Regional Research Laboratory, 

Bhubaneswar (Orissa)

 

 

Regional Research Laboratory, Bhubaneswar (Orissa), India set up in 1964 is a premier establishment of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research. The Laboratory specializes in providing R&D support base for process and product development with special emphasis on conservation and sustainable utilization of natural resources. Over the year, the institution has created scientific capabilities in wide spectrum of areas. Today it has a number of technology oriented multidisciplinary programmes, ranging from mining to mineral processing, metal extraction to material characterization, process engineering to pollution control, marine & forest products utilization to medicinal & aromatic plants cultivation, by products utilization to bio-leaching, to mention a few.

The Laboratory undertakes externally funded projects and offers know-how, feasibility reports, analysis and testing facilities, consultancy and technical information services and human resource development in its various R&D Divisions.

Relating to the above areas of research are :

The Laboratory :

ADVANCED MATERIALS DIVISION

The Advanced Materials Division is engaged in synthesis of new materials using advanced technologies. Many structural and functional materials in bulk, powder as well as in the form of coatings have been successfully prepared. In view of the great scope and importance of plasma technology in metallurgy and materials science, activities have been initiated on development of plasma reactors for processing of industrially important materials. Development of extended Arc Plasma Reactors for melting & smelting, reactors for inflight processing of power materials, plasma flash evaporation and condensation and development of torch type plasma reactors are some of the major achievements. 

Thermal plasma reactors have been used for investigations on smelting of ore fines, melting and alloying, dissociation of minerals etc. The division is also equipped with a R.F. glow discharge unit for the synthesis of advanced materials like diamond and diamond like carbon.The division has successfully completed projects in the area of high purity Materials, specially cast iron (SG), industrially important carbides (SiC, WC, TiC), Oxide(ZrO2) and ferro alloys. Also carried out projects. 

EXPERTISE
The division has expertise in the area of metallurgy and materials science with emphasis on plasma metallurgy, advance ceramics processing and composites development. The manpower comprises exports from disciplines like metallurgy, mechanical, chemical, physical and materials science. 

Plasma synthesis of industrially important refractory carbides such as fused WC, SiC, TiC, NbC, B4C etc. 
Plasma processing of zircon and production of zirconia based products. 
Production of ferro alloys by plasma smelting of ores. 
Plasma melting, refining and alloying of metals including ladle treatment for removal of sulphur and phosphorus. 
Plasma processing of ilmenite. 
Preparation of fine, ultrafine and nanometric powers (SiC, WC, AIN, Al2O3, ZrO2 etc.) by thermal plasma and other advanced techniques. 
Production of colloidal graphite and molybdenum disulphide for tribological applications. 
Preparation of transparent conducting SnO2 films, polymer, DLC and metal nitride films. 
Preparation of metal matrix particulate composites. 
Pollution monitoring control and environment impact assessment. 
Utilization of chemical, metallurgical and mineral wastes for preparation of value added products. 

FACILITIES 
35 and 50 kW DC extended arc plasma reactors for smelting and melting studies 
50 kW DC non-transferred extended arc plasma reactor for in-flight processing 
Reactor with 100 kW plasma torch for melting and smelting studies 
Plasma fiash evaporation unit for ultrafine power synthesis. 
100 kW plasma melting unit for refractory carbides. 
Laboratory model plasma CVD unit for deposition of films 
Bridgman furnace, BCG-365 crystal growth unit for directional solidification 
Molybdenum SiC and Kanthal furnaces for high temperature melting and heat treatment. 
Vacuum coating unit with electron beam evaporator and flash evaporator for deposition of thin films 
Characterisation facilities like resistivity, dielectric and magnetic properties 
Physical testing equipments like Universal Testing Machine, hardness testing machine, compression testing unit etc. 
Laboratory model spray drier unit 
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer 
High volume air sampler 
High pressure, high temperature autoclave reactor 
Facility for carrying out studies on synthesis of advanced materials, plasma processing of materials and development of high performance materials for component reliability. 
Basic Research 

