Message from Director
Prof. Sunil Kr Sarangi, FNAE Director
Scholarship thrives for communication; Institutes of higher learning prosper when faculty and students share their thoughts with each other. While conversation among faculty and students continue to be scientifically productive, more formal communication channels benefit everyone in the community. These formal channels include conferences, symposia, institute and departmental seminars, journals and magazines. Those are the category of communication media that give more effective sharing of thoughts among scientists around the globe. Departmental magazines in particular are good compromise between informal communication among closely related colleagues, and formal communication between professional peers over wider areas. Departmental magazines may be in print, in electronic media or even be pasted on the wall. They substantially enrich the scientific and cultural life of a department. These magazines give opportunity to everyone in the department, from senior-most professor to the youngest student to express his or her creative thoughts.
I am indeed happy to learn that the faculty and students of our Chemistry Department have floated their departmental magazine. I am confident that with the support and cooperation of all faculty and students in the department, this magazine will grow from strength to strength with time. I congratulate the Head of the Department Professor B. G. Mishra, his team of young faculty colleagues and students of the Department for taking up this venture. I wish them all success in serving the Institute community interested in various aspects of chemistry.
Prof. Sunil Ku Sarangi
Editorial…..
Like an age old banyan tree; deep rooted in soil and numerously branched above the ground to arise as a symbol of growth and serene existence, our department of chemistry in NIT Rourkela has come across a long way since its inception in 1961 and standing taller than ever in 2012. Started as a sapling planted under the guidance of Prof. D. V. Ramana Rao, this department has truly embodied a grown up tree that patrons sixteen faculty members, 00 staffs, 00 students and 00 research scholars. Indeed, we are a part of a big family now. Complementing with the chemistry department’s existing academic heritage, we realize that it is the time to add a cultural perspective that is characteristic to every traditional family. On this note we felt that there should be a platform to express our thoughts, feelings and intellect in terms of words. It is our utmost pleasure to present you the first issue of our own departmental magazine ‘Chemunion’, where students and faculties can have their voices and literary talents shared. This magazine would be published annually. In general, it would include the updated faculty profiles and latest academic as well as cultural happenings of the department. Additionally there will be a group photo of all outgoing students of MSc (both 2 yr and integrated) batches so that Chemunion stays as a long lasting memory for these students. Besides, there will be several literary and scholarly articles from faculties as well as students in each issue. Along with hardcopies, there will be an online edition of this magazine for general access. I consider myself extremely fortunate to be an active part of this departmental magazine. I would personally like to thank Anurag, Sandeep and every other integrated MSc student of the chemistry department for their hard work in making this project coming through. We are indebted to all the faculties of this department, especially Prof. B. G. Mishra for the helpful suggestions and guidance. Finally, we would like to thank our honourable Director, Prof. S. K. Sarangi for his support and best wishes that has propelled our magazine forward. We believe that Chemunion would one day become an indispensable part of the rich cultural tradition of NIT Rourkela and like a legacy it would continue for a long time in future.
Supratim Giri Editor Chemunion About The Department
The Department of Chemistry is one of the premier departments in eastern part of India imparting science education and research. The chemistry department started during the year 1961 along with the inception of Regional Engineering College. In the beginning,
Engineering Chemistry was offered to BE students. Master of science
(two year) course was started with the specialization in inorganic chemistry with an intake capacity of four students from the year 1965 with the able leadership of Prof. D. V. Ramana Rao. At present the intake capacity of two year M.Sc. students is thirty. The department has started the five year integrated M.Sc. in Chemistry from 2009, which is an attractive program drawing students from various parts of
India. The department also offers PhD programme since the inception of the department. The faculties of the department are engaged in
teaching, research and consultancy work. The Department of
Chemistry at NIT Rourkela, over a period of time, has acquired many
advanced analytical equipments such as NMR, ESI Mass spectrometer,
surface area analyzer, FTIR, UV-Vis Spectro-photometer, HPLC,
Potentiostat/galvanostat, Fluorescence spectrometer etc. The current research focus of the department includes Environmental Chemistry,
Organic synthesis, Natural products, Organometallics, Metal Clusters, Nanomaterials, Organic-Inorganic Hybrid materials, coordination chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry, Catalysis, Spectroscopy and Nano-
Biomaterials. The faculty members of this department have published more than five hundred research papers in different national and international journals of repute. Fifty research scholars have received
PhD degree and one D.Sc. degree from this department. Besides, four hundred students have obtained master degree in chemistry. At different times, the following professors have taken the leaderships as
Head of the Department and had given the right direction and momentum. The department owes its gratefulness to Prof. D.V.
Ramana Rao, Prof. R.K. Pattanaik, Prof. R.N Patel, Prof. K.K. Tripathy,
Prof C. Panda, Prof. B. Pradhan Prof. K.M. Purohit and Prof. R.K.
Patel.
CONTENTS
1. Faculty Profiles 1-16 i. Dr Aparna Mondal ii. Dr B. G. Mishra iii. Dr Debayan Sarkar iv. Dr G. Hota v. Dr Harekrushna Sahoo vi. Dr Madhurima Jana vii. Dr Niranjan Panda viii. Dr Priyabrat Dash ix. Dr R. K. Patel x. Dr Rupam Dinda xi. Dr Sabita Patel xii. Dr Sasmita Mohapatra xiii. Dr Saurav Chatterjee xiv. Dr Supratim Giri xv. Dr Usharani Subuddhi xvi. Dr V. Sivakumar 2. Research Articles 17-31 i. Mixed-ligand Nickel(II) thiosemicarbazone complexes: Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation. 18 ii. Fe-Catalyzed One-Pot Synthesis of 1,3-Di- and 1,3,5-Trisubstituted Pyrazoles from Hydrazones and Vicinal Diols. 19 iii. Stereo selective Synthesis of Enamides by Pd-Catalyzed Hydroamidation of Electron Deficient Terminal Alkynes 19 iv. Diverse field of Organometallic chemistry: Challenges and Opportunities 20 v. Electrospun Nanofibers: Fabrication, Functionalization and Environmental Applications. 23 vi. Carbon Trading: Challenges and Perspective 24
vii. Atom economic transformations towards biologically importantnatural products under Metal Environment – A view Of Molecular Gymnastics involving acetylenes 30
3. Final Year Batch Profiles 33-59 i. Abhijit Nandi ii. Arpan Pal iii. Aurobindo Mohanty iv. Binu Mishra v. Chinmayee Priyadarshini vi. Dibyansu Mishra vii. Eeti Chatterjee viii. Hasan Adib Khan ix. Jayanti Sravanti x. Kasturi Singh xi. Kongrailatpam Dayananda Sharma xii. Kumari Saroj xiii. Madhusmita Rout xiv. Nilendri Rout xv. Prajna Mishra xvi. Pramoda Behera xvii. Pranati Badhai xviii. Ranjak Behera xix. Rohit Xalxo xx. Sabera Milan xxi. Sagarika Behera xxii. Santu Nandi xxiii. Santanu Kumar Dalai xxiv. Santwana Sahoo xxv. Subhasmin Rana xxvi. Sushreeta Behera xxvii. Upasana Panda 4. Scientific & Literary Articles 61-85 i. Chemistry and Computers: Friendship between Two “C”s 61
ii. Use Of Significant Figures (aka) Sig Fig In Chemistry 63 iii. Morning 67 iv. Chemistry- The King of Subjects An omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient science 68 v. The Periodic Table Expands Yet Again… 70 vi. The Improbable Reality 71 vii. Temporary Storage for Electrons in a Hydrogen Producing Enzyme 73 viii. A Noble Discovery 74 ix. Reality Beyond Imagination 77 x. Lamentation For Ill – Learnt Literates 80 xi. Hope 82 xii. Hope That Brings a Big Change In You 83 xiii. Chocolate 85 xiv. Wake To Sleep 87 xv. The Chemistry Of Love 88 5. Scientist of The Issue: Neils Bohr 90
6. Chemicross 92
7. Inquizzire 93
8. Trivia 95
9. Laugh-a-thon 97
Dr Aparna Mondal Assistant Professor
Dr Aparna Mondal has been rendering her services by educating the students of our college since July, 2007. She has received her Master of Science degree (M.Sc.) in Chemistry from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal, India, Master of Technology degree (M.Tech.) and Doctor of Philosophy degree (PhD) both from Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur, West Bengal, India. After pursuing her doctorate, she worked as a scientist in National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, formerly known as Regional Research Laboratory (CSIR), Thiruvananthapuram from 2004 to 2007.
She hails from Burdwan, a district in West Bengal. Apart from spreading the light of wisdom, she is passionate about singing and surfing the internet. She likes visiting exotic and serene places for relaxing and refreshing her mind, her best vacation spot being Iddukki, Kerala. After working as a scientist for two years, she realised that her heart lies in teaching and imparting knowledge and took up teaching profession.
Teaching is not just a job for her but a passion, her heart’s desire. She encourages the students to work sincerely and at the same time derive the maximum happiness from whatever they are working for.
Imagination is more important than knowledge. 1
Dr Braja Gopal Mishra Associate Professor
Head of the Department
Dr Braja Gopal Mishra, Associate Professor, in fact the Head of the chemistry department (HOD) has been sincerely rendering his services by spreading his wisdom of knowledge in chemistry to the students of NIT Rourkela since, 2008. He has achieved his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in 2004 from the very reputed University in India i.e., Indian Institute of Technology, Madras where he was honoured with Langmuir Medal for best PhD thesis in physical chemistry. He has also served as a lecturer in the chemistry department at BITS, Pilani for about three splendid years from 2005 till the time he joined NITR.
Dr B. G. Mishra hails from Odisha. He is a resident of Sonepur, Binka district. Above and beyond the life of chemistry he also spends sometime in listening music and reading.
His research projects take account of:
1. Development of water tolerant nanosized functional heterogeneous catalyst for synthesis in aqueous media, CSIR, 2010-2013. 2. Novel environmental friendly protocol for the synthesis of biologically important molecules using heterogeneous catalysts, DST, 2009-2012.
In today’s educational society, we are very fortunate to have such an intellectual enlightening professor in NITR who has been contributing his knowledge with all his authentic efforts in amplification of chemistry.
Whatever you are, be a good one. 2
Dr3T Debayan Sarkar 3T
Assistant Professor
Dr Debayan Sarkar hails from Malbazar, located in the Dooars area of Northern Part of West Bengal. The place is surrounded by 27 tea gardens and very close to nature’s beautiful places like Darjeeling, Gangtok. He obtained his PhD from Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science, Jadavpur, Kolkata, and joined the prestigious NIT Rourkela in 2011. Dr Sarkar has recently completed his post- doctoral research in Palo Alto, California in the most acclaimed Stanford University.
He has quite an ecstasy range of choices when it comes to hobbies, as he likes fishing and of course eating. He also has a special likeliness for swimming.
He has been awarded with an Associate membership of Royal Society of Chemistry, Cambridge, UK in 2011. He has been recently awarded with the Prestigious INDO- US Research fellowship 2012-2013 to carry out Post-Doctoral research in Stanford University, USA along with the CSIR-Junior Research Fellowship in 2005 and the CSIR – Senior Research Fellowship in 2007. The current project continuing under him is “Synthesis of Medicinally Important Natural products Employing Cyclopropyl Ring cleavage, Oxidative De-aromatization and Other Strategies” funded by DST under Fast Track Project for young Scientists.
Everything has its beauty, but not everyone sees it. 3
Dr Garudadhwaj Hota Associate Professor
Dr Hota hails from our very own state of Odisha. His native place is Sonepur which is situated in the district of Mayurbhanj. He obtained his PhD degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay in the year 2004 and has a post-doctoral experience for 3 glorious years at the National University of Singapore. He became an integral part of the NIT Rourkela family in the year 2007.He had qualified the prestigious GATE exam in the year 1998 and also qualified for NET lectureship in the very succeeding year, i.e. in 1999.
Leaving aside the mysterious world of Chemistry, Dr Hota loves watching live or highlights telecasts of cricket matches and spending his leisure time enjoying with kids. If not a faculty of the Department of Chemistry, then he would have definitely loved to be a Scientist in Research and Development laboratory.
Very recently he has concluded a project of Department of Science and Technology (under the Govt. of India) on “Novel Iron Oxide/Alumina Nanofibre for Environmental Applications”. He believes that with this technique one can be able to synthesize continuous ultra- thin polymer Nano-fibres that can be used in production of protective clothing, making mask (for biological warfare ascent) for defence purpose, filtration media, wound healing and many other environmental applications which would be very difficult to sum up in a few words.
Research is to see what everybody else has seen, and to think what nobody else has thought. 4
Dr Harekrushna Sahoo
Assistant Professor
Dr Harekrushna Sahoo is a big time admirer and follower of scientist Stephen Hawking. A man who had aimed at becoming a doctor at his adolescence finally landed up into teaching stream, says that he relish his profession the most and loves interacting with his students at his free time. A man from Berhampur after acquiring his B.Sc. degree from Nayagarh College (Nayagarh), he joined Utkal University, Bhubaneshwar to complete his masters in Physical and Nuclear Chemistry. From Bhubaneshwar, he went to NIT Durgapur to carry out his M.Tech. In Corrosion Sc. and Technology in 2002. In the meantime he got a chance to undertake a project in IIT Bombay. He then joined Jacob University, Berman, Germany to pursue his PhD in Bioorganic-Physical Chemistry with Prof. Werner M.Nau in year 2006. He accomplished his Post-Doctoral research with Prof. Lila M. Gierasch at University of Massachusetts-Amherst (USA) (2007-2009) Research Associate with Prof. Petra Schwille at Technical University Dresden (Germany) (2010-2011). He is now working as an active member in Who’s who in fluorescence, American Chemical Society, protein society, Biophysical society.
Well, Prof. Sahoo is a “Travel Buff”. He says, “I want to visit every nook and corner of this world before dying”. In addition to his intense interest in chemistry, his various leisure pursuits are reading scientific fictions like scientific excerpts and journals by Stephen Hawking. He also likes to play games like cricket and badminton in his past time. A man of gracious attitude, friendly behaviour and smiling face, he always stays one step ahead in helping his students.
