Technology Focus is published bi-monthly

by the Defence Scientific Information & ~.~

Documentation Centre (DESIDOC) on ~ 50~~
behalf of the Defence Research & ~~~~
~~
Development Organisation (DRDO), tW
Ministry of Defence, Government of India. It
focuses on the technological developments
in the Organisation, covering the products, DADO IN ANT ARCTICA
processes and technologies.
Exploring new areas in pursuit of technological
Editorial Committee
Coordinator innovations has been a continuing process with the
Dr SS Murthy, Director, DESIDOC
Metcalfe House, Delhi scientists. Searching life in Antarctica and establishing
Members
habitat for scientific acttvities has been one of the Indian
Dr KVL Rao
Project Director (Propulsion System)
Aeronautical Development Agency
missions during the last two decades. DADO, in
Bangalore
Shri Vishal Chandra, Director of Bio-
collaboration with the Department of Ocean Development
medical & Applied Sciences, West Block
RK Puram, New Delhi
and other scientific institutions in the country has been
Shri BR Grover
Director of Combat Vehicles
attempting to establish habitat in Antarctica.
Sena Bhavan, New Delhi
Dr VK Kapoor, Addl Director
Establishment of Dakshin Gangotri and Maitri stations in
Dte of Armaments, Sena Bhavan
New Delhi
Antarctica is a creditable achievement of Indian scientists.
Dr MS Vijayaraghavan
SO/SA to RM
Every expedition opens a new account in the bank of
South Block, New Delhi
scientific knowledge.
Editorial Staff
Editors
Dr M Singh, Ashok Kumar, DS Bedi
Editorial Assistance Printing
Manoj K Pant SB Gupla

Readers of Technology Focus are invited to

send their communications to the Editor ,
Technology Focus, DESIDOC, Metcalfe
House, Delhi-54.lndia. Fax # 011-2919151
e-mail # root@desidoc.ernet.in
Internet # http:llwww.nic.in/mmpad/docl
welcome.html Maitri-indigenously built permanent Indian station in Antarctica
 ',C'""t,t"
~~~<j" , ' , ,~, ~ ;;;ft 311 q)~~~ ,
,
~m?i
'ir;!"GI .,'l!t ~
, " qqo OO~
...

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
~~ DEPARTMENT OF OCEAN DEVELOPMENT
MAHASAGAR BHAVAN, BLOCK-12, CGO COMPLEX
OR. A.E. MUTHUNA Y AGAM
NEWDELHI-110003
SECRETARY

MESSAGE

India's quest for research and scientific work in Antarctica started in 1981, Since then, Indian expedition to Antarctica has
been an annual feature, The main aim of these expeditions has been to conduct scientific studies in the contemporary areas
of oceanography, meteorology and climatology, geological and physical sciences, biological and environmental sciences,
medical and human physiology, and engineering and communication sciences, The Department of Ocean Development
(DOD) is the nodal agency for organising these multi-disciplinary and multi-institutionaJ expeditions. The Defence Research &
Development Organisation (DRDO) has been actively associated with DOD for providing specialised logistic and other
scientific support for the success of these expeditions forrT)aintaJhfng our permanent station Maitri in Antarctica,

I am happy that Technology Focus, a bi-monthly bulletin of [)ROO. is bringing out a special issue highlighting the DADO
contributions to the Indian Antarctic expeditions.' am sure that this publication will further foster the interest of DADO
scientists in the frontier areas of polar sciences and technology.

I wish the publication every success and take thisopportunit'/to wish the scientists and other staff success in their current
and future endeavours.

~ i ~ ~j/-J--~

/ /).~~ "'-"c-

(A.E.Muth u na yag am )

Editorial

Antarctic expeditions represent a major scientific activity for
the nation. Obviously, DADO cannot be out of such premier
scientific activities. To prove this point, right from the second
expedition, the scientists of DADO have been participating
practically in every expedition. During the initial phase, it was an
experience to get exposed to the new environment with certain
spirit of adventure. As the base was being established for a
permanent station, the efforts started getting converted into
designs, technologies and missions to be accomplished in
Antarctica.
DADO took the initiative not only to construct the first
wintering station at Oakshin Gangotri, but also to collect data
enough to plan the next station as a permanent habitat for Indian
Antarctic science. These efforts culminated into a new station,
Maitri which came up in 1988 and has been acknowledged as
i one of the well designed and constructed sites in Antarctica.
