writingonblog uncensored: Toray Creates World’s First Porous Carbon Fiber wi...

writingonblog uncensored: Toray Creates World’s First Porous Carbon Fiber wi...: New material could benefit environment by enhancing performance of advanced gas separation membranes Tokyo: Toray Industries, Inc., anno...

writingonblog uncensored: Toray Creates World’s First Porous Carbon Fiber wi...

writingonblog uncensored: Toray Creates World’s First Porous Carbon Fiber wi...: New material could benefit environment by enhancing performance of advanced gas separation membranes Tokyo: Toray Industries, Inc., anno...

Toray Creates World’s First Porous Carbon Fiber with Continuous Pore Structure

New material could benefit environment by enhancing performance of advanced gas separation membranes

Tokyo:
Toray Industries, Inc., announced today that it has created
the world’s first porous carbon fiber with a nanosized continuous pore structure. Using this
fiber as a support layer could lighten advanced membranes used in greenhouse gas separation
and hydrogen production and make them more compact, thereby enhancing performance.
The company will keep pushing ahead with R&D for this new material to foster carbon recycling,
collaborating with other entities in developing applications to sustainably tap hydrogen energy
and shrink environmental footprints.
Absorption- and adsorption-based facilities conventionally separate carbon dioxide, biogas,
hydrogen, and other gases. The issue with such setups, however, is that they are large and
consume a lot of energy, resulting in heavy carbon dioxide emissions. Gas separation
methods employing membranes have thus attracted considerable attention. But despite
ongoing research, no membranes have yet combined satisfactory gas separation
performance and durability.
Toray’s new material is chemically stable because it comprises carbon, and offers outstanding
gas permeability. The material employs thin, flexible fibers, so when it is used to support gas
membranes a module can house many of them. Modules can thus be compact and light.
Such support makes it possible to combine a range of gas separation layers.
Toray looks to contribute to the swift commercialization of advanced separation membranes
that are vital to materializing eco-friendly natural gas and biogas purification and hydrogen
production.
Toray innovated its new material by combining its outstanding polymer technology with its
market share-leading carbon fiber technologies and water treatment and other separation
membrane technologies.
Harnessing its polymer technology enabled the company to create a porous carbon fiber
with uniformly continuous pores and carbon. It is possible to set nano- through micro-level
pore sizes for porous structures. Another possibility is to create a hollow fiber-shaped porous
carbon fiber in the center of a fiber.
Prospective applications leveraging the excellent adsorption of Toray’s new material include
electrode materials and catalyst carriers (base substances for fixing other substances) in
high-performance batteries.
―2/2－
Toray will open its R&D Innovation Center for the Future in December this year. The new
facility will serve as a global headquarters for strategic innovations by engaging with
academic institutions and key partners from diverse fields. The company will collaborate with
several partners in efforts leveraging its new material in a drive to commercialize more
advanced gas separation membranes.
Under the Toray Group Sustainability Vision, the company looks to keep developing
technologies that help materialize low-carbon economies by 2050 by contributing to
resolutions of environmental, resources, and energy issues.
Hollow porous carbon fiber and internal porous structure
Image of porous Carbon Fiber with Continuous Pore Structure
About Toray
Toray is a leading global company in innovative technologies and advanced materials.
Since its foundation in 1926, the Company has contributed to society through the
creation of new value and addressed global challenges by delivering high value-added
products including fibers and textiles, resins and films, and carbon fiber composite
materials. It operates in 26 countries and regions with about 48,000 employees
worldwide.
For more information, please visit our website at www.toray.com.

writingonblog uncensored: The state govt plans a web portal at a cost of Rs ...

writingonblog uncensored: The state govt plans a web portal at a cost of Rs ...: C Shivakumar CHENNAI: People in Tamil Nadu may soon be able to avail all the necessary permits and certificates for buildings in a...

The state govt plans a web portal at a cost of Rs 36 Cr for a comprehensive portal for the entire state

C Shivakumar


CHENNAI:


People in Tamil Nadu may soon be able to avail all the necessary
permits and certificates for buildings in a single web portal. This
will be a single stop for a range of services from building permits,
occupancy certificate or completion certificate. The state government
has embarked on building a single window portal at a cost of Rs 36
crore for this, it is reliably learnt.


Tamil Nadu e-Governance Agency sources said that the agency has been
engaged to help develop and maintain the state-wide portal and it will
soon be calling for tenders for the project.


People can submit the application online and it will be processed
through the software. The services will include processing of planning
permissions, building permission applications, completion certificate
and occupancy certificate. Builders will also be able to apply for
layout approval for lands coming under the jurisdiction of the
Directorate of Town and country planning (DTCP), Greater Chennai
Corporation and the Commissionerate of Municipal Administration.


