Birth centenary function started with inaugural address of former Chief of Atomic Energy Commission, Dr. Anil Kakodkar. He linked the growth and capability in nuclear energy to address climate change challenge. In doing so he reviewed new possibilities in renewable energy sector i.e. bio fuel, hydrogen fusion and solar energy. He disclosed that all laboratories and institutions of Department of Atomic Energy will be linked under one parent consortium which will be known as “Homi Bhabha National Institute” This institute as he believed will be responsible for pursuit of new ideas, speedier transfer of research in applied technology and development of new scientific frontiers.
Another inaugural lecture following this was given by Dr. C.N. R. Rao, Honorary Professor, Jawaharlal Nehru Advanced Centre for Research. He said that Dr. Bhabha was only visionary having unparalleled imagination other than Nehru as far as development of Indian science is concerned. He said, “Bhabha realised importance of science for growth and development of India by working on wrong problems. Hailing Bhabha as true ‘colossus’. Dr. Rao regretted that value system in India does not recognise science today. He tried to throw light on possibilities about how we can excel in science. “India must be visible power in science either in publications, discoveries or in technologies and their use in human life is concerned. We should be part of mainstream science by virtue of which we should be publishing 7-10 % of top one percent of quality scientific papers in peer reviewed journals. Like Bhabha picking and working on right problems must be priority of Indian science.”
Lecture series commemorating Dr, Bhabha started with 1957 Nobel Laureate Dr. C. N. Yang. (for his work on Special problems of statistical mechanics) He talked about “Vector potential to connections on a fibre bundle.” The vector potential was first used to calculate the magnetic field due to an electric curve. Maxwell originally seized upon the idea to mathematically express Faraday`s intuitive ‘electronic state.’ In the 20th century, the vector potential evolves into a fundamental quantity, the flexibility of which determines all fundamental interactions. Furthermore, the vector potential is identical to the mathematician`s concept of connections on a fibre bundle.
Citing successful example of agricultural revolution in India Dr. M.S. Swaminathan heralded Dr. Bhabha`s vision for basic science in transforming lives of millions of people. He observed four basic reasons for success of green revolution as technology, services offered to farmers, public policies of government and enthusiasm shown by farmers in achieving the landmark results of production which were completely more than that of last 4000 years of our civilisation. Dr. Bhaha presided over the first UN Conference on Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy in Geneva in 1955 and he was instrumental in organising exhibition ‘Atoms on the Farm’ in Delhi in 1958. Today, our agriculture is crying for a technological up gradation. It will be timely if we harness nuclear tools in areas such as: a) Soil health and water management, b) New genetic strains of crops, c) Plant protection, d) Harnessing tools of microbiology, e) Food irradiation and post-harvest technology, f) Nuclear energy for agriculture, g) A whole range of applications in research work relating to the use of radio isotopes in areas such as enhancement of physiologic efficiency of crop plants and farm animals. It is high time we make great use of the tools of atomic energy in improving the productivity, profitability and sustainability of our major farming systems.
Prof. Knut Urban, Director of Institute of Solid State Research, Helmoholtz, Germany threw light on ‘Feynman`s dream come true: Studying the atomic structure of materials by ultra high-resolution transmission spectroscopy’. Emphasising the vision of Dr. Bhabha in creating the great institutions, he underlined the importance of inspiration being the principle reason behind quality scientific research.
He continued, “Fifty years ago, Richard Feynman in his famous lecture ‘There`s plenty of room at the bottom’ demanded the development of atom-resolving electron microscopy as one of the key instruments of what in meanwhile has become nanoscience. Recently transmission microscopy has indeed been able to take this visionary step forward with the introduction of aberration-corrected electron optics. An entirely new generation of instruments enables studies in condensed matter physics and materials science to be performed at genuine atomic scale resolution. The accuracy of spatial instruments has reached the picometer range. These are dimensions where many physical effect and functions have their origin. This fulfils the long standing dream to be able to be able to derive values for atomic-position dependent parameters of physical properties of materials by measurements atom by atom. These new possibilities are meeting the growing demand of nanoscience and nanotechnology for the atomic scale characterisation of materials, nanosynthesised products and devices, and the validation of expected functions. However, understanding the atomic scale results is generally not straightforward and only possible with extensive quantum-mechanical computer calculations.”
