Amrita Research Brochure

Welcome Drawing its inspiration, guidance, nourishment, energy, and resources directly from our Chancellor and world renowned humanitarian leader, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (AMMA), Amrita University has now grown into a dynamic, 5-campus, multi-disciplinary University with over 15 schools, 100 degree (undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral) programs, 1,500 faculty, and 14,000 students (www.amrita.edu), all united in their mission towards solving the monumental scientific and societal challenges being faced by the world today. AMRITA is both young and immensely dynamic, with its fertile environment and ambience for inter-disciplinary research, e.g., between its schools of engineering, medicine, biotechnology, nanotechnology, management, and the sciences. Amrita’s students from these areas are much sought after all over the globe, even as they are finishing their studies. This year, we have been ranked by National Assessment and Accreditation Council [NAAC] with highest grade “A”. In the past six years since its founding in 2003, Amrita has been on a steep trajectory to quickly achieve a world-class status. In its second year itself (2004), AMRITA became the Nation’s First Multi-Campus University to be inter-networked via Satellite, enabling live interactive inter-campus classrooms. As a result of this historic launch, Amrita University is strategically positioned to lead the way in multi-disciplinary higher education, research, and technology innovation as they are applied to multifarious disciplines and societal needs. The Government of India has also awarded AMRITA significant projects in the emerging area of haptics with applications to vocational training, and virtual laboratories to aid in remote scientific and engineering training. In 2005, during Prime Minister’s visit to United States, AMRITA University architected and lead a consortium of Indian organizations including the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to sign a landmark Indo-US University Initiative, first with five top-ranked US Universities namely, University at Buffalo (UB) – the largest of the State University of New York (SUNY) system, University of California at Berkeley, University of California at San Diego, Cornell, and Carnegie Mellon University, during the visit of the Indian Prime Minister on July 20, 2005, to Washington, DC, and subsequently with fifteen top-ranked universities including Harvard, Princeton, Yale, Purdue, UT Austin, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, University of Washington, University of Maryland, etc. at the Presidential House in New Delhi on December 8, 2005. In 2007, AMRITA launched India’s first of its kind full-fledged dual MS program in IT and IT enabled services (“MITES”) jointly with University at Buffalo (SUNY, New York) for eighty industry professionals in the city of Bangalore, India. Amrita University also signed a landmark research agreement with one of the largest Universities of the world, namely, the University of California System, in which joint research projects have the potential to receive bilateral funding of up to a total of $10 MM per year. Noteworthy patents, products, and technologies such as the Amrita university management systems, Amrita Integrated E-Learning System (A-View), Amrita school software (Amrita Learning), Amrita language translation system, and Amrita vertical take-off and landing vehicle (Chakshuyaan), many of them being incubated within AMRITA’s Technology Business Incubator (TBI), have also started to see the market. AMRITA is taking a steep trajectory into the galaxy of world class universities and centers of learning & research. This steep ascent is largely due to the gigantic contributions of a large number of AMMA’s devotees from all over the world, who are joining their best minds and hands in a selfless offering for nation building, purely out of their deep gratitude for the immense shower of joy and lasting happiness that they have received from our most beloved AMMA. In the years to come, Amrita, with a unique holistic approach, is racing ahead to produce the best managers, entrepreneurs, engineers, scientists, doctors, and societal contributors in a wide spectrum of fields, all under the superb guidance and chancellorship of one of the most inspiring leaders of the world today, Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (AMMA). Unbelievable it may sound, but not even a miniscule away from truth, is this secret: each and every one of them draws upon direct guidance, energy, inspiration, happiness, and fruitful fulfillment from AMMA, our Chancellor. http://www.amrita.edu http://www.amrita.edu/indo-us http://www.amrita.edu/research Sri Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (AMMA) Message from our Chancellor Through this holding of hands and sharing of knowledge and experience, new horizons of knowledge will open in the highest realms of science and technology to those thirsting for knowledge in India and others parts of the world-especially to students, teachers and researchers. Today, we are witnessing the world becoming like a single village. This is due to the efforts nations are putting towards cooperating in all fields. Thus, they are becoming like one. This venture to collaborate and share knowledge is a gigantic step in this direction. Knowledge is like a river - its nature is to flow. The dharma of knowledge is to flow to all corners of the world and nourish the cultures there. We should never stem its flow and thereby turn it into a stagnant pond. It is said that knowledge is the greatest gift one can give, for knowledge is imperishable. Even if we light a thousand lamps from one flame, the lustre of the first lamp never diminishes. Similar is the greatness of knowledge. Knowledge does not diminish, no matter how much it is shared. In fact, the more you give, the more it develops and expands. By sharing knowledge and experiences, we can prevent the flower that is this world from ever wilting and ensure that it remains eternally beautiful. By bringing together diverse streams of knowledge, we can create a magnificent river. May this great river of knowledge flow to caress the countries and communities of the world. May it overflow the borders between people and countries. May it impart the water of life to all of humanity, and thus nurture the blooming of culture throughout the world. 2 3 4 Index Research Centers @ Amritapuri Campus Name of Centers AM.CR.01 WINSOC (Wireless Sensor Networks with Self-Organization Capabilities for Critical and Emergency Applications) - An Indo-European Initiative TIFAC-CORE on Biomedical Technologies Amrita E-Learning Networks (AEN) TIFAC-CORE on Cyber Security - (Centre for Systems Security ) Amrita Research Labs (ARL) Amrita Technology Business Incubator Principal Investigators Maneesha V. Ramesh Dr. P. Venkat Rangan Page 00 AM.CR.02 AM.CR.03 AM.CR.04 Dr. Bipin Nair Kamal Bijlani, Manoj. P Dr. Nandakumar Jayaraj. P, Vipin Pavithran Jayaraj. P Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan Brahmachari Shraddhamrita Chaitanya, Kailash, Jayaraj.P Raghu Raman 00 00 00 AM.CR.05 AM.CR.06 00 00 Research Projects @ Amritapuri Campus Name of Projects AM.PR.01 Amrita Virtual Private Networking (VPN) Platform Secured Data Acquisition and Transmission System for Data Centre (SDATS) Secured Data Acquisition and Transmission System via VSAT/Internet (Real-time OS Kernel) Developing Secured Wi-Fi Communication System for Sky Bus Test Track Dual Communication Board on on VME Bus Techniques for Secure Communication in Emerging Wireless Ubiquitous Networks Intelligent and Interactive Telematics using Emerging Wireless Technologies for Transport Systems Adaptive and Automatic Insulin Pump Principal Investigators Jayaraj. P Page 00 AM.PR.02 Jayaraj. P Sureshkumar. P Renu. M.R. Jayaraj. P 00 AM.PR.03 00 AM.PR.04 Jayaraj. P Amit. D 00 AM.PR.05 Sudharsan S, Rajesh Kannan Sriram K, Ramesh B Jayaraj. P 00 AM.PR.06 00 AM.PR.07 Jayaraj. P 00 AM.PR.08 Dr. Bipin Nair K. Guruvayoorappan 00 5 AM.PR.09 Next Generation Secure Internet Technology for Globally Distributed Enterprise Digital Earth / VRC – Village Resource Centre Amrita-IBM SUR Award -Virtual Computing Lab Jayaraj. P Dr. Nandakumar 00 AM.PR.10 Brahmachari Abhayamrita Chaitanya, Ranganathan R Brahmachari Shraddhamrita Chaitanya, Kailash 00 AM.PR.11 00 AM.PR.12 AM.PR.13 AM.PR.14 AM.PR.15 Amrita-TBI Global Connect Optical Computing Using Solitons Medicinal Plant Cultivation Molecular mechanisms in impaired wound-healing Kamal Bijlani, Radha Dr. Sreelatha K.S Prasanth Prof. Bipin Nair 00 00 00 00 AM.PR.16 AM.PR.17 AM.PR.18 Bioactive molecules from Seabuckthorn GLUT4 and Insulin resistance Peptide-based anti-snake venom therapy Prof. Asoke Banerji Dr. Anilkumar G. Dr. Martin Reick 00 00 00 AM.PR. 19 Amrita Virtual-Biotechnology Labs Dr. Shyam Diwakar Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan 00 AM.PR.20 Computational Neuroscience and Mathematical Modeling in Biology Dr. Shyam Diwakar 00 AM.PR. 21 Real-time Wireless Sensor Networks for Landslide Monitoring Dr. Maneesha V. Ramesh, Dr. P. Venkat Rangan 00 AM.PR.22 A-VIEW (Amrita Virtual Interactive E-Learning World) Kamal Bijlani 00 AM.PR.23 Interactive Visualisation techniques for monitoring educators and learners in Web-based Distance Learning Raghu Raman, Raji Nair 00 AM.PR.24 Standardization and Quality of eLearning Content Prema Nedungadi, Dr. Sanjeev Singh, Sheila Nair 00 AM.PR.25 Amrita Multisite Grant Management System (Amrita MGMS) Raghu Raman 00 6 AM. PR.26 Sakshat- Amrita Vocational Education (S.A.V.E.) Ms. Bhavani Bijlani, Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan 00 AM. PR.27 Sakshat- Amrita Vocational Education (S.A.V.E.) Ms. Bhavani Bijlani, Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan 00 Research Center @ Bangalore Campus Name of Center BL.CR.01 Amrita Indo-US Centre Principal Investigators Shekar Babu Page 00 Research Project @ Bangalore Campus Name of Project BL.PR.01 Development of a Three-phase Hybrid Filtering System with Digital Control Principal Investigators Dr. Manjula Nair Page 00 Research Centers @ Coimbatore Campus Name of Center CB.CR.01 Computational Engineering & Networking TIFAC CORE on Cyber Security Indo-US E-Learning Network Principal Investigators Dr. K.P. Soman Page 00 CB.CR.02 CB.CR.03 Dr. M. Sethumadhavan Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan, Sekhar Babu, P. Manoj, Kamal Bijlani Dr. M. Aravindakshan Dr. K. P. Soman K. Guruvayoorappan Dr. Bipin Nair Dr. Devadoss Eswar 00 00 CB.CR.04 CB.CR.05 CB.CR.06 Environmental Sciences Digital Earth / Remote Sensing Amrita Biomedical Engineering Research Centre [AMBE] Office of the Sponsored Research Programs 00 00 00 CB.CR.07 00 CB.CR.08 India 2020 Dr. P. Venkat Rangan 00 7 Research Projects @ Coimbatore Campus Name of Projects CB.PR.01 Development and Scale-up of Plunging Hollow Jet, Venturi and Sudden Expansion Type Aerators Method to Control Ultraviolet Radiation in Welding Processes Digital Multimedia Development of Fast & Effective Cryptographic Techniques Wavelet Based Analysis of Test / Post Flight Vibration / Acoustic Data Analysis of PIV / PLIF Images for Fluid Flow Visualization Massively Parallel Support Vector Machines for Target Classification Design & Analysis of Cryptographically Secure Power Generators Development of High-Performance Polyamides from Renewable Natural Source Ex-situ Cultivation of Selected Medicinal Plants in Semi Arid Regions Video Conferencing Software Autonomous Mobile Robots Based on Bioinspired Artificial Control Indo-Italian Initiative Development of Methodologies for Detection of Digital Contents Plagiarism Elastomer Based Nano Composites for Control System Bladders Amrita-University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Collaborative Project on Electromagnetics Synthesis of Novel Lube Oil & Fuel Additives from Cashew Nut Shell Liquid Unified Investigation of Fusion, Resonance & Scattering in Heavy Ion Collisions Machine Development of Infrastructure for Remote Sensing Applications Principal Investigators Dr. K. M. Mini, Dr. Narayana Pillai Page 00 CB.PR.02 Dr. R. Sellamuthu, S Illangovan Sanjivi Arul Dr. K. P. Soman Dr. M. Sethumadhavan 00 CB.PR.03 CB.PR.04 00 00 CB.PR.05 Dr. K.I. Ramachandran 00 CB.PR.06 Dr. K.P. Soman, Mahadevan 00 CB.PR.07 Dr. K.P. Soman 00 CB.PR.08 Dr. M. Sethumadhavan 00 CB.PR.09 Dr. S.S. Bhagawan 00 CB.PR.10 Dr. M. Aravindakshan 00 CB.PR.11 CB.PR.12 Dr.K.P.Soman Dr. Shyam Diwakar Sanjivi Arul 00 00 CB.PR.13 Dr. K. P. Soman 00 CB.PR.14 Dr. S.S. Bhagawan Meera B. Sasikumar Dr. Narayana Rao 00 CB.PR.15 00 CB.PR.16 Dr. T. Ramachandran 00 CB.PR.17 Prof. C.S. Shastry 00 CB.PR.18 Dr. K.P. Soman 00 8 CB.PR.19 Modernisation of Metallurgy Lab Dr. Dr. Dr. Dr. K. R. S. K. Mohandas Sellamuthu Goshteeswaran Rameshkumar 00 CB.PR.20 Development of Energy Saver for Induction Motors Video Summarization and Annotation for Content Based Retrieval Analysis of Word Based Stream Ciphers Machine Translation from English to Indian Languages VLSI Development of Finite Field Arithmetic Online Testing of IC Engines Sponsor Dr. T. B. Isha 00 CB.PR.21 Dr. K. P. Soman Rajathilakam Dr. M. Sethumadhavan Dr. K. P. Soman 00 CB.PR.22 CB.PR.23 00 00 CB.PR.24 Dr. M. Sethumadhavan Dr. T. R. Padmanaban Dr. K. Mohandas Dr. S. Thirumalini Dr. R. Sellamuthu, Sanjivi Arul & S. Illangovan 00 CB.PR.25 00 CB.PR.26 Development of a Real-time Process Control Method for Automated Arc Welding Processes Polymer Nanocomposites for Inflatable Space Structures Development of Image Fusion Techniques and Measurement Methods to Assess Quality of Fusion Error Linear Complexity Measures for Multisequences Analysis and Evaluation of Multi-layer Shear Damped Viscoelastic Treatments for Launch Vehicle Applications Electrodeposition of Aluminium-Lithium Alloys for Cryo and Space Applications Development of Novel Carbon-Inherently Conducting Polymer[C-ICP] and C-ICP-Metal Nanocomposites with Unusually High Conductivity for Microwave Absorption – Indo-US Initiative Classified Image Transmission System 00 CB.PR.27 K. Jayanarayanan Dr. S. S. Bhagawan Dr. K.P. Soman 00 CB.PR.28 00 CB.PR.29 