Department of Physics
National Institute of Technology Calicut
Expert Lecture on "Towards Understanding Frustrated Self-assembly Using 3D Printed Colloids: Perspectives of an Experimentalist" by Dr. Mayarani M
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Dr. Mayarani M, post-doctoral researcher in Laboratory of Theoretical Physics and Statistical Models, Université Paris-Saclay delivered an expert lecture on "Towards Understanding Frustrated Self-assembly Using 3D Printed Colloids: Perspectives of an Experimentalist". The speaker gave insight on the existing theoretical arguments suggesting the formation of fibrous aggregates (amyloid fibers) by ill-fitting building blocks (protein units) and their experimental take on demonstrating this in the laboratory. During talk, she detailed the sophisticated 3D printing technique based on two-photon polymerization which is used for fabricating complex-shaped colloids at the laboratory, and the associated challenges.
Aerosol box to combat Covid-19
In an effort to reduce the risk of (COVID-19) infection among the frontline health workers fighting COVID-19 a research scholar named Shafeeque Rahman has developed a safety kit called an aerosol box. This transparent looking box which is indeed cost-effective, reusable are used on the COVID patients which in turn prevent the health workers from coming to contact with body fluids of the patients which are the predominant cause of COVID infection. This innovative technology was developed in NIT Calicut under the guidance Dr. Subramanyan namboodiri varanakkottu and the first set of aerosol boxes have already been handed over to the Govt. Medical College, Calicut authorities. At a time when there is a scarcity of adequate TPE-kits for health workers this aerosol box is on a high.
UV disinfection chamber
As the threat posed by the COVID-19 is still largely looming over the world there were some efforts taken by the team consisting of Dr.Soney Varghese, Dr.Subramanyan Namboodiri Varanakkottu Dr.Baiju G Nair, Dr. Maneesh C Chandran, Dr.Subramanyan Namboodiri Varanakkottu along with Mr. Arun R (Research Scholar), and Mr. Sreenath (M.Tech student) has developed a UV disinfection chamber for sanitizing medium-sized objects. Light at UV-C wavelengths (200-280 nm) could effectively kill microorganisms by disrupting their nucleic acid, proteins and membranes. By employing this technique, the spreading of microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria etc. could be greatly reduced. These UV boxes are being used for disinfecting paper files coming to Institute offices before being handled by the officials.
National Conference on Soft Matter and Functional Materials
The national conference on Soft matter and function materials titled “SMFM 2020” was inaugurated by Prof. P B Sunil Kumar, Director, IIT Palakkad in presence of other chief dignitaries of NIT Calicut.
The inaugural ceremony was followed by scientific lectures extended over three days in sessions held in the morning and afternoon by various experts in soft matter and functional materials which included keynote presenters and invited lecturers. The keynote presenters were Prof. P B Sunil Kumar (Director, IIT Palakkad), Prof. Shankar Ghosh (TIFR Mumbai), Prof. T N Narayanan (TIFR Hyderabad), Prof. Ranjith Padinhateeri (IIT Bombay) and Prof. Manu Jaiswal (IIT Madras). The speakers gave insights on current trends and development around the globe in soft matter physics as well as functional materials. They highlighted the necessity of advanced research in the field. During the conference the participants also did oral and poster presentation in connection with the topic.
Faculty Development Programme 2019
The faculty development programme on " Smart Nanomaterials: Fundamentals and Applications (SNFA-2019) was conducted by Dr. Subramanyan Namboodiri Varanakkottu from 25th February, 2019 to 1st March 2019 at SMSE. The programme aimed at providing an overview of both fundamental and aspects of smart nanomaterials and its current status to the participants. People from the various streams science and engineering participated in the programme. Faculties from various departments offered courses on diverse aspects od nanomaterials, including the synthesis and fabrication of nanomaterials and its potential applications in the field of energy, environment and interfacial science.
Solar eclipse
Solar eclipses have been capturing imagination humans for millenniums. We have come long away from fearing the enigmatic event to understanding and utilising it.
Now, Solar eclipses have become an important astrological phenomenon which helped 'the giants' to secure their feet to the ground. Most notable being Auther Eddington's expedition to capture an eclipse to confirm Einstein's General Theory of Relativity. This was a great example of how pursuit of science enable humans to work with cooperation even at hostile times such as wars.
Well, keeping the rich history of eclipses in mind and for inspiring young minds toward science and engineering.
The BTech Engineering physics students along with OISL group decided to cover the 2019 annular solar eclipse using an indigenously made telescope. A group BTech engineering students lead by Dr. S N Varanakkottu designed and fabricated the telescope and successfully organised the event of solar eclipse viewing and screen projection at the rooftop of ECLC building at NITC east campus. The event was thronged by more than 500 enthusiasts. The entire event marked the collaborative technical and managerial skills of the students and the group members.
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