Director
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Prof. Dr. Asit Baran Mandal Director |
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| CLRI 2012 � A Vision, A Mission, Goal and Objective, Strategy and Plan, Challenges and Opportunities | |
| 1. Leather Science, Research and their Global Contexts Leather is unique. However, it was cultivated initially and primarily by a weak farmer viz. cobbler in a rural developing economy along with the fashion world of the Globe. According to Bapuji's concepts or the Gandhian philosophy, unreached material like leather is reaching all over the world and is nowadays widely and globally traded. The current global trade indicates turn over of US $ 72 billion per year. Although there were closures of several tanneries all over the world in 1996-97 because of some serious pollution problems, the trade of leather was somewhat weak. Nowadays its trade is vibrant with the advent of sciences and research. In fact, the science, society and culture had been enhanced considerably through their linkages to leather. Leather sector has added to significant improvements in socio-economic advantages and gained entry into industrial sector. The development with environmental safeguard has remained a cherished moto (mantra) and a challenge intellectually to the leather industry. 2. Core Competencies in Leather Research Central Leather Research Institute (CLRI), a constituent laboratory of Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, was founded in the year 1948 with 84 acres of land. CLRI is the largest among leather research institutes in the world as long as leather research is concerned. The institute is at present strong with 510 staffs (including scientists, technical and administrative staff) and 600 students. The institute is enriched with a vast knowledge and enterprise in almost all aspects of leather processing and research. There are as many as 20 R&D areas with considerable and synergized intellectual strength. The institute has emerged as the global leather leader in leather research with a commanding share of 30% in peer reviewed publications and 7% share in IPR generated annually in leather world. CLRI has also been playing a direct role in education conducting classes for Anna University for B Tech, M Tech and PhD courses. The institute enjoys high credibility with both industry and the Government of India. It is the apex and advocacy body for the formulation of policies and programs of India for the leather sector. It is a dependable source of viable technologies and scientific solutions to industrial problems. The industry and institute interaction is a traditional strength. The research teaching industry linkage is unique. The range of R&D capabilities for leather and some allied fields are deep and wide. It has a potential in building a leading R&D power house in the world not only in leather research but also in other allied fields. Adding Values to Leather: Future Role of CLRI India is one of the top ten leading countries in the world in leather trade. India derives its strength on account of natural endowments of raw hides and skins, skilled labor, level of expertise and technology and credibility in the market place. However, India share of global trade has remained low at about 2-3% for the last ten years. There is a plan and a mission to increase the share to at least 7-10%. National Manufacturing Competitive Council (NMCC) has recognized leather as one of the most potential sectors for dramatic growth in India. In view of the various favorable circumstances and potentials for rapid growth in leather sector, a mission mode program is being mounted in India. Further, India desires to enhance its footwear exports tremendously to about 7 billion USD. The top priority area for increasing the global share of Indian leather is technology addition. With availability of quality raw material remaining more or less constant, there is a need for the industry to work in the areas such as a) yield per turnover, b) water used per sq.ft of leather produced, c) waste management cost per sq.m of leather and d) recovery of value from co and by-products. CLRI has showed the path in the past. A shift from chemical to bioprocessing of leather is slowly gaining industrial acceptance. Further work needs to compliment this paradigm shift. One such is the understanding of the atom economy and energy efficiency of each process involved in leather making and the conversion of leather to product. A complete life cycle analysis of the process is required so as to enable the fine tuning of the process. Research towards gaining technological leadership, such that the laboratory scale experiments and the bench scale trials are complete at least five years ahead of the industrial requirement is the way forward. Towards this, research in areas of nanotechnology for leather chemicals, environmentally benign dyes and pigments etc would be pursued. For reducing cost of waste treatment, zero discharge of liquid and solid wastes needs to be developed. The processes need to be coupled to the existing systems of treatment so that the tanners do not have to invest on machinery again and again. To gain more value from the leather, uniformity of substance and newer designs and textures to convert otherwise discarded product needs to be developed. CLRI needs to refocus research in areas of leather machinery and finishing auxiliaries and methods for leather product manufacture in the future. A synergy between the institute and manufacturers of machinery and major chemical houses would be developed for this purpose. This would also target the enhancement of our share in areas of footwear and upholstery. Our expertise in the area of testing for ecologically constrained chemicals would be enhanced to the level of forecasting of possible bans on chemicals in the future, so as to enable the industry to adopt alternative methodologies way ahead of the imposition of the ban. Research in Core Areas of Biology and Chemistry CLRI currently has an average impact factor per paper >2. The research areas of biology, structural biology, bioinorganic chemistry, physical chemistry and polymer science need to be strengthened by providing state-of-art facilities. The research would be focused so as to have a 50:50 mix of applied and basic research. Collaborations with international R&D houses would be forged in key areas of computational chemistry, skin biology, etc. Newer and niche areas of research in nanobiotechnology