See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/286017865

Invention

Article · March 2009

CITATIONS READS

0 8,003

1 author:

Rajesh Kumar
Ministry of Science and Technology, India
21 PUBLICATIONS   520 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Promotion of Industrial R&D View project

Utilization of Natural Resources View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Rajesh Kumar on 07 December 2015.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 INVENTION
INTELLIGENCE
• March-April 2009 • Volume 44 • Number 2 • ISSN 0970-0056

ARTICLES
3 Holography and its Technological Horison
— Dr. P.K. Dutta

8 Information Science : A creative Tool for Innovation

— Rajesh Kumar

17 Three Degrees of Freedom Triglide Parallel Manipulator

— C. Dhandapani & Dr. R. Sivaramakrishnan

S&T PROGRESS
19 Flash memory breakthrough; Carbon nanotubes make fuel cells cheaper; Liquid wood : A green alternative to
plastic; Artificial arm that listens to brain; Catalytic converter for trucks — Biman Basu
IDEAS & INNOVATIONS
23 Tractor-operated fruit-shake harvester — Dr. A. Surendrakumar, Dr. K. Rangasamy,
Dr. S. Ganapathy & Dr. J. John Gunasekar
LITERATURE SCAN
25 The Long Revolution : The birth and growth of India’s IT industry — Biman Basu
IPR CORNER
28 Patent focus report; Economic slowdown impacts patent filing; King of Thailand receivers WIPO Award;
Patents for nanotubes and fullerene products; Intellectual property and TRIPS compliance in India; Kerala
pepper and Cardamom get GI tag; FKCCI demands an IPR centre at bangalore; DRDO gets patent for herbal
beverage; Patent for the preparation of friction tapes; CSIR gets patent for a binder composition; Professional
firms may buy Indian patents — M.M.S. Karki
S&T NEWS
32 Regional Seminar on “Intellectual Property & Innovation Management in Knowledge Era”
— Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Majumdar
Exploring the next revolution in information technology; 67th All India ophthalmic Conference, 5 to 8 February,
2009 — Dr. P.S. Negi
Nationwide awareness campaign on intellectual property rights — M.M.S. Karki
Agricultural Conservation for Enhancing Food Security-A report — Kuldeep Sharma

INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009 1

 Management
Somenath Ghosh Chairman & Subscription Order Form
Managing Director INVENTION
V.K. Manchanda General Manager INTELLIGENCE
Chander Mohan Manager

Editor Business Office : NRDC, 20-22, Zamroodpur Community Centre

Radha Kant Anthwal Kailash Colony Extension, New Delhi 110 048

Art Name
Nabanita Bhowmick
Address
Production & Sales
City State Pin Code
Arun Kumar Arora
Krishna Kanojia
Khem Chand • I am a new subscriber/Renew my subscription No.

• SUBSCRIPTION RATES
❏ 'Invention Intelligence' is an S&T India
magazine brought out in a popular One Year : Rs 60.00 Foreign :
format ❏ The Corporation is not
responsible for the statements and Two Years : Rs 110.00 US $ 30 per year
opinions of the authors expressed in Three Years : Rs 150.00 (By air mail)
their articles/writeups published in the
Demand Draft should be made in favour of 'NRDC' only
magazine ❏ To utilise the contents
published in 'Invention Intelligence' in
any form, prior permission of the Editor
is necessary ❏ It is not necessary that
the opinions expressed in the
advertisements published in 'Invention
le; ds lkFk cf<+, vkfo"dkj if<+,
Intelligence' are in agreement with the us'kuy fjlpZ fMosyiesaV dkjiksjs'ku
Editorial opinion. The Corporation is }kjk izdkf'kr
not responsible for the claims made in
the advertisements ❏ The articles/ foKku vkSj izkS|ksfxdh dh yksdfiz; ekfldh tks flQZ 10 #i, esa vki rd ykrh
writeups for publication in 'Invention gS • oSKkfud vuqla/kkuksa • izkS|ksfxd fodklksa • u, vkfo"dkjksa • ubZ Lons'kh
Intelligence' are to be sent to the Editor izkS|ksfxd fof/k;ksa • u, fopkjksa • u, mRiknksa • ubZ rduhdksa rFkk foKku ds vusd
at the following address of NRDC. igyqvksa ij jkspd tkudkjh&<sj lkjh • foKku esa #fp j[kus okys lHkh tkx:d
❏ Subscription should be sent by D.D.
ikBdksa] fo|kfFkZ;ksa] v/;kidksa] vkfo"dkjdksa] oSKkfudksa] bathfu;jksa] rduhf'k;uksa
payable to 'National Research vkSj futh m|ksx yxkus okyksa ds fy, leku :i ls mi;ksxh
Development Corporation', (A Govt. of ,d çfr % 10 #i,
India Enterprise) 20-22, Zamroodpur okf"kZd ewY; % 100 #i,(
Community Centre, Kailash Colony
Extension, New Delhi 110048 f}okf"kZd % 190 #i,( f=okf"kZd % 270 #i,
fons'k esa % okf"kZd % 40 vesfjdh MkWyj ¼gokbZ Mkd ls½
❏ Regional Office: NRDC, 107, "Shiva lnL;rk 'kqYd cSd a Mªk¶V ls HkstAas 'kqYd vkSj
Krupa", 8th Main, 19th Cross, ,tsla h ds fy, fy[ksa %
Malleswaram, Bangalore 560 055.
Tel No. (080) 23341255 us'kuy fjlpZ fMosyiesVa dkjiksj's ku
Fax: (080) 23347555 ¼Hkkjr ljdkj dk m|e½
E-mail: nrdc@bgl.vsnl.net.in gj ftys esa fcØh ,tsVa
Delhi Office Tel. No. 29240401-08
^vuql/a kku fodkl*
pkfg,&vkd"kZd deh'ku
Fax : 091-011-29240409, 29240410 20&22 te:niqj lkeqnkf;d dsUnz
Grams : NATREDEVCO
E-mail: write2@nrdc.in dSyk'k dkyksuh ,DlVs'a ku] ubZ fnYyh 110048
Website : http ://www.nrdcindia.com

2 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009

 Holography
and its
Technological Horizon
Twentieth century has witnessed
rapid technological advancement in
every walk of life. As a result, a
number of new tools and appliances
have been invented, making human
life simpler and comfortable. In this
context, the discovery of holography
in 1947 by Hungarian physicist
Dennis Gabor (1900-1979) is a
significant technological
development. The discovery is so
useful that Gabor was rewarded with
the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1971
for this pioneering work. Be it
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009

Dr. P.K. Dutta
currency notes, credit cards, ATM-
cum-debit cards, product labels and
tags, medical diagnostics, or data
storage, holography has a great role
to play. One can protect consumer
and industrial products, currency
notes, various utility cards, etc,
against counterfeiting, tampering and
product diversion by using
holographic technology.
History of holography
The technique of holography was
developed by Dennis Gabor at the
British Thomson-Houston Company
in Rugby, England, while working to
improve the resolution of electron
microscope. He introduced a two-
step lens-less imaging process
known as ‘wavefront reconstruction
technique’ or ‘holography’, in which
the interference between the object
field and the background wave
(known as reference wave) is
formed and recorded on a
photographic material. The record,
known as a hologram (Greek word
holos means “whole”, and gramma
3
meaning “message”), captures the
complete wave, which can be viewed
at a later time by illuminating the
hologram with an appropriate light
beam. The British Thomson-Houston
Company filed a patent for holo-
graphy technique on 17 December
1947 and was granted a patent
(Patent no. GB685286). But further
development in the field was stymied
during the next decade because light
sources available at the time were
not truly “coherent” (monochromatic
or of a single wavelength). The
barrier was overcome in 1960, when
a group of scientists–N. Bassov and
A. Prokhorov (both Russian), and
Charles Townes (American)
invented the laser, the pure, intense
light of which was ideal for making
holograms. In 1962, Yuri N. Denisyuk
of Russia made first hologram of
3-D objects. Later, Denisyuk
combined holography with 1908
Nobel laureate Gabriel Lippmann’s
approach and produced a white-light
reflection hologram, which, for the
first time, could be viewed in light from
an ordinary incandescent light bulb.
Later, in 1962, Emmett Leith and
Juris Upatnieks at the University of
Michigan, USA developed the first
laser ‘transmission hologram’ of
3-D objects (a toy train and bird) using
laser and “off-axis technique”. Their
pioneering work led to
standardisation of the equipment
used to make holograms. Today,
thousands of laboratories and studios
possess the necessary equipment: a
continuous wave laser, optical
devices (lens, mirrors and beam
splitters) for directing laser light, a
film holder and an isolation table on
which exposures are made.
4 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
The development of pulsed ruby
laser by T. H. Maiman in 1960 paved
the way to produce holograms of
high-speed events and of living
objects.
Another major development in
display holography occurred in 1968
when Stephen A. Benton invented
white-light transmission holographic
television at Polaroid Research
Laboratories, Cambridge,
Massachusetts, USA. Such
hologram could be viewed in ordinary
white light creating a “rainbow”
image from the seven colours which
make up white light. This
development attracted artists
worldwide, who adapted this
technique to their work and brought
‘rainbow holography’ further into
public awareness. Benton’s invention
is a landmark development in the field
of holography because it made
possible mass production of
holograms using an embossing
technique. These holograms are
“printed” by stamping the
interference pattern onto plastic. The
resulting hologram can be duplicated
millions of times at a very low cost.
Consequently, embossed holograms
found usage in the field of publishing,
advertising, and
banking industries.
In 1970’s
Victor Komar and
his colleagues at the
All-Union Cinema
and Photographic
Research Institute
(NIFKI) in Russia,
developed a
prototype for a
p r o j e c t e d
holographic movie. Fig. 1. Hologram artwork in MIT museum.
Images were recorded with a
pulsed holographic camera. The
developed film was projected onto
a screen that focussed the
3-dimensional image out to several
points in the audience.
In 1972, Lloyd Cross developed
the integral hologram by combining
white-light transmission holography
with conventional cinematography to
produce moving 3-dimensional
images. It is produced by recording
sequential frames of 2-D motion-
picture footage of a rotating subject
on holographic film. When viewed,
the composite images are synthesised
by the human brain as a 3-D image.
One of the most recent advances
in the short history of holography has
been the mass production of low-cost
solid-state lasers–typically used by
the millions in CD and DVD
recorders, players and other
applications, but which are
sometimes also useful for
holography. These cheap, compact,
solid-state lasers can under some
circumstances compete well with the
large, expensive gas lasers previously
required to make holograms, and are
already helping to make holography
much more accessible to low-budget
researchers, artists and dedicated
hobbyists.
Another technological
breakthrough in holography was
achieved by Arizona optical scientists
Tay Peyghambariam and their
colleagues in early 2008 at the
University of Arizona College of
Optical Sciences in collaboration with
Nitto Denko Technical Corporation,
Oceanside, California, USA. They
could make 3-dimensional
holographic displays that could be
erased and re-written in a matter of
minutes. This device basically
consists of a special plastic film
sandwiched between the two pieces
of glass, each coated with a
transparent electrode. The images
are “written” into the light-sensitive
plastic, called a ‘photorefractive’
polymer, using laser beams and an
externally applied electric field. In
this technique, the new holographic
display can show a new image every
few minutes.
Making of a hologram
A hologram is a special
interference pattern created in a
photosensitive medium (which can be
as simple as a traditional
photographic film). Light striking this
pattern is scattered as though it were
actually striking the object that the
interference pattern encoded. The
pattern itself was created by a clever
trick using lasers, which involves
combining two beams, one of which
is bounced off the object to be
holographed. When the combined
beam strikes the photosensitive
medium and result is the interference
pattern that generates the 3-D
picture. The exposure must be made
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
Fig. 2. A view of a transmission hologram.
in an environment void of any
movement or vibration. Stability is
absolutely essential because
movement as small as a quarter
wavelength of light during exposures
of a few minutes or even seconds
can completely spoil a hologram.
The 2D/3D holograms, when viewed
under a variety of sources of light,
are extremely eye-catching.
For making holograms, the same
kinds of recording material is used
as used in photography, e.g., silver
halide emulsions, dichromated
gelatin (DCG) material, photo-resists,
photo-thermoplastics,
photopolymers, photo-chromic, and
photorefractive material. No single
material possesses all the
requirements of a holographic
material. A material is yet to be
discovered which will have the high
sensitivity of silver halides, high
diffraction efficiency and index
modulation capability of DCG and
photopolymers, recyclability of
photorefractive crystals, and useful
at all laser wavelengths. However,
the photographic film or plate
emulsions are the most convenient
and commonly used materials for
recording holograms. The emulsion
contains silver halide micro crystals
dispersed in gelatin, deposited on a
glass substrate or on a plastic film.
Photorefractive crystals, e.g.,
lithium niobate (LiNbO3), lithium
tantalite (LiTaO3), barium titanate
(BaTiO3), potassium tantalite niobate
(KTN), barium sodium niobate
(BSN), bismuth silicon oxide (BSO),
GaAs, and so on are excellent
materials for recording volume phase
holograms in real-time. An existing
hologram can be replicated, either in
an optical way similar to holographic
recording, or in the case of surface
relief holograms, by embossing.
Surface relief holograms are
recorded in photo-resists or photo-
thermoplastics, and allow cheap
mass production. Such embossed
holograms are now widely used, for
instance, as security features on
credit cards or quality merchandise.
The technique of hologram
preparation discussed here pertains
to static holography, in which
recording, developing and
reconstruction occur sequentially and
a permanent hologram is produced.
There also exist holographic
materials which don’t need
developing and can record a
hologram in a very short time. This
allows holography to be used to
perform some simple operations in
an all-optical way. Examples of
applications of such real-time
holograms include phase-conjugate
mirrors (“time-reversal” of light),
optical cache memories, image
processing (pattern recognition of
time-varying images), and optical
computing.
5
 The amount of processed
information can be very high (terabit/
s), since the operation is performed
in parallel on a whole image. This
compensates for the fact that the
recording time, which is of order of
a microsecond, is still very long
compared to the processing time of
an electronic computer. The optical
processing performed by a dynamic
hologram is also much less flexible
than electronic processing. On the
one hand, one has to perform the
operation always on the whole image,
and on the other, the operation a
hologram can perform is basically
either a multiplication or a phase
conjugation. The search for novel
non-linear optical materials for
dynamic holography is an active area
of research. The most common
materials are photorefractive
crystals, but it is possible to generate
holograms also in semiconductors or
semiconductor hetero-structures
(such as quantum wells), atomic
vapours and gases, plasmas and even
liquids.
Holograms can also be recorded
by using a digital device like charge-
coupled device (CCD) camera
instead of a conventional
photographic film. This approach is
often called ‘digital holography’. In
this case, the reconstruction process
can be carried out by digital
processing of the recorded hologram
by a standard computer.
A 3-D image of the subject can
later be visualised on the computer
screen or TV set. Because there are
no wet chemical processing and
other time consuming procedures,
digital holography can be done in
almost real time.
6 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
Holography and its emerging (SLMs) can produce about 1,000
applications different images a second at 1024 x
1024-bit resolution. With the right
Since its invention, researchers type of media (probably polymers
have tried to explore novel uses of rather than something like LiNbO3),
holography. So far, holographic this would result in about
science has been used frequently in 1 gigabit per second writing speed.
art, product promotion, recreation, Read speeds can surpass this and
and security. There is a tremendous experts believe that there would be
chance of growth of holographic 1-terabit per second read-out.
technology in several new areas:
Security
military research, commercial
electronics and communication Holography can be used to
applications, civil engineering, data incorporate security features during
retention and reading, material the process of master hologram
examination, artificial intelligence, creation. It requires very expensive,
medical diagnostics, banking, specialised and technologically
manufacturing, etc. advanced equipment, such as
electron-beam lithography system.
Holographic data storage This kind of technology allows the
creation of surface holograms with
Holographic data storage is a
a resolution of up to 0.1 micrometres
technique for storing information at (12,000 dpi). They are widely used
high density inside crystals or in many currencies such as the
photopolymers. The ability to store Brazilian 20-real notes, British 5/10/
large amounts of information in some 20-pound notes, Canadian 5/10/20/
kind of media is of great importance, 50/100-dollar notes, 5/10/20/50/100/
as many electronic products 200/500- euro notes, South Korean
incorporate storage
devices. As current storage
techniques such as Blu-ray
reach the limit of possible
data density (due to the
diffraction-limited size of
the writing beam),
holographic storage has the
potential to become the next
generation of popular
storage media. The
advantage of this type of
data storage is that the
entire volume of the
recording media is used
instead of just the surface.
Currently available
spatial light modulators Fig. 3. A typical lay out of digital holography.
5000/10000-won notes, Japanese
5000/10000-yen notes, etc. They are
also used in credit and bank cards,
books, DVDs, mobile phone
batteries, sports equipment, vehicle
number plates, etc.
Medical diagnostics
Application of holographic
imaging in medical diagnostics is a
new and emerging field. With recent
improvements in hologram recording
techniques, the availability of tools for
the interpretation of holographic
interferograms, and the success of
holography in 3-dimensional imaging
of internal body structures for the
diagnosis and surgical planning,
holography is emerging as a powerful
tool for medical applications. Some
of the prominent fields of medical
science in which holographic
technology is used are: radiology,
dentistry, urology, otology,
ophthalmology, orthopaedics,
pathology, and so on. For example,
X-ray holography can help in
examining samples in aqueous
solution with very high resolution.
There is no need for sample
preparation that often results in
structural alterations. Endoscopic
holography provides a powerful tool
for non-contact high-resolution 3-D
imaging and non-destructive
measurements for natural cavities
found inside human body or in any
difficult to access environment.
Multiplexed holography can be used
for complete display of 3-dimensional
tomographic medical data. The
technique is used in CT or MR scans.
It retains full parallax and physical
depths and is also known as
‘volumetric multiplexed’ holograms
or multiplane-multiplexed holograms.
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
In the field of
ophthalmology,
any retinal
detachment or
foreign body
can easily be
detected. It can
also be applied
to the
measurement of
c o r n e a l
topography and
crystalline lens
changes. It is
also used in the Fig. 4. A view of Holographic R&D lab supported under TePP.
study of surface
characteristics of both the nerve head immigration and the global fight
and the cornea. The major advantage against terrorism). It is expected that
of holographic technology is the ultra- the application of holography will
high precision with which such open new vistas for more inter-
measurements are possible, which is disciplinary research in science and
vital for corneal surgery. technology. It will also reveal how
science, technology and art are
Conclusion
entwined in the modern world.
Holography is a unique technique Automotive and aerospace engineers
to record the complete wave field, and designers could render their next-
i.e., both the amplitude and the phase generation designs without creating
of the light wave scattered by an expensive physical prototypes. The
object. This has enabled the potential for this technology seems
technology to grow in almost all major limitless.
areas of science and technology.
Within a very short span of its References
invention, it has exploded in a much 1. ‘Secure materials and Holography’.
bigger way, defining new application Electronics Today, Vol. 40, No. 8, March
2008.
of techniques for societal benefits.
2. http://www.hololight.net
The Technopreneur Promotion
3. Technopreneur Promotion Programme
Programme (TePP) of DSIR has also
(TePP), DSIR
supported some novel developments
4. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/
in the field of holography such as
2008
Holographic Pulse Portrait Camera 5. h t t p : / / w w w. l j m u . a c . u k / G E R I /
System (useful for developing 79690.htm
holographic studio for common man),
DNA fingerprint-based photopolymer (Dr. P.K. Dutta is Scientist-E in Department
hologram reader/writer for personnel of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR),
Ministry of Science & Technology,
identification and security (useful Technology Bhavan, New Delhi-110 016,
for new-generation passports, E-mail: pkdutta@nic.in).
7
 Information Science :
A Creative Tool for Innovation
Various initiatives are now
operational in the government domain
and private sector, to support people’s
scientific knowledge network. The
programmes aim at achieving the
creation, documentation, validation
and dissemination of scientific
information through content
development, digitisation and
publishing them in public domain by
launching content on open archive
and World Wide Web. These
programmes have successfully
achieved some predefined objectives
like (a) Institutional Repository; (b)
Virtual Information Centre (VIC);
(c) Open Archive Initiative (OIA);
and (d) Documentation on
community, traditional and oral
knowledge. Many Indian agencies
and organisations have taken
initiatives on development of
disadvantaged communities through
8 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009

