CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR-SERC), Chennai and CSIR Madras Complex (CMC) celebrated the National Technology Day with great enthusiasm on 27 May 2025 at CSIR Campus, Taramani, Chennai.
 

The function was presided over by Dr. N. Anandavalli, Director, CSIR-SERC and Coordinating Director, CMC. Shri A.R. Santosh Kumar, DGM, IOCL, R&D Centre, Faridabad, and Dr. G. Raghava, Former Chief Scientist, CSIR-SERC and Professor & Head, Department of Civil Engineering, Nittee Meenakshi Institute of Technology, Bengaluru, were the Chief Guests of the function. Dr. Anandavalli welcomed all the participants on the eve of the National Technology Day and mentioned that this day is being celebrated since 1999 to mark India’s technological prowess. She briefed on the National Technology Day and hailed the achievements of Indian scientists and technologists. Speaking on this year’s theme YANTRA – Yugantar for Advancing New Technology, Research & Acceleration, she highlighted India’s journey from being a technology adopter to a leader in innovation. She also said that the word YANTRA is deeply rooted in India’s scientific and cultural heritage, and it is a movement that is turning potential into progress and science into solutions. She also highlighted the theme’s relevance to CSIR-SERC and said that our contributions reflect this year’s theme.
 

Dr. S. Parivallal, Chief Scientist & Advisor (M), CSIR-SERC, introduced the Chief Guest Shri A.R. Santosh Kumar to the audience. Shri Kumar delivered the CSIR-SERC Diamond Jubilee Celebration Lecture on ‘Integrity management of pipeline corrosion’. In his lecture, he outlined the significance of pipeline infrastructure, pipeline design basics and design safety approaches, corrosion, cracking characteristics, internal corrosion, effect of dissolved gases on corrosion behaviour, integrity and defect assessment methods, corrosion growth analysis and predictions, assessment of cracks, defect repairs, etc. He mentioned that alternate fuels such as hydrogen, ethanol, methanol and biofuels can be more corrosive and requires redefined mitigation measures; hydrotest and in-line inspection are the widely used integrity assessment method in pipeline industry and intelligent pigging is an effective tool in monitoring the health of pipelines.

 

Dr. J. Rajasankar, Chief Scientist, CSIR-SERC, introduced the Chief Guest Dr. G. Raghava to the audience. Dr. Raghava delivered the National Technology Day lecture on ‘Antarctica – a glimpse of the icy continent, Indian scientific expeditions and research stations’. In his lecture, Dr. Raghava spoke on the brief history of Indian Antarctic programme and expeditions and his involvement with Antarctic research, his experience as a researcher in India’s Maitri station in Antarctica, why research in Antarctica is significant and how CSIR-SERC can contribute to research in Antarctica. He also spoke on brief about India’s research stations in Antarctica, viz, Dakshin Gangotri, Maitri and Bharati, the Indian Antarctic Bill 2022 and the Indian Antarctic Act 2022, etc. He also mentioned that Antarctica is very significant to scientific research - which may throw new light on the origin of life and solar system and in understanding global climate change. He also mentioned that CSIR-SERC can contribute to Antarctic research in areas such as use of insulated prefabricated concrete panels in station construction, other structural forms for research stations, wind effect related studies on Indian Antarctic research stations, use of drones in construction, interlocking concrete panels for helipads and airbases in Antarctic research stations.

Dr. J. Prabakar, Chief Scientist, CSIR-SERC, proposed vote of thanks.

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(Release ID: 2131643)