Latest news with #CSIR-NIIST
The Hindu
21 hours ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Proposed extension centre of CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology to focus on core areas of research and product development
A satellite centre planned by the CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST) at the Bio 360 Life Sciences Park here at Thonnakkal will focus on core areas of research and product development, including solar-driven hydrogen production from wastewater. A State Cabinet meeting on Thursday (June 5) gave the nod for establishing the 'Extension Centre for Innovation, Technology and Entrepreneurship.' The Cabinet approval also included allocation of 10 acres of land on a 90-year lease at the Bio 360 Life Sciences Park. Collaborative hub 'The proposed CSIR-NIIST innovation centre will serve as a collaborative hub fostering interdisciplinary research, product development, and entrepreneurship,' NIIST officials said. Major initiatives planned under it include a pilot plant for the solar-driven production of hydrogen from wastewater, an AYUSH manufacturing and standardisation hub, a production line for biopolymer and bio-based products, a bio-enabler bio manufacturing unit and a regional resource development centre. It will also be the first satellite centre of NIIST, a laboratory under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). NIIST described the decision to establish the centre as a strategic move aligned with its mission to drive sustainable, inclusive innovation and reinforce Kerala's position as a hub for science-driven entrepreneurship. The Bio 360 Life Sciences Park is a flagship initiative of the State government's Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC).
United News of India
2 days ago
- 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
3 days ago
- 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.
The Hindu
14-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Strategic independence crucial in critical areas: V.K. Saraswat
Strategic independence in critical sectors is essential to safeguard national sovereignty, V.K. Saraswat, NITI Aayog member and former director, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), said here on Wednesday. Dr. Saraswat was speaking on 'Driving towards an Atmanirbhar Bharat through innovation and Intellectual Property (IP) monetisation' after inaugurating the National Technology Day celebrations at the CSIR-National Institute of Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST). Strategy autonomy, resilient supply chains, domestic innovation capacity and technological sovereignty are vital aspects, he said. 'Strategic independence is crucial in critical areas where dependence weakens sovereignty or delays development or limits national innovation,' he said. India feels proud that weapons and equipment developed by the Indian scientific community in collaboration with industry partners performed so well during Operation Sindoor, he said. These contributions stand testament to the self-reliance India has achieved through the efforts of the scientific community, he said. Dr. Saraswat said his definition of self-reliance as 'the independence from controls of the international community.' This is vital in all sectors including trade and technology, he said. He defined leadership in science and technology, sustainability and green growth, entrepreneurship and digital economy and youth-led innovation as the foundations of the concept of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat.' Dr. Saraswat called for an IP-embedded governance model that supports the concept of 'Viksit Bharat's' goals for a $5 trillion economy. He underscored the need to shift India's Intellectual Property landscape from 'portfolio to performance.' Despite India's large startup base and innovation potential, low patent filings, weak IP culture in academia and MSMEs, and poor technology transfer from labs to markets hinder progress. C. Anandharamakrishnan, Director, CSIR-NIIST, presided. He highlighted the importance of technologies developed by CSIR-NIIST, emphasising their relevance in addressing pressing societal and industrial needs, including applications in strategic sectors. Five technologies developed by CSIR-NIIST were transferred at the event.
Hans India
14-05-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Steadfastly follow Atmanirbhar Bharat for strategic independence: NITI Aayog's VK Saraswat
Thiruvananthapuram: NITI Aayog member V. K. Saraswat on Wednesday underscored the imperative of achieving strategic independence in critical sectors to safeguard national sovereignty and drive technological leadership and innovation-led growth. He defined Atmanirbhar Bharat as the pursuit of independence from external controls. "We will achieve strategic autonomy, resilient supply chains, domestic innovation capacity, and technological sovereignty if we steadfastly follow the path of Atmanirbharta," said Saraswat. He said this while speaking at the CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), here, which was celebrating National Technology Day with a special event on IP Monetisation and Technology Transfer in connection with the institute's Golden Jubilee celebrations. He lauded the Indian scientific community's pivotal role in advancing self-reliance, citing its recent contributions to Operation Sindoor as a testament to India's growing capabilities. "Alongside the armed forces, the nation's scientists have been instrumental in bringing global recognition and pride to India. There is a need to shift India's Intellectual Property landscape from 'portfolio to performance'," said Saraswat. Director of CSIR-NIIST, Anandharamakrishnan, highlighted the importance of the technologies developed by CSIR-NIIST, emphasising their relevance in addressing pressing societal and industrial needs, including applications in strategic sectors. "Ten game-changing technologies for nation building from CSIR-NIIST were also presented, with a commitment to deliver by 2027. CSIR-NIIST remains dedicated to creating solutions that matter - scientifically strong, industrially relevant, and socially impactful," said the director. At the event, there was the formal transfer of five technologies developed by CSIR-NIIST. These technologies were handed over by Anandharamakrishnan as each transfer represented a step toward real-world application and social impact. Technologies related to fruit roll-ups, jackfruit-based products, millet-based instant mixes, natural syrups, and banana grits were transferred to H. Dineshan, IAS, Executive Director of the Kudumbashree State Mission, Kerala. Another transfer that was effected was the engineered microbiome technology, JAIVAM, designed for rapid aerobic composting of organic waste. This conclave reflected the institute's legacy of innovation and its resolve to deliver science that transforms lives.
