Polymer News January 2015

Volume 15, Issue 1 Polymer News January 2015

A newsletter of the Society of Polymer Science, India, Thiruvananthapuram Chapter Dr. Vasant Ranchhod Gowariker 25-03-1933 — 02-01-2015 Polymer News pays tributes to this great human being, wonderful mentor and pioneer in the fields of polymers and high energy materials, Dr. Vasant Ranchhod Gowarker who left for heavenly abode on 2nd January 2015. We dedicate this issue to the memories of that great personality

News at a glance  Dr.S.S Bhagawan, Professor, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham and SPSI life member. expired on 03-09-2014

 Dr. Vasant R. Gowariker, former Director, VSSC and former Scientific Advisor to Prime Minister, expired on 02-01-2015

 SPSI AGM on 16th January 2015. Formation Day Lecture will be deliv- ered by Prof. Bruno AMEDURI Mac- romolécular Engineering and Archi- tecture Institute, France. From the President’s Desk... In this issue: Dear Readers and Colleagues and wealth. Scientific societies of the most accomplished polymer Milestones and early life of Dr. 2 have a greater role to play in scientists, Dr. Vasant Gowarikar. Gowariker At the outset let me wish you a happy strengthening the scientific brain Equally saddening was the untimely power of the country. demise of Dr S.S. Bhagwan, a not- A Tribute to My Great Guru, Dr. 3 and prosperous 2015. Gowariker ed polymers researcher and a hard 2014 passed in no time and 2015 During the past year, The SPSI, core polymer science practitioner Tributes to Dr. Gowariker by HEMSI 5 reached us with lots of hope and ex- Thiruvananthapuram Chapter and an important resource person and MRSI pectations. Many things had hap- could initiate a new programme to of SPSI. I join all members of SPSI- Gowariker: Always a Step Ahead 6 pened during 2014 which made us motivate the young researchers of TVM in expressing our deep sorrow very proud. For example, The Man- the region by organizing a special to the families and friends of Dr. Dr. Vasanth Ranchhod Gowariker : 7 galyan and the peace Nobel to Kailash seminar, in addition to the other Gowarikar and Dr Bhagwan and bonnes mémoires Satyarthi made all Indians proud. ongoing activities. Several experts pray that their souls rest in peace. Bharat Ratna to Professor CNR Rao were invited to give lectures on Dr. Gowariker, a philosopher, a think- 7 was a moment of joy to all Indian specific topics which were well Last but not the least, I take this er and a man full of virtues scientists. However, the act of brutal attended by the members of the opportunity in thanking the editorial Tributes, memories 8 terrorism, killing innocent school chil- society and by the student commu- team and all those have contribut- nity. Several of the members of the ed to the latest volume of the SPSI- Major Publications of Dr. Gowarker 8 dren in Pakistan and vanishing of aircrafts with people on board have SPSI-T brought laurels to the socie- TVM Polymer News. I urge contin- Stimuli-Responsive Drug Delivery 9 created large wounds and pain to all ty in the form of national and inter- ued support of all members of SPSI Systems of us. Nevertheless, humanity is national recognitions. I congratu- -T to take the society to further Chapter News 12 marching towards progress in all late them for their hard work and heights. Your criticism, comments and suggestions for the improve- Awards and Honors 13 walks of life with the intervention of excellence. The executive commit- science and technology. With new tee and members of the SPSI-T put ment of the SPSI-T are most wel- Academic and technical contributions 13 government taking over, the Indian their best efforts in organizing come.

Oru rasathanthra kavitha (poem) 14 scientific community is hoping for a seminars, workshop and confer- better time in science and technology. ences. I thank all of them for their I am extremely happy to present this new volume of the Polymer Editors To cater the needs of more than 800 contributions. million people of India who live at the News to you. Dr. C. P Reghunadhan Nair, VSSC bottom of the economic pyramid, It was very unfortunate that we

Dr. C Gouri, VSSC science and technology should further recently lost one of the stalwarts of With warm regards Dr. R. S Rajeev, VSSC improve by creating new knowledge the Indian space activities and one A. Ajayaghosh. Page 2 Polymer News

Milestones of Dr. Gowariker Dr. Vasanth Ranchhod Gowariker known as ‗Father of Solid Propulsion in India‘, made valuable contributions to the fields of space research, weather and population. Above all he was a true gentleman, a perfect human being and a great leader.

 Born in Pune on 25 March 1991 to 1993. Also been the 1933 Secretary of Department of Science and Technology  Obtained M. Sc. And Ph.D in Chemical Engineering from the  Vice-Chancellor, Pune Univer- University of Birmingham, UK sity and Chairman of the Ma- rathi Vidnyan Parishad be-  Collaborated with Dr. F.H. Gar- tween 1994 and 2000 ner to create Garner-Gowarikar theory, a novel analysis of heat  Compiled The Fertilizer Ency- and mass transfer between clopedia (2008) that featured solids and fluid . 4,500 entries detailing the chemical composition of ferti-  Joined the current Indian Space lizers Research Organization in 1967.  Awarded Padma Shri in 1984 and Padma Bhushan in 2008 Dr. Gowariker being welcomed at Served as Director, VSSC 1979 On the success of SLV-3  Trivandrum Airport after the suc- to 1985 – Successful launch of  Received the Fie Foundation cessful launch of SLV-3 SLV-3 during his tenure Award Today SHAR Centre consists of Courtesy: VSSC Documentation Group 10,000 people of ISRO who are either  Scientific Advisor of Prime Min-  Expired on 2 January spiritually or physically here. The first ister P V Narasimha Rao from 2015Pune rocket from Thumba weighed 10 kg Courtesy: VSSC Library and went to 4.5 km altitude. Today Shri Kalam has been successful in sending up 17 ton vehicle to place Rohini in orbit. I am sure, under Prof. Dhawan’s leadership, ISOR will acquire capabilities to launch 4 tonne payloads in near future Courtesy: VSSC Documentation Group and VSSC Library

A meeting of Kerala Cabinet with Prof. Satheesh Dhawan, Dr. V. R. Gowariker and Shri A.P.J Abdul Kalam to congratulate ISRO on the success of SLV-3 Courtesy: VSSC Documentation Group Early life of Dr. Gowariker

Dr. Gowarikar showed keen Maharashtra. After obtaining current ISRO in 1967, thanks interest in mechanics and me- Master‘s Degree, he joined to Dr. Sarabhai who personal- chanical engineering at an early University of Birmingham, UK ly invited Dr. Gowariker to age. When he was 11, he made for his PhD. He got his PhD de- Thumba to work on solid pro- an automatic thread winding gree in just two years! pellants. The success of ISRO machine for the Charka. He got today is the testimony to the When Dr. Vikram Sarabhai and appreciation from Mahatma contributions of the two vi- Dr. Gowariker were working Gandhi‘s Secretary for this in- sionaries. together at Tata Institute of Dr. Gowariker with the then Prime vention. Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi Fundamental Research, Dr. Excerpts from https://www.manase.org/en/mahara Courtesy: VSSC Documentation Group and Dr. Gowarker did his schooling Gowariker got interested in Poly- shtra.php?mid=68&smid=23&pmid= VSSC Library and graduation from Kolhapur, mer Chemistry. He joined the 6&id=845

All photographs in this page are credited to Technology Transfer and Documentation Group, VSSC and VSSC in-house magazine, COUNTDOWN Page 3 Polymer News

A Tribute to My Great Guru, Dr. Gowariker Dr. K.N. Ninan, former Outstanding Scientist, VSSC & Emeritus Professor, IIST It was with profound grief that we heard about the sad demise of my Great Guru Dr. Gowariker under whom I started my long career in PED/ISRO and who was my PhD joint supervisor. He was a great visionary, a fine human being and a dignified person with firm commit- ment to whatever job he had undertaken. He loved all around him, who in turn adored and respected him. He laid strong foundations for the propellants and chemicals activities of ISRO, nay the entire Country. He was a great patriot who believed that the Indian youth can realize his dreams through indigenous technologies. He will live in our memories forever. We express our heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family and pray that his soul rest in the everlasting peace. On this occasion with a mixed feeling of sorrow and gratitude, I take a stroll down memory lane of my days in PED/C&M Group and share a few old photographs with Dr. Gowariker.