Rajesh Kumar
sharing of scientific information to
enable them participate in the
country’s growth.
The network of more than 2,900
scientific research institutions
covering government laboratories,
universities and private industries
generate enough technology and
intellectual property, which are still
waiting for deployment and
strengthening of the extension
services. The dissemination of
scientific information can help
change innovation processes and the
evolution of the relative contribution
made by the private and public
sectors, but for that there is need for
strong industry-science-society
linkages. A strong patent regime
plays also an important role in
encouraging innovation, diffusing
scientific and technical knowledge,
and enhancing market entry.
The knowledge sharing reforms
at the national level has been initiated
by the National Knowledge
Commission (NKC) with the
objective of transforming it into a
People’s Knowledge Network, with
the involvement of public and private
sector. The commission had
identified the importance of a
functioning interface between the
innovation and science systems to
reap the economic and social benefits
from public and private investment
in research. The interface will ensure
the vitality and quality of the science
systems, and improve public
understanding and acceptance of
science and technology and the
importance of innovation.
The role of the government in
improving the accountability towards
science and technology policy needs

Fig. 1. Expenditure on R&D—Indian Government Department.
to be usefully addressed through
more systematic evaluation
exercises. Today in the fast changing
technology scenario, the policy
maker and other stake holder in
science and innovation promotion
require to put additional efforts to
identify and disseminate good
practices in this area. Coordinated
efforts at national and international
levels are needed to broaden access
to data from public funded research
to contribute in the advancement of
scientific research and innovation.
Source of scientific information
The term, source for scientific
information refers to the source for
information in formal and informal
sector covering R&D institution in
government and private sector,
various publication media, and
ancient literature and traditional
knowledge. The institutions include
national laboratories, research
institutes, research stations, in-house
R&D units, non-commercial
scientific and industrial research
organisations, and academic
institutions. These institutions are
of varied sizes in terms of
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
infrastructure, facilities, research
input, staff, etc., engaged in science
and technology.
Scientific research in India
India has about 1.5 lakh core
researchers in scientific field and
there are 156 researchers per million
of population. The R&D spending as
percentage of GDP in India is only
0.8 per cent as compared to China’s
1.23 per cent. This figure is much
higher for some of the developed
countries and they have R&D
expenditure of up to 3% of GDP. The
national expenditure on research &
development (R&D) has increased
from Rs. 18,088.16 crores in 2002-
03 to 28,776.65 crores in 2005-06.
This expenditure as percentage of
Gross National Product (GNP) in
2005-06 was 0.89 per cent. As
compared to 0.81 per cent in 2002-
03. Out of the expenditure on R&D,
57.5 per cent is accounted for by the
Central Government 7.7 per cent by
State Governments, and 4.5 per cent
by public sector, while the share of
the private sector is only 25.9 per
cent. In China and the US, the public
sector share is only 30 per cent each
while in Japan it is only 18 per cent.
The expenditure on scientific R&D
in India in government laboratories
is contributed by various
departments and their growth from
1995-96 to 2005-06 is given in Fig.1.
The effort of Government of
India, to increase private sector
component in R&D is an ongoing
effort and the government had given
a slew of tax incentives on R&D
spending in sectors like pharma and
electronics.
The allocations for scientific
departments including Departments
of Science and Technology and
Atomic Energy, has been increased
three-folds to Rs 75,304 crore during
the 11th Plan (2007-2012) as
compared to Rs 25,301.35 crore of
10th Plan period.
Analyses have shown that 74.1
per cent of the R&D expenditure was
incurred by the institutional sector
comprising of central, state and
academic institutions and 25.9 per
cent was incurred by the industrial
sector (public and private).This is
contrary to what one observes in the
developed countries where the share
of industrial sector in the national
R&D expenditure is usually more
than 50 per cent.
Scientific information leading to
innovation
Knowledge revolution is a sign
of changing times for procedural
ongoing scientific research and S&T
laboratories are in the forefront of it.
Knowledge is always reflected by
the attributes and effectiveness of a
country’s S&T laboratories. Societal
9

Fig. 2. Scientific Information Life Cycle.
progress is catalysed by
competitiveness resulting from
effective overlapping domains of
knowledge, creativity, vision and
action leading to innovations for rapid
diffusion in public domain.
Information network
The 21st century has been
acknowledged as the ‘Knowledge
Century’, by the world. The society
at large in the scientific field finds
itself operating in an increasingly
competitive and globalised
environment where the information
10
infrastructure, research and
innovation systems, education and
lifelong learning and regulatory
frameworks are crucial variables. In
this perspective, it is essential for a
developing country like India to
establish a knowledge-oriented
paradigm of development.
However, the perception of what
knowledge is and the nature of its
relation to society may vary from one
analyst to another and from one
social context to another. Socially
speaking, knowledge, the fact or
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
condition of knowing something,
consists of the range of a
community’s information base or
understanding. In this sense,
knowledge or information is an
indispensable asset that has the
potential to accelerate social and
economic progress if properly shared
amongst all for public benefit.
Identifying what kind of
knowledge is appropriate for the
citizen is therefore of special
concern. The challenge in this
context is carving out niche areas of
innovation within the competitive
global arena, while meeting the basic
developmental needs of the majority
of the increasingly marginalised and
impoverished populations. Listed
below are some of the tools that are
popular for dissemination of scientific
information.
Tools for people’s knowledge
network
1. Open Access
Open access (OA) is a
successful effort for easy access of
scientific information in a competitive
global electronic media environment.
It provides free, immediate,
permanent, full-text, online access for
any user to digital scientific and
scholarly material, primarily research
articles and reports published in peer-
reviewed journals. Open access
enables Internet users to link, read,
download, store, print, use, and data-
mine the digital content of an article.
An OA article usually has limited
copyright and licensing restrictions.
OA has become the subject of
much discussion amongst
researchers, academics, librarians,
university administrators, funding
agencies, government officials,
commercial publishers, and society
publishers. Although there is
substantial (though not universal)
agreement on the concept of OA
itself, there is considerable debate
and discussion about the economics
of funding peer review in open access
publishing, and the reliability and
economic effects of self-archiving.
2. Achieves Initiative (OAI)
The Open Archives Initiative is
a mechanism for publication of
research work which promotes
interoperability standards that aim at
facilitating the efficient dissemination
of content. OAI has applicability in
the open access and institutional
repository movements. Continued
support of this work remains a
cornerstone of the Open Archives
programme.
There is growing realisation that
with the growth of Internet use, the
printed journals may no more be able
to survive as a primary means of
scholarly communication. The
electronic medium offers faster,
wider and cheaper means of
communication as compared to the
printed medium. It is therefore
proposed to support Open Archive
Initiative of journal articles published
in India. Academic and research
institutions would be encouraged to
set up institutional or national open
archives in particular disciplines –
covering disciplines in which India has
strength, like mathematics, statistics,
and geo-science, etc. Some of the
successful example of OAI in world:
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
• BioMed Central: BioMed
Central is a for-profit open-
access publisher, with a diverse
group of peer-reviewed journals.
• Budapest Open Access
Initiative: BOAI has published a
number of open access journal
business guides.
• DOAJ: The Directory of Open
Access Journals is a
clearinghouse for free, full-text,
quality-controlled scientific and
scholarly journals.
• SciDev.Net: The quick guide on
science publishing offers insight
into the discussions on this topic
and an overview of new initiatives
to make science literature more
accessible.
• SPARC: SPARC, the Scholarly
Publishing and Academic
Resource Coalition, is an alliance
of academic and research
libraries and organizations
working to correct market
dysfunctions in the scholarly
publishing system.
• SPARC Open Access
Newsletter: Written by Peter
Suber of Earlham College. This
site contains information about the
open access movement, including
a definitive guide, historical
timeline, and upcoming
conferences.
• Open Access News Blog written
by Peter Suber.
• Funding the Way to Open
Access This essay by Robert
Terry of the Wellcome Trust
published in PLoS Biology March
2005 issue discusses the Trust’s
commitment to seeking better
ways to disseminate research
findings, how their analysis of the
economics of publishing supports
an open-access publishing
business model, and their proposal
for launching a UK version of
PubMed Central.
• Wellcome Trust reports on
scientific research publishing.
• Costs and Business Models in
Scientific Research Publishing
(April 2004) follows up the
September 2003 report to assess
actual costs of publishing
scientific, technical, and medical
research in peer-reviewed
journals. The report provides
evidence that an author-pays
model offers a viable alternative
to subscription journals.
• Economic Analysis of Scientific
Research Publishing (September
2003) offers a thorough
investigation of the complex
market of scientific publishing.
The findings of this report
contributed to the Trust’s position
statement in support of open-
access publishing.
• World Summit on the Information
Society: Open access facts and
resources.
3. Institutional repository
Institutional repository involves
establishing suitable mechanisms for
capturing full-text information on
dissertations, theses, papers, journals
and R&D reports on scientific work,
of a particular institution, for the
11
purpose of preservation and
publishing these documents online in
limited access mode for sharing
between one or more institutes.
The four main objectives for
having an institutional repository are:
• Creating intellectual property of
the institution;
• Enhancing global visibility for an
institution’s scholarly research;
• Collecting content in a single
location; and
• Preserving institutional digital
assets.
The institutions in India which
have their institutional repository are
listed below:
4. Publication of documentation:
Hard & soft copy
A number of scientific institutions
in the country have been engaged in
the development of databases on their
subject domains. Similarly, several
scientific libraries in the country
possess invaluable collection of
scientific material. The scientific
information is published in the form
of journals, magazines and books
and become an important medium for
information dissemination.
5. Digital library network
The diffusion of ICT for
community to reduce the digital divide
and enhance digital opportunities for
all is an activity proposed to be
pursued for the promotion of digital
library network. The tools encourage
systematic documentation and
experimentation for bridging the
digital divide, identification of best
12
Institutional Repositories in India
Delhi College of Engineering http://202.141.12.109/dspace
ICFAI Business School http://202.131.96.59:8080/dspace
Indian Institute of Technology, http://ncralib.ncra.tifr.res.in:8080/dspace/
Bombay
DSpace@IITB http://dspace.library.iitb.ac.in/dspace/
Indian Institute of Astrophysics http://prints.iiap.res.in/
Indian Institute of Management, http://dspace.iimk.ac.in/
Kozhikode
Indian Institute of Science, http://etd.ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/
Bangalore (IISc) http://eprints.iisc.ernet.in/
Indian Institute of Technology, http://www.iitd.ernet.in/
Delhi (IITD) http://eprint.iitd.ac.in/dspace/
Indian Statistical Institute, http://www.isibang.ac.in/
Bangalore Centre http://library.isibang.ac.in:8080/dspace/
https://drtc.isibang.ac.in/
Indira Gandhi Institute of http://www.igidr.ac.in/
Development Research (IGIDR)
Kautilya Digital Repository at IGIDR http://oii.igidr.ac.in:8888/dspace
Indira Gandhi National Open University http://www.egyankosh.ac.in/
Information and Library Network Centre http://dspace.inflibnet.ac.in/
Information Centre for Aerospace http://www.icast.org.in/
Science and Technology (ICAST)
NAL Repository http://nal-ir.nal.res.in/
Madurai Kamaraj University (MKU) http://eprints.bicmku.in/
Management Development Institute http://dspace.mdi.ac.in/dspace
(MDI)
National Centre for Catalysis Research http://www.eprints.iitm.ac.in/
National Chemical Laboratory (NCL) http://dspace.ncl.res.in/dspace/
National Informatics Centre (NIC) http://openmed.nic.in/
National Institute Of Oceanography http://drs.nio.org/
(NIO)
National Institute of Technology, http://dspace.nitrkl.ac.in/dspace/
Rourkela
OWSA (OneWorld South Asia) http://open.ekduniya.net/
Pandit Deendayal Petroleum Univeristy http://203.77.192.116:8080/dspace/
Raman Research Institute http://dspace.rri.res.in/dspace/
Sardar Vallabhbai National Institute http://eprints.svnit.ac.in/
of Technology (SVNIT)
Thapar University (TU) http://dspace.tiet.ac.in/dspace/
The Institute of Mathematical Sciences https://www.imsc.res.in/eprints
University of Delhi http://eprints.du.ac.in/
University of Mysore http://dspace.vidyanidhi.org.in:8080/dspace/
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009