You cannot teach a man anything, you can only help him discover it in himself. 5
Dr Madhurima Jana Assistant Professor
Dr Madhurima Jana was born and brought up in Siliguri, West Bengal. The place is enveloped with naturally beautiful landscapes, hills and valleys. Later she had to shift to Midnapur, also known as one of the largest districts of India. Since then the city of Midnapur has become her hometown. In addition to her admiration for the subject of chemistry, she is voracious reader of fiction, especially the stories meant for children. Not only this but she also loves to travel and explore new places.
On 17th of November 2011, her career as an assistant professor in NIT Rourkela has begun. She served as a short term visiting Fellow in the Pontificia Universidad Cat´olica de Chile, Santiago. Her area of study was Computer Simulation of Biomolecules. She was awarded the CSIR-UGC NET in the year 2005 and even qualified GATE in the same year.
She obtained her PhD from IIT Kharagpur in June 2012. On September 2012 she was approved for DST-FAST TRACK project. Recently she was selected for 1st prize of 2012 Lilly Outstanding Thesis Awards. On this great, triumphant success the magazine team on behalf of The Department of Chemistry congratulates her. Hope such good news and awards keep joining in our department’s in-exhaustive list.
Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people. 6
Dr Niranjan Panda Associate Professor
Dr Niranjan Panda hails from Cuttack. He is a voracious reader of Oriya novels. He procured his masters from Ravenshaw University, Cuttack and then qualified for Research Fellowship programme in IIT Kharagpur (2000–2005).
After obtaining PhD from IIT Kharagpur, he moved on to Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, for his Post-Doctoral research from Nov 2005-June 2006. After coming back he joined NIT Rourkela as an Assistant Professor in The Department of Chemistry. From 2008 onwards he was appointed as an Associate Professor of the Department. His research interest lies in the field of “Transition metal catalysed cross-coupling reactions and their application towards the synthesis of heterocycles”, “Synthesis of natural and non-natural products of biological significance” and “Magnetic nanoparticles mediated cross-coupling reactions”.
His current sponsored project is “Magnetic Nanoparticle Mediated Cross-coupling Reactions: Synthesis of Biologically Potent Molecules” which is being funded by The Department of Science and Technology, India.
We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit. 7
Dr Priyabrat Dash Assistant Professor
Dr Priyabrat Dash is a native of Athagarh, Cuttack. He earned his bachelor as well as his master’s degree in Chemistry from Utkal University. In 2004, he procured M.Tech. from IIT Bombay. He obtained his PhD (2005-2010) from the University of Saskatchewan, Canada and has Post-Doctoral experience of 1 year 7 months from the University of Ottawa, Canada. He states that his IIT teacher Prof. T. R. Rama Mohan was great impulse for his professional career. He is a big time fan of documentary and debating sessions of news channels.
Despite of living abroad for a continuous stretch of 7 years he favours Indian dishes over all other European and American dishes. Well, apart from the country food loving nature, Dr Dash loves to travel and explore new places. Out of all destinations he states Banff, one of the most loved hiking spot in Canada and the amazing Niagara falls in the Canadian province of Ontario to be the best ones so far.
Apart from the busy world of Chemistry, he manages time and is a avid reader of journal articles. He has served as a member of Canadian Society of Chemistry (CSC) and Member of Materials Research Society (MRS), USA. His on-going research subject is "Synthesis and functionalization of hollow metal oxide spheres in ionic liquid micro emulsions for catalysis and sensor applications", which is funded by DST with an estimated budget of 27 lakhs. Well, in short Dr Dash advices to live life to the fullest and in his words
“Life is not a race, but a journey to be savoured each step of the way”.
Life is pleasant. Death is peaceful. It's the transition that's troublesome. 8
Dr Raj Kishore Patel Professor
The Department of Chemistry is quite fortunate to have the most dynamic faculty Dr Raj Kishore Patel who with his utmost travail have acquired the designation of Professor in this Institute. He hails from Deogarh. He had obtained his M.Sc. degree from Sambalpur University. He procured his PhD from NIT Rourkela itself in the year of 1991. He joined NIT Rourkela back in 1994 and served as the previous HOD of the department.
Prof. Patel, having an aptitude for chemistry, shares his interest in the area of Environmental Chemistry, Hybrid Materials, Organic Chemistry, and Photo remediation & Bioremediation. He is presently undertaking ample research projects which includes “Development of new environment friendly adsorption media and its value added application for removal of hazardous anions from water”, “Pilot plant study for the extraction of fine iron from red mud” and “The studies on the quality of water in the iron ore mines area of Koira block of Sundergarh District”. He is the only faculty in NIT, Rourkela to obtain two patents under his name.
Being the most experienced faculty of the Department, he is also an assiduous person with a man of principles. His immense effort has bagged him The Bharat Jyoti Award in 2009. A person, whose whole life has been an incredible journey encourages students to devote their life towards research activities and for the welfare of mankind. His various leisure pursuits include reading books and novels especially of Manoj Das, and writing short stories in Oriya.
Education is a progressive discovery of our own ignorance. 9
Dr Rupam Dinda Associate Professor
Hailing from the well-known neighbourly state of West Bengal, Dr Dinda obtained his Bachelor as well Master degree in Chemistry from The University of Calcutta. Then he obtained his PhD degree from Jadavpur University in Kolkata.
He joined NIT Rourkela in the year 2007 as an Assistant Professor and since 2009 he has been continuing as an Associate Professor in The Department of Chemistry. He has two Post-Doctoral research experiences which include one in The Missouri University of Science and Technology, USA (2003-2006) and the other at The University of Heidelberg, Germany (2006-2007).
Dr Dinda’s research interests lie in the field of Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis. At present he holds the prestigious positions as a member of American Chemical Society, USA and a life-time member at Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science.
The laws of physics and chemistry must be the same in a crucible as in the larger laboratory of Nature. 10
Dr Sabita Patel Assistant Professor
In the department, Dr Sabita Patel is illustrious for her commitment and fidelity in enlightening people of our institute since July 2008 till date. She completed her M.Sc. nd in 1999 with 2P P rank at Sambalpur University, Odisha. In 2002, she secured a rank within best 20% in JRF-CSIR-NET. She received Prof. R. C. Tripathy Young Scientist Award in 2005 and Prof Dayanidhi Pattanaik Award for best paper of the year by Orissa Chemical Society. Later she procured her PhD degree from Sambalpur University in 2007. After accomplishing her doctorate, she did Post-Doctoral research at Dong A University, Busan, South Korea. She further did fellowships as an Extended- senior research member at CSIR, NEW DELHI.
When interviewed by the team, she stated that she likes to spend her free time with her family on a vacation to some country spot. Besides, she is a big time lover of homemade foods. With her exceptional desire and dedication to the academic field she proves to be inspiring and refulgent to all.
Science is the knowledge of consequences, and dependence of one fact upon another. 11
Dr Sasmita Mohapatra Assistant Professor
Dr Sasmita Mohapatra, hailing from Bhubaneswar is designated as an Assistant Professor in NIT Rourkela. Formerly she served as a lecturer in BIT Mesra, Ranchi. After pursuing the M.Sc. degree from Utkal University in the year 2001, she received the CSIR- NET-JRF in the year 2001 and qualified GATE in the following year. She has also served as a JRF in IIT Kharagpur from October 2002 to October 2004 and as a SRF in IIT Kharapur, in the following three years. She obtained her PhD degree from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur in the year 2007. She joined NIT Rourkela in 2008.
Apart from her interests in Chemistry, she is fond of reading newspapers, novels and listening to Indian music.
Dr Sasmita Mohapatra is currently working on a research work titled “Development of Functionalised Ferrite Nanoparticles for Targeted Tumor Therapy” from DBT which has an estimated cost of forty two lakhs.
Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind. 12
Dr Saurav Chatterjee Associate Professor
Dr Saurav Chatterjee obtained his master degree from the University of Burdwan, West Bengal and his PhD degree from IIT Bombay in the year 2001. He has two Post- Doctoral experiences in the University of Bonn, Germany (2003 – 2004), as well as in The Ruhr University Bochum, Germany (2002 – 2003). He joined NIT Rourkela as an Assistant Professor in The Department of Chemistry in the year 2007 and was appointed as an Associate Professor in the year 2009.
Dr Chatterjee hails from Durgapur, West Bengal. Leaving aside the mysterious world of Chemistry, he loves reading historical books. His interest also lies in the field of Geography, Literature as well as famous historical novels.
Recently he concluded a project funded by DST on the subject of “Transition Metal Acetylide Chemistry”. Dr Chatterjee received DAAD fellowship for research stay in the summer of 2012 at The University of Duisburg, Essen, Germany. His current research project is “Metal Complexes of Ferrocene Based Ligands; their Electrochemical Behavior and Biological properties” which has an approximate budget of 17 lakhs, funded by The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India.
Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow. 13
Dr Supratim Giri Assistant Professor
Born in North Bengal, Dr Supratim Giri was brought up in proper Kolkata, the heart of Bengal. He spent 22 years of his life in West Bengal. Having completed B.Sc. from the renowned Presidency College, Kolkata he moved out of the city and till date could hardly find the opportunity to return. Young Supratim had been playful and led a common urban kid’s life. He recollects being more playful than studious. After completing his B.Sc. he appeared the entrance exam at IIT Kanpur and made his place among 14 odd students selected from the diverse nation.
After procuring his PhD from Iowa State University in 2006, he looked forward and opted for post doctorate, and had three years of Post-Doctoral research experience in Biomedical Engineering at University of Toronto, Canada. Then he headed back to India and joined NIT Rourkela as an Assistant Professor. The list of projects currently under him are “Up conversion nanoparticles for barcoding technology and drug delivery caps” approved by DST and “Cell based suspension array on magnetic-up conversion barcodes” approved by DBT. Innovative way of teaching as well as keen interests in research has bagged him the Ontario Ministry of Research and Innovation Fellowship Award in 2009 as well as The Iowa State University Teaching Excellence Award in 2003.
Photography, watching movies and playing outdoor games like cricket and football are some of the stuffs he likes to do apart from the World of Chemistry.
What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us. 14
Dr Usharani Subuddhi Assistant Professor
Dr Usharani Subuddhi obtained her PhD degree from IIT Madras in Physical Photochemistry. She did her M.Sc. from Sambalpur University, Odisha. She has a post- doctoral experience for 1 year in the University of Alberta, Canada. She joined NIT Rourkela in the year 2009 as an Assistant Professor. She was a member of The Orissa Chemical Society in the year 2010 and an active member Of Luminescence Society of India in the year 2011.
Her interest lies in the field of Photochemistry, Biophysical Chemistry, Protein Fluorescence, Novel Drug-delivery Systems, Photo physical studies of Bio surfactants and Dendrimers. Leaving aside the world of Chemistry, she loves to read sci-fi novels.
Currently her research title is “Design and Physico-Chemical Properties of Cyclodextrin Incorporated Smart Hydrogels Towards Improved Delivery Of Hydrophobic Drugs” which is funded by DST and the approximate value is 20 lakhs.
Education is not the filling of a pail, but lighting of a fire. 15
Dr Vaidyanathan Sivakumar Assistant Professor
Dr Shivakumar accomplished his M.Sc. from MGAC, Vellore and PhD degree from IIT Madras. He is an Assistant Professor in NIT, Rourkela from September 2011 –till date. Previously he was faculty at NIT, Calicut from July 2010 to May 2011. In 2007, he received Prof. A. Werner medal for best thesis in inorganic chemistry from IIT, Madras. In 2011, he got the membership in Luminescence society of India.
His areas of interest include synthesis of organic and organometallic molecules for organic electronics, Lanthanide, Luminescence, Light emitting diodes (LED). He gave a presentation on Lamp phosphors and concepts related to its applications at IISc, Bangalore on April 12-13, 2012. He also took part in a seminar on advanced materials, at University of Coimbatore. He was invited to talk on Lanthanide based materials for energy efficient solid state lighting.
Apart from that he is a regular badminton player and aimed to join the army and serve the nation if not in the field of chemistry. Along with that, he describes Kerala being his favourite destination spot. He also prefers South Indian dishes above all. On May 2012 he bagged Inspire Faculty Fellowship Award from DST. Besides, he has also been awarded Young Scientist Award by BRNS-DAE.
Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans. 16
Research
Articles
Mixed-ligand Nickel(II) thiosemicarbazone complexes:
Synthesis, characterization and biological evaluation.
Some new mixed-ligand nickel(II) complexes of the selected three thiosemicarbazones
1-3 {4-(p-X-phenyl)thiosemicarbazone of salicylaldehyde} (H2L ), where they are expected to bind to nickel in tridentate O,N,S-fashion were prepared. To satisfy the remaining coordination sites on the metal centre five coligands, viz. triphenyl phosphine, pyridine, imidazole, 4-pic (4-picoline) and 4,4'-byp (4,4'-bipyridine) were selected. Molecular structures of four mononuclear and one dinuclear Ni(II) complexes
determined by X-ray crystallography. The complexes have been screened for their antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli and Bacillus.
- Dr Rupam Dinda
The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool. 18 Fe-Catalyzed One-Pot Synthesis of 1,3-Di- and 1,3,5-Trisubstituted Pyrazoles from Hydrazones and Vicinal Diols
Abstract: Substituted pyrazoles are privileged structural units in many blockbuster drugs, pesticides, functional materials including optical brighteners, ultraviolet stabilizers etc. The rising usage of pyrazoles stimulates the development of new and complementary methods for their synthesis. The existing methods on synthesis of pyrazole often suffer from limitation on regioselectivity, explosive nature and sometimes multistep access of starting materials restricts their wide use. Furthermore use of expensive halides, transition metals poses the subsequent draw backs. In this context, recently we have developed an iron-catalyzed route for the regioselective synthesis of 1,3- and 1,3,5-substituted pyrazoles from the reaction of diarylhydrazones and vicinal diols. This method was found to be practical with wide substrate scope.
Ref: N. Panda, A. K. Jena, J. Org. Chem. 2012, 77,9401-9406.
