March 30, 2011
School of Engineering, Bengaluru
This month of March saw distinguished research scientists from institutions such as IISc Bengaluru, IIT Madras, IIT Guwhati, BARC and DRDL come together at the Amrita School of Engineering (ASE) in Bengaluru for the National Symposium on Shock Waves.
Organized by the Department of Mechanical Engineering, in association with the Society for Shock Wave Research (India) and the Department of Aerospace Engineering, IISc, Bengaluru, the symposium attracted over 110 delegates, some from the farthest reaches of the country.
Shock waves have many useful applications; indeed the research of Dr. Rakesh S. G., Associate Dean, ASE, focuses on the use of shock waves to administer therapeutic drugs without the use of hypodermic needles or syringes. However, recently the world witnessed a devastating impact of a massive shock wave, when it resulted in the Japanese tsunami following an earthquake.
To pay their respects to those deceased in the tsunami, all symposium participants observed a minute of silence after the formal inauguration with the lighting of the lamp.
Welcoming the gathering, Dr. Rakesh introduced Dr. Satish Kumar, Director, Terminal Ballistics Research Laboratory, Chandigarh, who delivered the key note address.
Invited talks followed. Scientists shared their perspectives on emerging facets of research in shock waves.
Detailed discussions were conducted on topics such as Study of Materials under Intense Shock Dynamic Loading, Heat Transfer and Force Measurement Studies in Hypersonic Flows and Shock Wave Based Therapeutic Devices.
More discussions centered around Unimolecular HF Elimination of Monofluorodimethylether and 1,2-difluorodimethyl- ether in the Temperature Range of 800-1500K and Stress Analysis of Hydrogen Recombiner Test Chamber (HRTC) for Shock Load due to Internal Explosion.
The final presentation of the day focused on the phenomenon of the tsunami and its impact on civilization.
The symposium concluded with a valedictory function wherein speakers and session chairs were felicitated. An evening cultural program presented by a troupe invited by the campus Spicmacay chapter enthralled delegates.
Most delegates chose to stay back on the following day for a visit to the Laboratory for Hypersonics and Shock Wave Research at the Indian Institute of Sciences. Amrita faculty from the Department of Mechanical Engineering accompanied the delegates.
