[en] The deliberations of the seminar cover wide range of topics of current interest in Materials Science which includes nanomaterials, biophysics, sensors, nuclear data analysis, ion beam synthesizing and novel materials. Papers relevant to INIS are indexed separately

[en] This paper presents some interesting perspectives on the role of nuclear data in radiation damage studies in materials with an aim to indicate some of the challenges and opportunities for interesting student projects in India. (author)

[en] The EPR of Mn(II) in Cd(HCOO)₂2H₂O single crystals were studied at room temperature. The spectra depend on the orientation of the crystal plane in the external magnetic field. The spin Hamiltonian parameters are evaluated. Deviation of the g parameter from the free spin electron value is observed. The spin Hamiltonian parameters are g is parallel to 2.0018, g is perpendicular to 1.949, a = -88 x 10⁴ cm^-1, D=282 and E=125. (author)

[en] Lanthanum substituted nickel ferrite (NiO.Fe_1.95La_0.05O₃) have been prepared by the standard solid state reaction technique. X-ray powder diffraction patterns confirm the cubic inverse spinel structure. Lattice constant is seen to increase marginally from 8.340 A to 8.343 A. Substitution of La for Fe lowers the saturation magnetization and the dielectric constant is seen to increase significantly. (author)

[en] Ultrasonic velocities and attenuation measurements have been measured for a group of Nd_(1-x)Sr_xMnO₃ (0.30 < x<0.42) perovskite magnetic materials over a wide range of temperature. It is interesting to note that a dramatic hardening in sound velocities and elastic moduli near T_c has been noticed. Similarly, a peak in attenuation near T_c has been observed. The observed results have been used to explore the existence of a strong electron-phonon interaction, and the spin-phonon interaction with a view to understand the competition between AFM and FM. (author)

[en] Full text: Thin films of zirconium doped cadmium oxide are grown from their aqueous solution at a constant temperature of 250 degC by spray pyrolsis technique. Systematic microhardness studies are made on this film at various loads. Typical cracks are observed at the corners of the impressions in this film. The impression formed on zirconium doped cadmium oxide films are very clear, possible mechanism for it is discussed. The work hardening index number (n) for this film is around 2 suggesting that these are moderately softer films. Using Sneddon's solution, hardness values are calculated from the values of elastic constants and measured all mechanical property values are compared with the literature values are approximately equal

[en] Superconductor/polymer composites with varying compositions were prepared using linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and YBCO. The fine crystalline structures of these composites had been investigated by x-ray diffraction studies. The x-ray diffraction patterns of the composites showed that orthorhombic structure is preserved with the addition of LLDPE. The average grain size was calculated from the XRD of the samples by using the formula of Scherrer. It was found that the percentage of crystallinity in the composite samples decreases with increasing volume of the superconductor. (author)

[en] Electron spin resonance (ESR) is one of the modern techniques useful in dating events that are up to 1 million years old and hence very useful in understanding various geological events. A preliminary attempt has been made to date fossil teeth found in Perur, a historical town in Coimbatore district in Tamilnadu. This sample for dating was collected at 1.3m below the surface of the land. The sample was divided into six sets and five of which were given an additive dose (AD) by using γ rays of 405 Gy, 810 Gy, 1620 Gy, 2340 Gy and 3240 Gy respectively. The sample shows similar ESR spectra having g value 2.0045. The absorption lines at this 'g' value has been used to estimate the age, assuming the external dose rate to be 1.12mGy/a. The calculated age of the sample is 2102.67 years old, and the result is good agreement with the reference data. (author)

[en] Polycrystalline MgO thin films deposited at 450 degC were implanted with 1.5 MeV H⁺ ions to a fluence of 10¹² to 10¹⁵ ions/cm² using a 3 MV Tandem Pelletron ion implanter. After implantations, the samples were subjected to x-ray diffraction to analyze the structural modifications due to incorporation of H⁺ ions in the MgO matrix

[en] Pure cadmium oxalate trihydrate (COT) and barium added cadmium oxalate (BCO) single crystals were grown by controlled diffusion of Cd²⁺ and Ba²⁺ in silica gel at ambient temperature using the single test tube technique. The grown crystals CdC₂O₄.3H₂O and Ba_xCd_(1-x)2(C₂O₄).5H₂O with x =0.5 were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric (TG), differential thermogravimetric (DTG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The a.c. conductivity measurements were carried out on both the pure and doped COT crystals at different frequencies. Effect of barium dopant on the growth and morphology of COT was studied. (author)