Article: Physics and Technology

Technology is an offspring of science and represents its application in a practical form. The time between a scientific discovery and its application is becoming shorter and shorter and thus it is very important to be familiar with today's science to solve tomorrow's problems. Moreover, the experimentation and observation at the frontiers of science sometimes requires technical means beyond the capabilities of available technology. Therefore, a scientist is forced and often succeeds in extending the technological frontiers itself.

An important aspect of the colleges have been the emphasis on the interaction of physics with technology while at the same time providing some of the excitement of what is happening at the very frontiers of physics. The aim of INSC is to emphasize both basic and applicable aspects of physics. During the First College, Dr. J. Milford made following interesting points and illustrated them with examples:

• Physics and science in general impacts on technology and industry in at least three important ways
• As the scientific base for the technology
• Through the application of the scientific method, and
• Through the direct contribution of physicists and other scientists to technology.
• In order to contribute significantly, it is essential to have a broad and sophisticated understanding of technological needs.
• Organizational and institutional arrangements are important in developing and sustaining a sound relationship between science on the one hand and technology and industry on the other.

Two aspects of the important field of physics in industry were highlighted during 12th College. Professor B.G. Silbernagel discussed the role of physics in petroleum industry. It was very informative to learn that physicists are playing an equally important role along with chemists and chemical engineers in solving the problems which arise at the exploration, extraction and refining stages of petroleum. Remote sensing, seismic surveys as well as logging extensively use the physical concepts and principles of optics, sound and electricity and magnetism. Even the recent and rather exotic concept of fractal geometry is finding applications in the secondary recovery of oil. Sophisticated techniques such as NMR, ESR, UPS and ESAFS and NEXAFS are routinely used to study and understand the properties of complex catalysts in petroleum refining and cracking. Professor H.C. Kim discussed role of acoustic emissions in NDT.

In a panel discussion on " Science Organisation ", Professors S.R.J. Brueck, J.P. Correrade, R. Freeman, C.R. Stroud and H. Welling summarized their experiences in conducting scientific research in their respective countries and laboratories. The problems of interfacing basic and applied research were discussed during this session. It was pointed out that scientific research not only contributes to human culture and helps n education, but also provides a base for the industrialization and modernization of the society.