Early Years of PED and Vision of nical Assistants or Lab Assistants; and also the testing labs with neers. The pilot plant facility Dr. Gowariker there were only a few at the time. sophisticated equipment to for scaling up the resins devel- characterize them. The poly- oped in PED was established in The real beginning of PED was in Dr. Gowariker was a great visionary mers developed at Polymer a rented building at Karamana. 1967, when Dr. Vikram Sarabhai who realized that India can be self Complex were to be scaled up This eventually culminated in recruited Dr. Vasanth R Gowariker reliant in the critical rocket propel- and produced, for which he from UK to lead the propellant R & lant technology only with a strong "The design and engineering drawings planned a Propellant Fuel Com- D activities for Indian space pro- research base for the in-house of India’s first and the-then largest plex (PFC). Similarly, he had grammes. Dr. Gowariker proved development of the required composite solid propellant plant, dreams about in-house produc- chemicals and by having the nec- SPROB, were made by PED in its tion facilities for ammonium essary infrastructure to produce city cell at Marikar Building ... ” perchlorate and the propellant them in quantities sufficient for itself. the future rockets and satellite PFC. The design and engineer- launch vehicles. He was not keen The Engineers in PED started ing drawings of India‘s first and to acquire foreign technologies (if making the blue prints of vari- the-then largest composite at all they were available) because ous facilities as per the vision of of the strings attached to them or Dr. Gowariker. Our working Dr. Gowariker with Dr. Sarabhai & the to use imported raw materials for hours started at 8 AM and end- then Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gan- developing the propellants be- ed up at 10.30 PM on almost dhi (Feb.2, 1968). cause an embargo on such items himself as an inspiring leader with could halt the entire program. great vision and foresight and Therefore, in addition to the R & D established PED as the cradle of for developing propellants, he composite solid propellant research in India. By the time I "Dr. Gowariker was a great visionary joined PED in August, 1968, Dr. who realized that India can be self Gowariker had already estab- reliant in the critical rocket propellant lished the essential rudimentary technology only with a strong research facilities for making a small ‗00‘ base for the in-house development of the motors with a propellant mass of required chemicals ... ” Inauguration of PTL by Dr. approx. 350 g for testing the pro- Sarabhai (Dr. Gowariker behind pellants being developed. When planned a Polymer Complex, hav- Dr. Sarabhai) Prime Minister Smt. Indira Gandhi ing the R & D labs for developing visited TERLS on Feb 2, 1968 for the polymeric fuel binder and other all days. New labs and facilities its dedication to the UN, she was polymers and special chemicals started coming up and they shown the processing operations were inaugurated by Dr. of raw materials preparation, mix- Sarabhai during his visits to ing, casting and curing to make Trivandrum. Thus, the Chemi- the 00 motor. cal Analysis Lab was inaugurat- I remember the warmth with ed by Dr. Sarabhai in 1969 and the Propellant Testing Lab (PTL) which Dr. Gowariker, a handsome, The Hindu. April 25, 1969 tall and polished gentleman, the in 1970. then Head, PED received me, a 22 An experimental electrochemi- solid propellant plant, SPROB, year old ‗lad‘, when I joined PED in cal cell procured from CERI was were made by PED in its city August, 1968. He introduced me scaled up at PED, and the Am- cell at Marikar Building near to all, without exception whether The then PED building which cur- monium Perchlorate Experi- Statue Junction and the plant they were Engineers (currently rently houses the motor assembly mental Plant (APEP) at Alwaye at Sriharikotta was established designated as Sci/ Engrs), Tech- hall and burning rate lab was set up by the PED Engi- by the PED engineers. SPROB Contd. in Page 4 Page 4 Polymer News

A Tribute to My Great Guru, Dr. Gowariker ……(contd. from Page 3) The development, scale up, pro- with its indigenous machinery a polyester propellant which duction and characterisation of was a dream project of Dr. was successfully flight tested in HTPB resin and the propellant Gowariker. a ‗Dynamic Test Vehicle‘ (DTV) of RH-75 size on Feb.21, 1969. It with it is perhaps the biggest and After the sad demise of Dr. was a red letter day in the Coun- the most challenging R & D en- Sarabhai on December 31, try‘s history of accomplishing deavour undertaken by PCM 1971, Prof. Satish Dhawan took self reliance in the critical tech- Group. Today India is on par with over Chairman, ISRO and Dr. nology of composite solid propel- the space faring nations in the Publications shown to Prof Dha- Brahm Prakash the Director of lants. Thereafter, Feb.21 was critical solid propellant technolo- wan celebrated as the ‗PED day‘. gy, thanks to the visionary lead- ers like Dr. Gowariker who moti- on Polymers is a standard text True to his faith in the indige- vated us while groping in the book for thousands of students nous capability, Dr. Gowariker path of the development. The in the country and abroad and followed the path of 100% in- credit for taking the decision to his Encyclopedia on Fertilizers is housed developed propellants choose HTPB propellant for PSLV a unique one. for the SLV-3 Programme. Thus, goes to Dr. Gowariker who was The C& M Group has nurtured the ISRO polyol based solid pro- the Director, VSSC at that time. the growth of professional socie- pellant developed at PED was This momentous decision has ties in the fields of propellants chosen as the propellant for the put the country on top of the and polymers in this part of the Dr. Gowariker explaining his 10 T monolithic motor to be made at SPROB whose formal dream projects to Prime Minister "True to his faith in the indigenous inauguration was planned with Smt. Indira Gandhi and Minister capability, Dr. Gowariker followed the Mr. Sivarj Patil its static test. The static test path of 100% in-housed developed was not successful; but Dr. propellants for the SLV-3 Gowariker faced it with great Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre Programme.” (VSSC), named after the vision- courage and determination and ary founder father of ISRO. PED he told us go ahead with our with a strength of over 300 be- forward march. This led to the world map in solid propellant high energy fuel based HEF-20 Inauguration of HEMSI-TVM Chap- came too large to be retained as technology and today we are ter by Dr. Gowariker a Division, as in the case of oth- (1) propellant successfully used proud of our world class solid Country. The Trivandrum chap- er Divisions of VSSC. Thus, in the SLV-3 upper stages and motors like S-139 & S-200, the ters of High Energy Materials VSSC was reorganized in Janu- third largest solid motor in the Society of India and Society for ary, 1976 and in the first reor- world. Polymer Science, India were ganization, PED got elevated as Dr. Gowariker and his team have inaugurated by Dr. Gowariker. Chemicals and Materials Group contributed substantially to the These two local chapters are (C & M Group) with Dr. Gowarik- Indian space endeavours by perhaps the most active and the er as its Director. In 1979, developing a large number of largest local chapters in the when Dr. Gowariker became chemicals, polymers and poly- country. Director, VSSC, Mr. M. R. Kurup, mer based systems, in addition succeeded him as Director, C & Management Style of Dr. to the polymeric fuel binder and M Group. Gowariker other subsystems of solid propel- Propellants and Chemical Sys- lants and I do not venture to The management style of Dr. tems for ISRO describe all of them here. Chem- Gowariker was something worth ical related issues anywhere in emulating. He called every one Information and open literature ISRO, nay in the Country, were by the first name and we referred on making composite propel- referred to him to find elegant to him as ―Guruji‖ with great lants were scanty, the raw mate- solutions. respect. He encouraged every rials and machineries were not The maiden flight of DTV on Feb. person and every new idea. He available; but we had the benefit 21, 1969 Publications & Professional Soci- believed that every body in PED of being guided and motivated eties. was capable of doing big and he by a great visionary leader, Dr. later in ASLV also. A spin-off of Dr. Gowariker encouraged his motivated us to think big. Fail- Gowariker as Head, PED and the the polyol technology is the poly- scientists to do research, publish ures never demoralized him. undying enthusiasm and hard urethane foam. It is used for the papers in quality journals and Thus, even when ‗00‘ motors work of all in PED under his lead- production of artificial limb or to improve their qualifications were exploding on the static test ership. The initial attempts at ―Jaipur Foot‖ which benefits a which empowered them with stand (which was a common PED to develop solid propellants large number of handicapped better capability for data genera- sight in those days), he was with whatever available raw ma- people. tion and interpretation. His book terials led to the development of Contd. in Page 5 Volume 15, Issue 1 Page 5

