Department of Physics

National Seminar NSSMT 2023

National Seminar on Smart Sustainable Materials And Technologies (NSSMT 2023)

The Postgraduate and Research Department of Physics and the Postgraduate Department of Home science, Vimala college (Autonomous), Thrissur in association with Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) and Department of Science and Technology, DST Govt. of India (under DST - CURIE scheme) conducted a Two day “ National seminar on Smart Sustainable Materials and Technology ”(NSSMT - 2023) on 24^th and 25^th of February 2023. The seminar aimed at bringing together students and scientists on a single platform.

Dr. Malini K A, convener of NSSMT – 2023, Vice principal of the college and Head of PG and Research Department of Physics explained the background of the seminar in her welcome address.  Dr.  Sr.  Beena Jose, Principal of the college presided over the function. The seminar was inaugurated by Prof (Dr) Vijayamohanan K Pillai, Chair, Chemistry and Dean (R&D), JC Bose national fellow (SERB), IISER Tirupati. His inaugural address shed light on the importance and need of smart and sustainable materials in today's global context. He discussed about the innovations in material science which prove as sustainable solutions to many technical, economic and environmental challenges faced by the world. He also congratulated the organizers for having projected the 17 UN sustainable development goals with the thrust area of discussion.

The keynote lecture by Prof (Dr.) Vijayamohanan K Pillai on the topic "Smart Sustainable Materials and Technologies for Energy Storage”. First invited talk by Dr. P A Joy, Retired scientist, CSIR- NCL, Pune. He provided a thorough and organized overview of smart materials, placing special emphasis on the contribution of material science and engineering to sustainable development. Next invited talk on "Innovative packaging techniques with smart functions" by Dr. Remya S, Senior Scientist, ICAR - CIFT, Cochin. The final session of the first day was on "Closely packed magnetic vortex arrays: Fabrication and Characterization by Dr. Senoy Thomas, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, CUSAT.

The second day of NSSMT 2023 started with a talk on "Thermoelectric generators based on manganites- A material to device approach" by Prof (Dr.) M R Anantharaman, Retired Professor and head of the Department of Physics, CUSAT. The second talk was on the topic "Metamaterials in Concise" by Dr Gopikrishna M, Assistant professor, Department of Physics, Govt. Victoria College, Palakkad. Next talk by Smt. Rinsey Antony V A, Dean of Applied Science, Sri Krishna Arts & Science College, Coimbatore on the topic "Smart textiles engineered for sustainable research". The next session was paper presentation on the thrust area of the seminar. The best paper was selected from among the presenters. Ms. Anagha Raphy, Vimala College, won the best paper presentation award. An industry academia interface by T R Ananthanarayanan, Managing partner, Foodastha, Kochi. His talk shed light on the sustainable food technologies used in processing and packing food.

The seminar ended with the valedictory session which began with a prayer by Ms. Manila T M, from first year M.Sc. Physics. Dr Mini Krishna K, Assistant professor, PG and Research Department of Physics delivered the welcome address. Dr. Sr. Beena T L, Vice principal of the college discussed about the various aspects of the seminar in her valedictory address. She congratulated both the departments for organizing the seminar on an important topic of modern times. She encouraged interdisciplinary approach that was rendered through the conduct of the seminar. A brief report of the two day national seminar NSSMT 2023 was presented by Dr. Thomas Ruby Mariyamma, coordinator of NSSMT and Head of the department of Home science. Dr Malini K A, convener of NSSMT – 2023, Vice principal of the college and Head of PG and Research Department of Physics announced the winner of the research paper presentation competition. Ms. Anagha Raphy was presented with the best paper award for her presentation on "Synthesis of Iron Oxide nanoparticles using different leaf extracts". Dr. Sr. Beena T L distributed the prizes and certificates. This was followed by a feedback session. The participants gave positive and good feedback on the sessions. Dr. Veena Gopalan E, coordinator of NSSMT and Assistant professor, PG and Research Department of Physics delivered the vote of thanks. The seminar was concluded by a national anthem. The certificates were distributed after a photo session of the whole group.