Stereo selective Synthesis of Enamides by Pd-Catalyzed Hydroamidation of Electron Deficient Terminal Alkynes
Abstract: Pd-catalyzed hydroamidation of electron-deficient terminal alkynes by amides has been developed for the stereo selective synthesis of Z-enamides. The possible intramolecular hydrogen bonding between the amido proton and carbonyl oxygen of ester group provides the extra stability to the Z-isomer of vinyl-palladium complex, which subsequently undergoes protodepalladation and leads to the Z- enamide selectively. This process is found to be mild and operationally simple with broad substrate scope.
Ref: N. Panda, R. Mothkuri, J. Org. Chem. 2012, 77, 9407-9412.
- Dr N. Panda
Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow. 19 Diverse field of Organometallic chemistry: Challenges and Opportunities
Beginning of organometallic chemistry took place in the year 1760, with the synthesis of organoarsenic compound or Cadet’s “funming liquid” or “Cacodyl” by Louis Cadet
de Gessicourt and later identified by Robert Bunsen as tetramthyldiarsine (Me4As2) or its oxide (Cacodyl oxide). Thereafter, a series of development occurred with the synthesis of a variety of important organometallic compounds like Zeise salt 2 [KPtCl3( -C2H4)] in 1827, Metal alkyls in 1850-1860, binary metal carbonyls in 1890- 91 and Grignard reagent at the beginning of the 20th century. The emergence of a major application in organometallic chemistry in catalysis evolved in the first half of 20th century. Among the most important were the heterogeneous hydrogenation of
olefins using nickel by P. Sabatier, Fischer-Tropsch syngas (CO +H2) catalysis, hydroformylation of olefins by dicobaltoctacarbonyl (oxo process), Reppe’s trimerization and tetramerization of alkynes, Ziegler-Natta polymerization catalysis etc. The discovery of the first sandwich complex, ferrocene, came much later in 1951 by Pauson and Miller, which opened almost a new branch of ferrocenyl chemistry and later their application as sensors made them an important molecule in optoelectronics and biological research. Silently and without much notice, another application of organometallic was slowly evolving along with catalysis. That was the development of bioorganometallic chemistry or medicinal organometallic chemistry. Paul Ehrlich’s discovery of salvarsan for the treatment of syphilis and structural analysis of Vitamin
B12 coenzyme by D. Crowfoot-Hodgkin are the beginning of modern medicinal organometallic chemistry. Research on bioorganometallic chemistry took momentum in 1990s and now a large number of researches are concentrated on compounds like metallocenes, half-sandwich complexes, metal carbonyl complexes, gold complexes etc. for their active role in antibacterial, antimalarial, anticancer, CO releasing agents, diagonistic and other biological activities. Organometallic compounds have also been found to possess potential for their use as photosensitizers in solar cells. A lot of research is going-on on that front as well.
The man who has confidence in himself gains the confidence of others. 20
For the last five years at NIT Rourkela, we have been concentrating on two main research on organometallic chemistry, first is the synthesis of transition metal cluster for the application in catalysis and nanoparticle synthesis and the second, in the area of bio-organometallic chemistry.
In transition metal cluster two or more metal atoms are bound together by direct and substantial metal‐metal bonds to form a three dimensional polyhedral geometry. A large variety of organometallic transition metal clusters are known containing homo or hetero metal atoms, a range of terminal and bridging ligands and with numerous unique structural geometry. Transition metal cluster chemistry has gained current attention due to their properties related to catalysis, optoelectronic materials and biological processes. In the last two decades, varieties of synthetic methodology have been developed for the synthesis of metal clusters with unique structural features and properties. Recent studies have shown that several heteronuclear metal clusters have been used as precursors for nanoparticle synthesis and heterogeneous catalysis. Our studies have been focused to develop methodologies for obtaining novel mixed metal clusters of desired structural and reactivity features. However, synthesis of metal cluster is a real challenge and their stability is one of the main concern. Therefore, a bunch of different strategies has been employed to synthesise higher nuclear metal clusters. One of the strategies includes incorporation of main group atoms into transition metal clusters which plays a key role in stabilizing the bonding network in the transition metal, non-metal clusters. In addition, attaching electro-active groups like ferrocene in transition metal clusters has been one of the approaches to tune the properties of the cluster molecule. Recently, we have been focussing our studies on transition metal phosphine cluster to modify, functionalize, tune and design higher nuclear metal clusters for nano-material studies and other materialistic properties..
Molecular compounds containing organometallic tags have been found to be potential therapeutics against major diseases and can play a vital role as tracers in immunological analysis based on several analytical methods like FTIR, electrochemical, atomic absorption techniques etc. This very recent application of organometallic compounds has led to the immergence of a relatively new field of
You live longer once you realize that any time spent being unhappy is wasted. 21 bioorganometallic chemistry and is increasingly drawing much interest due to the development of a new class of organometallic compounds and their ability to play a leading role in the field of biology. The use of ferrocenyl derivatives as bioactive molecule has been established recently and several reports show that a large number of ferrocene containing compounds display interesting cytotoxic and DNA cleaving activities. These new evaluations on the biological properties of organometallic compounds are increasingly drawing much interest due to their distinctive properties and features concerning both organometallics and co-ordination chemistry. In view of the enormous opportunities in this area of bioorganometallic chemistry we have been 5 engaged in designing several [(η -C5H4R)M] based organometallic compounds and investigate their reactivity and study their biological properties. While most of the global research is concentrated on ferrocene based system, we are exploring the possibility of other Cp based organometallic fragments for their role in biological properties. Although, the opportunities in this area of biorganometallic research are vast, there are formidable challenges not only to synthesise and design organometallic compound but also to understand the mechanism of action of organometallic drugs in the biological processes.
- Dr Saurav Chatterjee
The only true wisdom is knowing that you know nothing. 22
Electrospun Nanofibers: Fabrication, Functionalization and Environmental Applications.
Summary:
Although there are many methods of fabricating nanofibers, electrospinning is perhaps the most versatile process. Materials such as polymer, composites, ceramic and metal nanofibers have been fabricated using electrospinning directly or through post-spinning processes. However, what makes electrospinning different from other nanofiber fabrication processes is its ability to form various fiber assemblies/morphologies as shown in the figure below.
In electrospinning process polymer nanofibers (with diameter 50 nm to 1µl and lengths up to meters) can be produced using an electrostatically driven jet of polymer solution (or polymer melt). These nanofibers produced are useful in a wealth of applications that include catalysis, composites, membrane separation, gas storage, energy conversion, tissue engineering, sensing, and environmental protection.
Presently, my group research activities are on the synthesis of alumina-iron oxides ceramic nanofibers by electrospinning method and its application for removal of toxic metal ions such as As, Hg, Cd, Pb etc. from aqueous stream via adsorption/ chemisorptions process. Apart from this, we are also focusing on the functionalization of hydrophobic & hydrophilic polymer nanofibers surface by metallic nanoparticles and other functional groups. These surface functionalized electrospun nanofibers membrane could be useful for decontamination of organic and inorganic contaminants and harmful microorganisms from aqueous systems.
- Dr G. Hota
Delusions of grandeur make me feel a lot better about myself. 23
Carbon Trading: Challenges and Perspective
Natural calamities like floods, hurricanes, forest fire and drought are becoming the regular practice of happening all over the globe at different period of time. The latest one is the sandy which has made havoc in USA, the mightiest country of the world. With all the modern technology and information available, the humane being could not stop the happenings of hurricanes. There may be various reasons but definitely the degradation of environment may be one of the important reasons of such natural calamities. When the degradation of environment is considered, there are issues like local, regional and global which creates problems to environment. All these problems are important parameters for environment and concerned to everybody. But when the problems related to global scale is thought, it comes the global warming which is related to many other such problems. Global warming is nothing but average increase in the atmospheric temperature. Almost everybody knows about the effect of global warming on environment and human being.
Global warming has created a new activity of trading the environmental services which basically termed as the carbon trading. This economic activity involve the buying and selling of services including the removal of greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. The element carbon is the common element in all the polluting gases which causes the global warming. Among all the greenhouse gases carbon dioxide is responsible for retaining about half of the atmospheric heat. It is known that this gas is generated primarily by burning the fossil fuel. The situation becomes worst due to deforestation along with the burning and biodegradation of biomass. The reports indicate that the concentration of carbon dioxide was 260 ppm during the pre-industrial period, but now the level is around 385 ppm. This increase in the level of carbon dioxide occurs in the last 100 years. It is also reported that in the year 2010 the emission was very high than the estimated emission. If suitable efforts are not put in this regard by the world community, then the level may reach 1000 ppm by the end of
Abundance is, in large part, an attitude. 24
current century. This situation will be very dangerous for the environment and the society. It may create havoc for the entire living creature on earth. What should be done? The solution lays in the conservation of energy, the reduction of consumption, a more equitable use of resources and equitable development and distribution of clean and renewable low impact energy sources, Than who will be doing all the above. It is definitely a herculean task and requires the involvement of everybody starting from a common man to the highest representative of the people. This cannot be done by a single or a group of country but by all the countries of the world.
Back ground of Carbon Trading: After the Kyoto Protocol cane into force on 16th February 2005, the idea of carbon trading comes in to the focus. Subsequently the idea was more focused when 191 countries have signed and ratified the protocol in September 2011. As per the agreement of Kyoto protocol, the industrialized countries have to reduce the emission of greenhouse gas by 5.2 % lower than the level of 1990 between 2008-2012.The trading is almost similar to the trading of commodities or goods in a market place. An economic value is provided to the carbon which allows the people, companies or a nation to do trading. When anybody purchased the carbon, then he got the rights legally to burn it. Similarly, when somebody is selling the carbon, then he is giving up the rights to burn. And the value of carbon is based on the ability to store it or to prevent it from releasing to the environment. Trading facilities are created to provide the rights for buying and selling of the rights to emits greenhouse gases. The nation or company who has no means to reduce the emission, they can buy the rights to emit these gases from other nation or company who produces less amount of these gases or having technology to reduce the emission. This trading is possible as the Kyoto protocol provide the provision of reducing the emission of greenhouse gases as a collective responsibility. If this trading goes well than greenhouse gases will be reduced and some countries and companies will be benefited economically. There are many contradictory ideas being floated in support and against the
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice.But in practice, there is. 25
idea. But the trading have its own merits but suggestion in various level should be incorporated from time to time as it require a compromise between profit, equality and ecology.
International trends in carbon dioxide emissions: The emission of carbon dioxide is increasing continuously even after all the provision with all the old polluter along with some new one. The figure-1 provides an idea about the increasing trend of carbon dioxide. The two most populated developing countries of the world China and India have started increasing the emission due to the economic growth. This trend will further increase in future years. It is reported that there is an increase by 2.5 % annually in the level of CO2 emissions and about two-thirds of this increase are from low and middle- income countries like India and China. The energy sector releases 80 % of the total emission and the rest 20 % credited to the agricultural sector. Coal is used as the main source of energy for electricity generation, The emission of few countries are presented in
Figure-1: Recent global mean carbon dioxide
Don't stay in bed, unless you can make money in bed. 26
Figure-2: Recent global mean carbon dioxide
Kyoto Protocol: All countries are vulnerable to climate change but the poorest countries are worst sufferer as they have little means to adopt the changes. The Kyoto Protocol is a framework of United Nations Conference on Climate Change (UNFCCC) which has resolved to mitigate the climate change due to accumulation of more greenhouse gases in atmosphere. This is an international agreement, which legally binds, developed nation to reduce worldwide emissions of greenhouse gases. The Kyoto Protocol has come up with three clear cut mechanisms to reduce the targeted emission. They are called the Kyoto mechanism. The three mechanisms are 1. Joint Implementation 2. Clean Development mechanism and 3, Emission trading
1. Joint Implementation: This mechanism provide rights to a developed or rich countries to meet the Kyoto commitment by not directly reducing the targeted amount in their own country but applying the emission reducing project or by enhancing the removal by sink in the territory of another developing countries and can count this reduction as the reduction of that implementing countries.
I find that the harder I work, the more luck I seem to have. 27
2. Clean Development mechanism: As per the provision of this mechanism governments or any company from developed countries or any other countries can set up projects in any developing countries which reduces the emission and for that they get credit as certified emission reductions (CER's) The CDM provide sustainable development in developing countries, and earn emissions credits from the investments in the projects. The process flow of CDM projects are Complicated and actual which starts with. Project Design, Letter of Approval, Validation, Registration,, Implementation & Monitoring of Project performance, Verification and Certification of achieved emission reduction, Emission Reduction Certificates and Use under CDM
3, Emission trading: It provide provision to countries to involve in international emission trading. As per the provision, countries or company can go on trading by buying and selling of reduction emission certificates best on the cost of the projects. If the cost of reduction in one country is more than that countries can meet the target by purchasing the certificates where the cost is less.
Carbon Trading: It is a system of trading in which a company or a country can meet the emission target by buying from another country or company who have the necessary certificates of reduction of emission. By doing so, a country or company allows to meet the carbon dioxide emission reduction target as per the requirement of Kyoto agreements. It is the trading of certificates representing different technique in which emission reduction targets may be fulfilled. The concerned parties can trade contractual commitments or a certificate which indicates that a fixed amount of carbon related emissions are allowed to be emitted or reduces the emission by using new technology, efficiency in energy consumption and renewable energy or by sequestration of carbon. This trading is going on as it is one of the ways of reducing the level of carbon dioxide emission with an assumption that the transaction cost involved in the trading are kept at reasonable rate. The process will be effective as the sellers have created a technique which reduces their own emission and obtained a certificate, and certainly it will be effective when it is purchased by
Everything you can imagine is real. 28
any other buyer. In fact there are two types of trading namely emission trading and project based credits trading .When both the trading are mixed than they are called hybrid trading.
