Nepal
Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), previously RONAST, is an autonomous apex body
established in 1982 to promote science and technology in the Nepal.
Objectives
- Advancement of science and technology
- Preservation and modernization of indigenous
technologies.
- Promotion of research in science and technology.
- Identification and facilitation of technology transfer.
Molecular
Biotechnology Unit Laboratory
The Molecular Biotechnology Unit
(previously called the Biotechnology Unit) started research at DNA level in
2002 with molecular diagnosis of Citrus Huanglongbing (HLB) disease. Prior to
this, it was engaged in research activities such as the production of
disease-free planting materials of citrus through shoot tip grafting in vitro
tissue culture technique, Bacillus thuringiensis based biological pesticide,
Citrus Tristeza Virus diagnosis using ELISA technique and plant propagation
using plant growth regulators.
Activities of the unit are:
- PCR-based diagnosis of citrus Huanglongbing disease in
Nepal,
- Molecular characterization and DNA barcoding of
medicinal and aromatic plants of Nepal, using PCR-based and DNA sequencing
based molecular markers,
- Exploration, molecular and biotechnological
characterization of medicinal plants and fungal biodiversity of Manasalu
Conservation Area, Central Nepal and Sagarmatha National Park, Khumbu
region,
- Exploration of hot spring thermophiles for the
production of industrially important enzymes,
- Exploration, molecular and biotechnological
characterization of probiotic microorganisms of the dairy products of
Nepal,
- Himalayan seed bank for utilization of medicinal and
aromatic plants and wild plant biodiversity of Nepal,
- Management of alien invasive species - Parthenium weed
(Parthenium hysterophorus L.) and Mikania weed (Mikania micrantha Kunth
ex. H.B. K) in Nepal
Environment
Research Laboratory
The Environment and climate study
research unit conducts research on environmental issues. Besides research,
water quality analysis service is provided to consumers. The major programs of
the unit are:
- Water and wastewater treatment,
- Waste management,
- Climatological study,
- Satellite rainfall estimation,
- Water quality analysis services.
The objective is to investigate
methods of pollution control, conduct climatological and meteorological studies
and provide an analytical service for the quality analysis of water.
Program and achievements;
- The Water and Wastewater Treatment program
develops methods for the removal of chemical contaminants from water and
wastewaters. It targets removal of toxic metals (heavy metals),
non-metals, and metalloids using locally available low-cost materials. The
achievements of the program are research articles published in national
and international journals and reports.
- The Waste Management program aims to mitigate
the impact of wastes on environment and public health. The program is
focused on environment and public health impact assessment of landfill
sites in Nepal. A report on the “Impact Area Assessment of Okharpauwa
Landfill Site” has been submitted to the Solid Waste Management Technical
Support Centre.
- The Hydrospheric and Atmospheric Research
program studies hydrospheric and atmospheric processes, changes and
impacts over the Himalayan region. The program includes monitoring of air
pollution and its impacts on climate and land cover changes, validation of
satellite data for possible application on the relevant fields, and
glacier monitoring.
- The Water Quality Analysis Service provides a
water quality analysis service. It receives water samples from ground
water, surface water, tap ater and stone spouts. The water samples are
received from the public, institutions, entrepreneur, NGOs and INGOs.
Physical
Science Laboratory
The Physical Science Unit consists
of the following fields of research:
- Environmental Radioactivity: A network of radioactivity monitorshas been
established to measure terrestrial radioactivity in environmental samples
and in the air. The assessment of radioactivity due to Uranium and Thorium
series, Potassium-40 along with total radioactivity will provide baseline
information on the radiation environment.
- Personnel Dosimetry:
Thermoluminescent Dosimeters monitor radiation doses absorbed by personnel
(such as technicians, radiographers, radio-therapists, and medical
physicists). They wear the dosimeter and the radiation exposure is
estimated on the basis of TL dosimetric reading on the TLD Badge Reader.
- Household Radon Survey: Radon and its radioactive daughters present in the
environment results are a contribution to the natural radiation dose
received by human beings. The study of radon and its progeny exposure in
dwellings is important as it can result in an inhalation risk to the
population. A Solid State Nuclear Track Detector technique has been
employed to study radon exposure in the dwellings of Kathmandu Valley.
- Radiation from Cell Phone Towers: People have been debating about health risk due to
radiation from cell phone and cell tower. Assessment of power density due
to RF (radio-frequency) exposure from the cell phone towers in the
Kathmandu valley is in process.
