Central Electro Chemical Research Institute

Central Electro Chemical Research Institute is one of a chain of forty national laboratories under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in New Delhi. Founded on 25 July 1948 at Karaikudi in Tamil Nadu, CECRI came into existence on the January 1953. During the last fifty years CECRI has been recognized as the premier institution for research and development in electrochemical science and technology not only in India but also in the South East Asia, with a total strength of over 600 personnel comprising scientists, engineers, technologists, skilled workers, administrative and other staff, with a combined laboratory space of 400,000 sq ft (37,000 m²). in a campus of 300 acres (1.2 km²). There are four extension centers for CECRI, located at Chennai, Cochin, Mandapam and Tuticorin.

Major R&D programs at CECRI are in the areas of corrosion science and engineering, industrial metal finishing, batteries (primary and secondary), electrometallurgy, electropyrometallurgy, electrochemicals (organic and inorganic), Materials Science, and electrochemical instrumentation & pollution control. The programs are directed towards development of new processes or products or novel use of electrochemistry. Techniques, upgrading of the already developed technology, and basic research are carried out. An excellent library, computer center, workshop, and centralized characterization and measurement laboratory lend active support.

Projects & Patents

Over the years 755 patents have been filed, 250 processes have been developed and 140 sponsored projects and 110 grant-in-aid projects have been undertaken. More than 140 processes have been released to 525 licensees for commercial exploitation. The institute staff has published more than 5500 research papers including several review articles in both national and international journals of repute, edited several books and conference proceedings and maintained intimate contacts with the academic institutions within and outside the country. Recognition of contribution made by CECRI to Indian industry has come in the form of 50 major and minor awards. Direct earnings by the way of foreign exchange savings and energy efficient electrochemical technologies including corrosion prevention amount to about Rs.500 crores.

Courses

CECRI also conducts short term refresher courses for the benefit of industry and educational institutions, brings out journals (Bulletin Of Electrochemical, Corrosion Update and Battery Newsletter) and runs a B.Tech. program (Chemical and Electrochemical engineering of Anna University). The institute is alive to societal obligations and actively participates in the Rural Science Forum (VPF), Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development (STED), and Swadeshi Science Movement (SSM) and Ambedkar Nagar in collaboration with other agencies.

The B.Tech Program

Centre For Education offers the unique 4-year/8-semester bachelor's degree programme in Chemical and Electrochemical Engineering. This is the World's first unique technology program in Chemical and Electrochemical engineering and also one among the best engineering disciplines in the entire Asian region. The course is conducted in a research atmosphere with scientists and specialized engineers as faculty members and with largest laboratory facilities available in the field of Chemical and Electrochemical Engineering. The curriculum of B.Tech program recognizes the profound challenges in Chemical and Electrochemical Engineering technology. In the first year, the students are introduced to basic engineering subjects, which lay strong foundation for Chemical and Electrochemical engineering. During the second and Third year, the attention shifts to Chemical engineering aspects. At the end of third year, students participate in Industrial Internship programs. The final year of study concentrates on electrochemical science and technology and in addition, students undertake research and design projects. The Centre for Education also organizes yearly industrial visits for the students to get first hand experience in Industrial process.

Regional Centres

• CECRI Chennai Unit, CSIR Complex, TTTI, Taramani, Chennai^[1]
• CECRI Corrosion Research Centre, Mandapam Camp
• CECRI Tuticorin Unit, Harbour area, Tuticorin

References

External links

• CECRI Homepage
• C. Jaishankar "Advanced science school planned", The Hindu, 31 August 2008.

Coordinates: 10°5′0.76″N 78°48′0.3″E / 10.0835444°N 78.800083°E / 10.0835444; 78.800083