Prospective: If all the signatory countries will participate in the process definitely some reduction in emission will takes place. Some countries developing countries have adopted the process of trading. Many research groups throughout the globe are working for development of technology or process for the reduction of emission. If this process will be focused by the developed or reach nation this will give a good results. As this process is the trading of first environmental services in future similar services can be extended in other polluting substances
Challenges: There are many challenges, among them the most important one is: the Kyoto protocol will be terminated this year but there is no common agreement by the member countries either extending the treaty or replacing the old one with a new one. The main reason is the conflict of interest between the developed and developing countries. But at the same time the challenges before the scientific communities is to create new technology or process to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases. We can hope to get a better future of environment and so city. This article is published to make awareness among the student to think and act to mitigate the increasing trend of global warming.
- Dr R. K. Patel
Everything you can imagine is real. 29
Atom-economic transformations towards biologically important natural products under Metal environment- A view of Molecular Gymnastics involving acetylenes Our work started with the idea of development of the polysubstituted 1,4- piperidone system in an atom-economical fashion mainly with Ruthenium catalysis. The functionalized piperidone can further be easily reduced to the desired piperidine system. The functionalized piperidine ring is one of the central core of many alkaloid natural products and thus continues to be a common moiety in pharmaceutical research. Piperidones as a whole do not comprise more of these natural products but they act as advanced intermediates for piperidine synthesis. There are many recent reviews which update the progress of stereoselective and asymmetric syntheses of substituted piperidines. There are many latest pharmaceutically important commercially important products which contain a pipyridine as a central core.
If you don't know where you're going, any road will take you there. 30
Aricept 1 (Donepezil), an acetylcholineesterase inhibitor, is currently being prescribed for Alzeimer,s syndrome. Naramig( naratriptan) 2, an antagonist of 5- HT1D and 5-HT1B has shown promise in the treatment of migraine headaches. Risperdal (Risperidone) 3,
and Serdolect 4, both nonselective 5-HT/D2 antagonists are currently being utilized in the treatment of schizophrenia. Apart from these four, there is a huge variety of piperidine natural products with an extensive range of biological activities.
Our strategy involves an interesting and unexplored approach of molecular gymnastics which acetylenes and allenes show in presence of Metal environment. - Dr Debayan Sarkar
You don’t need to win every medal to be successful. 31
Final Year
Batch Profiles
[Type text] 32
AbhijitU Nandi
PlaceU You Hail From:- U Belongs to the “cultural capital of India”, West Bengal.
AreasU of Interest:- U My realm of chemistry being in the Synthesis work in Organic Chemistry.
Internships:U - U Had an proficient acquaintance from IIT Gandhinagar.
FutureU Plans:- U To carry out an profound research in the realm of chemistry and to become an eminent scientist.
rd BestU Moment in NIT:- U the best cherishing moment in NITR so far being 3P P February, Department picnic.
OneU thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- U Haven’t experienced such stuffs that I cud change.
FavoriteU location in campus for hang-out:- U Best hangout place being the Banyan tree near the coffee shop. Where are we most likely to be found than that of our classes. Where every single person of NITR happens to put his attendance.
BestU Memory of Hostel Life:- U When memorable moments come the first thing that come to my mind is birthday cake of my friend Navin SUNIYA. It was a magnificent evening. A superb toast. Savoury dishes.
MessageU to the juniors:-MU y sincere suggestion to all my juniors is try to adore your subject. Until and unless you acquire an utmost interest and sincerity for chemistry those chemical formulas would tangentially pass across your mind.
If you are a terror to many, then beware of many. 33
ArpanU Pal
Nickname:U - U Baban
Course:U - U M.Sc. Chemistry
PlaceU You Hail From:- U Rampurhat, West Bengal
AreasU of Interest:- U Development of new organic synthetic methodology
Internships:U - U 1. IACS, Kolkata (Prof. B.C. Ranu)
2. IIT, Guwahati (Dr Bhubaneswar Mandal)
3. IACS, Kolkata (Dr Rajib Kumar Goswami)
FutureU Plans:- U Seeking PhD position in a challenging synthetic organic chemistry group.
BestU Moment in NIT:- U When I got selected for the M.Sc. dissertation project under the supervision of Dr N. Panda.
OneU thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- ItU is not possible for me but I wish there must be a good multiplex in Rourkela.
FavouriteU location in campus for hang-out:- U The Coffee shop under the roof of the big banyan tree.
BestU Memory of Hostel Life:- U Every morning I go to my class without brushing my teeth! I will never forget it.
MessageU to the Juniors:- U You all are budding chemist. I feel you have chosen to study chemistry because you are passionate about your subject. You are studying in a prestigious institute which has the reputation for the development of future leaders in science and technology of the nation. So it is expected that you should be dedicated towards your subject and you may all will be leading chemist either in academics or in industry.
Make voyages! - Attempt them! - there's nothing else... 34
AurobindoU Mohanty
Nickname:U - AuroU
PlaceU You Hail From:- U Balasore
AreasU of Interest:- MU y area of sphere includes Organometallic Catalysis
Internships:U -SummerU project at NISER (BBSR).
FutureU Plans:-toU obtain the star degree of doctorate from one the premier institutes of world.
BestU Moment in NIT:- PU icnic in 2012
OneU thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:-Rourkela,U all though is a steel city, holds an indigenous community does a clean and a green city of India needs change?
FavouriteU location in campus for hang-out:- TheU nature of the course that m pursuing bound me to fix my location in library. Can’t help!!!
BestU Memory of Hostel Life:- U If you are a part of nit...and if you haven’t enjoyed the hall day of the nit host...then dude you have seriously missed a lot of stuffs...so far my most epic moments of hostel life being the hall day.
MessageU to the Juniors:- U Don’t wait for the last time. Peak yourself up from now onwards and start practicing for GATE/NET
One should count each day a separate life. 35
BinuU Mishra
Nickname:U - U Sweety
Course:U - U M.Sc Chemistry
PlaceU You Hail From:- U Roing (Arunachal Pradesh)
AreasU of Interest:- U Singing, Dancing, Painting, gossiping with friends, reading novels.
Internships:U - U Summer internship at Vedanta Aluminium Ltd., Lanjigarh (Odisha),
2 months teaching internship at DAV school Chandrashekharpur (Bhubaneswar)
FutureU Plans:- U To do research.
BestU Moment in NIT:- U Watching movie in BBA hall.
OneU thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- U The climatic condition of Rourkela is horrible, I wish I could change it and I wish I could change the grade back system of NIT.
FavouriteU location in campus for hang-out:- U Near banyan tree, in front of BBA hall.
BestU Memory of Hostel Life:- CelebratingU new year in my room with my friends.
MessageU to the Juniors:- U Study well and prepare yourself for various competitive exams. And do hard-work, at the same time u enjoy the college life, and never miss any chance of entertainment.
Nothing is too small to know, and nothing is too big to attempt. 36
ChinmayeeU Priyadarshini
Nickname:U - U Chinu
PlaceU You Hail From:- U Hail from “silver city of Odisha” Cuttack
AreasU of Interest:- U My area of discipline includes Material synthesis based on Ionic liquid
Internships:U - U I have done my Internship programme at National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), Bhubaneswar.
FutureU Plans:- U To achieve PhD from a reputed university and dedicate my life performing research to unravel the hidden mysteries of the vast sphere of chemistry.
BestU Moment in NITR:- U Our department picnic
OneU thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- U As we all know that Rourkela the steel city hence the water quality is very poor. If I were given a chance I would try to use my chemistry skills and knowledge to change the water content and quality.
FavouriteU location in campus for hang-out:-wellU the campus of our institute happens to be outstanding and breath-taking. And one of my favourite places is the Swimming pool. Cool breeze in the summer during the night time is impeccable.
BestU Memory of Hostel Life:-birthdayU celebration happens to be the most awesome moment...and if that would be a birthday of a friend, it turns out to be more legendary. Mid-night birthday celebrations, a grand “kick” session, wishes, and a big treat. What more is required to make it memorable?
MessageU to the Juniors:- U Read well and all the best for your bright future.
A man may well bring a horse to the water but he cannot make him drink. 37
DU ibyansu Mishra
Nickname:U - U Kehsav
PlaceU You Hail From:- U Rajgangpur, Odisha
AreasU of Interest:- U Physical and Computational Chemistry.
Internships:U - U Development of visible light responsive InR2ROR3R/ZnGaR2R0R4R Composite Photo catalysis, IMMT, Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
FutureU Plans:- U To become a lecturer in a renowned university of India.
BestU Moment in NIT:- U The day when I was about to join the institute…since then, no good moment, so forget about best one.
OneU thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- U Before changing anything in Rourkela, I’d rather change the curriculum of M.Sc. courses in NITR…..
FavouriteU location in campus for hang-out:- U Hexagon
BestU Memory of Hostel Life:- U Birthday bash….not of mine for sure, but of my friends, GPL sessions.
MessageU to the Juniors:- U Don’t change yourself in the shadow of others. Be whatever you are, whether you are being praised for that or you are turning out a mid-time discussion for your faculties, or else you’ll be bugged off.
Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say and not giving a damn. 38
EetiU Chatterjee
Nickname:U - U Sona
PlaceU You Hail From:- U Hail from Rourkela
AreasU of Interest:- U Apart from chemistry, everything.
Internships:U - U I have done 2 months internship at Vedanta Aluminum Limited, Lanjigarh, Odisha on the topic of “Causticization”.
FutureU Plans:- U Nothing specific. Just want to go with the flow of chemicals.
BestU Moment in NIT:- U During a fest, when for the first time I went to the dance floor with my buddies and danced like anything. That was the best moment for me when everyone surrounding me was busy in our world famous “BATRA DANCE”.
OneU thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- U The supplied water to CVR hostel of NIT Rourkela as we are facing too much hair problems here.
FavouriteU location in campus for hang-out:- U Nescafe, Banyan tree, and the most favorite of all is Chemistry lab.
BestU Memory of Hostel Life:- U Gossiping. Gossiping and Gossiping.
MessageU to the Juniors:- U Enjoy each n every moment in NIT to the fullest.
You can cover a great deal of country in books. 39
HasanU Adib Khan
Nickname:U - U Adib
PlaceU You Hail From:- U Hails from the “steel city” Rourkela
AreasU of Interest:- U His domain includes Inorganic chemistry
Internships:U - U Summer project at IMMT(BBSR) under Dr Bankim Chandra Triphathy & currently at NITR under Dr. Usharani Subuddhi
FutureU Plans:-toU obtain the epic word “doctor” before my name from one of the renowned institutes.
BestU Moment in NIT:-AllU though i stayed here for 2 years but there are some moments that is still alive in my mind is PICNIC of 2012.
OneU thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:-RourkelaU being the most cool and happening city as per me, I don’t think it needs “change”.
FavoU urite location in campus for hang-out:- U I like spending time in and around the books...so my GPS location is always got set on library only.
BestU Memory of Hostel Life:-theU awesome memory so far i have relished fully is the hall day...the dj’s..the dance floor...the barati dance...just legendary.
MessageU to the Juniors:- U Peak yourself up from now onwards and start practicing for GATE/NET. And also try for competitive exam like UPSC etc.
The only way not to think about money is to have a great deal of it. 40
JayantiU Sravanti
Nickname:U - U Sudha
PlaceU You Hail From:- U Berhampur
AreasU of Interest:- U Nothing specific, interested in everything, I am a know all type of girl.
Internships:U - U I have done 2 months internship at Utkal University on the topic of “Effect of Cobalt precursors on Mesoporous materials”.
FutureU Plans:- U Let future come first, then I will decide. As I am not much worried regarding it.
BestU Moment in NIT:- U When for the first time I danced like ROWDI with my best buddies in the hall garden festival.
OneU thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- U Location of NIT Rourkela. As my hometown is bit far away, owing to communication menace.
FavoriteU location in campus for hang-out:- U Nescafe and my project lab.
BestU Memory of Hostel Life:- U My birthday celebration with my buddies in the hostel.
MessageU to the Juniors:- U All the best for your future.
Whoever gossips to you will gossip about you. 41
KasturiU Singh
Nickname:U - U Rinku
PlaceU You Hail From:- U Paradeep
AreasU of Interest:- U Inorganic Chemistry, especially on OLED.
Internships:U - U National Chemical Laborotary, Pune under the great guidance of Dr. Jayaraj Nithyanandhan, Senior Scientist in Physical and Material Chemistry Division.
FutureU Plans:-ToU be a good professor and to do extensive research in the field of Chemistry.
BestU Moment in NIT:-WhenU I got prize from our respected director Prof. S K Sarangi on the occasion of Foundation Day.
OnU e thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- U For now it seems to be perfect.
FavouriteU location in campus for hang-out:- U Coffee shop near banyan tree & our all- time favourite SAC.
BestU Memory of Hostel Life:- U Lot to share but memorable is the functions we attended together with our all batch mates.
MessageU to the Juniors:-DoU well and go ahead there is a long way to walk, God may full fill all your beautiful wish, that is my wish.
The wisest mind has something yet to learn. 42
KongrailatpamU Dayananda Sharma
Nickname:U - U Daya
PlaceU You Hail From:- U Hail from “Land of jewels”, Manipur
AreasU of Interest:-myU realm of chemistry includes Computational Chemistry
Internships:U - U ”Disposal of Plastic waste in RIE Campus” done in Regional Institute of Education, Bhubaneswar. Taught in Sainik School for a month
FutureU Plans:- U Be a teacher, a reader invariable in speech one exhorts the audience in developing discipline in every walk of life. I want to serve my nation by sharing my knowledge as a good teacher.
BestU Moment in NIT:- U The Day of My admission. The day I got enrolled my name in this premier institute.
OneU thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- U According to my wish I would like to remove the Open Elective course for the M.sc Students
FavouriteU location in campus for hang-out:-U Since most of my leisure pursuits includes all most all the sports so my GPS location is got to be Dilip Tirkey Stadium.
BestU Memory of Hostel Life:- U Birthday Parties and every day spent in NIT was Quite Special for me especially Friday night thinking that we are relieved from the classes for two days.
MessageU to the Juniors:- U As a senior I would like to just advice 2 all my juniors that utilize every opportunity given to u to the fullest, study hard. Whenever you have doubt then don’t hesitate to seek our faculties. And apart from the course also involve in co-curricular activities. Lastly believe in yourself and don’t waste time. All the best to everyone.