Plasma synthesis of SiC from rice husk. 
Vapour phase synthesis of ultrafine SiC and its derivatives. 
RF plasma systhesis of conducting polymeric thin films. 
RF plasma CVD of diamond and like carbon coatings. 
Preparation of gem grade zirconia. 
Preparation of WC composites from tungsten scrap. 
Structure property relations in nanostructured materials. 
Studies on preparation of building blocks from earth mud/red mud. 
Development of zircon based colour pigments. 
Studies on structural, optical and electrical properties of semiconducting films. 

AROMATIC & MEDICINAL PLANTS
The division undertakes plant survey of Orissa region for sustainable utilisation of the natural plant resources and introduction of industrially important aromatic, medicinal and other economic plants and development of agrotechnology for their commercial cultivation in Orissa region. 

OBJECTIVES 
Suevey and ethno-botanical studies of aromatic, medicinal and other economic plants 
Maintenance and establishment of herbarium 
Development of agro-technology and package of practices for commercial cultivation of aromatic 
Medicinal and other economic plants, plant improvement through conventional breeding and biotechnology 
Mass scale propagation of economic plants through biotechnology and conventional vegetative propagation methods 
Utilisation of solid wastes for agricultural uses 
Training to trainers for popularisation of cultivation of aromatic, medicinal and spice plants 

EXPERTISE
Plant resources survey : Floristic survey, Ethnobotany, Survey of potential medicinal and other economic plants, Phytochemical screening, Herbarium of the plants of Orissa.

Agrotechnology : Cultivation of aromatic, medicinal and other economic plants (Palmarosa, Lemongrass, Citronella, Patchouli, Ocimum, Cinnamon, Kewda, Ambrette, Cola nitida, Vetiver, Catharanthus roseus, Rubber, Simarouba and fast growing tree species). 

Plant introduction and improvement 
Drought and Saline tolerance 
Wasteland utilisation. 
Promotion of Commercial cultivation of promising crops: Provide technical know-how, supply of planting material of improved genotypes, organise training courses.

Tissue culture: Improvement and micropropagation of selected economic plants, in vitro biosynthesis of useful chemical compounds and providing know-how for setting up Tissue culture laboratory.

Reclamation of chromite and graphite mines through plantation: Development of ecosystem through plantation in degraded mined wasteland.

FACILITIES: 
Herbarium of plants of the State of Orissa 
Research Garden of Aromatic & Medicinal Plants 
Planting material of improved genotypes of aromatic grasses and cinnamon 
Research Garden of fast-growing and other economic tree species 
Steam distillation unit for aromatic plants 
Shade house and Mist chamber 
Gas Chromatograph for analysis of essential oils 
Plant Tissue Culture Laboratory 
Rubber latex processing to make sheets for marketing 

BIO-MINERAL AND BIOTECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT

The division undertakes bioleaching for different sulfide and oxides ores. For copper sulfide ore bioleaching the leach liquor was processed through solvent extraction and electrowinning route to recover the metal values and subsquent recycle of copper barren liquor for leaching purpose. For zinc sulfide ore the leaching studies were carried in large percolation column as well as in bioreactor. 

OBJECTIVES 

Recovery of metal values from lean and complex ores, industrial residue and wastes using microorganisms 
Bio-beneficiation and selective bioleaching of complex industrial wastes 
Treatment/management of urban, municipal and industrial solid wastes and waste water containing organic and toxic pollutants for pollution abatement, energy recovery and its safe disposal 
Use of biosorption technique to treat industrial waste water containing heavy metal ions for subsequent recovery of metal values and reuse of biosorbent 
Use of bacterial generator to enhance bacterial population in order to improve the process kinetics 
Pilot plant studies to evaluate the techno-economic of the overall process 
Biodegradation and treatment of industrial waste water for pollution control, energy recover, preparation of value added products etc. 
Improvement of microbial strain to be used in meneral biotechnology 
Microbial desulphurisation of mineral/coal

CENTRAL PHYSICO CHEMICAL ANALYTICAL FACILITIES 


The Central Physico-Chemical and Analytical Facilities (CPAF) Division devotes to constituent analysis, characterisation and testing of raw material intermediate and final products related to minerals, metallurgical and other inorganic chemicals.Samples are received from other divisions of the laboratory as well as from external agencies like industries, academic and research institutions. 

