The International Conference on “Advances in Chemical and Physical Sciences (ICACPS – 2023)” held at the School of Physical Sciences, Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Mysuru Campus on May 18th and 19th, 2023, came to a successful conclusion. The two-day event brought together renowned researchers, industrial delegates, and students for a comprehensive exchange of knowledge.
The conference kicked off with a welcome ceremony on its first day, followed by an inaugural speech delivered by Prof. K. S. Rangappa, the former Vice Chancellor of the University of Mysore and Karnataka State Open University, is currently serving as the president of the Indian Science Congress Association. During his address, Prof. Rangappa shared valuable insights on scientific research and emphasized the importance of collaboration among scientists from diverse backgrounds in interdisciplinary research areas. The inaugural session of the conference was also attended by Br. Anantaananda Chaitanya, Director of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham Mysuru Campus, Br. Muktidamrta Chaitanya, Correspondent, Dr. G Ravindranath, Principal, and Dr. Shekar Babu, Associate Dean.
The first technical talk was delivered by Prof. Konrad Szaciłowski from AGH University of Science and Technology, Kraków, Poland. Prof. Szaciłowski introduced the concept of ‘Memristive devices’ and presented his ground-breaking idea on the creation of artificial neurons and synapses using light and electric currents. He also highlighted India’s potential as a growing nation with ample opportunities for scientific ventures.
Dr. Abhishake Mondal from the Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru, gave a talk on ‘Switchable Magnetic Materials’ and discussed their applications in data storage devices. Dr. Mondal shared his research on molecules with intriguing magnetic properties for memory storage devices.
Dr. Vinod T P from CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, focused on the modification and composites of Carbon Dots for sensing applications. He discussed the photophysical and fluorescent properties of Carbon dots and different approaches for their synthesis from biomolecules and natural starting materials.
Dr. T. Pavan Kumar from CSIR-Institute of Minerals & Materials Technology, Bhubaneswar, enlightened the audience on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) in academic research. He emphasized the significance of patenting research findings and provided deeper insights into the concept of IPR.
The second day began with a talk by Prof. Nishanth N Nair from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, who discussed techniques for studying chemical reactions at the atomic scale through computer simulations. He shared his research group’s contributions to the development of efficient simulation techniques for understanding real-life chemical phenomena.
Dr. Sarana Sommano from Chiang Mai University, Thailand, delivered a lecture on the recovery of value-adding components from Agro-food biomass. She presented various approaches to develop valuable components from biomass and shared her contributions to the field, including the application of flavonoids in pharmaceutical production.
Dr. Raghavendra Shetty from Nutrisukan Biotech Private Limited, Bengaluru, spoke about the applications of nanotechnology in medicine and healthcare. He highlighted the use of nanoparticles in products developed by his organization, including a chip-based device for monitoring radiology information in patients.
Following the technical talks, students from various institutions across the country, including Amrita students, participated in a poster presentation competition. The posters were evaluated by Prof. Konrad Szaciłowski and Dr. Shobith Rangappa, Director of Adichunchanagiri Institute for Molecular Medicine, who provided valuable feedback and suggestions to the presenters.
The captivating cultural event, featuring the traditional classical performing arts of the country and presented by talented students, was well received by the international delegates.
The conference concluded with a Valedictory ceremony, featuring a Presidential address by Dr. G Ravindranath, Principal of Amrita Vishwa Vidyapetham, Mysuru campus. The ceremony included the recognition of the best posters with cash prize, and participants, guests, and invited speakers expressed their appreciation for the event’s organization.