A one week course on Instrumental Techniques for Chemical and Material analysis (ITCMA-2016) from 6th to 11th june, 2016 conducted by Department of Applied Sciences, PEC University of Technology, Chandigarh concluded successfully with 40 participants from different institutes in the region. For the inaugural function Dr. Manoj Arora, Director, PEC, presided over the function and encouraged the participants and highlighted the importance of sciences and Engineering research and suggested that interdisciplinary research should be under taken in collaboration with with Industry and CKRIC Institutions. Dr.Vasundhara Singh, Head Department of Applied Sciences gave an account of the achievements of the Department which provided a platform for conducting the course and highlighted the important features of the course.
The participants included Masters, PhD students and faculty members from institutions such Delhi University , NIT Kurukshetra, DRDO, Thapar, Panjab University ,Punjabi Univ, GCG-sec-11 and PEC, .Interestingly the participants were from diverse backgrounds of Physics ,Chemistry, Chemical Engg, Environmental Engg, Materials and Metallurgical Engg and Mechanical Engg which ensured cross learning between various fields of Science and Engineering.
The participants were exposed to 14 different techniques. Lectures on XRD Technique was delivered by Dr. Mandal, Professor of Chemistry, Dr. Venkatasan, Professor of physics delved on SEM Technique and were both from IISER Mohali. Prof Bari, Panjab University, Chandigarh delivered a lecture on NMR Spectroscopy and its applications in a very explicit manner. Dr.Soni, Scientist F, TBRL,Ramgarh enthused the participants with Thermal Analysis techniques such as TGA/DTA as a highly useful technique for identification and purity determination technique. Dr.Sarkar, Professor of Physics, IIT,Ropar talked on the AFM technique for material characterization. On Day three ,Faculty from INST, Mohali, Dr.Neha Sardana ,INST,Mohali talked on Raman Spectroscopy as a fingerprint technique. A visit to CIL, Panjab University, Chandigarh was organized and participants were given demonstration of FE-SEM, XRD, NMR and TEM. Industry experts were invited from Malvern (AIMIL) industries for hands on trading in particle size analyzer, and Dr. Gurpreet Kaur, Manager ( RandD), PCPL, Derabassi gave a talk on HPLC including practical demonstration. Prof. Ranju Bansal ,Deptt of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University give a talk on FT-IR Spectroscopy and its applications in identification of all materials and both qualitative and quantitative analysis, Dr. Sanjeev Gautam, gave a talk on XRF technique for elemental analysis of materials. Tutorial sessions were conducted on XRD, and NMR and hands on training on Particle size analyser, UV-Vis-DRS and HPLC were given at PEC by Research Scholars Mr. Naveen Sethi, Nandini Sharma and Sitanshu and Dr. Vasundhara Singh and Dr. Sanjeev Kumar.
On the last day, the participants shared the techniques used by them in their research and were from DRDO, Thapar, UICET and NIT, Kurukshetra. The Valedictory Function was presided by Dr.Vasundhara Singh, Head department of Applied Sciences appreciated the participation of the delegates in all sessions and encouraged them to have deep understanding of these important techniques along with good knowledge of their subject for proper utilization of l all techniques..A vote of thanks was proposed by Dr. Sanjeev Kumar and thanked the participants and the Industry sponsors.
The Coordinators of the course were Dr. Vasundhara Singh, Professor of Chemistry and Head, Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, Associate Professor in Physics and Dr.Prem Lata, Assistant Professor in Chemistry who whole heartedly ensured the smooth conduct of the course along with warm hospitality to all participants. The research scholars of the Deptt particularly Mr. Naveen Sethi, Nandini Sharma and Sitanshu worked very hard and provided all support to the coordinators. All Faculty members and Supporting Staff in the Laboratories and office were actively involved.
Dr. Vasundhara Singh, Professor and Head, Department of Applied Sciences, concluded that the course was a good learning experience for all participants which shall be helpful in both teaching and research and also the interaction had enhanced the visibility of research in the Deptt. for future collaborations among the CKIRC Institutions. The hands on training and tutorial sessions imparted in the course were the highlights of the course.