Consultancy services pertaining to analysis and characterisation involving classical and instrumental methods are also provided.

OBJECTIVES 

To carry out analysis and characterisation work for various projects of the laboratory as project team members. 
To carry out analysis, testing and characterisation work for outside parties on payment basis. 
To monitor environmental pollution in and around chemical, metallurgical and mining industries. 
To develop of analytical procedure to achieve better precision and accuracy. 
To participate in the national programmes on preparation of standard reference materials. 
To develop softwares for data processing in microprocessor based instruments. 

R & D EXPERTISE 
Physico chemical charactisation of ores, minerals, and other materials of Industrial importance. 
Preconcentration followed by estimation of various elements in complex materials upto sub-ppm level. 
Quantitative & semiquantitative analysis of materials using instrumental technique, such as, XRD, XRF, X-ray Spectrometry and Thermal Analyser. 
Development of software related to instrumental methods of analysis. 

FACILITIES 
X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer for solid as well as liquid phase analysis of various materials generated during minerial processing and process metallurgy. 
X-ray Difractometer for characterisation as well as limited quantitative work with high temperature attachment for studies on reaction kinetics, phase diagram etc.. 
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer for solution phase analysis using flame as well as cold vapour methods. 
UV/VIS Spectrophotometer for both analysis and characterisation work. 
Optical Emission Spectrometer for qualitative identification of various metals and non-metals in a given material. 
Thermal analyser for characterisation of solid materials. 
Inductively coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer for analysis of elements of high ionization potential. 
Ion-selective system for specialized analysis of both cations and anions. 
Complete chemical analysis of water. 
Auto-Titration unit. 
Micro-Wave Digester for rapid dissolution of refractory minerals. 

DESIGN AND PROJECT ENGINEERING DIVISION

The Design & Projects Engineering Division undertake R&D projects relating to material transportation, material handling, pollution monitoring & control, energy audit, energy conservation, development of alternate energy sources and waste utilisation. In collaboration with other divisions, it also carries out bench scale and pilot scale studies for the preparation of techno-economic feasibility report, basic design engineering package etc.. 

EXPERTISE 

Hydraulic and pneumatic transportation of materials 
Combustion of solid and liquid fuels 
Development and treatment of domestic and industrial wastewater and effluents for pollution control and energy recovery 
Biomass production and utilisation for rural development 
Development of agricultural implements, pottery kilns and chulhas etc. 

FACILITIES 
For undertaking R & D work in the area of hydraulic and pneumatic transportation of ores and minerals. 
Combustion facilities for undertaking R & D work in the area of combustion of solid and liquid fuels. 
Utilisation of wastes for energy recovery and appropriate treatment. 
Crushing & grinding facilities. 
Corrosion & erosion evaluation facilities. 
Rheological studies with Brookefield and Haake viscometers. 
CAD system, electronic instruments, etc. 
Treatment of domestic and industrial effluents for pollution control and energy recovery. 
Domestic Chulhas Testing Centre. 

RESEARCH TEAM 
ENERGY TECHNOLOGY


The division undertakes research on possible energy conservation and to lower energy consumption in industries. Industry, being a major energy consumer, has many possibilities to lower energy requirement for consequent reduction in manufacturing cost. The metallurgical industry sector in India is the largest consumer of commercial energy and accounts for more than half of the total consumption in the country's total requirement. Department constitutes a team of professionals to the aspects on energy conservation in metallurgical industries. 