The highest courage is to dare to appear to be what one is. 43
KumariU Saroj
Nickname:U - RoseU
PlaceU You Hail From:- BokaroU (Jharkhand)
AreasU of Interest:- EnvironmentalU chemistry
Internships:U - OneU month teacher training in Demonstration Multipurpose School, Bhubaneswar
Two months training at Vedanta Aluminium Limited, Lanjigarh
FutureU Plans:- ToU work in educational field especially in rural areas in order to provide quality education to poor children.
BestU Moment in NIT:- AU prank by my friends on valentine day.
OneU thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- GoodU market facilities in nearby campus so that we do not have to travel outside the campus every time.
FavouriteU location in campus for hang-out:- NearU Bhubaneswar Behera Auditorium, especially after the class.
BestU Memory of Hostel Life:- BirthdayU Celebration of 2013
MessageU to the Juniors:- StudyU hard and get placed in renowned organisations, apart from this don’t miss this golden moment of your last studentship, enjoy it as much as you can.
The important thing is not to stop questioning. 44
MadhusmitaU Rout
Nickname:U - U Mamun
PlaceU You Hail From:- U Basanti Colony, Rourkela-12 , Sundergarh, Odisha
AreasU of Interest:- U Apart from gaining knowledge in chemistry I spend my time in Reading novels, Listening to music , Drawing sketches, etc.
Internships:U - U Summer project on “AMBIENT AIR QUALITY” at Vedanta Aluminum Limited
FutureU Plans:- U To accomplish a PhD degree and be a renowned professor rendering knowledge to students efficiently making them enhance their skills in the chemistry arena thereby benefiting them and also the country.
BestU Moment in NIT:- U Enjoying different occasions like celebrity night, spring fest etc. Which help provide recreation from the tedious study curriculum along with departmental activities like Picnic, Grand feast and so on.
OneU thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:U - I would like to change the Communication problem in the college as it acts as a barrier between the students and hinders their interaction process in spreading knowledge.
FavoU urite location in campus for hang-out:- U Nescafe & Calorie canteen are my favourite locations because I can spend the recess time hanging out there which soothes me from the tiresome theoretical schedule.
BestU Memory of Hostel Life:- U In my birthday, had lots of masti and enjoyed all hostel functions with my dear friends.
MessageU to the Juniors:- U You all are getting a great opportunity to utilize and enhance your knowledge, so use it in a better way, have fun and enjoy your life in NIT.
Fiction is obliged to stick to possibilities. Truth isn't. 45
NilendriU Rout
Nickname:U - U Pinky
PlaceU You Hail From:- U Athagarh, Cuttack
AreasU of Interest:- U Material Science
Internships:U - U Two months of summer project on “Synthesis, characterization and catalytic application of Graphene Oxide-Vanadium Phosphate(GO-VPO) Composites “ at IMMT ,BBSR.
FutureU Plans:- U I am planning to pursue PhD
BestU Moment in NIT:- U When I was selected for M.Sc. at NIT
OneU thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- U If I could, then I would like to stop pollution in Rourkela as it has beautiful natural sceneries.
FavouriteU location in campus for hang-out:- U The main road form front gate of NIT to CVR hostel after 6pm really I love the road.
BestU Memory of Hostel Life:- U Total hostel life is my best memory never going to forget it as it was my first hostel life.
MessageU to the Juniors:- U Study well, try to achieve what u want to achieve.
Our ideals are our better selves. 46
PrajnaU Mishra
Nickname:U - U Lori
PlaceU You Hail From:- U Kendra Para (also called as tulasi kshetra), Odisha.
AreasU of Interest:- U Medicinal Chemistry
Internships:U - U Tata Institute of fundamental Research(TIFR), Mumbai.
FutureU Plans:- U To achieve PhD from a reputed university and dedicate my life performing research to unravel the hidden mysteries of the vast sphere of chemistry.
BestU Moment in NIT:- U Night-outs before the exams when we all indulge ourselves in group discussions and solve the questions just moments before the exam.
OneU thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- U I would like to diminish the auto charges because the fares are too high even for minimal distances. It is also not justified that we as students squander so much money when we can adopt other frugal means.
FavoU urite location in campus for hang-out:- U The most visited place of the institute by anyone for refreshments is our canteen, which indeed is the spot where I would like to hang out.
BestU Memory of Hostel Life:- U My birthday celebration when all my friends planned it as a surprise for me .There was such a commotion in the hostel during mid- night with friends singing and shouting out wishing me for a bright life.
MessageU to the Juniors:- U Enjoy each moment to the fullest as they never come back because student life is the best stage of life to do so.
I'm not afraid of storms, for I'm learning to sail my ship." 47
PramodaU Behera
Nickname:U - U Patan
PlaceU You Hail From:- U A renowned place of religious heritage in our country, Bhubaneswar
AreasU of Interest:- U Has a passion for Inorganic chemistry.
Internships:U -TwoU months summer internships CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar, Orissa, India.
Future Plans:-To be a dedicated Lecturer and spread my knowledge in the field of chemistry
BestU Moment in NIT:- U My first day in NITRKL when my aspirations came true. I was overwhelmed with euphoria upon looking at the grandeur of the institute.
OneU thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:-ToU change the Open Elective system so that instead of preparing a subject of another branch one can as well enhance their technical skills in their own specialization.
Favorite location in campus for hang-out:- Bhubaneswar Behera Auditorium, NIT Rourkela as it offers a platform for entertainment, cultural programs and seminars which are enlightening and enjoyable.
BestU Memory of Hostel Life:- U My nostalgia recollect me of the splendid picnic in the st 1P P year when I had a great time with all my lovable friends.
MessageU to the Juniors:- U The price of success is hard work, dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand.
A single rose can be my garden... a single friend, my world. 48
PranatiU Badhai
Nickname:U - U Shyamaa
PlaceU You Hail From:- U I belong to the place which is a relish for nature lovers, Jharsuguda (Odisha)
AreasU of Interest:- U Applied chemistry, synthesize some compounds in place of fuels can be used in automobiles.
Internships:U - U IMMT,BBSR under guidance of K.M. PARIDA , worked on LDH As Photocatalyst.
FutureU Plans:- U To pursue M.Tech. at IIT and gain more knowledge in this vast field.
BestU Moment in NIT:- U Spring fest, which is an amalgamation of enthusiastic cultural activities. the other moments include our department grand dinner and teacher’s day celebrations.
OneU thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- U I wish I would introduce some high effecting pollution controlling devices in RSP and also wish to change the water quality in whole Rourkela.
FavouriteU location in campus for hang-out:- U Student Activity Centre where adequate facilities are provided for the extra-curricular activities. I also like to spend my time at our college canteen “Calorie”.
BestU Memory of Hostel Life:- U Rinu’s birthday, studying whole night at hostel gym centre, watching horror movie with friends, dancing in dj night, diwali masti, anytime photo shoot, journey to CWS hospital by ambulance.
MessageU to the Juniors:- U GOOD LUCK ...... and don’t rush after cgpa...... 7.0 is enough, study to know the thing and take the help of faculties in studies.
Change is the true result of all true learning. 49
RanjakU Behera
NU ickname:- TituU
PlaceU You Hail From:- U Udala, Baripada
AreasU of Interest:- NanoU Chemistry
Internships:U - IU have done my summer internship at R.I.E Bhubaneswar.
FutureU Plans:- ToU pursue PhD from one of the most reputed universities in the field of Nano Chemistry.
BestU Moment in NIT:- 26U June 2011, the counselling date of our batch.
OneU thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- ToU make Rourkela more clean and green as the industrial plants lead to more pollution.
FavoU urite location in campus for hang-out:- BestU location in campus for hang-out is gulmohar street and Sachin Tendulkar sports complex .
BestU Memory of Hostel Life:- CU elebrating friends birthday in the middle of the night.
MU essage to the Juniors:- U If you can imagine it, you can achieve it, if you can dream it, you can become it.
“U Are Not Resposible for What People Think about U
But U Are Responsible For What U Give Them To
Think About U”’
Silence is a source of great strength. 50
RohitU Xalxo
Nickname:U - RohitU
PlaceU You Hail From:- RourkelaU
AreasU of Interest:- InterestsU lies in chemistry and studying historical novels in free time.
Internships:U - U Summer internship at VSSUT Burla under Dr.Sukalyan Dash and currently at NIT Rourkela under Dr. Usharani Subuddhi.
FutureU Plans:- ToU do PhD in chemistry and move forward in life.
BestU Moment in NIT:- AtU picnic in 2012
One thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- Politics
Favourite location in campus for hang-out:- At Library
Best Memory of Hostel Life:- Playing cricket with friends
Message to the Juniors:- There is only one life, so do now whatever you really want to do, never follow others and choose your own path.
Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is Enlightenment. 51
Sabera Millan
Nickname:- Mili
Place You Hail From:- Keshar Pur, Cuttack.
Areas of Interest:- Painting and reading story book.
Internships:- Summer Project on “A Novel Synthesis of 10,10-Dipropargyl of Anthrone” at IIT Guwahati.
Future Plans:- To continue with PhD in Chemistry in a reputed university.
st Best Moment in NIT:- Getting First prize in 1P P year for being the departmental batch topper.
One thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- Water and communication problem in Rourkela.
Favourite location in campus for hang-out:- Coffee corner near banyan tree and Canteen, it used to be a good time pass location where we used to have chats and get togethers.
Best Memory of Hostel Life:- My Birthday celebration with my lovely friends.
Message to the Juniors:- Study well and enjoy your life in NIT style.
The journey of a thousand miles starts with one step. 52
Sagarika Behera
Nickname:- Saggy
Place You Hail From:- I hail from Cuttack which is also popularised as Silver City.
Areas of Interest:- Dancing and gardening.
Internships:- CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar.
Future Plans:- To be a successful person in my life.
Best Moment in NIT:- All moments are memorable for me.
One thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- Auto rent should be cheap for NIT students like 10 % discount at Madhuban.
Favourite location in campus for hang-out:- In front of computer science Department, especially in the grassy lawn.
Best Memory of Hostel Life:- My birthday celebration in hostel with my buddies.
Message to the Juniors:- Best of luck for your future and enjoy every moment of life.
Music in the soul can be heard by the universe. 53
Santu Nandi
Nickname:- Sanu
Place You Hail From:- Gopiballavpur (West Bengal)
Areas of Interest:- Organic Chemistry
Internships:- Pursued summer internship at the prestigious IIT Guwahti.
Future Plans:- To be a scientist
Best Moment in NIT:- NITRUTSAV where I danced and enjoyed to the utmost level.
One thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- Without spending much money on infrastructure, NITR should focus on giving placement opportunities one and all irrespective of their branch.
Favourite location in campus for hang-out:- Beside Sachin Tendulkar sports complex, as well as cricket ground.
Best Memory of Hostel Life:- Hall day and night cricket tournament.
Message to the Juniors:- Enjoy studying chemistry rather than pondering it with compulsion.
Responsibility is the price of freedom. 54
Santanu Kumar Dalai
Nickname:- Babuni
Place You Hail From:- Chilika (Ganjam, Odisha)
Areas of Interest:- Solid State Chemistry
Internships:- I have done my summer internship in ‘’Indian Rare Earth Limited’’(Ganjam)
Future Plans:- To pursue PhD.
Best Moment in NIT:- The moment after completion of semester exam
One thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- I hate beggars in society. I may try to make people self-dependent by doing some awareness programme.
Favorite location in campus for hang-out:- Best location in campus for hang-out is DTS and sometimes Hexagon.
Best Memory of Hostel Life:- Every night before exam is memorable.
Message to the juniors:-A bird sitting on branch of a tree is not afraid by the shaking branch. Because the bird trusts not branch but her wings. Believe in yourself and go ahead. Enjoy your days.
The love we give away is the only love we keep. 55
Santwana Sahoo
Nickname:- Rosy
Place You Hail From:- Jharsuguda
Areas of Interest:- Bio-inorganic and Inorganic Chemistry
Internships:- IMMT,BBSR
Future Plans:- Higher Education in chemistry. Either M.Tech or pursue Ph.D.
st Best Moment in NIT:- 1P P year picnic of our department with seniors and friends, had a great time and it was really memorable.
One thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- Nothing to be changed, for now everything seems fine.
Favourite location in campus for hang-out:- Infront of SAC
Best Memory of Hostel Life:- Last few Memorable days with my friends.
Message to the Juniors:- Work hard with patience and be a good human-being in life as it matters the most and above everything else.
Positive anything is better than negative nothing. 56
Subhasmin Rana
Nickname:- Rinki
Place You Hail From:- Tigiria
Areas of Interest:- Synthetic Biochemistry
Internships:- Two months summer project “A Convenient Nucleophilic Acyl Substitution of Amines via Activation as Corresponding 2,4,6-Trichlorobenzoic Anhydrides” in Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati,under the supervision of Dr.Bhubaneswar Mandal, Assistant professor.
Future Plans:- Want to do research in biochemistry
Best Moment in NIT:- Department grand dinner and also the department picnic.
One thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- Nothing to be changed for now.
Favourite location in campus for hang-out:- No place as I am not involved in much hang outs.
Best Memory of Hostel Life:- Garden fest in my hostel.
Message to the Juniors:- Hard labour is the key of success as well as failure is the pillar of success please do work hard and success will be in your hand. Please respect your teacher and be punctual.
We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone. 57
Sushreeta Behera
Nickname:- Silly
Place You Hail From:- Silver city Cuttack
Areas of Interest:- Listening rock music, playing guitar, watching travel shows as well as making designs from paper cuttings.
Internships:- CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar
Best Moment in NIT:- All moments are very special with my dear friends and some more memorable and nostalgic memories are awaiting us in the last few days at NITR.
One thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- M.Sc students should get all the facilities like M.Tech students and should not have open elective system.
Favourite location in campus for hang-out:- Nescafe Coffee centre and canteen where we used to idle away our time in silly and never ending gossips.
Best Memory of Hostel Life:- Watching a Korean series with all my roommates continuously for two days without any breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Message to the Juniors:- All the best for your future and enjoy your life to the fullest.
