The Hindu : Mega project to come IICT way

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 01, 2003

Southern States

Southern States - Andhra Pradesh-Hyderabad

Mega project to come IICT way

By Our Special Correspondent

HYDERABAD May 31. The Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) has been chosen as nodal agency for setting up a Rs. 24-crore Biotechnology Incubator at the Shapoorji Pallonji Biotech Park (SPBP) here.

This was disclosed by K. V. Raghavan, Director, IICT, in the institute's annual report 2002-03, released by him here on Saturday. It was one of the mega projects to be taken up by the institute. The biotech park is being set up with support from the Central Government's Department of Biotechnology, the State Government and the SPBP.

He said the IICT had also launched a project to develop a prototype of 50 KW methanol-based fuel cell, for which the institute had been sanctioned Rs. 2 crores by the Central Government's Ministry of Non-Conventional Energy Sources (MNES).

Another mega project taken up is the development of synthetic aviation lubricants from renewable feedstocks, by a consortium led by IICT. The consortium consists of Indian Oil Corporation (Research and Development) Centre, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) and Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC).

The Institute has signed a novel multi-client-sponsored technology transfer agreement for Indoxicarb, an important agrochemical, through the Pesticide Manufacturers and Formulators Association of India (PMAFI). In another unique venture, it proposed to develop process technologies for industrially important chemicals from tobacco. To facilitate this, the institute and the Tobacco Board are entering into a comprehensive MoU shortly. Yet another related to testing of a new drug eluting stent for use in angioplasty, in collaboration with a subsidiary of the Care Hospitals.

Dr. Raghavan said the year 2002-03 had been eventful for the institute from various angles. It continued to maintain its top slot in overseas patenting in the CSIR system by accounting for more than 120 overseas and 46 Indian patents protecting 62 inventions in a single year.

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