OBJECTIVES 

Energy conservation in industry 
Energy conservation equipments 
Alternate heating systems 
Training programmes for industrial energy conservation and management process 
Techno-economic evaluation of energy efficient processes 

ACTIVITIES 

Fuel up-gradation 
Advanced gasification 
Direct and indirect coal liquefication 
Waste utilization and disposal 
Pyrolysis 
Hot-gas cleaning 
Testing fuels 
Biomass energy 
Industial energy 
Chemical and hydrogen energy 
Rural energy 
Renewable energy 
Energy research in metallurgical processes 
Briquetting of solid fuels / biomass 

FACILITIES: 
Multiple Hearth Furnace: 10-30 kg/hr. capacity 
Submerged arc furnace 100 KVA 
Fluidized bed rector (50 and 150 mm ID) 
Rotary kiln 10 kg/hr 
Induction Furnace 
Briquetting press (Laboratory and continuous) 
Tammann Furnace 
Combined pellet hardening and sintering unit (75 kg per bath) 
Auto scan porosimeter 
Facilities for physical, chemical and metalllurgical testing of ores and minerals 
Carbon-sulphur determination apparatus 
Pycnometer 
Gas chromotograph 
TG/DTA 

RESEARCH TEAM: 

ENVIRONMENT MANAGEMENT AND INORGANIC CHEMICALS DIVISION

The divisions undertakes R&D work in the area of inorganic chemicals through utilisation of lean ores, minerals, industrial wastes and by-products.The activities were centred around development and evaluation of catalysis, marine chemicals and environmental pollution monitoring. 

OBJECTIVE 
To assess and control environmental pollution due to natural sources and human activities like agriculture, mining and other industries. 
To develop process know-how for the preparation of inorganic chemicals from low grade ores and minerals 
To develop, characterise and evaluate the activities of industrial catalysis and eco-friendly pigments. 

EXPERTISE 

Inorganic chemicals from ores and minerals 
Utilisation of industrial wates and by-products 
Development and evaluation of catalysis 
Monitoring/abatement of air and water pollution 
Salt, marine and agricultural chemicals 

FACILITIES 
Twin Reactor for laboratory and semi-pilot scale testing of catalysts under high pressure and temperature with re-circulation. 
Pulse micro reactor for characterisation of catalysts. 
Quantasorb for determination of surface characterisation and pore size distribution studies at liquid nitrogen/low temperature. 
Surface area analyser for measurement of surface area and pore size 
Ion Chromatograph for trace analysis of both anions and cations. 
Selective Ion meter for estimation of specific ions which are otherwise difficult to estimate viz., flouride and phosphate. 
Gas Chromoatograph for determination of trace gases in the atmosphere and on-line analysis of catalyst characterisation. 
UV- Visible Spectrophotometer for reflectance measurements and chemical analysis. 
Flame Photometer for estimation of sodium, potassium, calcium and other alkali metals. 

FOREST AND MARINE PRODUCTS

The Forest and Marine Products Division is engaged in R&D work on process development for organic chemicals, drugs and intermediates from natural resources and through synthetic routes and utilisation of agricultural, forest, marine and industrial products, by-products and wastes. 

R & D EXPERTISE 

Process development of organic chemicals. 
Preparation of feasibility reports. 
Technical assistance to industries through trouble shooting and consultancy. 
Terrestrial and marine Natural Products Chemistry. 
Organic Synthesis. 
Analysis of organic compounds using modern analytical instruments. 
Bio-active substances from marine organisms. 
Improvement of Kewda processing. 
Utilisation of forest resources. 
Synthesis of bio-active molecules. 
Standardisation of ISM drugs. 
Screening of plant extracts for pesticidal activity. 
Marine pollution studies. 
Processing of non-traditional of oil-seeds. 