Dr. M. Sethumadhavan 00 CB.PR.30 Dr. K. I Ramachandran Dr. V. Sivakumar 00 CB.PR.31 T.G. Satheesh Babu 00 CB.PR.32 Dr. Nikhil Koturkar Prof. R. Subba Rao Dr. Tito Viswanathan 00 CB.PR.33 Dr. M. Sethumadhavan, Gireesh Kumar. T 00 CB.PR.34 Optimisation Of Nanofiller Loading In Natural Rubber Based Micro Cellular Sheet Using DoE Meera B Sasikumar 00 9 CB.PR.35 Synthesis, Characterization and Liquid Crystalline Studies of Schiff Base Containing Porphyrin Complex Dr. R. Sellamuthu, Sanjivi Arul, S. Ilangovan 00 CB.PR.36 Hardware Based Network Intrusion Detection System for High Speed Networks Dr. M. Sethumadhavan, S. Sajan Kumar, Dr. C. Shunmuga Velayutham V. Adinarayanan 00 CB.PR.37 Creation of Tools and Resources for Machine translation from English to Dravidian Languages Dr. Soman KP 00 CB.PR.38 Theoretical and empirical investigations on the interaction of asymmetric migration and intrinsic growth rate on the dynamics of laboratory metapopulations of Drosophila melanogaster. Dr. Sutirth Dey Nithin Nagaraj 10 Research Centers @ Kochi Campus Name of Centers KO.CR.01 KO.CR.02 Amrita Center for Nanosciences Institute of Molecular Medicine Principal Investigators Dr. Shanti Nair Dr. T.S Ganesan Ron Gottsegen KO.CR.03 Center for Digital Health Dr. Ajit Babu, Dr. Kumar Menon Pradeep Achan Dr. Prem Nair Dr.T.S.Ganesan Dr. Shanti Nair Pradeep Achan Raghu Raman, Prema Indramohan Ramesh Raghavan Anand Ramani, Pavithra Siva 00 Page 00 00 KO.CR.04 KO.CR.05 KO.CR.06 KO.CR.07 Clinical Trials Clinical Research Training Centre Food Analysis Processing and Centre Amrita Technologies 00 00 00 00 Research Projects @ Kochi Campus Name of Projects KO.PR.01 Nanotoxicology and Nanomedicine Principal Investigators Dr. Shanti Nair Dr. K. Manzoor Dr. Jayakumar Page 00 KO.PR.02 Development of Chitosan Based Derivatives The Role of Lactic and Bacteria and their Metabolites Inhibition of Colon Cancer Cancer Biology Protein Processing Chemical Neuroscience Laboratory Gastro-Medicine-Improvement of S&T Infrastructure Molecular Genetics Analysis of Von Hippel Lindau Syndrome in Kerala State Gene Expression Profiling of H&N Squamous Cell Carcinoma by DNA Microarray 00 KO.PR.03 Dr. Seema Nair Dr. Kavitha Dinesh 00 KO.PR.04 KO.PR.05 KO.PR.06 KO.PR.07 Dr. T.S. Ganesan Dr. Satish Raina Dr. Krishnakumar Menon Dr. Narayanan 00 00 00 00 KO.PR.08 Dr. Dilip Panikar 00 KO.PR.09 Dr. Moni Abraham Kuriakose 00 11 KO.PR.10 Lymphoscintigraphy for the Evaluation of Nodal Metastasis of Head & Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma A Pilot Study for Prostate Cancer Screening in Kerala A Pilot Study to Assess the Feasibility of Evaluation of Markers of Response to Chemotherapy within 24 hours & at 21 days after First Cycle of Chemotherapy in Carcinoma of Breast Processing Compatibilization and Targeting of Semiconductor Nano Crystals for Cancer Diagnostics Creation & Evaluation of a Clinical Strategy to Screen for Contingental Heart Disease in Newborn Chromosome 22q11 Micro Deletion in Patients with Selected Congenital Heart Disease (Conotruncal Malformations) Study of Prevalence, Phenotype, Genotype, and Mode of Inheritance Role of Medium Chain Fatty Acids of Coconut Oil in Atherosclerosis How Common is Essential Amino and Deficiency in Tropical Pancreatitis Newborn Mass Screening Program for Inborn Errors of Metabolism in Kerala Effect of Ethanol on Functional & Structural Aspects of Liver and Role in Angiogenesis Modeling the Effects of Decreased Levels of GABA and Accumulation of GHB on GABA Receptors and its Effects on Pediatric / Neonatal Seizures Development of Appropriate Prevention and Intervention Strategies for Non-commentable Nutritional Related Disorders among Women in Post-reproductive Period Molecular Genetics of Locally Advanced Breast Carcinomas - Indo-US Initiative Dr. Moni Abraham Kuriakose 00 KO.PR.11 Dr. Chitrathara 00 KO.PR.12 Dr. Vijayakumar 00 KO.PR.13 Dr. Deepthy Menon 00 KO.PR.14 Dr. R. Krishnakumar 00 KO.PR.15 Dr. M.V.G. Thampi 00 KO.PR.16 Dr. Prakash Kammath 00 KO.PR.17 Dr. Balakrishnan 00 KO.PR.18 Dr. Kannan 00 KO.PR.19 Dr. D. M. Vasudevan 00 KO.PR.20 AIMS 00 KO.PR.21 Dr. V. Usha Menon 00 KO.PR.22 Dr. T.S. Ganesan 00 12 KO.PR.23 Sub Study on Anthropometric and Blood Pressure Measurements among School Children Centre for Nano Technology (Implants Tissue Engineering Stem Cell Research) Nano Surface Bioengineering of Implants Self-trackng Nanodelivery Vehicle for si-RNA Based Oncogene Silencing Electro Nanoprocessing of Semiconductor Nanotubes Arrays for High Efficiency Photovoltaics Differential Strength Polymer on Single Sheet as a Test Specimen for Diabetic Footwear A Multi Center, Phase II, Randomized, Double–Blind, Placebo Controlled, Chemoprevention Study to Determine the Clinical Efficacy and Safety of Curcumin in Oral Premalignant Lesions Head & Neck Oncology Research Programme under SARD Scheme Assessment of Oral Self-examination for Early Detection of Oral Cancers and Precancers in a High-risk Rural Population Speciality Clinic of Naturopathy & Yoga Dr. R. Krishna Kumar 00 KO.PR.24 Dr. Shanti Nair 00 KO.PR.25 KO.PR.26 Dr. Shanti Nair Dr. Shanti Nair 00 00 KO.PR.27 Dr. Shanti Nair 00 KO.PR.28 Dr. Ajit Kumar Varma Dr. Nikhil K. Kothurkar Prof. R. Subba Rao Dr. Moni Abraham Kuriakose 00 KO.PR.29 00 KO.PR.30 Dr. Moni Abrabam Kuriakose 00 KO.PR.31 Dr. Moni Abraham Kuriakose 00 KO.PR.32 Dr. Prem Nair 00 KO.PR.33 Proposal for the Establishment of Indian System of Medicine (Ayurveda) Rheumatic Fever / Rheumatic Heart Disease(RF / RHD) Registry Registry Project Wayanad, Kerala. Cardiovascular Disease Surveillance among the Adivasi Population of Waynad District Dr. Prem Nair 00 KO.PR.34 Dr. R. Krishnakumar 00 KO.PR.35 Dr. K. K. Haridas, Dr. Paul T. Francis, Dr. R. Krishna Kumar Dr. Sanjeev Vasudevan Dr. Ajitha Kumari Dr. Kavitha R. Dinesh 00 KO.PR.36 Clinico-Epidemiologic and Molecular Charactorization of Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL) Producing Klebsiella spp.E.col & Enterobacter spp causing Nosocomial and Community Infections Establishment of Nodal Coordinating Center for Training of Satellite Centers for Establishment of the RF/RHD Registry (Waynad,Mumbai and potentially Chattisgarh) 00 KO.PR.37 Dr. R. Krishnakumar 00 13 KO.PR.38 Nutritional Recovery after Corrective Surgery for Congenital Heart disease in Children Novel Nano delivery Carrier for Systemic Control and Release of Parathyroid Hormone For The Treatment of Bone Disease Dr. R. Krishnakumar Dr. Balu Vaidyanathan Dr. R Jayakumar 00 KO.PR.39 00 KO.PR.40 Novel Biodegradable Thermo-Responsive Nano-Vehicles for Cancer Drug Delivery Applications Dr. R Jayakumar 00 KO. PR.41 Preparation of Novel Biodegradable Chitin Scaffolds with Hydroxyapatite/ ZnO Nanoparticles for Wound Dressing Applications Dr. R Jayakumar 00 KO.PR.42 Cataract operation/Diabetic retinopathy treatment / Glaucoma management / low vision services Dr. Prem Nair 00 Glossary of Terms Recent Publications - A partial listing Books by Amrita Authors Introduction to Principal Investigators (PI’s) @ amrita 00 00 00 00 14 Research Centers @ Amritapuri Campus AM. CR. 01 WINSOC (Wireless Sensor Networks with Self-Organization Capabilities for Critical and Emergency Applications) - An Indo-European Initiative WINSOC is a European Commission funded research project composed of 11 academic, research institutes, and industry partners based in India and Europe, who are developing a novel new method of wireless sensor networking that mimics biological systems. This new two level hierarchical system is composed of a lower level of low-cost sensors which collect environmental data and generate locally reliable decisions, and an upper level which forwards the information on to a remote analysis station. The sensor network can also dynamically reconfigure itself in the event of any node failure, thereby forming a self-healing and self-organizing network. The application scenarios used for implementing and validating the WINSOC developed algorithms and wireless sensor nodes are landslides, for which Amrita is the primary partner, and forest fires. 15 One of the most beneficial projects developed by Amrita for society to date, WINSOC involves the design, development and deployment of a real time wireless sensor network (WSN) for landslide detection. Along with the real-time deployment, large and medium scale landslide laboratory setups have been developed for conducting extensive experimentation to gain a better understanding of landslide phenomena, in order to help assess the risk of a landslide at the deployment site. The real-time network is deployed in Munnar, Idukki District, in the state of Kerala, South India. The deployment location has experienced numerous landslides, of which the latest, in 2005, caused a death toll of 10 people and an enormous amount of infrastructural damage. The deployment area covers seven acres of the mountain with the network consisting of approximately 25 wireless sensor nodes forming the two-layer hierarchical network. The data transmitted from the WSN is sent via a directional Wi-Fi link to a Field Management Center, one km away, from where it is then forwarded over the satellite link to a sophisticated landslide data processing and modeling center, located 300 km away at the Amritapuri campus of Amrita University. Amrita has developed online data visualization software for real-time data analysis and is responsible for the creation and maintenance of the overall WINSOC project website, www.winsoc.org. Preliminary findings have been presented at International conferences in the US and Europe. PI’s : Maneesha V. Ramesh* & Dr. P. Venkat Rangan* Research Associates: Rehna Raj, Joshua Udar Freeman, Sangeeth Kumar, Vijayaselvan, Kailash, Dr. Nirmala Vasudevan, Mukundan Sponsor: European Commission (WINSOC is a Specific Targeted Research Project co-funded by the INFSO DG of the European Commission within the RTD activities of the Thematic Priority Information Society Technologies). Start Date: September 2006 Dept./Center: Amrita Research Labs 10 16 PI’s whose photos appear are indicated by an * Maneesha V. Ramesh and Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan delivered invited talks on the WINSOC project and the Indo-US collaboration at many prestigious universities and research institutes, most of them which are signatories to the Indo-US Agreement, in the USA during June and July, 2007 and 2008. Columbia University, New York Eastern Michigan University Harvard University Intel Research Labs, Berkeley Massachusetts Institute of Technology New York University Purdue University San Diego State University Stanford University of California, Berkeley University of California, Irvine University of California, Los Angeles University of California, San Diego University of California, Santa Cruz University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign University of Iowa University of Maryland, College Park University of Michigan University of New Mexico University of Southern California University of Texas, Austin University of Texas, Dallas University of Washington US Geological Survey, Denver US Geological Survey, Menlo Park Maneesha V. Ramesh and Dr. Krishnashree delivered presentations on the WINSOC project in many universities in Europe during Oct - Nov, 2007: Eurecom at Sophia Antipolis, France University of Twente, Holland Technical University of Munich, Germany University of Milano, Italy Maneesha V. Ramesh presented four papers at the International Conferences on Wireless Networks, 2007 and 2008, which were held as a part of WORLDCOMP-07 and -08, in Las Vegas, USA. Presentations have also been delivered at WINSOC consortium review meetings in Switzerland, Spain, France, Belgium, Italy, and the Czech Republic. 17 AM. CR. 02 TIFAC-CORE on Biomedical Technologies The Centre for Biotechnology at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri, Kollam, Kerala, was awarded by TIFAC as a Center for Relevance and Excellence (CORE) in Biomedical Technology in October, 2004 and every year since, has consistently received top ranking in the nation. PI: Dr. Bipin Nair* Sponsor: TIFAC Start Date: October 2004 Dept./Center: Biotechnology CENTRE’s Vision TIFAC CORE in Biomedical Technology at Amrita pioneers interdisciplinary education, research and industrial collaboration in biomedical technology. The Centre strives to advance research, generate affordable preventive and therapeutic innovations, to stimulate industrial growth and improve the human condition. Projects AM.PR. 08 “Adaptive and Automatic Insulin Pump” of Dr. Bipin Nair (TIFAC, GoI/Media Lab Asia) AM.PR. 15 “Screening Modulators of Intrinsic Activity of GLUT4 from Medicinal Plant” of Dr. G. Anilkumar, Kerala Council for Science, Technology and Environment AM.PR. 16 “Bioprospection of Indigenous Flora with Special Reference to Kerala” of Dr. Ashoke Banerji, funded by Department of Atomic Energy (DAE), Govt.of India AM.PR.17 Seabuckthorn - Problems Prospects and Need for Biotechnological Intervention (DBT) Dr. Bipin Nair AM.PR. 18 “Phytochemical Investigation on Himalayan (Ladakh) Rhodiola” of Dr. Ashoke Banerji, Defense Institute of Physiology and Allied Sciences Objectives The Centre in Biomedical Technology will aim at excellence in multiple dimensions: Extend the frontiers of research catalyzing a breeding ground for innovative research and the translation of scientific discoveries into practical applications that enhance patient care. Enhance undergraduate and graduate education by providing a vibrant center, where science, education and technology transfer go hand in hand. Generate productive partnership with the Industry creating ideas that will spawn new technologies leading to new companies, new products and new job-creation opportunities. Provide skilled workforce to meet the current and future needs of the biomedical industry. 