On the thinking of Feynman probing atoms, Prof. W. Mark Rainforth discussed question; how does structure at atomic scale affect tonnages of material and can we extrapolate that? He talked about case studies ranging from structure of nanoscale multilayer coatings, complex structure of modern high strength steels to surface of hot rolled aluminium.
In his talk on ‘Graphene and beyond’ Dr. C.N. R. Rao said, “Graphene is a fascinating new nanocarbon possessing single, bi or few layers of carbon atoms forming six-membered rings. Different types of grapheme have been investigated by X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, scanning tunnelling microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Main challenge in graphene crystal, wires, walls and films is that of functionalisation. The extraordinary electronic properties of single and bi-layer graphenes are indeed most unique and unexpected. Other properties of Graphene such as gas adsorption techniques, magnetic and electrochemical properties and the effects of doping by electrons and holes are equally noteworthy. Interestingly, molecular charge-transfer also markedly affects the electronic structure and properties of graphene. Many aspects of graphene are yet to be explored including synthetic strategies which can yield sufficient quantities of graphene with the desired number of layers. While graphene continues to be a in limelight we are thinking in the direction of graphene analogues and making graphene in layered inorganics.
Dr. R. Chidambaram, Principle Scientific Adviser to Govt. of India in his talk on some challenging problems in condensed matter and materials Physics ranging from explanation of structure-function relationship in biological macromolecules after crystallising them to behaviour of materials under extreme conditions of temperature and pressure to design of better electronic and energy materials. He also focussed his talk on fundamental research being done in DAE on the areas of mathematics, astronomy, biology, particle physics, condensed matter physics, computers & communication, neutron crystallography. He also reviewed the progress of Three stage Nuclear power programme. DAE has taken initiative to explore new research areas like Nanoelectronics, Nanobiotechnolgy and solar photovoltaic and solar thermal energy related research. He expressed his views on diminishing boundaries between academic science and strategic science and success of DAE in proving that much of the self-directed strategic research can have enormous influence on applications in our common life originated from fundamental science. He praised TIFR-CERN collaboration. He described in detail how important it is to have technological foresight first creating knowledge base and then investing in applied research. In essence Dr. Chidambaram was consistently appealing to Indian scientists to work on challenging problems like Bhabha did in his whole life.
Dr. Claude Guet, Director of Office the French High Commissioner for Atomic Energy talke about ‘Basic sciences: issues for sustainable nuclear energy’. He said, “Our aim should be twice more energy, twice less carbon. Energy is one of the biggest challenges to be faced in the next decades in order to cope with world population needs, depletion of traditional resources, and obligations to mitigate emissions of green house gases. The strong asset of nuclear energy is to ensure on long term a substantial fraction of base load of electricity production and thus to efficiently adapt future intermittent renewable energy supplies such as solar or wind. However safety requirements, reduction of proliferation risks, waste management, highly reliable and competitive cost industrial operation, as well as public acceptance appeal for important and long term efforts in science and technology. Even though there are large-scale doubts about the viability of nuclear energy as an option, nuclear industry`s ability to tackle with errors is increased due to robust facility to stop evolution of accident.” His talk was focussed on recent advances in understanding and prediction of materials property under severe conditions, advanced chemistry for mastering the fuel cycle, nuclear data and large scale computer simulations. Fast breeder reactors
Fomer S&T Minister, GoI and former Director, TIFR M.G. K. Menon shared with audience Dr. Homi Bhabha`s life moments. He said, “Homi`s life made fantastic difference to India with his commitment to the growth of modern science in India with the realisation that science and technology were key to India transforming to a developed country by his commitment to fundamental research and resolve to create ambience in new institutions with highly innovative patterns of administration and management. Dr. Bhabha focused on completely new opportunities in space and electronics.