would be developed. Development of various nanomaterials and their interaction with biomolecules: Application in medicine and biology Nano-oxides, nano composites, etc have important potential applications in several areas of industry, medicine, biology, pharmaceuticals, etc. With decreasing size, the oxides of metal ions are conferred with unique properties, which are relevant to medicine, for example, superparamagnetism. Hydrophilic nanoparticle carriers have important potential applications for the administration of therapeutic molecules. Most of the recently developed hydrophobic-hydrophilic carriers require the use of organic solvents for their preparation and have a limited protein-loading capacity. The assembly of nanoparticles or the use of nanocomposites for drug delivery or in treatment of cancerous cells is gaining importance. Molecular self assembly - the spontaneous formation of molecules into covalently bonded well defined stable structures is very important concept in biological systems like adhesion and in the functions of elastomeric proteins. Potential applications include hinged co-ordination networks and switchable molecular units. Such materials responsive to biologically relevant stimuli form the basis of many research problems in materials science and biomolecular chemistry. In this regard, large biopolymers such as crosslinked elastin-based networks with inverse temperature volume transitions due to the ordering of hydrophobic ordered regions within the cross-linked network on heating seem to be excellent candidates. A preliminary analysis of such transitions shows that these elastic molecules must store energy (go to a higher energy state) when the elongating force is applied, and the energy must be released on return to the equilibrium resting structure. However, the concept of resiliency and elasticity associated with these materials is poorly understood and any design of new biomaterials based on these properties requires a thorough understanding of the structure function relationship of such biomacromolecules and in designing new biomaterials. Research at CLRI has led to the understanding of programmed cell death, or apoptosis, which is essential for the elimination of unwanted cells in the body. Failures can lead to the build up of these cells, viz. the uncontrolled replication of tumor cells. Some cancer therapies induce apoptosis. Therefore, monitoring apoptosis would be useful to test the efficacy of apoptotic drugs. The changes occur in the phospholipid composition of the cell membrane during apoptosis. Phosphatidylserine translocates from the inner surface of the lipid bilayer that comprises the cell membrane, to the outer surface, i.e., endo to exo migration. It has been seen that the phosphate moiety is susceptible to chelation by Zn compounds. The attachment of metal oxide nano particles to apoptotic cells would enable to detect and quantify apoptosis in-vivo by magnetic resonance imaging and cyclotron. The attachment of metal oxides nano particles to Zn chelators to the surfaces, in a cell-free non-biological assay, the phosphate binding ligand, could be pulled out of an aqueous phase and moved into an organic phase by phosphatidylserine. Gold nano particles may also be used for this purpose and its colour change due to phosphorylation and aggregation may also be accomplished. Nano technological approach in testing potential inhibitors of kinase activity and the utility of cyclotron may also be explored in skin biology. Furthermore, collagen nano-tubes and its interaction with various enzymes will be studied in detail by using various experimental and theoretical techniques.
According to Dr. T. Ramasami, former Director, CLRI: Rendering CLRI the S & T resource capital of the world in leather by 2005 was a single point agenda. By virtue of the vast infrastructure and core competence base in several areas impacting leather sector in CLRI, the agenda has been more or less realized. The opportunity to assume gobal leadership in the leather research and development is vast. CLRI has the potentials as well as will. One pointed goal (Eko Meba Dwitiyam) for CLRI 2005 has been established in order to create global leadership and provide technological support to the global leather industry: Gaining CLRI, CSIR and the Nation as a whole pride, prestige and economic benefits as well as reverential power in the global scientific industrial research for the leather and other allied industries. CLRI has captured 35% share in leather science research articles. I would like to see that it has become 80% or atleast doubled in 2012. Our vision in other areas of science viz. nanobiotechnology, leather bioprocessing and leather exports must be sizable in 2012. 4. R&D Targets in to Focus Over the years, CLRI has achieved strength in several frontier areas impacting leather science. Recently, valuable additions have been made to increase the core competence in the areas such as, Footwear, Leather Garment and Engineering Sciences. The competence gaps had been identified and set right. The traditional strength to CLRI and the precompetitive research mode dominates in some selected areas. The basis of R & D actions in the subsystems in CLRI may still need refocusing of the targets of the future and not limited by the past experience. The Nation's industrial perception in leather is to gain an approval of the International buyer for Indian products. We already have confidence to set higher goals and therefore, to influence the market forces need to be built, both in research and industry. The clientele influence the mind set in research and R & D subsystems. The mind set in research is natural and even relevant as long as the industry and institute linkages are strong. Therefore, an agent of change in the global leather sector: a more vigorous participation by CLRI in the big leagues of R & D play ground of the world is essential in order to create world-class leaders. A new mind set and a new order of the days are still to be catalyzed. CLRI has beliefs on its own and more. The priority of changing some old things depending on the needs, refocusing of the targets is only a logical and necessary primary step. 5. Challenges and Opportunities in Cutting Edge of Science The capabilities and size of CLRI have left the institute unchallenged and unmatched during the last decade. The year 2005-2006: a year of success. However, it has led to an era of weakness in 2005-2006 in terms of manpower. Lack of adequate threat and challenges