Maitri is a modern comfortable station with living accommodation
for 25 persons and good scientific amenities for research. It also
has facilities for summer camps to accommodate about 35
scientists. It has been supported with modern communication
systems so as to make the scientists feel at home even though
working 10,000 km away form the mainland.
Antarctic expeditions have thrown challenges for DADO
scientists in many fields ranging from engineering science,
communication, life science, agricultural science, earth science,
and so on. The scientific teams bringing multi-organisations on
one platform have helped strengthen the bonds between
different organisations. The growth of science at Maitri is just one
example of synergy derived from the human resources and the
scientific knowledge available across a wide band of disciplines
and laboratories in the country. DADO is proud to be a part Of
this national endeavour for which it has extended every support
and will continue with its contribution in more challenging ways in
the years to come .

MA Joshi

2 ECHNOLOGY FOCUS, October 1997

DADO in Antarctica-A Preamble

Indian Antarctic expeditions started carrying out scientific activities. DRDO institutions are other main participants
in 1981 when the first expedition was has been actively associated with who have been contributing to the
launched for its summer tenure under these activities since the third Indian success of these expeditions. The
the guidance of its leader Dr SZ Antarctic expedition, mainly for Department of Ocean Development
Qasim, an eminent oceanographer. providing logistic and scientific (DOD) is the nodal agency for
The first wintering Indian expedition support. Besides DRDO, the CSIR, organising these expeditions every
was launched in 1983. Since then, the the Armed Forces, the All India year.
Indian Antarctic expeditions have Institute of Medical Sciences, IMD,
been continuing every year for GSI, NIO, DST and several academic

Dakshin Gangotri-First Indian Station in Antarctica

Antarctica is an island continent

almost completely covered by ice.
This cold and remote continent
experiences the coldest temperature
up to -89.6 °c (in 1983). Sub-zero
temperature prevails throughout the
year. Antarctica is inhabitated by
primitive life forms like wingless fly,
mosses, lichen, algae, and numerous
species of birds, seals and penguins.

The first permanent Indian station

in Antarctica named Dakshin Gangotri
(DG) was constructed during the third
Dakshfn GangotrJ-First Indian station in Antarctica
Indian expedition (1983-84). DADO
imported, three containers for living on insulated enclosures, knockdown
played a pivotal role in commissioning
of this station. For the first time, 12 accommodation mounted on sledges containers, etc were provided for
were indigenously made and erected. living, apart from carrying out regular
persons carried out scientific studies
During fourth, fifth and sixth maintenance of DG station.
during the winter period in this station.
Although the DG structure was expeditions some new habitats based

Maitri-Second Permanent Indian Station in Antarctica

Based on the experience gained throughout the year. For most part of The main factors that affect habitat
during these expeditions, DADO could the Antarctic winters, this lake is construction in Antarctica are low
develop a full-fledged indigenous covered with 2 m of ice. temperature, high wind speed, snow
station in Antarctica. As such, the
second permanent station Maitri with
all the life support services was
developed by DADO with total
indigenous efforts and was
constructed by scientists, engineers,
and Army/Navy pilots during 1988-89.
Since 1989, Maitri has been in use for
all wintering expeditions. The DG
station was abandoned in 1990.

Maitri is situated at Schirmacher

Hills-an ice-free boulderous terrain. It
is located in close vicinity of the shore.
The nearby Priyadarshni lake provides
An aerial view of MaitrJ-Priyadarshni lake in front and Piedmont glacier at back
vital water supply to the station

TECHNOLOGY FOCUS, October 1997 3

accumulation and snow drift, regional inside, while external finish is provided thirteenth expedition (1993-94), and a
surface characteristics, poor visibility by plastisol-coated GI sheet. power house named Bhaskara was
and accessibility/inaccessibility. commissioned in 1994. Each

Considering the Antarctic

Life support Services container has been provided with
strengthened floor for direct mounting
conditions and the restrictions for
Power Supply & Electrical of gen sets on the floor. Anti-vibration
construction, viz., prefabricated panels mountings have been provided for
for ease in construction by limited System
available manpower; size and weight
of panels/pallets suitable for handling
by four men and transporting by MI 8
helicopter; excessive vibrations in
structures due to wind up to 200
kmph; material used for construction
to withstand sub-zero temperature
and low humidity, utmost care was
taken to design the structure/
components of Maitri station.

