Top experts for meet on cryogenics

Dr S Prasad, Dean (Academics) of the college, told reporters at a press conference that this is the first time that the cryogenics symposium is being hosted by an institution other than the IITs or the national laboratories.

Cryogenics, he explained, is becoming one of the key demands of the 21st century to keep pace with the challenges facing the developing world. Exciting new applications of cryogenics are seen in cryo-refrigeration, cryo-treatment of metals and cutting tools, liquid hydrogen as fuel for IC engines, food, seed, bio-organpreservation, cryo-surgery, etc.

The symposium is aimed at creating awareness about these applications and give an impetus to research and development in the field of cryogenics in Vidarbha region.

Dr Prasad said that so far about 80 technical papers have been received from scientists and researchers belonging to ISRO, DRDO, IPL, NPL, IITs, IISc, Bangalore, and other prestigious institutions. Forty-eight of these have been selected for oral presentation and the rest will be displayed through posters.

The symposium will be inaugurated at the hands of Dr S Rame Gowda, Chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education, at Vasantrao Deshpande hall at 9 am on February 19.

The key-note lecture will be delivered by Dr K G Narayankhedkar, Professor of IIT, Mumbai. Dr Narayankhedkar, who is closely involved with the conduct of the symposium, has developed the first indigenous liquid nitrogen based Individual Quick Freezing Tunnel.

Dr Bhalchandra Chopane, Vice Chancellor of Nagpur University, willpreside over the inaugural function. Dr T Ananth Raman, former director of the Institute of Technology, Banaras Hindu University, and senior scientist in the Indian National Science Academy, will be present on the occasion.

Dr Ananth Raman will also deliver a public talk on “Science, Spirituality and Society” at the university’s convocation hall on February 19 at 6 pm. Vice-Chancellor Chopane will preside over the lecture.

The plenary sessions will be chaired by B D Pande, General Manager of BHEL, Nagpur, Dr S N Kaul, Director of NEERI, Nagpur, and Dr S T Deshmukh, Vice-Chancellor of Amravati University.

The valedictory function will be held at the auditorium of Priyadarshini College on February 21. M P Sinha, executive director of Ispat (India) Ltd, will preside over the function while Mohan Agrawal, president of Vidarbha Industries Association (VIA), will be the chief guest. Dr Deshmukh will be the guest of honour.

Also present at the press conference were Vice-Chancellor Dr Bhalchandra Chopane,Pro-Vice Chancellor Yoganand Kale, Director of Priyadarshini College, Balraj Aher, Principal U C Gadkari, Technical Director O S Bihade, S B Deshpande and Secretary of the Nagpur University Platinum Jubilee Celebrations Committee Subhash Belsare.