40th ENGINEERS’ DAY THEME:

"Convergence of Technologies for Rapid Development"

Development of technologies and their convergence have significant influence on

the society and can maximize the synergy between the various components of
knowledge, healthcare, governance and economic development, by establishing
connectivity between them. Convergence literally means coming closer to each
other. Technological convergence refers to the phenomena in which technologies
developed for one application may be used in many different contexts. With
convergence, equipments get smaller, more intelligent and versatile.

Convergence of engineering, physics, medical science, chemistry, etc. led to the

evolvement of various new technologies i.e. Nanotechnology, ICT, Biotechnology,
etc. Advances in electronics, Information and Communication Technology have
facilitated the coming together of various technologies, evolving new frontiers of
technologies. Combination of nanotechnology with biotechnology could create a
new technology, where detection of genetic disorders in the body and treatment of
the same by the molecular robots is a possibility. Carbon nanotubes with remarkable
electrical and mechanical properties have multiple applications in the areas of
electronics, particularly nanoelectronics and power systems. Carbon nanotubes
reinforced with polymer matrix will result in composites, which are super strong,
lightweight, small and intelligent structures. Again, greater convergence between
healthcare and pharmaceutical industries can bring immense benefits in the field of
tele-medicine.

Convergence of technologies results in systems that can open up new avenues in

the field of research. The potential of convergence of technologies is unlimited and
throws substantial challenges before the engineering community. India is endowed
with vast technical pool of youth power that has the potential to transform itself into
a developed nation in near future by adopting the right technology. India is slowly
but steadily emerging as the global technical powerhouse. With the growing economy
and rapidly developing infrastructure, the country should gear up to embrace the
emerging technological challenges to ensure sustained and rapid growth. All the
members are requested to contribute papers on the above theme latest by 16-8-
2007 for presenting at the Engineers' Day Seminar to be held on 15-9-2007.