ICICI Knowledge Park—VIC at Hyderabad.
practices and lessons in linking
technology developers with users of
information at the lowest levels. One
of the activities of the digital library
network is to disseminate contents
through information kiosks.
6. Virtual Information Centre
(VIC)
The concept of virtual
information systems has wide
applications in a variety of situations
in R&D and academics. It could be
a knowledge network, connecting the
information resource base of a set
of institutions. The products and
services could be shared by
participating institutions and also by
those not contributing to the system.
It could be a virtual laboratory
networking several specialized
laboratories. One of the successfully
completed VIC projects of DISR is
called ICICI Knowledge Park
(ICICIKP), Hyderabad (http://
www.vic-ikp.info).
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
7. Internet and World Wide Web
The Internet, sometimes called
simply “the Net,” is a worldwide
system of computer networks–a
network of networks in which users
at any one computer can, if one has
permission, get information from any
other computer. The Internet is a
global system of interconnected
computer networks that interchange
data by packet switching using the
standardised Internet Protocol Suite
(TCP/IP). It is a “network of
networks” that consists of millions
of private and public, academic,
business, and government networks
of local to global scope that are linked
by copper wires, fibre-optic cables,
wireless connections, and other
technologies.
The Internet carries various
information resources and services,
such as electronic mail, online chat,
file transfer and file sharing, online
gaming, and the inter-linked hypertext
documents and other resources of
the World Wide Web (WWW).
8. Intranet and Extranet
An intranet is a private network
that is contained within an enterprise.
It may consist of many interlinked
local area networks and also use
leased lines in the wide area network.
Typically, an intranet includes
connections through one or more
gateway computers to the outside
Internet. The main purpose of an
intranet is to share company
information and computing resources
among employees. An intranet can
also be used to facilitate working in
groups and for teleconferences.
An extranet is a private network
that uses Internet technology and the
public telecommunication system to
securely share part of a business’s
information or operations with
suppliers, vendors, partners,
customers, or other businesses. An
extranet can be viewed as part of a
company’s intranet that is extended
to users outside the company. It has
also been described as a “state of
mind” in which the Internet is
perceived as a way to do business
with other companies as well as to
sell products to customers
9. Extension Centre
The extension centre is part of
research institute for sharing the
information on scientific research
with the community, to extend the
benefit of development of technology
with the government fund. This
concept is very popular in India,
particularly for transfer of agro and
farming technologies.
13
Information science: Mechanism
in India
One area of opportunity is in the
domain of indigenous information. To
materialise the opportunities, there is
strong need to develop the skill base
to collect, collate, organise and
publish information in electronic web
medium. Of course, India can
concentrate in the areas of its
strength – thrust areas like traditional
knowledge, bio-diversity, green
technologies and organise
information resources in such areas.
India has also its concern to protect
its IPR interest, biodiversity and
traditional practices& medicine.
National agencies, NGOs,
academic institution and private
information based industries provide
for access facilities and technologies
for the flow of information for both
academic research and industrial
Technology Information Facilitation Programme–Department of Scientific & Industrial
Research (DSIR).
14
R&D organisations. The Indian
information industry is yet to nucleate
into a national resource in significant
terms and predominantly caters to
Indian users of global information.
With a large population of academic
research and government funded
R&D institutions remaining
privileged, we have a long way to go
in providing access to global and local
useful information to our eminently
rural or marginalised populace. The
major scheme/plan programmes on
information science initiated by
Government of India are summarised
here with their objectives:
Technology Information
Facilitation Programme –
Department of Scientific &
Industrial Research (DSIR) (http:/
/www.dsir.gov.in/tpdup/tifp/tifp.htm)
Technology Information
Facilitation Programme (TIF) is one
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
of the components of Technology
Promotion, Development and
Utilization (TPDU) Programme of
the Department of Scientific and
Industrial Research (DSIR). The
broad objective of the programme is
to generate endogenous capacities
for the development and utilisation
of digital information resources and
provide inputs to S&T research and
industrial development.
Biotechnology Information
System (BTIS) – Department of
Biotechnology (http://dbtindia.nic.in/
oldwebsite/programmes/bitsnethome)
The principal aim of the
bioinformatics programme is to
ensure that India emerges as a key
international player in the field of
bioinformatics enabling a greater
access to wealth of information
created during the post-genomic era
and catalyse the country’s attainment
of lead position in medical,
agricultural, animal and
environmental biotechnology.
Information and Library Network
– University Grant Commission
(http://www.inflibnet.ac.in/)
Information and Library
Network (INFLIBNET) Centre is
an autonomous Inter-University
Centre (IUC) of the University
Grants Commission (UGC) involved
in creating infrastructure for sharing
of library and information resources
and services among academic and
research institutions. INFLIBNET
works collaboratively with Indian
university libraries to shape the future
of the academic libraries in the
evolving information environment.

Information and Library Network of University Grant Commission
National Centre for Science
Information (NCSI) - IISc
(http://www.ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/)
The NCSI vision is to bring world
class electronic information services
to the IISc academic community. Its
objectives are to provide seamless,
network access to worldwide
scholarly information resources of
relevance to the IISc academic
community, facilitating improved
learning, teaching, research,
collaboration and information sharing.
NCSI also provides orientation and
training to the IISc academic
community in making effective use
of electronic information sources,
tools and services. It encourages
participation in the e-publishing and
e-dissemination of the Institute’s
intellectual contributions, and
conducting teaching, research and
training in library and information
management, with focus on set-up,
operation and management of digital
information facilities and services.
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
Environmental Information
System (ENVIS)–Ministry of
Environment & Forests
(http://www.envis.nic.in)
Environmental Information
System (ENVIS) focusses on
providing environmental information
to decision makers, policy planners,
scientists and engineers, research
workers, etc., all over the country.
Environment is a broad-ranging,
multi-disciplinary subject. So, a
comprehensive information system
on environment would necessarily
involve effective participation of
concerned institutions/organisations
in the country that are actively
engaged in work relating to different
subject areas of environment.
ENVIS has, therefore, developed
itself with a network of such
participating institutions/
organisations for the programme to
be meaningful. A large number of
centres, known as ENVIS Centres,
have been established in the network
to cover the broad subject areas of
environment with a focal point in the
Ministry of Environment & Forests.
Due to its comprehensive
network, ENVIS has been designed
as the National Focal Point (NFP)
for INFOTERRA, a global
environmental information network
of the United Nations Environment
Programme (UNEP). In order to
strengthen the information activities
of the NFP, ENVIS was designated
as the Regional Service Centre
(RSC) of INFOTERRA of UNEP
in 1985 for the South Asia Sub-
Region countries.
National Institute of Science
Communication and Information
Resources–CSIR
(www.niscair.res.in)
NISCAIR, an institute capable
of serving the society using modern
IT infrastructure in a more effective
manner and taking up new ventures
in the field of science communication,
dissemination and S&T information
management systems and services.
Broadly the core activity of
NISCAIR is to collect/store, publish
and disseminate S&T information
through a mix of traditional and
modern means, which will benefit
different segments of society.
Unit for Research and
Development of Information
Products (URDIP) — CSIR
(www.urdip.res.in)
The Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research (CSIR) and
Department of Biotechnology
(DBT), Government of India have
15
jointly set-up a Unit for Research and
Development of Information
Products (URDIP) at Pune. The
mission of URDIP is to develop and
distribute science, technology and
industry related information products
in electronic, online and web based
formats. URDIP will also host third
party databases.
National information System –
Department of Information
Technology
National Informatics Centre
(NIC) of the Department of
Information Technology is providing
the network backbone and e-
governance support to Central
Government, State Governments,
UT Administrations, districts and
other government bodies. It offers a
wide range of ICT services including
Nationwide Communication
Network for decentralised planning,
improvement in government services,
and wider transparency of national
and local governments. NIC assists
in implementing Information
Technology Projects, in close
collaboration with central and state
governments, in the areas of (a)
Centrally sponsored schemes and
central sector schemes, (b) State
sector and state sponsored projects,
and (c) District administration
sponsored projects.
Defence Scientific Information
and Documentation Centre –
DRDO (http://dsl.drdo.gov.in/
ejournals/desidoc.html)
DESIDOC has been functioning
as a central information resource for
DRDO. It provides S&T information,
based on its library and other
information resources, to the DRDO
16
headquarters, and its various
laboratories at various places in India.
Digital Library Initiative –
Department of Information
Technology (DIT)
(http://www.new.dli.ernet.in)
DIT initiatives have been
essentially of two types:
1. Setting up of mega centres (4)
and scanning centres (8) in
collaboration with Indian Institute
of Science, Bangalore and
Carnegie Melon University,
USA.
2. Digitization of the documents in
physical form
The above indicative information
science programme and initiative are
being utilised for identifying the need
and kind of knowledge appropriate
for the citizen and is therefore of
special concern. This government
supported programme in
collaboration with programmes run
by non-governmental organisations
(NGOs) faces the challenges like
providing scientific information from
IPR regime, validation of scientific
information, plagiarism, copyright,
fair use, piracy, file swapping. The
information in public domain is
published with prior information
consent from the stake holder.
Summary
Technological innovation helps in
dissemination of information. A
satellite-based one-way video and
one-way audio to reach out to a large
number is an effective tool. In
reaching out to the rural population,
the traditions, preferences and
limitations of learners need to be
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
respected. Knowledge creation and
diffusion are becoming increasingly
important drivers of innovation,
sustainable economic growth and
social well being.
References
1. Research & Development Statistics at
a glance 2007-08, October, 2008,
Department of Science & Technology,
New Delhi
2. Seth.D.P.S, December 2006, “A report
on National Knowledge Network,” a
publication under aegis of National
Knowledge Commission
3. Ghosh.S.B., Das Anup Kumar, “Open
access and institutional repositories – a
developing country perspective; a case
study of India”. World Library and
Information Congress, 20-24 August
2006.
4. OECD newsroom, OECD committee
meeting, 29-30 January, 2004, on
Science Technology and Innovation
5. Technology Information Facilitation
Programme, DSIR Guidelines,
September,2005
6. Suber, Peter, Arunachalam, Subbaiah.
(2006) Open access to science in the
developing world. in: Open access:
unrestricted access to published
reaserch. 93rd Indian Science Congress,
3-7 January 2006, Hyderabad, India.
7. Research & Development statistics
2004-05, Published by NSTMIS, DST,
Government of India
8. Directory of R&D institution,
Published by NSTMIS, DST,
Government of India
9. Annual report DSIR 2007-08, Published
by DSIR, Ministry of Science &
Technology, Government of India
10. Suber, Peter, 2002, Open access to
scientific journal literature, Journal of
Biology,1(1),pg1-3
(Rajesh Kumar, Scientist, DG’s Technical
Cell, CSIR, Department of Scientific &
Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of
Science & Technology, Anusandhan
Bhawan, 2 Rafi Marg, New Delhi-110001,
E-mail : rajesh@csir.res.in, rajeshkr38@nic.in)
Three Degrees of Freedom
Triglide Parallel Manipulator
The science and technology of
robotics originated with the idea of
developing mechanical systems
which would carryout tasks normally
ascribed to human beings. Industrial
robots play a vital role in automation.
However, there has been little effort
as to the application of robots in
machining work which requires robot
manipulators to have high load
carrying capacity, good dynamic
performance, stability and precise
positioning, which cannot be provided
by conventional serial robots. Hence
it is desirable to go for parallel
manipulators. The platform of this
parallel manipulator can be tilted to
the required angular position by
giving suitable number of pulses to
motor which rotates the screw. The
rotation of the screw makes one end
of the link to move linearly. In the
Fig. 1. Triglide manipulator having rigid links (a) Triglide Manipulator (b) Manipulator with interfacing circuits.
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009

