CSIR DG Mande visits NCL for first time

Pune: “Science and technology will help to resolve various societal challenges. Researchers and scientists should use the principles of science and apply technology to improve the living,” said Director General (DG) of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Shekhar Mande while addressing students and scientists at CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory (NCL), Pune on Monday.

Mande visited CSIR-NCL, Pune for the first time after resuming his new position as DG. He inaugurated five new laboratories and laid foundation stone of the first Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) to be established at CSIR.

While addressing the scientists, researchers and scholars at NCL, he said, “The challenges in today’s time are much more than it was in previous decades. With the rising population, high prevalence of diseases in the country, the scientists have to tackle the challenges with various methods of science and technology.”

The CSIR DG also acknowledged and appreciated the ongoing projects at CSIR-NCL.
 
“NCL has been one of the pioneering institutions in science and technology. The inventions and research here have contributed largely in many of the issues in society. The institution continue doing the same,” he said.

The new laboratories include process intensification laboratory- pilot plant no. 4, central microscopy facility, membrane casting machine, 3D Printing lab and catalysis testing lab. While most of the laboratories are the extension of existing labs consisting of advance technology, 3D printing lab is where waste materials are processed and recycled into 3D printing forms. 

“The STP will be one of its kind based on Phytorid technology consisting of 400 cubic meter capacity. This will be the first STP installed on the ground of CSIR in the country and the project is estimated to be completed within a year. We can facilitate other CSIR labs and companies who wish to establish one,” said Director of CSIR-NCL Ashwini Nangia.

Approximately Rs 20 crore has been spent on developing the six facilities at CSIR-NCL, said Nangia.