Date:11/11/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/11/11/stories/2006111101790500.htm

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Experts call for marine anti-fouling technology

Special Correspondent

Academic institutions, industry urged to work together

CHENNAI: Academic institutions and industries should work together in developing marine anti-fouling technologies for industry use, experts suggested.

Their remarks came at a three-day international conference on Recent Advances in Marine Antifouling Technology, organised by the National Institute of Ocean Technology and the International Bio deterioration and Biodegradation Society.

It brought together 200 delegates from around the world to focus on marine biofouling in industrial cooler systems, shipping and oceanographic sensors.

Greater application

The technology would find greater application with more power plants coming up to meet the demand, NIOT director S. Kathiroli said.

Power production losses not only reduced industrial production but also affected the economy, S.B. Agarwal, managing director, Ratnagiri Gas and Power Ltd., said.

An exclusive session for young researchers was held on the last day and an expert panel reviewed research presentations. Some of the proposals put forward included capacity building through refresher courses, workshops, seminars and exchange programmes.

Professional society

A professional society, affiliated to the IBBS, U.K., would also be set up, R. Venkatesan, organising secretary of the conference, said in a press release.

Mr. Venkatesan was appointed secretary to the IBBS-Asia chapter by Hans Curt Flemming, president, IBBS.