolation behavior ofglass-ceramics. Journal of Non-CrystallineSolids, 324 (1-2), pp. 36-49.

0 Sahoo K.L., Das S.K. and Murty B.S.2003.Formation of novel microstructures in con-ventionally cast Al-Fe-V-Si alloys. MaterialsScience and Engineering A-Structural Ma-terials Properties Microstructure and Pro-cessing, 355 (1-2), pp. 193-200.

0 Sahoo K.L., Rao V. and Mitra A . 2003. Crys-tallization kinetics in an amorphous AI-Ni-mm-Fe alloy. Materials Transactions, 44(6),pp. 1075-1080.

0 Sahoo K.L. and Das S .K.2003. Effect ofmagnesium on sliding wear performance ofCast Al-8.3Fe-0.8V-0.9Si alloys. MaterialsScience and Technology, 19, pp. 959.

9 Vaish A.K., Minz R . K. and Prasad Y.Maruti.2003. Modern features for the opti-mum performance of blast furnace. J. Met.Mater Sci.,43 (3) pp. 103-125.

9 Venkateswarlu K., Das S.K. ChakrabortyM. and Murty B.S. 2003. Influence of thermo-mechanical treatment of AI-5Ti master alloyon its grain refining performance on aluminum.Materials Science and Engineering A-Struc-tural Materials Properties Microstructure andProcessing, 351(1-2), pp. 237-243.

Ongoing SponsoredR&D at NMI

• Creep evaluation of power plant components forCentral Mechanical Engineering Research Inst.,(Project Leader: Dr. S. Choudhury)

• CLIP software for Central Mechanical Engg. Re-search Institute, (Project Leader: Dr. R.N.Ghosh)

Biomimetic synthesis of super paramagneticparticles for diagnostic applications for Dept. ofScience & Technology, (Project Leader: Dr. A.Sinha/S.Nayar)

Nano crystallisation studies on cobalt contain-ing bulk metallic glass for Dept. of Science &Technology, (Project Leader: Dr. A. Sinha/Dr.A.Pra)

0 Development of self-assembled mesoporousaluminium phosphate through biomoleculartemplating for Dept. of Science & Technology,(Project Leader: Dr. A. Sinha/Dr.J. Chakravarty)

• Residual stress measurement of rails at JSPL,Raigarh for Jindal Steel & Poer Ltd., (ProjectLeader: Dr. S. Sivaprasad)

• Evaluation of retained austenite in new rotaryslide valves for Hindustan Aeronautic Ltd.,(Project Leader: Dr. S.R. Singh)

• Failure analysis of reformer tube for Indianfertilizers co-operative Ltd., (Project Leader: Dr.R. Singh)

• Failure analysis of pipes for Oil & Natural GasCorporation Ltd., (Project Leader: Dr. S.G.Choudhari)

• Low temperature fracture behaviour of line pipesteel for Offshore Testing & Inspection, (ProjectLeader: Dr. S.S. Prasad)

• Mechanical profile and microstructural assess-ment of first stage turbine blade before and af-ter rejuvenation for National Thermal PowerCorporation Ltd., (Project Leader: Dr. S.R. Singh)

• Development of AI-Ti and Al-Ti-B master alloysand their thermo mechanical treatment forbetter grain refining efficiency for Dept. ofScience and Technology, (Project Leader: Dr.K. Venkateswarlu)

0 Thermomechanical characterisation of ceramiccoating for combustion chamber liners/combus-tors lines for ARDB, Ministry of Defence, (ProjectLeader: Dr. A. Ray)

• Aerosol synthesis of nano-crystalline zirconiatoughened alumina powders for Dept. of Sci-ence & Technology, (Project Leader: Dr. L.C.Pathak)

• Development of ultra low carbon bainitic steelsfor off-shore & on-shore structures for Dept. ofScience & Technology, (Project Leader: Dr. L.C.Pathak)

• Studies on thermal characteristics of LCA brakesample for Aeronautical Development Agency,(Project Leader: Dr. A. J. Kailath)

• Biomimetic synthesis of inorganic materialsunder microgravity for ISRO, (Project Leader:Dr. A. Sinha)

50

n Relationship between microstructure and ultra-sonic attenuation in Ti alloy and Ni alloys forAR&DB, (Project Leader: Dr. G.V.S. Murthy)

n Magnetic evaluation of fatigue damage anddeformation (Indo US Collaboration Project) forDept, of Science & Technology, (Project Leader:Dr. A. Mitra)

n Investigation on the fusion of rotary slide valve& sleeve for Indian Air Force, (Project Leader:Dr. S.R. Singh)

n Studies of the magnetic properties of Fe-Sialloys developed at VSSC for Vikram SarabhaiSpace Centre, (Project Leader: Dr. A. Mitra)

n Evaluation of creep rupture properties ofthermal power plant components for CentralMech. Engineering Research Centre, (ProjectLeader: Dr. R. Singh)

n Metallurgical investigation of failure of boiler tubefor Jindal Steel & Power Ltd., (Project Leader:Dr.R.Singh)

n Stress rupture test for Uttar Pradesh Steels,(Project Leader: Dr. S. Choudhuri)

