Launch of product developed under CSIR-New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (CSIR-NMITLI): A Unique Public -Private - Partnership (PPP) Programme

Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister of State (I/c) Science and Technology & Earth Sciences today (7.10.2014) launched a broad spectrum Confocal Microscope developed under CSIR-New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (CSIR-NMITLI): A Unique Public -Private - Partnership (PPP) Programme here in New Delhi. Speaking on the occasion the Minister termed this occasion as a matter of pride for Indian Scientists. He said this project is an ideal and successful example of a hand in hand participation programme of a private industry and a publicly funded CSIR’s laboratory, that too in a very highly advanced technology area. This a humble beginning towards Prime Minister’s “Made in India and reach Global” strategy, he added. This is a first of its kind in India and is designed to make it affordable to the researchers. A few laboratories have already expressed their intention to procure the developed product. Praising the efforts of scientists in achieving this feet Dr Singh emphasized the need to connect the science with the economy and said in the absence of social relevance and economic viability any project can not last long hence we need to remove the blockages hampering such efforts. Dr Jitendra Singh said this developed product is unique and have multiple applications in Biomedical Imaging and analysis; Spectroscopic finger printing of samples with microscopic details; Structural analysis and Resonant scanning’s. Confocal Microscopes are used to obtain three dimensional features at microscopic level and play vital role in scientific understanding of nano-materials, biological objects etc. At present, these are only available at limited number of science laboratories in India due to their prohibitive cost. As science advances, Scientists want to also understand the spectroscopic behavior of materials and this can be achieved only using Broad Spectrum Confocal Microscope. The unique nature of supercontinuumlight makes spectral coverage for all forms of confocal microscopy and for fluorescence imaging over wide range of wavelength. Here, the confocal microscope is illuminated using a Supercontinuum Light Source. At the global level, there are only a few Supercontinuum Source manufacturers as well as Confocal Microscope manufacturers. While using the broadband source, the optics has to be carefully designed to take care of chromatic aberrations too. M/s Vinvish Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a Technopark Company at Thiruvananthapuram and CSIR - Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute (CSIR-CGCRI), Kolkata have jointly undertaken the challenge under the CSIR-New Millennium Indian Technology Leadership Initiative (CSIR-NMITLI) Programme and indigenously designed and developed such a complex Broadband Confocal Microscope. The Supercontinuum Source uses patented photonic crystal fiber technology developed by CSIR-CGCRI,Kolkata. Only a handful all over the world has this capability and facilities. M/s Vinvish Technologies Pvt. Ltd. has used its optoelectronics and product design expertise to design and develop reflective type optical configuration for the Confocal Microscopy as well as the Supercontinuum Source and their complex integration. This is now a plug and play system, where advanced algorithms are integrated for smooth operation. Vinvish Technologies Pvt. Ltd. is engaged in design, development and manufacturing of high technology optoelectronic products like Fiber Lasers, Photo Dynamic Therapy Laser, various optoelectronic sources etc. CSIR-CGCRI is one of the CSIR’s laboratories and the Fiber Optic Group is the pioneer in design and development of advanced optical fibers like Photonic Crystal Fibers, Specialty doped Fibers etc. This group always link their research programs with private industries to commercialize their R&D efforts. Dr K. Vijayraghwan Secretary M/o Science and Technology said, he is thrilled on the development of this device as this a mark of beginning of India’s expertise in Scientific innovations. The vote of thanks was given by Dr P.S Ahuja DG CSIR. Coutesy: pib.nic.in