Summer Training:Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore(JNCASR) apply soon!!!

What is this all about ?
Summer fellowship at Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, in association with Dept. of Science and Technology and Rajiv Gandhi Foundation, New Delhi

The Centre offers summer fellowships for two months to bright undergraduate and MSc students (renewable for a second year for selected students). This programme has proved to be popular and competitive; each year, about 5000 students from all over India apply for the 120 fellowships awarded. Fifty fellowships are supported by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, fifteen by the Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Contemporary Studies, New Delhi, and the rest by the Centre. Students are placed with research groups at the Centre or with scientists else where in India. They are paid travel expenses and a monthly stipend of Rs. 5000. Selected students get the opportunity to participate in cutting-edge research, and several summer projects have led to publications in leading journals. A random sample of projects pursued in past years is: Preparation of La0.5Sr0.5Co03 by Sol-Gel spin coating method; Study of correlated response to selection on faster development and early reproduction in Drosophila melanogaster; A study of the chaotic nature of flow in the neighborhood of vortices; Statistical analysis of fatal mining accidents in eight companies of Coal India Ltd. Many of the summer students of past years have gone on to pursue graduate studies and a research career, at the JNCASR or at another leading university.

Research Areas:

1.  Life Sciences: Infectious and non-infectious diseases, bioinformatics, developmental biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, life-history evolution, immunology, circadian biology, animal behaviour, behavioural ecology, evolutionary genetics, experimental evolution, chronobiology, behavior.
2. Material Sciences: Including Nano Sciences, energy and green materials.
3. Chemical Sciences: Solid state chemistry, theoretical/computational chemistry, inorganic, physical, organic chemistry.
4. Physical Sciences:Condensed matter theory and experiment, statistical physics, semiconductor materials physics, biophysics, nano physics, polymer physics, organic electronics, computational material science, soft matter.
5. Engineering Sciences:Theoretical and computational fluid dynamics, flow of complex fluids, granular media, experimental fluid mechanics, thermal science, chemical engineering and physical metallurgy, non-linear dynamics including planetary dynamics.
6. Mathematics: Fundamental Groups, Simplicial Homology and Triangulations.
7. Atmospheric Sciences:Atmospheric boundary layer, near-surface environment, radiation, solar-terrestrial relations, monsoon dynamics, modelling.

Who Can Apply?
Academic requirements: * Students who have secured not less than 80% (science and maths subjects only) in their 10th , 12th(10 +2) and not less than first class in graduation and post graduation(if applicable).

Only students presently studying in I and II year of B.Sc., I, II and III year of B.E / B.Tech. / B.V.Sc./ MBBS / B.Pharm., I year of M.Sc. and I - IV year of Integrated M.Sc with the above mentioned academic requirements should apply.

Fellowship/Stipend:
The students selected under this programme are placed with scientists at the Centre or elsewhere in India, for 2 months with a stipend of Rs. 5000 /- p.m and travel support as per Govt. of India norms.

Applications:
Detailed information and application form can be downloaded from
http://www.jncasr.ac.in/srfp.फ्पफ्पor may be obtained by writing to the address mentioned below with a self-addressed envelope of 16x25 cms with stamp of Rs. 10/-

Submission deadline:11th December 2009

Important Info:
About 15 students will be chosen as Rajiv Gandhi Science Talent Research Fellows based on the completed project reports
Additional guidelines for Summer Fellows placed in the JNCASR ONLY.
All summer students should inform the JNCASR well in advance about the exact duration of their visit. The Fellowships section will then request the appropriate authority for accommodation, and let the Fellow know where he/she will be staying.
In special cases where a student needs to visit the Centre for a period in addition to that covered by the Fellowship, the guide may send in a request to this effect. The Centre will try to make their stay possible and fruitful. It is important that such students should inform the Fellowships section about the exact dates of their stay well in advance. Only students who receive an e-mail confirmation of accommodation being reserved for them can expect to be housed by the Centre. The student should carry money required for security deposit.

* Those not fulfilling the criteria are advised not to apply.

other Important dates:
Hard copy request for application form: 23rd November 2009
Downloading application form from website: 01st December 2009
Only selected candidates will be intimated by 31st March-2010 and the list will also be available on the web site.

All correspondence should be addressed to:
 The Assistant Coordinator
Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research,
Jakkur P.O., Bangalore 560 064
Fax: 080-22082980; Phone: 080-22082776
E-mail: mailto:srfp@jncasr.ac.in

Website: http://www.jncasr.ac.in/srfp.फ्प 

Indi Proff
http://indiproff.blogspot.com/
http://junctiont.blogspot.com/

An NGO Research Institute dedicates itself for Sustainable Rural Development; carries out breakthrough research : NARI,Phaltan,India

To Indi Proff!!!