Foundation
Maitri is built on stilts having
adjustable telescopic columns as Adltya power house constructed with knockdown type containers and panels
foundation. The structure has been
designed to withstand low temperature Maitri station when commissioned mounting of gen sets and reduction of
and wind speeds up to 200 kmph. The in 1988-89 was provided with 4 x 62.5 structurally borne noise. Diesel
foundation on adjustable stilts caters KV A gen sets for power supply. Since engines. prime mover of the gen sets,
for undulations of the rocky terrain. these gen sets have outlived their life, have been provided with cold starting
to meet the power requirement, a devices. Each gen set is provided with
power house called Aditya has been a control panel near the gen set and a
Superstructure constructed with three knock-down remote control panel installed at the
type containers made of prefabricated control room for ease in operation and
The station comprises four blocks.
components and panels. Four observation.
The Main Block houses living
specially fabricated 62.5 KV A gen sets
accommodation, medical facilities,
were installed and commissioned Central Heating System
communication control system and
during twelfth expedition (1992-93).
laboratory. Block 'A.' accommodates Maitri is provided with a centrally
Two more 62.5 KV A gen sets housed
workshop, power supply and MI room. heated system. It consists of hot water
in standard ISO containers with proper
Block 'B' houses central heating generators (boilers), radiators and
insulated panels were sent alongwith
system, water storage tanks, snow
melt plants, kitchen, dining hall and
chemical toilets. Block 'C' provides
accommodation for incinerator-type
toilets. Adequate storage facility has
been provided in the loft above the
Main Block. Keeping in mind the
logistic limitations, modular
construction method is used for
construction. Pre-fabricated panels
used are made of timber framework,
with marine plywood on both sides
and polyurethane as insulating
material sandwiched between them.
These panels are interconnected by
wooden connectors. Fire-retardant
Gypsum board lining is provided from Maitri-Central heating system

d TECHNOLOGY FOCUS, October 1997

closed loop piping through which hot
anti-freeze mixture is circulated at
about 75 to 80 °C. Hot water radiators
of 1000 k cal/h capacity have been
installed at appropriate places to
maintain the inside temperature of the
station between 20 :1:.4 °C.

Four hot water generators of

2,00,000 k cal/h capacity, connected
to the radiators, meet the entire heat
load of the station. Out of these, only
one is used at a time; the second one
is used to meet the peak load. The
others are kept standby. Two fuel
tanks of capacity 2500 I each, and
Maltrl-Water supply system
connected in parallel, from which fuel
is pumped to the daily tank of 500 I located in the boiler room and Temperature sensors are installed
capacity. Appropriate safety features distributed to the utility points through inside the duct to indicate the
have been provided with the boilers laid down pipes and circulation temperature on the control panel
and fuel tanks. pumps. A control panel with indicators provided in the boiler room to avoid
and safety system is installed in the any malfunctioning. The total pipeline
Water Supply System boiler room for observation and is divided into three equal lengths and
operation. A standby centrifugal pump fitted with trace heating tape to
Water supply to Maitri is ensured has been installed in the pump house. balance the loading of gen set.
by pumping water from the lake A snow melt tank of 1000 I capacity
approx. 255 m away from the station has also been provided in the boiler Condition/Health
through a specially designed water room as a standby during use in Monitoring of Gen Sets
supply line. A pump house has been winter. The system has been working
constructed at a distance of about satisfactorily even during winters when Diesel gen sets constitute lifeline of
80 m from the edge of the lake and a the lake water top layer freezes up to Maitri. Critical spare parts for these
submersible pump has been lowered 2 m deep. gen sets can be brought from India
in the lake water. The pump is only once in a year during the
enclosed in two concentric stainless To avoid any contamination of lake summer. DADO has therefore
steel jackets which are heated water in case of leakage, an electrical provided for condition-based health
electrically to ensure continuous trace heating system was designed. monitoring of gen sets by acquiring
pumping of water even at low The trace heating tape, installed in vibration signatures. Excessive
temperatures up to -40 °C. To further January 1997 on fresh water pipeline, stresses, undesirable noise,
ensure continuous flow from the pump has been satisfactorily functioning. looseness of parts and partial or
to the boiler room in the main station,
the entire copper pipeline is enclosed
in a rectangular air tight insulated duct
supported on a steel structure. The
duct is fabricated out of marine
plywood and 100 mm rigid PU foam.

Daily requirement of water is fed

from the lake by the submersible
pump through a 40 mm diameter pipe.
