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the University of Mumbai. The society also
arranges technical visits to different industries
and research institutions for the benefit of its
members.
A permanent exhibition on various aspects of
Vacuum Technology has been set up by IVS
at the Nehru Science Centre, Mumbai. This
displays the role of the Indian Vacuum Society
in the promotion of vacuum science and
technology in the country by means of panels,
write up, active demonstration models and
blown-up crosssectional views. The exhibition
will be expanded in the future by collaborations
with Indian vacuum industries.
IVS has been a member of the International Union
for Vacuum Science, Technique and Applications
(IUVSTA) since 1970 and is represented on its
Executive Council, committees and scientific
Divisions. In 1983, IVS conducted an International
Symposium on Vacuum Technology and Nuclear
Applications in BARC, Mumbai under the
sponsorship of IUVSTA. In 1987, the Triennial
International Conference on Thin Films was
held at New Delhi, where more than 200 foreign
delegates participated. IVS also hosted the
IUVSTA Executive Council and other meetings
along with the conference. In 2014, a presitigious
conference was organized by IVS in co-ordination
with International Symposium on Discharges and
Electrical Insulation in Vacuum (ISDEIV – 2014) in
Mumbai. This was well attended and appreciated
by several international delegates as well as
Indian Industry. Recently, IVS has organized the
International Conference on Thin Films (ICTF –
2017) at National Physical Laboratory (NPL, New
Delhi) which was attended by over 500 Scientists
including Nobel laureates. This was followed by
a Course on Vacuum Science & Technology
(CVSTA – 2017) in Bhabha Atomic Research
Centre, Mumbai.
IVS arranges the prestigious Pr. Balakrishnan
Memorial Lecture in memory of the founder Vice-
President of the Society. Every year, a leading
scientist in the field, either from India or abroad,
is invited to deliver the lecture. This year, the
Pr. Balakrishnan Memorial Lecture was delivered
by Pr. K. L. Chopra, a very renowned scientist in
the area of Thin Films and Vacuum technology as
an evening lecture in ICTF – 2017.
Each year IVS gives several awards to individuals
carrying out impressive R&D work in the area of
Vaccum Science & Technology. The awards are
instituted by several of the founding members of
IVS. In memory of the late Mr. C. Ambasankaran,
past President of IVS and pioneer in Vacuum
Technology, IVS has instituted an award to be
given to the Best Technical Paper presented in
the National Symposium conducted by IVS. To
encourage students at the Post Graduate level
in Physics, the society has instituted the “IVS
Pr. D. Y. Phadke Memorial Prize” in the University
of Mumbai in memory of our Founder President,
the late Pr. D. Y. Phadke. The IVS Calcutta
chapter has formed a “Dr A. S. Divatia Memorial
Trust” comprising of senior scientists and
technologists in the field of vacuum, in particular,
and close associates of late Dr A. S. Divatia, who
was Director of the Variable Energy Cyclotron
Centre in Calcutta and an eminent scientist in
the field of vacuum science. In addition, during
each National symposium, IVS honors two of its
members, one from industry and one from an
R&D institute, for their life-time contribution in
vacuum science and technology.
IVS has an office / teaching space in close vicinity
of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
Mumbai, where, specialized and tailor- made
courses in Vacuum Technology for industry and
students are being conducted. IVS has started
its website and most of the current activities are
displayed including an e-journal, “Bulletin of Indian
Vacuum Society”, that is published quarterly on
the latest research and developments in Vacuum
Science & Technology.
IVS extended its support in standardizing many
vacuum instruments, and played a vital role
in helping to set up a Regional Testing Centre
along with the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre,
Mumbai. As part of the development of vacuum
education, the society arranges for its members
who are experts on the subject to participate in
delivering lectures and taking part in devising
courses in the universities.
Finally, IVS has published a concise “Vacuum
Directory” containing very useful information
about Indian Vacuum Industries and
manufacturers of various items and components
for vacuum technologists and others.
SUMMARY