The webn platform will be citizen oriented to facilitate transparency,
comfortable filing from the end user’s side and also keep digitised
records for the future use by the authorities.


Interestingly, this comes after Chennai Metropolitan Development
Authority has recently implemented a web portal for the approval
respective to their jurisdiction.


The single window portal bids are being floated after State Single
Window Monitoring Committee has urged the IT department to ensure
uniform software technology framework for all government service
delivery portals to make integration of services easier. There have
been issues with certain departments still processing applications
under the offline mode, the committee has stated.


The construction permit approval was suggested in Business Reform
Action Plan (BRAP) 2017 but it was not implemented. Builders
Association of India Chairman Southern centre S Rama Prabhu welcomed
the move to have a single window portal. “Now we have been made to run
pillar to posts. Once the single window portal is introduced, it will
cut red tape,” he said.


The portal will also have details about architects, licensed
surveyors, engineers who have been mandated to register their profile.
The portal will be integrated with the CMDA portal. It will also have
master data like districts, cities, taluks, towns, village panchayat,
blocks etc and the application will be routed to the concerned
department as per the work flow.


It is learnt that list of 11 reform recommendations has been suggested
for Chennai Metropolitan Development Authority and other agencies
under the Business Reforms Action Plan, which includes developing a
single window system that could provide 16 services and construction
permits besides having an online information wizard which will provide
a comprehensive list of licenses, registrations required for
undertaking a specific business and providing links to online
application forms for licences or no-objection certificates required
by users

writingonblog uncensored: Rosatom seeks collaboration with India in developi...

writingonblog uncensored: Rosatom seeks collaboration with India in developi...: Chennai: Russian’s  Rosatom  State Atomic Energy Corporation  has evinced interest in working with Indian companies in developing small...

Rosatom seeks collaboration with India in developing small and medium sized reactors

Chennai:

Russian’s Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation has evinced interest in working with Indian companies in developing small and medium sized nuclear reactors.

Nikita Mazein, Vice President of Rusatom Overseas (a division of Russia’s Rosatom State Atomic Energy Corporation) revealed this during the 11th edition of Nuclear Energy Conclave organised by the Indian Energy Forum.

“Rosatom is developing small and medium-sized solutions based on light water reactor unit of Russian design. In Russia, we have commissioned and will so be operationalizing the first Floating Nuclear Power Plant this year,” Mazein said addressing the conclave.

Hinting here is need to explore the possibility of such projects in the coastal areas of India, he said the segment can provide opportunity for furthering the nuclear cooperation between India and Russia.

Rosatom is the main equipment supplier and technical consultant in the construction of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant. Russia and India have an action plan document for the construction of second nuclear power plant. The two countries are planning to develop a project of up to six nuclear power units of Russian design at a new site in India.

“We are looking for cooperation to execute projects not only in India but also in third countries. We are discussing with our partners in India how to execute the localization agreement signed three years ago. We are talking with stakeholders about developing new power plant projects,” he added, citing the success of nuclear reactors based on Russian design, which have seen one reactor being commissioned almost every year for the last 14 years.

Mazein also articulated India’s need to reduce cost and recurring costs for nuclear power to make it more competitive. He said that cooperation could also be expanded to other sectors like health and agriculture.

According to World Nuclear Association, small units are seen as a much more manageable investment than big ones whose cost often rivals the capitalization of the utilities concerned.An additional reason for interest in small and medium reactors is that they can more readily slot into brownfield sites in place of decommissioned coal-fired plants, the units of which are seldom very large – more than 90 per cent are under 500 MWe, and some are under 50 MWe. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are defined as nuclear reactors generally 300MWe equivalent or less, designed with modular technology using module factory fabrication, pursuing economies of series production and short construction time.

writingonblog uncensored: 3,350 pending cases in HC for which state has not ...

writingonblog uncensored: 3,350 pending cases in HC for which state has not ...: C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: Are the state government departments monitoring the pending cases? The pending cases in which counter affidav...

writingonblog uncensored: 3,350 pending cases in HC for which state has not ...

writingonblog uncensored: 3,350 pending cases in HC for which state has not ...: C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: Are the state government departments monitoring the pending cases? The pending cases in which counter affidav...

3,350 pending cases in HC for which state has not filed counter affidavits!

C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:

Are the state government departments monitoring the pending cases?

The pending cases in which counter affidavits have not been filed by the state departments has gone up from 2,063 cases to 3,350 cases in the last two months sparking a concern from the state Chief secretary.

It is learnt that during a high level meeting held recently, the chief secretary has observed that many departments have pendency of over 100 cases.