The duct houses two additional pipes
of 25 mm diameter which carry hot
water mixed with anti-freeze media
(monoethylene glycol) to maintain the
duct temperature in the pipeline. The
water from the lake is pumped into two
stainless steel tanks of 2500 I capacity Maitri-Condition monitoring system for gen set

TECHNOLOGY FOCUS. October 1997 5

complete failure of parts are some Fire Protection System Maintenance
important effects of vibration.
Continuous health monitoring of gen Fire hazard is given paramount In extreme weather conditions
sets can avoid catastrophic failures. importance. in view of the dry climatic prevailing in Antarctica, the
Vibration levels are measured through conditions of Antarctica. The station is maintenance of structure, building and
transducers mounted on critical parts considered as of Class I fire rating, life support systems is a challenging
and compared with reference levels. i.e., provided with self-contained task. Any minor fault may lead to
If tIle vibration levels exceed the prevention, detection, spread check, complete system failure and hamper
standard ones, preventive action is fire suppression and evacuation to the scientific activities. All structures
taken before the breakdown occurs. refuge area inside the building itself. and equipment are monitored
Suitable fire protection devices have regularly and relevant data collected
The data collector installed at
been provided in addition to the fire to verify any deterioration having
predefined points on gen sets
proof Gypsum board lining provided in taken place in the system and to take
regularly logs the vibration
the Main Block. Fire check doors and remedial action to avoid failure.
measurements. Then, the data is
fire barrier walls have also been Utmost care is taken while procuring
transmitted to a DADO centre in the
provided at various points to check the suitable spares which can withstand
country where it is stored and
spread of fire in case of an accident. the Antarctic conditions and are tested
analysed. The information on any
Manually-operated fire extinguishers before despatch.
incipient fault detected, recommended
are also provided at fire points near
maintenance action, spare parts Communication System
the main entrance of the station
optimisation, etc. is then directed back
to the data collector at Maitri. The building.
Communication is an essential and
database of vibration levels of existing DADO has carried out hazard and vital element for the success of an
machinery also helps DADO to risk analysis and implemented the expedition. The adverse climatic
improve the designs for futuristic latest fire protection system with fire conditions of Antarctica like magnetic
requirements. fighting chemicals to ensure fire-safe storms, static electricity, earthing
environment at the station. problems and heavy magnetic fields
Environmental
Management
REAL- TIME PICTURE TRANSMISSION FROM
Solid and liquid waste disposal in
the cold region is a challenging task ANT ARCTICA
and poses several problems. An
efficient system of waste disposal has
been incorporated in the station. A DADO scientists technically
separate block has been constructed demonstrated to the then Prime
as toilet block and five incinerator-type Minister Shri HD Deve Gowda, the
toilets have been installed there. near real-time picture transmission
Toilet-ash, ash collected from of the bust of Mahatma Gandhi
incinerator, plastics, metal tins, grates immediately after its installation at
and leftover food waste are Maitri on 26 January 1997. The bust
segregated, sealed in barrels and of Mahatma Gandhi, presented by
backloaded for disposal as per the laid the Indian High Commisssioner to
down norms. UK to the former Prime Minister
Deve Gowda for installation in
Waste water produced is directed
Antarctica, was taken to Antarctica
to two bio-disc treatment plants
by the sixteenth Indian Antarctica
imported from UK. The effluent, after
treatment in both these plants, is expedition.
collected into a pond of approx. one
lakh litre capacity. This water is The techniques of video
periodically pumped out to an uphill digitising, picture compression and Penitum-based PC were used for
location, about 300 m away from the satellite data link with the transmission of the picture.
pond, where the water is soaked into
the ground.

6 TECHNOLOGY FOCUS, October 1997

 Interview: Dr SZ Qasim

"I feel that DADO has no equivalent in our country There is no other organisation
which could have helped as much as DADO did in every field"

Q. What role has been envisaged for

Dr SZ Qasim, formerly Secretary, Department
of Ocean Development, and the founder of DRDO in the future Indian endeavours in
Polar research in India spoke to Maj Gen SS Antarctica ?
