Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus, hosted the 27th Swadeshi Science Congress with the focal theme of “Science and Technology are the Key Drivers to Development”, from 7th to 9th November, 2017. The dignitaries who attended the event included Dr. M. D. Nair, Chairman, Swadeshi Science Congress; Dr. Dallis Teresa Miranda, President, Swadeshi Science Movement (SSM) and Sri. Suresh Gopi Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha). The conference provided a platform for 180 research institutes to present around 303 treatises, which also included 14 technical sessions and discussions.
The programs on the first day began with the welcome address by Dr. Bipin Nair, Dean, Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amritapuri, and the presidential address by Swami Amritageetananda Puri, Mata Amritandamayi Math. Dr. Dallis Teresa Miranda gave a brief introduction to the 27th SSM. The inaugural address was given by Dr. M. D. Nair, Chairman, 27th Swadeshi Science Congress. Later, Swami Amritageetananda Puri released the book of Abstracts and Dr. Bipin Nair received the first copy. Next, the event saw the release of two booklets written by Sri. Karimkunnam Ramachandran. The first booklet, “Nadi Samrakshanam Oru Samasya”, was released by Dr. M. D. Nair and Dr. Jyothi S. N., Principal, Amrita School of Engineering, Amritapuri, received the first copy. Dr. V. M. Nandakumaran, Principal, Amrita School of Arts and Sciences, Amritapuri, released the second booklet, “Ecosan Toilet” and Dr. Sudarslal S., Associate Professor, Amrita School of Biotechnology, Amritapuri, received it. Dr. A. R. S. Menon, Secretary, SSM, delivered the vote of thanks.The participants presented their papers on the second and third day of the conference. The event witnessed the presentation of papers and E-posters in the fields of Life Sciences, Agriculture, Veterinary, Fisheries, Maths, Physical and Chemical Sciences, Computer Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Disaster Management, Health Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Science Education in India.
Mr. Pramod Sreedharan, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Amrita School of Engineering, Amritapuri, won the Prestigious Best Paper Award at the 27th Swadeshi Science Congress, for the paper entitled, “Design, Analysis, Manufacturing and Testing of Artificial Hand with Fingers made of Pneu. Actuation”. The paper focused on cost-effective, light-weight and multi-functional artificial hands that are very useful in prosthetic and industrial applications. To this end, flexible pneumatic actuators have served as the fingers of the hand. Pneumatic rubber smooth and bellow type actuators that are easy to manufacture and cost-effective are being developed. Already using these actuators, grippers, walking devices, anti-Bourdon tube pressure gauge are being produced. Now a multi-fingered artificial hand using asymmetric bellow flexible pneumatic actuators has also been developed. A 5 degree of freedom artificial hand has been manufactured that can lift up to 220 grams. The mass of the hand is 250 grams and hence the load-to-mass ratio is 0.88 which is quite remarkable.
The Swadeshi Science Movement- Kerala, is a popular science movement dedicated for the overall development of our country through the intervention of science and technology. It has been functioning in the state of Kerala since 1989, focusing on science popularization for social development. Swadeshi Science Movement aims at fostering a multidisciplinary approach to local problems and the promotion of India’s scientific heritage. It has been bestowed with two prestigious National Awards by Government of India: National Award for Outstanding efforts in Science and Technology Communication (2006- 07) by Ministry of Science and Technology, and Jawaharlal Nehru Prize (2005-06) for science popularization by Hon’ble Prime Minister.
