Grant Water And Sanitation District Surface Discharge: Fill & Download for Free

Sewers could be a step backward in terms of sanitationThe Dutch city of Leiden and the English city of London both experienced high and low points for the same reason but at different times. Lets call it a tale of two cities.LeidenLeiden is one of the older cities in Holland and for a long time the second largest city after Amsterdam.It was founded on the banks of the Old Rhine which, as the name suggests, was the the route the Rhine had towards the sea before it changed course southward.The Romans had a fort called Matilo as part of the Limes on the spot where Leiden would arise.In the Middle Ages a settlement reappeared on the spot as a possession of the Bishop of Utrecht by the name of Leithon.By early 15th century the city cannot have had more than 5000 inhabitants but it would experience a boom in population. Just prior to the siege of Leiden in the late 16th century it had 16.000 inhabitants and by the 1660s this had risen to 62.000 people.Above: The population for the cities of Leiden and Haarlem, note that Amsterdam experienced a similar burst of expansion between 1560 and 1630 due to the influx of skilled workers from the Southern Netherlands.It is home to the oldest university of the Netherlands which was granted by William of Orange for the valiant defence during the Siege of Leiden. The city also used to be one of the big textile producing cities of the 17th century. It was where the Pilgrim moved to before heading to the New World.As William Bradford (governor) would write:For these & other reasons they removed to Leyden, a fair & bewtifull citie, and of a sweete situation, but made more famous by ye universitie wherwith it is adorned, in which of late had been so many learned man. But wanting that traffike by sea which Amerstdam injoyes, it was not so beneficiall for their outward means of living & estats. But being now hear pitchet they fell to such trads & imployments as they best could; valewing peace & their spirituall comforte above any other riches whatsoever. And at length they came to raise a competente & comforteable living, but with hard and continuall labor. - Of Plymouth PlantationAbove: Leiden in the year 1649 after some rapid expansion of the city had taken place.It was probably a good thing the Pilgrim left for Plymouth when they did because shortly after they left Leiden turned to shit.Quite literally.Leiden was founded on the banks of the old Rhine which provided the city not only with an easy means of transport (thanks to all the canals) but also with a source of relatively clean drinking water. As such the people in charge of Medieval Leiden had drawn up quite a list of ‘common sense’ rules to make sure the cities water was clean. In fact a lot of building codes were also quite stringent.For example wooden buildings and thatched roofs were forbidden. Houses had to be constructed with brick or stone and roofed with slate or tile in an effort to prevent city fires.Houses were built on regular plots of land from the 14th century onward and archaeological evidence suggests nearly all excavated plots possessed a private cesspit, most of them high quality brick lined ones.Not unsurprising since a Leiden bylaw of 1463 mandates ‘every house [including those] that are rented must have a privy at its disposal’. Crucially the law also stipulated that “the privy should be a stand-alone facility, meaning that an overflow or sewer that drained into the nearest canal was prohibited.”The ‘cesspit law’ passed in Leiden reveals that in the late mediaeval period there were three stakeholders, each with different interests when it came to sanitation management: the local government, tenants, and housing developers or landlords. Whenever municipal legislators spoke out in favour of this ordinance, all arguments referred to the public interest of having high-quality water in the town’s canals and to its importance for the social and economic infrastructure. The accumulation of dirt and sludge in canals, which were the main transport routes, was considered harmful to the local economy. Moreover, the blocked waterways hampered the drawing of water from the canals for extinguishing fires (Hamaker, 1873: 148–49; Huizinga, 1911: 316).This was not solely a local concern: along with stench and contamination, the by-laws of other towns in north-western Europe also frequently mention ‘traffic hindrance’ as a reason for similar laws (Jørgensen, 2010b: 37). Apart from these practical considerations, draining human waste into the canals was also believed to harm the common good (Jørgensen, 2010a). Polluting and clogging the town’s arteries (i.e. waterways) would threaten the urban body or body social (Rawcliffe, 2013). The emergence of cesspits and the policy of the city fathers in the water-rich towns of the Dutch coastal provinces can be regarded as material evidence of a utilitarian principle being applied. This principle of the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the few was expressed in the form of policies and statutes employing such terms as res publica and bonum commune communitatis (Stein et al., 2010).…Landlords were responsible for providing cesspits for all of their housing, regardless of the rental rate, and the ordinance stated that if landlords failed to fulfil their obligation, tenants should notify the city fathers. More specifically, the law stated that any tenant who moved after 1 May into a house that had a privy draining directly into a canal should report this within a month.Cesspits which did not drain into the canals kept the quality of the surface water at an acceptable level. Furthermore if properly built with a brick lining they should not pollute the groundwater at great distances. People made sure to built wells at some distance from cesspits.However when you look at their estimated date of usage it appears people stopped using cesspits around or about the time the population boomed.The reason for this trend is quite simple to explain.Capitalism and the needs of the few outweighed the needs of the many. The migration of skilled workers from the Southern Netherlands to the North boosted the textile production of Leiden. At the same time the landlords who were supposed to pay for the emptying of cesspits found the cost associated onerous.Already quite early the Textile barons had managed to suppress wages of the workers.By 1500 wealth inequality in Leiden (and to a lesser degree in Haarlem) was considerable by international standards (Van Zanden, 1998: 38). The close collaboration between the richest textile entrepreneurs (drapers) and the city council in implementing a repressive pay policy was typical for Leiden at that time; it meant that fullers, tuckers, dyers, and weavers had an extremely low earning potential in contrast to the wealthy textile barons at the top (Brand, 2008: 100–03). The Armenrapport (Poverty Report), written in 1577 by Leiden’s talented stadssecretaris (town clerk) Jan van Hout (1542–1609), reveals that the extreme poverty in Leiden was caused by textile entrepreneurs who were solely motivated by becoming ‘rich, powerful, and great and never cared about paying their craftworkers a fair wage but forced their workers into a position of slavery’ (Kaptein, 1998: 150; see Van Maanen, 2010 for the background to the Poverty Report).But with the huge influx of skilled workers from the South the housing situation became more pressing.The unprecedented, large, and rapid demographic rise affected everyday life for Leiden’s inhabitants, most notably in the continuous shortage of housing (Noordam, 2003: 43–45; Van Maanen, 2009: 54–57; Van Oerle, 1975: 430–34). Dwellings were being constructed — in Leiden the housing stock rose by 182 per cent within twenty-five years (1581–1606) — but the demand for cheap housing continued to outpace supply (Daelemans, 1975: 187). Many families lived in shared accommodation (Posthumus, 1939: 161). The few available records of rental rates for houses in Leiden suggest that between 1581 and 1619 average rents rose by 240 per cent (Posthumus, 1939: 208).Textile barons wanted to harness the large influx of skilled labour for their enterprise and needed to have the workers housed. The landlords struggled to accommodate this flood of immigrants in part due to extensive building codes. Building houses in brick and tile is more expensive than wood. Furthermore brick lined cesspits needed to be emptied out every couple of years which cost the equivalent of a month or three worth of rent, not something the landlords were eager to cough up.Above: a brick lined and domed cesspit in the NetherlandsIt seems these two powerful interest groups got the city government to ease building regulations.Shortly before the year 1600 cesspits were increasingly discarded and replaced by brick sewers. Unlike cesspits these did not need to be periodically emptied since they drained straight into the canals, for landlords this meant less money spend on sanitation. Needless to say I find the modern notion that sewers were the superior option or somehow the hallmark of modernity an odd one.The building codes also went out of the window along with the requirement that work be done by certified professionals.The local government of Leiden, consisting mainly of textile entrepreneurs, were ready to welcome as many skilled textile workers from the southern Netherlands as possible. Leiden did not want them to go elsewhere, to Amsterdam or Haarlem (Posthumus, 1939: 159). Prior to the extension of the town boundaries in 1611, the town council of Leiden had repeatedly called for expanding the town; indeed they regretted that too few workers (arbeytsluyden) were settling locally, ‘owing to a lack of appropriate housing’ (‘door gebreck van bequame huysinge’; Van Oerle, 1975: 350). In the seventeenth century the top textile entrepreneurs constantly pressed for an expansion of the town to provide housing for their workers (Posthumus, 1939: 977).Eventually, obstructive regulations governing house construction were lifted, and contrary to mediaeval regulations, the building of timber dwellings was permitted (Daelemans, 1975: 200). The town council gave free rein to the housing industry to remedy the shortage as soon as possible.By 1640 the shortage was still severe. So many inhabitants lived intra muros ‘that no dwellings were unoccupied and there were no vacant areas where anyone might live properly’ (‘datter geen huysen off plaetsen ledich staen, waer yemandt bequamelick soude mogen wonen’; Posthumus, 1939: 976). Large dwellings were demolished to be replaced by ‘small hovels’ (‘kleine krotties’; Posthumus, 1939: 977). The town council even took the exceptional measure of removing the builders’ monopoly. It was no longer necessary for bricklayers, carpenters, and other craftsmen to be members of a guild to ply their trade. The town council assumed that foreign artisans and ‘cobblers’ would work with greater speed than guild members (Posthumus, 1939: 977–78).Many of the new plots were bought by carpenter/mason housing developers who started building sewers en masse. In short the industrialists governing the city of Leiden turned it into a slum. A reeking slum at that.The shit and piss of some 62.000 citizens was deposited in the nearly stagnant canals of Leiden. In 1633 Jan Pietersz Dou was send to research the problem of the limited flow of the canals and attributed it largely to all the sewers draining into the canals. In 1670 Adam Thomasz Verduyn wrote that fish had completely disappeared from the river and canals owing to the incredible pollution.He called the city a ‘stinck-gat’ (stink-hole) and said the entire city reeked like a ‘gemeen privaet’ (common privy).Solutions to this self induced problem were already suggested in the 1590s with windmill operated pumps to pump out the dirty water being one of them. Closing the sewers up again was suggested but not implemented. Only in the 1680s did a provision come into effect which had the outlet of the sewers discharge below the lowest water level in the canals in an effort to improve the smell.However literally shitting up the city was not just something which killed all the fish or made the city smell like a reeking privy, it brought some serious health consequences with it.As Adam Thomasz Verduyn, calling himself a friend of the people, wrote in 1670 the cities brewers continued to draw water from the extremely polluted canals because they couldn’t be bothered to source fresh water beyond the city limits. As he so elegantly put it in 17th century Dutch they [the brewers of Leiden]:‘Geven zij den luyden haer vuyle pis, met dreck en water gemenght, te drincken’‘Give the people their dirty piss, mixed with shit and water to drink’Needless to say these malty piss and shit cocktails weren’t too healthy. In 1669 between June and December some 40.000 of the cities 62.000 people fell ill and 1900 died. This disease was:‘ontstaen door het brack, stinckent water en bier daeruyt gebrouwen’‘caused by the smelly brackish water and the beer brewed from it’The likely culprit based on symptoms shown by the inhabitants was Cholera, though the European rather than the Asiatic form of the disease. The situation wasn’t adequately resolved until the 19th century when better water supplies, the closing of sewers and filling of canals was pushed through by the sanitation movement.Interestingly enough the city of Haarlem only 27 kilometers north of Leiden managed to avoid a similar fate. While Haarlem did have a textile industry the most important industry was brewing. Beer from Haarlem was exported to other cities in the Netherlands but also to other European countries. Given its chief position and economic importance the Brewers managed to successfully petition the city government to ban and persecute any who tried to built sewers. Furthermore they fought other industrial groups such as linnen bleachers who they reckoned polluted the water in the city canals. As such Haarlem remained a much cleaner and healthier city until the 19th century.All of the above information and citation is from Roos van Oosten’s paper ‘The Dutch Great Stink: The End of the Cesspit Era in the Pre-Industrial Towns of Leiden and Haarlem’. Additionally she published a much more extensive book called ‘De stad, het vuil en de beerput : De opkomst, verbreiding en neergang van de beerput in stedelijke context ’. Both of them are interesting reads although I can imagine they might be covering something of a niche interest————————-LondonIt is often said history repeats itself first as tragedy, then as farce. This is more or less what happened in London as they followed Leiden down the path of pollution and Cholera. London has a history that goes back way further than Leiden but in terms of sanitation it is frighteningly similar.It sits at a convenient