Srinagar, Oct 03: The 1st Indo-Russian International Symposium (IRIS-2022) on ‘Tribological aspects of Smart Materials and Adaptive coatings for Space, Industrial Applications’ Monday began at National Institute of Technology ( NIT ) Srinagar.
The five day long international Symposium is being jointly organised by NIT Srinagar, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU), Katra and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jammu, J&K in collaboration with Ishlinsky Institute for Problems in Mechanics Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia.
The visit of Russian scientists is sponsored by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) Government of India and Russian Academy of Science.
The inaugural function was presided over by Vice-Chancellor of IUST, Prof Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, while Prof. Satish V. Kailas (IISC Bangalore), Chief Engineer, Mechanical department, Kashmir division, Er Abdul Rashid Dar were the Guest of Honour on the occasion.
Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. (Dr) Rakesh Sehgal is the patron of the five day event. Prof. Irina Goryacheva IPM, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia and Prof. M. F. Wani from NIT Srinagar will chair the international symposium.
In his presiding speech, VC IUST, Prof. Romshoo congratulated the organizers for organizing an international symposium on an important and relevant topic.
“The space research activities were initiated in India during the early 1960’s by Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, the founding father of the Indian space programme, who quickly recognized the benefits of space technologies for the country,” he said.
Prof. Romshoo said as of today, India is the 5th largest space power in the world. Although the life of an average satellite is three years and that is where it can be linked with material sciences or smart materials. We know there are multiple challenges in enhancing the life of satellites, he said.
“There is a strong connection between the theme of this symposium and global challenges and national aspirations. If we highlight the ten most challenges of the world, five are related to the environment. The major challenge that world is facing today is the climate change,” Prof. Romshoo said.
He said there is a need for green technologies and environmentally friendly planning infrastructure. Academicians and institutions should join hands to decarbonise the society, Prof. Romshoo added.
Director NIT Srinagar, Prof. (Dr) Rakesh Sehgal said it is a welcome step that Tribology laboratory, Mechanical Engineering Department, NIT Srinagar in collaboration with Ishlinsky Institute for Problems in Mechanics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia is organizing a five-day international symposium.
On the occasion, Prof. Irina Goryacheva IPM said it is a historic movement that two technological institutions are coming forward on one platform. Tribology helps us to save energy and it is a very important science and there is a need to explore it more, she said.
“Tribological studies in Russia go back to the 18th century when the pioneering works of M. Lomonosov dealing with abrasion had been carried out. Similarly in the 19th century Russian researcher N. Petrov had published his works on hydrodynamic lubrication which are now widely recognized by tribologists,” Prof. Irina said, adding that it will be a good experience at NIT Srinagar.
Prof. M.F. Wani, Dean (R&C), NIT Srinagar briefed about the motive of the international symposium. He said eminent experts from both academia and industry will deliver keynotes, address, lectures on various topics related to space tribology.
“Apart from theoretical knowledge, practical sessions will be held which will provide hands-on experience to the participants on the latest equipment in the field of fabrication of CMCs, MMCs, Nano-Coatings, tribology, nano-tribology and material characterization at micro and nano scale level,” he said.
Institute’s Registrar, Prof. Syed Kaiser Bukhari congratulated Prof. MF Wani for taking the Tribology mission forward in the Kashmir region and for developing one of the best tribology labs at NIT Srinagar.
“Present age is the era of smart materials and they can change behavior for their properties as per the change in atmosphere or in response to external stimuli. These stimuli could be anything i.e. pressure, force, temperature, stress,” he said.
Prof. Satish V. Kailas (IISC Bangalore), Chief Engineer, Mechanical department, Kashmir division, Er Abdul Rashid Dar also shared their valuable suggestions with the participants.
Dr. Shahid Saleem and Dr. Mukund Dutt Sharma from NIT Srinagar, Dr. S. Anand Kumar (IIT Jammu) , Dr. Mir Irfan UlHaq ( SMVD University Katra) , Dr. Marat Bronovets, Dr. Elena Torskaya, Dr. Alexey Mezrin, Dr. Almira Meshcheryakova, Dr. Pavel Bukovsky, Dr. Ivan Skalei and Prof. Ivan Soldatenkov from IPM Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia are coordinators of the international symposium.
While Prof. Sheikh Nazir Ahmad NIT Srinagar, Prof Ivan Soldatenkov and Dr. Almira Meshcheryakova from IPM Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia are the section chairs for the event.
