JSA Newsletter

Jaffna Science Association, ,

Volume 25 Issue 3 …………… From Editor’s pen In this Issue :

Greetings All:  From Editor’s pen - Page 01  Sectional Activities - Page 02 Welcome to the third newsletter for the year 2017-18.  Educational Training report - Page 04 First, I would like to convey my gratitude to those of you who  JSA Membership - Page 05 contributed to this issue as these contribution are essential to  News Paper Article - Page 05 the newsletter’s success.  Detail of quiz winners - Page 06  Trending in Science - Page 06 Many Congratulations to the team from section A, who  Hydrogen Fuel Cells - Page 07 organized an interactive chemistry practical sessions for  Career Guidance Workshop - Page 08  Sectional Activities - Page 08 ordinary level students at Mullaitivu Udaiyarkaddu Maha Vidyalayam. As members of the JSA we all very proud of your Jaffna Science Association is registered as a Company accomplishments, and we hope to hear more good news along Limited by Guarantee these lines.

Registration Number : G/L/2427 In this Newsletter, we have included a brief article

entitled “Hydrogen Fuel Cells” by Ms. S. Sivagowry, Date of Registration: 05 May 2017 Demonstrator, Department of Chemistry, University of Jaffna.

JSA Office Address: Notably, this issue carries the report on Educational 84, College Road, Neeraviyadi, Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Training on Clean Energy Technologies for School Students in

Jaffna district, which was funded by Royal Norwegian Web http: //www.thejsa.org Embassy in . Also, a short report on the career

e-Mail guidance workshop is also included herein. Overall, this [email protected] quarter is a very productive one.

e-Mail of President As your newsletter editor, I welcome your articles, [email protected] photographs and input to help keep the newsletter and website e-Mail of General Secretary [email protected] entertaining and informative. Please send your information to:

[email protected] Facebook fan-page www.facebook.com/thejsa Thank you.

Compiled and edited by Shiva Rasalingam Dr. (Miss.) Shivatharsiny. Rasalingam

Chief Editor/JSA The Chief-Editor/JSA

Page 01

Volume 25 Issue 3

The JSA Sectional Activities

The JSA was established in JSA: Section A organized an Interactive 1991 by the founder chemistry Practical Session for G.C.E (O/L) President late Prof. students A. Thurairajah

A practical seminar was organized by the Section A of JSA

Would you like for the students who are sitting for G.C.E (O/L) on from to contribute Mullaitivu Udaiyarkaddu Maha Vidyalayam with the to your Community? sponsors from Soorya match boxes and Members of

Need an Section A together with the demonstrators from

appropriate Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science were platform for engaged as the resource persons. executing your ideas?

Become a LIFE MEMBER of JSA today!

The primary objectives of the JSA are

dissemination of Interactive chemistry Practical Session for G.C.E scientific knowledge (O/L) students among the intellectuals in Jaffna region, encouraging national as well as regional research studies and presenting them in the Jaffna society, and advancement of scientific Student Participants Sponsors knowledge among the Section B: secondary school A Popular Talk on “E-Learning resources for school students” students and at the was organized by JSA Section “B” on 18th of November 2017 at undergraduate level. 1.30 pm in Chulipuram Victoriya College for Chulipuram Victoriya College grade 11 students. The talk was delivered by

Dr. E. Y. A. Charles, Senior Lecturer & Head/Computer unit, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna.

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Volume 25 Issue 3

Section C: Sections of JSA

A popular talk on “Delivering quality Palliative care in Section A : Developing Country” held on 15th September, 2017 in Lecture For Pure Sciences hall I, Faculty of Medicine, University of Jaffna. Dr. Gayathiri Palat, M.D. Associate Professor, Pain and Palliative Medicine, Section B : MNJ Institute of Oncology and Regional Cancer Centre, For Applied Sciences Hyderabad, India served as the resource person. Section C : For Medical Sciences

Section D : For Social Sciences

Activities of JSA

Organize annual Another popular talk on “Handling Mental Health Problem in School Science post conflict settings” in Lecture hall II, Faculty of Medicine, programmes

University of Jaffna. Professor Babara Lopes Mental Health Organize annual Specialist from the Centre for Disease Control, Atlanta, USA conference on a timely served as the resource person topic

JSA Sectional Activities

Arrange popular talks to update people with present happenings Section C, organized an awareness programme titled as “Anti- Microbial Resistance” on 15th of January 2018. Prof. Organize workshops to Thevanesam, Dr V. Liyanapathirana and Dr. Mabeywardena empower people served as resource persons. The Jaffna Chapter of the Sri Lankan Society for Microbiology jointly organized the event. Publish a magazine called ‘Pirayoga Vingnana Sudar’ and Newspaper articles to disseminate knowledge

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Volume 25 Issue 3

A report on Educational Training on Clean Energy th Technologies for School Students in The 25 Executive Committee Funded by Royal Norwegian Embassy in Colombo