crossing point of the Thames and was developed into a proper city by the Romans.Medieval London had several public toilets one of which I believe was on or about London Bridge. The more usual way of disposing waste however were cesspits like in Leiden. Judging by the Nuisance Law these could be lined or unlined, the lined cesspits being allowed to be constructed closer to neighbouring properties.Though a favourite of Medieval depictions of the city neither polluting the river or the street was permissible. To give an example:Thomas Sherman and John le Soutere…were committed to prison for casting mud and rushes into the Thames (1365), and ―If the wardens found anyone casting rubbish, gravel or dung out of their doors into the said streets…they were to levy from each offender the sum of 2s…(1367).Note that 2 shilling in the 14th century was the equivalent of several weeks of wages, not a trivial sum.Water came from multiple sources. The brewers used water from the Thames and when the tide was particularly strong it is said the ale could taste salty. London was also famed for some springs and wells built to tap into them, in the 15th century one writer particularly lauds some wells just outside the city limit in the north. These wells continued to supply large parts of London well into the 19th century.The shallow wells of London were an ancient and a popular institution. Although the value of these well-waters was said to be popularly estimated by the brilliancy with which they sparkled, their flavour was also important in their popularity. The notorious Broad Street pump, for example, was so much to one lady's taste that she regularly had its water brought to her home in Hampstead.In 1245 the city government also started work on the Great Conduit which was a series of pipes that brought in water from the Tyburn spring 4.3 kilometers away to Cheapside inside the city. For a generous sum people could also get a private line from this great conduit to their homes. The diameter of those pipes not being allowed to be very thick for fear that the pressure would drop too much.In 1582 a Dutchman or German by the name of Peter Morice constructed one of the first pumps within the city limits. A waterwheel set in the strong current under London Bridge powered pumps which pumped up the water and piped it to customers.Above: A slightly newer version (circa 1700) but using the same principle as the Morice pump.The Great Fire of London destroyed this device but Peter’s Grandson built a replacement. It was described as follows:The three waterwheels worked a total of 52 water pumps; the wheels could turn in either direction and so be driven by the flowing and ebbing tide; and the pumps were designed to force 132,120 gallons an hour to a height of 120 feet.…Just prior to the demolition [in 1822], the waterworks, supplied 10,417 houses with 26,322,705 hogsheads per annum, at a rental cost of £12,266.Similar pumping stations were erected by a number of water companies in the course of the 17th and 18th century. By the late 18th century around four fifth of Londoners had water piped straight into their homes. In addition an aquaduct called the New River (England) was constructed to provide London with fresh water. It is believed the Thames was as clean as it is today well into the late 18th century which explains why piped water was so popular. The piped water however was not continuous but only operated during several hours each day and not on Sundays. This meant that people had to resort to storage cisterns in their homes or public wells when the taps weren’t on.Unlike Leiden which has a huge network of canals London had an issue with drainage. The Northern part is a relatively low lying area which had many smaller rivers drain into it.When more and more houses started being built along with paved roads the ability of rainwater to permeate into the ground was also hampered. All of this necessitated a sewer system to drain the excess water.Let it be known though that it was absolutely verboten for people to hook up their cesspits or latrines to this set of sewers. A certain 14th century Alice Wade being fined for doing exactly that. Like in Leiden it wasn’t considered good for the public to drain latrines into surface water.Unfortunately for the Londoners this happy situation was about to change.For one London like Leiden experienced a veritable population boom. It was just under a million in 1800 but rose to 2.3 million by the 1850s. This population boom of course went hand in hand with the increasing prevalence of slums, I don’t suppose Victorian slums need much of an introduction.One way to deal with the increase in waste was to built ‘better’ cesspitsAs more houses and tenements were built, and as population densities became higher in the early years of the nineteenth century, more cesspools were sunk, and were sunk deeper. By the 1840s, cesspools were being deepened to the first stratum of sand, that is 6 to 10 feet. At this level, the cutting generally carried the cesspool into a spring, which relieved it of liquid refuse. This, of course, was very economical, since the cesspool did not need emptying so frequently, and, as one observer pointed out, instead of having a wagon to carry liquid refuse away, one could make do with a cart because the refuse was solid.However, the new cesspool techniques often had serious consequences for local water supplies, since the permeation of springs by cesspool matter became swifter and greater. In Paradise Row, Rotherhithe-inaptly named, since it was unsewered-a new cesspool was put in about 1840. It was made as deep as possible-"to suit the present levels"-and before long there was trouble. The first effect was to drain the wells, but then, some time later, as the cesspool began to fill, discoloured and foul-tasting water flowed back into the wells. Similarly, in Battersea, the cesspools of a new estate of six houses permeated the wells within a matter of days. In both cases, the residents turned to the local company for water. By 1844, throughout south London, it was said, ancient and celebrated springs were being abandoned by the inhabitants. The pumps, however, remained, and were used by poor passers-by, who did not know their reputation.In some Dutch cities there were laws against digging cesspits to the water table for exactly this reason. Semi-permeable brick cesspits also being banned in some cases. It is unlikely that people in London did not realise digging deeper cesspits could pollute well water so to it seems more like an economical decision. The new cesspits were cheaper to operate since the fluids drained and if it polluted local wells then the locals would just have an extra incentive to switch to piped water.But it wasn’t just cesspits that ruined the wells. A new invention, laudable as it may have been, turned the Thames in an open sewer.While a modern sounding Flush toilet was invented in 1596 the design wasn’t entirely practical yet. Back then most houses didn’t have piped water and furthermore the connection to a drain was open leaving bad smells and noxious fumes to rise up out of the toilet. This was only remedied in 1775 when Alexander Cumming patented the S-trapAbove: the S-Trap now found on most household drainsSo by the late 18th century London possessed both piped water and the possibility to install adequately built flush toilets. Of course the question is where you’re gonna send all that sewerage too. Initially the toilets were hooked up to the existing cesspits but they proved to be unable to cope with the vast volumes of water flushed down along with the message. Awful smelling liquid would saturate gardens plots and penetrate into adjoining basements. Rather than blaming the flush toilet for their ills though they blamed the cesspits.The solution to this conundrum seems to have been childishly obvious.In 1815 the law which banned people from connecting their household drains to the sewer system (which as mentioned earlier was to facilitate the drainage of rainwater) was repealed. From then on people could hook up their newfangled flush toilets to the existing sewer system which duly emptied millions of gallons of raw sewage straight into the Thames.The evidence points to a deterioration in the condition of the Thames between about 1815 and 1830, which became more rapid between 1830 and 1850. Leslie Wood, in his study of the history of the river's pollution, is of the opinion that the quality of the Thames water in the later eighteenth century was not very different from what it is today, but that by 1850 the river had become "putrid, noisome and dead".…In 1828, it was calculated that between 139 and 145 sewers were discharging effluent into the Thames, mostly within a limited area: all the city's major outfalls entered the river between the King's Pond sewer at Vauxhall Bridge and the Black Ditch at Limehouse. From about 1830 on, things got progressively worse, as the water-closet became an accepted facility. By the 1840s, the London water companies were commonly providing "high service"-that is, to the upper floors of houses-which was used principally for the flushing of closets, and closets were widely used in wealthy and newly-built districts.The smell of that giant open sewer called the Thames could get very bad during the summers and in a time when the miasma theory was widely accepted it was thought to be dangerous to health.The scientist Michael Faraday described the situation in a letter to The Times in July 1855: shocked at the state of the Thames, he dropped pieces of white paper into the river to "test the degree of opacity". His conclusion was that "Near the bridges the feculence rolled up in clouds so dense that they were visible at the surface, even in water of this kind. ... The smell was very bad, and common to the whole of the water; it was the same as that which now comes up from the gully-holes in the streets; the whole river was for the time a real sewer."Efforts to clean up the river were attempted just as the people of Leiden tried to clean the canals but not to the best effect. In 1857 the smell got so bad the government poured chalk lime, chloride of lime and carbolic acid into the Thames to make the smell more bearable.The following year it got even worse. The stink was so bad it Westminster nearly shut down.The stench from the river had become so bad that business in Parliament was affected, and the curtains on the river side of the building were soaked in lime chloride to overcome the smell. The measure was not successful, and discussions were held about possibly moving the business of government to Oxford or St Albans. The Examiner reported that Disraeli, on attending one of the committee rooms, left shortly afterwards with the other members of the committee, "with a mass of papers in one hand, and with his pocket handkerchief applied to his nose" because the smell was so bad.The disruption to its legislative work led to questions being raised in the House of Commons. According to Hansard, the Member of Parliament (MP) John Brady informed Manners that members were unable to use either the Committee Rooms or the Library because of the stench, and asked the minister "if the noble Lord has taken any measures for mitigating the effluvium and discontinuing the nuisance". Manners replied that the Thames was not under his jurisdiction.Four days later a second MP said to Manners that "By a perverse ingenuity, one of the noblest of rivers has been changed into a cesspool, and I wish to ask whether Her Majesty's Government intend to take any steps to remedy the evil?" Manners pointed out "that Her Majesty's Government have nothing whatever to do with the state of the Thames". The satirical magazine Punch commented that "The one absorbing topic in both Houses of Parliament ... was the Conspiracy to Poison question. Of the guilt of that old offender, Father Thames, there was the most ample evidence".At the height of the stink, between 200–250 long tons (220–280 short tons) of lime were being used near the mouths of the sewers that discharged into the Thames, and men were employed spreading lime onto the Thames foreshore at low tide; the cost was £1,500 per week.But it gets worse.Remember how we noted that the bulk of London households had access to piped water? That water was provided by eight water companies, four of which were exclusively supplied by water from the Thames drawn up within the city limits with the rest using a mix of water from the Thames, Lea and Ravensbourne, all of them likewise polluted.The companies didn’t use filters either until the 1850s.In effect these companies were serving the Londoners their own sewage. Not that people were unaware of this. As a complaint against one of these companies from 1828 attests they served:through iron tubes, unto the habitation of seven thousand families, to be used daily at the breakfast table; in the composition of bread, pastry, soups, broths; and in the boiling of meats, poultry, pulses-a fluid, saturated with the impurities of fifty thousand homes-a dilute solution of animal and vegetable substances in a state of putrefaction-alike offensive to the sight, disgusting to the imagination, and destructive to the health.Above: A satirical impression of the state of the water in London. A women drops her tea cup as she espies the microbes in her water with a microscope (circa 1828)In 1848 John Snow tried to establish the link between the Cholera outbreaks that ravaged London and the filthy water supply which added to the general sentiment that something ought to be done against all this. However this was not effected before recurring cholera outbreaks killed tens of thousands of Londoners.Only during the second half of the 19th century were these issues resolved. Water companies had to move their water intake further upriver outside of city limits. Private cesspits were banned, public wells were closed but perhaps the most important thing was the construction of the first Modern sewer by Joseph Bazalgette.Much of the information and quotations are from PARISH PUMP TO PRIVATE PIPES: LONDON'S WATER SUPPLY IN THE NINETEENTH CENTURY Anne Hardy, like the other article mentioned it is an excellent read.That’s one of the key things I went people to remember. Often when we read about ancient or more recent civilisations possessing sewers we think of them as modern sewers rather than the historical sewers they actually were.We like to think of London and Leiden switching from cesspits to sewers as a step ahead in the right direction, a sign of modernity and improved sanitation. I hope this answer has convinced you that was not actually the case.History is not an inexorable march of progress or linear improvement. Sometimes newfangled inventions or profit seeking landlords literally shit up the environment and cause health problems. Sometimes a decent but not perfect situation deteriorates and as shown above people might not take action until they’re pretty far up shit creek.It might be worthwhile to make a comparison between the early sewers of London and Leiden and those of antiquity but unfortunately I know a lot less about the Roman sewage system. Though the fact that the Cloaca Maxima, like the London sewers, was initially designed to drain water and only later hooked up to latrines does not give me the impression the Tiber smelled much better than the Thames.

