The Hindu : Kerala / Kochi News : ‘Adapting nano materials for rockets a challenge'

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Mar 07, 2010
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Kerala

Kerala - Kochi

‘Adapting nano materials for rockets a challenge'

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: Indian scientists have succeeded in deciphering the mysteries of composite materials used in rockets for better performance and strength, G. Madhavan Nair, former chief of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has said.

The challenge now is how to use nano materials to form next-generation composites, he said after inaugurating a seminar on ‘Modern trends in chemistry' organised by the Chemistry Department of Sacred Heart College and the Prof. K.V. Thomas Endowment Trust here on Friday.

Earlier, Mr. Nair outlined the history of rocketry, and said though India had the legacy of Tipu Sultan, who effectively used rocket as a weapon against the British over two centuries ago, the technology soon became non-existent.

However, it got a thrust in the 1960s and the first sounding rocket, one borrowed from the French, was launched from Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS) in 1963. “We learned the basic propellant technology by building sounding rockets, but have come a long way since,” he said.

“From a rocket that was about a metre tall and travelled about 10 kilometres on a few kilograms of propellant in it, we have reached a point where we have successfully tested [in January 2010] the world's third largest solid booster, which contains 200 tonnes of solid propellant, at Sriharikota. This will be used in the upcoming GSLV Mark-III,” Mr. Nair said.

Describing the country's progress in the development of solid, liquid and cryogenic rocket propellants, Mr. Nair said that the application of nanomaterials would further strengthen its position this field.

He also touched upon the use of nanotechnology in various fields, including its application in health care where it would come in handy for efficient drug delivery for targeted therapy.

Rev. Fr. Poulose Kidengan, College Manager, presided over the function.

College Principal Rev. Fr. A.J. Saviance and Programme Coordinator K.B. Jose spoke. P.J. Kuruvachan, Head, Department of Chemistry, welcomed the gathering.

Thommachan Xavier proposed a vote of thanks.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Kerala