A Tribute to My Great Guru, Dr. Gowariker ……(contd. from Page 4) catalysts. Later research work was initiated on direct catalytic thinking about a propellant plant are still green in our minds. taken with Dr. Gowariker the decarboxylation of non-edible to make big solid boosters. The Director, VSSC, when the PED vegetable oils to prepare hydro- PED motto ―to strive to seek to Dr. Gowariker pioneered in intro- team won all Kerala Safety carbon fuel with no oxygenated find and not to yield‖ was reflect- ducing the ―PED Duty Officer (DO) drama competition. products in it. I remember the ed in all his actions. The motto System‖ which gave birth to the demonstration of the space was displayed crude pilot plant to prominently every- the Space Commis- where in PED. He sion Members; an used to say ―Do ambassador car like nobody can do driven on the space better‖. crude was an item of the demonstra- Dr. Gowariker‘s tion. A US patent manpower plan- was filed for the ning, transparency process of making and consultations biohydrocarbon (US in decision making, Patent advance action for No.4,102,938). future and his PED Team who won the All Kerala Safety Drama Competition sharing the moments with Dr. Gowariker At the fag-end of concepts of multi- his illustrious life , he was head- tasking and sharing of responsi- Bio-hydrocarbon or Space DO system in VSSC. Another in- ing a project on space crude at bilities by all, laid the foundations Crude novation he introduced was the University of Pune with funding for the well-known ‗ISRO Culture‘ ‗PED Benevolent Fund‘ to be used In the late 1970s, a project from ISRO. He was a great patri- for needy colleagues in their hard- called ―Space Crude Project‖ ot and a great scientist who be- "He (Dr. Gowariker) used to say- Do ship like hospitalization. This was initiated by Dr. Gowariker lieved that science can solve the like nobody can do better” scheme developed as ‗VSSC Staff in PED to make petroleum problems of our country and the Benevolent Fund‘ currently being crude from non edible vegeta- country has sufficient potentials managed by elected representa- ble oils. He was convinced that to accomplish it. of working for a common goal and tives in VSSC. We celebrated PED had a bigger role to play in finding out collective solutions for Though a late entrant, India is ‗PED day‘ with great enthusiasm, the context the spiraling in- the problems. The ‗brain-storming today one among most well re- every year on 21st February to crease in the cost of petroleum sessions‘ of Dr. Gowariker were spected nations in the area of commemorate the launch of the crude, leading to depletion in usually held beyond normal work- space technology, and we owe a first Indian rocket with the indige- foreign exchange reserve of the ing hours and on many days at lot to Dr. Gowariker for bringing nous composite propellant devel- country. In an endeavor to find the residence of Dr. Gowariker in us to that level. oped by PED. It was an occasion an alternate fuel, the project late hours. The fond memories of for family get-together in which all started with an attempt to My salutations to the Great the tea and snacks served by could express their artistic skills. make hydrogen by splitting Guru, Dr. Vasanth R Gowariker. Mrs. Gowarier for such meetings The following photograph was water with solar energy, using Tributes to Dr. Gowariker by Thiruvananthapuram Chapters of HEMSI and SPSI The Thiruvananthapuram Chap- by police, was released without incident where Dr. Gowariker ty to undertake the project. registering a case on the re- was anxious to know from were ters of HEMSI and SPSI jointly Dr. V.N. Krishnamoorty, Shri K.S quest of Dr. Gowariker. Not only the flowers he had presented to condoled the sad demise of Dr. Sastri, Shri C.B. Kartha, Shri S. that, all the stolen items were him were purchased as he was V. R Gowariker, the doyen of solid Alwan, Shri V.J. Varkey, Dr. given to the thief by him! It was exigent that one should support propulsion technology in India. In Manorajnah Rao, Dr.Rm. Muthi- narrated that even militant head- footpath vendors rather than big a meeting held on 5th January ah, Shri V. Srinivasan, Dr.A. load workers refused to accept shop owners-a classical example 2015, many close associates as Ajayaghosh and Shri C. Sreeku- money from Dr. Gowarkier for of his human touch. Dr. S. Ara- well as those who admired him maran Nair were also shared the job they had done for him. vamuthan could feel the spirit from a distance paid tributes to their memories and adored the the great leader and human be- and enthusiasm even at his old As a tribute, Dr. K. N. Ninan re- contributions of Dr. Gowariker. ing. age when he met him to discuss leased an article on Dr. Gowarik- the biofuel related project, which Many who spoke on the occa- The quality of Dr. Gowariker as a er. Dr. C.P Reghunadhan Nair Dr. Gowarkier was undertaking sion adored his vision and re- great human being was told by told that it might take another at University of Pune. He was so search ideas which were far Mr. M.J. Vargehese of VSSC 1000 years for the rebirth of passionate about the project, sighted, making India self reli- (Rtd.) when he narrated an inci- such a personality and we can- which , according to him, would ant in many fields including dent were a thief who stole arti- not wait till then. Shri V.P. save a lot of foreign exchange energy and space. cles from his house, when caught Balagangadharan narrated an and encouraged ISRO communi- Volume 15, Issue 1 Page 6

Gowariker: Always a Step Ahead To pay tributes to Dr. V. R. Gowariker, a condolence meeting was held in Thiruvananthapuram under aegis of Thiruvananthapuram Chapters of SPSI and HEMSI. Many of Dr. Gowariker’s associates shared their memories on that occasion We reproduce with permission an article on Dr. Gowariker published by Shri V.P. Balagangadhran, Group Head (Rtd.), VSSC, in his website , www.balagangadharan.com