C. Dhandapani & Dr. R. Sivaramakrishnan
‘triglide’ manipulator, the screws are
kept in horizontal manner in such a
way that the movable platform can
be accurately tilted. This triglide type
can be used for machining inclined
holes, contour milling and angular
machining. By moving the links, it is
possible to achieve the desired
orientation and position of the
platform for three degrees of
freedom.
Construction of triglide parallel
manipulator
The construction of 3-dof glide
type manipulator working model is
shown in Fig. 1. It consists of three
rigid links connected by means of
spherical joints to a moving circular
platform and square threaded
screws, which are driven by stepper
motors. The manipulator consists of
base plate, three inextensible links
and a moving platform that uses the
driving mechanism of gripper. Links
are connected to the moving platform
by means of spherical joints at one
end and connected at the other end
to base plate by a revolute pair
mounted on screw. Screws are
mounted on the base platform and
are driven by stepping motors.
The stepping motors are mounted on
to the base platform. When the
screw is actuated, the nut translates
over the screw which in turn actuates
the link.
The parts that are designed are
screws, links and spherical joints.
The manipulator has been designed
in such a way that it can carry a
maximum load of 300 N under
equilibrium condition. In a tilted
17
Fig. 2. Model of the triglide showing the parts. Fig. 3. Simulation of triglide when first link gets actuated.

position of platform, the manipulator
is aimed to carry a load of 200 N
after considering the factor of safety.
The maximum load to be acting on
each link will be 6.6 kg. The base
frame is made using three mild steel
channels of length 420 mm, breadth
100 mm, height 45 mm and a
thickness of 8 mm which are welded
together at the centre. They are
placed in such a way that the angle
between two successive channels is
120°and is shown in Fig. 2. Three
stepper motors are mounted on the
plate using bolts and nuts at each
corner of the base plate and the
screws are mounted on the motor
shaft. The moving platform is
connected to the links by means of
spherical joints which are equally
spaced at the vertices of equilateral
triangle at a distance ‘r’ from the
centre of the moving platform. The
screw actuators are placed over the
base platform at a radius ‘R’ from
the centre of the base platform
equally spaced at 120o.
Principle of working
In order to achieve an angular
inclination of the moving platform, the
motor, which is connected to one of
the links needs to be actuated. This
is achieved by providing pulses to the
motor as required for the given angle
of inclination. Once the output
variable (angle of tilt of moving
platform) is entered, the input
variable is given in terms of number
of pulses. A programme is written in
C language in such a way that all the
three motors or a single motor can
be actuated at a time simultaneously
or separately depending upon the
angular tilt required at the platform.
The input given is the required
angular tilt and the output will be the
pulses to the motor. The tilt will be in
either x or y directions or it can be a
combination of x and y or y and z or
x and z directions. The simulated
results of the triglide manipulator are
as shown in Figs. 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Conclusion
The parallel manipulator has
been successfully designed,

Fig. 4. Simulation of triglide when second link gets actuated. Fig. 5. Simulation of triglide when third link gets actuated.
(Contd on page 40......)

18 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009

 S & T PROGRESS

Biman Basu
Flash memory
breakthrough
There is good news for computer
users. The leading flash memory
manufacturer SanDisk Corporation
recently announced a significant
advance in flash-memory technology
that enables 64 gigabits (GB) of data
to be stored on a chip the size of a
fingernail. The new, more spacious
flash chips do this by holding four bits
per memory cell, as against the
standard one or two bits per cell.
Electronic memory comes in a
variety of forms to serve a variety
of purposes. Flash memory is used
for easy and fast information storage
in computers, digital cameras and
home video game consoles. Flash
memory is also known as a solid state
storage device, meaning there are no
moving parts–everything is electronic
instead of mechanical. They have a
more compact shape, operate faster,
hold much more data, have a more
Fig.1. Flash memory, such as the common
pen drive offers fast read access times and
better shock resistance than hard disks. A
recent breakthrough has made it possible to
increase the capacity of flash memory many-
fold.
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
durable design, and operate more
reliably due to their lack of moving
parts. The commonly used USB pen
drive is a kind of flash memory.
Flash memory is non-volatile,
which means that no power is needed
to maintain the information stored in
the chip. In addition, flash memory
offers fast read access times and
better shock resistance than hard
disks. These characteristics explain
the popularity of flash memory in
portable devices, and thanks to the
shrinking size of transistors, flash
memory just keeps getting more
capacious.
There is another way in which
the memory capacity of flash drives
can be increased, namely by storing
more than one bit of data per
transistor, within what are referred
to as multilevel cells (MLCs). In a
single-level cell, data is stored using
two distinct states, defined by
different voltage levels. In contrast,
a four-bit MLC stores information in
16 states, which translates into four
bits of data per cell, or four times the
amount of information.
But the technique is not as
simple as it sounds. Ensuring that
each memory cell maintains precisely
the right voltage, without disturbing
that of neighbouring cells, is a major
challenge. SanDisk tackled these
problems by developing new
algorithms that run on a flash-
memory chip controller. These
algorithms are significant factors in
reliably cramming in four bits of data
per cell. The end result is a chip that
can write data at a rate of 7.8
megabytes per second – close to the
speed at which existing chips can be
accessed. SanDisk’s X4 flash
memory technology allows doubling,
or even quadrupling of capacities of
existing flash-based devices without
substantial increase in production
costs, power consumption or sizes.
The 64-gigabit chips will be in
production before the second half of
2009, using 43-nanometre lithography
technology.
Carbon nanotubes
make fuel cells cheaper
The alkaline fuel cell, also known
as the Bacon fuel cell after its British
inventor, is one of the most developed
fuel cell technologies. It produces
power through a redox reaction
between hydrogen and oxygen. At
the anode, hydrogen is oxidized,
producing water and releasing two
electrons. The electrons flow through
an external circuit and return to the
cathode, where they reduce oxygen
to produce hydroxide ions. The net
reaction consumes one oxygen
molecule and two hydrogen
molecules in the production of two
water molecules. Electricity and heat
are formed as by-products of this
reaction.
Although extensively used in
manned space missions, the large-
scale practical use of alkaline fuel
cells is beset with the high cost of
platinum-based catalysts needed for
the oxygen reduction reactions.
Recently a team of American
researchers led by Liming Dai, a
materials engineering professor at the
19

Fig. 2. Better than platinum: A scanning electron microscope image shows an array of
vertical nanotubes that are doped with nitrogen. The array could replace the expensive
platinum catalyst used in fuel-cell electrodes (Source: Science).
University of Dayton, in Ohio have
come out with a cheaper alternative
–carbon nanotubes–that can replace
platinum in fuel cells. The
researchers have shown that arrays
of vertically grown carbon nanotubes
could be used as the catalyst in fuel
cells. The carbon nanotubes, which
are doped with nitrogen, would be
much cheaper and longer lasting than
the expensive platinum catalysts used
now (Science, 6 February 2009).
Dai and his colleagues make
electrodes by depositing the carbon-
nanotube arrays on a composite film
of polymer and carbon nanotubes.
They use a compound containing
carbon, nitrogen, and iron to make
the nanotubes. When they place this
on a quartz substrate and heat it in
the presence of ammonia, nitrogen-
doped carbon nanotubes start
growing straight up from the surface.
Then they oxidize the array to
remove residual iron and transfer the
array to a polymer film. Immersing
20
the electrode in a potassium
hydroxide electrolyte,
researchers found that it speeds up
the cathode reaction of oxygen and
electrons. This is significant because
the efficiency of a fuel cell is decided
by the reaction at the cathode, in
which oxygen molecules combine
with electrons. The reaction is at least
an order of magnitude slower than
that at the anode. Nitrogen-doped
carbon nanotubes thus offer a more-
efficient yet cheap catalyst for the
cathode for alkaline fuel cells.
Carbon nanotubes have other
advantages too. They are known to
be electrically and mechanically
robust than platinum, which is easily
‘poisoned’ by carbon monoxide and
degrade over time. Carbon
nanotubes have long-term
operational stability and do not suffer
from carbon-monoxide poisoning
According to the researchers,
the nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes
should also work in the polymer
electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel
cells that are being considered for
vehicles. Conventional PEM fuel
cells for cars contain two platinum-
coated electrodes. The catalyst splits
hydrogen at the anode into acidic
hydrogen ions and electrons.
Hydrogen ions flow through an
electrolyte membrane towards the
cathode, while electrons flow out of
the cell to generate an electric
current.
Liquid wood: A green
alternative to plastic
Plastic is one of the most
important technological discoveries
the
of the 20th century and as a material
it enjoys the biggest demand in the
modern world. But plastic also has
several drawbacks. First and
foremost, plastic is not
biodegradable. Secondly, it contains
toxins that can trigger the
development of cancerous diseases.
Finally, plastic is made of oil, and oil
reserves are not eternal. Now,
German scientists have developed a
100 per cent renewable bio-plastic
known as ‘Arboform’, which they
believe will become commonplace in
the future.
Being non-biodegradable, plastic
waste has become a major
environmental concern today.
Repeated reprocessing of plastic
waste and its disposal causes
environmental problems, pose health
hazards, in addition to being a public
nuisance. Polythene carry bags have
environmental implications from
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009

Fig. 3. Toys made of petroleum-based plastic can leach toxic elements and are dangerous
for children, but toys made from liquid wood-based bio-plastic is totally safe.
cradle to grave. While carry bags
made from virgin plastics are
accepted as user-friendly, the
problem arises when plastics are
recycled for repeated use. Carry
bags manufactured using third and
lower grade recycled materials are
unacceptable and are the main
environmental culprits. The growing
list of health concerns linked to plastic
ingredients, such as heavy metals
and softeners known as phthalates,
also has increased the impetus to find
a good substitute for manufacturing
toys and other products. The
research group was also able to
reduce the sulphur content in
Arboform by about 90 per cent for
use in toys. This was a challenging
task because sulphur-free lignins are
usually soluble in water–and
therefore unsuitable for toys. The
scientists solved this problem with
the aid of suitable additives by
modifying the bio-plastic in such a
way that it survives contact with
water and saliva undamaged.
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
Although research has been
going on to find a suitable plastic
substitute for more than a decade,
till recently no real breakthrough
could be made. Norbert Eisenreich,
a senior researcher at the Fraunhofer
Institute for Chemical Technology
(ICT) in Pfinztal, Germany, and his
team have now come up with a viable
alternative derived from wood pulp-
based lignin. The ICT team has
created a kind of liquid wood from
one of wood’s main components
known as lignin. Liquid wood is
basically a by-product of paper
industry. The paper industry
separates wood into its three main
components – lignin, cellulose and
hemicelluloses, out of which the lignin
is not needed in papermaking. Lignin
is an attractive raw material because
it is abundantly available and is
relatively cheap. By mixing the
discarded lignin with fibres and wax,
Tecnaro, a German company, has
refined a process for producing
plastic-like pellets. Under high-
pressure conditions, the composite
material behaves like melted plastic,
allowing it to be injected through a
nozzle into a mould and made into a
wide range of forms. The final
product can resemble highly polished
wood or have a more matted finish
and look like the plastic used in most
household items. According to the
researchers, the liquid wood
technology is capable of replacing
plastic and providing mankind with
new materials for many years ahead.
Artificial arm that
listens to brain
Arm amputation is a traumatic
experience. Most arm amputations
result from occupational injuries or
accidents, but sometimes, all or part
of an arm is removed surgically to
treat a disorder (such as cancer).
After arm amputation, most people
are fitted for an artificial arm, which
may include a hook or hand with
fingers, a wrist unit, and, for an
above-the-elbow amputation, an
elbow unit. Movement of the hook
or hand is controlled by movement
of the shoulder muscles. A hook may
be more functional, but most people
prefer the way a hand looks.
If the amputation is above the
elbow then control of the prosthesis
is more complicated than that of a
below-the-elbow prosthesis. Newer
prosthetic arms, controlled by
microprocessors and powered using
energy produced by the person’s
muscles, enable the wearer to control
movements with more precision, but
are still far from the way a normal
person does it. Typically, a person
21
 over the chest
muscles, acting
as antennae.
When the person
wants to move
the arm, the
brain sends
signals that first
contract the
chest muscles,
which send an
electrical signal
to the prosthetic
arm, instructing
it to move. The
process requires
no more
Fig. 4. She lost her arm in a car accident in 2006, but a new kind of conscious effort
prosthetic arm allows her to do almost anything, including tying than it would for
shoes of a child at a day care centre. (Source: New York Times).
a person who
with a prosthetic arm can make only has a natural arm. According to the
a few motions, often so slowly that researchers the new technique
many people use the arms only for makes it possible to perform ten hand,
limited activities. Recently, a team of wrist and elbow movements – a big
American and Canadian researchers, improvement over the typical
led by Todd A. Kuiken, a prosthetic repertoire of bending the
physiotherapist and biomedical elbow, turning the wrist, and opening
engineer at the Rehabilitation Institute and closing the hand.
of Chicago, has developed a new
Since it was pioneered in 2001
procedure that is attracting increasing
by Kuiken, the targeted muscle
attention because it allows people to
innervation technique has been
move prosthetic arms more
performed on about 30 people in the
automatically than ever before, simply
United States, Canada and Europe,
by using rewired nerves and their
including eight soldiers injured in Iraq
brains (Journal of American
and Afghanistan, and the results
Medical Association, 11 February
show a big improvement over the
2009).
typical prosthetic repertoire of
The technique, called targeted bending the elbow, turning the wrist,
muscle reinnervation, involves taking and opening and closing the hand.
the nerves that remain after an arm The reinnervation method is part of
is amputated and connecting them to a recent explosion of new ideas and
another muscle in the body, often in techniques being explored as
the chest. Electrodes are then placed scientists try to help people better
22 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
compensate for missing limbs or
paralysis.
Catalytic converter
for trucks
Catalytic converters in petrol
cars turn toxic nitrogen oxides (NOx)
in auto exhausts into harmless
nitrogen gas. But the standard
catalytic converters used in cars
would not work with diesel engines
because diesel exhaust is cooler and
contains more oxygen and oxides of
sulphur, which can poison the
catalyst. A novel type of catalytic
converter for trucks could be
available within a year that would
sharply reduce emissions of smog-
generating NOx. Currently a liquid-
urea-based catalytic converter
system is available to clean up NOx
in diesel exhausts, but it is messy and
cumbersome.
Chris Marshall and his team at
Argonne National Laboratory in
USA have developed a new catalyst
based on microparticles of a copper-
zeolite material coated with cerium
oxide to turn NOx in diesel exhaust
into nitrogen. In preliminary tests,
Argonne’s recently patented
catalyst-based technology matched
urea in terms of NOx breakdown at
peak operating temperatures – and
beat urea at lower temps.
Furthermore, unlike the urea systems,
the Argonne catalytic converter is a
one-time installation that never needs
replacement.
(Biman Basu, Science Communicator and
Consultant, C-203 Hindon Apartaments, 25,
Vasundhara Enclave, Delhi-110096;
e-mail: bimanbasu@gmail.com).
 IDEAS & INNOVATIONS
of a simple cam arrangement. The
Tractor-operated fruit-shake harvester unit consists of a disc in which a