18 AM.CR.03 AMRITA E-Learning Network (AEN) The objective of the project is to develop a generic e-Learning platform for connecting various universities in India through EDUSAT network and to provide a platform for sharing the values, resources and knowledge of excellent teachers. Numerous lectures are conducted by eminent professors and industry experts from all over the world, who visit Amrita regularly through this network. Also several undergraduate courses in Amrita are offered using this network. The platform involves multiple displays, which will give students unhindered and uninterrupted view of slides, whiteboard and other multimedia materials apart from teacher’s video/audio. The sessions are recorded and indexed so that it is available to the students for later reference. The project is a joint venture of Amrita University, ISRO, TIFAC India, and the Indo-US e-Learning initiative. Dept./Center: Amrita E-Learning Lab, Amritapuri PI’s : Kamal Bijlani* & Manoj P Sponsors : ISRO, TIFAC Start Date: May 2004 19 AM. CR. 04 TIFAC- CORE in Cyber Security (Centre for Systems Security) The Centre for Cyber Security at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Coimbatore has been identified by The Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) as a Centre of Relevance and Excellence (CORE) in Cyber Security and was setup in September 2005. The objectives of the Centre is to attract and foster a core group of Cyber Security experts who systematically and exhaustively disseminate knowledge and its application in the ever-expanding frontiers of Cyber Security, develop and advance the state-of-the-art in secure data handling, trustworthy storage and interchange, verifiable authentication and certification, through a proactive industryenabled systems research and development agenda and to protect industries and organizations, which are increasingly dependent on online information and IT enabled services, by transforming their key IT personnel into security aware and security-trained professionals through innovative curricula. PI’s : Dr. Vallath Nandakumar*, Jayaraj P, Vipin Pavithran* Sponsor: TIFAC 20 AM.CR.05 Amrita Research Labs(ARL) Amrita Research Labs is an R&D Center of Amrita consisting of a number of research groups working on the following research topics: Amrita RoadWAVE: Amrita RoadWAVE is a research network for exploring research problems and solution strategies related to Vehicular and Roadside Computing (RoadWAVE: Roadside, Wireless, Ad Hoc, and Vehicular Environments). Amrita RoadWAVE is being developed as a part of project, “Intelligent and Interactive Telematics using Emerging Wireless Technologies for Transport Systems” (ITEWS), sponsored by Technology Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC), Govt. of India. 2 Amrita CUBE: Amrita CUBE is a research network for exploring research problems and solution strategies related to Ubiquitous and Embedded Computing (CUBE: Calm, Ubiquitous, and emBedded, Environments). Amrita CUBE is being developed as a part of the project, “Techniques for Secure Communication in Ubiquitous Wireless Networks” (TSCWUN), sponsored by Science and Engineering Council (SERC), Department of Science and Technology (DST), Govt. of India. 3 Amrita MMSec: We are exploring research issues in securing multimedia systems for emerging applications such as VoIP and IPTV. 1 PI: Jayaraj P Sponsors : Various Dept./Center: Amrita Research Labs Projects: AM.PR.01 Amrita Virtual Private Networking (Amrita VPN) Platform - Jayaraj. P AM.PR.02 Secured Data Acquisition and Transmission System for Data Centre (SDATS) - Jayaraj. P AM.PR.03 Secured Data Acquisition and Transmission System via VSAT/Internet - Jayaraj. P AM.PR.04 Developing Secured Wi-Fi Communication System for Sky Bus Test Track - Konkan Railways Corporation Limited (KRCL) - Jayaraj. P AM.PR.05 Dual Communication Board on VME Bus (GoI) - Sudharsan S, Rajesh Kannan, Sriram K, Ramesh B AM.PR.06 Techniques for Secure Communication in Emerging Wireless Ubiquitous Networks (DST, HP, DAX Networks) - Jayaraj. P AM.PR.07 Intelligent and Interactive Telematics using Emerging Wireless Technologies for Transport Systems (ITEWS) (TIFAC-DST) - Jayaraj. P and Amit 21 AM. CR. 06 Amrita Technology Business Incubator PI’s : Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan*, Brahmachari Shraddhamrita Chaitanya, Kailash, Jayaraj P, Raghu Raman Sponsor: DST Start Date: March 2008 Dept./Center: Amrita Research Labs, Amritapuri Amrita Technology Business Incubator (TBI) is an initiative of Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, hosted by Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham to accelerate successful development of business by grooming young and dynamic entrepreneurs. Amrita Technology Business Incubator aims at converting innovative ideas into products and help to ultimately transform into a venture capital funded company. Amrita TBI helps entrepreneurs by providing space, guide lines in business plan and brochures preparations, marketing, patenting, IP protection etc. List of products/ technologies developed at Amrita that can be implemented by industry and convert into an product a. Amrita Safelock – Multimodal electronic locking system with support for RFID cards, Smart cards, WiFi handhelds, and bluetooth-enabled mobile phones. Builtin TCP/IP stack and cryptographic message security. Directly plugs into the LAN and supports sophisticated central monitoring and administration. Research supported by Dept. of Science & Technology. Deployed at Amrita TV and Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham campuses. b. Single Line PBX – Enables sharing of a single telephone line among multiple workstation users in a Small-to-Medium business or laboratory environment. Supports wired and wireless local-areanetworking technologies. Uses in-house implementations of signal processing, cryptographic, and compression libraries. Biz Dev PR Venture Capitalist c. WiFi Oximeter – Enables visualization and analysis of Oximeter signals from multiple remote WiFi-enabled laptops, workstations, or handhelds. In-house design & development of the embedded WiFi interface as well as the platform-independent visualization software. d. GSM-controlled Oven – A prototype implementation that demonstrates remote control of devices over GSM/GPRS networks. Design & development of the complete hardware and firmware interfaces for an oven that enables it to be controlled from a cellphone located anywhere in the world – with proper authentication. The architecture has been submitted for patenting. e. X-Ray Digitizer – A device that enables visualization of X-ray images remotely over VSAT or Internet. Built as a part of Telemedicine initiative. Angel Investors NETWORKING Marketing Patent Experts Entrepreneurs 22 Research Projects @ Amritapuri Campus AM. PR. 01 Amrita Virtual Private Networking (Amrita VPN) Platform Amrita VPN is an easy-to-use open source VPN solution that runs PI: Jayaraj P* Sponsors: Various Start Date: June 2002 Dept./Center: Amrita Research Labs, Amritapuri on the GNU/Linux platform. The implementation is fully in userspace and requires no kernel patches or enhancements. It uses open ssl library for strong encryption and authentication through SSLv3. Amrita VPN can be used to connect two private networks through a public network such as the Internet. It requires only one end to have a direct Internet connection preferably with a permanent public IP address. The other end could be connected to the Internet via a masquerading router. Research Papers referring to Amrita VPN Scalability implications for Open-Source Linux Based Virtual Private Networks, Shashank Khanvilkar, Ashfaq Khokhar Virtual Private Networks: An Overview (IEEE Communications Magazine), Shashank Khanilkar SANS paper on secure HTTP tunnels Other Significant Projects include: Mandatory Access Control enhancements to Linux Kernel VLSI Crypto chip 23 AM. PR. 02 Secured Data Acquisition and Transmission System for Data Center (SDATS) Objective of this project is to develop Data acquisition system from distributed sensors with capabilities for 16-to-24-bit enhancement, local storage, and local visualization and the Secure transmission of acquired data reliably to multiple data centres across India over VSAT and Internet. Data centres also have the data visualization, archival, and data format conversion capabilities. Remote Monitoring, Configuration, and Administration of distributed data acquisition stations from data centres are made possible. The final handover of the project to GoI was made in Feb 2006. A training program was held by the ARL team in June 2006 to a team of GoI engineers here in Amritapuri. The system is now being used by GoI. Dept./Center: Amrita Research Labs, Amritapuri PI’s: Jayaraj P, Sureshkumar P*, & Renu M. R Sponsor: GoI Senior Technical Team: Dinesh R (Software Development) Start Date: February 2004 24 AM. PR. 03 Secured Data Acquisition and Transmission System via VSAT/Internet (Real-time OS Kernel) The purpose of this project is to develop a special purpose real time PI: Jayaraj P Sponsor: GoI Start Date: February 2004 Dept./Center: Amrita Research Labs, Amritapuri Operating System Kernel with built-in cryptographic capability to be used for data acquisition, processing, and real-time transmission. Our data acquisition Operating System Kernel is composed of a core kernel which interfaces with the bare hardware and provides true real-time multitasking facility. The kernel provides networking support via built-in TCP/IP stack. The work is based on previous work in building a custom Kernel with TCP/IP stack and several experimental Linux kernel security enhancements. As per the project’s objectives, the kernel was demonstrated and delivered to Govt. of India. 25 AM. PR. 04 Developing Secured Wi-Fi Communication System for Sky Bus Test Track The purpose of this project is to develop a proof-of-concept implementation of telematics technologies that would enable multimedia-rich communication between vehicles and stations in a metropolitan-area rapid transit network. The project was aimed at enabling wireless multimedia-rich telematics services for Konkan-Skybus. ARL has successfully developed a secured wireless based media propagation, communication, and location tracking system as a part of this project. The technologies were deployed and field-tested at the 1.6 km long Sky Bus test track in Madgaon, Goa. The striking features of the system, among others, include wireless video surveillance, push-to-talk over WiFi, real time location tracking of the Sky Bus on the track using RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator). All these features are controlled centrally at the Sky Bus Control Station. PI’s : Jayaraj P & Amit D* Sponsor: KRCL Start Date: May 2004 Dept./Center: Amrita Research Labs 26 AM. PR. 05 Dual Communication Board on VME Bus PI’s : Sudharsan S*, Rajesh Kannan*, Sriram K*, Ramesh B* Senior Technical Team: Anoop Kumar (PLX Technologies) Sponsor: GoI Start Date: May 2004 Dept./Center: Amrita Research Labs, Amritapuri 10/100 Mbps Ethernet 802.3 Media Access Controller implemented in FPGA. Support for both full-duplex and half-duplex operations. Dual Ethernet link support. During normal operation, one of the links will be active link and other will function as stand by link. Logic to detect failure on the active link and to enable the stand by link. Visual active Ethernet link status. Auto-negotiation of link speed without firmware intervention. Programmable Address filtering schemes on the receive frames. Automatic or programmable flow control mechanism. Internal 4K Bytes FIFO on transmit and 4K Bytes FIFO on receive for increased data through put. FPGA implements generic local CPU interface which is portable across different microprocessors. Intel 80186EC CPU and associated firmware to interface to the Ethernet Controller and the VME host. The on-board processor relieves the host processor by handling the protocol processing. Dual Port SRAM (DPRAM) used for data and descriptor storage is shared between the VME host, local CPU and the Ethernet DMA Controller. The Ethernet Communication board on VME, AMRB-VE0401 is a state-of-the-art engineering solution, enabling Ethernet data transfer to and from the host residing on the VME bus. The board has built-in intelligence to handle the 802.3 Ethernet protocol with minimum intervention from the host processor. The key features of the board are as follows: Built in DPRAM Access Unit (DAU) enables the DPRAM and Ethernet DMA Controller to operate at speed different from the local CPU bus. The DAU implements fairness arbitration between the local CPU and Ethernet DMA accesses to the DPRAM. Serial EEPROM to program the Control and Status registers in the Ethernet Controller. Slave interface on the VME bus for 24 bit addressing and 16 bit data width 27 AM. PR. 06 Techniques for Secure Communication in Emerging Wireless Ubiquitous Networks This project aims to develop new architectures and protocols for secure PI’s : Jayaraj P Sponsors: DST, GoI Senior Technical Team: Lakshmiprabha (Hardware Design/Deployment) Start Date: February 2005 Dept./Center: Amrita Research Labs, Amritapuri communication in ubiquitous and pervasive computing environments. Innovative capability-based authorization architecture for web-services has been developed as a part of the project. In addition, as a part of the project, ARL has developed an electronic locking system that can also be securely operated using multiple methods such as smartcard, cell-phone, and web-based interface. ARL is also developing secure Active-RFID technology that can be used for asset monitoring. Once fully developed, these technologies will be deployed in Amrita campuses and also taken up for productization SMARTPERMIT Authorization for Enterprise 802.11 Wireless Network 28 AM. PR. 07 Intelligent and Interactive Telematics using Emerging Wireless Technologies for Transport Systems Objective of this project is research and development of wireless telematics platform for transportation systems. The platform consists of Vehicle On-Board Units, Wireless Mesh Network, Gateways, Messaging System, and highly scalable Back-end Systems. Important technologies developed as a part of this project are: Sponsors: CAR, GoI Senior Technical Team: Amit D, Sriram, Dinesh R, Sudharsan, Ranjith P, Hari N 1 PI’s : Jayaraj P Amrita T-Mesh: A Secure High-performance Wireless Mesh Start Date: June 2005 Dept./Center: Amrita Research Labs, Amritapuri Network System that can provide connectivity between various types of mobile and stationary wireless and wired devices. 