THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opening up vistas of scientific pursuits, ‘MCETEX’, the three-day technological exhibition hosted by Mohandas College of Engineering and Technology at Anad in Nedumangad, as part of its decennial celebrations, commenced on Thursday. Stalls put up by major organisations including ISRO, KSEB, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC), KSEB, Kerala State Science and Technology Museum and Ashok Leyland have spiced up the expo offering a veritable fare for science enthusiasts. Ashalatha Thampuran, director of the college says, “the exhibition is aimed at creating an awareness and let public know the activities in an engineering college and also provide an incentive for students.”ISRO has lined up miniature models of satellite launch vehicles and satellites in their stall. From SLV-3, the first experimental launch vehicle developed in 1930 to GSLV MK III, a project on the anvil are displayed. Cartosat-2, the earth observation satellite performing remote sensing, is yet another object of interest. The prototype of RLV-TD, the Reusable Launching Vehicles, a promising project of India’s prestigious space odyssey is an outstanding work on display. The rechargeable launch vehicles are set to hit the outer-space by 2020. An informative display, capturing the milestones of the space organisation, is an easy fact-finder on the history of the organisation that dates back to 1964. The exhibits of LPSC offer a novel learning experience with simulations of the vital components for outer space exploration. Among the exhibits, models of ‘modules’ which play a significant role in two major stages of PSLV launch are more of educational value. INSAT valves, which boost the lifetime of satellites, is yet another matter of interest. There are also displays highlighting the GSLV and PSLV launch. Astrovan, also known as ‘planetarium on wheels’, launched by the Kerala State Science and Technology Museum in the city, is a huge attraction. The mobile observatory system is a pivotal equipment to study astrophysics and locate the position of stars. The original chassis of an Ashok Leyland lorry, parked on the college premises, is worth a glimpse to study the internal frame work of the vehicle. KSEB has come up with a model on power generation, transmission and distribution. Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute, Palode, has come up with a set of rare and endemic plant species like ‘Arogyapacha’, a natural energy booster, ‘Pranibhoji’ (nepenthes khasiana), an insectivorous plant, ‘Analivegam’ (alstonia venenata) which nullifies serpentine venom and ‘Ellootti’ (pterospermum subterifolium) which can heal bone fracrtures in humans. ‘Maramanjal’, a plant variety on the verge of extinction, is a highlight. The institute has showcased several plant species found in Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve. Six departments in the college - Electronics and Communication, Computer Science, Information Technology, Electrical and Electronics, Mechanical Engineering, Biotechnology and Biochemical Engineering - have opened their labs for students from outside. Sobha Manakkal, Dean, Administration, says “the college has made arrangements for students from 16 schools within a 15-kilometre radius to arrive and watch the expo. This will be a learning experience for the students from a rural area like this.” Walking robot, musical fountain, prototype demonstrations, novel techniques for waste water treatment and rain water quality assessment, bluetooth-controlled and voice-operated computers, IP camera surveillance and open laptops, and high-end storage devices are major attractions. The exhibition will conclude on Saturday.
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