It was a deluge of anecdotes and ing. The PED Fund which grew ting of water into hydrogen and a lion in a video shown at the memories at the condolence into the VSSC Benevolent Fund, oxygen. inauguration of SPROB (Solid meeting held on 05-01-2015 to Countdown -- VSSC‘s in-house Dr.Gowariker was a protege of Propellant Rocket Booster remember Dr. Vasant Gowariker. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, who recruit- Plant). True to his dream, the A wonderful human being, a won- ed him from the UK. Dr. VRG PED has now grown into a ‗lion‘. derful mentor, and a great leader started propellant engineering He succeeded Dr. Brahm Pra- -- that‘s what he was for the peo- and pyrotechnic research in the kash as the second Director of ple who had the fortune of work- then Space Science and Technol- VSSC. Dr. Satish Dhawan, a ing with Dr. VRG. For others like ogy Centre(SSTC). He pioneered close associate and a tall senior the guy who broke into his house the development of solid propel- colleague of Dr. Gowariker, was in Trivandrum in early seventies, lants in the country and created then the Chairman of ISRO. he was a life changer. He was an illustrious band of scientists After leaving VSSC, he had a adored by all even outside office The author hands over a confer- and technologists for India‘s short stint at the Stanford Uni- ence kit to Dr. Gowariker and a story had gone around that rocket related programmes. But versity, on deputation from the militant headload workers for his solid propellants, ISRO ISRO. Later he served as the magazine which still chronicles would not have been what it is Secretary, Department of Sci- the successes and failures of the today. He started propellant re- ence and Technology, Scientific Center, the tree-lined avenues at search from scratch starting with "Though a fatherly figure to many, he Adviser to the Prime Minister PV VSSC -- Dr. VRG‘s legacy lives cordite. After numerous experi- treated his mentees as equals and called Narasimha Rao, and the Vice through these and many more. ments with various composite Chancellor of Pune University. them by their first names. . ” When the Civil Engineering Divi- propellant formulations, the final Even after retirement, he had a sion raised a flag to his idea of recipe using Hydroxyl Terminated lot of energy and out of the box planting avenue trees, indicating thoughts. He created the Ferti- refused to accept wages from the presence of underground lizer Encyclopedia and the Pes- him, which he had to thrust into power cables, he wrote on the ticide Encyclopedia. their pockets. file: ―Cables can be replaced‖. Even his 8am-5:30pm PED Shift No one who has known A true nationalist who believed in was accepted without a murmur. Gowariker can ever think or say indigenous technology, and the That was his charm. He did not anything but praise for the man who‘s rightfully called as the hesitate in offering a lift, even to great-handsome-gentleman- Dr. Gowariker addresses the father of India‘s solid propellant bunking employees. Of course, VSSC community scientist-administrator. He was technology, Dr. Gowariker they stopped bunking after that. a rare blend of technology, sci- breathed his last in Pune on Jan- Polybutadiene (HTPB) was cho- ence, management and humili- uary 2, 2015. He was 81. At times he found pleasure in sen as the benchmark. HTPB- ty. He was the man behind the His mentees who thronged the addressing duty officer meet- propellant provides energy for country's first monsoon forecast meeting shared vivid memories ings, sitting on a table with his ISRO‘s huge solid motors includ- model, and was famously of the early days of Propellant foot on a chair, even as Director, ing the S-200 motor used in known as the 'Father of Indian Engineering Division (PED) and VSSC -- something that would GSLV-Mk-III CARE mission. To Monsoon Model'. He started the VSSC. As someone mentioned at have got VSSC ―cool workplace‖ make resin in-house, he created National Science Day celebra- the meeting, such men are born brownies had it been today. the Propellant Fuel Complex. He tions which have come to stay. only once in a thousand years. ―Brainstorming Room‖, read the established the Ammonium Per- He was one step ahead of all. Though a fatherly figure to many, signboard outside his cabin. It chlorate Experimental Plant He kept that precedence even he treated his mentees as equals indeed was. He was a step (APEP) at Aluva to produce the in his death. He died on January and called them by their first ahead of others -- back in the much needed oxidiser. He found- 2, one day ahead of the death names. The boss who spoke with seventies he started working on ed the Polymer Complex to re- anniversaries of Dr. Brahm Pra- his arms on our shoulders, the green energy, and trying to con- search on the fine chemicals kash and Dr. Satish Dhawan, boss who treated us to coffee at vert oils from non-edible seeds needed for space research. Dr. two of his great associates, who his home, the boss who spent into biofuel. He called it space VRG made ISRO self sufficient in died on January 3, though in money from his own pocket to crude. Even after four decades, chemicals and materials. different years. reward us for our professional he believed that biofuels can successes, the boss for whom we reduce petroleum imports. Back Under him, the Propellant Engi- May his great soul rest in would work long hours without in the 1970s, much before the neering Division (PED), in his peace. cribbing -- Dr. VRG was a boss advent of fuel cell technology, he own words, "was just a cub". He that anyone would dream of hav- initiated a programme for split- envisioned the cub growing into Page 7 Polymer News

Dr. Vasanth Ranchhod Gowariker : bonnes mémoires Dr. C. Reghunadhan Nair, Group Director, VSSC down -- VSSC‘s house maga- grammes. But for his solid pro- On this occasion, with a mixed the thief ( no more a thief after) zine which still chronicles the pellants, ISRO would not have feeling of sorrow, and gratitude to who broke into his house in successes and failures of the been what it is today. He started the departed soul, I, on behalf of Trivandrum in early seventies, Center, the tree-lined avenues propellant research from the chemical community of ISRO he was a life changer. He was at 70 acre area -- Dr. VRG‘s scratch starting with cordite. pay immense homage to Dr. adored by all even outside office legacy lives through these and Now we have reached the level Vasanth Ranchhod Gowariker and a story had gone around many more. He did not hesitate of S-200 motors. To make resin who left us on 2nd January 2015 that the militant head load work- in offering a lift, even to bunk- in-house, he created the, for heavenly abode. By the pass- ers refused to accept wages ing employees. Of course, they SPROB, Propellant Fuel Com- ing away of Dr VRG, the country from him, which he had to thrust stopped bunking after that. He plex. He established the Ammo- lost the doyen of solid propulsion, into their pockets. was a step ahead of others – nium Perchlorate Experimental a great leader and an unparal- way back in the seventies, he Plant (APEP) at Aluva to produce leled visionary. The chemical com- A true nationalist who believed started working on green ener- the much needed oxidiser. He munity‘s existence and its signifi- in indigenous technology and gy, and trying to founded the Polymer Complex to cance in ISRO were made felt by the man who is convert oils research on the fine chemicals this great chemical and propellant rightfully called from non-edible needed for space research. Dr. engineer. He was a great vision- the father of "By the passing away of Dr VRG, seeds into biofu- VRG made ISRO self sufficient in ary, a fine human being and a India‘s solid the country lost the doyen of solid el. He called it chemicals and materi- dignified person with firm commit- propellant tech- propulsion, a great leader and an space crude. als. Thanks to him, most of us ment to whatever job he had un- nology, Dr. unparalleled visionary. . ” Even after four have seen the floors of VSSC. dertaken. Though, I did not have Gowariker was decades, he the fortune to get myself associat- the role model His words - Tiger is behind us, believed that biofuels can re- ed with him and thus get benefit- for the PED chaps some of To strive, to seek, to find and duce petroleum imports of ted, I have heard a lot about him whom mimics his voice even not to yield ring in our ears for India. He was busy in this ef- from the erstwhile PED colleagues now. Though a fatherly figure to ever and ever. Indeed a Great fort even when he breathed his for whom he was a god seen, a many, he treated his mentees soul with qualities seen only in last. god that wished their welfare. as equals and called them by sadhus and maharshees only. It Bosses are seldom remembered, their first names. The boss who I have learnt that Dr.Gowariker is believed that such men are revered, but VRG made an excep- spoke with his arms on their was a protégé of Dr. Vikram born only once in a thousand tion to that belief. I have seen shoulders, the boss who treated Sarabhai, who recruited him years!. But for us, it is difficult to people urging to declare them- them to coffee at his home, the from the UK. Dr. VRG started wait another thousand years for selves as close associates of VRG boss who spent money from his propellant engineering and his reincarnation. own pocket to reward them for even after a quarter century of his pyrotechnic research in the He will live in our memories leaving VSSC! their professional successes, then Space Science and Tech- forever as long as sun and the boss for whom they would nology Centre (SSTC). He pio- A wonderful human being, a won- moon are there. We express our work long hours without cribbing neered the development of derful mentor, and a great leader - heartfelt condolences to the -- Dr. VRG was a boss that any- solid propellants in the country - that‘s what Dr VRG was for the bereaved family and pray that one would dream of having. The and created an illustrious band people who had the fortune of his soul rest in the everlasting PED Fund which grew into the of scientists and technologists working with him. For others like peace. VSSC Benevolent Fund, Count- for India‘s rocket related pro- The author is thankful to Shri V.P. Balagangadharan for sharing many information on Dr. Gowariker Dr. Gowariker, a philosopher, a thinker and a man full of virtues Dr.V.V.Karunakaran, VSSC (Rtd.) away we the Space Communi- I am very much saddened by the 1972 and formed a great im- He was remarkably a philoso- ty, have lost a great human passing away of this towering pression in my mind. We en- pher, a thinker and full of being a great son of our Coun- personality greatly admired espe- joyed working under him. I was virtues. He believed that what- try and patriot. cially by the old PED lot of the deeply influenced by him learnt ever work done for Space ISRO community. We were an to be committed in all my career. must benefit humanity at large We can only pray for the de- inspired lot under him. I was fortu- He laid the foundation for in- and drove all to pursue this. parted soul and offer our heart nate to have worked under him digenization and becoming self We remember the old felt condolences to the be- from the day I joined ISRO till he reliant in Rocket Technology. I PFC/PED days when we used reaved family. We offer our left for taking up assignment as also remember my last meeting to be called to his house for humble and floral tributes. His the adviser to PM. After our train- him in 1988 when he was hand- the early completion of tar- portraits should be adorned ing from BARC when I joined ISRO ed over a few pictures of ISRO gets. I used to admire him. His and decorated and that way we I remember the first day when I Polyol Plant set up at Kuttippu- was a life of dedication and can pay respects to this leader met him at the Main Building in ram under Technology Transfer. missionary zeal. By his passing of ours. Page 8 Polymer News

