'Electro Chemistry important in tackling energy, corrosion problems'

Three-day international conference at Mangalore University

Delivering the inaugural address of the three-day international conference on ‘Recent advances in Industrial Electrochemical Science and Technology’ (ICRAIEST-2009) organised by Mangalore University Department of Chemistry at Mangalagangothri on Thursday, he informed that United States of America spends around $ 400 billion on account of corrosion every year (3% of the economy) while India spends around $ 40 billion per annum, which itself is a big amount considering our economy. Narayan urged the academicians and researchers to make the industries aware of this problem and also to come up with the best academic solution.

Application
Speaking on the applications of electro chemistry, he said that recent developments have helped to bring down the cost in many aspects. For example, the efficiency level, in the process of creating energy from fossil fuel, could be improved by replacing the combustion process with electro chemical process. More and more such applications are being developed for the benefit of humanity, he added.
Director of CECRI, Karaikudi, Tamilnadu, Dr V Yajnaraman, who was one of the chief guests at the function, in his address elaborated on the role of electrochemistry in generating and conserving energy. “As far as storage of energy is concerned, no innovation has surpassed the age old batteries in the last 150 plus years,” he opined and explained the advantage of fuel cells with respect to energy efficiency. Speaking about Electro Chemistry, which has just been classified as a separate branch, he said that it is the real fore runner of Nano technology.

Prof Hideyuki Murakami from National Institute of Material Science, Japan, informed that the institute has over 50 researchers from India, most of whom working in the genre of electro chemistry. The institute is now trying to establish a corrosion database to meet the Asian standards. “Corrosion is much harder in Asia compared to Europe or America,” he pointed out.

The Japanese Prime Minister has promised that the CO2 generation will be reduced by 25 per cent in Japan in a few years, Prof Murakami informed and opined that Electro Chemistry will play a major role in achieving this target. The institute is also developing a Solar Cell Research Centre for this purpose, he added.

Role in developtment
Vice Chancellor of Mangalore University Prof K M Kaveriappa in his presidential address opined that industrial development has a major role to play in a nation’s development. Elaborating the industry-academics gap that has existed in the country for a long time, he recalled that cooperation with each other is necessary for the existence of both.
Universities should give utmost importance to research and development, which can be later utilised by the industries. In return, industries should help in academics as well provide opportunities to researchers, Prof Kaveriappa added.
Registrar (Administration) of the University Prof K Chinnappa Gowda, Chairman of the Conference Committee Prof J Ishwara Bhat, Secretary Prof B Narayana and others were present on the occasion.