Believe you can and you’re halfway there. 58
Upasana Panda
Nickname:- Puja
Place You Hail From:- Bhubaneswar
Areas of Interest:- Specially interested in Inorganic Chemistry
Internships:- National Institute of Scientific and Educational Research, Bhubaneswar.
Future Plans:- Pursue further research in the enchanting field of chemistry, and explore, conquer and understand its vast depth.
Best Moment in NIT:- The departmental picnic, had a moment of a lifetime.
One thing in Rourkela you wish you could change:- Want to change the orthodox name of Rourkela itself and name it something more promising according to the recent scenarios.
Favourite location in campus for hang-out:- Canteen with my buddies
Best Memory of Hostel Life:- My last Birthday with my buddies.
Message to the Juniors:- The price of success is hard work , dedication to the job at hand, and the determination that whether we win or lose, we have applied the best of ourselves to the task at hand .
With self-discipline most any-thing is possible. 59
Scientific
&
Literary Articles
60
Chemistry and Computers: Friendship between
Two “C”s
After rejecting too many requests from our 2nd Yr. integrated M.Sc. student, Soumitra, I thought of writing for the first time in my life for our departmental magazine. In this write-up, in very few words I have focused how computers can be used as a tool to solve chemical problems. In my early days of Ph.D., I was totally unaware what computational chemistry belongs to. Later I came to know that it is possible to solve the chemical and physical problems using computers and the results can be correlated with the experimental findings. Surprisingly, for the first time I came to know that rather than mixing solutions in test-tubes it is also possible to mix them computationally.
In broad sense computational chemistry is based on quantum and statistical mechanics and the terms popularly related to this area are theory, modelling and computation. All of us are comfortable with the term 'theory'. Next comes 'model' which is typically “involves the deliberate introduction of simplifying approximations into a more general theory so as to extend its practical utility.” The term 'computation' is the “use of digital technology to solve the mathematical equations defining a particular theory or model.” Computational chemistry relates not only in handling problems to chemical aspects but also in writing improved algorithm to solve difficult equations, developing new ways to visualize data etc. Another very well-known term in computational chemistry is “simulation”. The technique is popularly known as computer simulations.
Simulation has dual role. It acts as 'connector' between theory and experiments. Because of such role the technique is known as 'computer experiments'. It provides a detail microscopic information of a system to macroscopic properties of experimental interests, e.g. the equation of states, transport co-efficients, order parameters etc. The information is not only of academic interest but also of technologically useful. In case of materials,
If you don't stand for something you will fall for anything. 61
sometimes experimentalists find difficulties to carry out experiments at extreme pressure and temperature but a computer simulation of material, e.g. a high-temperature plasma, a nuclear reactor etc. are perfectly feasible. Besides, in case of molecules, experimentally it is difficult to probe fast ion conduction, enzyme action etc. but can be easily obtained from a computer simulation.
In present days, in our daily life we can't think without computers. Similarly, modern advanced chemistry stops working without computers. Still people believe that chemistry is nothing but related to some reactions, mixing of solutions etc. but beyond their imagination there is some other way to explore chemistry. In this context I should mention that the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 1998 was divided equally between Walter Kohn "for his development of the density-functional theory" and John A. Pople "for his development of computational methods in quantum chemistry".
Ref: 1. Computer simulation of liquids. M. P. Allen and D. J. Tildesley. Oxford science publication.
2. Essentials of Computational Chemistry. C. J. Cramer. Wiley publication.
- Dr Madhurima Jana - Assistant Professor
Education is the key to unlock the golden door of freedom. 62
Use of Significant Figures (aka) Sig Fig in Chemistry
This is what I mostly heard not only among the chemistry graduates but also to some extent among other graduates in our campus. Therefore, it is highly essential to train our students about the importance of sig figs in their calculations and measurements.
Please remember that, in science, all numbers are based upon measurements (except for a very few that are defined). Since all measurements are uncertain, we must only use those numbers that are meaningful. Not all of the digits have meaning (significance) and, therefore, should not be written down. In science, only the numbers that have significance (derived from measurement) are written.
The objectives of this write-up are:
• Explain the concept of significant figures. • Define rules for deciding the number of significant figures in a measured quantity. • Define rules for determining the number of significant figures in a number calculated as a result of a mathematical operation. • Explain rules for rounding numbers. • Present guidelines for using a calculator. • Provide some exercises to test your skill at significant figures.
What is a "significant figure"?
The number of significant figures in a result is simply the number of figures that are known with some degree of reliability. The number 13.2 is said to have 3 significant figures. The number 13.20 is said to have 4 significant figures.
Rules for deciding the number of significant figures in a measured quantity:
He who has a 'why' to live, can bear with almost any 'how'. 63
(1) All nonzero digits are significant:
1.234 g has 4 significant figures. 1.2 g has 2 significant figures.
(2) Zeroes between nonzero digits are significant:
1002 kg has 4 significant figures, 3.07 mL has 3 significant figures.
(3) Leading zeros to the left of the first nonzero digits are not significant; such zeroes merely indicate the position of the decimal point:
0.001 oC has only 1 significant figure, 0.012 g has 2 significant figures.
(4) Trailing zeroes that are also to the right of a decimal point in a number are significant:
0.0230 mL has 3 significant figures, 0.20 g has 2 significant figures.
(5) When a number ends in zeroes that are not to the right of a decimal point, the zeroes are not necessarily significant:
190 miles may be 2 or 3 significant figures, 50,600 calories may be 3, 4, or 5 significant figures.
The potential ambiguity in the last rule can be avoided by the use of standard exponential, or "scientific," notation. For example, depending on whether the number of significant figures is 3, 4, or 5, we would write 50,600 calories as:
5.06 × 104 calories (3 significant figures)
5.060 × 104 calories (4 significant figures) or
Talent does what it can; genius does what it must. 64
5.0600 × 104 calories (5 significant figures).
By writing a number in scientific notation, the number of significant figures is clearly indicated by the number of numerical figures in the 'digit' term as shown by these examples. This approach is a reasonable convention to follow.
Rules for mathematical operations
In carrying out calculations, the general rule is that the accuracy of a calculated result is limited by the least accurate measurement involved in the calculation.
(1) In multiplication and division, the answer must contain the same number of significant figures as the term with the least number of significant figures.
Example: (16.79) (14.6) = 245.134. The answers should be reported as 245.00. Why? Because the term with the least number of significant figures = 14.6 has only 3 significant figures.
(2) In addition and subtraction, the answer must contain the same number of decimal places as the term with the least number of decimal places.
Example: 18.02 12.2 328.445 358.665
Rules for rounding off numbers
(1) If the digit to be dropped is greater than 5, the last retained digit is increased by one. For example,
12.6 is rounded to 13.
Against stupidity, the gods themselves contend in vain. 65
(2) If the digit to be dropped is less than 5, the last remaining digit is left as it is. For example,
12.4 is rounded to 12.
(3) If the digit to be dropped is 5, and if any digit following it is not zero, the last remaining digit is increased by one. For example,
12.51 is rounded to 13.
(4) If the digit to be dropped is 5 and is followed only by zeroes, the last remaining digit is increased by one if it is odd, but left as it is if even. For example,
11.5 is rounded to 12, 12.5 is rounded to 12.
This rule means that if the digit to be dropped is 5 followed only by zeroes, the result is always rounded to the even digit. The rationale for this rule is to avoid bias in rounding: half of the time we round up, half the time we round down.
- Dr Priyabrat Dash - Assistant Professor
Facts are the enemy of truth. 66
Morning
When the deep sun rays touches the earth,
And the nature looks very fresh,
With a foreword for the new race,
Morning comes without a little trace.
Butterflies with their coloring spray,
Enjoy the warmth of falling ray.
Kissing flowers once and once,
Share their love in natural way.
Morning wishes of the singing bird,
Flowers wrapped in green and gold,
Tiny dew drops on the glossy bed,
Makes the heart deep and glad.
The silence of city breaks with time.
Again being busy when the clock is nine.
The new morning is a lovely gift of God
Comes hoping hatred to be replaced by love
In the dreamt world.
- Prajna Mishra
- M.Sc. 2nd Year
If winning isn’t everything, then why do they keep score? 67
Chemistry- The King of Subjects An omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient science
Chemistry is one of the disciples of science which deals with the characteristics of substances and the changes they undergo when they are mixed with one another. It can also be defined as the science of matter and its transformation. Matter is made up of atoms and molecules. Hence, Chemistry is also well known as the science of atoms and molecules.
Chemistry is involved in some way with almost everything we do or use. It is central to most of science and technology, blending at one extreme with Physics, Mathematics and engineering and at the other into the earth and life- sciences. So Chemistry in itself is a complete science which has several branches and each branch has its own importance and significance in diverse field. Understanding Chemistry helps us in knowing the world around us. From morning till night whatever we use are the products of Chemistry, the toothpaste in the early morning, medicines, petroleum products, food stuffs, fertilizers, preservatives and synthetic fibres are all golden products of Chemistry. Everything we touch, smell or hear is a chemical.
Chemistry also provides answers to many questions which are related to our day to day life activities like -
Why laundry detergents work better in hot water?
How baking soda works?
Why not all pain-relievers work equally well on headache?
Is this food fit for consumption?
How can we develop new products from existing resources?
Thus Chemistry is a blessing for we human beings to lead a more comfortable and luxurious life.
Confidence is contagious. So is lack of confidence. 68
Knowing all the above facts about Chemistry it can be easily concluded that Chemistry is the “King of subjects”. Beauty of Chemistry lives in its ability to simplify a seemingly terrifying complex universe, where everything is constantly changing on one time scale or another, into a few fundamental principles that enable us to understand, appreciate and change our world. Thus, “Chemistry is in the entire World and the entire World is in Chemistry”.
- Gurudas Chakraborty - M.Sc. (1st year)
Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit. 69
The Periodic Table Expands Yet Again....
They exist for only seconds at most in real life, but they have gained immortality in chemistry: two new elements that have been added to the periodic table-Flerovium and Livermorium. They were earlier knwown by the temporary monikers ununquadium and ununhexium.The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry officially approved names for the elements – which sit at slot 114 (Flerovium) and 116 (Livermorium).
Both elements are man-made, what used to be element 114 is now Flerovium, honoring the Flerov Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions in Dubna, Russia, where it was created. Element 116 is now Livermorium, for the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California, home of a scientific team that participated in its creation in Dubna. The chemical symbols are Fl and Lv respectively.
The elements were created by smashing calcium ions (with 20 protons) into curium targets (which have 96 protons), combining to form element 116, Livermorium. This element decayed almost immediately into Flerovium, with 114 protons. In contrasts to more familiar elements like carbon, gold and tin, the new ones are short-lived. Atoms of 114 disintegrate within a few seconds, while 116 disappears in a fraction of a second. So, you won’t find these materials lying around. Once made, these atoms decay within seconds.
- Anurag Mohanty - Int. M.Sc. in Chem (2nd year)
Time you enjoy wasting, is not wasted. 70 The Improbable Reality
The immediate assumption one has on hearing that an academic has won the Nobel Prize is that he must always have been a brilliant and hard-working individual who was marked out for golden success. It may be tough to believe buts it’s true. Sir John Gurdon, Nobel Prize in the year 2012 in psychology/ medicine winner was very weak at science..!!
Gurdon attended Eton College, where he ranked last out of the 250 boys in his year group at biology, and was in the bottom set in every other science subject. A schoolmaster wrote a report stating "I believe he has ideas about becoming a scientist; on his present showing this is quite ridiculous. If he can’t learn simple biological facts he would have no chance of doing the work of a specialist, and it would be a sheer waste of time, both on his part, and of those who have to teach him.” Gurdon’s work was ‘far from satisfactory’. One effort ‘scored two marks out of a possible 50’. In a class of 18 at Eton College, this master placed Gurdon 18th.
Some children could neither spell, nor write grammatically, or remember the books they had been studying, was greeted with howls of outrage and even cruel. The truth is that in state schools, proper school reports are a thing of the past. The old cliché — ‘could do better’ — is no longer allowed. It’s considered too harsh for the poor dears. But the fact is that unless someone tells a young pupil that they could do better, they never will do better. They are left with the lie that they could not improve even if they tried real hard.
Indeed, many students receiving such a rebuke today would probably need counselling, or their parents would write off to a solicitor seeking redress. For his part, John Gurdon became a great scientist, not because he was a conceited, lazy boy, who thought he knew it all, when he did not. He became a great scientist when he stopped being that boy, and learned the tough lessons that his biology master wanted to teach him get your facts right, apply yourself, learn to be humble in respect of facts as well as to work hard. That which does not kill us makes us stronger. 71
Sir John B Gurdon has won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2012 for his discovery at the University of Oxford that the specialization of cells is reversible, challenging the dogma that mature cells are irreversibly committed to their fate. He wins the award jointly with Shinya Yamanaka for the discovery that mature, specialized cells can be reprogrammed to become immature cells capable of developing into all tissues of the body. ”Their findings have revolutionized our understanding of how cells and organisms develop, said the Nobel Assembly at The Karolinska Institute in a press release while announcing the Nobel award”.
Gurdon was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1971, and was knighted in 1995. In 2004, the Welcome Trust/Cancer Research UK Institute for Cell Biology and Cancer was renamed the Gurdon Institute in his honour. He has also received numerous awards, medals and honorary degrees. In 2005, he was elected as an Honorary Member of the American Association of Anatomists. He was awarded the 2009 Albert Lasker Basic Medical Research award. Gurdon's recent research has focused on elucidating the mechanisms involved in reprogramming the nucleus in transplantation experiments, including the role of histone variants, and DE methylation of the transplanted DNA.
Gurdon later had the college report framed and he told a reporter, "When you have problems like an experiment doesn't work, which often happens, it's nice to remind yourself that perhaps after all you are not so good at this job and the schoolmaster may have been right." Speaking after learning of his award in London on Monday, Sir John revealed that his school report still sits above his desk at the Gurdon Institute in Cambridge, which is named in his honour. In the words of the great researcher Chris Graham “People had talked about cloning a good deal but with John Gurdon’s work it became a reality.” Thus the true flavour of character matters more than the grades on the sheet.