FACILITIES 
Beckman DU 64 UV-Visible Spectrometer 
JASCO 5300 FT-IR Spectrometer 
Rudolff polarimeter 
Varian 5020B HPLC 
Camag TLC scanner 
Parr Hydrogenators 
Photochemical reactor 
SAVANT SS3 system 
Eyela Bio-reactor 
Shimadzu GC-MS 

MINERALOGY AND METALLOGRAPHY

Characterisation studies leading to determination of mineral phases, textural pattern, liberation size including mineral chemistry and metallography are pre-requisites for effective beneficiation and metal extraction from low and off-grades ores. 

The aims and objectives of Mineralogy and Metallography Division is to undertake such type of characterisation studies and support in process development. This division has development capabilities and has been catering in this field to the needs to the mineral process engineers and metallurgists of the labolatory as well as other Government, private and public sector agencies.

EXPERTISE 

Characterisation of ores, minerals and concentrates including determination of their distribution, shape and size. 
Reflectivity & fluorescence property measurements of minerals. 
Melting behaviour of materials. 
Morphological study of ores & metals and their analysis in micron areas. 
Mineralogical and geochemical evaluation of ore deposits. 
Environmental assessment and monitoring. 

MAJOR FACILITIES 
High resolution ore and petrological microscopes with photomicrographic attachments 
Metallurgical microscope with hot stage attachments and image analysis system for determination of shape, size and statistical distribution pattern of different materials 
Microscope photometer with fluorescence attachment to measure the reflectivity and fluorescence property of minerals 
Heating Microscope to find out the melting behaviour of materials 
Stereomicroscope 
Microhardness tester, Isodynamic Separator, Refractometer 
Scanning electron microscope with WDS, EDS attachment (For morphological study of ores and metals and analysis in micron areas) 
Atomic Absorption Spectrometer & Petroleum Hydro Carbon Analyser. 

RURAL TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

The division is devoted to development of technologies and device appropriate for rural industrialization, employment generation, energy conservation and conversion of agricultural produce to value added products and improvement in quality of life of rural people. As the rural sector holds vast potential for setting up an arry of cottage and tiny scale industries for processing of natural resources into value added products, the Department has developed several low cost and appropriate technologies in the areas of domestic and industrial energy, agricultural implements, post harvest technology, food processing equipments, safe drinking water, pottery, metal works, handicrafts and rural industrialization. 

OBJECTIVES 
Low cost and need based rural technology 
Energy efficient and pollution free 
Increased yield with reduced labour 
Utilization of locally available raw materials and skill 
Reduction of drudgery and health hazard 
Reduction of deforestration and improvement of ecology 
Rural industrialization and revival of traditional cottage industries 
Utilization of alternate sources of energy 
Sustainability of the technologies 
Large scale employment generation 

EXPERTISE 
Coal/wood fired pottery kiln 
Kultifuel stoves 
Biomass fixed stoves with chimney 
Multipurpose grain winnower 
Power operated paddy thresher 
Power operated pulse thresher 
Power operated paddy thresher cun winnower 
Biomass operated dryer 
Teracotta water filter 
Multipurpose oven 
Low cost fired furnace 
Cardmom dryer 

PYROMETALLURGY DIVISION


The Pyrometallurgy Division has been actively engaged in innovative R&D work on the utilisation of low and off grade minerals and industrial solid wastes, improvements in or related to existing processes for agglomeration and development of process knowhow for extraction of metal values from ores, concentrates and secondary sources using pyrometallurgical techniques. 

The indigenous pan sintering technology developed by the Division finds wide application in the country and many roasting processes involving systems like multiple-hearth roaster, rotary kiln, fluid bed reactor and sinter pan await commercialization. The Division is well equipped with modern facilities to undertake R&D projects on laboratory, bench and pilot plant scales.

EXPERTISE 
Characterisation and evaluation of ore fines and concentrates for sintering, briquetting, pelletisation and DRI. 
Design engineering know how for setting up pan sintering plants for manganese, chromite, iron ore fines. 
Basic/Fundamental studies related to metal extraction and ferro-alloy making. 
Smelting and melting of ores, metals and slags. 
Utilisation of industrial solidwastes for production of aggregates and cementitious blinders by pyro-techniques. 
Gas-solid reactions in fluidised bed reactor. 
Smelting reduction of iron ore. 


