A National Symposium on Innovations in Composites for General Purpose to High end Applications, NSICHA 2015 was organized in the University campus on 17 -18 August ,2015. This 2-day long technical program was inaugurated by the Convener, Ms. Satish Minocha , Dr A. K. Narula, Professor and Dean, University School of Basic and Applied Sciences and the key note speakers, Mr T. Jayakumar, Mr. Harish Padh and Mr. G.P.Kothiyal. The Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Prof. A.K.Tyagi graced the event with his presence. The event was attended by more than fifteen special guests, from organizations like DRDO, BARC, ONGC etc., who delivered interesting lectures on innovations in composite materials for industrial applications.

The first day commenced with a key note lecture on the Development of Improved Materials for Indian Fast Reactors and Fusion Reactors Applications. The first session opened with a key note lecture on ‘Materials for Drug Eluting Cardiac Stents’ by Mr. Padh followed by a lecture on the ‘Latest Trends in Biomaterials: Study of some Biocompatible Nano-crystalline glass/glass-ceramics’ by Mr. Kothiyal. Students, teachers and research scholars were enlightenend by the new and innovative methodologies of using composite materials for wide-ranging applications in the field of medical sciences, TPS systems and construction of materials for missile propulsions.

The second session had speakers giving lectures on ‘The use of nano-additives to make high performance coatings’; ’ Use of non-oxide ceramics for nuclear, defence and aerospace applications’; and ‘The microwave processing of electroceramic materials’. The day concluded with the final session on ‘The application of nanomaterials in improving the mechanical properties of carbon fibre polymer composites’ and ‘The ways of producing 2-D metallic and semiconductor systems’.

The second day of the symposium saw participants from across the country deliver presentations on their work of research on the applications of composites. A number of research scholars presented their work before the audience in this regard. Stimulating discussions on the ‘Use of nanoparticles modified by purine for applications as photocatalyst’, ‘ Melt extensional properties of halloysite nanotubes filled with high density polyethylene’, ‘ Preparation of mesoporous hydroxyapatite for application in water purification’, ‘ Development of fuzzy logic controller for modelling of depth of cut of thick fibre-reinforced polymer composites’ etc were held.

The event brought like-minded intellectuals together and was appreciated by the industry and academia alike as it gave both of them an opportunity to enhance their knowledge on the topics discussed and also gave them a platform to share their work of research.