Raman Research Institute
Credit: Raman Research Institute website
Bengaluru: Marking the discovery of the Raman Effect, the Raman Research Institute (RRI) hosted an Open Day on Friday, drawing over 1,800 science enthusiasts, including students and researchers.
The event featured science demonstrations, lectures, and exhibitions showcasing cutting-edge research.
Visitors explored a range of scientific concepts, from light matter interaction experiments in the 'Dark Room' by the Light and Matter Physics Group to astronomy and astrophysics demonstrations.
Amit Baganali, a PhD scholar at RRI, presented an "ion trap" experiment using lasers, explaining its potential in developing advanced technologies.
The Raman Effect was also demonstrated to provide a clearer understanding of its principles.
A major attraction was an AI-driven music experiment where facial signals controlled a piano, demonstrated by PhD scholar J Sanskar from the Electronics and Engineering Group.
The Astronomy and Astrophysics group’s stalls featured the Brachistochrone problem, prompting students to think about motion in astronomical studies, along with models of telescopes used in radio, X-ray, and optical astronomy.
Naman Jain, an eighth-grade student, was excited about the event, saying, “This is not what we learn in class. I got to know about DNA specification, the Brazil-nut effect, and how to identify bacteria using a microscope.”
Students also engaged in “Meet a Scientist” sessions with experts, including soft condensed matter physicist Arun Roy, astrophysicist Shiv Shetty, and light-matter physics scholar Urbasi Sinha.
Professor Sadiq Rangwala of the Light and Matter Physics Group stressed the importance of such events, stating, “The smallest spark can be the first step on a long scientific journey.”