Day I -22^nd Feb.

Technical Session-I 

The chairperson for the first technical session was Prof. Julio B Fernandes. The session started with presentation on carbon supported catalyst for the electro-Oxidation of Methanol in Fuel cells by Smt. P.V. Samant, dept. of Chemistry, Govt. College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Sanquelim-Goa. She started her presentation by giving a overview on fuel cells saying that fuel cells have been the recent trends in research that focus on the use of different combinations of noble or other metals as catalysts. She said that direct methanol fuel cells are environmentally sound power source for practical use in vehicles. She spoke on the preparation metal catalysts supported on novel carbon materials, including carbon nanotubes and carbon xerocels.

This presentation was followed by a presentation on “Nano TiO₂ (Titanium Oxide):a versatile photocatalyst” by Ms. Madhavi Naik, St.Xavier’s College, Mapusa on the topic. She began her presentation with an introduction to photocatalyst. She spoke about the advantages of Nano TiO₂ in semiconductors, resistance to corrosion. She spoke about the procedure of Doping TiO₂ that is the mechanism of photosysthesis, characterization with XRD results. She spoke about the photocatalyctic activity of TiO₂ and doped TiO₂. She spoke about the applications of TiO₂ in detoxification, H₂O treatment, air cleaning, anti fogging of glass and medicinal fields.

This was followed by the paper presentations. Ms. Prita Pant, BITS,Goa spoke about development of novel and cost effective precursor based chemical methodology for synthesis of single phase Ni-Zn ferrite nanopowder. Dr. harsha uskaikar,PES College spoke about synthesis of titannates by citrate method. Ms. Swati naik, Goa University spoke about synthesis and characterization of manganese oxide. Dr. R.G. Shetkar, PES College spoke about preparation and characterization of nanosize manganite perovskites.

Technical Session-II 

The second technical session began after lunch. The chairman for this session was Dr. A.S Dinge. The session began with a presentation by Prof. Lalit Kukreja, Raja Ramana Center for Advanced Technology, Indore on recent advances in nanomaterials for electronic industry. He described the changes in behavior of materials like zinc oxide when there is diminishment of size and explained that band gap, oscillator strength and absorption coefficient are modified at nanometer level. He also explained the function of semiconductor quantum well and dot lasers.

Dr. R.B. Tangsali, Goa University spoke on the topic “Exploration in Nanomagnetism”. He explained that a fundamental understanding of nanomagnetism can be exploited to yield integrated systems and presented various observations. He was confident that nanotechnology would yield better diagnostic tools.

The second part of session II began after tea break. The chairman for this session was Dr. Arun V. Salker.

Dr. N.N..Ghosh, gave a presentation on “Novel synthetic strategies and characterization of nanomaterials”. He explained the strategies to prepare nanomaterials and spoke about the major challenges faced in their preparation like cost and precise chemical composition. The objectives he said are the development of chemical methodologies. He explained how he and his team have developed nanoferrites and meso porous silica.

This was followed by the paper presentation by Mr Atmaram V. Gaonker,Govt. Polytecnic, Bicholim whose topic was “Nano electronic devices-opportunity and challeges”. Ms. Puzy A. Pavaskar, Ration Pharma, Verna spoke on Synthesis and characterization of nano size tetra amino metal phthalocyanine. Mr. Bhanudas D. Naik, BITS-Goa, spoke about development of a modified hydrothermal technique for systhesis of nanostructured mesoporous silicate based materials.