Three academies in India; Indian National Science Academy, National Academy of Sciences of India and Indian Academy of Science paid tribute to the legacies of Dr. Homi Bhabha.
Then continuing the Dr. Ramaswamy Raghavan talked about ‘Neutrinos inward bound-frontier beyond particle Physics.’ He said, “Major advances in experimental neutrino science in the past decade have created new paradigms for elementary particle physics with the epochal discovery of the non-zero mass of neutrino. There are surprising developments of neutrinos ‘inward bound’-the monumental opportunity to look into centre of sun using neutrinos and define the evolution of the earth and the planets. Recently, resonance reactions of low energy neutrinos with extremely precise energy and the very large cross sections promise surprising new landscapes for neutrino research and for exploring the deepest foundations of fundamental physical theory.
Prof. Sunil Sinha from University of California San Diego talked about ‘use of coherent X-ray beams in studying the structure and dynamics of condensed matter. He recalled that it was Dr. Bhabha who introduced to the Indian scientific community the use of neutron scattering as a powerful probe of the structure and dynamics of condensed matter, by ushering in the age of nuclear power. Since then, use of scattering techniques has rapidly developed in sophistication, and capabilities in the form of new radiation sources. The use of coherent X-ray beams to study condensed matter has attracted increasing attention from researchers with the advent of high brilliance synchrotron X-ray sources based on free electron LASERs. The application include studying the slow dynamics of condensed matter in real time, obtaining bond-orientational order in glasses and imaging nanostructures in real space. These studies will be greatly facilitated by the powerful new X-ray LASER sources currently being constructed.
Prof. Obaid Siddiqi, founder Director of TIFR Centre for Biological Sciences talked about Dr. Bhabha`s vision to explore new areas of scientific research and also his understanding of need to create research environment for different sciences and technologies in one organisation. He said, “Science is at the root of the history. There is no fixed way of doing science although there is some standard method. Government`s attitude towards science is not changed much since those days. Our politics has become least scientific. Bhabha showed the way how we can govern science by cultivating coherence in organisation. He is known to have been an advocate of the policy of growing science around people, not around buildings and equipments.”
In a presentation titled, ‘The emotional brain-imprints of life history’ talked about early childhood experiences shaping the neurocircuitary of emotion and determine adult emotional behaviour. She said, “While nurture in early life evokes resilience, early life stress induces vulnerability to mood disorders like anxiety and depression. Neurocircuits of emotion are thought to be altered and modified based on early life experience. What was traditionally realm of psychology has been energised with exciting evidence from neuroscience that indicates how life experience results in imprints that are carried at the genetic, molecular, cellular and behavioural levels across the lifespan.”
Newly appointed Atomic Energy Commission chief Dr. S.Banerjee talked about progress of Indian Nuclear Energy programme and it`s success in yielding new applications for civilian sector. He said, “DAE is in process of perfecting Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors as a part of 3 stage nuclear power programme. Closing fuel cycle of Uranium for best use of fissile and fertile material is significant step in this direction. Reduction of waste also forms important ingredient of this programme. Apart from robust strategic programme DAE is committed to technology development on basic research. He talked in detail about technical details about uranium fuel production, heavy water treatment, on power fuelling, neutron economy. He described in detail India`s indigenous capability in fabrication of fuel, sophisticated equipment development, technology transfer to and from Indian industries. He told audience that capital cost of Indian power plants and thus of per KWe is lowest in the world being around 1700$/KWe. He described in detail roadmap for generation of power from Thorium in third stage of nuclear power production. Considering the facts that 60 % of Indians have no access to any form of power challenge in front of Indian Nuclear Power Establishment is huge. Thus DAE requires ten fold improvement in generation of nuclear power. He also highlighted other achievements of DAE like Bhabhatron Desalination plant, Arihant(nuclear submarine), Proton Linac Device, new university named after Dr. Bhabha , collaboration with National Inst. Of Science Education and Research, Bhuvneshwar, Giant Meter wave Radio Telescope etc. In his opinion sophisticated quality of research must expand to other areas of research so as to have early solutions and efficiency of those fuels in low degree of emissions and being eco-friendly.