Sharma, Director, SASE, and Shri DS Bedi,
Editor, Technology Focus on DRDO A. Actually, the geopolitics of Antarctica
Contributions to Indian Antractic Expeditions. has undergone a drastic change. Earlier,
Excerpts: they were thinking of developing a
o. What was the prime objective of Indian minerals regime for the exploitation of
minerals of Antarctica of which India is a
expeditions to Antarctica?
signatory. If that regime of mineral
A. Antarctic expedition started because of exploitation would have come through,
the interest of the former Prime Minister then of course the DADO would have had
Smt Indira Gandhi. The main reason was a major role. But, now Antarctica is going
geopolitical, as Antarctica at that time to be used for scientific research, for
was the monopoly of the rich and peaceful purposes only. In the changed
developed countries. And she was circumstances, the DADO will contribute
determined that this monopoly must be to better construction in Antarctica, better
a. What is your impression about the
broken. The second reason was the living conditions for making life easier and
effectiveness of DRDO technologies in
adventure part of it and the third was more efficient.
providing the logistic support in
development of polar science which was Antarctica? Q, How do you think that the
non-existent at that time in the country.
activities/contributions of DRDO in
A. I think the effectiveness of DADO
a. What made you (the DOD) involve Antarctica would help DRDO in improving
technology is clear from the fact that the
its support to its immediate users-the
DRDO in such expeditions? design that we have today of our Maitri
three services.
station is entirely developed by the DADO
A. I happened to visit most of the DADO support. Even the earlier station Dakshin
labs and I feel that DADO has no A. I think it has helped and it will help in
Gangotri was constructed by the
equiva!ent in our country for the types of the future because the advantage is in
Defence Forces in which DADO played a
researches they are doing for various terms of experiences that they have
major role. Maitri, today is an international
kinds of development. There is no other gained in Antarctica and the resulting
station and one of the best stations in
organisation which could have helped as feedback, which are being used in the
Antarctica. frontier areas. I think the gain in
much as DADO did in every field.
experience in Antarctica has been very
G. What in your view, are the other
a. How and to what extent DADO has effective-better living and then making
potential areas where DRDO can
helped DOD to achieve its objective(s)? people more comfortable, in the food
contribute to Indian scientific endeavours
sector, and in all other related filelds.
in Antarctica?
A. Whatever sectors we may look at,
starting from putting up structures in a. Could you recall any personal
Antarctica in very difficult conditions, the A. I think this is a very important question experience of your association with

standard types of accommodation, you have asked. My own feeling is that DADO technologies in Antarctica?
because over a period we moved from DADO is doing excellent work by largely
devoting technologies for Defence. A. In the first expedition also DADO's
tents to very sophisticated living
conditions. Then ice-sustaining shelters However, the spin-off of the technology of contribution was there-clothings,
and development in other sectors like Defence should be used for various other footwear, and tents we used they were all
clothing. The kind of clothing I wore when purposes. There are specific areas I from DADO. We hardly wore imported
I took the first expedition, if you look at would say, oceanography for example, in clothing. Although we had imported
the pictures, you will find that they were which they have not been exposed to. clothing, but I made it a point to wear only
very heavy but now the clothing are more DADO has been using acoustics for our indigenous clothing and we found it
efficient, much lighter and very easy to signals and underwater signals and also very good and efficient.
manage. Then the kind of footwear I to differentiate .noise from signal. We in
used. They were not very efficient then. the oceanography field also use a lot of
Over a period, the DADO has given us signalling under water, so this is one area
where DADO can contribute very much. Contd on page 12 col1
excellent products.

TECHNOLOGY FOCUS, October 1997 7

put a strong challenge to the
communication engineers. Till the
fourteenth expedition, the following
communication systems were
maintained by the Indian Navy:

High Frequency Morse/Voice

Communication

This was mainly used for

communication between Antarctica
and India. It was used to maintain
communication with other stations in
Antarctica and with the ship during
Maitri-Green house in full bloom
voyage.
channels along the surface route to experiments in the field of plant growth
VHF Communication
Maitri get frozen up and become and agricultural science in Antarctic
This was used for communicating suitable for convoys. The material environment. The shape and variation
with camp area, convoys and air traffic unloaded at ice-shelf is brought to of the Green House is so selected that
control between ship helicopter and Maitri loaded on containers/trailers it receives maximum sunlight
Maitri. towed by tracked vehicles. throughout the season by glass house
Loading/unloading is carried out by effect.
Satellite Communication cranes mounted on tracked vehicles.
The size of the Green House is
Maitri is linked to the rest of the 10.6 m x 2.66 m and height is inclined
world via satellite communication Protected Vegetable from 3,9 m to 2.9 m. The principle of
terminal of INMARSAT (International Production modular construction has been
Maritime Satellite) system. This is adopted for selection of the size and
mainly used for sending and receiving The severe Antarctic climate limits
structural components, keeping in
official messages as well as for the number of land plants that are able
mind the futuristic scope of expansion
making official/private telephone calls to grow there. Apart from snow algae,
of the station. The superstructure
and fax messages. plant life is limited to lower species of
consists of prefabricated sandwich
plant kingdom, viz., moss and lichens.