· The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has been continuously striving to address the unmet needs through its unique S&T interventions. CSIR through its New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (NMITLI) has been successful in developing a reflectance confocal microscope with super continuum light source. The development has paved way for India’s presence in global photonics research. This is a World Class ‘Made in India’ High-end Product.· CSIR also made great headway in developing niche aerospace technologies. CSIR and the India Meteorological Department (IMD) are jointly producing the Drishti system, a visibility measuring system that provides information to pilots on visibility for safe landing and take-off operations, so as to enable the deployment of 70 such systems at Indian airports. The system has already been installed in 5 major Indian airports.· CSIR has been a consistent comrade of the ISRO and DAE. Its unstinting strong R&D support to the strategic sector has been most beneficial to the country. Gyrotron, a device used in nuclear fusion process, is currently imported in the country. Countries that manufacture gyrotrons namely the United States, Russia, Japan, and European Union do not disclose their designs and associated technology. Through focused efforts, CSIR with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) has developed the first Indian gyrotron which is ready to be tested at the Institute for Plasma Research (DAE), Gandhinagar, which is a partner institute on this project. CSIR has also been providing support in the development, production and supply of neodymium doped phosphate laser glass to the Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (DAE).‘DHVANI’, the Detection and Hit Visualization using Acoustic N-wave Identification system developed by CSIR for perfecting marksmanship skills by accurately determining the location of bullet impact and providing real-time feedback, has been approved for induction into the Indian Army.· CSIR’s endeavours in the domain of traditional knowledge for providing affordable healthcare have been praiseworthy. An anti-diabetic herbal formulation BGR-34, from a combination of natural extracts derived from six plant species mentioned in ancient Ayurveda texts has been developed. The drug which was approved by the Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy (AYUSH) is an adjuvant to existing diabetes treatment, to help maintain normal blood glucose levels and also in improving the immune system. The herbal drug has been launched by industry in parts of North India.· Further, a national cGMP facility for extraction, formulation and packaging of traditional herbal medicines has been set up at CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (CSIR-IIIM), Jammu. It has been created as per WHO guidelines. The facility will also be made available to R&D institutions and industry. The facility will target preparation of extracts and formulations for conducting clinical trials, process development, scale-up & optimization of lab- processes and converting them into commercially viable technologies besides generation of authentic and accurate clinically acceptable data. This facility will transform quality herbal drug production in India and its export to US and European markets.· The farmers are the backbone of our country. CSIR has developed and released to farmers a new improved high yielding variety of Ashwagandha, NMITLI-101 which is rich in several bioactive compounds. The average root yield from NMITLI-101 crop is about 25 quintal/hectare and the seed production from the variety is up to 3 quintal/ha, under optimum conditions. The estimated economic return from cultivation of this variety is about Rs. 2.5 Lakh/hectare per crop.· CSIR has also launched the JK Aroma Arogya Gram (JAAG) project which targets job and wealth creation through intensive cultivation of CSIR agri-technology of high value, low volume medicinal and aromatic crops. The benefits of the JAAG project include handholding of the farmers by CSIR for cultivation of medicinal plants, besides providing unemployed youth an opportunity to set up ventures in cultivation of medicinal plants. Awareness camps for farmers of the area besides demonstrations of Mobile Distillation Unit for extraction of essential oils are conducted. Started in July 2015, so far, seventy three farmers in 14 villages of Kathua district (J&K) have been distributed slips of lemongrass, Java citronella and vetiver for cultivation in 17.47 hectares area under the JAAG project.· Also focusing at ‘Reaching to the Unreached’, CSIR’s Centre for High Altitude Biology (CSIR-CeHAB) in Lahaul and Spitiis providing deployable knowledgebase to local communities for inclusive growth. The CSIR knowhow related to food & agri-processing was showcased at the Tribal Fair at Keylong for the benefit of the local farmers in making novel products from major crops of the region such as Buckwheat and also brining of the peas and cauliflower.· As part of efforts towards developing sustainable energy solutions, CSIR under the CSIR-NMITLI, has successfully developed indigenous know-how to make technology components and the process for building Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC) multi-cell stack of desired power output. CSIR has taken existing technology know-how from stack-to-system level higher by scaling-up the power produced to 3.5 kW and validating it for a commercial application such as telecom tower power backup. For this, a modular test bed has been designed, built and commissioned with in-house knowhow at Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL), Patalganga site. The fuel cell facility commissioned now, is expected to provide plenty of useful data for testing and developing indigenous fuel cells at low costs for commercial applications.DEPARTMENT OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY1. India International Science Festival (IISF) 2015IISF (2015) was organised in IIT, Delhi during 4th Dec. to 8th Dec. 2015 with the objective of exposing the fruits of Science & Technology to the masses; building strategy to instill scientific temper among the masses; showcasing Indian contributions in the field of S&T over the years; providing platform to young scientists for exchange of knowledge and ideas; and supporting flagship programmes like Make in India, Digital India, Start-ups, Smart Villages, Smart Cities, etc. Approximately 10,000 delegates from all over the country participated in the following components of the festival – young scientists’ conference, techno-industrial expo, science film festival, national level exhibition and project competition showcasing innovative models under INSPIRE programme of Department of Science & Technology, industry academia conclave, largest practical science laboratory demo and interactive workshops and informative sessions.Largest Practical Science Session with 2000 students, on 7th Dec. 2015, working in small teams to complete experiments as part of the lesson that focused on catalysts has found the entry in the Guinness Book of World Records.2. National Supercomputing MissionThe Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the launch of the National Supercomputing Mission on 25th March 2015. This is a visionary program to enable India to leapfrog to the league of world class computing power nations. The Mission would be implemented and steered jointly by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) at an estimated cost of Rs.4500 crore over a period of seven years.The Mission envisages empowering our national academic and R&D institutions spread over the country by installing a vast supercomputing grid comprising of more than 70 high-performance computing facilities. These supercomputers will also be networked on the National Supercomputing grid over the National Knowledge Network (NKN). The NKN is another programme of the government which connects academic institutions and R&D labs over a high speed network. Academic and R&D institutions as well as key user departments/ministries would participate by using these facilities and develop applications of national relevance. The Mission also includes development of highly professional High Performance Computing (HPC) aware human resource for meeting challenges of development of these applications.3. DST-MHRD Collaboration in Impacting Research Innovation and Technology (IMPRINT) Project: Department of Science & Technology (DST) is working with Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) to evolve a mechanism for joint implementation of IMPRINT projects which was launched on 5th Nov. 2015 by the Hon'ble President of India. Preliminary meetings with MHRD have already taken place and detailed modalities are being worked out with MHRD. IMPRINT projects will address major societal and developmental needs such as healthcare, information and communication technology, energy, sustainable habitat, nano technology, water resources and river systems, advanced materials, security and defence, and environment and climate.4. DST-Ministry of Railways (MoR) Joint R&D Initiative : Department of Science and Technology (DST) and Ministry of Railways (MoR) are shaping a joint R&D initiative to address research problems of immediate and direct relevance to MoR by taking up suitable projects within time span of 3-5 years with well defined deliverables. Collaboration between MoR and DST are in the area of fuel efficiency and emission control technologies, alternate fuels, fuel conservation in diesel traction etc. and to derive synergy based on mutual strengths. As an outcome of these efforts, scope of programme support has been finalized in the meeting of 8th September, 20155. Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation (SATYAM)DST has launched a new programme “Science and Technology of Yoga and Meditation (SATYAM)” in 2015-16 to rejuvenate research in yoga and meditation. Given the ever increasing prevalence of physical and mental health problems, the holistic approach of Yoga and Meditation is believed to have the potential to find beneficial treatment that is relatively safer and more cost-effective. Cutting-edge research under SATYAM will seek to identify related issues and challenges and address these to enhance human well-being. Another objective of SATYAM is to also harness knowledge obtained in academic institutions and other related agencies for finding S&T-led solutions that would enable us to cope with stress and strain associated with fast changing social, economic, environmental and professional circumstances. The programme will encourage research in two major thematic areas: (1) investigations on the effect of Yoga and Meditation on physical and mental health, and (2) investigations on the effect of Yoga & Meditation on the body, brain, and mind in terms of basic processes.6. Scheme for funding Industry-relevant R&DThe Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) recognizes the need to facilitate increased Public Private Partnerships in its funding mechanism, and has recently approved a scheme that provides an opportunity for collaborative research between academic institutions and industry. This scheme aims to bridge the gap between public funded research and industrial R&D. The new scheme seeks to target solution driven research to address industry specific problems. Project will be jointly designed and implemented by the academic partner and industry, and the cost will be shared between SERB and Industry with industry share not less than 50 % of the total budget. All industries (including Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) & industrial R&D Centres) are welcome to participate in this scheme.7. Scheme for funding High Risk-High Reward ResearchScience and Engineering Research Board (SERB) has approved a new and significant initiative to support proposals that are conceptually new and risky, and if successful, expected to have a paradigm-shifting influence on the S&T landscape. Outcome could be new and significant theoretical or experimental advances, formulation of new hypotheses, or breakthrough science which will lead to new technologies. Proposals that address scientific issues leading to “incremental” knowledge will not be supported.8. Early Career Research AwardA new scheme viz. Early Career Research Award (ECRA) has been launched to provide quick research support to the researchers who are in their early career for pursuing exciting and innovative research in frontier areas of science and engineering. The Award carries a research grant up to Rs. 50 lakhs for a period of three years. More than 600 young scientists have responded in November 2015 for the Award.9. National Post-doctoral Fellowship (N-PDF) schemeIn order to attract and retain young scientists and discourage brain drain in academic/R&D institutions, a National Postdoctoral Fellowship (N-PDF) scheme has been launched. It aims to identify motivated young researchers and provide them support for doing research in frontier areas of science and engineering. The Fellow will work under a Mentor, and it is expected that the training will provide him/her a platform to develop as an independent researcher. The Fellow will be provided a fellowship of Rs. 55,000/ pm for a period of 2 years with a research grant of Rs. 2.0 lakh per annum.10. Technical Research Centres - Five Technical Research Centres (TRCs) in the existing autonomous institutions of the Department of Science & Technology are being set up. A detailed road-map has been prepared by the Department for setting-up of these centres. TRCs are expected to further enhance translational research being carried out by these autonomous institutions. Final financial approval of TRCs is expected by end of December 2015.11. Technology Applications by Institute of Nano Science & Technology (INST), Mohali(A) Waste Water Treatment: Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institution of DST, is working towards the development of low cost filter for waste water treatment. They have developed low cost novel nano-adsorbent for removal of toxic metal ions as well as organic pollutant. For this, the water purification trials for removal of lanthanides, transition metal ions, arsenic and organic dyes at laboratory level have been done. The initial trial have been done on purification of real domestic waste. The following are proposed future plans :(a) Setting up the metal adsorbent pads at the bottom of the boats :INST is fabricating trapping pads for metal ions and organic pollutant removal. This will be a portable pad which can be fixed to the wall of boats and hence clean river.