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The Hindu
2 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Innovations from scientific institutions under Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment big draw at R&D Summit
A lotus-based and caffeine-free herbal drink, smart solutions for urban transportation, and a bottled fragrance that promises the earthy scent of the first rain were among the highlights of an exhibition showcasing innovations from different scientific and research institutions here on Thursday. The exhibition, held as part of the Research and Development Summit 2025 organised by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE), featured over 70 innovations and research outcomes from 12 institutions under the KSCSTE. The herbal drink 'Aqua Flora-Infuse' developed by researchers at the Malabar Botanical Garden and Institute for Plant Sciences has been described as a combination the goodness of Nelumbo nucifera (lotus) and the natural colour of Clitoria ternatea (the flower Shankupushpam). 'The main ingredient is lotus,' Manjula K.M., who developed the product with Hareesh V.S., said. Another big draw was the 'Tropical Soil Scent,' an innovation from the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Palode, which has sought to capture and bottle petrichor — the distinctive fragrance that arises when the first rain hits the dry earth. The KSCSTE has described this product, which was first showcased at the Global Science Fest held at Thonnakkal in 2024, as a 'significant step in sustainable fragrance innovation.' 'It harnesses the richness of plant-based chemistry and modern analytical techniques to recreate a beloved olfactory sensation,' a compendium of R&D outcomes from KSCSTE institutions released on Thursday observed. Other big draws included the Automated Time-Integrated Rainwater Sampler and a Residential Grey Water Treatment Unit developed by researchers at the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), wellness solutions from the Centre of Excellence in Nutraceuticals, a probiotic chocolate with prebiotic fibres developed by the Centre for Excellence in Microbiome. The R&D summit, held at Hotel Hyatt Regency, marked both a celebration and a launchpad, showcasing audited, outcome-driven innovations, K.P. Sudheer, Executive Vice President, KSCSTE, said, addressing the summit on Thursday. 'With over 80 technologies and patents in areas such as health and agriculture, we are witnessing the real-world impact of lab-to-field innovations which are being showcased here today,' Dr. Sudheer said.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
Use scientific research to promote sustainable use and conservation of natural resources: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday urged the scientific community to explore how scientific research can be used to promote the sustainable use of Kerala's natural resources and their conservation for future generations. Mr. Vijayan was speaking after inaugurating the 'Research and Development Summit 2025' organised by the Kerala State Council for Science, Education and Environment (KSCSTE) here. Scientific research, he said, should be used to turn the global spotlight on traditional knowledge and products from the State. Scientific missions are successful only when they have tangible impacts on the lives of the people, he said. Stressing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, he suggested that an 'interconnecting chain' should be created to facilitate the exchange of research outcomes from different scientific fields. 'So, when you study climate change, it should also benefit agriculture. Genetic engineering research should also support food and health sectors,' he said. Science has played an important role in Kerala's efforts to overcome some of the major challenges of the past decade, including floods, the COVID-19 pandemic, Nipah outbreaks and landslides, he said. On the occasion, the Chief Minister presented the 2023 Kerala State Science Award to S. Somanath, former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Mr. Somanath has made the nation proud, having helmed several of ISRO's important missions during his career, he said. In his acceptance speech, Mr. Somanath urged Kerala to make use of the immense potential in space research and applications and the opportunities offered by the opening up of the sector through the new space policy. K.P. Sudheer, Executive Vice-President, KSCSTE, said that over the past decade, Kerala has successfully integrated science and technology into its push for development. What once existed as isolated pockets of academic resaerch has evolved into a robust, multisector innovation ecosystem focused on inclusive and sustainable progress, Dr. Sudheer said. The Chief Minister released a compendium of R&D outcomes from institutions under the KSCSTE on the occasion. M.C. Dathan, Mentor(Science) to the Chief Minister, Kerala Startup Mission chief executive officer Anoop Ambika and other officials were present.
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
ICCS develops AI-based system to predict rainfall two hours in advance
The Institute for Climate Change Studies (ICCS), based in Kottayam, has developed an artificial intelligence (AI)-powered platform called 'Eye in the Sky' ICCS Nowcasting System, designed to deliver real-time rainfall forecasts. According to an official statement on Tuesday, the system can accurately predict rainfall up to two hours in advance and offers hyper-local insights. With its high precision, the platform aims at helping communities prepare for sudden and intense downpours. It will also serve as a critical tool for agencies like the Disaster Management Authority, providing timely alerts on heavy rainfall and potential landslides. A mobile app is being developed to make these updates easily accessible to the public. The ICCS will showcase this project on August 7 at the Research and Development Summit to be organised by the Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) in Thiruvananthapuram. Operating under the KSCSTE, the ICCS conducts research on the impacts of climate change across various sectors in Kerala, including environment, river basins, and coastal regions. The institute is also planning to collaborate with Kannur University to develop a mini-portable weather station, with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to be signed soon, said K. Rajendran, Director, ICCS.
News18
30-07-2025
- Business
- News18
Kerala to showcase R&D strength with science-industry summit
Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 30 (PTI) The Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) will host the first R&D Summit here on August 7, bringing together the state's top research minds, industries, and policy-makers on a single platform. The summit aims to connect groundbreaking research outputs from the R&D institutions under the Science and Technology Department with real-world market needs. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the event, which features presentations, one-on-one B2B sessions, storytelling case studies, and the formal signing of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to foster collaborations beyond the summit. From technologies and prototypes to policy tools and services, the event will focus on identifying innovations that can be commercialised, scaled, or applied to solve pressing societal challenges, an official statement said here on Wednesday. K P Sudheer, Executive Vice President of KSCSTE, said the summit serves as a strategic platform to bring together and connect key stakeholders, including enablers, investors, institutions, and industries. The objective is to engage with the research and development outputs of Kerala's R&D institutions, translating innovations into solutions that benefit the wider public, he said. 'Our focus is on making research visible, actionable, and impactful. The summit is a platform for ideas to travel from lab to land, and from researchers to real users," Dr A Sabu, Member Secretary of KSCSTE, said. The R&D Summit 2025 will showcase technologies, products, services, and policy frameworks under three thematic categories — Technologies/Products, Service Portfolios, and Policy Innovations, the release said. Each institution will pitch its most promising innovations, followed by reverse pitching from industry stakeholders to express their operational needs. Stakeholders from across sectors, including Kerala Startup Mission, KSIDC, Directorate of Industries, public universities, business incubators, MSMEs, and venture capital firms are expected to participate, it said. The summit will also serve as a policy dialogue platform to enhance Kerala's ecosystem for research commercialisation and public-oriented science, the statement added. PTI LGK KH view comments First Published: July 30, 2025, 12:30 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Hindu
29-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
KSCSTE to host R&D summit
The Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) will host a research and Development (R&D) summit in Thiruvananthapuram on August 7. The event aims to connect research outputs from R&D institutions under the Science and Technology department with real-world market needs. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will inaugurate the summit that will also feature presentations, one-on-one B2B sessions, storytelling case studies and the formal signing of Expressions of Interest (EOIs) to foster collaborations beyond the summit. KSCSTE executive vice president K.P. Sudheer, who addressed a media conference, said the programme will serve as a strategic platform to bring together and connect key stakeholders, including investors, institutions and industries, and to engage with the research and development outputs of Kerala's institutions.
