TWO DAY LECTURE WORKSHOP ON RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN CHEMISTRY 11 th & 12 th March 2016 Sponsored and Supported By Hosted by Department of Chemistry PSGR Krishnammal College for Women, Coimbatore-641004 Prof. R. Ramraj FASc., FNASc., Convener Madurai Kamaraj University Madurai Dr. K. Parameswari Co-ordinator PSGR Krishnammal College for Women Coimbatore
A REPORT ON THE PROGRAMME A two day lecture workshop on Recent Developments in Chemistry was organized by the Department of Chemistry, PSGR Krishnammal College for Women, Coimbatore on 11th & 12 th March 2016. The Workshop was sponsored by Indian Academy of Sciences, Bangalore, Indian National Science Academy, New Delhi and The National Academy of Sciences, Allahabad. The workshop was intended to provide exposure to students, budding researchers and faculty about the frontiers and emerging fields in chemistry by interaction with eminent scientists. The aim of the workshop is to promote the students to undertake multidisciplinary research. 301 participants (UG& PG students, M.Phil & research scholars, faculty) from PSG College of Technology, GRG Polytechnic, Avinashilingam Deemed University, Gobi Arts & Science College, Sri Ramakrishna Mission Vidhyala, CBM College of Arts & Science, Hindustan College of Arts & Science, Kongunadu College of Arts & Science were benefitted by this workshop. The programme was started with prayer at 10:30 am on the first day followed by welcome address by our college secretary Dr. N. Yesodha Devi. Secretary greeted the gathering. Prof. R. Ramaraj, Convener of the workshop highlighted the objectives of the programme. He encouraged the students to make use of this workshop to update their knowledge in the advanced fields of chemistry. Further he advised the students to clear competitive exams like, NET, GATE etc. Dr. Tushar K. Chakraborty, IISc, Bengaluru, delivered the inaugural address. Dr. S. Natarajan, IISc, Bengaluru in his felicitation address emphasized the audience about the importance of research and encouraged the students to go for higher studies. Dr. S. Nirmala, Principal, PSGR Krishnammal College for Women proposed the vote of thanks for the inaugural session.
The workshop featured invited ten lectures in the following frontier areas of chemistry by eminent professors and scientists. Bio inorganic and medicinal chemistry Inorganic pigments Organic synthesis Solar Energy Conversion Theoretical and computational chemistry Molecular spectroscopy Nano materials and their applications Dr.Tushar K. Chakraborty, IISc, Bangalore, delivered lectures on Inspirations from the Molecules of Living Systems and Organic Synthesis in the Wellness of Mankind He highlighted the life process around us in terms of chemistry, structure of DNA & RNA, proteins synthesized in ribosomes, transcriptions and mutations. And also briefed the work of Noble laureates in this field. The second lecture was delivered by Dr. S. Natarajan, Professor, Solid State & structural Chemistry Unit, Indian Institute of Science, Bengalaru, on Inorganic pigments wherein he pointed out the preparation and properties of different types of inorganic materials such as minerals, metal oxides and metal complexes. He clearly explained how the structure of the compound was related to colour. He commented that synthesis is like an orchestra, fine tuning of large array of reaction requires extraordinary talents.! In the IV th lecture, he gave a brief introduction on Acids, Bases and Compounds /!He explained the concepts of acid and bases and pointed out the role of uncommon acids like thiosulphuric acid, boric acid in synthesizing some useful inorganic compounds. Prof. R. Ramaraj, Director, Centre for Photoelectrochemistry, Madurai Kamaraj University, Madurai delivered lectures on the topics Nanoscience, Nanomaterials and
their Applications (Metal Nanoparticles) & Photoelectrochemistry and Solar Energy Conversion. He demonstrated the basics of the nanoscience by taking lively examples like nanocar and nano water purifier. He also explained the colour change of gold nano particles in connection with size and free electrons. He explained about artificial photosynthesis, H 2 -O 2 fuel cells, Baghdad battery and gave idea about the application of nanomaterials in solar energy cells and solar energy conversion. Day 2 was started with lecture VI by Dr. Ashok Kumar Mishra, Professor, Department of Chemistry, Indian Institute of Technology, Madras, Chennai. He spoke on the topic Fluorescence Spectroscopy: Fundamentals wherein he explained the fundamentals of UV Spectroscopy. It was highly informative and effective. In the lecture IX he enlightened on the applications of Fluorescence Spectroscopy and role of simple eco friendly chemicals in pharmacology. Dr. V. Subramanian, Senior Principal Scientist, Chemical Laboratory, Central Leather Research Institute delivered lectures on the topics Prediction of Vibrational Spectra of Small Molecules using Computational Chemistry Tools & Prediction of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Electronic Spectra of small molecules using Density Functional Theory. It was highly informative. The participants were delighted and all the lectures were followed by interactive sessions and dynamic discussions with students.
In the valedictory session Dr. Ashok Kumar Mishra and Dr. V. Subramanian presented the concluding remarks. In the feedback session the participants whole heartedly appreciated and thanked the Science Academies, the convenor and organizers for the Motivating and informative lectures and hospitality provided. From their view points the lecture workshop was an eye opener to many students for planning their research career. The coordinator of the workshop Dr. K. Parameswari, Head, Department of Chemistry proposed the vote of the thanks.