To cope with the scientific activities insulated panels. Maximum surface
DADO has developed integrated
and to have a global communication, it area also has been provided with
technology for vegetable production in
was felt necessary to have a reliable space window fitted with Teflon
Antarctica involving green house,
and faster data communication toughened glasses to provide
hydroponics and photo-period
system to enable exchange of adequate insulation and prevent heat
regulation. Concerted efforts by
scientific data between the scientists losses. An environmental control
DADO scientists since 1989 have
working in Antarctica and parent system to simulate conditions suitable
resulted in successful production of
organisations. During the fourteenth for plant growth in the extreme climatic
cucumber, tomato, chilli, capsicum,
expedition, DRDO successfully conditions in Antarctica, has been
brinjal, spinach, fenugreek, coriander,
installed an electronic mail system on incorporated. these conditions are
lettuce, celery, radish, mint, onion, and
ERNET (Education and Research mainly temperature, humidity, venti-
garlic in Antarctica. The technology
Network) in Antarctica. lation, carbon dioxide, illumination, air
has been developed to suit the day
change, and pH value.
length varying from zero to twenty-four
Transportation hours, facilitating round the year
production of certain vegetables. The Ration for Antarctic
Transportation of men and material technology for growing certain Expeditions
in Antarctic environment is an uphill ornamental plants has also been
Keeping men in Antarctica poses
task. The ration, fuel and other developed. tremendous logistic problems as entire
materials are carried by ship up to the
food supplies for a period of about
Indian bay in Antarctica. From there, Experimental Green House
15 months have to be planned and
the essential items are transported to
The Green House facility at Maitri carried by the expedition team itself.
the station by helicopter and other
has been created during the ninth DADO helped in planning and
items are unloaded on the ice-shelf.
expedition (1989) for carrying out processing the rations for the
During the onset of winter, the water

8 TECHNOLOGY FOCUS, October 1997

 kheer and dhal are highly convenient waist coat of trousers insulating
as these can be prepared by mere provides adequate protection to tne
heating with water for 8 to 10 min. vulnerable portions of chest and back,
the warmth could be further
Survival Ration: Survival rations are supplemented by the use of additional
ready-to-eat and provide instant waist coat.
energy when consumed. These have
long shelf-life and provided for The clothing set includes one pair
emergency situations when an each of cotton terry pile and nylon
individual has to perform task away terry pile socks. In normal condition,
Ready-to-eat ration from camp where even limited cooking only nylon terry pile socks are to be
facilities are not available. used, whereas for prolonged activities
these socks are to be used in
members of the Antarctic expeditions.
conjunction with cotton terry pile
Sufficient care is taken to ensure that
socks, which should be in direct
foods remain wholesome and
The Antarctic clothing have been contact with the skin.
nutritious for more than 15 months,
designed and developed by DADO for
processed and packed in such a way
that persons unaccustomed to the art use in extreme cold conditions of Biodegradation as a
of culinary can prepare tasty meals by Antarctica and glacier regions. The Solution for Waste
simple warming and heating. The clothing constitutes basically a jacket
and a pair of trousers designed on Management
range is kept wide enough to design
various menus to avoid monotony. multilayer principle with outermost Human waste disposal is a burning
Some of the ready-to-eat and layer as a wind cheater for providing problem in cold regions. The subzero
ready-to-cook shelf-stable products of adequate protection against high temperature prevailing in these areas
Indian dietary made available by velocity winds and severe weather results in lowering of natural microbial
DADO for Antarctic expeditions are: conditions. The hood of the jacket activity thus causing disturbance of
outer is detachable and either of them natural ecosystems and hazard of
Freeze-dried Foods: Foods preserved can be used independently (hood as a epidemics. Out of several options of
by freeze-drying retain their original headgear). Though the integrated waste treatment, biodegradation by
colour, flavour and nutritive value, as .microbes seems to be somewhat
the entire operation is carried out promising due to low cost, less
under frozen conditions and high maintenance and pollution-free
vacuum. methodology. DADO has addressed
to this problem by employing low
Retort Pouch Food: Thermally- temperature bacteria selected from
processed canned foods have been colder regions of India.
widely used wherever fresh supplies
are not feasible. However, this method Polar Research on
is suitable for sterilisation of
Physiological
solid/semi-solid materials.
