Latest news with #C.Anandharamakrishnan
United News of India
2 days ago
- Science
- United News of India
India ranks 6th largest producer of chemicals, contributing 7pc to GDP
Thiruvananthapuram, June 27 (UNI) India ranks as the sixth-largest chemical producer globally, with the sector contributing 7pc to the national GDP. Highlighting the global relevance of organic and materials chemistry, Dr. C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director of CSIR-NIIST, emphasised the need for climate-smart, low-carbon chemistries and the integration of technologies like AI and automation to accelerate innovation in the sector. He said this while inaugurating the National Conference on Advances in Organic and Materials Chemistry (AOMC-2025), organised by the institute's Chemical Sciences and Technology Division (CSTD), which is part of the Golden Jubilee Conclave Series commemorating 50 years of scientific excellence. The two-day conference aims to bring together leading scientists, industry experts, academicians, and young researchers to discuss recent advancements and emerging trends in the fields of organic and materials chemistry. Reflecting on the evolution of India's research ecosystem, Prof. T. K. Chakraborty, Professor at IISc Bangalore and former Director of CSIR-CDRI, encouraged the younger generation to leverage the tools and infrastructure available today. Prof. Chandrabhas Narayana, Director, RGCB, called for broader inclusivity in research employment, while Prof. Jiju P. Alex, Member, Kerala State Planning Board, spoke on Kerala's strategic plans to transform Thiruvananthapuram into a knowledge-driven research hub. A special felicitation was conferred upon Prof. Chandrabhas Narayana for his outstanding contributions to science. UNI DS ARN
The Hindu
6 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Manufacturing units planned in northeast States for vegan leather developed by CSIR-NIIST
Manufacturing units will be established in the northeast States for the plant-based vegan leather developed by the CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) in Thiruvananthapuram. CSIR-NIIST on Monday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the North East Centre for Technology Application and Reach (NECTAR), an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, in this regard. NIIST described the MoU as a significant step towards promoting sustainable technologies and a circular economy in the northeast. 'The MoU facilitates the transfer of CSIR-NIIST's plant-based vegan leather technology to NECTAR for establishing common facility centres and manufacturing units in Meghalaya and other northeast States. These centres will support farmers, MSMEs, and women-led self-help groups in converting agro-waste into high-value sustainable products,' NIIST said. NIIST director C. Anandharamakrishnan and NECTAR director Arun Kumar Sarma exchanged MoU documents in the presence of CSIR director general N. Kalaiselvi at the CSIR Headquarters in New Delhi. By harnessing locally available agro-waste, the partnership aims to promote regional entrepreneurship, create jobs and foster environmentally-responsible manufacturing practices in the northeast region. Dr. Kalaiselvi said there is a pressing need to address the growing agro-waste challenge in northeast India. Agricultural residues such as rice straw, banana and pineapple waste are typically discarded or burned, leading to air and water pollution, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss, she said. NIIST said its technology provides a sustainable solution by converting this biomass into plant-based leather, replacing 50–70% of the chemicals used in synthetic leather and significantly reducing the environmental footprint of the leather industry. The initiative, it said, is aligned with national missions such as Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make In India, Innovate India and Swachh Bharat.
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
A ‘millety' nutribar from CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology
Millets, often dubbed superfoods, are quite trendy these days. So are nutribars. The National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), a Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) lab in Thiruvananthapuram, has combined the two to develop a nutribar that packs a punch, nutritionally. This millet-based nutrition bar delivers 228.66 kcal of energy per serving and is rich in natural protein content, according to CSIR-NIIST which has transferred the technology to a Thiruvalla-based private firm for commercial production. A wholesome functional food option, the nutribars are designed to appeal to health-conscious consumers who are on the look-out for healthy, nutrient-packed snacks, says NIIST director C. Anandharamakrishnan. What sets NIIST nutribar special apart, it being millet-based aside, is that unlike many nutribars on shop racks today, it does not contain synthetic additives, preservatives and refined sugars, said Tripti Mishra, scientist with the Agro Processing and Food Technology Division of NIIST. Natural sweeteners 'For this particular product, we have used sorghum. But any millet can be used in it,' Dr. Mishra said. The clean-label product contains natural sweeteners and features, and apart from millets, it contains nutrient-rich traditional ingredients such as nuts and seeds, creating a bar that is rich in dietary fibre and micronutrients. NIIST formally transferred the nutribar technology to Sabari Agro Food Products, Thiruvalla, during a conclave on 'Next-Generation Food Technologies: Processing for a Sustainable Tomorrow' held as part of the institute's golden jubilee celebrations on Friday. Strong research NIIST pursues a strong research programme in millets, given the potential these small-grained cereal crops hold for food security and nutrition. In 2023, as part of the International Year of Millets observance, NIIST had organised a Millet Festival which featured millet familiarisation programmes, millet and agro-food export conclaves and a recipe contest.