Tributes Memories

He was such a towering per- A Jewel of ISRO is lost. Sad sonality! It is a great loss for to know, heartfelt condo- the Indian Scientific and en- lences. He put the founda- gineering communities. I tion of the ISRO culture fondly remember a few a few which is behind things. Though I was in RPP, he used to be friendly and its all successes. Loved by all his colleagues. Who met benevolent. My interactions him once, appreciated his with him as General Secre- tary of SEA were conducive, humane and dignified ap- though he was not for it. Duty proach. Prey officer System and & 70 Acre God bless is soul. Rest in promenade with canopy of Peace. Dr. Gowariker with Ambassador of France to India, Mr. Andre Ross at VSSC trees will ever speak of him! Dr. Desh Deepak, VSSC (Rtd.) It was a great honour and I cherish that I occupied the chair decorated by him. I am saddened to hear the Though I had opportunities to passing away of our dear Dr have become Head of any VRG. I know him for more other Division, I was adamant than 3 decades now right and patient to become Head, from the time when he was PED! my boss to much later when Maybe, Almighty wanted him he was still working on space now! I pray for his soul RIP. crude project from Pune. Dr. Gowariker with Mr. Vladimir Dr. Gowariker welcomes the then Each time I met him I was Aleksandrovich Kotelnikov, a pioneer President of India, Shri Giani Zail Singh Dr.Rm.Muthiah, VSSC (Rtd.) awed by his tireless commit- in information theory and radar to VSSC ment his love for work and astronomy his urge to contribute to society. He was my inspira- Yes, Very sad. I am tion during my early forma- shocked. I feel today as tive years as scientist at though I lost my father a VSSC till today. many things i second time in my life. My learnt from him like an mentor - Oh no - "My God". Ekalivya. My heartfelt condo- His words - Tiger is behind lences to his family. May God us, To strive, to seek, to use him more effectively with Dr. Gowariker with the then find and not to yield ring in When the then ESA Director him in heaven. Ambassador of India to USA, Shri General Mr. Erick Quistgaard our ears for ever and ever. K. R Narayanan visited VSSC Great Man. His mission on Alwan.S, VSSC (Rtd.) All photographs in this page are credited to Technology Transfer and Documen- this planet is over - and I tation Group, VSSC and VSSC in-house magazine, COUNTDOWN am sure God the Almighty wanted to give Him a bigger mission in his New Major Publications of Dr. Gowarker as Author/Co-author Abode above. 1. Rocket propellants and advanced composites and Sastri KS, VSSC (Rtd.) other chemicals for Space structural ceramics of Technology relevance to India 2. Out into space by rockets 6. Katha ISRO ki 3. Polymer Science 7. Fertilizer encyclopedia : Overviewing plant growth, 4. Inevitable Billion Plus : soil fertility, fertilizer Exploration of interconnec- chemistry, nutrient man- tivities and action possibili- agement and environ- ties mental issues 5. New materials : Focus on Volume 15, Issue 1 Page 9

“Stimuli-Responsive Drug Delivery Systems Derived from Clay, Chitosan and Superparamagnetic Iron Oxide Nanoparticles: Synthesis, Characterization and in vitro Drug Release Studies” Dr. Sandeep S, National Test House (SR), Department of Consumer Affairs, Government of India, Chennai-600113

The main problems currently rather than passive vehicle, in which although associated with the general the optimization of therapy. individually systemic distribution of thera- Several families of molecular small, ultimately peutic drugs are the lack of assemblies are employed as evoke a large drug specificity towards a stimuli-responsive drug delivery structural pathological site, the necessity systems for either passive or change in the of a large dose to achieve high active targeting. Although there material when local concentration, nonspecific are many responsive elements summed over Fig. 2. Proposed reaction scheme for the preparation of toxicity and other adverse side that can be incorporated in the whole poly- MACD-g- MPTMS/MMT effects. Current attempts to synthetic materials or modified mer. This be- solve these problems are focus- biopolymers, much of the re- havior intrinsically lends itself to groups and the clay surfaces. The ing on the use of targeted and search to date has involved pH, biomedical applications and in swelling behavior of CH was meas- controlled drug delivery system. temperature, magnetic field or this article the aim is to highlight ured in different media and found In con- light as the the merits of clay, cyclodextrin, to be maximum at pH 7.4. The re- trolled stimulus. chitosan and superparamagnetic lease profile of TCH from the drug drug deliv- Superpara- iron oxide nanoparticles based loaded MACD-g-MPTMS/MMT com- ery sys- magnetic stimuli-responsive drug delivery posites hydrogel in different pH tems, the iron oxide systems in targeted and con- buffers is shown in Figure 3. It can active nanoparti- trolled release of anticancer, be observed from the release pro- agent is cles antibiotic and protein drugs for file that the amount of drug re- released (SPIONs) bringing these materials into leased from the composites hydro- in a pre- based DDS therapeutic use. gel is higher in pH 7.4 buffer solu- designed are emerg- tions than in pH 2.4 buffer solution. Fig. 1. Schematic representation of the drug- In order to exploit the potential manner. ing as loaded superparamagnetic iron oxide nanopar- of host-guest interaction of cy- The con- promising The drug delivery results demon- ticles localization by MRI followed by the treat- clodextrin molecules and the trolled candidates strated that CH could successfully ment of the tumour either by hyperthermia or controlled release property of drug deliv- for target- deliver TCH to the colon without by the drug release sodium montmorillonite, we have ery sys- ed drug losing the drug in the stomach, and developed a novel composite tems draw increased attention delivery, due to their ultra fine could be a good candidate as an hydrogel (CH): namely, maleated due to its enhanced efficacy of sizes, biocompatibility and su- orally administrated drug delivery cyclodextrin-graftedsilylated existing potent drugs at lesser perparamagnetic behavior. In system. Results showed that the montmorillonite (MACD-g- expenses and fewer dosing the context of in vivo biomedi- prepared CH showed good biocom- MPTMS/MMT) for colon specific schedule. Controlled delivery cal applications, an ideal bio- patibility in the range 10-75 µg/ml, tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) system maintains the drug level compatible stimuli-responsive being also able to effectively stimu- drug delivery [1]. This was in the blood between the maxi- and SPIONs system is able to late cell proliferation. achieved by an intercalation 100 mum and minimum therapeutic the monitoring, the kinetics and at pH 7.4 at pH 2.4 method as follows, Figure. 2 90 pH 7.4 levels at a minimum dosage for biodistribution of the medica- n=0.5210 n=0.3601 80 k=0.1976 k=0.3031 2.4 2 2 Peppas's model an extended period of time. tion in the organism non- The CH was characterized by 70 r =0.9951 r =0.9864 Conventional delivery system invasively using MRI followed by using techniques such as Fourier 60 Temperature: 370C 50 provides fluctuated drug level in the treatment which can be transform infrared spectroscopy 40 the blood, either exceeding the made by different ways such as (FTIR), scanning electron micro- 30 20 maximum or falling below the the local drug delivery using the scope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (%) Release Cumulative 10 minimum therapeutic level, sensitive properties of the poly- (XRD). Effect of pH on the encap- 0 resulting in toxic side effects or mer and thus, preserving most sulation of TCH was studied and 0 4 8 12 16 20 24 28 Time( hours) inefficacy. A very effective way of the healthy tissues and cells found to be maximum at pH 3.0. Fig.3. Releasing profiles of TCH from the of achieving site-specific drug or hyperthermia. Figure.1 illus- The study of the surface mor- MACD-g-MPTMS/MMT at pH 2.4 and pH targeting and controlled drug trates the action of an ideal phology of CH using SEM showed 7.4, the lines are based on the fitting of delivery is by employing stimuli- magnetic system for in vivo an irregular and rough surface Peppas’s empirical model responsive polymers. The use of biomedical applications. morphology, which favors TCH A novel pH-sensitive composite stimuli-responsive drug delivery drug loading. In TCH loaded CH, As in nature, the bulk response hydrogel (CH), namely 2-Acrylamido- systems offers an interesting the shift of FTIR bands of amide I of the polymer is usually due to 2-methylpropane sulfonic acid opportunity for drug delivery and II in comparison to crystal- multiple co-operative interac- (AMPS) grafted N-maleoylchitosan where the delivery system be- line TCH suggested a strong in- tions such as progressive ioni- (MACTS) intercalated montmorillo- comes an active participant, teraction between the amide zation or loss of H-bonding, Contd. in Page 10 Page 10 Polymer News

