Significant Scientific and Technical Attainments During the Year
CSIR-CRRI’s REJUPAVE technology deployed in Arunachal Pradesh and Ladakh for high-altitude road construction
The CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CSIR-CRRI) developed the indigenous road construction technology “REJUPAVE”. This technology will help to construct high altitude bituminous roads at low and sub-zero temperature conditions. Furthermore, the Border Road Organization (BRO) utilized this technology to construct high-altitude bituminous roads on China Border in Arunachal Pradesh. BRO’s project Vijayak in Kargil, also used this technology to construct high-altitude bituminous roads on the Drass-Umbala-Sankoo Road in Ladakh.
India’s First National Highway Steel Slag Road section on NH-66 Mumbai-Goa National Highway inaugurated
V.K. Saraswat, Member (S&T), NITI AAYOG inaugurated India’s First National Highway Steel Slag Road on 15 January 2024. This section is on NH- 66 Mumbai-Goa National Highway. JSW Steel, under the CSIR-CRRI technological guidance, has constructed the 1 km long four lane steel slag road. This section is on Indapur-Panvel Section of NH-66 Mumbai-Goa. To do so, the it’s Raigad plant converted around 80,000 tons of CONARC Steel slag to processed steel slag aggregates.
CSIR’s technical contributions in construction of Ram Mandir, Ayodhya and ‘Surya Tilak’ for Lord Ram on every Ram Navami
CSIR has provided technical assistance to construct Shri Ram Mandir, Ayodhya. The CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CSIR-CBRI) designed the “Surya Tilak” system. Markedly, the system will channel the ray on the idol’s forehead from 12 noon for about six minutes. Every Ram Navami, an intricate network of lenses and mirrors will be channel a ray of sunlight in the sanctum sanctorum of the Ram temple in Ayodhya. Consequently, this ray will converge on the forehead of Ram Lalla as “Surya Tilak”. The Ram Mandir in Ayodhya can endure seismic events that occur once every 2,500 years.
CSIR-NAL and HAL to support India’s Aircraft Design and Manufacturing
CSIR-NAL and HAL will collaborate with industry leaders to drive the development of domestic aircraft design and manufacturing, an initiative of Ministry of Civil Aviation supporting Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
CSIR-NCL’s Enhanced Oxygen Systems for MiG-29 Fighter Jets
CSIR-NCL has upgraded the On-Board Oxygen Generation System (OBOGS) for MiG-29 jets, boosting oxygen supply during high-altitude missions. The project for the Indian Navy aimed to improve pilot safety. Zeolite-based technology in OBOGS has an enhanced 85% pure oxygen, up from 30%, due to a specialized rejuvenation process developed by CSIR-NCL. Tests in Goa confirmed the upgrade, with about 54 kg of zeolite material rejuvenated for multiple MiG-29 jets. Indigenous zeolite production ensures system longevity, supporting Navy operations with locally sourced, enhanced oxygen solutions.
CSIR’s first-of-its-kind initiative for development of Indian Breast Cancer Genomic Atlas (IBCGA) for India-Specific Cancer Resources
CSIR-CCMB is developing the Indian Breast Cancer Genomic Atlas (IBCGA) by mapping nearly 1,000 breast cancer tumor genomes across India. This first-of-its-kind initiative aims to identify molecular features specific to Indian breast cancer cases, which could enhance clinical management and treatment options.
CSIR-4PI Tracks India-Tibet Tectonic Movements with Precision GPS Stations
India’s tectonic plate is subducting under the Tibetan plate, causing gradual land loss and elevation gain in the Himalayas. CSIR-Fourth Paradigm Institute (CSIR-4PI)has set up GPS reference stations at Hanle (Ladakh) and Bengaluru to monitor these movements precisely. Data from these stations helps scientists understand strain build-up and earthquake potential in the Himalayan region.
CSIR-CEERI, C-DOT Collaborate for Development of Multiport Switch for Future Telecom Systems
CSIR-Central Electronics Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-CEERI) has partnered with C-DOT to develop a “Multiport Switch with Tuneable Impedance Matching Network,” aiming to cover 2G, 3G, 4G, and 5G bands with a single broadband antenna. Funded by the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF), the project supports Indian startups and R&D institutions in creating advanced telecom solutions.
CSIR-NML Transfers Advanced PCB Recycling Technology to Nova sensa Pvt. Ltd.
CSIR-NML has transferred its advanced PCB recycling technology to Novasensa Pvt. Ltd., New Delhi, with the aim to tackle the e-waste crisis. The process adheres to zero-waste principles, reducing pollution and conserving natural resources by recovering critical materials from e-waste.
CSIR-NIIST Launches ‘Jaivam’, an Eco-friendly and High-speed Composting of Organic Waste
The CSIR-NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram has developed a microbial consortium, named ‘Jaivam,’ for facilitating a clean and speedy composting process and producing good quality compost for agricultural use. The development of Jaivam and similar R&D initiatives by CSIR-NIIST will help address challenges such as greenhouse gas emission (methane and nitrous oxide) from bulk composting facilities and improve the compost quality through bio-augmentation.
CSIR-NGRI Discovers Potential Geothermal Reservoir in Eastern Ladakh
CSIR-National Geophysical Research Institute (CSIR-NGRI) has uncovered a potential new geothermal reservoir in eastern Ladakh, opening opportunities for sustainable energy development in the region. The NGRI scientists conducted the research along the Ukdungle-Hanle-Koyul-Fukche profile. They used magneto telluric surveys to map the crustal structure over a 40 km stretch.
Asia’s First Highway with Bio-Bitumen Surface Inaugurated
Hon’ble Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, inaugurated a 1km stretch of Asia’s first highway with a bio-bitumen blended surface developed using CSIR-CRRI technology. The trial patch begins near the ‘Kamptee 22Km’ milestone on Jabalpur-Nagpur route. The project will help cut pollution from stubble burning as the source of bio-bitumen comes from easily available crop stubble, which farmers can sell instead of torching the residue.
References & Related Articles:
- Press Information Bureau – Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Year End Review 2024
- Oxford Academic – Science in India: performance of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
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