FACILITIES 

Pansintering Units: 100mm x 100mm square; 400mm x 400mm square 
Pilot Multiple Hearth Roaster: 1100mm x 7 Hearths 
Pilot Rotary Kiln : Directly fired: 500 mm length x 250 mm diameter; Indirectly heated : 1500 mm length x 150 mm dia 
Graphite Resistance Tammann Furnace : 40 kw, 38 mm ID, Max temp 2500oC 
Disc and Drum Pelletisers 
Briquetting Press 
TG-DTA apparatus 
Combined pellet hardening and sintering pilot plant 
Submerged Arc Furnance: 95 KVA 
Fluid bed reactor: 150 mm dia, 12000C (electrically heated) 
Gas Chromatograph with P C based integrator 
Physical and metallurgical testing of ores, agglomerates for reducibility, shatter, tumbler etc. 
Vacuum Induction Furnace: 20kw, 2kg capacities 
Autoscan Porosimeter 0-500 psi (213-0.213 micron) 
Spectrophotometer 

MINERAL PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY

The main activities of the division pertains to evaluation of the beneficiation characteristics of ores. The development of flow-sheet, generation of design data for scaling up and recovery of valuable components lost in the mineral and metallurgical wastes are undertaken as sponsored/consultancy assignments. Over the years, the division has addressed to a number of industrial problems of diverse nature for treating a variety of minerals, ranging from coal, graphite, ferrous and non-ferrous minerals, sulphides and industrial minerals, besides several mineral and metallurgical wastes. 

Specific programmes have been taken-up in the area of conservation of minerals resources, energy reduction, environmental pollution, dewatering of industrial sludges, minimisation of wastes and recovery of valuables from wastes and by-products. Very recently the division has built up expertise to study the performance of existing plants through proper diagnostic approach and suggest suitable modifications for improvement. Facilities are also available to monitor environmental pollution, especially in mining and mineral processing areas.

R & D Facilities 
Comminution - Jaw crusher, Roll crusher, Ball mill, Grindability mills, Rod mills, Continuous pilot comminution circuits, Wet grinding unit, Pulverisers, High compression Roller Mills.

Classification - Mozley sieve bends, (single and double), Vibro Screens, Screw classifiers, Micro sieve shaker, Dry and Wet sieve shaker, Vibrating Screens.

Gravity Concentration - Denver & Mineral jig, Wilfely & Diester Tables, Spiral concentrator, Mineral Separator, Vanner, Heavy Medica Cyclones, Bartles Mozley Preconcentrator, Cross Belt Separator and Hydro-Cyclones.

Magnetic/Electrostatic Separation - High and low intensity dry/wet magnetic separator, Permarolls, High Gradient Magnetic Separator and Carpco Electrostatic Separator.

Flotation - Different diameter flotation columns, Humboldt Wedag continuous flotation cells, Denver D-12 cells and Electro-flotation Cells, Agitor flotation machine, Electroflotation cell, Hallmond tube.

Filtration and Dewatering - Vacuum Filtration Unit, Pressure Filtration Unit, Turbidity meter (DRT-100), Capillary Suction Time Apparatus, Ultra Centrifuge, Contact Angle Measuring Instrument, Strirrer cum Viscometer.

Instruments - Coal Analyser, Zeta Potential Analyser, Surface Tenso Meter, Cyclosizer/Sedigraph/Fisher subsieve Sizer, Particle Size Analysers, Mercury Porosity Meter, Travelling Microscope, Dispersion balance, Data Loggers, Viscometer, Infra Red Moisture Analyser, Density Measurement Units, Turbidity Meter, Magnetic-MAss and Ultrasonic Flow Meters, Peristaltic Pumps and Fluid Density Gauges, Roto meters, Helium Psychnometer.