n Development of suitable materials to combat ex-cessive abrasion wear in coal grinding mix com-ponent for Central Electricity Authority/CPRI,(Project Leader: Dr. D.K. Bhattacharya)

n Development of silt erosion resistant materialfor turbines of hydrogenerators for CentralElectricity Authority/CPR[, (Project Leader: Dr.D.K. Bhattacharya)

n Assessment of boiler tubing based on stressrupture test for Central Electricity Authority/CPRI. (Project Leader: Dr. D.K. Bhattacharya)

n Residual life assessment of process gas andsteam pre-heater for Chambal Fertilisers andChemicals Ltd., (Project Leader: Dr. S.Chaudhuri)

n RLA work for two ebd rings of M.G.S. for CESC,(Project Leader: Dr. A. Ray)

n RLA work for end rings of Titagarh generatingstation for CESC Ltd., (Project Leader: Dr. A.Ray)

n Non-destructive Evaluation (NDE) Facility for in-frastructure asset management for Dept. of Sci-ence & Technology, (Project Leader: Dr. D.K.Bhattacharya)

n Synthesis of Nd-Fe-B magnet alloy powder bychemical route for Dept. of Science & Technol-ogy, (Project Leader: Dr. V. Rao)

n RLA studies for M/s UBL, Jamshedpur forAssociated Power Team (P) Ltd., (ProjectLeader: Dr. A. Ray)

n Synthesis, charac. And evaluation of anionsupported mixed oxide nanocomposite mater.as solid acid catalyst for DST (Project Leader:Dr. T. Mishra)

n High strength formable steels for automobile ap-plications for Tata Steel (Project Leader: Dr. A.K.Vaish)

n Studies on multi gravity separator for treatingfine coal for Central Mine Planning and DesignInstitute Ltd. (Project Leader: Shri J.P.Srivastava)

CSIR Diamond Jubilee LecturesNML organised a series of lectures byeminent scientists to mark the DiamondJubilee Year of CSIR. During July toSeptember 2003, the following lectureswere organised.

Prof. S.K. Gupta, Dept. of Chem Engg.,Indian Institute of Technology, (IIT) Kanpurspoke on "Genetic Algorithm and its Usein the Multi-Objective Optimization ofIndustrial Processes" on 14 July, 2003.

Prof. S.P. Mehrotra, Director, NML,Jamshedpur delivered the talk on"Mathematical Modelling: A Wonder Toolif Judiciously Used" on 21 Si August, 2003.

Dr.Baldev Raj, Director, Materials Groups,IGCAR, Kalpakkam spoke on "R&Dchallenges in the Technology of FastBreeder Reactors for Energy Security inthe Country" on 1St September, 2003.

Dr.A.Ghosh, Formerly Professor IIT,Kanpur delivered the lecture on "Researchand Development in Steel Making - MyExperience" on 3rd September, 2003.

Dr.Sanak Mishra, MD, Rourkela SteelPlant-Rourkela presented the lecture on"Some thoughts on Leadership andKnowledge" on 23 September, 2003.

• Sri Manjit Singh , Tech. Asstt. haswon 3rd position (singles ) in the EastSinghbhum District Carrom tourna-ment held at Jamshedpur on 9th and10th August 2003 . In doubles, SriManjit Singh and Md. Naeem Ansariof NML became the runners up.

• Sri Manjit Singh and Sri R. Rajurepresented East Singhbhum District

in Carrom competition organised forthe Jharkhand State CarromChampionship held at Jamshedpuron 19th and 22th August 2003.

• NML team qualified for the finals inBridge, Carrom, Chess, and Tabletannis at the 36th SSBM ZonalTournament held at IHBT, Palampur(HP) on July 3-5, 2003,

NML team at IHBT, Palampur.

51

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Wishing a Happy Retired Life

Shri B.Toppo, JSA; Dr. S.C. Srivastava,Gr.IV(5); Shri P.R. Sastry, Gr.ll1(6); Shri R.D.Singh, Gr.11(5); Shri Swanabal, Gr.1(4); ShriN.C.Mahato, Gr.ll(4): Shri Kisto Behra,Gr.l(4); Shri Gugul Sinha, Gr.II(4).

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Independence Day celebrationsIndependence Day was celebrated on 15 August, 2003 by hoisting the National Flag byProf. S.P. Mehrotra, Director at NML premises. Mrs. Archana Mehrotra, hoisted the Flag atNML Agrico Flats campus and NML Tuiladungri Colony. A colourful cultural programmewas also presented by the children of the staff club members at NML Auditorium. Drawingcompetition and essay competition were organized on this occasion by the staff club.

EDITED & PRODUCED BY Dr. N.G. GOSWAMI. HEAD. INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND DISSEMINATION CENTRE, NMLPUBLISHED BY DIRECTOR, NATIONAL METALLURGICAL LABORATORY, JAMSHEDPUR - 831 007Phone : 91+ (0657) 2271715, 2271709-14, E-mail : director@nmlindia.org, Website : www.nmlindia.org

Printed at Steel City Press, Jamshedpur - 831 001, Ph.. 2439861