Iict: Reaping Rewards Of Research

The year 2002-03 had been eventful for the city-based Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT) on several counts.

It has continued to retain the top slot in the CSIR family in terms of highest number of patents filed, over 120 overseas and 46 domestic patents, protecting 62 inventions in a single year.

The instittute successfully completed 65 sponsored research and consultancy projects during the year and launched 73 new projects accounting for a total contract value of Rs 15 crore.

IICT received a record external cash receipt of Rs 17 crore for the projects sanctioned during the year. This is in addition to Rs 32 crore grant-in-aid received from the CSIR, according to a press release detailing the achievements of the premier institute of the CSIR.

 

For the Rs 24-crore biotechnology incubator coming up at Shapoorji Pallonji Biotech Park, IICT has been designated as the nodal agency by the department of biotechnology (DBT), Government of India.

Excelling in research and development of process technologies, IICT achieved over 12 processes at laboratory, bench, pilot and commercial levels of operation.

The processes include industrially important chemicals like dimethyl ether, methalol(methanol)-based fuel cell (10 KW), lambda cyhalothrin, cyanopyrazine, hydroxy ethyl cellulose, hydrazine hydrate, 3-furaldehyde etc.

At present, IICT is leading a consortium of IOC R&D centre, HAL, National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE), and Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (Cemilac) in executing a project for synthetic aviation lubricants from renewable feedstock.

Eleven vegetable oil refineries in nine states have engaged the services of the institute for enzymatic degumming of rice bran oil of 1.5 lakh tonnes per year.

The institute signed during the year a new multi-client sponsored technology transfer agreement for Indoxicarb, an important agro-chemical, through the Pesticide Manufacturers and Formulators Association of India (PMFAI).

In another industrial venture, IICT has proposed to develop processes for industrial important chemicals from tobacco. To facilitate this, the laboratory and the Tobacco Board will reach an MoU shortly.

In the drugs/pharma area, IICT has designed and developed more than 50 highly potential chemical entities and herbal formulations with attractive therapeutic properties. It helped two SMEs enter the international custom synthesis field.

Recently, a subsidiary of Care Hospitals here and IICT recently tested a new drug (eluting) stent for use in angioplasty, the press release said. During 2002-03, IICT scientists were presented 10 national and international awards. Four were elected to the National Academies of Sciences.

The institute is (has been) celebrating its diamond jubilee year from August 5. It is the first CSIR laboratory to commemorate this event after its parent body which celebrated the event last year.