A well-equipped wet chemical laboratory is available to carry out day-to-day chemical analysis of different ores and minerals.

Unique Facilities 
Column Flotation (RRL-Bhubaneswar Design) 
High Compression Roller Mill 
Cross Belt Separators 
WHIMS/HGMS 
Molvern particle size analyser 
Installation of two chromite ore beneficiation plants (1) M/s. Ferro Alloys Corporation Limited, Burla(50,000 tpa) and (2) M/s. Tata Steel, Bhimtangnagar (1,50,000 tpa), based on the data generated by the division. 
Setting up of one meter diameters Flotation Column with a capacity to treat 3 to 4 tonnes per hour at West Bokaro Washery of Tata Steel to recover cooking coal fines from Washery tailings. 

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AND PROCESS ENGINEERING


The division undertakes work primarily in the area of process modelling and simulation, statistical modelling. 

EXPERTISE 
Mathematical process modelling and simulation 
Environmental impact assessment 
Development of S&T database 
Application software development 
Process parameter optimization 
Statistical analysis and OR 
Technology forecasting 
Multimedia applications 

ACTIVITIES 
Statistical techniques like linear and non-linear analysis, ANOVA, factor and cluster analysis etc. 
ANN simulation of a mineral flotation column 
Chemical thermodynamic speciation and kinetic modelling of aquatic systems 
Development of databases related to chemical thermodynamics and bio-informatics 

FACILITIES: 
IBM Servers and Workstation and different peripherals 
Visual Studio 6.0 
Statistica 5 
Director Multimedia Studio 6.0 
Design Expert 5.0 
TK Solver


Dr V.N. Misra - Present Director of RRL

 The Regional Research Laboratory, Bhubaneswar began on a firm footing under its founder Director, Shri G.S. Chowdhary, Prof. P.K. Jena, the next Director brought internatinal recognition to the Laboratory. Prof. H.S. Ray, who followed him, adjusted the institute to the changing times through creditable cash flow from external sources and took it to the twenty-first century. The Laboratory was in need of a leader to run it to the demands of the twenty-first century. The task is no doubt herculean but not so for Dr. Vibhuti Narain Misra, who took over as the new Director of RRL, Bhubaneswar in the first week of January 2001. His record on the national and international arena speaks of his calibre. Dr. Mishra, a distinguished metallurgist, had his education from the Banaras Hindu University and the Nagpur University in India and the University of Melbourne in Australia. Dr. Misra, a scientist of international repute, has over 33 years of experience in teaching, research, consultancy and R&D management. He has held many important national and international positions in different academic and research institutes. He was the recipient of many national and international awards which include 'Certificate of Merit" from the Institution of Engineers (India) in 1970 and 1978, Asia Fellowship from the Australian Fedral Government in 1995 and Distinguised Alumns Award from the Institute of Technology, BHU, Varanasi 9India) in 1998. He is an active member of many professional bodies and scientific societies in India and abroad. He was the co-author of a book written in Marathi language on "Iron and Steel". He had over 110 research publications, co-edited six proceedings of national/international conferences, successfully guides 5 Ph.D. students and is the examiner for Ph.D. thesis of several universities in India and aboroad. He was intrumental in the transfer of many technologies e.g., full scale plant of iron ore processing; design, fabrication and commissioning of gold and tin processing plant; pilot scale operation plants for nickel and cobalt extraction. Dr. Misra was Manager-Metallurgy, CSIRO, Australia and Director, Department of Minerals and Energy, Weatern Australia before taking over the RRL, Bhubaneswar as Director. It is natural if much is expected of him.

Director
Regional Research Laboratory
(Council of Scientific & Industrial Research)
Bhubaneswar - 751 013, Orissa, INDIA
FAX: 91-674-581637
Telephone : 674-581126    PBX: 581635, 581636, 581638

Email: dir@rrlbhu.res.in