TIRUCHI: A research on evolving nano-respirocytes has been taken up to assist the jawans in the country, said the Chief Controller (Research and Development), Defence Research and Development Organisation and Chief Executive and Managing Director, BrahMos Aerospace, A. Sivathanu Pillai, said.
Delivering a lecture on ‘Advances in missile technology’ at the J.J.College of Engineering and Technology near here on Friday, Dr. Sivathanu Pillai said that jawans serving in higher altitude suffered due to lesser level of oxygen in the atmosphere. The nano-respirocytes will facilitate them to get over the respiratory problems, for which a research had been taken up, he said adding that this was one of the positive impact of missile technology, despite its design for ‘destructive’ purpose.
Pointing out the importance of nanotechnology, Mr. Sivathanu Pillai said that it was developing at a faster rate, far higher than other branches such as information technology and bio-technology. Foreign countries, all put together, had invested about 100 billion dollars on research programmes in nanotechnology.
Check brain drain
Dr. Sivathanu Pillai underlined the importance of research programmes with a vision and innovation as a key to achieving overall economic and industrial development in the country. He appealed to the industry, academicians and students to take up research programmes to check brain drain.
Tracing the growth and development of the missile technology in the country since 1983, Dr. Sivathanu Pillai explained that three factors – speed, precision and power – were responsible for India’s achievement. “We are a forerunner in the area of missile technology and all countries which were ahead of us are lagging behind India,” he said explaining the success of the innovative principles.
Missile technology
On the positive impact of the missile technology, he said that it had come as a boon to those afflicted with polio. The ‘Fro’ technology helped prepare the callipers of less weight. Against the normal 3 kg, the callipers made by using ‘Fro’ weighed just 300 grams, bringin a great relief to the polio-hit. It had been planned to distribute callipers to One lakh polio-hit children and so far 20,000 had benefited, he said.
A question-hour session was held in which he clarified students’ doubts/. The Chairman of the College P. Selvaraj and its Director E. Ramasaamy were among those who spoke.
Source: http://www.hindu.com/2008/01/26/stories/2008012659750300.htm
