Material characterization and instrumental methods of Analysis form an indispensable tool for any R and D program. The Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF) has been established at the CSIR-Central Electrochemical Research Institute, Karaikudi that acquires, maintains sophisticated analytical equipment’s all under one roof and provides service to the R & D projects of CSIR-CECRI, Research scholars, academic institutions and industries. The facility has grown into an important R & D-support group for spectral measurements, structure determination and materials characterization.

CIF has the following sophisticated analytical instrumentation facilities to characterize bulk materials and surfaces using Spectroscopy, Resonance, Surface analytical, X-ray, Thermal and Chromatographic techniques.

X-Ray Diffractometry XRD (Bruker)

Instrumentation is one of the important areas of Electrochemistry which makes a great impact on advanced scientific research and industries. This division has been engaged in developing computerized / embedded controller based custom built electrochemical instruments in application to corrosion, metal finishing, batteries and fuel cells.

National Instruments LabVIEW NI academic site License -2010

National Instruments Data Acquisition cards based on PCI and USB interfaces

Agilent 34970A – Data Acquisition / switch unit

PIC Microcontroller development tools

Tektronix TDS 2012B – 100 MHz Dual channel Digital Storage oscilloscope

• To design , develop and supply an electrochemical Analyser sponsored by Sri Paramakalyani College, Alwarkurichi, Tamilnadu
• To design , develop and supply an electrochemical Analyser sponsored by M/s.Kuvempu University, Shimoga, Karnataka
• Instrumentation for Yamuna Bridge at Allahabad / Naini sponsored by M/s.Devika Chemicals, Mumbai
• Corrosion & Force Monitoring of pre-stressing strands in Kaiga Atomic power project Units 3 & 4 sponsored by M/s.NPCIL, Mumbai
• To design, develop and supply a custom built Surface Resistance meter for conducting fibres sponsored by DRDO, Hyderabad
• To design, develop and supply a custom built Four Probe Resistance meter for conducting glue surfaces sponsored by DRDO, Hyderabad
• To design, develop and supply a custom built Potentiostat sponsored by M/s.Sree Narayana College for Women, Kollam, Kerala

• Development of embedded controller based portable instruments for trace metal detection using screen printed electrodes
• Development of custom built controllers for Hydrogen generators
• Development of high speed Data Acquisition systems using LabVIEW for electrochemical systems
• Establishment of commercial production prototype group to manufacture custom built instruments required for electrochemical research

Technologies Developed

• A state of art real time Wind And Structural Health Monitoring System (WASHMS) using LabVIEW developed and installed at Cable Stay bridge (Naini) across Yamuna River is first of its kind in India and is of natioal importance
• On-line real time Corrosion and Force monitoring system of pre-stressed strands in Kaiga Atomic Power plants in Karnataka state.

Patents filed

• A digital concrete resistivity logger with PC interface – Indian patent
• A pH transmitter for On-line high current applications – Indian patent

Transfer of Technology

• Corrosion Monitoring using Electrical Resistance Probes was transferred to M/s.System Controls, Bangalore.
• Pin hole detector know-how was released to M/s.Trans Era Systems (P) Ltd, Chennai

Photograph of Instruments Developed

The following is the glimpse of instruments developed for our in-house R & D purposes as well as externally funded sponsored projects.          

 
Lead Acid Internal Resistance Monitor

Potentiostat / Galvanostat 30V, 1A

Computer Controlled Electrochemical Analyzer

RCC Corrosion Monitor

 Four Probe Resistivity (FPR) Meter


Pin Hole Detector


Instrumentation of Yamuna Bridge


Pesticide Analyzer V.2.0

Pulse Control for Semiconductor Deposition