- Sandeep Kesh - Int. M.Sc. in Chem. (2nd year)
We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are. 72
Temporary Storage for Electrons In a Hydrogen- Producing Enzyme
Scientists at the Max Plank Institute for Chemical energy Conversion (MPI CEC) and the Ruhr-Universidad Bochum (RUB) have found through spectroscopic investigations on a hydrogen- producing enzyme that the environment of the catalytic site acts as electron reservoir in the enzyme. Thus it can efficiently produce hydrogen, which has a great potential as a renewable energy so producing hydrogen with enzymes the system analyzed constitutes an enzyme that catalyzes the formation and conversion of hydrogen. In its center it has a double-iron core, and is therefore also called [FeFe] hydrogenase. Hydrogenases are of great interest for energy research, since they can efficiently produce hydrogen. However, new catalysts can only be developed given a deep understanding of their mode of action. In hydrogen production, two electrons get together with two protons. The research team showed that, as expected, the first electron is initially transferred to the iron centre of the enzyme. The second transfer on the other hand is to an Iron-Sulphur cluster that is located in the periphery. It thus forms a temporary storage for the second electron. This "super-reduced" state may be responsible for the extremely high efficiency of the hydrogenase. Subsequently both electrons are transferred in one step from the enzyme to the protons, so that hydrogen is generated. "Only the use of two different spectroscopic techniques made the discovery possible," says Agnieszka Adamska, a doctoral student at MPI CEC who carried out the spectroscopic studies source.
- Malpath Shraddha Kusum - Int. M.Sc. in Chem. (1st year)
Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life. 73
A Noble Discovery
Here' a look at the most amazing award in the world. Yes, we are talking about THE NOBEL PRIZE. As you must know that it is given to the most intellectual and dedicated people in the field of physics, chemistry, physiology, medicine, literature and peace. And this time the pride of receiving this astonishing award for Chemistry has gone to Brian Kobilka (Stanford) and Robert Lefkowitz (Duke) for their work on the G-Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs). So, let's make you explore the discovery made by them. GPCRs are proteins located in the plasma membrane. The name GPCR refers to a common mode of receptor signalling via GTP-binding proteins on the inside of the cell. So, they are essentially both the gatekeepers and molecular messengers of.
The cell transmits signals from inside to outside. The GPCRs are also called seven-Trans membrane (7TM) receptors. This is because like every protein they have polypeptide chain, but their polypeptide chain passes seven times through the plasma membrane which is connected by three loops, three on the intracellular side and three on the extracellular side. In this way they span the cell membrane in the form of seven Trans-membrane helices. The six loops on a GPCR are:
- Particularly floppy and they also turn out to be particularly important determinants of molecular binding. - They act as a mediator, virtually for a wide range of physiological signals, from immune system function to taste and smell. - Response to the fight-or-flight situations in humans, which are coming from outside the cell. - The signal can be a change in concentration of peptides, hormones, lipids, neurotransmitters, ions, odorants, tastants, etc., or an influx of photons to the eye. - Reactions involving other proteins, nucleotides and metal ions, which eventually deliver a message and an appropriate.
For every minute you are angry you lose sixty seconds of happiness. 74
- Cellular and physiological response. The signal can consist of an amazing variety of stimuli, from photons (light) to Neurotransmitters to hormones.
GPCRs can also exist in two states: an active state and an inactive state. Molecules that bind to these proteins come in three flavours:
i) Agonists activate the receptor.
ii) Inverse agonists completely shut it down.
iii) Antagonists prevent agonist binding but don’t shut the protein down.
A small molecule like a drug binds to one of the GPCR helices on the outside and these results in a complex series of motions of the helices that result in the dissociation of one of the G protein subunits. After dissociating, the G protein can interact with a variety of other proteins, including proteins called kinases which attach and detach phosphate groups and control cell signalling.
The end result of this process is usually the activation of a so-called second messenger, a small molecule like cyclic. The GMP (cGMP) goes into the nucleus of the cell and brings about specific gene expression and attendant physiological responses. The binding of a small agonist molecule to the protein causes a crucial movement of the helices, resulting in interactions with intracellular G proteins and transmission of the external stimulus inside the cell.
GPCRs are also immensely important in medicine and are the target of about 30% of all drugs. Naturally occurring small molecules which bind to GPCRs include adrenaline, prostaglandins, dopamine, somatostatin and adenosine. Drug-like small molecules which bind to GPCRs include caffeine, morphine, heroin and histamine.
If you can't explain it to a six year old, you don't understand it yourself. 75
This discovery has opened the way to not only a detailed dissection of the mechanism of GPCR function but also to structure-based drug design. In addition they have struck a blow to the belief that GPCRs cannot be crystallized. Most crystal structures of the GPCRs come with drugs attached to them and therefore they are invaluable starting points for designing more potent drugs with better safety profiles. The morphine-bound structures are particularly promising in this regard since finding a safe alternative to morphine has for decades been a kind of medical crusade with many corpses.
- Dipti Raj - Int. M.Sc. in Chem (1st year)
Sometimes it takes a good fall to really know where you stand. 76
REALITY BEYOND IMAGINATION!!! Cholerophobia Town:-
While people in the town of Anderslöv, Sweden were suffering from a strange epidemic of green hair! People all over started complaining that their hair was turning green. When confronted with sudden hair changes, people are inclined to blame the drinking water. Environmental hygiene engineer Johan Pettersson. He and a team took samples of the local drinking water from several houses. They immediately suspected ample amount of copper, which turns thing green. Shiny bright new COPPER piping. When the water sat overnight in the pipes, and was then exposed to heat from the water heater for showers in the morning…hello green..!! Pettersson was incredibly proud to get Ig Noble Prize in 2012 in Chemistry for solving this mystery. And became a local HERO..!
Miscibly Immiscible
We were always taught that oil and water can never mix. But recently it’s not true. Eric Adams, lecturer and senior research engineer in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and his co-investigators Scott Socolofsky and Stephen Masutani were awarded the 2010 Ig Nobel Prize in chemistry for disproving the adage that oil and water don’t mix. They demonstrated that most oil from a spill in the deep ocean, would in fact mix with water, rather than rise directly to the surface. The research for which Adams and his co- investigators won the prize was part of the Deep Spill Joint Industry Project. In these tests, oil mixed with methane was released near the seafloor at a depth of 840 meters off the coast, and monitored with an array of instruments including remotely operated vehicles. The results demonstrated what Adams and Socolofsky’s laboratory experiments conducted earlier in the project had already shown. Rather than form a simple plume that would carry the oil directly to the surface, most of the oil would mix with seawater and stratify into horizontal layers with water of the same density.
We read to know that we are not alone. 77
Test your taste..!
Japanese researchers have succeeded in making the sweet smell of vanilla come out of the last thing people could imagine -- cow dung. In a world-first recycling project, a one-hour heating and pressuring process allows cow feces to produce vanillin, the main component of the vanilla-bean extract, according to researcher Mayu Yamamoto. The vanillin extracted from the feces could be used in products such as shampoo and aromatic candles but not in food, said Yamamoto, who works for the Research Institute of the state-run International Medical Center of Japan.
Compared with usual vanilla, "this component is exactly the same but it would be difficult for people to accept it in food, given the recent rules of disclosing the origins of ingredients," she said. The production cost using dung is less than a half of making vanillin out of vanilla beans, she added. Yamamoto also awarded Ig Noble prize for this in 2007.
Swimming in syrup is as easy as in water.
It's a question that has taxed generations of the finest minds in physics: do humans swim slower in syrup than in water? And since you asked, the answer's a big NO. Scientists have filled a swimming pool with a syrupy mixture and proved it.
Edward Cussler and Gettelfinger got Ig Noble Prize in chemistry for this in the year 2005. He took more than 300 kilograms of guar gum, an edible thickening agent found in salad dressings, ice cream and shampoo, and dumped it into a 25-metre swimming pool, creating a gloopy liquid twice as thick as water. "It looked like snot," says Cussler.
The pair then asked 16 volunteers, a mix of both competitive and recreational swimmers, to swim in a regular pool and in the guar syrup. Whatever strokes they used, the swimmers' times differed by no more than 4%, with neither
Not all of us can do great things. But we can do small things with great love. 78 water nor syrup producing consistently faster times, the researchers report in the American Institute of Chemical Engineers Journal.
Statue that repelled pigeons:
If you want your statues clean (and your pigeons healthy), you just need to make them of bronze laced with arsenic. In the Kenroku garden in the city of Kanazawa, Japan, stands a statue of the legendary hero Yamato Takeru no Mikoto. There are many things to admire about the statue, but as a scientist, Professor Hirose was fascinated by how pristine the figure is. Birds rarely visit it, and seldom bestow the kind of personal gifts they often lavish on statuary. Hirose analyzed a small sample of the metal. Its composition turns out to be unusual. The alloy contains copper and lead, which are not uncommon in statues – but also another element that seems very out of place. The statue's old bronze is laced with arsenic which repelled crows and pigeons. “When I gave my lecture, the audience were killing themselves laughing. I still don’t understand what’s funny about my investigation, “said Hirose when he was awarded the Ig Noble Prize for the invention of this amazing pigeon repellant alloy.
- Sandeep Kesh - Int. M.Sc. in Chem (2nd year)
I'm not upset that you lied to me, I'm upset that from now on I can't believe you. 79
LAMENTATION FOR ILL- LEARNT LITERATES
Spoken words include what we intend to conclude
Neither hard disk of computer can encompass nor can software substitute or soften our sufferings
Parents pave ways for their offspring with great expectations
To imbibe their qualities to blossom and sustain relations
"Alas!" Parents have become partisans, baby sitters
For comfort call your dear abroad for a while
Wait for his reply, but he is a busy boy no time to smile
"Sunny, I intend to visit you for our grand lad"
"Wait, don't bother why come, set a web cam dad
"But dear would like to have that warm feeling which can’t be seen through the computer screening"
"Listen, you know this is a cold country, dad"
"Unaware of the warmer feeling though, it is sad"
What is wrong with whom, sense
The sanctity of social state is immense of so called cerebral stalwarts, human race
Lost the base, bound to face the fate
No strong lace can ever lift you up
Let only destiny undwindle and sum up
Gone were the days when literature meant to illumine
I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library. 80
Now, vague is the source to eliminate the clouds of illusion
Money could seldom straightens the relations
The cravings can never lead us for elation
Shakespeare no more sphere heads students to study stories
Milton thy name is known for homely appliances
Works of words worth weave vs. to wonder
Lost hope, find refuse to muse for men of letters
Tend to repent, mend amend and attend
They pat your back and hold your hand towards mankind
Science and sole are not disjoined fragments
One is the flower and the other is its fragrance....
- Malpath Shraddha Kusum - Int. M.Sc. in Chem (1st year)
I'm not afraid of death; I just don't want to be there when it happens. 81
Hope
Walking down on shady lanes,
Full of grief, dearth and pain,
Searching for light of hope,
Fall, that I can cope.
Unchaste soul, violent heart,
Breaking me part by part,
Loser each and every time,
No result, No victory chime.
‘Humanity is immortal,’ true words,
Killing each other with guns and swords,
M knowing nothing of dead end,
Just like destiny of desert sand.
- Nitesh Kumar Gupta - Int. M.Sc. in Chem (1st year)
Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You. 82
Hope That Makes A BIG Change In You
The Professor began his class by holding up a glass with some water in it. He held it up for all to see & asked the students “How much do you think this glass weighs?”
’50gms!’….. ’100gms!’ …..’125 Gms’ …the students answered.
“I really don’t know unless I weigh it,” said the professor, “but, my question is: What would happen if I held it up like this for a few minutes?”…. . ‘Nothing’ …..The students said.
‘Ok what would happen if I held it up like this for an hour?’ the professor asked. ‘Your arm would begin to ache’ said one of the students
“You’re right, now what would happen if I held it for a day?” “Your arm could go numb; you might have severe muscle stress & paralysis & have to go to hospital for sure!” ….. Ventured another student & all the students laughed
“Very good. But during all this, did the weight of the glass change?” Asked the professor. ‘No’…. Was the answer. “Then what caused the arm ache & the muscle stress?”
The students were puzzled. “What should I do now to come out of pain?” asked professor again. “Put the glass down!” said one of the students
The saddest aspect of life right now is that science gathers knowledge faster than society gathers wisdom. 83
“Exactly!” said the professor. Life’s problems are something like this.Hold it for a few minutes in your head & they seem OK. Think of them for a long time & they begin to ache.
Hold it even longer & they begin to paralyze you. You will not be able to do anything.
It’s important to think of the challenges or problems in your life, But EVEN MORE IMPORTANT is to ‘PUT THEM DOWN’ at the end of every day before you go to sleep…
That way, you are not stressed, you wake up every day fresh &strong & can handle any issue, any challenge that comes your way!
Moral So, when you start your day today, Remember friend to ‘PUT THE GLASS DOWN TODAY!’
- Jyoti Prasad Panigrahi - Int. M.Sc. in Chem (1st year)
It takes less time to do the thing right than to explain why you did it wrong. 84
Chocolate
You guys must be wondering what this column on chocolate has to do with the chemistry dept. Magazine. Well to be true chocolate is one such consumable chemical that has got a beautiful chemistry about itself. Our world is filled up with chocolates all around and so now’s the time to take in a dip and indulge ourselves in knowing a bit more about it.
The very word ‘chocolate’ almost has a magic about it and those who love it agree unanimously that the taste is quite definitely magical. The remarkable story of chocolate dates back to 7th century when the cocoa tree,’Theobroma Cacao’, was cultivated by the Maya civilization of Central America. This ancient civilization established a flourishing trade, even using the cocoa bean as a currency. The explorer Christopher Columbus took the cocoa bean to Spain in 1502, and Herman Cortes, who conquered Mexico for Spain, soon afterwards got an idea of what to do with this curious object when the Aztec emperor Montezuma introduced him to xocatlatl, a drink made of crushed, roasted cocoa beans and cold water. This bitter tasting brew soon evolved into something more pleasant when it was served hot with a flavouring of vanilla, spices, honey and sugar.
