Jorhat, Feb. 19: Young researchers and experts in the field of materials science assembled today to take part in a symposium on Advanced Materials for Sustainable Applications at the CSIR-North East Institute of Science and Technology here.

The four-day event, which runs concurrently with the annual general meeting of the Materials Research Society of India, is being hosted by the CSIR-NEIST in collaboration with Tezpur University and IIT Guwahati.

G. Sundararajan, professor, IIT Madras and distinguished emeritus scientist, ARCI-Hyderabad, and Vijayamohanan K. Pillai, director, CSIR-CECRI, Karaikudi, and acting director, CSIR-NCL, Pune, were the chief guest and guest of honour.

Pillai spoke about the impact of the Society in stimulating the study of materials science and engineering.

He said the theme was relevant in today's world for finding affordable materials for critical areas like energy and water.

Sundararajan encouraged the participants to take full benefit of the event.

Prof. S.B. Krupanidhi, vice-president and general secretary of the Society, said it was dedicated to attract and foster young scientists.

Suresh Das, president of the Society and executive vice-president, Kerala State Council for Science and Technology, stressed the gap that exists between a researcher's interests and the interests of an industrialist.

He said the lack of interaction that exists in spite of a healthy research invention in India and the potential industries interested in advanced materials can be addressed only by bridging the gap between the two mindsets.

D. Ramaiah, director, CSIR-NEIST and chairman of the organising committee, spoke on the challenges and solutions triggered by innovation in materials science.