(b) Domestic waste treatment:In this area INST is planning to make small cartridge (low cost) which can be put at the exhaust of the sink or washing machine and then exhausted clean water will be recharged by clean water. This is kept in river cleaning concept because the most of the river waste is from waste generated from the people of the country. And if we can address these waste at the source level then we can definitely protect our river to get contaminated form human generated waste.(c) Industrial waste treatment:Since the adsorbent made by INST’s scientist are very efficient in trapping high concentration of metal ions, the idea is to put a cartridge at the exhaust of the industry and trap the waste product and for different industries, specific cartridge will be made.(d) Plans for urban and rural areas:For urban cities, it is planned to do the real time detection and removal of water impurities and its implementation in real life. It is also planned to make low cost water testing strips for rural people and small portable ca cartridge for instant water purification.(B) Development of Clinical Biomarkers: Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST), Mohali, an autonomous institution of DST is developing cost effective biosensing platforms for clinical biomarkers like Cardiac serum markers (Myoglobin, Troponin I, BNP, FABP etc.) and Prostate cancer markers along with environmental pollutants such as food/water pathogens (E. coli and other enteric pathogens) and new generation pesticides. INST’s aim is to design and develop its own optical/fluorescence/electrochemical based sensors using nanotechnology approach to minimize the size of the sensor as it can be suitably used for rapid and field applications. INST is attempting to increase the specificity of our biosensor by generating our own bio-receptors (antibodies/aptamers) and immobilizing them onto nanostructured platforms in order to have enhanced sensitivity (upto sub picomolar range). The developed sensors will be highly versatile and can be used for other target analyses depending upon the kind of bio-receptor used on the sensor surface.12. Revamping and Reorientation of Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE) SchemeThe INSPIRE Award component which is meant for school children from class 6th to 10th is being reoriented to align it with the national agenda of the Government and observations made by the Hon'ble Prime Minister. The programme is being modified to encourage children to visualise/analyse needs of the nation; develop critical thinking about national issues and problems pertaining to everyday life, as well as, create awareness and inspire them to devise innovative ideas to address them. Follow-up mechanism to further fine tune the best creative ideas/concepts is being put in place.The second component of the INSPIRE scheme deals with organizing Science Camps for science students of Class 11th based on their performance at the Class 10th Board examination. Through the Science Camps, these students are provided an opportunity and exposure for interaction with scientists and academicians including Nobel Laureates. Now, “Innovative Idea Writing" has been introduced on themes specific like Water, Energy, Security etc. in keeping with the current initiatives of the Government like Make in India, Swachch Bharat etc. In each Camp, the ideas are being screened for finding the 3 best innovative ideas.13. New Initiatives in Water and Clean Energy(a) Recognizing that Water is of fundamental importance for human development, the, Water Advanced Research and Innovation (WARI) Fellowship Program- a dynamic and transformative program has been launched on 21 September 2015 to foster long term Indo-American Science and Technology partnerships. A programme for natural water treatment and waste water treatment has also been initiated with French collaboration.(b) In the area of clean energy following new initiatives have been taken :- A new research track on energy storage and smart grids have been agreed for Indo-US collaboration during Energy Dialogue co- Chaired by Hon’ble Minister of Power and US Secretary of Energy on 21st September 2015. A new programme on Clean Coal Research is also on the anvil.- Considering the importance of capacity building in energy efficiency for built environments, a fellowship programme for Indian researchers have been launched to expose them to world class research facilities in US.- An Indo–UK Virtual Centre for Clean Energy has been initiated to explore integrated solution for remote and rural locations using distributed solar energy generation, storage and off grid/ grid interaction following an India-UK discussion meeting on 10-11 June 2015.- In order to improve energy security of the country, a roadmap for Methanol Economy as a promising alternate energy source has been initiated in partnership with NITI AAYOG following brainstorming with stakeholders on 11thSeptember 2015 steered by Dr VK Saraswat, Member, NITI Aayog and Secretary DST.14. Waste Management Technology DevelopmentWith the objective to contribute towards Swachch Bharat, a new programme under the Technology Development Scheme has been initiated to come up with technological solutions for the problems faced by the country in waste management. Areas under this include hospital waste, plastic waste, e-waste, etc. First call for proposals has received an overwhelming response.15. Advanced ManufacturingAligning with the Make in India agenda of the Government, the Department has initiated a programme to promote development of advance manufacturing technologies in the country. The areas include robotics and automation, nano-materials, precision manufacturing, etc. Call for proposals has already been given.16. Development of Bio-medical DevicesThe Department is planning to initiate stakeholder consultation to identify bio-medical devices to be taken up for indigenous development. The programme is being evolved to align with the objective of Swasth Bharat of Government of India.A Technical Research Centre at Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram is being established to give a big push to the development and commercialization of biomedical technologies in this institution which has an enviable record in this domain.17. Scheme for Promoting Innovations, Creativity and Entrepreneurship among ITI Students (SPICE ITI)As suggested by the Hon'ble Prime Minister during the meeting with Science Secretaries on 29th July 2015, a separate scheme is being worked out by the National Innovation Foundation, Ahmedabad for promoting innovations, creativity and entrepreneurship among Industrial Training Institute (ITI) students.18. North Eastern Centre for Ethno Medical Research:DST has recently approved establishment of “Ethno Medicinal Research Centre” at FEEDS, Manipur with budgetary support of approx. Rs 6.00 crores. This Centre aims to undertake ethno phyto-chemical research of wild herbs available in the NE region that have unique medicinal and aromatic properties, particularly in our traditional systems. The Centre will not only give scientific validation of traditional herbs but aims to improve quality of life and economic status of local community through product development and better livelihood.19. Revamping of Science ExpressAs suggested by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, the Department has initiated action to strengthen outreach activities along the route of the 8th Phase of the Science Express. The Department intends to approach NCSTC-Network (a conglomeration of 83 NGOs), National Council for Science Museum (NCSM), Vigyan Prasar (VP), National Innovation Foundation (NIF), Centre for Environmental Education (CEE), Vikram Sarabhai Community Science Centre (VASCSC), academic and research institutions at 65 destinations of Science Express etc. for providing additional S&T activities to the children visiting Science Express.The CEE has been advised to exhibit interactive models graphic interfaces and animations to make it more interesting. In addition to this, several platform activities for children are being planned to make the Science Express experience more meaningful for children.20. Recent Developments through International S&T Cooperation(a) A new programme with Russian Science Foundation was concluded by DST for cooperation in Basic Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Biology (Medical and Agriculture), Mathematics) during 8th Session of India - Russia Working Group on Science & Technology in Moscow on September 3, 2015.(b) A joint declaration of extension of Indo-German Science & Technology Centre was signed on 5th Oct. 2015 .(c) A Letter of Intent (LoI) for Indian participation in annual meeting of Nobel Laureates and Students was signed on 5thOct. 2015.(d) The Indo-US fellowship programme on Climate Research is being launched this year.(e) Collaboration with USA on Women in Science has been strengthened with 20 Indo-US Women Fellowship in S&T; training programme on leadership and career development; and Silicon Valley visitation programme for women entrepreneurs.(f) Under support of US-India Endowment Fund, prototypes of several innovative technologies on affordable healthcare and food security have been developed with a potetial for societal impact and commercial application. Through the five calls, the United States-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund is currently supporting and funding 17 joint U.S.-India entrepreneurial projects in the area of Healthy Individual (affordable biomedical devices, diagnostic/preventive/curative measures, or food and nutrition products to improve health) and Empowering Citizens(information and communication technologies, water, agriculture, financial inclusion, and education etc.) with a grant size of up to Rs. 2.50 crores or approximately $ 400,000. The joint entrepreneurial teams are working together on co-developing innovative product or technologies that are beyond the idea stage with high societal impact and significant potential to commercialize with 2-3 years. In addition to this, 3 project proposals are under the review process of evaluation. In the recent call of Sixth round of July 2015, 19 bi-national teams have been shortlisted by the joint U.S.-India expert panel for Stage II: detailed business plan and presentation at USA . Out of 19 companies, 5 have been shortlisted in November 2015 by the joint panel for further due diligence before award of the grant.21. Showcasing of Indian Innovators in Silicon Valley during the visit of Hon’ble Prime Minister.Under the India Innovation Growth Programme jointly supported by DST and Lockheed Martin Corporation, 10 Innovators participated in the Start-up Connect Programme and displayed their innovations. It would be worthwhile to mention that out of the 34 innovations showcased at Silicon Valley; approximately 50% were supported in one way or the other by DST. The innovators have attracted a lot of attention from the Venture Capitalists (VCs) in Silicon Valley and many of them have stayed back to explore further deals and investments.22. UV Imaging TelescopeUV Imaging Telescope developed by Indian Institute of Astrophysics is one of the payloads on ASTROSAT which has been recently launched by ISRO. Telescope has started giving images and calibration is being done by ISRO.23. Big Data InitiativeA proposal to initiate a new scheme viz. Big Data Initiative has been prepared and is under consideration of the Department. The scheme is aligned with the Government's Digital India initiative.24. Policy on Conflict of InterestIn a significant move, the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) has given its nod to go ahead with the much awaited policy on Conflict of Interest for grant applicants (including collaborators), reviewers and committee members and officers dealing with various programs. The Board felt that issues of conflicts of interest and ethics in scientific research and research management have assumed greater prominence in the new era of knowledge economy. All the stakeholders are required to sign an undertaking to adhere to the policy on conflict of interest. The approved policy aims to bring more transparency and increased accountability in funding mechanisms and provide assurance to the general public that processes followed in award of grants are fair and non-discriminatory.Department of BiotechnologySuccess Stories – 2014-15I. Healthcare(1) India is today a leading Vaccine Manufacturing Hub:The Vaccine Grand Challenge Programme is under implementation to encourage novel and innovative vaccine related discoveries, accelerated development of candidate vaccines for which earlier leads are available, research of basic & applied nature to improvise current understanding of vaccine science and to strengthen the scientific basis for future vaccine design. R&D projects supported through VGCP are focusing on Development of candidate vaccines & Development of vaccine related technologies. Some major initiatives are:(i) Rotavirus vaccine launched by Hon’ble Prime Minister : The first indigenously developed and manufactured Rotavirus vaccine 'Rotavac.' from an Indian strain 116E was launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 9th March, 2015.The indigenously developed vaccine will boost efforts to combat infant mortality due to diarrhoea. ROTAVAC developed in collaboration with Bharat Biotech under the Public-Private Partnership mode is efficacious in preventing severe rotavirus diarrhoea in low-resource settings in India. ROTAVAC significantly reduced severe rotavirus diarrhoea by more than half - 56 percent during the first year of life, with protection continuing into the second year of life. Moreover, the vaccine also showed impact against severe diarrhoea of any cause. The developed Rotavirus Vaccine at $1 per dose has been cleared for market license. Potential to prevent >500K childhood diarrheal deaths. The NTAGI of M/o Health & FW has approved introduction of the vaccine in EPI in a pilot mode.(ii) Malaria Vaccine: To promote the development of vaccines against P. falciparum and P. vivax malaria, Department has provided continued support to MVDP (Malaria Vaccine Development programme)- A consortium of DBT, ICGEB, Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), PATH, EMVI and WHO-TDR. Currently MVDP is involved with developmental of malaria vaccine JAIVAC1 & JAIVAC 2 at ICGEB.