2 Amrita MiTRA OBU: An On-Board Unit providing Multilingual Location-Aware Multimedia Infotainment for Transport Systems with automatic info-fueling capability. 3 Amrita MiTRA TCM System: A web-based application and a collection of web services that can be used to manage routes, route schedules, and location-based media as well as provide vehicles with info-fueling data feeds. 4 Amrita Graphical Dynamic Messaging Unit: A wireless LCD-based display system that can automatically display a configured set of videos and web data feeds in a round-robin fashion. 5 Amrita Text-Mode Dynamic Messaging Unit: A wireless LED-based display system that can automatically display scrolling messages from live web data feeds 6 Ignition-Aware Power Supply Unit (IGPSU): A Power-Supply-Unit for powering on-board computers and other devices. Currently these systems are undergoing trial deployments at Amrita campuses, after deployment at public transport facilities will be pursued. Patent Patent Title: “In-Vehicle Appliance and System for Providing Multimedia -Infotainment for a Transport Network” Patent Inventor List: Jayaraj Poroor, Amit Dhar, Sriram Karunagaran, Dinesh Ramachandran, Ranjith Pillay, Sudharsan Sundararajan, Hari Nellikkad Narayanan 29 AM. PR. 08 Adaptive and Automatic Insulin Pump Diabetes, which is a chronic disease caused by inherited and/or acquired PI’s : Dr. Bipin Nair & K. Guruvayoorappan* Sponsors : TIFAC, Biocon, Media Lab Asia Start Date: January 2005 Dept./Center: Center for Biomedical Technologies, Amritapuri deficiency in production of insulin by the pancreas, is rapidly emerging as a major health-care problem in India, especially in urban areas. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Diabetes Federation (IDF) the number of people with diabetes in India is likely to be 79.4 million by 2030. Diabetes complications include retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease etc. Studies in prominent medical journals show that intensive insulin therapy delivered with an insulin pump can help minimize the development of long-term complications such as kidney disease, impaired vision and nerve damage. Hence, most diabetic patients would prefer to use an insulin pump. In spite of being a life saving device, the insulin pump is not something that is affordable to a sizeable majority of diabetic patients in India. We at Amrita can proudly boast to be the first in India to develop an efficient, but highly cost effective insulin pump that matches and/or surpasses its current international counterparts in every respect. The Amrita Insulin Pump project, funded under the Govt. of India’s TIFAC Mission Reach program and by Media Lab Asia, is designed for the precise, personalized and continuous delivery of insulin in a subcutaneous manner for the control/management of diabetes. 30 AM. PR. 0 9 Next Generation Secure Internet Technology for Globally Distributed Enterprise - An Indo-German Initiative The objective of this project is to investigate systems and architectures for Virtual Private Networking (VPN) over Internet or other forms of public/ untrusted networks for securing VoIP traffic. Although separate techniques exists to secure the signaling and bearer traffic for VoIP (SIPS and SRTP, for example), the VPN will provide a unified mechanism that can secure VoIP traffic between two sites. In addition, proper authorization techniques for VoIP is important since vulnerabilities such as Spam over Internet Telephony (SPIT) and VoIPbased phishing (vishing) exist. The VPN will also enable authorization of a VoIP session at the entry point into the network. Presently Layer-3 VPNs are commonly used to securely transport VoIP traffic between multiple private networks. Layer-3 VPNs have the disadvantage that they interconnect two networks at the IP-level, thereby exposing all network hosts and services by default. To limit access, proper firewall configuration has to be put into place. We are exploring a VPN architecture that allows only the signaling and bearer traffic of VoIP through the VPN tunnels, thereby eliminating the need for creating additional firewall rules for securing the VPN virtual interfaces. We will demonstrate the viability of our techniques for real-world VoIP applications, by enhancing the existing Amrita VPN with our architecture, and releasing it in open source. PI’s : Jayaraj P & Dr. Nandakumar Sponsors : DST, DAAD, Technical Universities of Munich and Berlin Start Date: April 2006 Dept./Center: TIFAC- CORE in Cyber Security, Amritapuri 31 AM. PR. 10 Digital Earth / VRC - Village Resource Centre Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham collaborated with ISRO, India’s foremost agency for space technology and research, to launch the AMRITA-ISRO VRC Satellite Network, a comprehensive Satellite-based Rural Transformation Initiative in July 2005. ISRO’s vision of the VRC (Village Resource Centre) initiative is to create and implement a sustainable, scalable, space technology-supported community infrastructure catalysing the transformation of rural India. The benefits that VRCs delivers to rural India cover a broad spectrum of Tele-Education, Tele-Medicine, TeleAgriculture, Tele-Fisheries, Rural entrepreneurship with the help of microfinancing, etc. VRC will serve as the window for information – interactively, on demand, at the village doorstep. Information spanning a variety of areas of importance to the village community in several fields including: Education, Healthcare, agriculture Resource management, Women’s empowerment and E-governance. Each VRC will act as a centre of the functional community for greater access to information through ICT. Provide Information and help during epidemics & seasonal diseases leading to improved Disaster Management. Create a force of depicted self-help group entrepreneurs who are motivated compassionate, and enthusiastic about using technology to alleviate problems of local farmers and village people by providing services Empower local farmers and small entrepreneurs with information to succeed in their mission and become self-sustainable. PI’s : Ranganathan R* & Brahmachari Abhayamrita Chaithanya* Sponsors : ISRO, Intel, Dhanalakshmi Bank, Microsoft, Cognizant, Oracle, HP, IL&FS, Cisco DHANALAKSHMI BANK 32 AM. PR. 11 Amrita-IBM SUR Award - Virtual Computing Lab Amrita-IBM Virtual Computing Lab (VCL) maximizes the revolutionary potential of broadband networking. It facilitates the move within education’s use of advanced applications from industrial age concepts of local ownership and control to Information Age grasp of the power of flexibility and shared remote resources at a vastly amplified scale. And, it does so with proven success for an expanding base of users. Virtual Computing Lab at Amrita is setup by using IBM’s Blade server HS21, which is sponsored by IBM India. It consists of 36 blades with each of 4 GB Memory RAM and three TB storage space. One of the most powerful Virtual computing environments among Indian Universities. PI’s : Brahmachari Shraddhamrita Chaitanya*, Kailash* Sponsor : IBM SUR Grant Award Start Date: April 2008 33 AM. PR. 12 Amrita-TBI Global Connect Amrita-TBI Global Connect is an initiative by the National Science & PI’s : Kamal Bijlani & Radha Sponsors : DST, NSTEDB, TBI Start Date: May 2008 Dept./Center: Amrita E-Learning Lab, Amritapuri Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB) to connect all the TBIs in a single thread. The project proposes to establish a multimedia collaborative network inter-connecting the various Technology Business Incubators (TBIs) all over India and prominent venture capital and other expert resource centers in different parts of the globe. Thus the initiative will help to leverage on each other’s strengths and learnings, as well as, opening a direct channel between all of them to grow jointly. The project offers multiple modes of communication like video/audio conferencing for joint meetings, and various other collaborative tools and access to business information. 34 AM.PR.13 Optical Computing Using Solitons An optical computer is a computer that uses light instead of electricity to manipulate, store and transmit data. Photons have fundamentally different physical properties than electrons, and researchers have attempted to make use of these properties to produce computers with performance and/or capabilities greater than those of electronic computers. Optical computers would transport information ten times faster than traditional electronic devices, smashing the intrinsic speed limit of silicon technology. This project proposes a new physical medium for computation: colliding solitons. As particle like nonlinear waves, solitons can carry and exchange information, thus acting as computing agents. Optical solitons have pulse widths measured in picoseconds or femtoseconds, and this approach could ultimately offer an alternative to electronics. PI: Dr. Sreelatha Sponsor: DST Start Date: April 2008 Dept./Center: Science Other Projects AM.PR.14 Medicinal Plant Cultivation (National Medicinal Plants Board) Prasanth (M.A. Math) 35 AM.PR.15. Molecular Mechanisms in impaired wound-healing Diabetic wound healing is a challenging problem to solve as it requires the integration of interdependent processes that involve signal transduction input from inflammation, cell migration, cell proliferation, cell differentiation and production of extracellular protein components. A number of factors including Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF), Matrix Metalloproteinases, as well as Nitric Oxide (NO) play unique roles independently, or through cross talk between these factors and thereby have a profound impact on the wound healing process. Present efforts in the laboratory are focused on understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMP 2) and Epidermal Growth Factor (EGF) mediated regulation of wound healing. Studies also involve screening of natural product extracts for modulators of MMP2 activity for potential use as therapeutic entities in the treatment of Diabetic wounds. Another approach also involves study of In-silico methods of pathway modeling to understand mechanisms involved in Wound Healing. This approach will help in unraveling the molecular effects resulting from the concerted actions of many modulators by taking into account a detailed dynamic representation of the same. PI : Prof. Bipin Nair* Sponsor: Various Dept./Center : Amrita School of Biotechnology Start Date: August, 2008 36 AM.PR.16. Bioactive Molecules from Seabuckthorn Seabuckthorn (SBT), (Hippophae L.) are deciduous shrubs in the genus PI : Prof. Asoke Banerji* Sponsor : Dept. of Biotechnology, Govt. of India Dept./Center: Amrita School of Biotechnology Start Date: June, 2009 Hippophae, family Elaeagnaceae. In addition to the nutritionally active constituents, many clinically important activities of seabuckthorn (SBT), such as beneficial effects on skin, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, wound healing, cancer chemopreventive action, anti-viral activity, sun screen and radioprotection have been established. Unfortunately, most of the reported studies have been carried out with ill-defined crude extracts (e g “flavone”, “hydro alcoholic extracts”, “SBT oil”, “aqueous extracts”). Due to nonuniformity, the results are often not reproducible. Therefore there is urgent need for identification of active principles. Presently, work in the laboratory is directed towards the isolation and characterization of active principles / fractions from bioactive fractions of SBT. Isolated compounds will be available for the treatment of diseases such as diabetes, dermatitis, CVD, peptic ulcers, sun-screen and radio protective formulations, wound healing agents. Wherever isolation presents difficulty within a reasonable time frame, the extracts will be standardized with respect to bio-markers and finger-printing. 37 AM.PR.17. GLUT4 and Insulin Resistance GLUT4 is a class I major facilitated glucose transporter, predominantly expressed in adipocytes and myocytes.. It is a twelve transmembrane protein playing an essential role in maintaining blood glucose homeostasis. In basal state, GLUT4 is present in intracellular compartments and is translocated to the plasma membrane predominantly in an insulin dependent manner. At the plasma membrane GLUT4 undergoes intrinsic transporter activation and leads to the transport of glucose inside the cells. Any defect in the normal functioning of GLUT4 will result in impaired glucose homeostasis eventually leading to insulin resistance, a hall mark of type 2 diabetes. Dr. Anil’s laboratory is using a multifaceted approach to identify biological and structural features governing GLUT4 function with an ultimate aim to develop novel molecules to combat insulin resistance. PI : Dr. Anilkumar G.* Sponsor : Dept. of Science and Technology, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Dept./Center : Amrita School of Biotechnology Start Date: June, 2009 38 AM.PR.18. Peptide-Based Anti-Snake Venom therapy Typically snake bite is treated with polyclonal antibody preparations PI : Dr. Martin Reick* Sponsor : VINS Bioproducts Limited, Hyderabad, India. Dept./Center : Amrita School of Biotechnology Start Date : June, 2009 obtained from immunized animals. This method is suboptimal because the neutralizing agents are not tailored towards specific venom components and because of batch variability due to turnover of venom donor and antivenom donor animals. We propose to improve potency and reduce batch variability by developing highly specific and defined neutralizing peptides against relevant components present in the venom of four important venomous snake species of India, cobra (Naja naja), common krait (Bungarus caeruleus), Russell’s viper (Daboia russelii), and Sawscaled viper (Echis carinatus.) To that end snake venom will be fractionated and individual peptide components of the venom will be purified by various methods including size exclusion, ion exchange chromatography etc.. Purified components will be immobilized and used as baits in proteinprotein interaction screens based on phage display methods. Subsequently, interacting peptides will be evaluated for venom-neutralizing properties, and promising leads will be optimized by iterative cycles of mutagenesis and evaluation of venom-neutralizing properties. Ultimately, optimized peptide sequences will be cloned, bacterially expressed may then be tested in combination to neutralize the complete venom. This is a collaborative research project with VINS Bioproducts Limited, Hyderabad, India. 