Adapt~tion
Ready-to-Eat Chapaties/Parothas: No Indian subjects by virtue of their
Indian meal is complete without tropical residency are scarcely
chapaties/parothas/poories. Ready-to- exposed to extremes of environments
eat shelf-stable chapaties are especially cold and altitude. DADO
wholesome and nutritious and require has conducted several studies to
mere warming before consumption. understand the effects of extreme
cold, altered geo-magnetic field, solar
Bread: Bread wrapped in fungi-static periodicity (lighVdarkness period) and
wrapper followed by propylene pack prolonged isolation in the Antarctic
remains in good condition for more environment on the physiological
than three years. adaptation of the tropical subjects
stationea In Antarctica. Assessment of
Quick Cooking Dehydrated Foods: chanaes in body weight, skin fold
Instant pulav, upma, avial, halwa, Antarctic clothing thickness, heart rate, blood pressure,

TECHNOLOGY FOCUS, October 1997 9

 oral temperature, respiratory rate Walk-in- Type Cold
resting tidal volume, minute
ventilation, basal metabolic rate, cold Storage
pressure response and physical
Different items of food require
fitness were studied on 20 wintering different temperatures to preserve
team members during their 13 months tbeir food value, nutrition and taste.
stay in Antarctica during fourth
Therefore two walk-in type cold
expedition. The studies indicated a
storage units were established at
progressive increase in the body
Maitri to preserve food items for the
weight with associated increase in
wintering period. These refrigeration
body fat. Most of the physiological
units have a working range of +5 to
variables showed rhythmic changes -15 °C. The units are of knockdown
with season and polar nights with
type, consisting of prefabricated
decrease in winter and increase in
insulated panels having a cladding of
summer. There was lack of evidence
plastic-coated GI sheets and
with regard to physiological cold polyurethane foam as insulation.
acclimatisation even with 13-month
stay due to overprotection by clothing 28 m mast
and living in temperature-controlled was erected during eleventh
environment. Also a decrease in expedition and is still in use. It has Harnessing
physical fitness of the numbers was satisfactorily withstood many Non-Conventional
observed during dark winter months. blizzards, some of which exceeded Energy Sources
Sleeplessness, muscle pain, 200 kmph wind speeds.
headache, fatigue, anxiety and DADO is considering the use of
intellectual inertia were found to be fuel cells as an alternative to diesel
more common during polar nights. Dome Shelter engine driven gen sets. Fuel cells are
highly efficient having high
One experimental green house of power-to-weight and volume ratios,
Other Facilities dome shape shelter was constructed reliable, noiseless and generate
at Maitri during tenth expedition. It is negligible amount of heat. DADO has
Mast Portable Aerial 28 M made of steel tubes, nodal joints and proposed to carry out studies on
transparent FRP panel cladding. proton exchange membrane fuel cell
A 28 m Mast was erected at Maitri Racks have been provided around the with hydrogen as fuel for using it as an
to accommodate various types of periphery and at the centre for environment-friendly power source in
sensors and instruments. The Mast keeping plant trays. Antarctica.

Antarctica Club of India

Having been a part of practically every Indian

expedition to Antarctica, DRDO took one more initiative
to form the Antarctica Club of India-ANCOI. ANCOI
was formed primarily to foster knowledge about
Antarctica amongst the members of the society and to
provide an informal forum for all the Indian Antarcticans
to come together and revive their memories, share
knowledge and experience and to help create a good
resource on Antarctic-related material. By now, ANCOI
has been receiving good response from its members and
others interested in Antarctic science. Traditionally,
ANCOI observes the most important festival of
Antarctica Winter Solstice, on 21 June-the Antarctica
mid-winter day-and sends greetings to the members of ANCOI-A forum for get together of Indian Antarcticans
the expeditions on this day. By now the strength of the provide a common thread to bring all Antarcticans
Indian Antarcticans has crossed 1000. ANCOI aims to together, even after their retirement from active service.
I

10 TECHNOLOGY FOCUS, October 1997

~
 Antarctica Recalled

Maj Gen SS Sharma, KC, Director, Snow &

Avalanche Studies Establishment, Manali,
who was the leader of the first wintering
Indian expedition to Antarctica narrates one of
his experiences in Antarctica.

