Annual Report 1999-2000

Societal Programmes

Science and Technology Application for Weaker Sections ( STAWS)

30 new projects have been sanctioned during the year. These projects are essentially on adaptive research, design and development on traditional vocations using locally available natural resources and improved local skills. The salient features of some important projects are given below:-

Propagation of methods of Vriksharyurveda:

Centre for Indian Knowledge System, Chennai has taken up experimental work on selected receipes pertaining to three factors namely (I) improvement of germination, (ii) resistance to pests and diseases and (iii) enhancement of plant growth based on Indian Knowledge ( Ayurvedic and other Purana texts) . The work was concentrated on traditional variety of rice – Kullakar with various control conditions using animal urine, dung, soaking of seeds in water before germination, application of powdered Acorus calamus ( Vacha) . The output was measured on percentage of germination & average height of germinated plant at different times, weight of grain after harvesting and incidence of disease and pest. The results were quite significant. While the height of plants increased by 10%, the yield of paddy had doubled when the growth promoters were applied. The project will lead to final prescriptions on use of Plant Growth Regulators (PGR) based on considerations of cost of ingredients, manual on PGR, possibility of replication, etc.

Design and improvement of Masonry tools:

With a view to improving the efficiency of masons both in terms of quality and quantity of output as well as the improving skills and experience in masonry work, Integrated Sustainable Development, Kanpur has developed improved Trowel, Plumb and Corner and End making tool. The improved Trowel reduces the consumption of cement by reducing the quantity of mortar falling on the sides of wall and also improves output volume of masonry as it can lift larger amount of mortar at one time. Improved Plumb can be used with one hand instead of both the hands as is required in the existing tool. This reduces the time wasted at corners and door and window openings to ensure plumb. The built- in sprit level also checks the alignment of the tool itself so that even unskilled person can use it easily. Corner and End making tool allows the mason to construct upto five layers of masonry continuously thereby avoiding the time spent on setting up the ends to tie the thread and ensuring plumb. The designs are being field tested and once finalised would be patented.

Emitters of different shapes and sizes for horticultural crops

Centre of Science for Villages, Wardha has designed and developed five types of emitters i.e. solid glass, solid disk, solid block, hollow balloon and hollow pitcher. The fabrication work was done using plain soil, fine sand, black soil , loam, coal and white clay. However, test results indicate that increased emission of water was possible in those emitters which have greater pores such as sand, coal and horse dung. To measure the extent of wet zone formed by different emitters, a device called " Moist Front Measuring Device" (MFMD) has also been fabricated . The comparative field trials of gully emitter, block emitter and flood irrigation systems are in progress for Banana crop. The experiments have shown that the vegetative growth is maximum in Gully Shape Emitter System (height of stem 139 cm, girth of stem 51.25 cm , leaf area index 3.81). The field trial of emitters is being conducted at various research institutions and in the fields.

Application of non-edible oil in mould, core making & production of resins

Research and development work has been taken up using available non-edible oils for mould and core making. The oil is first treated with NaOH, Dextrine and additives for various purposes such as creating smooth lining on surface and edges etc. The mould and core once standardised will be of immense use to various artisans involved in metal work, smithy, pottery, etc. The improved moulds and core will not only produce better quality and diversified products but the new products will also get higher returns to the artisans.

Technology upgradation and back up for transfer of proven DST models through CAPART

It has been possible to generate 66 project proposals out of which 29 have been sanctioned by CAPART. Centre for Technology and Development (CTD), New Delhi has played a key role in planning, development, implementation and monitoring of multidimensional activities. The projects were in areas such as honey, clay emitter, pyrolysis and briquetting, low cost construction, nursery techniques, etc.. CTD contacted more than 300 Voluntary Organisations and after interaction and preliminary assessment of capabilities, field investigations were carried out and the projects were developed in consultation with the field groups. CTD has been acting as the interface between the voluntary organisations & research institutions.

Following integrated village development projects have been sanctioned during the year:-

Cross-fired Oil Kiln

In an interesting project, Central Glass and Ceramics Research Institute, Khurja has worked on development of cross fired oil kiln for variety of uses by artisanal pottery and glass bead workers. The R&D work was taken up specially to provide uniform and controlled temperature in firing the products thereby reducing the breakage and manufacturing of quality products. The kiln was found to be least polluting when compared to traditional kilns in which either wood or coal is used. It's operation was also found to be economical. It attains temperature of 1100-1200 C in a very short span.

Coordinated Programmes

Ongoing coordinated programmme on blacksmithy has culminated into setting of viable demonstration units at five locations. The R&D works relating to design and development of hammer, appropriate furnace, various tempering techniques, standardisation of raw material, system designing, etc., have been successfully completed.

A new coordinated programme on Technology development towards extraction, processing and purification of Non-Edible Oils (NEO) from locally available plant resources has just been initiated. The programme aims at utilising the seeds of Neem , Mahua, Karanja, Undi, Kusum, Pilu, Dhupa, Nahor, Kokum and Sal to a large extent. The specific task under the project will be to design and develop appropriate machines for dehusking, decortication, depulping, crushing. Moisture reduction equipment such as drier, oil expelling devices like expeller, rotary system, solvent extraction system, distillation units, purification system leading to isolation of lipids through physico-chemical methods are expected to be developed.