NIT-T’s Centre of Excellence plans to launch M.S., M.Tech

With the strength of varied expertise drawn from other departments, the Centre of Excellence in Corrosion and Surface Engineering (CECASE), National Institute of Technology-Tiruchi (NIT-T), is examining scope for launching M.S. (by research) and M.Tech programmes.

A colloquium on current research and development; launch of a newsletter; conduct of a national conference on corrosion control and surface engineering in collaboration with CECRI, Karaikudi, and National Corrosion Council of India; and undertaking sponsored research of national importance are other initiatives scheduled before March 2013, CECASE chairman S. Natarajan said.

After the centre was inaugurated earlier this year by the Secretary of Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi, T. Ramasami, with the mandate of establishing professional liaisons with industries of repute, the centre last month conducted its first short-term course on Corrosion Control and Surface Engineering attracting professionals from a number of industries, including BHEL, Southern Railway Central Workshops, Integral Coach Factor, Neyveli Lignite Corporation, and Rane Power Steering. The 200 participants, including 70 students of metallurgy discipline from Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Knowledge Technology, Andhra Pradesh, received participation certificates from G. Srinivasa Rao, General Manager – Operations, Lanco Tanjore Power Company Limited, Thanjavur.

While problems related to corrosion damage and surface protection being faced by industries were being addressed by various organisations, the CECASE will serve as an integrated facility to cater to industrial requirements at all levels. Case studies on corrosion failures will be documented to identify emerging areas in future education, research, consultancy and testing, Mr. Natarajan said.

Having singed a Memorandum of Understanding with CECRI, Karaikudi, for collaborative projects, the CECASE presented eight technical papers in the international conference on Surface Modification Technologies in France during June. The NIT-T nominated T.S. Sudarshan, a world renowned expert in surface engineering as the Chairman of CECASE’s International Advisory Committee.

Corrosion testing at CECASE, Mr. Natarajan said, will be directed at determining reliability of materials and reproducibility in experimental data for a given service environment, an in-depth study of the mechanism of corrosion, and arrival at suitable measures for corrosion protection since the country loses around 4.5 per cent of Gross National Product worth several crores of rupees every year due to metallic corrosion of engineering materials.

According to NIT-T Director S. Sundarrajan, industrial sector being the backbone of the country’s economy, CESASE will extend all necessary technical expertise through networking. The CECASE was poised to become self-operational during 2014 to coincide with the NIT-T’s golden jubilee year, Prof. Natarajan added.