Antarctica always fascinated me by

the many mysteries attached to it. My
desire to be in Antarctica turned into
reality as I joined DADO and
specialised in the field of snow and
avalanche. My exposure to cold region
engineering and science in DADO. with
the background of being part of the
Indian Army (Corps of Engineers)
helped me in becoming the leader of
the first Indian wintering party to
Antarctica in 1983. with a unique Snow accumulation due to blizzard behind the snow vehicles. Mal Gen Sharma is seen
mission of establishing the first-ever standing at the middle. Inset: Sastrugis on Dakshin Gangotri ice shelf
Indian over-wintering station, Dakshin
Gangotri. newly-formed Sastrugis were 1 to 2 m returned. Time pass ed and my struggle
in length and 20 to 30 cm in height. The continued. During this struggle for
Many of the decisions which I took pattern was all along uniform. I was survival, I tried to r emember the SOP
while constructing Dakshin Gangotri, moving at a distance of 20 m from which I had evolved for such occasion.
starting from digging the foundation for Ram, who was also counting the
station in snow for commissioning of number of new Sastrugis formed per I CQuld recollect that when one is
various engineering systems and then 100 m. When we were about 1 km left alone in a blizzard, he should try to
running the station with my eleven away from the station, I slipped and fell remain at one place without getting
colleagues, contributed to the success down, and by the time I got up, I had panicky. I did this for some time, and
of the mission. I recall one of my lost sight of Ram. Meanwhile, the wind then I felt the drift intensity reducing
significant contributions that has been velocity increased and with that the a"d visibility improving. Then I saw
the development of standard operating snow drift density too. Undaunted by some faint object in the distance. I went
procedures (SOP) for day-to-day this, I continued moving in the same near it, and found that it was the crane
conduct in and around the station and direction, but I was not able to locate vehicle which was left in the old fuel
how they helped me survive one the barrels which were the direction dump in an off.road condition for
blizzard. Later, SOP became the indicators to me. I lost count of the retrieval after the blizzard. I opened the
standard drill for the future wintering Sastrugis, my worry remained to locate vehicle and sat inside. Now, I knew I
parties. Ram and to reorient myself. I struggled would not die, but what about Ram? I
for some time and then got panicky. could recall Ram's excellent sense of
In Antarctica, blizzards are very direction, and I was sure that he would
frequent. During one such blizzard on I again made a determined effort, not get lost.
13 September 1984, when the wind but to no avail. I shouted for some time,
was blowing at 120 kmph, I along with but in the blizzard noise, nobody could I waited in the vehicle for half an
my colleague Ram went out to study hear anything, even at a whispering hour, and gradually the grip of
snow accumulation pattern during the distance. I struggled, and with that, uncertainty loosened. After.some time, I
blizzard. The light snow drift was 3 to 4 panick gripped me and uncertainty saw an object coming towards the
m high with a high density drift along started surrounding me. Would I have vehicle. It came nearer, and I was
the ground level. The visibility was not to die? How long would it take to get relieved to see Ram. I now wonder that
more than 4 to 5 m, but it was choked? What would happen to Ram? how close I was to a disaster, but my
manageable to walk outside by taking remembering the SOP in time saved
proper precautions. The drift along the With all my might, I made a real last me.
ground level was forming Sastrugi (a determined effort, with all my senses
conical ridge like snow structure alive for seeing any known object, for
aligned along the wind direction with its feeling anything which I could
apex facing the wind). The recognise. I moved in one direction and

TECHNOLOGY FOCUS. October 1997

 DADO Patents

that these instruments can carry very optical elements ensure higher
Process for Diffractive
small size wavefronts of the order of diffraction efficiency and can carry
Optical Elements 0.2 microns. They are not suited to large size of image wavefront of the
In the optical instruments based on carry wavelengths of size several mm order of several mm.
lenses, mirrors, etc, the wavefront as required in imaging devices.
propagates in free space due to which Holographic optical elements (HOE)
considerable free spaces are required are also used in optical instruments
between different optical elements. which enable reduction in size and
Such instruments are bulky and have weight. However, these HOE-based
considerable weight. Besides, these instruments also have severe
instruments involve complexity of misalignment problems.
tubes, fixtures, spacers, baffles, etc
DADO has developed a process
due to which the instrument is prone
for fabrication of diffractive optical
to misalignment which degrades its
elements for use in thick
performance considerably. There is
waveguide-based optical instruments
also loss of light at different surfaces
which eliminate the misalignment
and this loss could be as high as 90
problems associated with optical
per cent in a multiple element
instruments. These diffractive
instrument.
elements enable enormous reduction
The optical instruments based on in size and weight of the instruments.
optical waveguide have the limitation The instruments based on diffractive

Printed & published by Dr SS Murthy, Director, DESIDOC, on behalf of DADO, New Delhi-11 0 011.