"Thank you for spreading the word around. We are a small rural NGO and hence spreading the word around by well wishers like you helps."
Anil K Rajvanshi, Ph.D.
Director
Nimbkar Agricultural Research Institute (NARI)


There is never a barrier if we want to do some things in life. Here is a similar example of  research institute cum NGO in India which is striving for sustainable rural development.It is also a wonderful example of  commitment by a person of great character and sacrifice, Anil K. Rajvanshi.He is one of those Indian's who left a very lucrative career in U.S. to come and work for rural development in India(find more about him at the end of the article). Under his esteemed guidance NARI recieved high accolades for its award winning research work on developing a low grade ethanol lantern. This project won the prestigious Globe Award which was given by HRH Crown Princess Victoria on 3 June 2009 in a ceremony in Stockholm, Sweden.This lantern can be used in a two way manner- cooking as well as lighting for the rural household. These lanterns are environmental friendly and also produceds light equivalent to a 100 watt bulb. More can be know from about the insittutes research from the following list of achievements on renewable energy:

- NARI has pioneered the development of an extremely efficient multifuel lantern called Noorie for rural areas. The pressurized mantle lantern produces light output equivalent to that from a 100 W light bulb and can run on ethanol, diesel and kerosene. Presently the work is going on in running a modified lantern on a very safe mixture of 50% (w/w) ethanol-water. These lanterns have been test marketed in India, Europe and USA.

- Complete technology for producing ethanol from sweet sorghum has been developed. A number of high ethanol yielding varieties have been produced. A pilot plant capable of producing huge amount of ethanol using only solar energy for distillation was set up at NARI.

- NARI has developed a stove running on 50% (w/w) and more ethanol/water concentration. This stove can be very useful for rural areas where low grade ethanol can be easily distilled. This low grade ethanol/water mixture is a very safe fuel for cooking. Recently an article has been written regarding the policy issues of using ethanol as a cooking and lighting fuel for rural households.

- NARI has pioneered the program of Energy Self Sufficient Talukas. This was the concept proposed by the Dr. A. K. Rajvanshi the Director of NARI and was the basis of National policy and program implemented by Ministry of Non-conventional Energy Sources (MNES), Govt. of India, New Delhi. Consequently 35-40 biomass based power plants have been financed by IREDA all over the country. Recently this concept has been further extended to include food and energy security. Hence in an article it has been shown that Taluka's can provide critical mass for India's development.

- A new concept of sustainable development based on Gandhian principles has been mooted. It is shown that the old saying "simple living and high thinking" may show a new pathway of sustainable development for developing countries. Consequently NARI is trying to establish a center for sustainable development in which most of the ideas and technologies developed in the Institute will be taught to the participants.

- Recently NARI has pioneered a concept of microutility for villages. This concept has been taken up by Maharashtra Electricty Regulatory Commission (MERC) and will be implemented as a part of new rural energy policy in Maharshtra so that power for all could be provided. This concept has been further extended to provide for electricty and water simultaneously in rural areas. Another concept for using biogas based microutilities have also been promoted.

- NARI has pioneered the development of technology for gasification of loose leafy biomass fuels like sugarcane leaves and bagasse, sweet sorghum stalks and bagasse, different types of grasses etc. A 500 kW (thermal) gasifier has been successfully tested in an actual user-industry in India. The gasification technology for thermal applications is ready for commercialization.

- A novel technology to increase survival of tree seedlings in arid regions has been developed. Solar energy is used to collect water from soil, which is then fed to the seedlings. Data for the last 5 years has shown 100% seedling survival. NARI is on the lookout for interested agencies/NGOs who can take this up on a large scale.

- NARI has developed technology for solar detoxification of distillery waste using photocatalysts. The obnoxious distillery waste is made odorless and completely colorless. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) is also reduced drastically. Efforts are underway to set up a pilot scale plant for treating 100 l/day of diluted effluent

- NARI has developed technologies for production of fresh water from sea and dew. Interesting concept of large-scale desalination of seawater has been developed. Similarly a concept of condensing dew for fresh water supply has also been developed.

- NARI has pioneered the development of electric and improved cycle rickshaws. Consequently three rickshaws have been developed: a) improved cycle rickshaws with five speed gears, back wheel braking and better suspension b) motor assisted cycle rickshaws (MAPRA) where a small PMDC motor powered by batteries helps the rickshaw puller to go over slopes and take load easily and c) completely battery driven rickshaw which can take two passengers at 30 Km/hr. In one battery charge this rickshaw can travel 80 Km distance. Efforts are on to market these rickshaws.

- NARI has developed a motor assisted and hand operated rickshaw for physically handicapped persons. It is christened as MANHARA. It can carry one person to 20 km in one battery charge and at speeds of 8-10 km/hr. MANHARA is undergoing testing and evaluation.