Stimuli-Responsive Drug Delivery Systems… (contd. from page 9)

nite has been synthesized by in- that the 5-FLU loaded CH exhibit- mechanism for the preparation fitting the amount of drug re- situ intercalation graft copolymer- ed an enhanced cell inhibition is proposed. leased into Peppa‘s emperical ization of AMPS with MACTS inter- than that of pure 5-FLU. Figure. 5 equation. The characteristics of the MIP calated MMT (MACTS/MMT) by shows the cell viability using were investigated using FTIR, The primary inadequacy of using potassium persulfate (KPS) human colon cancer cells (HT- SEM, XRD and Zeta Potential chemotherapeutic drugs is their as a free radical initiator, in the 29) by MTT assay. It could be Analyses. The effects of mono- relative nonspecificity and po- presence of N,N- seen that the blank AMPS-g- mer to template ratio, cross tential side effects towards methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) MACTS/MMT has no appreciable linking density, porogen, pH and healthy tissues. To overcome as a crosslinking agent[2]. The suppressing effect. However, ionic strength on the loading of this, in this study a novel drug reaction scheme is shown in Fig- when the amount of blank AMPS- BSA into MIP were investigated. delivery system, namely, car- ure 4. g-MACTS/MMT increased from The adsorption studies showed boxymethyl chitosan capped 0.1 to A hydrophilic that MIP exhibit good recogni- superparamagnetic iron oxide 0.2 g anticancer tion for BSA, as compared to nanoparticles intercalated shows a drug, 5- non-imprinted polymer (NIP). montmorillonite nanocompo- very little fluorouracil The experimental adsorption sites (CMCS-capped- sup- (5-FLU), has isotherms of BSA onto MIP and MNP/MMT) was developed and pressing been cho- NIP were determined and well characterized by Transmission effect. sen to inves- fitted by Sips isotherm model Electron Microscopy (TEM), However, tigate the with a maximum binding capaci- Dynamic light scattering (DLS), when 25 loading and ty of 113.51 mg/g FTIR, XRD, Small-angle X-ray and 50 release for MIP and 76.39 µg of 5- properties of Fig. 4. The proposed reaction scheme for AMPS mg/g for NIP. A FLU the CH. The grafted polymerization with MACTS/MMT pseudo-second- loaded CH for- order kinetic model AMPS-g-MACTS/MMT composite mation and 5-FLU loading ability adequately de- hydrogel samples have a better of CH have been confirmed by scribed the kinetic suppressed effect than 25 and FTIR. XRD analysis supports 100 rate in comparison 0.1 g of AMPS-g-MACTS/MMT the intercalation reaction of 0.2 g of AMPS-g-MACTS/MMT to a pseudo-first- MACTS with MMT, since after 80 25 μg/mL of 5-FLU order model. In Fig. 6. The proposed reaction scheme for CMCS- 50 μg/mL of 5-FLU capped-MNP intercalation with Na-MMT intercalation reaction there is 60 25 μg/mL of 5-FLU-loaded vitro release pro- an increase in basal spacing. AMPS-g-MACTS/MMT files of model drug from the 50 μg/mL of 5-FLU-loaded

SEM image of drug loaded CH 40 AMPS-g-MACTS/MMT MIP, was investigated in physio- scattering (SAXS), Zeta poten- Cell Viability (%) Viability Cell shows a smoother surface logical buffer solution using an tial analyzer and Superconduct- 20 whereas blank CH has cracked UV/vis spectrophotometer. The ing quantum interference de- and rough surface, this reveals 0 changes in the rate of release of vice (SQUID)4. Figure 6 shows 1 the high affinity of 5-FLU to CH. Fig. 5. Cell viability of HT-29 colon BSA from the MIP were studied the proposed reaction of CMCS- cancer cells at the pH 3.4 and 7.4 capped-MNP/MMT preparation. The encapsulation efficiency of (Physiological buffer solution). CH reaches the maximum value 50 µg of 5-FLU alone. This is due The magnetic properties were The MIP showed rapid swell- of 94.0% with CH prepared using to the presence of MMT in the also characterized using an ing/deswelling dynamics in re- 4.0 g of MACTS/MMT, 1.5 g of polymer matrix, since the pres- external magnetic field. As illus- sponse to the changes of pH. It AMPS, 0.75 g of MBA and 75.0 % ence of clay mineral enhanced trated in Figure 7. without the is proved that the faster release of drug loading. Swelling profiles cellular uptake efficiency of the presence of a magnetic field, of BSA could be obtained from obtained shows that the CH polymer. The studies described CMCS-capped-MNP/MMT parti- MIP at pH 7.4. Changing the pH swelling rate increase with in- in the paper demonstrate the cles were homogeneously dis- of MIP contains medium leads creases of pH up to 6.4 and then potential viability of a pH- persed in the PBS solution. to changes in the repul- start to decrease. Release pro- sensitive CH carrier for colon sive forces exerted by files of 5-FLU from CH have been specific anticancer drugs. the carboxyl and sul- studied under both simulated A novel MIP matrix, namely pro- fonate groups, which gastric and intestinal pH condi- tein-imprinted N- results slow and fast tions. The results obtained show maleoylchitosangrafted-2- release of BSA at that the release rate of the load- acrylamido-2- pH 3.4 and 7.4, Fig. 7. Photographs of the CMCS-capped- ed drug molecules was slow at MNP/MMT nanocomposites solutions. The CMCS- methylpropanesulfonic acid poly- respectively. In ad- pH 2.4 but increased significantly capped-MNP/MMT is easily dispersed in water mer matrix (MIP) was prepared dition, the release at pH 7.4. and also can be drawn from the solution to the by using bovine serum albumin mechanism of drug sidewall of the vial by an assistant magnet field The cell viability test displayed (BSA) as a template [3] and was analyzed by Contd. in Page 11 Volume 15, Issue 1 Page 11

Stimuli-Responsive Drug Delivery Systems… (contd. from page 10)