Dr. A. Surendrakumar, Dr. K. Rangasamy, bush is fixed. A slider crank
Dr. S. Ganapathy & Dr. J. John Gunasekar mechanism is used to create a
reciprocating movement of a rod.
One end of a rope is connected to
the rod and the other end is connected
Harvesting of fruit is a labour standard method used with to the branch of a tree to be harvested
and time consuming operation. In mechanical fruit harvesters. The using a ‘C’ clamp. The disc is
India, harvesting of fruits is done basic principle of limb shaking is coupled to the tractor power take-
manually. Mechanical harvesting has based on the transmission of vibratory off (PTO) directly by means of a
not gained popularity. However, forces to the tree (Adrian and Fridley, shaft and is driven by the tractor
shortage of labour during peak 1965). PTO. The whole unit is fixed to the
periods necessitates mechanical tractor body by a simple frame.
A tractor-operated fruit-shake
harvesting. Sophisticated,
harvester has been developed at the The ‘C’ clamp is fixed to the
mechanised systems for harvesting
Department of Farm Machinery and branch of a tree using threaded rod
fruits are available, but they are not
Bio-Energy, Agricultural Engineering arrangement. Then the tractor PTO
suited for the small, fragmented
College and Research Institute, is operated. The branches are pulled
horticultural fields found in India.
Kumulur, Trichy, Tamilnadu. The by the rope when the rod moves
Besides, the investments needed for
basic principle of operation is down and released when the rod
mechanised harvesting is too high
converting rotary motion to moves up. This shakes the branch
to be feasible for these land
reciprocating movement by means and the fruits fall from the branch.
fragments. These facts point to the
need for a
harvesting
system to suit
the Indian
conditions that
can be used as
an attachment to
the existing
machinery used
in Indian farms.
Keeping these
requirements in
mind, a tractor-
operated tree
shaker fruit
harvester has
been developed.
Harvesting by
shaking the fruit-
bearing branches
or trunks is a Tractor -operated fruit-shake harvester.

INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009 23

 The fruits are collected in a net
provided at the bottom. The shaking
frequency can be varied by adjusting
the speed of the engine. It depends
on the maturity and type fruit to be
harvested.
The harvester can be used for
harvesting tamarind, citrus and ber
fruit. The unit is very simple and can
be easily assembled and dismantled.
The cost of the unit is around
Rs.2,600. The operational cost is
about Rs.8 per 100 kg. The
harvesting efficiency is 85 per cent
and the saving in time is about 95
per cent.
References
1. Adrian, P.A. and R.B. Fridley, 1985.
Dynamics and design criteria of inertia-
type tree shaker. Transactions of the
ASAE, 8(1):12-14.
2. Loghavi, M. and Sh. Mohseni, 2005.
The effects of shaking frequency and
amplitude on detachment of lime.
Information and Technology for
Sustainable Fruit and Vegetable
production FRUTIC, 12-16 September
2005, Montpellier, France, p155-164.

(Dr. A. Surendrakumar , Dr. K . Rangasamy,

Dr. S. Ganapathy , Dr. J. John Gunasekar
& Agricultural Engineering College and
Research Institute, Tamil Nadu Agricultural
University, Kumular, Tiruchirappalli -
621712).
Schematic diagram of fruit-shake harvester.

Share Your Ideas & Innovations !

While using our tools and appliances of daily use at homes or industries we come across many
problems in their handling and out of necessity bright ideas may shower upon us to bring out
simple but significant improvements / innovations in these gadgets. We invite our readers to
send their innovative ideas for publication in Invention Intelligence. The ideas must be clearly
explained and supported with illustrations wherever necessary.
-Ed.

24 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009

 LITERATURE SCAN
The Long Revolution:
The birth and growth of
India’s IT industry

Biman Basu
Book Reviewed: The Long
Revolution: The birth and growth of
India’s IT industry
Author: Dinesh C. Sharma
No. of pages: xii + 488
Price: Rs.595 (Hardbound)
Publisher: Harper Collins
Publishers India, A-53, Sector 57,
Noida 201301, U.P.
The Story of India’s IT Prowess
In the mid-1960s Delhi
University’s only mainframe
computer occupied a large hall in the
Computer Centre. Data had to be fed
by hundreds of post card-sized
punched cards. Many researchers
had to share time for using the
machine. Passenger booking in
railways and airlines, and
transactions in banks were all done
manually and people had to wait in
long queues for hours to reach the
counters. ATMs were non-existent,
as were Internet and mobile phones.
Things have changed completely
over the last few decades. Today one
can do railway and air bookings
without stepping out of home. One
can pay bills and taxes and do
purchases from around the world
online. One can withdraw money
from ATM anywhere, any day, any
time using debit or credit card; one
doesn’t need to go to the bank any
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
more. All this not only means more
convenience for the people but also
greater efficiency. The driving force
behind this change is the emergence
of India as a global player in
information technology, made
possible by several factors including
development of skilled manpower,
and pragmatic government policies.
Unfortunately, not many users of IT
in India are aware of the chequered
history of the growth and
development of the country’s
computer and IT industry. Dinesh C.
Sharma’s scholarly volume
adequately fills the void.
The Long Revolution traces
every twist and turn in the long story TIFRAC, which was completed in
1959, at the Tata Institute of
of India’s IT revolution, beginning
with the earliest ventures under the Fundamental Research, Mumbai.
guidance of stalwarts like statistician TIFRAC was a landmark
Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis in achievement for Indian computer
Calcutta (now Kolkata) in the 1930s groups who got their first taste of
and physicist Homi Jehangir Bhabha success in a virgin field. It helped
in Bombay (now Mumbai) in the them gain experience in various fields
1940s. Mahalanobis wanted of computer design, fabrication,
computers for analysing the vast pool testing, operation, maintenance and
of statistical data for the National programming. TIFRAC also helped
Sample Survey, while Bhabha spread computer consciousness
needed one for nuclear power among research scientists beyond
research. And both wanted to develop TIFR. By 1964, the machine operated
and fabricate computers locally. But, in two shifts and was used by
to begin with, Mahalanobis acquired scientists from government
two large first generation computers laboratories, educational institutions
and even private organisations from
from the UK and the USSR in the
all over India for various
early 1960s, and decided to install an
computational needs. But it was
American IBM 1401 machine on hire
hardly adequate to meet the growing
in 1964. The IBM machine was also
computational needs of the nation.
used for scientific research,
education and training activity at the In 1963, a group at the Atomic
Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata. Energy Establishment (now Bhabha
Bhabha was fortunate to have Atomic Research Centre) in
the first indigenous computer named Trombay came up with a general
25
purpose analog computer, EAC-62,
of which ten units were produced and
delivered to different research
institutes and engineering colleges by
1965. This Trombay group later
evolved into the public sector
production unit called the Electronics
Corporation of India Limited (ECIL),
which was projected as the ‘national
champion’ in the field of computers
and electronics. But, as Sharma
points out, attempts to curve out a
monopoly for ECIL and
government’s regulatory measures
were counter-productive. In the mid-
1970s, the failure of ECIL to produce
adequate number of computers and
the almost simultaneous curtailment
of operations of the American
computer giant IBM and the British
company ICL led to a shortage of
computing power in the country. To
ease the shortage the Department of
Electronics allowed import of
computers, but ‘to do so was a
nightmare’. The importer had to
follow an elaborate procedure for the
select import of computers valued at
more than Rs.5 lakh, and the approval
could take up to five years!
During the 1950s and 1960s the
American computer giant IBM did
big business in India, supplying
imported and locally manufactured
machines to Indian clients. The only
competition IBM faced in India came
in the mid-1960s when the British
firm ICL began manufacturing
operations in India. Then, in April
1968, serious anomalies in prices
charged by IBM were brought to the
notice of the government by the
Comptroller and Auditor General of
India. It was found that IBM had
26
increased the prices of locally made
items as well as maintenance by
almost 58 per cent on the pretext of
devaluation of the rupee. Several
other instances of overcharging by
IBM also came to light. The Public
Accounts Committee after
investigating the dealings of IBM
came out with a scathing report in
1976, which stated inter alia:
“IBM, with its near-monopoly
position in India, has defrauded the
country of enormous revenues by
resorting to various unfair practices
like transfer of pricing under the garb
of inter-company billing system,
misuse of import entitlements,
exaggerated claims of drawback,
underpayment of excise duty,
exaggerated claims of depreciation,
development rebate, head office
expenses, etc. All these practices
have enabled them to reap high
profits at the cost of the exchequer
as well as the technological
development of the country.”
Finally, IBM closed down its
Indian operations on 31 May 1978
after handing over the business of
maintaining its machines to the newly
founded Computer Maintenance
Service (CMS), India’s first third-
party computer maintenance
company. Two more entities–
Computer Maintenance Corporation
(CMC) and International Data
Management (IDM) came into being
overnight after IBM closed its
operations. The manufacturing unit
of IBM was taken over by another
group of IBM employees under the
name Pentax Engineering Private
Limited. As a result, there was no
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
break in maintenance, spare supplies,
data centre activities and card
manufacturing and the transition was
without a hitch.
Despite its unfair practices,
however, IBM did play a major role
in creating a computer culture in
government and business, which
helped in developing the right
environment for the introduction of
computers on a large scale in the
years to come. IBM also helped
create a pool of highly trained
computer professionals in systems
engineering, programming and
maintenance. IBM was back in
business in India in 1992, and a fully
owned IBM India was born in 1999.
During the 1980s, several
developments took place that paved
the way for a more liberalised
computer policy and the introduction
of computers in the government,
education and public sector units.
Although the groundwork for the
new computer policy was completed
when Indira Gandhi was the Prime
Minister and the Cabinet had already
cleared it, Mrs. Gandhi was killed
before the new policy could be made
public. It was announced after Rajiv
Gandhi took over as PM in 1984.
The new computer policy
permitted the manufacture of micro
and minicomputers as well as
personal computers by wholly owned
Indian companies or those with
foreign equity up to 40 per cent. But
manufacturing of CPUs of
mainframes and supercomputers
was reserved for the public sector.
The policy recognised software
development as an ‘industry’,
facilitating the import of computers
at special low duty for developing
software for export markets and
enabling software exports through
satellite-based data links with
overseas computers. In 1986 the
Department of Electronics came up
with a ‘Policy on computer software
export, software development and
training’ with the objective of
promoting software exports to take
a quantum jump and capture a
sizeable share in the international
software market. The policy also
envisaged setting up a chain of four
Indian Institutes of Information
Technology in each of the four
regions of the country. The impact
of these measures and the
subsequent creation of Software
Technology Parks could be seen later
in the form of the birth and rise of
Indian software giants like Infosys
and Tata Consultancy Services
(TCS).
At the turn of the century, a
unique opportunity came up for Indian
software firms in the form of the
Millennium Bug (Y2K) which
brought a large number of American
and European corporations in direct
contact with a host of large, medium
and small software firms in India. The
opening up of telecom and Internet
connectivity brought down the cost
of communication, further enhancing
the competitiveness of Indian firms
engaged in software exports.
In the late 1980s, several
developments took place that
touched the lives of millions of
ordinary Indians. They included the
computerised railway passenger
reservation system and the digital
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
telephone exchange. The first
computerised passenger reservation
system started functioning in New
Delhi in 1986. By 1990, the facility
was available in 22 cities. The
software developed for the
reservation system had many unique
features such as the facility to issue
tickets from any station to any
station, return journey, and multiple
laps of reservation – all from a single
window. This provided great relief
to passengers, who had to spend less
time in queues and the system
allowed little chance of corruption.
By the late 1980s banks also
followed suit and by 1989, about
4,500 advanced ledger posting
machines had become operational in
branches of nationalised banks.
Subsequent developments included
further automation in areas like
national clearing of inter-city
cheques, branch level computerisa-
tion and the setting up of a network
of Automated Teller Machines
(ATMs) that brought banking almost
to the customer’s doorstep.
The next big stride was the
creation in 1984 of the Centre for
Development of Telematics (C-
DOT), which developed the first
electronic switch for rural telephone
exchange, tailor-made for Indian
conditions that greatly helped in
expanding the telephone network to
rural areas. The driving force behind
the spread of India’s telecom network
was Sam Pitroda who believed that
‘to survive, India had to bring
telecommunications to its towns and
villages; to thrive it had to do it with
Indian talent and Indian technology.’
There are many more success
stories related to the rise of India’s
IT industry. In a nutshell, the book
provides a detailed history of the
Indian IT industry that has evolved
from the days of multinational
monopoly, state control and import
substitution to ‘export-led growth
leveraged on cheap labour ’. It
narrates the trials and tribulations that
individuals and fledgling enterprises
had to go through and the crucial role
played by an enlightened political
leadership. The facts have been
meticulously researched from official
documents, publications, archival
material and personal interviews by
the author and painstakingly
documented. Despite the staggering
amount of information, most of it
unknown or little known to the public,
the presentation is eminently lucid and
makes the book highly readable. The
Long Revolution is truly the first
authoritative history of the Indian IT
industry that deserves to be read by
every thinking Indian.
(Biman Basu, Science Communicator and
Consultant, C-203, Hindon Apartaments,
25, Vasundhara Enclave, Delhi-110096;
e-mail: bimanbasu@gmail.com).
For Publishers !
Invention Intelligence is
carrying a regular column
'Literature Scan'. Books on
science, technology, intellectual
property rights, research &
development, entrepreneurship,
new industrial policy and related
subjects may be sent to Editor
for review. The magazine has a
wide readership amongst
scientists, engineers, R&D
personnel, entrepreneurs and
technocrats. - Ed.
27
 IPR CORNER