(iii) Dengue Vaccine: Department is supporting the group at International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) for developing a safe, efficacious and inexpensive tetravalent dengue vaccine. The recombinant EDIII-based sub-unit dengue vaccine candidate is being developed in the form of VLPs using the yeast P. pastoris as an expression host.(2) DBT has significantly augmented the infrastructure for diagnosis & treatment of human genetic disorders in IndiaImpact- 21 Genetic Diagnosis cum Counseling Units establishedo >5 lakh affected families and >1 lakh tribal families benefited- DNA typing of 25 autosomal markers in 53 ethnic groups (tribal, caste and religious communities) completedo Revealed evidence of human migration from India to SE Asia.(3) A major flagship programme on International Cancer Genome (ICG) specific to Oral Cancer is under implementation.(4) India Bio-design makes new advancesTechnologies developed: - 5o Ostomy Management device;o Emergency medical alert device;o A breathable and customized cast for immobilization of the fractured limb;o Fluid extraction device;o Posture support deviceTechnologies Transferred: - 2o Technology for Fetomaternal Parameter Monitoring System transferred to M/s. Brun Health Private Limited, Telangana, startup Company formed by Fellows 2013 Batch.o Technology for ‘A Portable Hand Sanitization device’ transferred to M/s. Observe Design Private Limited, New Delhi.o Fecal Incontinence device technology received USFDA 510 approval for their device.Patents, Trademark, Industrial Design Filing:o 6 Indian patents and 6 PCT applications filed; 6 trademark applications filed; and One design registration filed for the Accufeed Invention.o Patents have been granted in 4 countries namely Singapore, Japan, USA and Europe for the device for collecting fecal discharge in incontinent patientsNew initiatives:o i-Fellowship program initiated with Australia as a new international partnero BMJ Innovations launched.(5) Major New Effort on Pre-Term BirthMulti-institutional National Programme on pre-term birth launchedPre-term Birth Program is the first inter-institutional program on maternal infant health and spontaneous pre-term birth sciences in India funded by the Department under Grand Challenge Program at a total cost of the project is Rs. 48.85 crore for a period of 5 years. It envisages a multidisciplinary research effort to predict & diagnose Preterm Birth (PTB) by enhancing the knowledge of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms. It is expected that the clinically relevant research outputs from the study will aid characterization of biological, clinical and epidemiological risk factors to achieve appropriate risk stratification of mothers who may deliver before term. These in turn would provide a basis for discovery of novel therapeutic agents & determine appropriate timing for their clinical application. Together, it would strengthen the commitment of the Department of Biotechnology to health equity, contributing significantly to reduction in infant and maternal mortality.II. Agriculture and Industrial:(i) Rice variety Samba Mahsuri: With the support of Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Scientists at Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) and Directorate of Rice Research (DRR) have jointly developed bacterial blight resistant Rice variety “Samba Mahsuri’ through Marker Assisted Selection and Backcross Breeding. The variety has so far spread to an area of 90,000 ha in the states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.(ii) Decoding the Wheat Genome: A strong partnership in Decoding the Wheat Genome has been built. 15 countries joined hands to complete this huge task of decoding 17,000 million bases. Indian Scientists participated in Decoding Chromosome 2A.(iii) Maize hybrid (Vivek 9) with High Quality Protein and Increased Provitamin A was developed and released.(iv) High zinc rice has been developed for the first time which has 22-24 ppm zinc and named as CGZR-1 and after all India trials would be available to farmers in another two years.(v) 12 popular rice varieties to be grown in the rain fed agri-eco systems have been developed by incorporating major quantitative trait loci (QTL) or genes for flood, drought and salt tolerance.(vi) Bread wheat and durum wheat genotypes with high yield and high micronutrient concentration in optimum soil zinc have been developed.(vii) First indigenous technology developed for commercial production of Ethanol from lignocellulosic waste: DBT-ICT Centre for Energy Biosciences established at Institute of Chemical Technology, Mumbai has developed Cellulosic ethanol technology. Based on this indigenous technology a demo/pilot plant designed by an Industry, India Glycol Limited with financial support from DBT-BIRAC with a capacity of 10 tonnes lignocellulosic biomass per day to produce 3000 L ethanol/day on a continuous basis. It is expected that the commercial plants based on the technology will be built in 2016, which is not far behind the technologies being implemented in the USA.(viii) Under a Mission programme on microbial prospecting: ‘Drugs from Microbes’ Involving nine institutes and an industrial partner in a public-private partnership model, 2.50 lakhs microbes were screened for four activities i.e. anti cancer, anti diabetic, anti inflammation and anti infective activities. A total of 16123 three stars hits were obtained- Anti-infective- 5286; anti cancer-518; anti inflammation-3643; anti diabetic-6676. One New Chemical Entity with anticancer and anti-inflammatory activity and 12 probable new use of compound were identified. Efforts are being made to explore the strategies for moving some of the active molecules obtained in the current program from discovery to Pre- Investigational New Drug (IND) studies, thereby creating a path of development of molecules. The Country’s largest Microbial Culture Collection Centre was set up at NCCS, Pune will 2,00,000 culture.III. Human Resource Development(i) DBT has undertaken multiple initiatives for teaching & training in biotech education…o Star College Program¾ 92 colleges supported¾ 10 colleges accorded star statuso >1600 personnel trained under UG, PG training courseso >2000 candidates provided training in biotech industries under BITP(ii) The Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship was conceived with the idea of encouraging Indian scientists working outside the country (Indian Nationals), and who would like to come back home and pursue their research interests in life sciences and biotechnology and other related areas. During the last six years 247 overseas scientists were selected and 173 have already returned and joined various research institutes/ universities 27 scientists are likely to join in next six months. 50 scientists are selected every year. This has enriched the scientific pool of the country.IV. Societal Impact“Women’s health, hygiene & nutrition” is the current focus under DBT’s women’s societal upliftment programme of DBT. The Department has supported major programme on cervical cancer screening, genetic disorder & counseling, pregnancy-related complications, breast cancer screening & post-operative care. While education on menstrual hygiene, cervical cancer & preventive measures were conducted in several villages involving more than 2,000 women, including school girls, around 5,000 women were offered cervical cancer screening services through village based camps. A network programme on Breast Cancer Screening was implemented in 4 districts of North-East, namely Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram and Tripura with the help of Cancer Foundation of India, Kolkata.A project for awareness, counseling, screening & education to prevent genetic and congenital disorder has been implemented in West Bengal and a web based portal (www.genomegyan.com) on genetics has been developed to popularize it as a subject among medical students and physicians.(V) Biotech Based Developments in North Eastern Region (NER) of IndiaThe North Eastern Region (NER) of India comprises of eight ‘sister’ states. The region is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse regions of Asia and the home for more than 150 tribes. In order to give focused attention for the North Eastern Region, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has allocated 10% of its annual budget for promoting/strengthening biotechnology driven activities in North Eastern States of India. A dedicated cell, North Eastern Biotechnology Programme Management Cell (NER-BPMC) has been established by DBT in the year 2009-2010 and the cell is assisting DBT to evolve, implement and monitoring of various programmes for the benefit of NER states.Some of the major flagship programmes/schemes implemented and created impact on biotech based developments in North Eastern States during the last one year are as follows:· Twinning ProgrammeThe goal of this programme is to strengthen R&D activity in the North East India through joint collaborations. Financial assistance is provided to competitive R&D projects from scientists in the North Eastern States in collaboration with Scientists from National Institutions from other parts of the country.The programme has supported nearly 400 R&D projects, leading to more than 200 papers published in peer reviewed journals, and more than 450 young scientists of NER trained in advanced biotechnology. Every year approximately 70-80 projects under this flagship programme are being supported to NER.· Setting up of “DBT-NER Centre for Advanced Animal Diagnostics and Services on Animal Health and Diseases (ADSAHD)” involving stake holders from all NER States including national laboratories from Bhopal, Bangalore and Hissar.The North Eastern Region of India, owing to its unique geographical location sharing five international borders, bears constant threat of exotic trans-boundary diseases of our valuable livestock. This programme is aimed at strengthening regional infrastructure and capabilities for developing latest diagnostics and organizing rigorous surveillance for the highly contagious and ravaging diseases so that forecasting model on disease outbreaks in the region can be developed for a formidable defense to guard the territories. The programme envisages establishing three core laboratories across the NER for carrying out research and training activities in trans-boundary and endemic animal diseases. It aims to impart training to the State veterinary personnel in disease reporting, sample collection techniques and fostering public-public partnership module for effectively handling the animal-man-environment continuum chain.Dr. Harsh Vardhan, Hon’ble Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, has launched this programme in NER on February 17, 2015.· Establishment of Unit of Excellence in Biotechnology (U-Excel)With a view to recognize promising mid-career scientists in NER, a programme of awarding Unit of Excellence grant to them has been initiated so as to enable them to pursue their innovative research in frontier areas of biotechnology. So far, 12 Units of Excellence have been established during the year.· Overseas Associate ship for NER ScientistsThis scheme aims to promote capacity building in cutting edge areas of biotechnology and life sciences. The Award promotes and supports scientists of merit in their pursuit of skill enhancement in scientific research/training in overseas laboratories for short term as well as long term. So far, 130 scientists have been awarded the Associate-ship. As of now more than 110 scientists have availed this Associate ship. This overseas associate ship has resulted in more than 20 research papers in peer reviewed journals and has also enabled more than 15 laureates in getting extra-mural funding for their R&D projects besieging training in house scientific human resource of NER.(VI) Enhanced Innovation Ecosystem:Under the DBT, for a well-defined Innovation Ecosystem for product development - a Public Sector undertaking, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) has been set-up, supporting nearly 300 companies and 100 young entrepreneurs for innovation, research and product development. Further, the Biotechnology Translational research and industry academia partnership has promoted through 3 Biotech clusters, 8 Biotech Parks and 13 Bioincubators. Also, 16 Centers of Excellences have been created as a flexible model of long-term support for highly innovative, basic and translational research to create high quality state-of-the-art facilities for R&D.Taking Science and Technology to IndustryBiotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council· The biotech startup scenario in India was transformed by one of BIRAC’s flagship scheme called BIG (Biotechnology Ignition Grant). BIG has supported 140 entrepreneurial ideas over 5 calls at pre-proof-of-concept stage. 22 new startups were created (in 18 months) and the total number of employment generated is 231.· Providing access to high end infrastructural requirement to the biotech community in India. BIRAC through its bioincubation scheme (BISS) has supported 15 bioincubation centres across the nation and has created 124,000sq.ft of incubation space. Within these incubators, around 199 biotech start-ups are being provided support. In each of the bioincubator, BIRAC has supported a common pool of high end instrumentation that is being used by incubate and other SMEs for R&D.· 17 Products, 11 Technologies, 16 Early Stage-Technologies. 2 Process Innovations, 23 IP Generated/Facilitated.· 322 Start-Ups, SME, and Entrepreneurs Supported.· BIRAC Ace Fund – An Equity Fund for Accelerating Entrepreneurs was announced by Hon’ble Minister of Science & Technology and Earth Sciences during BIRAC Foundation Function.· Products Launched/Developed: Malaria Antigen Detection Kit, Quality Wine Produced By Enzymatic Maceration of Mango Pulp, Indigenous Production of Dextranase using Ssf Technique.Please follow the link.Major Achievements During Last One Year (2015) of Ministry of Science & Technology