After applying a magnetic field, stained by PI), which indicates 450C was successfully fective for tissue engineering most of the CMCS-capped- that the nanocomposite have achieved within 40 min. The or not. MNP/MMT study References particles demonstrat- were ed that 1. Anirudhan, T.S., Sandeep, drawn to CMCS- S., Divya, P.L., Synthesis and one side of capped- characterization of maleated the vial MNP/MMT cyclodextrin-grafted-silylated closer to not only a montmorillonite for the con- the perma- good delivery trolled release and colon spe- nent mag- system for cific delivery of tetracycline net after 5 DOX but Fig. 8. Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) of HeLa cells after 4 h incubation with hydrochloride, RSC Advances also minutes. coumarin 6-loaded CMCS-capped-MNP/MMT nanocomposites at 250 μg/ml concentration. (Royal Society of Chemistry, Removing The image (A) was obtained from propidium iodide (PI) channel (red), which shows the nuclei; appears London),2, 2012, 9555-9564. the mag- image (B) one was obtained from FITC channel (green), which shows the coumarin 6-loaded- to be a 2. Anirudhan, T. S., Sandeep, net, CMCS-capped-MNP/MMT, and image (C) is combined from image (A) and (B promis- S., Synthesis and characteriza- CMCS- ing strat- tion of a novel pH-controllable capped-MNP/MMT particles egy for protecting against oxida- been internalized by the cells, composite hydrogel for anti- went back to dispersed state tive injury observed in DOX in- which are located in the cyto- cancer drug delivery, New again. Effective and reversible duced cardiotoxicity, shown in plasm around the nucleus after 4 Journal of Chemistry (Royal responses to magnetic field Figure 9. h cell culture Society of Chemistry, London), were proven. 120 Conclusion 35, 2011, 2869–2876. The optimum pH value for the 110 The works reported in this arti- 3. Anirudhan, T. S., Sandeep, encapsulation of doxorubicine 100 cle is mainly devoted to the S., Synthesis and characteriza- (DOX) into CMCS-capped- synthesis, characterization, in tion of molecularly imprint- MNP/MMT was examined. The 90 vitro and controlled release ed polymer of N- controlled release behavior of 80 DOX-loaded CMCS-capped-MNP/MMT (25 μg/g) behavior of stimuli-responsive maleoylchitosan-grafted-2- DOX was examined at pH 5.0 70 DOX-loaded-CMCS-capped-MNP/MMT (50 μg/g) drug delivery systems for clini- acrylamido-2-methylpropane and 7.4. The release rate of the 60 cal administration of anticancer sulfonic acid and its controlled DOX-loaded-CMCS-capped-MNP/MMT (75 μg/g) loaded drug molecules was slow Cell Viability of H9c2 cell (%) drugs, antibiotic drugs and pro- delivery and recognition of at pH 7.4 but increased signifi- 50 tein drugs. From the results bovine serum albumin, Poly- cantly at acidic pH 5.0. The cyto- 0 24 48 72 96 120 Time (hours) obtained so far, the developed mer Chemistry (Royal Society toxicity of DOX-loaded-CMCS- 120 novel drug delivery systems of Chemistry, London), 2, capped-MNP/MMT towards 110 demonstrated the feasibility as 2011, 2052-2061. MCF-7 cancer cells was investi- 100 an efficient drug delivery sys- gated. The results showed that tem. However, it would be more 4. Anirudhan, T.S., Sandeep, DOX-loaded-CMCS-capped- 90 convincing for the clinical appli- S., Synthesis, characterization, MNP/MMT retained significant 80 cation of these drug delivery cellular uptake and cytotoxici- antitumor activities. Figure 8 70 ty of a multi-functional mag- free DOX (25 μg/mL) systems if in vivo experiments shows the confocal laser scan- 60 netic nanocomposite for the free DOX (50 μg/mL) could be done to support the ning microscopy images of HeLa 50 Cell Viability of H9c2 cell (%) existing evidences of feasibility. targeted delivery and con- cells after 4 h incubation with free DOX (75 μg/mL) 40 The biodistribution study can trolled release of doxorubicin coumarin-6-loaded CMCS- 0 24 48 72 96 120 identify how the drug adminis- to cancer cells, Journal of capped-MNP/MMT nanocompo- Time (hours) tered is distributed in the body Materials Chemistry (Royal site at 250 μg/mL concentra- Fig. 9. Results of cardiomyocyte viabil- after administration. Thus, the Society of Chemistry, London), tion, in which the image (A) was ity assay of DOX and DOX-loaded-CMCS 22, 2012, 12888-12899. -capped-MNP/MMT on H9c2 cells efficacy of drug delivery system obtained from PI channel (red), can be further evaluated. Tis- the image (B) was from FITC The effects of DOX and DOX- sue engineering utilizes hydro- channel (green), and image (C) loaded-CMCS-capped-MNP/MMT gel scaffolds for bioactive mole- was the combination of the two Dr. Sandeep S is the 2014 SPSI on H9c2 cell death were investi- cule delivery which allows for Gold Medal Award winner for the images. We can see from this gated by using microplate reader. very specific localized delivery. Best PhD Paper by SPSI Thiruvan- Figure 5.13 that the fluores- The heating characteristics of the So, future work needs to be anthapuram Chapter cence of the coumarin-6-loaded magnetic nanocomposites were done to establish whether the CMCS-capped-MNP/MMT nano- investigated in a high frequency prepared novel molecularly composite (green) is closely alternating magnetic gradient; a imprinted hydrogel is most ef- located around the nuclei (red, stable maximum temperature of Page 12 Polymer News

Chapter News Polymer Conference for Young Researchers-PCYR-14 In keeping with its tradition of self-assembly of photore- scaffolds, which is a new gen- organizing unique activities sponsive co-ordination eration template for cardiac beneficial to academic and polymers while the topic revitalization. Shri Raneesh student communities, a novel of Kum. Dhanya Augus- Konnola of IIST gave a talk on form of Conference was orga- tine of VSSC was covalent integration of poly- nized by SPSI Thiruvanantha- ―Mechanistic and Kinetic mers on carbon nanofillers for puram Chapter. It is Polymer Aspects of Propargyl- improving fracture toughness Conference for Young Re- mediated curing of Phtha- of epoxy nanocomposites . searchers (PCYR-14). The Con- lonitrile Resin‖. Smt. Par- More than 30 posters from ference was intended to pro- vathy J of Department of M.Sc, M.Phil and Ph.D stu- mote polymer research among Chemistry, University of dents were presented in the the young and sprouting re- Kerala talked on function- second session of the Confer- Release of the Souvenir searchers within India. The alized polysaccha- ence. Three posters were se- Conference gave young re- ride/clay formulations as lected as Best Posters and searchers a unique opportuni- novel drug carriers for Certificates were distributed to ty, first in their career, to deliv- potential applications in the award winners. Kum. er invited lecturers to an au- myocardial infarction, Sheeba Alexander, Depart- gust audience. asthma, diabetes, hyper- ment of Chemistry, University tension and antimicrobial The Conference was attended of Kerala, , Shri S. Ramakrish- infections . The topic of by more than 100 students na, VSSC and Shri S.S. presentation of Smt. Invited speakers delivering the lectures and researchers from both Vaisakh, Material Science and Deepalekshmi Ponnam- within and outside Kerala. Dr. Technology Division, CSIR- ma of Mahatma Gandhi C.P Reghunadhan Nair, Group NIIST. received the Best Post- University, Kottayam was Director, VSSC gave an in- er Awards ―A solvent sensor from formative keynote address on natural rubber carbon The overwhelming response of polymers and space research. nanotube nanocompo- the Conferences prompted the 6 researches were invited to site‖ whereas Shri Finosh Chapter to continue the Con- give talk on their research G T of SCTIMST, Thiruvan- ference in coming years there- Best Poster award winners receive certificates from findings as part of their Ph.D anthapuram spoke on by giving opportunity to the Dr. A. Ajayaghosh. From left to right: Kum. Sheeba the topic alginate- Alexander; Shri Ramakrishna S and Shri S.S. work. Shri Rahul Dev Mukho- researchers to present papers Vaisakh padhyay of NIIST, Thiruvanan- polyester co-macromer as invited speakers. thapuram spoke on mesoscale based chimeric hydrogel Prof. Pulickel Ajayan Felicitated It was yet another moment of where he spoke on the ap- A.Ajayaghosh, President, joy for all the SPSI members plications of various SPSI-Thiruvananthapuram when the Thiruvananthapuram nanolayers on energy stor- Chapter, Dr. Oommen V. Chapter joined hands with Ma- age and related applica- Oommen, President, KAS, terials Research Society of tions. He described his re- Dr. V. Sreenivasan, Presi- India (MRSI), Kerala Academy search on carbon nanolay- dent, HEMSI and Dr. T.D.P of Sciences (KAS) and High ers such as graphene and Rajan, MRSI spoke on the Energy Materials Society of inorganic nanolayers based occasion and felicitated India (HEMSI) to felicitate one on boron nitiride. He spoke Dr. Ajayan. of the pioneers in materials on nanotechnology enabled Prof. Ajayan delivers the talk Dr. Ajayan congratulated research, Prof. (Dr.) Pulickel energy storage devices the chapters in their active M.Ajayan, who visited Thiruvan- (battery, supercapacitor and role in promoting science anthapuram on August 2014. hybrid devices), nanocom- among youngsters and Dr. Ajayan is the Professor in posites, layered materials, actively took part in the Department of Materials Sci- 3D nanostructured materi- interaction session. A me- ence and Nanoengineering, als, and smart material mento was presented to Rice University, USA. . systems Prof. Ajayan on behalf of Professor Ajayan talked in de- Members of HEMSI, MRSI, all the societies . tail on the research on materi- KAS and SPSI in large num- Shri V. Srinivasan, President, HEMSI Thiruvanantha- als science with atomic layers ber attended the talk. Dr. puram Chapter presents a memento to Prof. Ajayan Volume 15, Issue 1 Page 13

Awards and Honors (July-December 2014)

 Dr. A. Ajayaghosh, NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram has been awarded the Indian Society of Analytical Scientists (ISAS) National Award for Excel- lence in Science and Technology.