2017-18 Phase I: Training of Trainers (TOT) on Clean Energy Technologies President On 18/11/2017 & 19/11/2017, TOT programmes on Clean Energy Technologies were conducted to school Mrs. Mahenthiran Aloysius teachers, who teach Engineering Technology/Physics/Chemistry at 1AB schools in the Past President Jaffna District, and junior academics and final year

Dr. R. Surenthirakumaran undergraduates from the Departments of Physics, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering and Engineering President elect Technology of University of Jaffna. Thirty teachers including Zonal Assistant Directors of Education Dr. P. Iyngaran (Science) and In-Service Advisers (Science) and more than forty junior academics and final year General Secretary undergraduates attended the TOT programme, conducted at the Department of Physics, University of Prof. (Mrs.) M. Jaffna. Senthilnanthanan Asst. Secretary

Dr. R. Prasanthan

Treasurer

Mrs. T. Sivaskaran

Asst. Treasurer

Mr. N. Sivakaran

Chief Editor

Dr. (Ms.) S. Rasalingam

Members

Dr. G. Sashikesh Dr. E. Y. A. Charles Mrs. L. Kamalaruban Dr. S. Jeevasuthan

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Volume 25 Issue 3

Life Membership

No Date Folio Number Name Affiliation

1 30.11.2017 JSA/A/L/2017/167 Rev. Sr. A. R. Antony J/Vembadi Girls’ High School Library, University College of 2 08.12.2017 JSA/B/L/2017/165 Ms. N. Kalpana Jaffna University college of 3 08.12.2017 JSA/B/L/2017/166 Ms. K. Tharsana Anuradhapura Dept. of Obstetrics and 4 09.11.2017 JSA/C/L/2017/160 Dr. K. Muhunthan gynaecology, University of Jaffna Department of Medicine, 5 08.12.2017 JSA/C/L/2017/161 Dr. T. Kumanan University of Jaffna 6 08.12.2017 JSA/C/L/2017/162 Dr. P. Orthopaedic Unit, THJ Dept. of Fine Arts, University 7 08.12.2017 JSA/D/L/2017/163 Dr. T. Sanathanan of Jaffna Media Studies, University of 8 08.12.2017 JSA/D/L/2017/164 Dr. S. Raguram Jaffna Dept. of Sociology, university 9 08.12.2017 JSA/D/L/2017/168 Dr. S. Jeevasuthan of Jaffna

JSA Activities Details of News Paper Article published by JSA-Section A in Valampurii

Date Title Author / Affiliation 10-11-2017 tspkz;ly khrhf;fk; njhlu;ghd Nf. thzpKFe;jd;, gpur;rpidfs;: mkpy kio, xsp Gpujp mjpgu; ,urhadg;Gfhu; (njhlu;r;rp) ah/nkjb];j ngz;fs; cau;jug; ghlrhiy 24-11-2017 tho;f;iff;fhd rKj;jpuk;- m\hdp mUshde;jk; cz;ikAlDk; fhjYlDk; Ocean Youth Leader, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Sri njhlUq;fs; Lanka M.Phil student, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, 07-12-2017 tho;f;iff;fhd rKj;jpuk;- m\hdp mUshde;jk; cz;ikAlDk; fhjYlDk; Ocean Youth Leader, Sustainable Ocean Alliance, Sri njhlUq;fs; (njhlu;r;rp) Lanka M.Phil student, Postgraduate Institute of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya; 22-12-2017 gwf;fj; jhd; Mir……. rpwifj; jhd; =.[];kpfh fhNzhk;…… ah/cLg;gpl;b kfspu; fy;Yhup 05-01-2018 nraw;if thrid czupfs; jzpifr;nry;td; KUfjh]; (Artificial olfactory sensors) tpupTiuahsu; ngsjpftpaw;Wiw aho;. gy;fiyf;fofk; 19-01-2018 tz;zj;Jg;G+r;rp tpisT (Nfah]; fhypq;fuhrh `upr;re;jpuh jpaup) njhopEl;g mYtyu;;> kPd;gpbapay; tpQ;Qhd Jiw> tpQ;Qhd gPlk;> aho; gy;fiyf;fofk;.

Without hard work and discipline it is difficult to be a top professional -Jahangir Khan

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Volume 25 Issue 3

Details of the Quiz winner

Quiz No Date Winner Nf. ,uh[Nfhghy; milf;fyk; Njhl;lk; 196 10-11-2017 கந்த毁வா뮿ககா뾿ல羿 வட்翁க்ககாட்டட R[Ptd; mgpeah ,y. 5, 1k; xOq;if, 197 24-11-2017 gUj;jpj;Jiw tPjp aho;g;ghzk; r. ep\hDfh 198 07-12-2017 96/2, gj;jpufhsp Nfhtpyb tz;zhu;gz;iz rq;fu; RNud; Nfhtpw;flit, 199 22-12-2017 Jd;dhiy kj;jp, funtl;b tp. NtZfud; 200 05-01-2018 15/4, Njthya tPjp, Xl;Lklk; nIuhy;l; IPtjhrd; Nahthd; mUzd; 201 19-01-2018 72, Nfhtpy; tPjp aho;g;ghzk

