12/21/03

    Mineral Processing: - Investigations on flocculant and surfactant aided separation of different fine mineral particles like kaolin, calcite and quartz suspensions in increasing the filtration efficiency and reduction in the cake moisture content for applications in mineral processing, hydrometallurgical, pharmaceutical and water treatment operations are being pursued. 

     Extractive Metallurgy: - Extraction of valuable metals like Copper, Nickel and Cobalt from sea nodules through a novel single step electro-chlorination process has been developed. A cold model study on refining of steel in ladle by injection of liquid slag through a submerged lance is in progress. 

   High Temperature Corrosion: - Apart from fundamental studies related to kinetics and mechanism of film/scale growth processes for different pure metal-oxidant systems, development of high temperature coatings and RE effect are the current areas of investigation. 

    Materials Processing by Laser: - Development of high temperature coatings by Laser Surface Alloying (LSA) and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) of pure iron and iron-graphite powders for rapid prototyping are currently being investigated. 

    Nanomaterials: - Synthesis, characterization and property evaluation of different nano-cermet systems for their possible applications as GMR, CMR, solid electrolyte, and optical sensor materials are currently being investigated. 

    Biomaterials: - Work has been initiated for development of biocompatible hip joint prosthesis.