Dr. Mustansir Barma, Director TIFR shared the current and the historical contributions of TIFR. Programes and institutions like SAMEER, CDoT, NCST, CDAC, IUCAA, IUAC, DAE, CBS, PRL all originated in TIFR. He highlighted the path breaking work related to pulsars, dwarf galaxies done recently by GMRT. Also he told about TIFR`s contribution in air-defence, army radio-network, dedicated design of micro programmed computation. TIFR will be exploring in new areas like soft matter, biosciences, material sciences, optics, nanosciences, high energy infrared LASERs.
Former Director General of CERN and Physics Nobel Laureate of 1984, Carlo Rubiya talked about ‘An undetectable universe’ of dark matter and dark energy. He said, “Luminous matter accounts for only a tiny fraction of the total mass density of the universe and only a tenth of the ordinary matter (baryons). The present bulk of matter in the universe is invisible and dark and therefore only indirectly observable. The gravitational evidence for such a very profound conclusion is mounting for almost two decades; there is much more matter than there are baryons, and thus baryonic matter e.g. ordinary matter, is not the dominant form of matter of the universe.
Particle Physics provides an attractive solution to the non-baryonic dark matter problem: relic elementary particles left over from the Big Bang. Long lived or stable particles with very weak interactions can remain from the earliest moments of particle democracy in sufficient numbers to account for a significant fraction of critical density. The experimental search for such new forms of matter outside of the standard model is an extremely exciting programme. Evidence for dark matter comes from galactic rotational curves. But all evidence is limited to gravitational effects. Inparticle physcis, supersymmetry (often abbreviated SUSY) is a symmetry that relates elementary particles of one spin to other particles that differ by half a unit of spin and are known as superpartners. In a theory with unbroken supersymmetry, for every type of boson there exists a corresponding type of fermion with the same mass and internal quantum numbers, and vice-versa. This SUSY is increasingly being attributed for the source of non-baryonic dark matter.
Prof. Peter Littlewood from Cambridge University refreshed the days of Dr. Bhabha in Cambridge University. He said that Bhabha had tremendous intensity to persuade stalwarts in scientific and governments due to his immense passion for work. Prof. Littelwood hoped that India can do significant contributions in solar cells, electrical storage, refrigeration and lightening. Each of these require breakthrough in material sciences and condensed matter physics. He further added that it is not important how much Big science is being done but quality of coordination between Little and Big science. His lecture concentrated on ‘Bose Einstein Condensation of Polaritons’. He said, “Macroscopic phase coherence is one of the most remarkable manifestations of quantum dynamics, yet it seems to be the inevitable ground state of interacting many-body systems. Recently, examples super fluid Helium and conventional superconductors have been joined by exotic and high temperature superconductors, ultra cold atomic gases, both bosonic and fermionic, and more recently systems of excitons, magnons and exciton-photon superpositions called polaritons.
Fomer Chairman of Space Commission Dr. G. Madhavan Nair talked about recent advances in Space Sciences. The path breaking discovery of the presence of water on the lunar surface by Chandrayan-I promises to open new frontiers of planetary research and observation of outer space. He also shared about new initiatives like Astrosat, a space based observatory scheduled for launch during 2011 are expected to contribute further to our understanding of this field. “The future thrust in space sciences will aim at understanding the evolution of planetary systems and galaxies, and exploring the mysteries of the universe.
Symposium concluded with talk by Shyam Benegal who was Homi Bhabha Fellow during 1970-72. He attributed his devotion to filmmaking as a result of motivation he received during that fellowship.
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