M.M.S.Karki
Patent focus report
The Healthcare and Science
business of Thomson Reuters has
released its 2009 Patent Focus
Report. Authored by Joff Wild,
editor of Intellectual Asset
Management magazine, and
published in the Thomson Reuters
KnowledgeLink(SM) eNewsletter,
this report explores recent activities
at each of the world’s major
patenting authorities (USA, Europe,
Japan, China and India). “The 2009
Patent Focus Report combines
expert insight with the stories behind
the statistics,” said Tim Hamer, SVP
Global Marketing Services at
Thomson Reuters. “This highly
anticipated report discusses the
issues facing the world’s major
issuing authorities and dissects
significant patent disputes and their
outcomes.”
Key findings from the 2009
Patent Focus Report include:
1. For the first time a Chinese
company, Huawei Technologies
Co Ltd, topped the list of Patent
Co-operation Treaty applications.
2. The European Patent Office
received 140,700 applications in
2007, up over 3 per cent from
the year before. In contrast, the
number of patents granted fell
from 62,800 in 2006 to 54,700 in
2008.
3. The number of patent examiners
in India has remained relatively
static-raising questions about the
quality of patents coming out of
the Indian IP Office. In response,
28
at the end of 2008 India rate of growth in the previous three
announced 414 new examiner years, the total number of applications
posts to be created by 2012. for 2008 represents the highest
4. For the second year in a row, the number of applications received
Japan Patent Office reported the under the PCT in a single year.
lowest level of approved patent King of Thailand receives
applications since the mid-1990s. WIPO award
5. Patent approval rates at the US The King of Thailand, His
Patent and Trademark Office Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej,
continue to fall to below 50 per received on January 14, 2009, the
cent of applications examined. WIPO Global Leader Award in
Economic slowdown recognition of his extraordinary
commitment to promoting intellectual
impacts patent filing
property and his important
It appears that global economic contribution to society as a prolific
slowdown has impacted the 2008 inventor. WIPO Director General,
international patent filings. Mr. Francis Gurry, presented the
International patent filings under the award at a ceremony at the Klai
WIPO’s Patent Cooperation Treaty Kangwon Palace in Hua Hin,
(PCT) grew by 2.4 per cent in 2008, Thailand. Members of the Privy
to nearly 164,000 applications. While Council, ministers, senior officials and
the rate of growth was modest, as a high level WIPO delegation were
compared to an average 9.3 per cent in attendance.
EPO granted access to TKDL database
India has signed an access agreement with the European Patent
Office (EPO) to establish mechanism to protect India’s traditional
medicinal knowledge from bio-piracy. The patent examiners at the EPO
has been given access to the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library
(TKDL) database from February 2, 2009 so that no patents are granted
if there is existing documentation in the database related to Indian systems
of medicine.
About 2,000 patents on Indian systems of medicine are granted each
year, mainly because traditional medicinal knowledge exists in many
languages–Sanskrit, Hindi, Arabic, Urdu and Tamil, to name a few–that
are not understood by patent examiners.
India has set up the world’s first TKDL database. The 7-crore TKDL
project took nine years to enlist two lakh formulations from Ayurveda,
Unani and Siddha schools of medicine. The TKDL makes the information
available in five international languages like English, Japanese, French,
German and Spanish. Setting up the database will help ensure traditional
knowledge is not wrongfully taken away from India.
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
Patents for nanotubes
and fullerene products
Nano-C Inc, a leading developer
of nano-structured carbon materials
has been awarded US patents (US
Patent nos. 7,335,344 and 7,396,520)
for the manufacture of its core
products, carbon nanotubes and
fullerenes.
The technology covered by these
patents offers an array of unique
carbon nanotubes and fullerene
products tailored to specific
applications. These technologies
provide the needed scalability to meet
the growing demands in organic
photovoltaic and electronics
applications including transparent
conducting films for use in a variety
of devices.
Intellectual property and
TRIPS compliance in
India
The Indian Patents Act was
amended in 2005 in order to make it
compatible with India’s international
obligations. A 20-year product patent
regime was introduced for food,
drugs and chemicals. At the same
time, adequate safeguards were
introduced to protect the interests of
domestic industries. Patents Rules
aimed at making the system simple,
transparent and effective were
notified in May 2006. Patent filing
has nearly trebled from less than
13,000 in 2003-04 to more than
35,000 in 2007-08. The number of
patents granted has recorded steep
rise from 1,911 in 2004-05 to 15,261
in 2007-08. This is a growth almost
800 per cent in just three years.
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
There has been a significant increase
in the number of patent applications
filed in the computer/electronics and
biotechnology fields in the recent
years due to the intensive research
and development activities taking
place in these sectors. One of the
main reasons for growth in the
number of patent applications filed
in India has been attributed to the
government’s initiative to strengthen
IPR in India, in collaboration with
industry and academia. The
government has spent about Rs. 150
crore in the first phase to create
modern integrated intellectual
property offices with augmented
human resources in the four metros,
which are fully computerized. A
budget of Rs 320 crore has been
approved for the second phase of
modernization.
Trademark registrations have
gone up from 11,190 in 2002-03 to
1,01, 300 in 2007-08. In fact, the
number of trademarks registered
during the last three years is more
than the total number of trademarks
registered in all the previous years.
Filing of applications for
industrial design has increased
from 2,874 in 1999-2000 to 5,372
in 2006-07.
Although the Geographical
Indications of Goods Act was
enacted in 1999, not even a single
geographical indication was
registered until 2004. However,
during the last four years, 104
products have been registered.
Bilateral corporation agreements
on intellectual property rights have
been signed with leading countries /
institutions such as UK, France,
Australia, EC, US, Japan, Germany
and Switzerland. The Indian patent
office has been recognized as an
International Searching Authority and
an International Preliminary
Examining Authority under the
Patent Cooperation Treaty of the
World Intellectual property
Organization. The recognition has put
India in an exclusive group of 15
countries that are recognized as
world leaders in the field of IPR.
Kerala pepper and
Cardamom get GI tag
Malabar Grade1 and Tellicherry
pepper varieties as well as Alleppey
green cardamom have been
accorded the Geographical Indication
(GI) status, an international
recognition of their distictiveness.
The Black Malabar Grade1
pepper (MG1) is famous worldwide
for its distinctive spicy flavour and
commands a primary spot in the world
pepper market.
The aromatic Tellicherry pepper,
which accounts for a tiny portion of
India’s spice production, is grown
primarily in Thalassery and northern
parts of Kerala. Its dark brown grains
are bolder than the typical black
pepper grains. The variety is
considered to be aromatic and
pungent, and is considered the most
elegant of all peppers.
Alleppey green cardamom is an
internationally accepted grade and
gets its name from the trading of this
spice through the port of Alleppey
(Alappuzha) during older days. The
majority of the country’s cardamom
29

Intellectual property office receives the national
award for e-governance
The Indian Intellectual Property Office (IPO) has been awarded the
silver medal as a national award for e-governance for the year 2008-09
in the category of “Excellence in Government Process Re-
Engineering” for ‘Granting of Patent and Trade Mark Process’.
Recently, the IPO has also got its new controller general. Shri
P.H.Kurian, IAS, has assumed charge as the Controller General of Patents,
Designs & Trade Marks with effect from the forenoon of 22nd January
2009 at IPO, Mumbai.
production is of this variety. What intellectual property, FKCCI
distinguish it apart are the size, colour, president D Muralidhar said four
high oil content and oleoresins. The metros in the country have patent
processing and drying makes centres. “But Bangalore, being the
Alleppey green cardamom one of the knowledge capital of India, doesn’t
most accepted varieties in have one. The government must set
international market. up one to safeguard intellectual
property in the state. FKCCI will
FKCCI demands an IPR support such an effort by the
centre at Bangalore government or others.”
The Federation of Karnataka According to him, many firms and
Chambers of Commerce and research institutes have developed
Industry (FKCCI) has asked the various kinds of intellectual
government to set up a patent properties. “A centre in Bangalore
registration centre in Bangalore. will mean a great deal to young
At a recent conference on innovators.”
FKCCI encourages people to
apply for
patent rights or
trademarks for
their products.
“Many develop
products and
continue
production
w i t h o u t
registering
those. But the
risk is
somebody else
somewhere
30 INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
would take the idea or product and
lay a claim on it. To avoid this
situation, applying for patent is
necessary,” Muralidhar explained.
The US has 100 years of experience
in handling patent rights. “Owners of
medium and small scale industries in
India lack knowledge of intellectual
property, its procedures and cost
factor. Although they develop good
products, many rarely register for
trademarks,” he said.
DRDO gets patent for
herbal beverage
The Defence Research and
Development Organization (DRDO)
has been awarded an Indian patent
for a process for the preparation of
beverage from the fruits of
seabuckthorn (Hippophae spp).
The preparation of the beverage
comprises of preparing sugar solution
by mixing sugar and water in the ratio
of 1:1.75 to 2.5 wherein the sugar
solution contains 10-30 wt per cent
of fructose and 70-90 wt per cent of
cane sugar, mixing juice of
seabuckthorn and sugar solution in
the ratio of 1:1. The mixture is heated
at 320 to 520 C to prevent the loss of
natural vitamins, colours and flavour
homoginization. The syrup is then
filtered and any preservative selected
from potassium metabisulphate,
sodium benzoate, preferably
potassium metabisulphate may be
added.
Patent for the preparation
of friction tapes
The Technocrats Pvt Ltd has
been awarded an Indian patent for a
process for the preparation of friction
tapes. The invention comprises of
applying a layer of polymer resins on
one surface of a woven polyester
fabric followed by spraying of
emerysent thereon, leveling the layer
of emerysent and pressing with the
help of rollers, subjecting the pressed
layer to the step of heat treatment
for curing purposes, providing a
sticking layer on the other surface
of the woven fabric and then
providing a protective layer on
sticking layer.
CSIR gets patent for a
binder composition
The Council of Scientific &
Industrial research (CSIR) has been
granted an Indian patent for the
preparation of a binder composition
for use in ready-to-eat health snack
food. The composition is comprised
of jaggery, citric acid, liquid glucose,
liquid sorbitol and water. The
composition overcomes the
drawback of getting flexible and
moist bar, avoids spongy and sticky
nature of the snacks bar as well as
dry as friable texture.
Professional firms may
buy Indian patents
Individual inventors and research
organizations may find their patents
turning liquid with the imminent entry
of the Intellectual Ventures Llc.
Founded by the former Microsoft
chief technology officer, Nathan
Myhrvold, Intellectual Ventures (IV)
collects patents in the hope that it can
license them to other companies. IV
offers patent owners a variant of the
first option: It buys patents, and
because it is out to acquire as much
intellectual property as it can, it
renders illiquid assets liquid. The
advantage is that the inventors no
longer have to spend huge annual
amounts in keeping their patents
alive, especially when they are not
sure if they will ever commercialize
it.
Intellectual Venture Llc has
already entered into agreements to
buy patents from the Indian Institute
of Science, Bangalore; Indian
Institute of Technology, Bombay, and
is close to signing an agreement with
the Council of Scientific & Industrial
Research (CSIR). Indian companies
and individuals are increasingly
applying for patents at Indian and
foreign patent offices.
(M.M.S. Karki, 23-D, Pocket-A, SFS Flats,
Mayur Vihar, Phase-III, Delhi-110096,
email : karkimadan@hotmail.com).