Research HighlightsIIT Kanpur has a strong research orientation. The diversity of research projects undertaken is a measure of IITK's strong track record of research. Here are some highlights.Useless Innovations on COVID-19:—Innovations on COVID-19Aerospace EngineeringBiological Sciences And BioengineeringCivil EngineeringChemical EngineeringChemistryComputer Science and EngineeringEarth SciencesElectrical EngineeringHumanities & Social SciencesIndustrial and Management EngineeringMathematicsMechanical EngineeringMaterials Science & EngineeringPhysicsInter-disciplinaryScreening Ttechnology for COVID-19Screening Technology developed at NCFlexE for COVID-19HITES, “A handheld Infrared thermometer with enhanced safety” developed at NCFlexE, IIT Kanpur enables temperature scanning to be carried out while maintaining 6 ft physical distance.Know More...Positive Pressure Respirator SystemPositive Pressure Respirator SystemProf. Nachiketa Tiwari, Department of Mechanical Engineering, IIT Kanpur and Prof Devendra Gupta, In-charge, Covid-19 ICU (SGPGI) have developed a working prototype of a Positive Pressure Respirator System. The PPRS system addresses the problem of the acute global scarcity of N95 respirators, which are a critical component of PPE Kits.It is a safer alternative to the N95 respirator as it provides uncontaminated air and isolates the health professionals from the exposure to the virus.It can be built fairly quickly, using local resources & in large numbers.Know More...Disinfection chamber: Two-stage Innovative Process for Human Disinfection for Controlled AccessDisinfection chamber: Two-stage Innovative Process for Human Disinfection for Controlled AccessIIT Kanpur has successfully implemented a low cost rapid disinfectant process at our Health Centre for the outsiders coming to campus to sanitize anyone (external disinfection) under the guidance of Profs. Manindra Agrawal and Deepu Philip. The process aims to achieve a high rate of personnel disinfection within 2 minutes. Local hospitals and district administration have approached us to implement this at strategic locations in Kanpur.Majority of the approaches of individual disinfection process focuses on exposing human touch surfaces like fingers, hand, etc. to soap based solutions and covering faces with masks to prevent droplet-based spread. However, residual germs residing on clothes, sleeves, masks, etc. are not eliminated by this process. This proposal focuses on innovatively combining two common disinfection approaches followed across the world to achieve a new and cost-effective disinfection process that is safe for human beings.Know More...Autonomous Robotic UVC hospital room disinfection system with sensor navigation with an option for Manual affordable UV disinfection systemsAutonomous Robotic UVC hospital room disinfection system with sensor navigation with an option for Manual affordable UV disinfection systemsDr. Sheetal Katyayani, Director, TruSpectra India Private Limited have developed Autonomous Robotic UVC hospital room disinfection system with sensor navigation with an option for Manual affordable UV disinfection systems.Autonomous Robotic Disinfection system designed to disifect the Hospital room without human intervention with built in navigation sensor to achieve 4LOG level of disinfection in less than 30 minutes for room size of 45m3.UVC disinfection (UVCD) robot to disinfect the entire internal hospital room geometry.TruSpectra UVC system is designed for max 6m diameter room and max time for disinfection is 30 minutes. UVCD is designed based on C.D as spore. COVID-19, Virus and bacteria shall take far less time than C.D (Clostridium Difficile).Use of pedestal roller wheel wall panel / capsule to cover the patientsRobotic cleaning mob (designed for peracetic acid / glutaraldehyde) with spraying, mobbing and wiping to safeguard other patients, doctors, nurses and healthcare workers.Option for manual affordable system (without robotics, Lithium Ion Battery system, LIDAR sensor and PLC) to reduce the cost.PIPES KitPIPES KitSpread of COVID-19 has resulted in a huge demand for personal protective equipment (PPE) for workers in essential services exposed to high-risk environments. As standard PPE kits become scarce, there is a need for low-cost and mass producible alternatives that provide protection for the entire body.A team of researchers led by Dr. Nitin Gupta & industry partners based on thin cylindrical rolls/pipes of polyethylene, which is non-porous & commonly used in the industry for packaging & making plastic-bags. Polythene material makes airtight and will provide required protection. It can be easily mass manufactured and transported at scale. The technology is made open source for anybody to make it. Easy to scale, cost effective and relevant particularly as imported kits are difficult to get.Know More...VSV based live attenuated recombinant vaccine against Novel Coronavirus infectionsystemsVaccine: VSV based live attenuated recombinant vaccine against Novel Coronavirus infectionsystemsDr. Dibyendu Kumar Das, Department of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering, IIT Kanpur and his team have aimed to develop replication-competent vaccines against Novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) based on attenuated recombinant vesicular stomatitis virus (rVSV) vectors expressing the novel corona virus spike (s) glycoprotein (rVSV-SARS-CoV- 2S). Vaccines, designed on live attenuated recombinant VSV template have been highly effective in animal models and are particularly appealing because they can be administered mucosally. Additionally, VSV rarely infect human and the chance of infection due to VSV is negligible. Recently, recombinant VSV based Ebola virus, Marburg virus and Lassa virus vaccine has been developed and tested effective in nonhuman primates model. The rVSV-ZEBOV-GP vaccine against Ebola had been 97.5% effective at stopping Ebola transmission, relative to no vaccination, approved by WHO in 2019 for vaccination.Indigenous Invasive Ventilator solutionIndigenous Invasive Ventilator solutionMr. Nikhil Kurele, CEO, Nocca Robotics have aimed to develop Indigenous Invasive Ventilator solution with following features:-Modular design, high end ventilator suitable for COVID-19 patients-Rapidly manufacturable at large scale across India-Low Power-Pessure and Volume Control-Versatile operations: works with both medical air / ambient air + oxygen-Safe invasive and non-invasive ventilatory modes-IoT-based system to create a Ventilator Management System-Remotely control & monitor multiple ventilators remotely with one IoT device-Inlet filter to prevent viral entry in the circuit-Expiratory flow filter to contain the viral load-Microprocessor-based with active exhalation-Automatic calibration system on startup-Easy transition from invasive to noninvasive ventilationKnow More...Contact tracing and fake news verification AppContact tracing and fake news verification AppDr. Swaprava Nath, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Kanpur and his team have developed a app of Contact tracing and fake news verification App. The users of social media apps like WhatsApp or Twitter can easily check whether a news received is fake or not (in a much simpler manner than the usual apps). What makes our solution stand out from the other such detectors is that the checking methodology is extremely simple.The users do not need to open a different app or google the news to find this out, it will happen by just forwarding the message to a saved contact. The ease of use is the biggest impact that this project wants to create for fake news detection. This can be used with non-smart phone also and thus deployable in areas of limited telecom connectivity.Know More...Whole Body Protection WearableSURAKSHA KIT - Whole Body Protection WearableDr. Swaprava Nath, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, IIT Kanpur and his team have developed a app of Contact tracing and fake news verification App. The users of social media apps like WhatsApp or Twitter can easily check whether a news received is fake or not (in a much simpler manner than the usual apps). What makes our solution stand out from the other such detectors is that the checking methodology is extremely simple.The users do not need to open a different app or google the news to find this out, it will happen by just forwarding the message to a saved contact. The ease of use is the biggest impact that this project wants to create for fake news detection. This can be used with non-smart phone also and thus deployable in areas of limited telecom connectivity.Know More...Modeling of COVID-19Modeling of COVID-19Interesting work on modeling of COVID-19 by Prof Mahendra K Verma and his team from IIT Kanpur. The work demonstrates power law growth in spread of COVID-19.Entire research paper is available. Read More...Preventive and cost-effective surface coating medicated masks and medical wearPreventive and cost-effective surface coating medicated masks and medical wearA team led by Profs. Nagma Parveen, M.L.N Rao Ashish K Patra from the Department of Chemistry have been granted funding from DST/SERB for developing a preventive and cost-effective surface coating. This coating will be applied in making medicated masks and medical wear (personal protective equipment, PPE) as a preventive measure for COVID-19, in particular, for doctors and nurses who are susceptible to contamination while treating infected patients.The idea is based on a combination of anti-microbial polymer coating and functionalized virucidal drugs/agents to attain a synergistic anti-viral effect.The team aims to develop a basic prototype within three months and further, collaborate with potential industrial and/or start-up partners for its potential large-scale applications. Know More...N95 face maskN95 face maskA team of researchers led by Profs J.Ramkumar & Tarun Gupta and alumnus Sandip Patil are working on a protective face mask which is equivalent to N95 face mask for the front line medical staff and common man fighting against COVID-19.The primary goal is to test various available filter media and develop a low-cost protective respirator which is equivalent or even better than N95. We have to quickly set up a filter testing rig equipped with an aerosol laser spectrometer and identify a non-woven polypropylene based 3-4 layer material as the likely candidate to make such mask. Its efficiency must be equal to N95 and it offers much lower resistance to the air passage.Scalability:After identifying the appropriate material the mask will be made manual because the ultrasonic welding machine and automatic manufacturing machines are also a bottleneck at this lock down period. We will identity few profession stitches who have prior experience in textile and mask fabrication. Initially for few days we would be able to manufacturing 500 piece/day. Slowly we will ramp up the production to 2000/day.Know More...Portable VentilatorsPortable VentilatorsProf. Amitabha Bandopadhyaya of Bioscience and Bioengineering Department, IIT Kanpur is coordinating an effort led by a large team for rapid development and production of portable ventilators which will be life saving for COVID-19 patients, particularly the elderly.Know More...Anti Viral Nasal FilterAnti Viral Nasal FilterMr. Ravi Pandey from SIIC at IIT Kanpur has developed an Anti Viral Nasal filter, the need for this filter arise considering the recent outbreak of corona virus, where the main channel of transmission occurs by the transfer of droplets to a healthy person through air. There have been several similar outbreaks that utilize air as the main transmission channel. However, such transmission of diseases can be stopped using different filters for mouth and nose. Since 90% of the breathing occurs through nasal cavity only, hence nasal passage is the main source of contamination.The existing masks comprise different straps to hold on to the face of the user and are uncomfortable to wear during different activities of the day. There was a need for a filter that filters the nano particles including any viruses with high filtration efficiency. The present invention minimizes the leakage of air, that occurs from sides while wearing a N95 mask, without maintaining positive pressure inside the filter.Know More...Aerospace EngineeringDevelopment of Small Sized Fixed Wing Unmanned Aerial SystemDevelopment of Small Sized Fixed Wing Unmanned Aerial SystemThe project aimed at developing a small sized Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) based on the fixed wing platform, having long endurance, in a pusher configuration; capable of both civil and defense applications. Read More...Autonomous Flapping Wing Unmanned Air Vehicle for Surveillance and Aerial PhotographyDesign and Fabrication of Autonomous Flapping Wing Unmanned Air Vehicle for Surveillance and Aerial PhotographyThe project aims to build an autonomous 1.5 m wing span flying bird which will carry a small camera as the payload and will be able to record pictures for surveillance applications. Read More...Design and Development of Visually Guided Autonomous Quadrotors: application in surveillance and disaster managementDesign and Development of Visually Guided Autonomous Quadrotors: application in surveillance and disaster managementThe need for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with greater maneuverability and hovering ability for various military and civilian applications has led to the current rise in quadrotor research. Read More...Numerical and Experimental Studies of Annular Trapped Vortex CombustorThe main objective of this project proposal is to design and develop an annular trapped vortex combustor and its performance characteristics. Read More...Model tested in National Wind Tunnel Facility IITKanpurTesting and Trajectory Analysis of DFDR (Deployable Flight Data Recorder Unit)The biological importance of nitric oxide (NO) is well established. It plays key roles as a signaling molecule in a number of mammalian physiological Read More...Gas Turbine Engine Combustion Characterization by Using Fixed Laser Energy SourceIgnition of fuel-air mixture in a gas turbine engine is quite important and critical for better performance of engine; particularly, in high altitude aerospace applications. Read More...Magnitude of vorticity during mixingNumerical characterization of strut-ramp injector for supersonic combustion using Large Eddy Simulation (LES)The primary aim of this project is to investigate the flow and mixing characteristic in strut-ramp injector configuration in oncoming supersonic flow methodology. Read More...Biological Sciences And BioengineeringSchematic of insect olfactory systemCoding of Innate Olfactory Preferences in the Mosquito BrainMosquitoes detect humans using a variety of cues, including the exhaled carbon dioxide and skin odors. Presently, the understanding about how the information relayed by Read More...Structural model of the C5a receptor generated using the program modellerStructural basis of the Human Complement Anaphylatoxin C5a Interaction with its Cognate G Protein-Coupled Receptor, the C5aRThe "complement system" is a critical part of body's defense mechanism against pathological infections. Read More...A fruit fly epithelial cell sheet displaying cancerous growthA translational exploration of the Drosophila cancer model for biomedical researchCancerous transformation of a cell is often accompanied by a loss of its original developmental program or what could be said as cellular memory Read More...Neuron-like cell from mBMSCsExploring the Neurogenic Potential of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells (BMSCs) following the Inhibition of BMP signalingBone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) are a source of adult stem cells that have the potential of undergoing trans-differentiation into multiple cell types Read More...Studies on the Lafora disease mice modelsUnderstanding the molecular basis of myoclonic epilepsy in Lafora disease using mice modelsLafora progressive myoclonus epilepsy or Lafora disease (LD) is one of the five forms of inherited progressive myoclonus epilepsies in human and is caused by mutations Read More...Structural visualization of GPCR signaling terminationStructure, Function and Novel Signaling Pathways of the "Non-canonical" G Protein-Coupled ReceptorsThe cells in our body are surrounded by a membrane, which acts as a barrier and protects the interior of the cells from harmful factors Read More...Specific binding of human acute myeloid leukemia cells on cryogel matrixEstablishment of New Generation Technologies for Cell Separation and High Throughput Screening Using Macroporous Polymeric MatricesThis is a TATA INNOVATION award project from DBT. The project is awarded in recognition of the outstanding work intranslational research. Read More...Mouse bone marrow cells have been engineered to enable infection by chicken retroviruses to achieve stable expression of transgenesDeciphering The Bmp Signaling Network In Developing Bone: An Interdisciplinary Approach Combining Bioinformatic Data Mining Tools Along With Molecular Genetic and Developmental Biology StrategiesBone Morphogenetic Proteins (BMPs) are secrete signaling molecules that dictate bone formation. There is evidence suggesting that loss of BMPs may lead to osteoporosis. Read More...Nuclear Actin Related Protien 8 Noncoding RNA InteractionMolecular and Biochemical Characterization of Sachharomyces Cerevisiae Actin Related Proctein 8 (ARP8)The eukaryotic genome is packaged into nucleosomes, in which the DNA is wrapped around histone octamers and forms higher order chromatin. Read More...AGTR1 downregulation attenuates breast cancer cell invasionInvestigate Potential Mechanism involved in AGTR1 Mediated Oncogenic Effects:A Pharmaceutical Intervention for Treatment of AGTR1 Positive Breast CancerThe use of biomarkers, such as estrogen receptor (ER) and HER2, for breast cancer treatment selection are well established; yet even with these markers; Read More...22 RV1 Control 22 RV1 Spink 1 KnockdownRole of SPINK1 in cancer progression: Regulatory Mechanisms and Therapeutic Target PotentialThe prevalence of SPINK1 outlier expression or ETS genetic rearrangement status among prostate cancer (PCa) patients is largely unknown in India. Read More...AAV labeled with a cyanine dye are seen as red particles in HeLa cells. The cell nuclei is stained with Hoechst (blue) and the cadherin molecule is stained in green for contrastModulation of Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) Replication by Host Cell Transcriptional Repressors: Pharmacologic and RNA Interference to Improve AAV Vector Delivery during Gene TherapyIn recent years, gene therapy for human diseases such as hemophilia and hereditary blindness using adeno associated virus (AAV) vectors has shown great promise. Read More...The spectrogram indicates the presence of 15-20 Hz oscillations in neural activity during odor sensingRole of Neural Oscillations in the Processing of Behaviorally Salient Odors by the Mosquito BrainMosquitoes show innate attraction to human smell, which is one of the important cues used by mosquitoes to find humans. The scientific community has begun to identify Read More...Civil EngineeringCPF Plots showing location of pollutantsNational Carbonaceous Aerosols Programme (NCAP): Carbonaceous Aerosol Emissions, Source Apportionment and Climate EffectsCarbonaceous aerosol emissions arise from energy use and the burning of forest, grasslands and agricultural residues. The emissions lead to air-quality Read More...Measurement of surface energy balance (flux tower:1), atmospheric thermodynamics (Radiosonde Balloon launches:2), cloud and aerosol profile (ceilometer:3) under the INCOMPASS projectIndo-UK joint project on South Asian Monsoon: Monsoon Dynamics and Thermodynamics from the Land Surface through Convection to the Continental-Scale (INCOMPASS)The monsoon is the primary driver of the agriculture and industry in South Asia, and is thus significant in the lives of more than a billion people Read More...Laser scanned point cloud model of TajMahal3D Documentation of Heritage Structures and Development of Documentation Standards With Tajmahal as the Test BedHeritage structures generally do not have documented details about their structure and layout. This leads to problems in their maintenance and also in their studies. Read More...Airborne LiDARDeveloping Standards for Airborne LiDAR Data AcquisitionAirborne LiDAR is an industry standard technique to collect dense and accurate three dimensional data of terrain and the features on it. Read More...The Project SiteRoad Construction using Recycled AggregatesNatural resources used for road construction are depleting. Consequently, the haulage cost for acquiring good quality stone aggregates is increasing. Read More...Laminar Box SetupA study on Seismic Soil-Foundation-Structure Interaction using Laminar ContainerThe main objective of this research is to design and construct a medium-size laminar container with limited shear capacity for experimentally investigating the nonlinear behavior of rocking shallow foundation Read More...Geoslicer section and geoslicer peel samplePaleo-Seiemic and Paleo-Tsunami Investigations along South-Middle Andaman & Car Nicobar Islands towards Earthquake and Tsunami Hazard Assessment of A&N IslandsTsunami word has been known since decades in Japanese literature (tsunami – the harbour wave). Read More...National Facility for Application of Science & Technology in Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management (CRM).The objective of the MHRD funded project is to set up a National facility in the area of application of science and technology in archaeology and Cultural Resources Management (CRM). Read More...Water bodies in the Kalinjar fortScience and Technology of Water Harvesting and Management in the Medieval Fort of Kalinjar in Central IndiaThe project aims at understanding the science and technology of water harvesting and management in medieval forts of Central India. Read More...Field Test Mass Shaker SetupDynamic Response of Foundation Components through Full-scale Field TestsThe objective of this research is to carry out field tests on full-scale foundations to understand the behavior of rocking shallow foundations under seismic loading. Read More...Ground Response Analysis of Soils from North India Considering Soil StrainOne of the most important and most commonly encountered problems in geotechnical earthquake engineering is the evaluation of ground response. Read More...Chemical EngineeringCarbon pipe modelAligned Carbon Nanotubes as Porous Materials for Selective Carbon-Dioxide Adsorption and Desorption: Effect of Pressure and ChargeThe escalating level of atmospheric carbon dioxide is one of the major pressing needs for efficient deployment of carbon capture and storage at the major sources for reducing CO2 emission. Read More...A solution based approach to the fabrication of novel chalcogenide glass microlens arrays for the 6-12 µm IR optics applications.Mid Infrared (MIR) technology is now major part of current research in sensing (chemical/biological) and military applications. Read More...Experimental Set-upSynthesis of Polymer Nano Composites for Energy Storage ApplicationsPolymeric films have received great attention due to ease of processing, flexibility and low cost for capacitor based energy storage devices applications. Read More...Drug delivery systemNon-Gassing Electrode Materials for Electro-Osmotic Pumping Based Subcutaneous Drug Delivery SystemMiniature pumps are the core of programmable drug delivery systems. Of the known miniature pumps, electro-osmotic pumps are arguably the simplest of all pumps Read More...Development of Flexible Pressure SensorsLow cost, large area, ultra-sensitive, flexible sensors are important for variety of engineering. Read More...Cu Nanoparticle/Carbon Nanofiber/PVA Nanocomposite-based MicrochannelsCarbon Nanofibres Dispersed PVA-Based Microchannels: Synthesis, Fabrication and Application to Separation ProcessesPresently, a DST-sponsored project on the laser-mediated fabrication of poly vinyl alcohol (PVA)-based microchannels is underway. Read More..Biosensors for Multi-Analyte Disease DetectionEarly detection of cancer is needed for effective remedial measures. A vast segment of our country's population does not have easy access to diagnostic centers due to prohibitive costs and location issues Read More...Skyline set of preferred flightsDevelopment Of Metal Monolith Catalysts for Steam Reforming Of MethaneSteam reforming of methane on supported nickel catalyst pellets in fixed bed reactors is a well-established commercial process for producing CO and H2 Read More...Optimizing catalyst composition using statistical methodologiesEffect of Iron in Supported & Unsupported Nickel-Iron & Cobalt-Iron Bimetallic CatalystsSupported nickel and cobalt systems are important catalysts used for several industrial processes. Promotion of these catalysts will give rise to more efficient reactions. One such promoter is iron. Read More...Synthesized zeolite encapsulated nanoparticlesDevelopment of Sinter-Resistant Nanoparticles Encapsulated by Zeolite Nanoshell as Bifunctional CatalystModulation of activity and selectivity of catalytic nanoparticles is correlated to the control of their shape, size and surface composition. Read More...Schematic diagram of nanoparticles-loaded carbon capsulesTarget-Specific Nanomaterials as Contrast Agents for High Precision Multimodal Bioimaging ApplicationsThe essential requirements for an imaging technique are high target specificity, 3-D tomography, real-time imaging, non-invasiveness, and high spatial resolution. Read More...ChemistryProphyrin Dimer as model of Di-heme proteinPorphyrin Dimers as Model of Di-heme Proteins: Inorganic and Bioinorganic Perspectives and Consequences of Heme-Heme InteractionsThis project is aimed at biomimetic study of di/multi-heme proteins in order to understand the structure-function relationships at the molecular level. Read More...Analogues of CastanospermineSynthesis of Carba-aminosugars, and aza- and imnosugars as glycosidic inhibitors starting from readily available sugar derivatives and L-ascorbic acidThe main objective in this proposal is to develop new synthetic approaches towards some known and some unknown designed glycosidase (enzyme) inhibitors. Read More...Biological TargetsNitric Oxide Delivery to Biological Targets from Transition Metal Nitrosyl ComplexesThe biological importance of nitric oxide (NO) is well established. It plays key roles as a signaling molecule in a number of mammalian physiological and pathophysiological processes. Read More...Metal Catalyzed Decarbonylative Coupling Reactions and their Applications to Organic SynthesisIn recent years, metal-catalyzed coupling reactions demonstrated tremendous potential in organic synthetic applications both in laboratory and industrial scale preparations. Read More...Cryptand based molecular photonic deviceMacrobicyclic Cryptands as Platforms for Attachment of Donor and Acceptor Groups: Photo-Induced Energy and Charge TransferIn systems containing more than one type of fluorophores substantial energy/charge transfer can take place depending upon the nature of the fluorophores. Read More...Computer Science and EngineeringSkyline set of preferred flightsExtending Skyline Queries to Distributed and Uncertain DatabasesWhile choosing a flight, it is not always that lower cost is the only objective; in many cases, a user may wish to choose flights having lower durations and other such parameters. Read more...Image showing the implementation of the projectSatellite Sterro Triplet Image Matching for Digital Elevation Model GenerationThe aim of this project is to develop a suitable triplet image matching technique for high resolution satellite stereo imagery towards digital elevation model generation. Read More...Autograder PrutorIntelligent Tutor projectThe project is aiming to develop Intelligent Tutoring Systems to assist in teaching large classrooms. Read More...Improving Coverage of Test- Suites via Automatic Test-Case GenerationProgram testing is a fundamental chore in the development of any software system. An expert testing team, using relevant domain knowledge of the system being built, would design a set of test-cases. Read More...Earth SciencesEffects of Climate Change on Cryosphere-riverEffects of Climate Change on Cryosphere-river Linkages: Insights from Seasonal and Inter-annual Variation of Glacial Melt Discharge in the Headwaters of the Ganges RiverGlobal warming and climate change issues are adversely affecting the health of the Himalayan glaciers, which feed the large rivers in the Indian subcontinent such as the Ganges. Read more...Climatic hazards and the vulnerability in the Ganga-Brahmaputra and Mahanadi deltaDeltaic Environments, Vulnerability and Climate Change: Migration and Adaptation and Its Policy ImplicationsMigration and Adaptation and its Policy Implications has been funded by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC). Read more...Electrical EngineeringSet-up to study Power Quality issues and mitigation techniquesA Multi-dimensional Smart Energy Grids Analysis for Indian ScenarioThe aim of this research is to develop a holistic understanding of how smart grid systems, both in urban and rural India, can support India's transition to a low carbon electricity supply system. Read more...Residential low voltage DC systemHigh Reliability DC-DC Converter For Integrating Battery With Low Voltage DC SystemSignificant population of India does not have access to electricity. Due to climatic conditions and decreasing cost of solar PV panels, Read More...Brihaspati 3Deployment and Management of Brithaspati-3 Services over NKN for Indian AcademiaWe have been using and developing Brihaspati Learning Management System for more than a decade at IIT Kanpur. Read More...Adaptive Clustering for Decentralized Resilient Energy Management (ADREM)This project will explore the potential of a distributed approach to self-optimization and self-healing in the Smart Grid environment. Read More...Pulsed Electro-Acoustic Technique for space charge measurement in polymersExperimental Characterization and Numerical Modeling of Charge Transport in Synthetic Polymers Used for Electrical Insulation under Low and High Applied VoltagesInjection and accumulation of space charge into the volume of high voltage polymeric dielectrics