These include school education department, Municipal administration and Water Supply, Health and Family Welfare, Home, Housing, higher education, revenue and higher education which has pendency of over 100 cases.

Interestingly, during the earlier meeting the number of pending cases had gone up from 2,063 cases to 3,116 cases. At that time, sources said the pending cases had gone up with the integration of court cases with that of the office of government pleader. Interestingly, at that time there were 513 pending cases and the state had filed counter affidavits in only 56 cases.

This comes as the state is planning mechanism to monitor the pending cases in courts across the state through National Informatics Commission (NIC) which is extending the software application to the entire state. Currently, Court Case Monitoring System, the web-enabled system collects information on court cases of all the departments in the secretariat only.

During the high level meeting it was also observed that seven contempt cases are still pending for want of filing counter affidavits.  Top officials were asked to take action in filing the counter affidavits and following up the cases.

It is learnt that many state departments have convened a meeting to cut down on pending cases. It is learnt that the housing department, which alone has a total of 184 cases pending for which counter affidavit has yet to be filed, has asked officials to file counter affidavits at the earliest.

Meanwhile, efforts are on to enter the pending cases of Supreme Court in the software so that the status of pending cases will be reviewed by secretaries of the departments.

It is learnt that there are more than 1,000 cases pending before the Supreme Court and while efforts are on to dispose the pending cases, the state is finding a major challenge in clearing the pending bills of legal counsels hired by it. It is learnt that the chief secretary has urged all secretaries to follow up the pending fee bills of senior counsels so that they are settled at the earliest.

writingonblog uncensored: Could Houston University have Tamil Chair?

writingonblog uncensored: Could Houston University have Tamil Chair?: CHENNAI: Could Houston University, the third largest University in Texas in United States, have a Tamil Chair? After a Tamil Chair was s...

Could Houston University have Tamil Chair?

CHENNAI:

Could Houston University, the third largest University in Texas in United States, have a Tamil Chair? After a Tamil Chair was set up in Harvard University, there has been an effort to set up a Tamil Chair in Houston University and the Deputy Chief Minister O Paneerselvam has promised to consult with Chief Minister Edapaddi K Palaniswami and arrange for appropriate support from the Government of Tamil Nadu for setting up Tamil chair in Houston.

Speaking during a meeting with Renu Khator, Chancellor of Houston University,in United States, after having discussions with the members of the Indian American community of the Greater Houston area yesterday at the event in the Meenakshi temple, he said.

Thanking the University Chancellor Khator, he said the effort to endow a Tamil chair in the University of Houston is very appropriate and timely.  “I am aware that there is an expectation that the Government of Tamil Nadu should also contribute its mite to the establishment of a chair for Tamil in the University of Houston.  I assure you that on my return to Chennai I will consult with the Chief Minister and arrange for appropriate support from the Government of Tamil Nadu to the Tamil chair here in Houston,” he added.

Stating that the fervour to preserve Tamil culture and heritage and to work for the greater glory of the language is inspiring, the deputy chief minister has stated that the Tamil community has also very successful in the United States.  "Starting off as professionals and academics, many have now branched into business and entrepreneurship.  What is remarkable is the emotional connect they retain with their heritage and culture.  This reflects the inclusiveness of American society," he added.

This comes after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has announced in the assembly to create Tamil Chairs in renowned Universities in the world to promote Tamil Culture. The state has already contributed in setting up of Tamil Chair in Harvard University.

During the announcement, the Chief Minister has said said a Tamil Chair will be created in Oxford University in London, Johannesburg University in South Africa, University of Malay in Malaysia and in University of Jaffna in Sri Lanka.  Besides, Tamil chairs would be created in prominent educational institutions across the  globe as well as in other States too.

writingonblog uncensored: TN releases first instalment of 66.67 crore for fi...

writingonblog uncensored: TN releases first instalment of 66.67 crore for fi...: CHENNAI: The state government has provided administrative sanction of Rs 266.70 crore and financial sanction of Rs 66.67 crore as first i...

writingonblog uncensored: TN pilot on digitising service records, pensions a...

writingonblog uncensored: TN pilot on digitising service records, pensions a...: C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu government is planning to complete the pilot of Integrated Financial and Human Resources Management S...

TN pilot on digitising service records, pensions and govt bills in 5 five districts under IFHRMS to be completed by Nov; entire state to be covered by Jan 1, 2020

C Shivakumar @ CHENNAI:

Tamil Nadu government is planning to complete the pilot of Integrated Financial and Human Resources Management System (IFHRMS), a first of its kind in the country that ensures digitisation of the treasury system seamlessly integrating it with human resource and budget management, in seven locations including five districts by the end of November before rolling it out across the state by December 31 this year, according to Tenkasi S Jawahar, principal secretary and commissioner of treasuries and accounts.