perhaps reduced the competitive edge of the institute. Thus, careful steps are essential to internalize the challenges and focus the R & D goals higher and sharper compared to previous decade. In a generic analysis, ratioing of the core competence levels utilized to built is a need today. Building of core competence has to take into account the overall growth rate of this utilization levels. Under conditions where the utilization levels match nearly the core competence capital available, research can enjoy the lead time necessary and stay ahead. At a time when the growth of the leather industry is expected to be at 25% per annum, 10-30% seems appropriate and optimum for the percentage utilization available core competence in leather research. At 30% utilization levels, a lead time of 5 years ahead of industry is possible for research. Therefore, there is a matter of importance for the evolution of strategy and master plan for any R & D support system. In 2006, CLRI needs such inputs as envisioned earlier by Dr. T. Ramasami. The same is applicable to CLRI with more careful and judicious choice of planning. 6. Master Plan for Leather Research Master plan, a plan to service technologies for a wider net perspectives, a plan with an action strategy to gain Global leadership and a plan, which provides a financial sustainability. The master plan needs to be ambitious, but actionable to realize the goal. The analysis of current utilization level of core competence in CLRI needs to be made discipline wise. A micro plan based on SWOT for each individual theme and even project is necessary. Such a master plan developed should include a careful strategy in the management of core competence as well as a realistic time schedule in order to achieve goals. CSIR has now a road map for development. CLRI also needs such plans. The road map of CSIR needs to be specially adapted for CLRI. The plans of CLRI should reflect closely the major CSIR corporate objectives. 7. Master Plan by Consensus
CLRI has always worked on consensus mode for long term commitments and research planning. The master plan for CLRI 2006-2012 would be the plan of the people involved. CLRI would provide a value addition through technology to leather. Gaining for India a 10% Global share in leather trade has been one of the priority areas for CLRI. Further orientation of the programs of CLRI to strengthen the expertise base and harness the experience in CLRI to meet the national agenda by linking ourselves to various national missions like modernization plan for leather and the human resources development mission for the sector would be vigorously pursued. Moving into a Deemed University status would enable CLRI the much needed thrust to scout for best talents. Development with an environmental perspective, with the utmost atom and energy efficiency would be the way forward in research. Interfacing leather with non-leather natural fabrics to gain access to newer design and markets would be pursued. 8. Education, Science, Policy, Philosophy, Management and Vision in Research Society and ethics are the two most contributing factors for the development of an ideal system of higher education. At the present, the education system in India is tuned towards achieving knowledge with less importance being given to the society and ethics of the society around us. Until and unless the education system recognizes this need in all schools, colleges, universities and academic research institutions, the youth of our country which form in its own valuable assets will never be able to pull up their full weight in the national welfare. Our car is not running properly. Our mission is not functioning. It will be our duty to put up our shoulder on to the wheel so that our project can function properly. What is the difference between you and me and the trees and stones? What will happen when we hammer a rusted iron? It breaks into several pieces. The rusted iron needs to be burnt red hot. We need to show by example so as to make the young people active in research, so that they can dedicate their life in pursuit of excellence in research. Looked at in terms of space, the message of melancholy is at best grandeur with oppressive vastness. However, vaguely, we are still much engulfed in the grayness of the mornings mist. In the language of quantum mechanics, the space and time are the important parameters in order to define the uncertainty principle, i.e. Dx . Dt h/2p, where x and t are space and time, respectively. Everything is changing; therefore we have to change our policy accordingly. Napoleon lost the battle of Waterloo within a fraction of a minute. Therefore time is most important parameter. We should do the right things at right time. We have to catch up with the science and technology of the Western world so as not to lag behind. Our policies are wavering and constantly changing from one orbit of action to the other. It is the duty of the manager to solve the day to day problems. From the stand point of philosophy, there is a long term goal, which is necessary to create originality, creativity and innovation. We need both short term and long term research in our scientific policy for sustenance. Vision is generally written as: V = D R, where V is the vision, D is the dream and R is the reality. In order to make the vision more positive, we need to dream more. CLRI needs to march with vigor and action to reach greater heights. This will have to be supported by a strategic planning. Short term goals to meet the day to day demands of the industry, so as to enable their sustenance need to be coupled with long term targets for providing a doubling or tripling our export outputs. The manpower will hold the key. Selection of right manpower, training and tuning them to provide their best outputs will be the way forward for CLRI. India needs to learn from other economies of the World, for example, the growth of China in the industrial economy and science. India is in par with China and Italy in terms of knowledge, but converting knowledge into practice, will need better managerial skills. CLRI would need to provide this to the industry of today so that CLRI can surge ahead of China and other upcoming leather exporters by 2012. The future of CLRI will be very bright and I do hope that CLRI will be able to secure a top place in the map of scientific development. Mother India has the tremendous source of energy, which will play an inspiring role. |
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