 Dr. A Ajayaghosh shared the annual award instituted by the Third world academy of sciences (TWAS) in chemistry with Dr. Chung-yuan Mou of Department of Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.

 Dr. Roy Joseph and Mr. C.V. Muraleedharan, SCTIMST, Trivandrum have won the fourth National Award for the Technology Innovation in Petro- chemicals & Downstream Plastic Processing Industry under the category ‗Polymers in Public Health Care‘ . They received the award for the development of ―Fluoropolymer Coated and Hydrogel Sealed Vascular Graft Implant."

 Dr. T S Anirudhan and team, Department of Chemistry, University of Kerala, have received four Best Paper Prize Awards in various national/ international conferences.  Dr T S Anirudhan has been nominated as (I) Dean, Faculty of Science, University of Kerala (II) Co-ordinator of Inter University Center for Ad- vanced Materials Research (III) Chairman of the ‗Admission Monitoring Committee‘ for admission to all PG and M.Phil degree courses (IV) Chairman of the Committee for Students Grievance Redressed Cell, University of Kerala.

 Dr. Bhoje Gowd, NIIST, Thiruvananthapuram and team have won two Best Paper Awards in national/international conferences.

 Smt. K.Indulekha, VSSC won Best Paper Award in the 2nd Indian International Symposium on Fluorine Chemistry (IISFC-2014) held at IICT, Hyderabad and National Seminar on Frontiers in Polymers and Advanced Materials (FPAM-2014) organized by Department of Chemistry, Uni- versity of Kerala.

 Smt. Sandhya C.P, VSSC, has won Best Paper Award in the National Seminar on Recent and Emerging Advances in Chemical Science", 8-9 January, 2015, Trivandrum Academic and Technical Contributions of Chapter Members (July-December 2014)

Technical support for National Seminar  Thiruvananthapuram Chapter extended technical support to the National Seminar on Frontiers in Polymers and Advanced Materials (FPAM- 2014) organized by Department of Chemistry, University of Kerala during 5-7 November 2014. Many of the SPSI members have given invited talks and contributed papers. Book Chapters/Review papers  Dr. T.S. Anirudhan, J. Nima, and P.L. Divya, ―Synthesis and characterization of a sulfonyl-terminated polymer-grafted-magnetic nanocellulose and its application as a pH-responsive antibiotic drug carrier for the controlled delivery of ciprofloxacin‖ Cellulose-Based Graft Copolymers: Structure and Chemistry (Taylor & Francis Group) 2014  "Lithium titanate as anode material for lithium-ion cells: A Review", Sandhya. C.P., Bibin John, Gouri. C, Ionics, 2014. Publications in international journals Seminars/talks organized during July-December 2014  Dr. C.P Reghunadhan Nair and team, VSSC, published 18 papers.  Dr. T S Anirudhan and team, University of Kerala, published 15 papers.  Polymer Conference for Young Researchers (PCYR-14) on 18-10-  Dr. J.D Sudha and team, NIIST, published 15 papers . 2014  Dr. Santhosh Kumar KS and team, VSSC, published 5 papers.  ―Particle Diffusion in Colloid Gels‖ , Dr. Dominique Durand, Re-  Dr.A.R.R Menon and team, NIIST, published 2 papers search Director Emeritus, UMR CNRS – University of Maine,  Smt. Temina Mary Robert and team, VSSC, published 2 papers France, on 26-10-2014 Presentations in national/international conferences  ―Chemical Modification of High Performance Polymers by Click  Dr. C.P. Reghunadhan Nair and team have presented 25 papers/posters. Chemistry‖ , Dr. Prakash P Wadgaonkar, Chief Scientist, CSIR- NCL, Pune on 07-11-2014  Dr. T S Anirudhan and team have presented 27 papers/posters.  ―Functional Materials from Renewable Resources: The Sustainable Patents Approach‖, Dr. KI Suresh, Sr. Scientist, IICT Hyderabad on 07-11-  Dr. C.P.Reghunadhan Nair and team filed/submitted 8 Indian patents. 2014. Popular Articles  C.P.Reghundhan Nair, Polymer Technique, Mathrubhumi newspaper,Vidyapage, vol 30, 21 August 2014  C.P.Reghundhan Nair , ―രസതന്ത്രം നമുക്കു ചു앍റം”(Rasathnthrathiram Namukku Chuttum), , Balarama Digest (Malayala Manorama), exclusive volume,pp 1-50, Nov 15-22, 2014.

 Dr. A Jayakrishnan, ―Free Science from Oligarchy‖, opinion in The New Indian Express, December 1, 2014.

The above lists are incomplete. Please provide details of the awards, honors, achievements and publications of Chapter members to publish in the Newsletter. Please send the details to [email protected] A newsletter of the Society of Polymer Science, India, Thiruvananthapuram Chapter Please contact: Shri R. Muraleekrishnan, Manager, Project Engineering and Productionization Facility, Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram-695022. Phone: 0471-2563658 (O), 9446387517 (M). Fax: 0471 2563013 Email: [email protected]; [email protected]

Please visit our website at www.spsitvm.org for updated information on Chapter activities, latest research findings on polymers etc.

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Condolences Superannuation SPSI Thiruvananthapuram Chapter deeply mourns the sad demise of Prof. (Dr.) S.S Bhagawan, who was one of the active members of the Society right from its inception. Before joining the Coimbatore campus of Amrita School of Engineering, Prof. Bhagawan was working as Scientist at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Thiruvananthapuram. Prof. Bhagawan expired on 3rd September 2014. Our condolences to the bereaved family

Dr.A.G. Rajendran, Group Director, VSSC, superannuated from service on 30th November 2014. SPSI wishes Dr. Rajendran a happy, prosperous and purposeful retired life. Hope that Dr. Rajendran can spend more time in the activities of SPSI during their retired life.

SPSI Thiruvananthapuram Chapter Officer bearers—2014-‘16

President : Dr. A. Ajayaghosh (Director-grade Scientist, NIIST) Vice President : Prof. (Dr.) T.S. Anirudhan (University of Kerala) Secretary : Shri R. Muraleekrishnan (VSSC), Treasurer : Dr. R.S. Rajeev (VSSC), Joint Secretaries : Dr. Roy Joseph (SCTIMST) and Dr. J.D. Sudha (NIIST) Executive Committee : Dr. C.P. Reghunadhan Nair, VSSC; Dr. C. Gouri, VSSC; Dr. Kuruvila Joseph, IIST; Dr. Santhosh Kumar, RGCBT; Dr. Bhoje Gowd, NIIST; Dr. Benny K George, VSSC; Dr. Satheesh chandran, VSSC; Dr. M Sreejith, VSSC; Dr. Abhi Aprem Santhosh, HLL; Shri Thakur S Raunija, VSSC

Published by SPSI Thiruvananthapuram Chapter. Editorial Committee—Dr. C.P Reghunadhan Nair (VSSC); Dr. C Gouri (VSSC) and Dr. R.S. Rajeev (VSSC)