Around 9.30 lakh government employees pay details, promotion, transfer, leave and other service details besides 7.20 lakh pensioners details and other bills will be digitised as a result the entire system will be handling transactions worth Rs 2 lakh crore, says Jawahar.

"We are trying to make it 100 per cent foolproof as a result we are facing technical issues like system getting slower and other issues. we are trying to resolve it. the system as a pilot will be be implemented in Salem, Theni, Karur, Ariyalur and Kanyakumari districts besides Pay and accounts office in Madurai and Secretariat by the end of November after which it will be rolled out across the state by the end of this year," said Jawahar.

Once IFHRMS is implemented, the 18,000 drawing and disbursing officers (DDOs) will be able to submit bills to the treasury online. This system will provide real time data on revenue and expenditure. It will also be linked to Income Tax department, Reserve bank of India and Comptroller and Auditor General of India, GST network as well as other banks. "usually, it takes 18 days to clear the salaries or bills but with the implementation of IFHRMS, it will take one day, says Jawahar.

It is learnt that mapping of data is very crucial and unsanctioned posts should not come into IFHRMS besides 100 per cent compliance is required for implementing it. "The post-mappping data has been validated," says Jawahar.

Meanwhile, additional systems has been provided to all subordinate offices of treasuries department andf officials are being trained in IFHRMS in each department. "The entire money from this project is funded by the state government. The project is worth rs 291 crore with five-year handholding by Wipro, which is playing the role of system integrator in the project. The other players include Accenture and Pricewaterhousecooper, the third party audit agency.  We have spent Rs 100 crore on hardware. We are dependent on Tamil Nadu State Wide Area Network (TNSWAN) but are keeping Aittel Rowers in our site as standby," said Jawahar.

TN releases first instalment of 66.67 crore for financial support to farmer producer companies

CHENNAI:
The state government has provided administrative sanction of Rs 266.70 crore and financial sanction of Rs 66.67 crore as first instalment for the financial year 2019-2020 for financing Farmer Producer Companies in the state through Tamil Nadu Small Farmer Agri Business Consortium (TNSFAC).
The funds will be provided to the Farmer Producer Companies under three components – Mezzanine Capital Assistance (Rs 50 crore), Credit Guarantee (Rs 50 crore and Revolving fund (Rs 166.70 crore).
This comes after Tamil Nadu Farmer Producer Organisation Policy is being formulated to address the issues and challenges faced by Farmer Producer companies.
According to a GO released on Friday, the fund was formulated after holding consultations with stakeholders, including farmers, farmer producer companies, officials, bankers, with NABKISAN, a subsidiary of National Bank of Agriculture and Rural Development to design solutions faced by the companies and their financial requirements.
Currently, there are 500 Farm Producer Companies registered with Tamil Nadu of which 130 farmer producer companies have been promoted by Department of Agricultural Marketing and Agri Business. It is learnt that most of the companies are start-ups of not more than five years and face challenges relating to mobilization of members, organizational cohension, statutory compliance, entrepreneurial capability, business and marketing acumen and strategy, financial resources etc.
According to a Government Order released on Friday, Credit Guarantee Fund will provide easy access to bank credit. It will provide 50 per cent guarantee against defaults by farmer producer companies which would eventually be written off by lending agency. Ther companies may be supported for two to three cycles of funding or maximum of three to five years.
Similarly, Mezzanine Capital Assistance, will be a margin fund corpus constituted with a lending agency which will invest in the capital of Farmer Producer companies.
“Since there is no provision for subscribing to capital by non farmers, the investment will be made in the form of cumulative redeemable long term preferential capital or debenture at nominal rates. The preference capital or debenture will be redeemable after five years and repayment will be at the end of fifth year,” the GO said. The invested fund would have the features of capital and form part of the own funds without any voting right, the GO added.
Under Revolving fund, the state will create a corpus in the lending agency where in the corpus fund will be blended by the lending agencyand lent to farmer producer companies at concessional rates. On recovery, the part principal amount will be re-credited to the corpus fund and again used for lending. The revolving fund will be provided for a maximum period of three years.
The state will form a committee on Farmer Producer Organisational Financing which will oversee formation, financing and market integration of collectives on a quarterly basis.
The implementing agency will be Department of Agricultural Marketing and Agri business through TNSFAC. NABKISAN which has invested 10pc stake will be the implementing partner.
Pending approval of the legislature, the expenditure may be initially met by drawal of advance from the contingency fund, the GO added.