Cachar College Hosts Topical Research School On Recent Advances In Chemistry And Physics

A three-day Topical Research School on “Recent Advances in Modern Chemistry and Physics” began at Cachar College on Wednesday (March 11), with financial support from the S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata. It is being jointly organised by the S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences and the Departments of Physics and Chemistry of Cachar College. The event will continue till Friday (March 13).

At the inaugural session, invited guests included Professor Parthankar Choudhury, President of the Topical Research School and Professor at the Department of Environmental Science, Assam University; Professor Asim Roy, Registrar of NIT Silchar; Professor Animesh Kuley of the Indian Institute of Science; Professor Himadri Shekhar Das, Head of the Department of Physics at Assam University; and Dr Abhijit Choudhury, Joint Convener of the National Centre for Basic Sciences. Also present were the Principal of Cachar College, Dr Apratim Nag; Convener of the programme and Head of the Physics Department, Dr Gayatri Ghosh; and Joint Convener and Professor of Chemistry, Dr Rahul Kanti Nath. All the dignitaries on stage were felicitated with traditional scarves and mementoes. The programme began with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp.

Delivering the welcome address, Dr Gayatri Ghosh said the objective of the Topical Research School is to familiarise students with recent developments in physics and chemistry and promote interdisciplinary, research-based learning. She expressed confidence that the initiative would fulfil this objective.

Principal Dr Apratim Nag said the Topical Research School and the S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences have made significant contributions to scientific research across India. He added that students and researchers participating in the three-day academic programme would benefit from advancing their future research work. He also mentioned that experts, scientists and academicians from different parts of India and the world would present their research.

Professor Asim Roy noted that such initiatives play an important role in helping students understand the directions of modern scientific research alongside classroom learning. Professor Himadri Shekhar Das encouraged students, saying that the Topical Research School would stimulate their curiosity and interest in recent scientific advancements. Professor Parthankar Choudhury emphasised the close relationship between environmental science, physics and chemistry, stating that the ultimate aim of scientific progress is to protect people, nature and the environment.

Dr Abhijit Choudhury said participation in the discussion would help students understand emerging trends in modern chemistry and physics and become aware of how research goals and directions are evolving with rapid changes in time and environment.

Following the inaugural session, the technical session began. Professor Animesh Kole delivered a keynote lecture, while Dr Pradeep S Pachfule, Assistant Professor at the S. N. Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, delivered an online lecture titled “The Porous World With Nearly Nothing.” Professor Kole spoke on “Plasma Physics and Its Application to Limitless Clean Energy.”

He explained that plasma is considered the fourth state of matter after solids, liquids and gases, with natural examples including the Sun, stars, lightning and auroras. He said scientists are working to harness controlled plasma in nuclear fusion processes to create an unlimited and clean energy source. Plasma energy is continuously generated inside the Sun, but due to lower gravity on Earth, scientists create strong electromagnetic fields to ionise gas at extremely high temperatures. This separates positive ions and electrons from atoms, forming plasma, which is highly electrically conductive. Harnessing this advanced technology for energy production could open new pathways for sustainable development on Earth.

The programme was jointly moderated by guest faculty members of the Physics Department, Manali Chakraborty and Anushka Roy. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr Rahul Kanti Nath, Professor of Chemistry, with active support from Dr Dipyaman Mahanta of the Chemistry Department.

Around fifty students and researchers from Assam University, S. S. College, Karimganj College, NIT Silchar, Gurucharan University and Cachar College have registered to participate in the Topical Research School.