Jamshedpur, Dec. 1: A three-day national seminar cum workshop on Modern Methods of Chemical Analysis (MMCA) kicked off at the NML auditorium on Tuesday.
The seminar has been organised by Analytical Chemistry Division of CSIR-National Metallurgical Laboratory, Jamshedpur in association with Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), Hyderabad.
More than 150 participants across the country have assembled to attend the deliberations. They represent several industries, analytical instrument manufacturers and scientists.
Chief guest A M Mishra, chairman, Tata Sponge Iron Ltd. said, �Organising such national seminar- cum-workshop is very relevant in the current context of pack food controversy like Nestl�s products and pharmaceutical products and other consumer goods.�
He emphasized on the role of analytical chemists in quality control in industries. Starting from characterization of raw materials to the quality assurance of finished products, role of analytical chemists is of paramount importance and hence modern analytical methods and instruments should be used to produce accurate analytical results.
Mishra also highlighted on the importance of Innovation and technology development for progress of any country. He cited with example from Israel, In this regard, scientific community of India should use innovative analytical methods and new technologies to contribute to the �Make in India� program.
CSIR- NML, director Dr. S. Srikanth while welcoming the gathering said, �Both CSIR-NML and Atomic Minerals Directorate have world class expertise, infrastructure and vast experience in the conventional as well as instrumental chemical analysis of a variety of minerals, alloys and materials which must be disseminated not only to the practicing analytical chemists but must be disseminated not only to the practicing analytical chemists but must also help create the next generation of analytical chemists with a competence level meeting international standards.�
In his address, Dr. Pramod Kumar, regional director, AMD, Jamshedpur, said, �The primary objective of this event is to bring the fraternity of analytical chemists from industry and academia in the same platform for exchange and dissemination of ideas and to provide a �touch and feel� exposure of sophisticated analytical facilities.�
Dr. G. Chakrapani, Head Chemistry Group, AMD, Hyderabad, said, �We have around us air, water and soil. The elements contained in them have to maintain an optimum level needed for the human race and this can only be tested by an analytical chemist.� Dr. Chakrapani said that one needs to be updated with the latest analytical tools and techniques.
He added that the seminar addresses the following issues, importance of conventional analytical chemistry; sample preparation, separation and pre-concentration; chemical analysis using sophisticated techniques, such as ICP-OES, ICP-MS, XRF, DRS, AAS, IC, polarography; rare earth (RE) separation and analysis and related issues; geoanalytical chemistry; application of geochemistry in mineral exploration; industrial environmental issues and their redresses; waste utilization and laboratory accreditation for better product realization and traceability.