- Development of Thin films and Nano-particles: The research is an investigation of advanced oxide
materials – both thin film and nanostructures – in pursuit of three major
research areas:
- Optical and electrical properties of materials,
- Functional materials and devices,
- Metal oxides for solar energy conversion. The
foundation of the research is the growth of metal oxide thin films and
nanostructures via a wet chemical route.
- Optical and Electrical Properties of Materials: The research aims to understand solid state materials
science – the physics and control of doping effects in materials.
- Functional Materials and Devices: Driven by advances in the production of high quality
thin films of metal oxide materials and nanoparticles, attention has been
given to recognize their applications in photo-catalyst, gas sensors,
self-cleaning material etc.
- Metal Oxides for Solar Energy Applications: The academy studies the creation of oxide-based
photovoltaic devices, including the understanding of semiconducting
properties (i.e. band gap, carrier mobility and absorption) in these
materials.
Material
science and nanotechnology
Major activities:
- Synthesis and Extraction of Materials. The activity is dedicated to synthesizing metal oxide
semiconductor nanomaterials, forming nanostructures on metal oxides and
extracting organic dyes from the plants of Nepal for applications
including optoelectronic devices like solar cells. The activities will be
extended in the domain of metal nanoparticles as well as polymer
materials.
- Characterization of Synthesized and Extracted Materials. The materials synthesized or extracted in the
laboratories of NAST are characterized under this activity. The activity
covers a service provided to the researchers of other institutions of the
country for the characterization of their crystalline solid samples by
X-ray diffraction. To accomplish the task a Bruker D2 Phaser
Diffractometer is available.
- Application of the Synthesized and Extracted Materials
in Devices. All the materials synthesized
or extracted in the laboratory will be used for the fabrication of
devices. Emphasis will be given to apply them in Dye Sensitized Solar
Cells. With the diversification in the type of materials synthesized and
identification of their properties, new areas of application will be
sought.
Bio
Energy Unit
NAST is focusing on processing
technology for biodiesel production from jatropha oil and waste cooking oil
using homely grown or to be grown or available feedstocks or catalyst to
develop the novel technology. The primary concerns are in jatropha oil, waste
cooking oil, microalgae.
Biomass Laboratory: NAST works on
utilization of biomass wastes; agro, forest or households, or municipal, to
make energy commodities or manures as following:
- Biobriquette technology for energy
- Biochar Technology for soil enrichment
- Cleancooking solution
Wind
Energy
NAST is measuring wind speed and
resource characterization for sites in Nepal.
Small
hydro power
The Small Hydro Power program was
initiated from the fiscal year 2071/72 at NAST under the Faculty of Technology.
Phase I (within 1st year):
- Site survey and problem identification of concern
plant. Study of existing problems of small hydro in Nepal,
- Construction of small workshop for testing hydro
mechanical based equipment,
- Addition of basic test and measurement instruments to
the hydro-lab facility at NAST,
- Demand-based research in Small Hydro Power sector,
- Continual capacity building of the hydropower equipment
standardization at NAST.
Phase II (within 2nd year):
- Establishment of testing facilities for small hydro
power plants,
- Performance evaluation and analysis unit for
technological difficulties and verification mechanism.
Phase III (within 3rd year):
- Lab for different hydro power components testing and
technology transfer within Nepal,
- Lab based research on components and machines related
to small hydro power,
- Expansion of research work on hydro power.
- Continual research and innovation in modernization of
hydro lab.
Other
hydro activities
- The Faculty of Technology has signed an MoU with the
Ministry of Energy for the establishment of a laboratory for testing hydro
equipment and machines in fiscal year 2071/072.
- Vice Chancellor of NAST, Prof. Dr. Jib Raj Pokhrel has
Silanyash the laboratory for hydro power on 23rd Poush 2071. The
laboratory will provide testing and research facilities for small hydro
power plants.
Other
hydro research
- Identification of major problems in small hydro power
plants,
- Solutions for any identified problems.
- Initiate test facilities for equipment and machines
from this fiscal year.
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Nepal
Academy of Science and Technology
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Headquarters:
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Khumaltar, Lalitpur
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Official
language:
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Nepali and English
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Owner:
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 Government of Nepal
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Slogan:
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Science and technology for
national development
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Website:
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Amrit Campus, formerly known as Public Science College (PUSCOL), was
named after late Amrit Prasad Pradhan. Pradhan was born in 1918 at Thamel, Kathmandu,
Nepal. He served as the headmaster of Juddhodaya Public High School in Birgunj
for two years and later joined Tri-Chandra College as a Lecturer in Chemistry.
In 1962, he became the founder Principal of Public Science College (at present
Amrit Campus) and began teaching as Professor of Chemistry.