39 AM.PR.19. Amrita Virtual-Biotechnology Labs Intelligent development of virtual laboratories with state-of-the-art computer simulation technology to create real world environments and problem handling capabilities is required to bridge the gap between institutions (or industries) that retain the physical laboratory and distantly placed economically challenged educational institutions. A virtual laboratory is a tool for distance learning and/or experimentation that allows people to share knowledge, data, voice, video, tools, and many other resources. It provides a suitable environment to extend, improve, integrate, refine, and assist the learning and/or experimentation process of many subjects, thus contributing to an increase of the effectiveness of scientific research and widening the use of scarce or costly equipments. As key part of the project, the Biotech school will study and use mathematical techniques in biology to study, hypothesize and demonstrate complex biological functions As part of the virtual biotechnology lab project pilot, a virtual neurophysiology lab has been developed in the short period. Virtual neurophysiology techniques like brain slicing, patch clamping, action potential in neurons, voltage and current clamp protocols have been implemented via user-interactive animations and through use of detailed mathematical simulators. PI’s : Dr. Shyam Diwakar, Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan* Sponsor : Ministry of Human Resource Development, Govt. of India Dept./Center : Amrita School of Biotechnology Start Date : May 15, 2009 40 AM.PR.20. Computational Neuroscience and Mathematical Modeling in Biology One of the biggest open challenges in understanding, that PI : Dr. Shyam Diwakar* Sponsor : Amrita School of Biotechnology, University of Pavia and University of Milan, Italy. Dept./Center: Amrita School of Biotechnology Start Date : Feb 20, 2009 mathematicians and engineers face is the function of the brain and the complex computation that takes place within. Among the most interesting parts of the brain, is the ‘little brain’, otherwise known as the cerebellum. The cerebellum is of critical importance for sensorymotor control and learning and its disruption causes a dramatic neurological syndrome called ataxia. Current research in theoretical neuroscience studies here at ASBT is the study and modeling of cerebellar circuitry and its functions. The activity in neuronal networks originates from the contribution of multiple interconnected neurons. Although the investigation on single neuron properties can reveal important aspects of neural functions, brain circuit computations are thought to emerge from the ensemble activity of complex networks. Since it would be impractical (if possible) to record from every single neuron in the network, computational reconstructions of the network activity neuronal models could provide insight. The main impact of the study will be to be able to reconnect low-level functions (neuron activity and synaptic plasticity) to largescale functions of the brain in specific circuits. 41 AM.PR. 1. Real-time Wireless Sensor Network for Landslide Monitoring The project will develop a Wireless Sensor Network for Real-Time Landslide Monitoring with pore water pressure, tilt meter, and rain gauge sensors, along with a large and dense wireless sensor network to provide a comprehensive matrix of geotechnical data for the deployment site. In addition, the project will also provide designs of large scale data collection algorithms running in the wireless sensor network, power optimization schemes, scalability for the field deployment, remote network configuration, data fusion for multiple data types, and network heterogeneity. The data will be sent via the ZigBee or equivalent wireless sensor network to a network gateway, which will send the data via WiFi to the VSAT network, which will then transmit the data to the Amritapuri Data Analysis center. There, the risk of landslide will be assessed, and remote command and control interface will be given to the Wireless Sensor Network Landslide Field Deployment to performance-tune the data collection parameters and provide warnings. PI’s : Dr. Maneesha V. Ramesh*, Dr. P. Venkat Rangan Sponsor : Dept. of Information Technology (DIT), India Dept./Center : Center for Wireless Networks and Applications, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Start Date : September 2008 42 AM.PR.22. A-VIEW (Amrita Virtual Interactive E-Learning World) A-VIEW (Amrita Virtual Interactive e-Learning World) is a new multiPI : Kamal Bijlani* Sponsor : MHRD Dept./Center : E-Learning Initiatives Start Date : May 2009 modal multimedia ELearning system which uses a network of four high-resolution displays to provide an immersive learning experience that is almost as good as a real classroom through internet. This system addresses the most pressing issue of higher education in India today, namely, the shortage of highly qualified teachers. Aimed to deliver a comprehensive, state of the art Virtual class room environment for the student community which redefines the traditional class room concept into a new highly interactive e-learning platform where teacher and students interact and learn avoiding the limitations of location and time. 43 AM.PR.23. Interactive Visualisation Techniques for Monitoring Educators and learners in Web-based Distance Learning Driven by the large amount of data in LMS (Learning Management PI’s : Raghu Raman*, Raji Nair Sponsor : National Mission on Education through ICT, Ministry of HRD Dept./Center : Amrita Technologies Start Date : May 2009 Systems), research in this area centers around creating, building, and evaluating computational and visualization tools to extract meaningful information that is of value to educators, administrators and students. Although generic LMS (Learning Management systems) are very effective in facilitating the delivery of distance learning courses, they provide very little help to instructors to gain understanding of cognitive and social processes in distance classes. We wish to explore the use of Information Visualisation to render the data collected from a LMS into an appropriate graphical manner. By applying visualization techniques, data from LMS can be presented in a format suitable for the instructors to gain understanding of their learners and become aware of what is happening in their classes. We propose to build flexible student monitoring and tracking system for a generic LMS where the information needed to build a student model is provided by the log data of the students’ activities collected by the LMS. This can be done by representing LMS’s activities and communications students have been engaged in graphical representations. 44 AM.PR.24. Standardization and Quality of eLearning Content Amrita is developing the Amrita-National Electronic Accreditation Tool (A-NEAT) to meet the accreditation process for National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) to help Health Care Organizations achieve accreditation. A-NEAT will be a content management and work flow system along with a scalable, reliable and feature rich web-portal. Research provides real-world studies for collecting prospective patientand provider-reported data. Retrospective Database Studies are designed to assess unique differences in health outcomes or level of resource utilization between groups of interest. A-NEAT will also focus on gathering clinical indicators from the Health Care Organizations (HCOs), analyzing and predicting the data and identifying significant trends in the quality of Health Care Services. Start Date : July 2009 PI’s : Prema Nedungadi*, Dr. Sanjeev Singh, Sheila Nair Sponsor : National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) Dept./Center : Amrita Technologies AM.PR.25. Amrita Multisite Grant Management System (Amrita MGMS) PI : Raghu Raman* Sponsor : Ministry of Human Resource Development Dept./Center : Amrita Technologies Start Date : May 2009 Today’s grant agencies and grantees face a complex challenge including the selection of grant proposals, timely completion of grant applications, and tracking the performance and financials of multiple grants. Amrita MGMS is an enterprise wide, multi-site, web based solution that tracks the entire grants lifecycle process from making the application, to receiving funds, to managing the consumption against targets. It helps the grantor organization track their resources and the grantee organization. 45 AM.PR.26. Sakshat- Amrita Vocational Education (S.A.V.E.) The objective of SAVE is to enhance the pace of learning occupational PI’s : Ms. Bhavani Bijlani*, Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan, Dr. Kumar Rajamani* Sponsor : Ministry of Human Resource Development Dept./Center :Multimedia and Haptic Studies Start Date : June 2009 The long term vision of SAVE is to outfit a Mobile e-Learning Unit that can travel to the target populations in the rural areas, specifically for vocational training. skills by developing multimedia enriched computerized vocational training programs targeting the illiterate and neo-literate sections of society. Courses include the use of haptic devices, as appropriate, to simulate skills necessary to attain competency. The haptic devices are fully interactive, three-dimensional devices that provide sensory feedback to the user. The Courses are implemented in remote, tribal areas with the use of a Facilitator who guides the students through the various modules. Courses and evaluation modules are virtual and interactive. 46 AM.PR.27. Theoretical and empirical investigations on the interaction of asymmetric migration and intrinsic growth rate on the dynamics of laboratory metapopulations of Drosophila melanogaster. The dynamics of spatially structured populations (metapopulations) have been widely studied over the last few decades. For the sake of simplicity, most of these studies assume that all the constituent local populations (subpopulations) experience similar rates of migration (immigration and emigration). Although it is intuitively obvious that nothing in nature constrains the migration rates to be symmetric, i.e. same over all subpopulations, this problem seems to have eluded the attention of theoretical and empirical ecologists. After some preliminary simulation studies, we indeed found that, compared to the symmetric case, asymmetric migration is likely to lead to very different metapopulation dynamics in terms of stability and synchrony. More importantly, we realized that the effects of asymmetric migration might interact with the intrinsic growth rates of the subpopulations concerned. The present project aims to investigate this interaction using a combination of theoretical tools based on analytical/computational non-linear dynamics, and experiments on laboratory metapopulations of the fruitfly, Drosophila melanogaster. PI’s : Dr. Sutirth Dey, Nithin Nagaraj* Sponsor : Various Dept./Center : Electronics and Communication Engineering. Start Date : September 14, 2009 47 Research Center @ Bangalore Campus BL.CR.01 Amrita Indo-US Center Dual Degree Masters Program in IT & ITES Management AMRITA University and the State University of New York (SUNY) at Buffalo are jointly offering a higher educational post-graduate dualdegree program for IT Professionals at Bangalore. Students who join the Collaborative Masters Dual-Degree program will earn two masters degrees. The M.S. in Management of IT & IT-Enabled Services (MITES) is a specialized degree that is uniquely designed to provide aspiring professionals with focused knowledge and skills so that they can grow into executive positions and become effective leaders in the ITS & ITES industry. This degree is offered by SUNY at Buffalo, New York [students obtain this degree by attending University at Buffalo, New York for a certain duration]. The M.Sc. in Management Information Systems (MIS) degree is a specialized degree in the area of Management of Information Systems that is designed for professionals to grow into specific executive positions in the IS & IT industry and is offered by Amrita University. This innovative program would enable students to complete both the degree requirements in 18 months in a significantly cost-effective and time-effective manner. The COLLABORATIVE MASTERS DUAL-DEGREE IS A BUSINESS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM IN THE DOMAIN AREA OF IT AND ITES. The above clear focus would build outstanding corporate professionals who would contribute enormously to the productivity of high tech firms. Further, our emphasis on functional, technical, process and soft skills would also develop employees into entrepreneurs in their own areas, besides giving them a significant career advantage through the two advanced degrees. The first batch, sponsored by Hewlett Packard (HP), graduated in 2009. PI : Shekar Babu* Sponsor: SUNY Buffalo Start Date: July 2007 Dept./Center: Indo-US AMRITA - SUNY BUFFALO Executive Masters Program 48 Dual Degree Masters Program in Embedded Systems AMRITA University along with SUNY, Buffalo’s School of Engineering, on the other hand, has uniquely developed a DUAL-DEGREE Masters program to help working professionals learn all aspects of embedded systems. From hardware to software, from algorithm development to practical implementation, the program focuses on all aspects. An MS in Embedded Systems degree will be given by SUNY, Buffalo and a M.Sc. in Embedded Systems degree by AMRITA. This weekend program provides training to students with tools, techniques and an overall understanding of embedded systems. Targeting the working professionals in the field of embedded systems, we offer courses in the area of hardware design (system architecture), software development (real time embedded programming, Linux based systems), Digital Signal Processing (DSP) and applications (multimedia and networking). Students will develop an understanding of the technology capabilities and limitations and the methods to evaluate design tradeoffs between different technologies choices. Several distinguished professors from the US as well from AMRITA School of Engineering will be traveling to Bangalore to teach in this program. Besides, several highly regarded industry experts will also deliver lectures during the courses. 