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP AND OTHER PARTICULARS ABOUT

“INVENTION INTELLIGENCE”
FORM IV
1. Place : 20-22, Zamroodpur Community Centre
: Kailash Colony Extension, New Delhi 110048
2. Periodicity of its publication : bi-Monthly
3. Printer’s Name : Radha Kant Anthwal
Nationality : Indian
Address : 20-22, Zamroodpur Community Centre
: Kailash Colony Extension, New Delhi 110048
4. Publisher’s Name : Same as (3) above
Nationality
Address
5. Editor’s Name : Same as (3) above
Nationality
Address
6. Name and address of individuals : National Research Development Corporation
who own the newspaper and partners : 20-22, Zamroodpur Community Centre
or shareholders holding more than : Kailash Colony Extension,
one percent of the total capital : New Delhi 110048
I, Radha Kant Anthwal, declare that particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief:
Sd/-
Radha Kant Anthwal
(Signature of Publisher)

INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009 31

 S & T NEWS
Regional Seminars on
Intellectual Property
and Innovation
Management in
Knowledge Era
National Research Development
Corporation organized two regional
seminars on “Intellectual Property
and Innovation Management in
Knowledge Era” during January and
February 2009. The first was held at
Silchar, Assam, on 12-13 January
2009 in collaboration with Assam
University (a central university),
while the second seminar was held
at Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, on 27
February 2009 in collaboration with
Uttarakhand State Council for
Science and Technology (UCOST),
Dehradun.
The two-day seminar at Silchar
was inaugurated by Prof T.
Bhattacharjee, Vice-Chancellor and
Prof. G.D. Sharma Pro-Vice Chancellor,
Assam University. Prof. T Bhattacharjee
in his inaugural address welcomed
Chief Guest Prof. T. Bhattacharjee, VC, Assam University delivering Shri D.K. Rahut,
the inaugural address.
32
all participants and said he was very
happy to see the participation from
all disciplines. He spoke about the
importance of protection of
intellectual property generated
through research and development
in science threw light on the
interdependent relationship between
the science and humanities. Earlier
Dr. M.D. Chaudhury in his welcome
address briefed the participants
about the objectives of the event.
Prof. G.D. Sharma highlighted the
progress and achievements of Assam
University, Silchar, since its inception
and declared the eagerness to
establish an IPR cell at AU in the
near future. Shri C.M. Gaind, Sr.
Manager (IPR) NRDC, in his
address detailed NRDC activities
and assured that NRDC would
happily facilitate the filing of patent
applications in India for research
scholars as well as faculties of
Assam University.
The speakers of the first day
were: Shri C.M. Gaind, Sr Manager
IPR, NRDC, New Delhi; Dr. Sudhir
Kochhar, Principal
Scientist, Indian
Council of
Agricultural
Research, New
Delhi; Shri G.R.
Raghavender,
Deputy Secretary
and Registrar
Copyrights,
Ministry of Human
R e s o u r c e
Development,
New Delhi; and
Head and Assistant
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
Controller, Patent Office, Kolkata.
Shri Gaind, while speaking on
“Overview on IPR spectrum”
briefed the participants about the
organisation of the seminar and the
speakers and their expertise. He also
discussed in detail different
intellectual properties and provisions
for protection in India as well as
abroad.
Speaking on “Rationale of
Geographical Indication (GI),” Dr.
Kochhar introduced participants to
the concept and regulations for GI
Protection with a number of
photographs of Geographical
Indications from around India. Shri
Raghavender, spoke about legislation
and procedure for copyright
protection in India. He also discussed
the related rights, viz., performers’
rights and Berne convention, forms
and fees for filing copyright
application and other procedures. Dr.
Kochar, discussed in detail the
Convention on Biological Diversity
CBD and protection of Traditional
Knowledge TK. While discussing
different conventions held for
protection of TK he discussed that
yet the exact act and rules to be
formulised, but few preventive
measures already taken care by
Indian Patent Act and Protection of
GI Act. Shri Rahut, discussed in
detail the importance of design
registration in India. While discussing
the amendment in enactment of new
Designs Act he also discussed
procedures and provisions available
in patent offices across India.
The speakers of the second day
were: Mrs. Kajol Sinha Trademark
Attorney, M/s L.S. Davar & Co,
Kolkata; Dr. S.K. Mitra, Assistant
Controller, Patent Office Kolkata; Dr
(Mrs) S. Banerjee, Patent Attorney,
M/s LS Davar & Company, Kolkata;
Shri VK Bali, Sr Technical Director,
National Informatics Centre, New
Delhi; Shri Avinash Kumar, Joint
Director, IPR&ER, Defence
Research Development Organisation
DRDO, New Delhi; and Shri C.M.
Gaind, Sr. Manager IPR, NRDC,
New Delhi.
Mrs. Sinha, in her presentation
introduced the role of trademarks in
marketing of goods and illustrated a
number of well-known trademarks.
She also detailed the filing process
and required fees and informed the
participants about the remedies
available by different courts in case
of infringement issues, like injunction,
imprisonment and penalty. Dr. Mitra,
described in detail the Indian
Patenting System, its territories and
offices, and functions. While
describing the procedure of getting
a patent he illustrated the timeline and
fee structure for individual and legal
entity. He also responded to a
number of queries from the
participants, mostly on patentable
subject matter, required fees to be
deposited and source of financial
assistance available.
Dr Banerjee, in her lecture
described novelty aspect of invention
for patentability. She emphasised that
before filing an application for patent
it is the duty of the applicant to
ensure the novelty of the invention
sought to be patented. Shri Bali
demonstrated an online training
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
module for participants
for ‘Searching patents
for novelty aspects’.
While discussing the
important tools and
techniques for
searching, he also
showed a list of freely
available patent
databases. Shri Kumar
described the procedure
and options available for
patenting abroad. He Chief Guest Dr. Rajendra Dobhai, Director, UCOST
delivering the inaugural address.
also discussed in brief
about the do’s and don’ts of filing a affirmed that efforts would be made
patent in a foreign country. The last to set up an IPR cell at Assam
lecture was on technology transfer University for the benefit of research
by Shri Gaind, different issues, like scholars of the university. The two-
required agreements before filing or day seminar ended with a vote of
after filing a patent and disclosing the thanks by Shri C.M. Gaind, Sr
knowhow, and precautions to be Manager NRDC, New Delhi. A total
taken while describing the of 147 participants registered for the
technology to public or business seminar from different discipline of
house also discussed in this session. studies of Assam University.
In the valedictory session, Shri The one-day seminar at
Vibhas Deb, Deputy Registrar, Rishikesh was inaugurated by Dr.
Administration, AU, Silchar, Prof. Rajendra Dobhal, Director, UCOST,
G.D. Sharma, Pro-Vice Chancellor Dehradun. Dr. Dobhal in his
Shri C.M. Gaind, Sr Manager (IPR) inaugural address highlighted the
NRDC and Dr. M.D. Chaudhury, recent developments and initiatives
Reader, A.U. were present. Dr. of UCOST and urged all eminent
M.D. Chaudhury in his vote of experts to demystify the queries of
thanks shared his experiences of participants related to patenting
interaction with all the eminent issues. He also advised participants
speakers and especially thanked Shri to utilise the presence of the experts
C.M. Gaind, for giving him in getting their doubts clarified.
opportunity to be coordinator of the Earlier Dr Govind S. Rajwar, Reader,
event. Prof G.D. Sharma, Pro-VC Department of Botany, Govt. P.G.
Assam University, in his valedictory College, Rishikesh gave a brief
note proposed thanks to NRDC for introduction about the seminar and
inviting a galaxy of eminent resource its objectives while welcoming the
persons from across the country to participants and experts. The
Silchar. Shri Vibhas Deb, Deputy inaugural session concluded with a
Registrar Administration, AU, vote of thanks proposed by Dr. R.K.
33
Gupta, Reader, Department of
Botany, Govt. P.G. College,
Rishikesh.
The inaugural session was
followed by three technical sessions.
The speakers of the first session
were: Shri C.M. Gaind, Senior
Manager, NRDC, New Delhi; Shri
Sameer Swarup, Assistant Controller,
Patent Office, New Delhi; Dr. Rohit
Rathore, Examiner of Patents, Patent
Office, New Delhi; and Shri S.K.
Pangasa, K&S Partners, Gurgaon.
The first lecture of seminar was
on ‘An overview of IPR Spectrum’
by Shri Gaind. He gave a brief
overview on different components of
Intellectual Property Rights, viz.,
Patent, Copyright, Geographical
Indication, Design Registration,
Trademarks, Semiconductors and
Integrated Circuits Layout Designs
and Protection of Plant Varieties and
Farmers Rights Act. He also gave
an account of NRDC activities and
success stories and assured all the
participants of full support in filing a
patent application in India.
The second lecture of the day
was on ‘Indian Patent System’ by
Shri Swarup. After presenting a brief
overview of organisational structure
of Indian Patent offices and their
respective territorial limits, he
highlighted the recent developments
in Patent Offices and Patenting
System in the present New Product
Patent Regime. While describing the
procedure of getting a patent he also
illustrated the timeline and fee
structure and forms for individual and
legal entity.
34
The third lecture was on ‘Search
for State-of-art Searches in the Field
of Inventions’ by Dr. Rathore. In his
long practical session, after defining
the importance and need for a patent
search, he suggested that establishing
the novelty aspects is an inexorable
pre-requisite for a patent application.
While discussing the important tools
and techniques for searching, he also
showed a list of freely available patent
databases.
The fourth lecture was on
‘Disclosure of Invention for Patent
Protection’ by Shri Pangasa. He
discussed the necessity and
limitations of disclosure of particulars
of an invention to patent office to get
a patent on a claimed invention.
Further he suggested the safeguards
and precautions also.
The speakers of second session
were: Dr. Sanjeev Saxena, Principal
scientist, Indian Council for
Agricultural Research, New Delhi
and Shri G.R. Raghavender, Deputy
Secretary and Registrar Copyrights,
Ministry of Human Resource
Development, New Delhi. Dr.
Saxena, described in detail ‘IPR and
Benefit Sharing under Convention on
Biological Diversity CBD and
Traditional Knowledge TK’. While
discussing different conventions for
protection of TK, he said the exact
act and rules are yet to be
formulated, but a few preventive
measures already in place under the
Indian Patent Act and Protection of
GI Act.
Shri Raghavender in his
presentation on ‘Copyright
Registration in India’ spoke about
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
legislations and procedures available
for protection of artistic and literary
works, etc., by copyright in India. He
also discussed the related rights, viz.,
performers’ rights, Berne convention,
form and fees for filing copyright
application, and other procedures.
The last lecture of the day was
on ‘Rationale and Registration of
Geographical Indications GI of
Goods in India’ by Shri Gaind. In his
presentation he introduced to
participants to the concept and
regulations for GI Protection with a
number of photographs of
Geographical Indications from
around India. He also discussed the
appellation of origin.
In the valedictory session, Dr.
Govind S. Rajwar, Dr Sanjeev
Saxena and Shri C.M Gaind received
feedback from participants and also
responded to their queries. Dr.
Rajwar in his vote of thanks to all
participants and experts shared his
experiences of interaction with the
eminent speakers of the day and
especially thanked to NRDC for
organising the event at Rishikesh.
The seminar ended with a vote of
thanks by Shri Gaind. A total of 93
participants from different disciplines
attended the seminar.
Dr Sanjeev Kumar Majumdar
Exploring the next
revolution in
information technology
The next revolution in the field
of information technology would be
ushered in only when this technology
finds wide applications in education,
healthcare and governance, observed
Dr. Sam Pitroda, Chairman, National
Knowledge Commission, while
releasing a new book on the evolution
of information technology industry in
New Delhi on 20 March 2009.
Despite India having made
tremendous progress in software
services exports and outsourcing, the
use of information technology within
the country had not yet picked up,
Dr Pitroda said. “Our best brains
have been working for the rich. The
next revolution will occur when they
start solving our own problems”, he
commented. He emphasised the use
of information technology in the field
of governance, which, he said, would
bring about transparency and
accountability in public life.
The book, The Long Revolution:
Birth and Growth of India’s IT
Industry, is written by science
journalist Dinesh C Sharma, and
published by HarperCollins India. It
describes the origins of the IT
Dr. Sam Pitroda, Chairman, National Knowledge Commission
releasing the book ‘The Long Revolution : Birth and Growth of
India’s IT Industry’. Present on the dais are (from right) Shri
Saurabh Srivastava, Shri Rajendra S. Pawar and the author of
the book Shri Dinesh C. Sharma.
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
industry in India right from the days
of Bhabha and Mahalanobis, while
capturing the topsy-turvy journey
through the 1980s and the post-
liberalisation period.
Dr. Samir K Brahmachari,
Director General of Council of
Scientific and Industrial Research,
observed that while India had made
considerable progress in the area of
IT services, it was yet to make a
mark in product development.
Countries like Israel, though much
smaller in size than India, have made
a mark by selling products rather than
services. India would also need to
follow a similar strategy if it wanted
to achieve the target of software
exports worth $ 250 billion by 2020,
as projected.
Shri Rajendra S Pawar,
chairman of NIIT Limited, said the
information technology industry in
the country was founded by computer
scientists, then taken over by
engineers in 1970s and 1980s, and
finally by management and financial
experts in later
periods. Now it is
time computer
scientists returned
to the industry and
took up R&D as
well as product
development.
IT industry
expert and venture
capitalist Shri
Saurabh Srivastava
said product
development could
not be taken up
earlier as the
country lacked proper environment
for innovation, such as availability of
venture capital. Also, one needs a
large domestic market for which
products can be developed and
tested. Now with the rise in use of
digital technologies, domestic market
is growing and Indian companies
have started developing products.
The book’s author Shri Sharma
observed that writing the panoramic
history of the sector, spanning half a
century, was a challenging task. This
sector has been much discussed and
debated, and lots of myths and hype
are connected with this sector. Yet
dramatic changes have taken place
in the past three decades in this
sector. “It will be difficult for the
younger generation to believe that
many software companies did not
have computers of their own even in
early eighties. Software writing was
a paper-and-pencil activity. They did
not have their own telephone lines.
Some of these companies are the
poster boys of the industry today.”
In information technology,
Sharma said, we are dealing with a
dynamic sector. The technology is
changing very fast. The economic
situation is changing very fast. Since
this industry is heavily dependent on
exports, change in political climate
in export markets like the US is also
a critical factor. So, this sector has
to be on its toes constantly. Having
achieved considerable growth and
become a major contributor to India’s
export earnings, the industry faces
several challenges today. The first
and foremost question in the minds
of all of us is: Can we sustain this
lead? How far can we retain our
35
competitive advantages of
manpower and cost? In a globalised,
inter-dependent economy – which is
witnessing a downturn right now –
is it safe to depend on exports
perpetually? We will have to find
answers to these questions in the
days to come.
67th All India ophthalmic
Conference, 5 to 8
February 2009
The 67th All India Ophthalmic
Conference was held in Jaipur from
5 to 8 February 2009. Six thousand
five hundred delegates from
different parts of world attended the
conference. The Minister of Health
of Rajasthan inaugurated the
conference. Several topics related to
the super-specialty area of
ophthalmology were discussed in the
form of keynote address or presented
papers. The most common topic of
interest was IOL (intra ocular lenses)
of modern generation. The
discussions were mainly based on
aspheric IOL, multifocal, refractive
or diffractive and accommodative
36
lenses. These new-generation lenses
have several advantages over
unifocal IOLs, but unifocal lenses are
still preferred by the masses. These
IOLs are affordable and time tested
as compared to modern-day lenses,
which may require explants in
extreme cases due to intolerable side
effects.
Age related macular
degeneration and diabetic or
hypertensive maculopathies were
other areas of hot discussion. These
disorders are being treated by a
newer group of drugs along with or
without laser adjunct. The new drugs
have shown promise for future use,
but so far no big study had been
conducted to assess the role of these
anti-vascular endothelial growth
factor (anti-VEGF) drugs. Effects of
these drugs are best seen in diabetic
retinopathy and treatment of wet
type of macular degeneration. But
longer follow-ups are needed to
assess their side effects. Cost is
another factor that prevents the
frequent use of these drugs.
Live surgical skill transfer by the
wet lab surgery was the star
attraction of the
conference; there
were many
companies which
were providing
these services for
young scientist
free of cost. Model
eyes and a most
modern phaco-
machine were
used for this
purpose.
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
190 trade stalls at the conference
venue displayed ophthalmic
instruments and drugs. Movies on
various eye surgeries were shown
for the improvement of surgical skill
and method. All scientific papers
presented in the conference in
competitive session were judged for
best paper and prizes were given to
motivate young researchers in
ophthalmic research. The
conference ended with a valedictory
session.
(Dr. P.S. Negi, MD (Ophtho), 256/6B,
Railway Officers Enclave, P.K. Road, New
Delhi-110001).
Nationwide awareness
campaign on intellectual
property rights
As part of the Nationwide IP
Awareness Campaign (2008-09), the
followings seminars were organized
at the different locations during
December 2008 and January 2009.
The objective behind this campaign
is to demystify the subject,
‘Intellectual Property’.
1. The Office of the Controller
General of Patents, Designs & Trade
Marks under Department of
Industrial Policy & Promotion
(DIP&P), Ministry of Commerce &
Industry, Government of India, and
Federation of Indian Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (FICCI)
conducted the intellectual property
rights sensitization programme at
Jaipur on 23rd December 2008.
About 150 participants attended this
programme from industries, law
firms, advocates, patent attorneys
and technical institutes and
universities. The inaugural session of
the programme was presided over
by Shri Damodar Sharma, Principal
Secretary, Department of Science &
Technology, Government of
Rajasthan. In the programme,
Professor Dr. Alka Chawla from
Delhi University on copyright and
industrial designs, Shri Rohit Kumar
Vohra, Managing Director, Aayam
Herbal (P) Ltd, Jaipur, on utility model
protection, Ms. Nav Preet Kaur from
K & S Partners on trade marks as
IP tool, Ms. Sheetal Chopra from
FICCI on intellectual property rights
and their economic importance, Shri
Anil Kumar, Deputy Director,
Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium
Enterprises, Government of India,
New Delhi, on building awareness
on intellectual property rights (IPR)
for MSME in India, Shri Dinesh
Jotwani on integration of IP into
business strategies and Dr. K.S.
Kardam, Assistant Controller of
Patents & Designs, Patent Office,
New Delhi, on overview of
intellectual property rights for
business and utility model system,
made presentations. The programme
evoked lot of response from the
participants. At the end of the
programme, a quiz contest was held
and the winners were awarded with
cash price. This was followed by
distribution of certificates.
2. The Patent Office, Chennai,
Department of Industrial Policy &
Promotion, Ministry of Commerce &
Industry, Government of India, in
association with the National Institute
of Intellectual Management
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
Roving seminars on geographical indications
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), in cooperation
with the Department of Industrial Promotion & Policy (DIPP), has
organized the National Roving Seminars for the Promotion of Knowledge
on Geographical Indications on January 29 and 30, 2009 at Chennai,
February 2 and 3, 2009 at Bangalore and February 5 and 6, 2009 at
Kolkata. These seminars were aimed at providing information not only
on the procedures for the registration of geographical indications (GIs) in
India, but also on strategies which have proved successful from the point
of view of the producers of GI-intensive products. In addition, existing
international schemes of protection and current efforts to improve such
schemes, national approaches to the protection of geographical indications,
business aspects of GI protection, insufficient understanding of
geographical indications as part of a branding strategy were
discussed.
(NIIPM), Nagpur, conducted the Pharmaceuticals” by Dr.
national seminar on intellectual U.P.Senthilkumar, Asst. General
property rights at Hotel Le Royal Manager of Orchid Chemicals &
Meridien, Chennai on 9 January, Pharmaceuticals Ltd, and
2009. Nearly 150 persons from “Technology Transfer and Licensing
leading companies, pharma sectors, in Patents” by Mr. Surya Senthil of
universities, educational institutions Jus Maxima Law Offices. An
and research institutes attended the interactive session was conducted at
seminar. The Hon’ble Minister of the end of the seminar. At the end of
State for Industry, Dr. Ashwani the seminar, Shri K.M. Viswanathan,
Kumar, inaugurated the seminar and Deputy Controller of Patents &
delivered the keynote address. The Designs, gave the vote of thanks.
then Controller General of Patents, 3. The Department of Industrial
Designs & Trademarks, Shri V. Ravi, Policy and Promotion (DIPP),
gave a welcome address to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry,
gathering .The inauguration was Government of India, in collaboration
followed by the technical sessions in with the Confederation of Indian
which the lectures were delivered on Industry (CII) and the Office of the
“Patenting System in India” by Dr. Controller General of Patents,
(Mrs) Malathilashmikumaran of M/ Designs and Trademarks
s.Lakshmikumaran & Sridharan, (CGPDTM) organized an awareness
“Biodiversity and Patents - Indian programme on intellectual property
Scenario” by Dr. S.Bala Ravi, rights for industry on 10th January
Advisor (Biodiversity) and former 2009 at Indore. While inaugurating
Assistant Director General (IPR), the seminar, Shri Rajendra Prasad,
ICAR, “Product Patenting in Chairman, CII Madhya Pradesh
37
State Council, stated that the
awareness programme is a curtain
raiser of the efforts of the
Government of India to sensitize the
industry on IPR matters. He
mentioned that the awareness
programme would address the
important issue of leveraging
intellectual property for knowledge-
based development and national
wealth creation that has immense
significance and implications on our
economy and society. Shri T.C
James, Director, DIPP, stated that
the awareness programme is part of
the national campaign on IPR
sensitization launched by the
Government of India on 26th April
2006, the World IP Day. He observed
that IP literacy has now become a
basic requirement for doing business.
IP, he further stated, has become a
powerful tool for wealth creation. IP
protection plays an important
causative role in innovations.
Countries with high innovation
quotient have been making rapid
progress. He stressed the need for
developing a healthy IP culture,
which balances the rights of
innovators and safeguards public
interests. Shri James also apprised
the meeting of the efforts made by
the Government of India during the
last few years to modernize the IP
regime in the country. Shri Subodh
Kumar, Head, IPR & APTDC,
stated that realizing the importance
of IP and the fact that IPR is one of
the key issues confronting the Indian
industry. CII has constituted the
National Committee of IP Owners
with special focus on IPR protection
and enforcement. Through this
38
Committee, CII has been
spearheading some of the major
initiatives in IP such as training and
awareness generation and protection
and enforcement measures across
the country. Technical sessions were
addressed by Shri T.C. James,
Director DIPP; Shri. Rajiv Bhirud,
Chief, R&D & Environment, TATA
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
XLV founder Memorial
Lecture of Shriram Institute
for Industrial Research
Speaker : Dr. M.K. Bhan,
Secretary, Govt. of India
Department of Biotechnology,
Ministry of Science &
Technology
Title : Future of Biological
Sciences in India
Date : April 23, 2009
Time : 4.00 pm
Venue : Kamani Auditorium,
Copernicus Marg, New Delhi
th
11 NCB International
Seminar on Cement and
Building Materials
Date : 17-20 November 2009
Venue : The Ashok, Diplomatic
Enclave, Chanakyapuri, New
Delhi-110021
Organiser : National Council for
Cement and Building Materials, 34
km Stone,
Delhi-Mathura Road, Ballabgath-
121004, Haryana
Phone : 91-129-2242051-56,
2246174
E-mal : seminar@ncbindia.com,
nccbm@vsnl.com.
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
International Ltd.; Dr. S. S. Singh,
Assistant Controller of Patents &
Designs; Dr. Swati Bal Tembe, Vice
President & Head, Patent
Department, Piramal Life sciences;
Shri H Y Mehta, Advocate, Indore
High Court and Dr. Prithpal Singh,
Examiner of Patents & Designs. The
technical sessions focused on various
forms of IPRs, procedures of
securing IPRs, management of IPRs
and case studies of exemplary efforts
made by small and medium
enterprises and rural communities to
protect their innovations a well as
traditional knowledge-based
industries. During the technical
sessions, the participants got an
opportunity to interact with the
Intellectual Property Office officials
to clarify their doubts about filing and
processing of IP applications.
Around 100 participants attended the
awareness programme from various
sectors like industry, academia and
legal professionals.
(M.M.S. Karki, 23-D, Pocket-A, SFS Flats,
Mayur Vihar, Phase-III, Delhi-110096,
email : karkimadan@hotmail.com).
Agricultural
Conservation for
Enhancing Food
Security–A report