plays a significant role in driving aging mechanisms. Read More...Spherical microphone array setupMUSIC-Group Delay based Source Localization and Tracking over Spherical ArraysConventional methods for source localization requires large number of sensors for resolving closely spaced sources. Read More...Fluorescent optical tomography experimentShape-Based Fluorescence Optical Tomography for Grading of Dysplasia in Cervical Cancer ProgressionTumor detection in various parts of the body by optical tomographic methods is often a limited data problem with only back-scattered light available for analysis of the subsurface. Read More...Experimental Set-upLinearity Improvement of High Current Hall Effect Current SensorsElectrohms, a Bangalore-based company is the only Indian manufacturer of Hall-effect based closed-loop sensors, the market of which is dominated by Swiss and other European players. Read More...Planar High Gain Antennas Based on Electromagnetic Band Gap ConceptThis is an Indo-Australian joint partnership project. The main aim of this project is to develop a novel, versatile class of low-profile (thin) high-gain antennas. Read More...Microwave image of an object hidden behind clothMicrowave Imaging and Remote Sensing of Concealed ObjectsThis project mainly focuses on the development of a viable prototype system for the imaging of concealed objects using microwaves. Read More...Humanities & Social SciencesArtistic rendition of the possible museum planSandHISangrahalay Museum of Scientific Study of Indian Knowledge SystemsThe SandHISangrahalay is envisaged as an interactive platform for displaying the finest intellectual achievements of the Indian mind in the field of science and technology as expressed and manifested in its material culture. Read More...Study on the Interaction Between Formal And Informal InstitutionsA Study on the Interaction Between Formal And Informal Institutions and Its Effect on EntrepreneurshipThis study focuses on legal barriers that prevent new small and medium entrepreneurs to enter the market and create jobs. Read More...Frugal InnovationProject on Frugal Innovation in Design and TechnologyDespite the hurdles of low literacy, poor infrastructure, lack of access to mainstream markets and the hegemony of the manufacturing giants, Read More...Online mixer setupCentral Sector Scheme for MOOC Compliant E-Content Creation (NPTEL Phase IV)Over the past ten years, the National Programme on Technology Enabled Learning (NPTEL) has been successful in creating the largest online repository in the world of courses in engineering, Read More...Industrial and Management EngineeringKey Issues for Enabling the Regional Power Market in South AsiaCross Border Electricity Trade in South Asia: Prospects for Regional CooperationSouth Asian nations continue to witness poor electricity access and power shortages amidst sufficient hydro-electric resources in the region. Read More...Multi-layer PCB Compaction PressEstablishment of a Multidisciplinary Innovation LabAs the product life cycles are getting shorter and companies face intense pressure to be first in the market, this facility is expected to reduce the time to market and increase the profitability of start-ups. Read More...Decision Support System to Enhance Safety of Railway Track WorkersEver since creation of rail transportation, inspection of railway tracks has been a hazardous job due to lack of appropriate warning systems for approaching trains. Read More...MathematicsScattering of a plane wave by a deformed cylindrical mediumEfficient and Accurate Algorithms for Acoustic and Electromagnetic Scattering from Inhomogeneous Scatters in Two and Three DimensionsThe project proposes development of efficient, accurate and rapidly-convergent algorithms for the simulation of scattering of acoustic and electromagnetic fields within and around structures. Read More....Mechanical EngineeringExperimental Set-up: Figures (a), (b) schematic of the test section (c ) possible flow patterns and occurrence of film-instability in upward flow configuration, (d), (e) steel and concrete test slab with Heat Flux Sensors (HFS)Local Heat Transfer Coefficient during Film Condensation of Stream Hydrogen MixtureCondensation in the presence of non-condensable is an area of concern for long time especially in nuclear reactor containment cooling system. Read more...Hand exoskeletonA BCI Operated Hand Exoskeleton Based Neurorehabilitation System for Movement Restoration in ParalysisIt is known that stroke sufferers can gain much enhanced upper limb movement recovery with active physical practice in conjunction with motor imagery (MI) practice of activities of daily living. Read More...An Investigation on Carbon Nanotube-Glass Composites for Bone Tissue EngineeringThe area of bone tissue engineering integrates principles of biology and engineering with the ultimate goal of creating artificial scaffold materials to proliferate, Read More...Thermal Energy Storage using Salt HydratesInnovative Thermal Energy Storage Systems − INOTESIf thermal enegy is available e.g. solar heat and/or industrial waste heat, but no demand at the same time, that heat cannot be used. Read More...Seamless affordable assistive technologySeamless affordable assistive technology for health (SAATH)Normal ageing leads to physical and cognitive degeneration often causing loss of independence and the need for care support. Read More...HMS HelsingborgUse of Mode Localization for Quieter Panels of Superstructure in A Stealth ShipFlat plates/laminates are widely used in construction of various parts of superstructure of a stealth ship to scatter electromagnetic waves as shown in Fig. 1 (a). Read More...Development of a General Purpose CFD solver over a Hybrid Unstructured GridThe project is a BRNS-funded multi-institute initiative for the development of robust, general-purpose CFD-software for solving the mass, momentum and scalar transport Equations at the continuum scale. Read More...Proposed robot based on PVDF sensorDesign and Development of a Pipe-line Health Monitoring Robot based on Smart Sensor Embedded Rotating Probes and an Efficient Data CommunicationDue to corrosive environment, pipes used for transportation often get damaged. Defects caused by corrosion and cracking may cause serious accidents like leakage, fire and blasts. Read more...Asteroid ItokawaShapes, Stability and Dynamics of Granular Minor PlanetsObjects such as asteroids and planetary satellites are called minor planets. Ongoing research suggests that these objects may not be solid, Read More...Schematic drawing of CO2Sequestration in Marine Hydrate Sediments with Simultaneous CH4RecoveryCO2Sequestration in Marine Hydrate Sediments with Simultaneous CH4RecoverySequestration of CO2 in geologic formations is a technologically and financially viable option for controlling CO2 concentration in ambient atmosphere. Read More...SAE Formula Racing CarSAE Formula Racing Car- designed & BUILT BY Students of IIT KanpurThe Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) club of IITK participated in the 9th edition of the formula SAE 2013event Ricardo Paletti Circuit- Varano de' Melegari (PR) Italy, during 13th-16th September. Read More...Leg ExoskeletonAnalysis of Human Gait and Design of A Leg Exoskeleton For RehabilitationThe aim of this project is to develop a leg exoskeleton robot. The exoskeleton can be worn on the legs and would provide power and load sharing capacity during walk/exercise. Read More...Deep Sea Pressure Test FacilityHindustan Aeronautics Limited has a division located in Korwa, UP which is engaged in design and development of flight data recorders. Read More...Proposed test bedDevelopment of Compressed Air-Based Test Bed for Pipe-Line Health Monitoring RobotThis project aims at developing a compressed air based test bed on which performance of various pipe health monitoring robots (PHMR) ) can be examined. Read More...Materials Science & EngineeringUnique Ferromagnetism in α-Mn NanorodsUnique Ferromagnetism in α-Mn NanorodsIn the periodic table, Mn is located just before the ferromagnetic family of metals, namely, iron, cobalt and nickel. Read more...Virtual LaboratoryVirtual Laboratory, Phase IIIn the Phase-II of Virtual Lab, idea is to make all the developed labs into an open source repository that is available to community/academic institutes. Read more...Sputter Deposition UnitReduction of Earth Metals in Chalkopyrite based Solar CellsRelatively limited reserves of Indium and Gallium are expected to result into increased cost of CuInGaSe2 (CIGS) based solar-cells. Read more...Seeing is believing: In-situ studiesIntegration of in-situ Electron Backscatter Diffraction and crystal plasticity Simulations to decipher tension-compression asymmetry in Titanium and Ti6A14VStructural components are likely to be subjected to loading reversal in service that can lead to failure. Read More...Cryo-mill set upFree Standing Nano-particle Formation by Ball Milling at Cryogenic TemperatureThe study of nanocrystalline material is an active area of research in materials engineering, physics, chemistry, biomedical engineering etc. Read More...Glove BoxSynthesis and Characterization of Iron Chalcogenide FES2(Pyrite) and Fe2SiS4Thin-Films for Photovoltaic ApplicationPresent investigation will focus of solution based synthesis of iron-pyrite (FeS2 ), and iron thio-silicate (Fe2SiS4 ), and investigate their structural. Read More...Ti-AL-Mo ternary isotherm at 1200ocInvestigation of Interdiffusion and Diffusional Interactions in the Ternary Ti-Al-Mo Alloys.The phenomenon of solid-state diffusion is of significant importance in Materials Engineering as it guides most of the processes including precipitation, Read More...Oxidation of Graphite and Protective CoatingsOxidation of Graphite and Protective Coatings: Multi Length Scale AbridgmentThe project "Oxidation of Graphite and Protective Coatings: Multi Length Scale Abridgment" funded by Board of Research in Nuclear Sciences aims to evaluate the oxidation behavior of graphite. Read More...Epitaxial GaFeO3thin films and room temperature ferroelectric behaviour [Nature Asia Materials (2016)]Investigations into Compositionally Modulated Magnetoelectric Gallium Ferrite for Sensor and Transducer ApplicationsThis project aims at exploring Gallium ferrite which is a known piezoelectric and ferrimagnetic material. Read More...FRM simulation of σyystress contours for γFe precipitate in the presence of interfacial misfit dislocation loopInvestigations into Coherent to Semicoherent Transition of Precipitates in Nanoscale SystemsCoherent precipitates on growth can become semi-coherent by the formation of interfacial misfit dislocation loops (beyond the critical size r*). Read More...Addition of 1 mol.% CeO2in ZrO2host-lattice increases tendency to form high symmetry, high conductivity phasesDevelopment of Higher Conductive Co-doped Sc2O3-ZrO2Based Electrolyte for Solid Oxide Fuel CellThe aim of the project is to project is to rationally design materials with higher oxygen ion conductivity for the electrolyte application in solid oxide fuel cells. Read More...Two-axis modulation fixture along with cutting toolMicrostructural and Tribological Characterization of Stainless Steel 316L obtained by Modulated MachiningIt is known that presence of refined microstructure on the surface of a material can lead to substantial improvements in mechanical as well as functional properties. Read More...PhysicsSingle-scale and multiscale diffusionModern science reveals that matter is made of atoms and molecules. Molecules in liquids and gases move randomly; there is an average distance between two nearest molecules. This distance is used to model the properties of the gas. However, there are certain problems, like turbulence, that cannot be solved using just the distance, which is a single scale. We need to consider all scales from large to small. Such systems are called multiscale systems.Read More...New way to determine arrow of timeOne of the annoying side effects of being absorbed in a gripping novel is that the cup of tea on the table becomes cold! Unfortunately, the tea would not heat itself by absorbing the heat around it, just as pieces of a broken egg would not put themselves together or milk mixed in coffee would not separate by itself. Such things are irreversible, and define a fixed direction of time—that from the past towards the future. This apparent progression of time is called the ‘arrow of time’.Read More...Variable gaseous plasma focused ion beams and creation of high aspect ratio microstructuresIon beam tools have become inevitable in today’s science and technology research and industrial applications. The application spans over several areas and traditionally have addressed milling, patterning, high resolution imaging and implantation, including fundamental physics research Read More...A hot spot imaging techniqueDeveloping Prototype of a Smart Superconducting Fault Current Limiter (SCFCLSM) with Three Dimensional Field and Current Mapping Technology for Early Fault and Hot Spot DetectionThe Department of Science and Technology has funded this project. There is an ever increasing need for protecting power grids against damage by making them Read More...STABLE Superhydrophobic Coating on Steel Surfaces for Corrosion Prevention and Water Drag ReductionSteel is one of the most commonly used material now a days in every aspect of human life and corrosion is the most important issue associated with it. Read More...Portable device for detection of cervical pre-cancerDiagnosis of Cancer Using Fluorescence lifetime ImagingThe investigation of optical techniques for the study of biomedical systems is a rapidly developing field that has seen a dramatic expansion in recent years. Read More...Image of waves excited in a plasma due to launching of pulsed modulated electromagnetic wavesInteraction of Pulse Modulated Electromagnetic Waves with plasmas: Electron Energy Distribution, Waves and Non-linear phenomenaWave plasma interaction has been widely investigated especially with plasmas that are in steady state, inhomogeneous and nonmagnetic in nature. Read More...Atomic force microscope image of corrugated sub-micron metal gratingMetamaterials and Designer Plasmonic Structures for Controlling Emission and Absorption of LightThe interaction of atoms and molecules depends on the electromagnetic environment in which the atom or molecule is placed and not only on the atomic/molecular structure. Read More...A simulated structure of the double cavity- quantum-electrodynamic (QED) setup that will be built at IITK to host the experimentA Triggered Source of Single Photons and Photon PairsThe project proposes to develop a high-brightness triggered source of single photons and photon pairs, using laser cooled ensemble of Rubidium atoms coupled to two optical cavities. Read More...