49 Certificate Program in Embedded Systems AMRITA University in alliance with TATA ELXSI and University of Maryland, College Park, USA introduces an innovative Certificate Programme in Embedded Systems. An embedded system is a special-purpose computer system designed to perform one or a few dedicated functions, often with real-time computing constraints. It is usually embedded as part of a complete device including hardware and mechanical parts. In contrast, a general-purpose computer, such as a personal computer, can do many different tasks depending on programming. Embedded systems control many of the common devices in use today. From Automotive to Aerospace, Enterprise to Consumer Electronics, Entertainment to FMCG, Media to Storage, Semicon to Telecom, Embedded systems’ appliactions are there in all aspects of modern life. The Certificate Program in Embedded Systems provides training to students with high-end tools, techniques and an overall understanding of embedded systems. Targeting the entry level engineers graduating as well as the recent graduated professionals, we designed the course focused in the domain applications such as multimedia, networking, and DSP. Key Differentiators Course curriculum designed and delivered by TATA-ELXSI Industry Approved Certificate Program Hands-on program with actual live problems Reputed faculty from TATA-ELXI, AMRITA University, University of Maryland, College Park (USA), and from leading Embedded System industries Domain focus on Multimedia, DSP and Networking Collaboration with MIND Lab and WIMAX Lab at University of Maryland College Park, USA for various industry and live applications 50 Research Project @ Bangalore Campus BL. PR. 01 Development of a Three-Phase Hybrid Filtering System with Digital Control The adverse effects of power electronic converters on the quality of power leading to many issues such as harmonic injection, poor power factor, non-sinusoidal supply voltage (with fluctuations, unbalance and flicker) reactive power burden and low system efficiency, have become a serious concern for utilities and industries. High power industrial loads such as adjustable speed drives (ASD), uninterruptible power supplies (UPS) and thyristor converters, and low power domestic or commercial loads such as TV, fax machines, computers, fluorescent tubes and microwave ovens and other conventional non-linear loads such as arc furnaces and single phase welding machines draw highly distorted currents resulting in non-sinusoidal supply voltages. The electric utility is expected to supply sufficiently good quality of electric power to its customers. In brief, the utility must maintain a sinusoidal load bus voltage at a stipulated magnitude and frequency. The overall degradation in the electric power quality also often interferes with many neighboring sensitive loads such as computers, automated processing in industries and other microprocessor-controlled medical equipments risking the loss of valuable data. Conventionally harmonic distortion has been dealt-with by establishing banks of tuned passive filters. Even though the drawbacks in passive filters are very well attended to in active power filters, they are still limited by their rating and cost. In this project, a three-phase hybrid filter with digital control is proposed to be designed and developed to achieve a cost-effective, efficient and fast-responding solution to the above-mentioned problem of poor power quality. Dept./Center: EEE Start Date: 2008 PI: Dr. Manjula Nair* Sponsor: DST -SERC 51 Research Centers @ Coimbatore Campus CB. CR. 01 Computational Engineering and Networking Centre of Excellence in Computational Engineering and Networking (CEN) is working on developing novel computational approaches and tools to solve some of the pressing problems in science & engineering. The Centre has developed an automatic clustering tool kit that facilitates parallel and distributed computing. Currently it is working on developing a massive linguistic engine that can that can translate any document from English to Indian languages. The engine is in its final stage. Other areas where the Centre is putting effort are software radio and wireless sensor networks. (http://www.amrita.edu/cen) PI: Dr. K. P. Soman* Sponsors : DIT, CDAC, ISRO Microsoft, Cognizant, Oracle, HP, IL&FS, Cisco Dept./Centre: CEN Start Date: 2004 Projects: CB.PR.03. Digital Multimedia [ISRO] Dr. K. P. Soman CB.PR.06. Analysis of PIV / PLIF Images for Fluid Flow Visualization [ISRO]-Dr. K. P Soman CB.PR.08. Massively Parallel Support Vector Machines for Target Classification [NPOL]-Dr. K. P Soman CB.PR.12. Video Conferencing Software [ISRO]-Dr.K.P.Soman CB.PR.16. Development of Methodologies for Detection of Digital Contents Plagiarism [DIT]- Dr. K. P Soman CB.PR.25. Video Summarization and Annotation for Content Based Retrieval [ISRO]-Dr. K. P Soman CB.PR.27. Machine Translation from English to Indian Languages [Ministry of IT, Govt. of India]- Dr. K. P Soman CB.PR.32. Development of Image Fusion Techniques and Measurement Methods to Assess the Quality of Fusion [DRDO]Dr. K.P. Soman Postgraduate Program: M.Tech.in Computational Engineering & Networking 52 CB. CR. 02 TIFAC CORE in Cyber Security The Technology Information, Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) of the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, has been identified by TIFAC as a centre in Cyber Security in September 2005. The TIFAC centre at Amrita is a collaborative alliance of academic and industrial partners. The primary goal and unique aspect of the program is to promote the partnering of industry and academia to create innovative educational and research efforts and develop world class expertise in Cyber Security. PI: Dr. Sethumadhavan* Sponsors : TIFAC, IBM, HP, SETS, NTRO Dept./Center: Cyber Security Start Date:September 2005 Projects: CB.PR.04. Development of Fast & Effective Cryptographic Techniques [ISRO] - Dr. M. Sethumadhavan CB.PR.09. Design & Analysis of Pseudorandom Number Generators [DRDO]-Dr. M. Sethumadhavan CB.PR.22. Next Generation Secure Technology[DST]-Dr. M. Sethumadhavan CB.PR.26. Analysis of Word Based Stream Ciphers [ADRIN]Dr. M. Sethumadhavan CB.PR.28. VLSI Development of Finite Field Arithmetic [NTRO]Dr. M. Sethumadhavan CB.PR.33. Error Linear Complexity Measures for Multisequences [ADRIN] -Dr. M. Sethumadhavan Postgraduate Program: M.Tech. in Cyber Security 53 CB. CR. 03 Indo-US E-Learning Network Indo-US, Indo-European, International and Interdisciplinary Initiatives PI’s : Dr. Krishnashree Achuthan*, Shekar Babu, P. Manoj* and Kamal Bijlani Sponsors : ISRO, TIFAC, Microsoft, Cadence, Qualcomm, Hero Honda, Cognizant Start Date: April 2008 Introduction: During the visit of the Indian Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to Washington, DC in 2005, and subsequently in the presence of the Indian President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam in Delhi, a landmark Indo-US MoU was signed to bring faculty of some of the eminent Universities of the United States to Universities and Colleges in India for teaching both short-term and semester-long courses on the EDUSAT Network from a state of the art E-Learning Studio hosted at Amrita University’s beautiful hillside campus. More than 20 American and European universities, many of whom are ranked among the best in the world, are part of this historic agreement led by Amrita, Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), Technical Information Forecasting and Assessment Council (TIFAC) and Government of India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST). Under this initiative many of the eminent faculty from US universities have visited and lectured at Amrita. In addition, joint degree programs, student exchange programs, joint undergraduate projects, consortium led research projects and various other programs have mushroomed over the last few years. 54 AMRITA-ISRO-TIFAC-EDUSAT Network 55 56 CB. CR. 04 Environmental Sciences PI: Dr. M. Aravindakshan Sponsors : National Medicinal Plants Board, GoI Dept./Center: Environmental studies Start Date: November 2004 The centre was started to develop technologies which are environment friendly, economically sound, socially acceptable, politically viable and community need based for sustainable development and to create awareness among the people regarding equitable use of natural resources and conserving and nurturing biological diversity, gene pool and other resources for long term food and health security. The centre has secured a research project from National Medicinal Plants Board of Government of India for the Amritapuri and Coimbatore Campuses. PI: Dr. Soman K. P Dept./Center: Remote Sensing CB. CR. 05 Digital Earth/Remote Sensing Postgraduate Program: M.Tech. Remote Sensing & Wireless Sensor Networks PI: K. Guruvayoorappan Dept./Center: ECE CB. CR. 06 Amrita Biomedical Engineering Research Centre (AMBE) Postgraduate Program: M.Tech. in Bio-medical Technology 57 CB.CR.07 Office of the Sponsored Research Programs (Research Initiation Awards) Project Title Investigation of a Graph Partitioning Algorithm for VLSI Circuits The Design and Performance Evaluation of a Solar Car Ultra-Light Polymer Composites for Inflatable Space Structural [ISS] Applications static Var Compensator(SVC) for Reactive Power Control in Radial Power Systems Design and Fabrication of Electrochemical Micromachining Setup Integral Equation Method Analysis and Study of Probe Fed Dual Annular Ring Microstrip Patch Antenna for Mobile Systems Remote Load Control Using Wireless Network Investigate the Co-relation of Science and Spirituality Control of Switched Reluctance Generator Vermicomposting Under Different Experimental Conditions Pressure Mapping for the Intake Manifold of a 4-Stroke IC Engine Welding of Composite Materials Design and Fabrication of Bio Diesel Process Plant Development of a Novel Optimum Polymer Support for the Synthesis of Peptides with Antimicrobial Activity AGraphically Intensive 3-D Virtual Lab to Simulate Wired and Wireless Networks for Educational Training Automatic Shape and TextureBased Face Recognition Development of a micro wind-electric generator through industrial collaboration Power Quality Improvement PI’s Dr. K. Somasundaram Dr. Ganesh Udupa C. Nirmal and Dr. S. S. Bhagawan R. Jayabarathi, M.R. Sindhu P. Raghuram Dr. M. Jayakumar Dr. T.N.Padmanabhan Nambiar Prof. Sriram Ananthanarayanan Isha T.B., A.Vijayakumari. Dr. M. Aravindakshan Thirumalini.S / Sanjivi Arul S. Ilangovan Babu Devasenapati.S Dr. K. M. Sreedhar Dr. K. Sangeeta & Dr. A Srinivas Dr. A. Srinivas Sasi K.K and Joshi C. Haran Prof. A.T Devarajan 58 CB. CR. 08 India 2020 PI: Dr. P. Venkat Rangan “India 2020 Centre for Societal Transformation & Leadership has emerged as an outcome of the World CEO-Summit hosted by H.E. the President of India during Amrithavarsham-50 (AMMA’s 50th Birthday celebrations) at Kochi, Kerala during 26th September 2003. More than one hundred & eight CEOs from leading national and international organizations participated in the CEOSummit and discussed the strategy for the leadership required for transforming India to be a Developed Nation by 2020. The world CEO Summit focused on various strategies for providing Quality Education, Healthcare, Reliable Communication Network, Basic Infrastructure, Technology Awareness, Grass-root Leadership development programs that can make India a developed country by the year 2020. Sponsors: Various 59 Research Projects @ Coimbatore Campus CB. PR. 01 Development and Scale-Up of Plunging Hollow Jet, Venturi and Sudden Expansion Type Aerators Aerobic treatment of wastewater requires the continuous replenishment of oxygen economically in sufficient quantities. Efficient aerators are developed towards this end. Plunging Hollow Jet Aerators consist of a cone, which deflects the water at the end of a discharging pipe through the annular opening, forming a hollow jet. The thin jet striking the water in the aeration tank formed a circular wave front creating high turbulence and entraining large quantities of air. The efficiency of the device was high (1.5 to 2,25 kg./ kW.h) under standard conditions, for the small opening between the pipe and the cone. But this method can be used only when the water does not have solids which may clog the openings. PI’s : Dr. K.M. Mini* & Dr. N. Narayana Pillai* Sponsor: AICTE Dept./Center: Civil Engineering Start Date: May 2003 Venturi and Sudden Expansion type Aerators Waste water from the aeration tank is drawn by a pump and discharges towards the bottom of the tank after passing through an air aspirating device. It could be a Venturi or sudden expansion downstream of which air is admitted. Experiments have shown that such devices can have high oxygenation efficiencies of 1.5 to 2.25 kg /.kW.h under standard conditions. These devices can be used without fear of clogging due to solids in the wastewater. The performance in model is shown in Photograph attached. The devices can be used very efficiently even in small package wastewater treatment plants. The sudden expansion air aspirating aerators are being used in a new waste water treatment plant in the Ettimadai campus. 