Kuldeep Sharma
The continuous use of natural
resources in the past has not only
affected the environment but has also
hampered development. The 4th
world Congress on Agricultural
Conservation was organised jointly
by ICAR and National Academy of
Agricultural Sciences from 4 to 7
February 2009 to discuss
conservation of our natural
resources. More than 800 delegates
representing research institutions,
policy planners, corporate
organisations, farmer’s organisations,
non-government organisations and
other stake holders from India and
abroad participated.
The World Congress was
inaugurated by Sh. Sharad Pawar,
Union Minister of Agriculture and
Consumer Affairs, Food and Public
Distribution. In his inaugural address
the honourable minister said,
“Enhancing agricultural production,
increasing farm income, accelerating
agricultural growth, and conserving
natural resources are the major
challenges faced by the world
community. The slowdown in the
agricultural sector is a widespread
phenomenon which has adversely
affected farmers in all countries. The
problem was further aggravated by
fuel crisis, which was responsible for
increased fertiliser prices and
transportation costs besides diversion
of sizeable food grain area in favour
of biotech production.”
The theme chosen for the 4th
World Congress was ‘Innovations for
Improving Efficiency, Equity and
Environment.’ Sh. Pawar said, “The
World Congress was scheduled at an
appropriate time when the whole
world is facing challenges posed by
the demands of bulging populations.”
He pointed out that the previous year
had witnessed a steep decline in food
stocks and skyrocketing prices of
food commodities due to several
constraints including deteriorating
production, environmental
degradation and the growing menace
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
Shri Sharad Pawar, Union Minister of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs, Food and
Public Distribution,delivering the inaugural address at 4th world Congress on Agricultural
Conservation.
of global warming. He said the major
concern is to use irrigation water
efficiently, avoid water logging and
salinity, and promote rain water
harvesting and water conservation
methods in rain-fed areas to enhance
production potential
Dr. Mangla Rai, chairman of the
international steering committee and
Director General, ICAR, elaborated
the theme of the Congress and its
objectives. Citing nationwide data, Dr
Rai highlighted the success and the
immense popularity of resource
conservation technologies in India
and said that it would result in net
saving of US$44 million. He hoped
that the deliberations at the Congress
will develop understanding, strategy
and a roadmap for addressing the
challenging issues faced by Indian
agriculture, especially in terms of
dwindling natural resources. He
highlighted the necessity for infusion
of new farm technologies to enable
farmers to produce more per unit of
inputs and yet keep the natural
resource base and climate in
healthy and productive state on
long term basis.
While emphasising the role of
conservation agriculture in hunger
and poverty alleviation, Prof. M.S.
Swaminathan, renowned agriculture
scientist and member of Rajya Sabha,
described conservation farming as an
attitudinal change towards natural
resources. He said there is need to
increase the productivity, especially
of small farms without harming
ecological balance. Prof.
Swaminathan lauded the role of the
World Congress in bringing farmers
to the forefront as, he said, farmers’
participatory knowledge management
is the key to success in Indian
agriculture. He appreciated the
efforts of the Government of India
for releasing the first ever National
Policy on Farmers.
Dr. R.K. Malik, CCS, Haryana
Agriculture University, Hissar, in
association with Dr. R.K. Gupta from
CIMMYT-India presented various
39
issues of conservation agriculture
and its dynamics and the history of
conservation agriculture. Dr. Malik
citied case studies from India on the
development of alternate tillage and
crop establishment strategies for
higher resource use effectiveness in
the rice-wheat system. He said, the
green revolution had provided for
national food security and poverty
alleviation, and helped in enhancing
productivity, improving environmental
quality and preserving national
resource.
Dr. Katherine Sierra, Vice
President, the World Bank,
emphasised the importance of
(....Contd from page 18)
Three Degrees of Freedom Triglide Parallel Manipulator
fabricated and analysed for position
kinematics. The following
conclusions have been made based
on the kinematics of triglide
manipulator:
1. The position analysis carried out
for link actuation individually
shows that the experimental
values are close to the analytical
and ADAMS results.
2. The accuracy of movement of
platform is found to be better;
one pitch movement of the link
makes 0.282 o angle of the
moving platform.
3. The angular drilling operation is
made easy with the help of
triglide mechanism. The model
can find applications in cockpit
simulations and hypersonic plane
simulations in wind tunnels by
providing the rolling motion.
From the force values it is
40
View publication stats
conservation agriculture as an
important and prime tool for
improving equity and environment.
She apprised the audience of the
various schemes and programmes of
the World Bank for encouraging
research and development in
conservation agriculture. Dr.
Thomas A. Lumpkin, Director
General, CIMMYT-Mexico,
described conservation agriculture as
a means of enhancing resource
productivity and efficiency. He said
conservation agriculture must be
brought into the mainstream of crop
management research and be closely
linked with crop breeders and other
Fig. 6. Simulation of triglide when all three links gets actuated.
observed that the load is
approximately distributed on all the
links. The high load carrying capacity
of the parallel manipulator is at
present used in flight simulation. The
motions of a cockpit balance on a
support can be produced in three
axes by such manipulators.
INVENTION INTELLIGENCE
MARCH - APRIL 2009
agricultural disciplines. Conservation
agriculture must not continue to be
sidelined as an alternative
development pathway, as it
represents our best option for a
sustainable future.
An Agro-Tech exhibition was
also arranged at the venue, exhibiting
various technologies, and equipment
associated with conservation
agriculture. ICAR and many
international public and private
organisations participated in the
exhibition.
(Kuldeep Sharma, 333, Great India
Apartments, Plot No. 15, Sector 6, Dwarka,
New Delhi-110075).
(C. Dhandapani, Senior Lecturer,
Departmentt of Mechanical Engineering,
Rajagopal Polytechnic College,
Gudiyattam-632602, Tamil Nadu;
E-mail : dpani123@yahoo.com
Dr. R. Sivaramakrishnan, Assistant
Professor, Depeartment of Production
Technology, MIT Campus, Anna
University, Chennai-600044,Tamil Nadu;
E-mail : srk@mitindia.edu).