• ISO-9000
• Multi-discipline Design Optimization
• Rapid Prototyping and Tooling
• Micro and Nanosystems
• Mini and Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs)
• Mini Sensors including Quantum Well devices
• Bacteriorhodopsin
• Fuel Cells

ISO - 9000 for Design:

It is proposed to run a course on Design for Quality along with Engineering Staff College of India (ESCI) to meet the requirements of DRDL.

Multi-discipline Design Optimization (MDO):

MDO implementation is being explored with CASDE at IIT (Bombay).

Rapid Prototyping and Tooling :

The Second International Symposium on Rapid Prototyping and Tooling will be held at Pune in September 2004.

5.4 Micro and Nanosystems:

5.4.1 Micro and Nanotechnology:

NDRF is promoting the establishment of a Micro and Nanotechnology System Education Centre with engineering colleges in collaboration with industries. The mission of the education centre would be to foster a life long interest in Micro and Nanoscience Technology. The target groups are: teachers/professors and students (graduates and postgraduates with mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and engineering back ground). Efforts are being made to establish CETMANS (Centre for Education and Technology in Micro and Nano Systems) at the BMS Institute of Technology. Series of discussions were held among the participating institutions, such as BMS College of Engineering, BMS Institute of Technology, Teradyne, E-CAD, SITAR, bigtec Pvt. Ltd. and NDRF. During the quarter under review, the following milestones in the project were achieved.

1. The concurrence of the Board of Trustees of the BMS Educational Trust to participate in the program, under Mission Reach.

2. The commencement of Design projects by the students of the BMS College of Engineering, with active participation and guidance from the staff in the Electronics, Mechanical and Chemical engineering branches of the college.

3. Micro and Nano research initiatives with meeting of representatives of BMS College and bigtec, a research and development technology company. One of the activities of the centre considered is to set up a Wafer Testing Facility. Series of meetings were held at BMS College of Engineering to discuss the possibility of establishing Wafer Testing Facility at BMS Institute of Technology. In one of the meetings, where all the stakeholders, assembled physically to meet each other, and understand each others strengths, objectives and the roles proposed. The Secretary of NDRF coordinated the deliberations of the meetings and summarized the action items for the stakeholders. The participating organisations are BMS Educational Trust, Teradyne Inc., USA, SITAR, ECAD and NDRF. Establishment of a wafer testing facility will be examined for commercial viability before implementation.

4. Initiated development of a joint proposal of BMSIT and BEL to setup CETMANS. Series of meetings held between BMS group and BEL to develop a partnership among them and draft MOU is ready for signatures.

NDRF has been co-coordinating the efforts and bringing participants together to meet the objectives of Design and Development in Micro and Nano Systems.

5.4.2 Micro and Nanosystems in Aerospace:

A seminar-cum-Exhibition on Aerospace Technology Challenges in the Millennium was held at Hyderabad during 15-16 December 2003. The Seminar was organised by the Aeronautical Society of India, Hyderabad Branch. Lt. Gen. (Dr.) V.J.Sundaram, Chairman, NDRF presented a paper on Micro and Nanosystems in Aerospace.

5.5 Mini and Micro Air Vehicles (MAV):

5.5.1 Tactical Mini Air Vehicle (TMAV):

Based on the initiation of National Perspective plan for Mini and Micro Air Vehicles by NDRF and ADA, and further discussions with DRDO Headquarters, Aeronautical Development Establishment has been nominated as the nodal agency for MAVs from DRDO. ADE has constituted a System Engineering Team for TMAV. Other agencies such as IISc., NAL, NDRF and Industry will participate in the programme. The above team will carry out conceptual and feasibility studies, finalize work packages for various agencies, make cost and time estimates and prepare project proposal for submission to DRDO Hqrs by February 2004. Two meetings of the committee have been held (on 24 November 2003 and 8 December 2003). The third meeting is scheduled on 7 January 2003. NDRF is participating in an advisory role for overall system engineering and networking.

A separate group is envisaged for progressing more advanced technologies for Micro Air vehicles.

5.5.2 MAVs and Biology:

An International seminar to mark the centenary of the first Powered Flight was held at Hotel Grand Ashok, Bangalore on 17-18 December 2003. The seminars was organised by the Aeronautical Society of India. Lt. Gen. (Dr.) V.J.Sundaram, Chairman, NDRF presented a paper on MAVs and Biology.

5.6 Mini Sensors:

5.6.1 Sensors for surveillance

A paper on sensors for an Integrated Approach to Surveillance using air and space based technologies was submitted to National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore for incorporation in an integrated report on surveillance.

5.7 GaAs Epitaxial Multifunction Quantum well Infrared Photodetectors (QIWPs):

The Project on QWIPs coordinated by NDRF and sanctioned by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, New Delhi under India Millennium Mission - 2020 for Critical technologies is making good progress. The project envisages the developmental of GaAs based Multijunction Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors (QWIPS) using Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) technique.

Primary organization involved with the project is Material Research Centre, IISc, Bangalore. Other organizations are Central Research Laboratory (BEL) and Bharat Electronics Limited, Machilipatnam. NDRF is coordinating the project activities. The Sixth review meeting by Project Review Monitoring Committee was held on 2 December 2003 at Central Research Laboratory, BEL, Bangalore. QWIP with 10 periods has been fabricated for the first time in India and is under analysis for response characteristics.

Current status is enclosed at Appendix D.

5. 8 Bacteriorhodopsin

The project initiated by NDRF and being implemented at CDFD, Hyderabad and MRC, Mumbai with funding from DBT will be reviewed on 19 January 2004 by Prof G. Padmanabhan former Director IISc., Bangalore.

5.9 Bio Sensor Society (India)

Biosensor Society (India) initiated by NDRF has been registered at Mysore. Its address is
Biosensor Society of India
C/o. Central Food Technologcial Research Institute,
Mysore-570 013,
The following bearers are

Dr. B.D. Malhotra      -       President
Dr.N.G.Karanth         -       Vice President
Dr.M.S.Thakur          -       Secretary
Shri. M.A.Kumar       -       Treasurer

Aims are:

• To provide opportunities to the dissemination and exchange of knowledge and experience primarily among professionals of Biosensors, Biotechnology, physical and chemical sciences, engineering and Biomolecular electronics and also among the public and society at large.

• To promote the rational and economic development of Biosensors, Biotechnology and Biomolecular electronics in the country so as to ensure the best interest of the community at large.

• To encourage research, development and training in the science and technology of Biosensors, Biotechnology and Biomolecular electronics.

• To promote among its members, a high standard of technical proficiency, professional expertise and personal integrity so as to elevate in turn the profession of Biosensors, Biotechnology and Biomolecular electronics.

• To collaborate with other organizations, national or international in activities relating to furtherance of the BSI objectives.

5.10 Fuel Cells

Fuel cells appear very promising and it is proposed to promote this activity more aggressively at the Lab and Industry level by networking.