60 CB. PR. 02 Method to Control Ultraviolet Radiation in Welding Processes The funded amount received as a grant from GoI was utilized in establishing a state-of-the-art welding research laboratory at Ettimadai campus comprising of the following equipments: 1. Lincoln Electric TIG Welding Machine 2. Lincoln Electric MIG Welding Machine 3. Stellar Net UV Radio-spectrometer 4. Linear Manipulator Dept./Center:Mechanical The research was aimed at measuring the Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) emanating during welding as the UV radiation is an important consideration for the health of the welders and adequate data in this regard are necessary. In this study, the UV intensities as a function of welding current and distance from the source were measured for TIG an MIG welding processes. It is generally observed that the UV intensities decrease with the distance from the arc source for both cases of TIG and MIG welding processes when the current is held constant. Similarly, the UV intensities were found to increase with increase in the current for both TIG and MIG welding processes. Operating under minimum required current is one way of reducing the impact of radiation in addition to regular use of clothes and goggles. Start Date: April 2004 Engineering PI’s : Dr. R. Sellamuthu*, Sanjivi Arul, S. Ilangovan Sponsor: GoI CB. PR. 03 Digital Multimedia PI: Dr. K.P. Soman* Sponsor: ISRO Dept./Center: CEN Objectives of the projects is to develop a system that: 1. Extract objects and motion information 2. Uses an extensible object-relational system for organizing multimedia 3. Incorporates novel query-processing techniques for similarity queries Start Date: March 2004 61 CB. PR. 04 Development of Fast and Effective Cryptographic Techniques PI: Dr. M. Sethumadhavan A major issue in the security analysis of stream ciphers is the quality assessment of key streams. In other words, we need to know how close the key stream is to true randomness. Key stream guaranteeing an adequate security level must meet various requirements such as possessing good statistical randomness properties and a high complexity (in a suitable sense), so that the key stream cannot be inferred from a small portion of its terms. key sequences. In this project we concentrated on linear complexity and related complexity measures for Sponsor: ISRO Dept./Center: Cyber Security Start Date: July 2004 PI: Dr. K. I. Ramachandran* Sponsor: ISRO CB. PR. 05 Wavelet Based Analysis of Test/Post Flight Vibration/Acoustic Data The objective of the project was to conduct thorough investigations to identify good wavelet-based features and support vector machine based classification algorithms to characterize the vibration signatures. Using the extracted wavelet based features as inputs, Support Vector Machines (SVM) is used to classify and predict the various faults occurring in the mechanical system. An experimental set-up for machinery fault detection was fabricated. Using the experimental setup, vibration data pertaining to various conditions were acquired, and preliminary analysis based on traditional Fourier transform was carried out for diagnosis and prediction of faults. The next step was the development of wavelet-based software for analysis of vibration data. Using this, extensive experimentation and analysis were carried out to extract features. Based on the features extracted, the next step was the classification and the prediction of various kinds of faults. This was carried out using Support Vector Machines (SVM) algorithms. Finally, all the hardware and all the software modules are integrated and tested with flight vibration or acoustic data supplied by VSSC. Dept./Center: CEN Start Date: June 2004 62 CB. PR. 06 Analysis of PIV/PLIF Images for Fluid Flow Visualization This project aims at developing softwares for analyzing laser based images captured using particle image velocimetry and planar laser induced fluorescence imaging techniques. Experimental setups for PIV and PLIF are also being developed. PI’s : Dr. K. P. Soman, S. Mahadevan* Sponsor : ISRO Dept./Center: CEN Start Date: May 2004 PI: Dr. K. P. Soman CB. PR. 07 Massively Parallel Support Vector Machines for Target Classification This project was on developing parallel algorithms for target identification using support vector machines. The novelty of the algorithm lies in adaptive incremental learning in which algorithm adapt to new data sets. Sponsor: NPOL Dept./Center: CEN Start Date: November 2004 63 CB. PR. 08 Design and Analysis of Cryptographically Secure Power Generators A Cryptographically Secure Power Generator (CSPRNG) is a power generator with properties that makes it suitable for use in cryptography. CSPRNGs are designed explicitly to resist determined mathematical reverse engineering. In this project, we are studying the designs of power generators based on number theory. We concentrate in fast generation of the following generators: Power generators such as BBS generators. Dept./Center: Cyber Security Start Date: September 2004 PI: Dr. M. Sethumadhavan Sponsor: GoI CB. PR. 09 Development of High-Performance Polyamides from Renewable Natural Source (Cardanol) PI’s : Dr. S.S. Bhagawan *& Dr. K. Ajitha Sponsor: GoI Dept./Center: Chemical Engineering & Materials Science & Sciences The project envisages development of novel polymers based on cardanol, a constituent of a natural product, viz.cashewnut shell liquid. Polyamides using diamine have been synthesized and characterized. The various steps included preparation of nitrocompound NDMT [2-nitro-dimethyl terephthalate] followed by coupling reaction with potassium salt of cardanol leading to 2-(3pentadecyl) phenoxy dimethyl terephthalate / 2-(3-pentadecyl) phenoxy 1,4 dimethylbenzene; Hydrolysis of this compound by ethanolic KOH to produce 2-(3-pentadecyl) phenoxy benzene 1, 4 dicarboxylic acid. The polyamide was finally obtained by solution polymerization technique using m-phenylene diamine [MPDA] and 2-(3-pentadecyl) phenoxy benzene 1, 4 dicarboxylic acid. The intermediate products and polyamide were characterized. Start Date: October 2004 64 CB. PR. 10 Ex-situ Cultivation of Selected Medicinal Plants in the Semi Arid Rain Shadow Regions of the Western Ghats of Tamilnadu and their Propagation Through Production of Quality Planting Materials The objective of the project is to evaluate selected medicinal plants for their suitability for growing in semi-arid rain shadow regions of the Western Ghats of Tamilnadu and production of quality planting materials. The financial outlay of the project is Rs 10.00 lakhs (Rupees Ten Lakhs PI: Dr. M. Aravindakshan Sponsors : NMPB, GoI Dept./Center: Environmental studies Start Date: November 2004 Aloe vera (Kattarvazha) Withania somnifera (Amukkuram) Cetella asiatica (Vallarai) Aegle marmelos (Vilvam) Tinospora cordifolia (Chitamaruthu) Glorisosa superba (Gloriosa lily) Ocimum sanctum (Thulasi) Andrographis paniculata (Kiriyathu / Nilavembu) Piper logum (Tipilli) Curcuma aromatica (Kasthrui manjal ) Kampferia galangal (Kacholam) Kampferia rotunda (Chenghzuneerkizhangu) Asparagus racemosus (Satavari) Caesalpinia sappan (Sappan wood) only) for a period of three years. The project is in the third year of operation. A collection of 130 medicinal plants were made which included 14 plants prioritized by the NMPB. Some of the promising medicinal plants suited to the agro climate situations of Ettimadai are: 65 CB.PR.11. Video Conferencing Software The objective of the project is to design, develop and customize a Video PI:Dr K.P. Soman Sponsor: ISRO Dept./Center: CEN Start Date: September 2004 Conferencing Software that will be used for Telemedicine and Teleeducation. This will help provide a solution for providing improved health care and quality education to a large population presently living in remote areas. PI’s : Dr Shyam Divakar & Sanjivi Arul* Sponsors : DST and Ministry of Science, Italy CB. PR. 12 Autonomous Mobile Robots Based on Bioinspired Artificial ControlIndo-Italian Initiative This work aims in developing and investigating the dynamics of the brain models capable of predicting cerebellar input-output Dept./Center: Mechanical Engg Start Date: March 2005 transformations; analyzing the mathematical and computational properties of the network. Interfaces and mobile robot exploiting the neuronal network to the problem of navigation in mobile robots equipped with proprioceptive sensory system will be developed to apply the neuronal model and achieve 1.) Intelligent Mobility: Primarily concerned with the development of sensors and control for mobile robots. 2.) Terrain Modeling and Characterization: Investigate their abilities to model terrain and characterize for predicting the mobility. 3.) Behavioral & Evolutionary Robotics: modeling, analyzing and designing advanced behavioral control schemes for single or multiple mobile robotic systems. All Terrain Intelligent Robot System This robot was developed to test to bio-inspired algorithms. It has two sections. The main section moves using a slider-crank walking mechanism docking with it the wheeled section. The wheeled section can move at 30kmph and be controlled remotely by the walking section. The main section has a serial robot arm for pick and place purpose, an arm to cut/clear any vegetation obstructing its path. It can house a CCD camera and a laptop to process the scene ahead for navigation. The camera can swivel up to 180o. It has obstacle sensing devices and a metal detector too. 66 CB. PR. 13 Development of Methodologies for Detection of Digital Contents Plagiarism PI: Dr. K.P. Soman Sponsor: Ministry of IT, GoI Dept./Center: CEN Start Date: May 2005 This project aims to study the extent of software piracy and other digital content piracy in India, the methods by which piracy is done, and also the common methods adopted by organizations to curtail piracy of their intellectual properties. The project also aims at finding, developing and integrating softwares used for detecting digital content plagiarism and software piracy. PI’s Name: Dr. S. S. Bhagawan*, Meera B Sasikumar* Sponsor: ISRO Dept./Center: Chemical Engineering & Materials Science Start Date: May 2006 CB. PR. 14 Elastomer Based Nanocomposites for Control System Bladders The project aims to develop elastomer-based polymer nanocomposites [PNC] for use as engine gimbal control system bladders, critical components in a launch vehicle. Currently nitrile rubber [NBR] compounds based on microcomposites are being used for the purpose. Resistance to crack formation under dynamic conditions and compatibility with oil and gas permeability are the important characteristics of these bladders. PNCs have properties that are superior to conventional microscale composites in this respect. (eg. increase in modulus by a factor of three, reduction in permeability by two orders of magnitude, increase in heat deflection temperature by 100 – 170 oC etc.). The approach includes selection of elastomer and study of different methods of incorporation of the nanofiller [viz. nanoclay]. The study variables relate to polymer backbone, filler level and treatment, additives, etc. Design of experiments [DoE] approach is used for analysis of results. The PNCs obtained are characterised for mechanical and viscoelastic properties, thermal performance, permeability, morphology and ageing. A suitable formulation selected from the analysis using DoE will be used for moulding bladders and evaluation of product and relevant properties. 67 CB.PR.15. Amrita-University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign Collaborative Project on Electromagnetics PI: Dr. N. Narayana Rao Established by Dr. Narayana Rao, Edward C. Jordan Professor Sponsor: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Dept./Center: Indo-US Emeritus of Electrical and Computer Engineering at UIUC, and Distinguished AMRITA Professor of Engineering, at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) to promote collaborations between Amrita University and UIUC in the area of Electromagnetics PI: Dr. T. Ramachandran* Sponsor: U TeC Corporation, Colorado, USA Dept./Center: Sciences Start Date: January 2006 CB. PR. 16 Synthesis of Novel Lube Oil and Fuel Additives from Cashew Nut Shell Liquid The project was an explorative study for the Synthesis, Characterization and Study of Properties of Cardanol-Polyethyleneamine and CardanolAmidoamine Mannich base type condensates as lube and fuel additives. Oil soluble alkyl substituted hydroxy aromatic compounds functionalized with amine or substituted amines are commonly used as additives in lube oil and fuel oil, since these compounds have potential activity as oxidation inhibitor (antioxidant), emulsifier and crank case detergent. Out of all these Mannich base derivatives of polyisobutenylsuccinic anhydride (PIBSA) are the most common. The condensates obtained from our work were similar to PIBSA and Polyamines, not only in appearance and texture but also in structure and properties. The separation, purification and storing of the products are very simple and do not call for any special condition. The shelf life of the products was found to be very high. The noteworthy feature of the work was the utilization of an eco-friendly compound from renewable source, that is, cardanol for the coupling reaction. Almost all of the condensates are miscible with petrol, diesel, and kerosene and lube oils. 68 CB. PR. 17 Unified Investigation of Fusion, Resonance and Scattering in Heavy Ion Collisions This project carries out analytical investigations of nuclear processes namely resonance, scattering and fusion in low energy heavy ion (HI) collision where the participants can be light as well as exotic (neutron rich weakly bound radioactive) nuclei. Some of the experimental results that are of continuing Dept./Center: Sciences Start Date: April 2006 interests are: Resonance in large number in light ion reactions Anomalous large angle scattering in collision where light ion like alpha particle is the projectile Subtle aspects of fusion cross section like barrier distribution and average angular momentum. To investigate these aspects for several cases of nucleus-nucleus collision, we employ and extend our newly developed methods of identification of resonance, asymmetric barrier model and concept of survival probability for fusion, exactly solvable potentials suitable for adoption in optical model potentials generating above barrier resonances. PI:Prof C. S. Shastry* Sponsor: DST CB. PR. 18 Machine Development of Infrastructure for Remote Sensing Applications The funding is for developing skilled man power in the area of remote sensing. The centre is now conducting an M. Tech course in Remote Sensing and Wireless Sensor Networks. PI: Dr. K. P. Soman Sponsor: ISRO Dept./Center: CEN Start Date: April 2006 69 CB. PR. 19 Modernization of Metallurgy Laboratory for Mechanical Testing, Metal Forming and Quantitative Metallurgical Microstructure Analysis The funded amount received from AICTE under MODROB scheme has been utilized to modernize the Metallurgy Laboratory with the following PI’s : Dr. K. Mohandas*, Dr. R. Sellamuthu*, Dr. S. Goshteeswaran & Dr. K. Rameshkumar* Sponsor: AICTE Dept./Center: Mechanical Engg. Start Date: April 2006 equipments: 1. Tinius Olsen Computerized Universal Testing Machine This equipement is used for mechanical testing of metals and alloys. A computer system having both hardware and software aids in acquiring the data such as stress, strain and elongation and displays in the graphical form. Data acquired using this system is highly reliable. 