By the late 17th century, Europe and beyond had fallen under the spell of the ‘Hot Chocolate’ drink. But it is a 19th century Dutch chemist, Coenraad Van Houten, whom we have to thank for chocolate that we can eat. This veritable hero invented a method of producing pure cocoa butter and a hard ’cake’ that could be milled to produce cocoa powder for flavouring. Within a very short time, the chocolate industry was founded, going from strength to strength as different countries began to produce smooth, melt in the mouth chocolate bars.
Today to our delight-there is no end to the creative ways in which chocolate is used in cooking, puddings, cakes, biscuits, chilled desserts and ice-creams. They all seem to have extra appeal when they include chocolate. Nothing is impossible, the word itself says 'I'm possible'! 85
If you are one of the world’s one of the many chocoholics, then after pondering over this article for the past five minutes you would want to make a fruitful use of your next upcoming five minutes by trying to grab one chocolate and indulge yourself in its beautiful feel.
- Tathagata Kundu - Int. M.Sc. in Chem (1st year)
The difference between genius and stupidity is; genius has its limits. 86
Wake to Sleep
I wake to sleep, and take my waking slow. I feel my fate in what I cannot fear.
I learn by going where I have to go.
We think by feeling. What is there to know...... ? Waking (and sleeping) occurs under the influence of our brain’s circadian clock. The clock is called the suprachiasmatic nucleus. The nucleus is located in the hypothalamus, one on each side, deep in the brain, low behind the ear. By the shift from night to day and back to night as the earth turns. During sleep the brain energetically nixes consciousness and sensory perception .The thing about sleep, it’s involuntary. A person cannot will himself or herself to stay awake, even if life depends on it. For us mammals, sleep deprivation is torture, resulting in death if forced to continue.
Sleep starts with non-Rapid Eye Movement. At first brain waves slow down, down, down until they arrive at Delta waves, long and slow. Heart rate slows, respiration slows, blood pressure sinks. But, dreaming, we are blind. Even when researchers open a sleeper’s eyelid and place objects in front of the eyeball, the dreamer cannot see. Sleep disorders such as sleepwalking are the dangerous syndromes in which the dreamer gets out of bed and bodily enacts the dream are brain disorders.
Everyone dreams, even if everyone does not remember those dreams. During REM dreaming, the brain is more active than when awake. Neurons firing in the pons (located in the brainstem) set off REM sleep, during which the muscles are paralyzed: it is impossible to move. But the visual association areas and the limbic lobe—that seat of feeling—are active. So we have vivid dreams, at times full of feeling. Sleep turns us inward. It relieves us of cognizance and vigilance. Sleeping, we are deaf. But we may hear our being “dance from ear to ear.”
- Jyoti Prasad Panigrahi - Int. M.Sc. in Chem (1st year)
Everything you can imagine is real. 87
The Chemistry of Love……
Ah, love. In the heady days of a mutual crush, pulses race, knees go weak, and heads reel. So strong are these feelings, they’ve launched a thousand songs and poems. When you say you and a romantic partner 'have chemistry' you're right! There is a lot of chemistry involved in feeling attachment, sweaty palms, butterflies in your stomach, etc. Have you ever wondered exactly what chemicals are involved in feeling love?
Hormones converge for the people in love. We already know that falling in love is a bit like going crazy. Donatella Marazziti of the University of Pisa in Italy showed in 1999 that levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which has a calming effect, dip below normal in those who say they are in love as well as in people with obsessive compulsive disorder. Both groups spend inordinate amounts of time obsessing about something or someone.
When we fall in love, dopamine is released, making couples feel elated and energetic about each other. "That someone takes on special meaning to you and you focus on this individual because the dopamine system has been activated," says Helen Fisher, PhD, a biological anthropologist. “It is what triggers very goal oriented behaviour, where no one else matters but your new partner.” Dopamine can be present in both early-stage and long-term romantic love
Another possible ingredient in the love potion is norepinephrine. (It’s still being studied). This stress hormone increases the heart rate, and may be the reason you feel hot and flustered when that special person notices you. It also be responsible for that butterflies-in-your-stomach sensation. “It can cause that awkward feeling,” and the Sweaty palms, dry mouth as well as fumbling words.
The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a set of genes that controls cell- surface molecules, which the body uses to tell self from foreign invaders. Our bodies exude MHC levels through sweat and body odour, as well as saliva. There are a wide variety of MHC types, but they tend to more closely match in people who are related. Based on scent and taste, studies suggest we can pick up on MHC levels in other people, and it’s thought that the more you differ in MHC, the I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book. 88
stronger the attraction relationship-related obsessions aversion to particular numbers and nervous rituals.
Although testosterone is thought of as a macho hormone, it helps stoke the fire in both sexes. Oxytocin is an essential chemical that calms and bonds couples together by promoting intimacy.
Donatella Marazziti was awarded the Ig Noble Prize for the discovery that, biochemically, romantic love may be indistinguishable from having severe obsessive-compulsive disorder. Well, the next time we are with our romantic partner, it’s just more than the affectionate, caring and emotional feeling we have.
- Anonymous
Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. 89
Scientist of the Issue: Neils Bohr
The Danish physicist of the 19th century who received the first ever Peace Award(1957) also made foundational contributions in the field of Chemistry, pioneering his career with the formula for the difference of any two hydrogen energy levels. Niels Henrik David Bohr, born in Copenhagen on October 7, 1885 grew up in an atmosphere most favorable to the development of his genius mind. His father, Christian Bohr, an eminent physiologist was responsible for boosting up his intellect. He joined the Copenhagen University after his matriculation, and under the guidance of Professor C Christiansen he took his Master's degree in physics in 1909 and Doctor's degree in 1911.
In the year of 1911, he assisted Sir JJ Thompson and Professor Rutherford in their experimental work in the Cavendish laboratory at Manchester. His further analysis on the Rutherford theory of atomic nucleus made him successful in improving it. In 1913-1914, Bohr joined as a lecturer in Physics at Copenhagen University and later joined at Victoria University, Manchester. In 1916 he was appointed as the professor of Theoretical Physics at Copenhagen University and from 1920 until his death he served there as the head of Institute of Theoretical Physics. Earlier in 1912, Bohr married Margrethe Norlund. He laid the foundation for the very famous Quantum Theory. Niels Bohr proposed a model for the hydrogen atom where the negatively charged electron is attracted to the positively charged proton.
Niels Bohr's greatest contribution to chemistry was, arguably, to be the first to develop a physics-based model of the atom. He explained that how spectral series emerge. When an atom is heated up, it begins to emit energy, but only at Be careful about reading health books. You may die of a misprint. 90
particular frequencies. Bohr's activities in his Institute were more and more directed to research on the constitution of the atomic nuclei, and of their transmutations and disintegrations. He pointed out that in nuclear processes the smallness of the region in which interactions take place, as well as the strength of these interactions, justify the transition processes to be described more in a classical way than in the case of atoms.
A liquid drop would, according to this view, give a very good picture of the nucleus. This so-called liquid droplet theory permitted the understanding of the mechanism of nuclear fission, when the splitting of uranium was discovered by Hahn and Strassmann, in 1939, and formed the basis of important theoretical studies in this field.
In September 1943, Bohr entered upon a new venture, Manhattan project at Los Alamos Laboratory in New Mexico. In this project he was basically focused upon his social ethics regarding the 'nuclear arms race'. Thus, the intellectual legacy of this genius scientist was passed on after his death in 1962, in Copenhagen as a result of heart failure and was buried in Assistens Kirkegard in Copenhagen.
Among Professor Bohr's numerous writings (some 115 publications), three appearing as books in the English language may be mentioned here as embodying his principal thoughts: The Theory of Spectra and Atomic Constitution, University Press, Cambridge, Atomic Theory and the Description of Nature, University Press, Cambridge, The Unity of Knowledge, Doubleday & Co., New York.
Bohr was very much influenced by the works of Sir Albert Einstein and hence spent some of his years working with him. The discussions between Bohr and Einstein are famous all over and referred to as the Einstein-Bohr Debates.
During the Nazi occupation of Denmark in World War II, Bohr escaped to Sweden and spent the last two years of the war in England and America, where he became associated with the Atomic Energy Project. Until the end, Bohr's mind remained alert as ever. During the last few years of his life he had shown keen interest in the new developments of molecular biology. The latest formulation of his thoughts on the problem of Life appeared in his final (unfinished) article, published after his death: "Licht und Leben-noch einmal", (in English: "Light and Life revisited").
Knowing yourself is the beginning of all wisdom. 91
Chemicross
Down Across 1 Gustav Holst would have regarded this as a 2 A distributor of traffic tickets magical element. 3 Chemical element could sound bit like a famous 5 A heavy element named after Thor, Norse god London theatre. of thunder. 4 Julius Caesar would have divided into 3 parts. 5 Element belonging to the queen of fairies. 6 Twenty for a dollar 9 Element is named after Swedish village near 7 Supreme ruler of the periodic table. where it was discovered in 1878. 10 A confused ring tone. 8 A popular gift for your mom. 11 Someone who loves mp3 players, computers 12 Found in an arbor one supposes. and cell phones. 14 Don't make a meal of it unless you need 13 The messenger of the God. your insides examined. 16 The Lone Ranger's horse. 15 A gift that a man gets in trouble for. 17 What a doctor tries to do with his patients. 19 Useful when taking a dog for a walk. 18 Police protection for our security. 20 Take supper with one of the Jupiter's moon.
The Scars of others teach us caution. 92
Inquizzire
1. “Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour, Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute” – famous explanation by which scientist to explain his theory? 2. There are two elements in the periodic table whose names are directly related to Niels Bohr. One of them is the element Bohrium (At. No. - 107) named after him. Which is the other element and what is the connection of that element with Bohr? 3. I am sure the air in heaven must be this wonder working gas of delight". So wrote poet Robert Southey for this gas. It appears capable of destroying physical pain, and may probably be used with advantage during surgical operations in which no great effusion of blood takes place. This compound involves the combination of two non-metals that belongs to one period and two consecutive group of the periodic table. If u ever have been to any carnival u might have viewed a public show where the public would pay a small price to inhale a minute's worth of the gas. It even works as boost for the fast car. It is even popular agent still utilized by dentists today. Guess the gas. 4. Used as a laxative for a long time but has been stopped now due to carcinogenic concerns. Used to test blood sample along with hydrogen peroxide. It’s important as it is non-destructive. It is used in vanishing ink and some Barbie doll hair dye. But it has important scientific use very famous within us. What am I talking about? 5. Due to X’s work, X’s papers dating from the far end of the 19th century are considered too dangerous to handle. They have to be kept in lead lined boxes, and can only be handled using protective clothing. Id X. 6. The word in Homeric Greek means "pure, fresh air" or "clear sky", imagined in Greek mythology to be the pure essence where the gods lived and which they breathed, analogous to the air breathed by mortals. It corresponds to the concept of Akasha in Hindu philosophy and is linked to Brihaspati (or the planet Jupiter) and the center direction of the compass. This word and the concept it stood for was very influential in the Greek (and hence the whole) scientific world. What word? 7. X is both a philosophy and a practice with an aim of achieving ultimate wisdom as well as immortality, involving the improvement of the Xist as well as the making of
Positive attitude changes everything. 93
several substances described as possessing unusual properties. The practical aspect of X generated the basics of modern inorganic chemistry, namely concerning procedures, equipment and the identification and use of many current substances. What is X ?
8. Identify the person in the pic.
9. The first Z was held in 1911. During the fifth Z in 1927, the topic being Electrons and Protons, the following debate took place regarding Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle:
X: “______”
Y: "X, stop telling God what to do."
Id X, Y and give the quote.
10. Niels Bohr, Pierre and Marie Curie, Albert Einstein, Enrico Fermi, Ernest Lawrence, Lise Meitner, Dmitri Mendeleev, Alfred Nobel, Wilhelm Roentgen, Ernest Rutherford, Glenn T. Seaborg. Give the common link between all these scientists.
Good leaders were first great followers. 94
TRIVIA
• The lowest temperature reached in the laboratory is 7 nanokelvins, very near to absolute zero. The temperature was reached when helium was cooled to become a superfluid -- a fluid that could defy gravity.
• Mole Day is an unofficial holiday celebrated among chemists and chemistry students on October 23, between 6:02 AM and 6:02 PM making the date 6:02 10/23 in the American style of writing dates.
• The element Californium is often called the most expensive substance in the world as much as $68 million for one gram.
• When helium is cooled to a critical temperature of 2.17 K called its lambda point, a remarkable discontinuity in heat capacity occurs, the liquid density drops, and a fraction of the liquid becomes a zero viscosity "superfluid". Super fluidity arises from the fraction of helium atoms which has condensed to the lowest possible energy and it even defies gravity.
• Mosquitoes like the scent ofestrogen, hence, women get bitten by mosquitoes more often than men do.
• People used to drink radioactive water from a device called the “Revigator.” It was considered to be a healthy drink.
Practice does not make a man perfect but right practice does. 95
Solution for Chemicross
Solution for Inquizzire
1. Einstein 2. Hafnium 3. Nitrous oxide ( Laughing gas) 4. Phenolpthalein 5. Marie curie 6. Ether 7. Alchemy 8. Schrodinger 9. X: Einstien, Y: Bohr, Quote: God does not play dice. 10. Elements are named in the periodic table after their name.
Everybody is ignorant, only on different subjects. 96
Laugh-a-thon
Enthusiasm without knowledge is like running in the dark. 97
- Credits to the original sources.
It is better to be faithful than famous. 98
About Us
Chief Editor
Dr Supratim Giri
Student Editor
Anurag Mohanty (Technical)
Sandeep Kesh (Content)
Core Student Team
Samapika Mishra
Shanu Kumari
Soumitra R. Nayak
Vadla Chandurani
Helping Hands
Gurudas Chakraborty Deepti Raj Jyoti Prasad Panigrashi Malpath Shraddha Kusum
Puja Rani Prusty
Tathagata Kundu
Cover Design – Anurag Mohanty
Photographs By – Dr Supratim Giri & Anurag Mohanty