Updated on: Tuesday, February 16, 2010
A three-day international conference on Polymer Processing and Characterisation was organised from January 15 to 17 at the Mahatma Gandhi University campus. It was jointly organised by Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, MG University, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, China, Mathew Venen Klinik, Klagenfurt, Austria and Institute of Macromolecular Science and Engineering, Perumbaikad, Kottayam.
The major themes of the conference were nano-processing, nano-scale characterisation, bio-nanocomposites, copolymers, green materials, polymer blends, hydrogels, polymer microscopy, high performance membranes, polymer spectroscopy and surface modification, according to official sources.
The conference was inaugurated by Pro Vice Chancellor Rajan Varughese. Sabu Thomas, convener, Nandakumar Kalarickal, joint director, Centre for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, spoke at the conference. There were three parallel sessions at the conference.
The main plenary talks were delivered by Manfred Stamm, polymer physicist from IPF, Dresden, Germany, Prof. Muller from Venezuela and K.L. Sebastian from Indian Institute of Sciences, Bangalore.
The conference had distinguished professors and scientists from more than 40 countries. They delivered lectures on various topics including nano-processing, nano-scale characterisation, bio-nanocomposites, hydrogels and surface modification. One of the most important talks was on the development of biodegradable materials, given by Veronica Martino of France.
In the first day of the conference there was a brainstorming discussion for submission of joint research projects among Europe, India and China under FP7 frame work of EU programme.
Several new proposals will be submitted to EU for funding among Europe, China and India.
More than 100 posters were also presented at the conference.