2. Image Analyzer for metallurgical microstructure analysis. This system is capable of capturing micro as well as macro images of metallurgical specimens,analyzing and quantifying the information contained in the image such as grain size, graphite nodule size and count, phase distribution, particle size. The added facility is currently utilized in studying the micro and macro structures, and in testing for mechanical properties of high-strength bronze alloys being developed at the Institute Similarly, weldments are studied for micro and macrostructures and tested for mechanical properties using these facilities. 70 CB. PR. 20 Development of Energy Saver for Induction Motors PI: Dr. T.B. Isha* Sponsor: GoI Dept./Center: Electrical and Electronics Engineering. Start Date: June 2006 Induction motors at light load run at low power factor and low efficiency. But if the stator supply voltage is reduced at light load condition, both the efficiency and power factor can be improved owing to reduction in magnetizing current and core loss. The proposed energy saver is a thyristorized phase control working in feed back mode. The motor has a unique characteristic of slip-efficiency as well as slip-power factor, which do not vary with supply voltage. Therefore, a method of stator voltage control based on operating power factor angle has been developed which will make the motor run at a slip that corresponds to maximum efficiency irrespective of the load condition. The change in load will be sensed as change in power factor and the supply voltage will be varied by controlling the thyristor firing angle. A three phase chopper control of the induction motor using a different algorithm of minimizing the input current is also in progress. PI’s : Dr. K. P. Soman, Rajathilakam* Sponsor: ISRO Dept./Center: CEN Start Date: July 2006 CB. PR. 21 Video Summarization and Annotation for Content Based Retrieval This is concerned with development of video summarization techniques like Non negative matrix factorization, singular value decomposition etc. 71 CB. PR. 22 Analysis of Word based Stream Ciphers For the assessment of the quality of multisequence for word based stream ciphers, we need to know the behaviour of joint linear PI: Dr. M. Sethumadhavan complexity profile of random multisequence over a finite field. The joint linear complexity and joint linear complexity profile of multisequences have received a lot of attention recently. In this Dept./Center: Cyber Security Start Date: July 2006 project we study further the properties of multisequences in the same line. This is of direct relevance to the analysis of the stream cipher candidates of the eSTREAM cipher project. Sponsor: ADRIN PI: Dr. K. P. Soman Sponsor: Ministry of IT, GoI Dept./Center: CEN Start Date: August 2006 CB. PR. 23 Machine Translation from English to Indian Languages This project is carried out in collaboration with CDAC, Pune. It is a part of a huge effort to successfully develop an engine that will translate English to Indian Languages. The Centre is currently developing an engine that will convert English text to Tamil with proper grammar and syntax. 72 CB. PR. 24 VLSI Development of Finite Field Arithmetic PI’s : Dr. M. Sethumadhavan & Dr. T. R. Padmanaban Sponsor : GoI Dept./Center: Cyber Security Start Date : November 2006 In this project we are attempting to address various VLSI design related issues with a special focus on low area and low power implementation of the finite filed arithmetic. We intend to select a few algorithms with the potential for application in the area. Their realization with FGPA will be studied, analyzed and compared. deliver optimum performance. The focus will be on the identification of algorithms and parameter combinations which will CB. PR. 25 Online Testing of IC Engines PI’s : Dr. K. Mohandas* & Dr. S. Thirumalini* Sponsor: AICTE Dept./Center: Mechanical Engineering Start Date: April 2007 The various stages of combustion in IC Engines can be identified and the effect of speed on the combustion pressure is studied. In cylinder pressure measurements could give an insight into the nature of combustion at that particular crank angle. This could be extended to give a feel of the online engine management systems and their utility. This equipment can be used to find out heat release in engines, peak pressures at specific speeds and compression ratios, effects of injection pressures on the cylinder pressure, Intake pressure fluctuations and their impact on the volumetric efficiency, optimization of the injector holes and angles to name a few. Relationship between the cooling water temperature, exhaust temperature and the combustion pressure are determined. CFD studies for incylinder flow analysis is also carried out and validated. The effect of injection advance on the combustion characteristics of an engine with biodiesel /alternate fuels and fuel blends are also tested. Indicating Package, Crank Angle Encoder, Combustion Analyser, Eddy Current Dynamometer This testing facility is created to modernize the Heat Engines laboratory with funding from AICTE in the MODROB scheme with the following equipments: 73 CB. PR. 26 Development of a Real-time, Process Control Method Based on Neural Network Model Using Feedback of Weld Pool Geometric Parameters Measured by a Vision-based Technique and Experimental Verification for Automated Arc Welding Processes The funded amount received from AICTE under Research Promotion Scheme (RPS) will be utilized to create facility with a vision system and a tri-axial manipulator in the Welding Research Lab. Research in the area of controlling the welding process with a feed-back of weld pool geometry has been of interest lately as a way to improve the quality and the consistency. In this study, weld pool geometry will be measured using a vision system for various sets of welding parameters and correlated to weld quality. Experimental data will be collected under various welding conditions such as current and travel speed for this purpose. A real-time controller based on neural network model to regulate welding parameters will be developed. Sponsor: AICTE Dept./Center: Mechanical Engineering Start Date: April 2007 PI’s : Dr. R. Sellamuthu*, Sanjivi Arul*, S. Ilangovan* 74 CB. PR. 27 Polymer Nanocomposites for Inflatable Space Structures Preliminary studies have been carried out using flexible laminates prepared from different types of PET films and UHMWPE (Dyneema) fabric using polyurethane based adhesive. Peel strength, Lap shear strength and helium leak rate of the samples were studied. The effect of plasma treatment of Dyneema fabric on the adhesion properties was analyzed. Discussions held with ISRO scientists provided focus to the subsequent studies. It was decided to modify the adhesive used with varied loadings of nanoclay to assess the barrier and mechanical properties of the resulting laminate PI’s : K. Jayanarayanan* & Dr. S. S. Bhagawan Sponsor: ISRO Dept./Center: Chemical Engineering & Materials Science Start Date: August 2007 PI : Dr. K. P. Soman CB. PR. 28 Development of Image Fusion Techniques and Measurement Methods to Assess Quality of Fusion All the state of the art methods of image fusion techniques were compiled and implemented as easy to use software. Sponsor: GoI Dept./Center: CEN Start Date: April 2006 75 CB. PR. 29 Error Linear Complexity Measures for Multisequences PI: Dr. M. Sethumadhavan The stability theory of stream ciphers suggests that good key stream sequences must not only have a large linear complexity, but also change of a few terms must not cause a significant drop of the Linear complexity. This unfavorable property leads to the concept of k-error linear complexity. In this project we propose to extend this to the case of multisequences. Sponsor: ADRIN Dept./Center: Cyber Security Start Date: May 2008 PI’s : Dr. K. I. Ramachandran & Dr. V. Sivakumar* Sponsor: ISRO Dept./Center: CEN and Chemical Engineering and Material Science. Start Date: March 2007 CB. PR. 30 Analysis and Evaluation of Multi-layer Shear Damped Viscoelastic Treatments for Launch Vehicle Applications The proposal envisages identification of the appropriate combination of metal-elastomeric module configuration using multi-layer shear damped viscoelastic approach, for mitigating the structure bound vibrations on to the sensitive equipment. The composites will be made of a metal (aluminium) and an elastomer (Natural rubber and silicone rubber). Various combination of metal (1mm - 5mm thickness) and elastomers (1mm to 5mm in thickness and hardness and shore 40A to 80A) will be composites will be prepared and evaluated to identify the most promising combination to achieve desired set of properties such as highest damping ratio, lowest specific weight etc. The objectives of the project are: Development of a comprehensive theoretical model representing the given system (under investigating) based on either classical methods or FEM techniques. Selection / development of most suitable polymeric material and its characterization Finalizing the most suitable treatment type and the feasibility of implementation. Configuration, design and optimization of mechanical and damping elements based on Structural Dynamic Modification (SDM) and Design Sensitivity Analysis (DSA) including area coverage, placement for multimode requirements etc. Feasibility of built in damping at design stage. 76 CB. PR. 31 Electrodeposition of Aluminium- Lithium Alloys for Cryo and Space Applications Aluminium alloys are becoming industrially important and especially PI: T. G. Satheesh Babu* Sponsor: ISRO Dept./Center: Sciences Start Date: March 2008 Aluminium-Lithium alloys find extensive application in space technology. These alloys hitherto not electrodeposited are being tried in this work. Suitable baths consisting of alkylaluminium, quaternary ammonium salts and organic solvents will be formulated. The reaction profile for plating Al alloys will be studied using Electroanalytical techniques such as Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) etc. Under potentiostatic/ galvanostatic conditions the deposition will be attempted and optimized. Under the optimized conditions the correlation between the composition of the bath and the composition of the deposit will be determined. The effect of the operating variables with the surface morphology and the grain structure will be analyzed and suitable modifications in the bath and/or in the operating conditions will be incorporated. The conditions studied so far will be applied to realtime electroforming process to suit a specific application related to ISRO. PI’s : Dr. Nikhil Kothurkar, Prof. Subba Rao, Dr. Tito Viswanathan (University of Arkansas, Little Rock) Sponsor: GoI Dept./Center: Chemical Engineering and Material Science Start Date: August 2008 CB. PR. 32 : Development of Novel CarbonInherently Conducting Polymer [C-ICP] and C-ICP-Metal Nanocomposites with Unusually High Conductivity for Microwave Absorption This project investigates the following: Synthesis of pure, highly crystalline carbon nanotubes by the Radio Frequency (RF) Catalytic Chemical Vapor Deposition (CCVD) process, which is proven to generate high quality carbon nanostructures. Preparation of carbon-intrinsically conducting polymer (C-ICP) nanocomposites using highly ordered nanoforms of carbon, viz., graphite nanosheets, single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), double walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) as well as multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by the self-stabilized dispersion polymerization (SSDP) of pyrrole and aniline on the carbon structures. Characterization of nanocomposites using AFM, spectroscopic, thermal, electrical and microscopicstudies. X-ray diffraction and X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) will aid in the characterization of the metal species in the composites. Electrical characterization would include generation of I-V curves which should help in deciphering the current transport mechanisms operating in the composites. 77 CB.PR.33. Classified Image Transmission System Summary of the project: Images that contain extremely sensitive information needs uncompromising security during both storage and transmission. The goal of this project is to develop a scheme that hides hybrid color images using Pixel Value Differecning algorithm based on vector quantization neural network. The goal is to offer safe exchange of this color stego-image over the internet the strength of scheme will be tested by subjecting it to standard efficient stegoanalysis techniques. PI’s : Dr. M. Sethumadhavan*, Gireesh Kumar. T Sponsor : DRDO Dept./Center : Centre for Cyber Security Start Date: December 2008 78 CB.PR.34. Optimisation Of Nanofiller Loading In Natural Rubber Based Micro Cellular Sheet Using DoE Nanofillers are now being used in various products to enhance Mechanical properties, barrier properties, ethernal properties etc. Polymer nanocomposites have properties that are superior to conventional micro scale composites. (Eg increase in modulus by a factor of three, reduction in permeability by two orders of magnitude, increase in heat deflection temperature by 100 – 170oC, and reduction of flammability). Notably, the changes are accomplished at low filler content (