- Recently a policy paper has been written on the whole issue of cooking and lighting R&D strategy for India. Also another publication discusses the issue of rural development for the poor. Similarly a lead editorial article in Times of India was published on the issue of making farms produce energy. NARI scientists also presented a thematic paper on the strategy for biofuels at a recently held National Conference on Oilseeds.


- NARI has recently published a paper on the use of nanotechnology for rural development. It is shown in the paper that use of high technology can accelerate the rural development. This is a novel concept which is being taken up by various organizations world over. NARI's paper on cooking and lighting energy R&D strategy was the forerunner of this concept and formed the basis of how R&D should be conducted for rural development.

- After the recent Tsunami tragedy in southern India, NARI was requested to provide inputs on possible technologies for disaster management. Consequently a short note on these technologies have been prepared. This has elicited favourable response from media and government.


The list of achievements is unending and they are actively carrying out research in the fields of agriculture, renewable energy and Animal Husbandry.

The institute looks for volunteers who can work as research trainees and also encourages people to join the institute.(institute has a MOU with University of Florida to take interns in engineering)
for more information: http://www.nariphaltan.org/nari/about_work.php

The institute accepts donations and cotributions both in cash and kind.The Institute has a Tax exempt status under Section 35(1)(ii) of the Income Tax Act which results in contributions and donations to the Institute being 100-125% tax deductible (100% for individuals and 125% for companies). NARI is also registered under Foreign Contribution Regulatory Act and hence can accept foreign donations.

For making a Donation visit : http://www.nariphaltan.org/nari/donation_main.php


About the Director Dr.Rajvanshi
After obtaining B.Tech. and M.Tech. degrees in Mechanical Engineering from I.I.T. Kanpur in early 1970’s, Dr. Rajvanshi went to USA to pursue a Ph.D. degree at the University of Florida in Gainesville, U.S.A. He received his Ph.D. in mechanical engineering in 1979 with specialization in solar energy and then taught at the University of Florida for two and half years before returning to India in 1981 to join NARI.After which he nurtured the institute to the present structure.He has more than 160 publications, some of them in prestigious national and international journals, seven patents, three chapters in books and two books (one on spirituality and other on his experiences as a student in 1970s in US) for more on his achivements refer to http://education.vsnl.com/nimbkar/biodata.html

Indi Proff
http://indiproff.blogspot.com/
http://junctiont.blogspot.com/

Old posts by Indi Proff on NARI: http://indiproff.blogspot.com/2009/06/know-about-nimbkar-agricultural.html

Nobel Prize winners in Science (Physics, Chemistry and Medicine) :Year 2009

Physics:2009

Charles Kuen (Born 4 November 1933) who is widely regarded as the "Father of Fiber Optic Communications", was awarded half of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics for "groundbreaking achievements concerning the transmission of light in fibers for optical communication".

Willard Sterling Boyle (born August 19, 1924)is a Canadian physicist and co-inventor of the charge-coupled device.
AND
George Elwood Smith (born May 10, 1930) is an American scientist, applied physicist, and co-inventor of the charge-coupled device.

On October 6, they were awarded a one-quarter share each in the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics for "the invention of an imaging semiconductor circuit—the CCD sensor".


Chemistry: 2009

Venkatraman "Venki" Ramakrishnan (born 1952 in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu, India) is a structural biologist at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, England.

Thomas Arthur Steitz (born August 23, 1940) is a Sterling Professor of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut, USA

Ada E. Yonath (born 1939) is an Israeli crystallographer best known for her pioneering work on the structure of the ribosome. She is the current director of the Helen and Milton A. Kimmelman Center for Biomolecular Structure and Assembly of the Weizmann Institute of Science. She become the first Israeli woman to win the Nobel Prize out of nine Israeli Nobel laureates, and the first woman in 45 years to win the Nobel Prize for Chemistry.

Venkatraman Ramakrishnan,Thomas Arthur Steitz and Ada E. Yonath were together awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry "for studies of the structure and function of the ribosome".


Physiology/Medicine:2009

Elizabeth Helen Blackburn, (born November 26, 1948) is an Australian born biological researcher at the University of California, San Francisco.

Carolyn Widney "Carol" Greider (born April 15, 1961) is a molecular biologist at the Johns Hopkins University, USA

Jack William Szostak (born November 9, 1952) is a biologist and Professor of Genetics at Harvard Medical School and Alexander Rich Distinguished Investigator at Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.

All three share the 2009 Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for “the discovery of how chromosomes are protected by telomeres”. Apart from this achievement Elizabeth Blackburn Co-discovered telomerase enzyme (responsible for replicating telomere) with Carolyn Widney who worked under her in 1984.

related posts : http://indiproff.blogspot.com/2009/11/nobel-prize-winners-in-sciencephysics.html


Indi Proff
http://indiproff.blogspot.com/
http://junctiont.blogspot.com/