Trending science 2018

PHOENIX

A new, breathable material that can also block biological or chemical threats could offer comfortable protection for people working in contaminated environments or dangerous military zones. The bottom layer of the material, described at the Materials Research Society spring meeting, features carbon nanotube pores embedded within a flexible synthetic polymer film. These pores are just a few nanometers across — too small for bacterial or viral cells to squeeze through, but wide enough for sweat to escape. The top layer offers further protection. It is made of another, spongy polymer that normally allows water and other molecules to pass through. But when the polymer comes into contact with G- series nerve agents — the family of toxic chemicals that includes sarin gas — it flattens into a dense sheet that seals over the carbon nanopores underneath. The polymer can be restored to its original state by soaking it in a high-pH chemical broth. Both layers together are still less than half the thickness of a sheet of paper, and could be laid over fabrics without putting the wearer at risk of overheating. That’s an improvement over the typical protective gear that’s permanently sealed against contaminants, said study co-author Francesco Fornasiero, a chemical engineer at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. In early testing, the material completely blocked out dengue virus cells, as well as 90 percent of the chemical diethyl chlorophosphate, used as a stand-in for toxic nerve agents. The researchers are working to make the material even more impervious to dangerous chemicals, Fornasiero said. Source: Science News

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Volume 25 Issue 3

Hydrogen Fuel Cell

Sivagowri Shanmugaratnam Demonstrator, Department of Chemistry, University of Jaffna Use of hydrogen as a fuel could lead to lower emission of pollutants and greenhouse gases. Hydrogen is a most abundant element in the universe, however, it is not a primary fuel that, it does not occur naturally but instead is found most often part of large molecules, such as water, petroleum and natural gases. There are several methods have been used to produce hydrogen that includes thermal methods, electrochemical method, and biological method. Thermal Method  Steam reforming natural gas e.g. steam methane reforming.  Direct thermal splitting of water (Kvaerner process or Kvaerner carbon black and hydrogen process is a method for the production of hydrogen from hydrocarbons)  Gasification (breakdown coal/biomass with heat and pressure) Electro chemical Method  Steam Electrolysis (Split water with heat, pressure and electricity)  Split water with electricity  Direct solar thermal water splitting  Thermochemical split water using chemicals and heat (Split water with chemicals and heat) Biological Method  Photo biological  Anaerobic method  Fermentative method

Hydrogen fuel cell is an electrochemical device that combines hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity, with water and heat as its by-products. 2H2(g) + O2(g) → 2H2O(l) Fuel cell is like battery in that it generates electricity from an electrochemical reaction. It convert chemical energy in to electrical energy. Fuel cells are not only pollution free but also can have two to three time the efficiency of traditional combustion technologies. They can be refuelled at any time do not run down or no need to be recharged. Hydrogen is considered to be safer than other fuels and convenient hydrogen storage. Because of it quickly escapes upwards in to the atmosphere, nontoxic, it burns quickly, must have right ratio of oxygen, renewable and vehicle with hydrogen storage are safe. Development of fuel cells have some challenges like expensive, during the reforming process some pollutants are produced from hydrocarbons, not easy to replace existing infrastructure, highly flammable and dependency on fossil fuels. Types of fuel cells are Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell, alkaline fuel cell, phosphoric acid fuel cell, molten carbonate fuel cell and solid oxide fuel cell. Hydrogen fuel can play an important role in the future by replacing petroleum we currently use our vehicles.

References:

 Brent D. Yacobucci Analyst in Energy Policy, Aimee E. Curtright Visiting Scholar, Resources, Science, and Industry Division “A Hydrogen Economy and Fuel Cells”, January 14, 2004.  Ulf Bossel, Baldur Eliasson “Energy and the Hydrogen Economy”.  Ulf Bossel “Does a Hydrogen Economy Make Sense?” Vol. 94, No. 10, October 2006.  U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Fuel Cell Report to Congress. February 2003. Page 07 Volume 25 Issue 3

Career Guidance Workshop for School Students

As a part of Silver Jubilee celebrations, a career guidance workshop session was implemented in collaboration with the Institute of Medical Sciences, Manipay and funded by the Manithaneyam Trust, UK. Workshops on Career Guidance for G.C.E (O/L) and G.C.E (A/L) school students along with relevant teachers and interested parents in selected schools in the Northern Province were

conducted. Three workshops were conducted at the J/Jaffna Hindu Ladies’ College, J/Manipay Hindu College and J/Vaitheeswara College under the guidance of. Dr. N. Sivarajah, former President of JSA. All three workshops were well attended and the participants were informed about the various courses available at the Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Technology, University College of Jaffna and Advanced Technological Institute by the respective resource persons.

Sectional Activities

Section B organized an awareness talks on "Why PET type plastics ought not to be re- th filled?" on 17 of January 2018 in Faculty of Agriculture, Ariviyal Nagar, . This talk was delivered by Dr. (Miss.) Shivatharsiny Rasalingam, Senior Lecturer, Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Jaffna.

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