United News of India
05-06-2025
- General
- United News of India
Greywater constitutes nearly 75pc total household wastewater
Thiruvananthapurm, June 5 (UNI) Greywater constitutes nearly 75% of total household wastewater, often discharged untreated into soak pits, posing serious environmental and public health concerns. This was one of the major discussion points at the National Conclave on Sustainable Environmental Solutions, which brought together eminent policymakers, technocrats, and researchers to deliberate on innovative and actionable strategies for environmental sustainability in India. A key highlight of the event was the technology transfer of CSIR-NIIST's engineered modular wetland system (patent filed) for greywater treatment and reuse at the household level. Developed by a team led by Dr. Krishnakumar B from the Environmental Technology Division, the modular system is compact, energy-free, and scalable and produces reuse-quality water for applications like gardening, horticulture, and toilet flushing. On the side-lines of the conclave, CSIR-NIIST signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with V-Tech Instrumentation (India) Pvt. Ltd. Thiruvananthapuram, for the field implementation and commercial rollout of this innovative technology. In his presidential address, Dr. C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director, CSIR-NIIST, underscored the institute's enduring mission of translating cutting-edge science into practically viable and socially relevant solutions. He also highlighted the institute's leadership in the National Mission on Sustainable Packaging Solutions, led by CSIR-NIIST, which aims to accelerate India's transition toward a plastic-free and environmentally responsible future. 'Our initiatives in sustainable packaging are aligned with the country's march toward a circular economy and greener industry practices,' he added. As part of its Golden Jubilee celebrations and World Environment Day, the CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) organized the Conclave on Wednesday. The Conclave was inaugurated by Prof. V. K. Ramachandran, Chairperson of the Kerala State Planning Board, who served as the Chief Guest. In his address, Prof. Ramachandran emphasised the impact of floods and landslides preceded by drought. There is a need for science-based studies and interventions to bring resilience in the era of climate change. The event was also attended by Dr. C Anandharamakrishnan, Director, CSIR-NIIST, Dr. G. Shankar, Architect and Founder, Habitat Technology Group and Prof. N. V. Chalapathi Raju, Director, NCESS. The conclave served as a platform to showcase CSIR-NIIST's impactful research and technologies that address real-world environmental problems, including climate-resilient solutions in water management, waste-to-resource technologies, and green innovations for communities. With its convergence of thought leadership and scientific advancement, the CSIR-NIIST Golden Jubilee Conclave marked a major milestone in the institute's journey, reinforcing its position as a pioneer in science-led transformation. UNI DS ARN
The Hindu
04-06-2025
- Health
- The Hindu
CSIR-NIIST develops technology for in situ disposal of biomedical waste
At a time when hospitals are struggling to get rid of biomedical waste, the National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST), a Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) laboratory here, has developed a technology for their in situ disposal in an ecofriendly and cost-effective way. Models meant for regular hospitals and one for the Military Hospital in the high-altitude Siachen glacier are currently undergoing tests, C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director, CSIR-NIIST, told The Hindu. The NIIST design, which is quite compact, is expected to boost the decentralised disposal of biomedical wastes, benefitting States such as Kerala where they are often transported over long distances to a couple of facilities for the purpose, Dr. Anandharamakrishnan said. The treated waste is expelled from the unit in the form of a powder which is useful as a soil additive, according to him. CSIR-NIIST is hoping that the model for the Military Hospital in Siachen can be commissioned by August 15 to coincide with the Independence Day celebrations this year. The unit undergoing tests for the Military Hospital in Siachen is capable of handling 10 kg at a time, and up to about 100 kg a day, Dr. Anandharamakrishnan said. Here, the real challenge was redesigning the original idea to suit the climatic conditions of Siachen, often dubbed the world's highest and coldest battlefield. 'It has to be a low-temperature operation there. The temperatures being extremely low, it is very difficult to manage biomedical waste. They cannot burn or bury it. In other locations, incinerators are at least possible. There they don't have that option. Even if the cabin housing the waste treatment is artificially heated, the temperatures still tend to be lower than what it is here,' he said. The 10 kg unit takes about half-an-hour to dispose of a single batch. Studies are also under way on another CSIR-NIIST prototype, which will prove useful to regular hospitals, at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi. 'The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change wanted units specifically for remote areas where the wastes are still burned or buried. We hope to complete the study in two months and hand over the report to the Ministry,' This biomedical waste conversion rig is capable of handling 100 kg per day. Given the misgivings biomedical waste treatment plants tend to arouse in the public, NIIST scientists have also taken the effort to make sure that their design is easy on the eye. The compact units resemble huge green capsicums. The waste is put in by opening the (automated) door provided at the side of the unit. The biomedical waste treatment technology is one among ten 'game-changing technologies' that the NIIST is currently working on.
