Deadline: 30-Nov-22
The Ministry of Earth Sciences is seeking applications for Collaborative Research under Deep Ocean Mission (DOM).
Ministry of Earth Sciences provides services for weather, climate, ocean and coastal state, hydrology, seismology and natural hazards. It undertakes survey to explore and harness marine living and non-living resources in a sustainable manner and explores the three poles of the Earth (Arctic, Antarctic and Himalayas).
It has been undertaking various Research & Development activities in Ocean Science & Technology. Considering the importance of Ocean sciences for sustainable development of the country, the Ministry has recently launched Deep Ocean Mission which aimed at developing technologies to explore deep ocean for resources and their sustainable use, growing the country’s marine and maritime economy, tackle climate change and pollution.
Themes
Proposals are solicited from scientists/academicians working in relevant areas at different Institutions and Universities in the country which fit in one of the following thrust areas and sub-themes of the Deep Ocean Mission program of the Ministry:
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Development of Technologies for exploration and harnessing ocean resources such as Manned submersible and deep-Sea mining.
- Deep Sea Mining: Sediment plume monitoring in water column, Slurry transportation through rigid and flexible risers, Slurry flow dynamics and dewatering, Low temperature hydraulics, Floating platform dynamics etc.
- Manned Submersible: Floating and submerged body hydrodynamics, Thermal comfort, Human psychology, metabolism and safety systems, Emergency feedback, Underwater communication, Low cycle fatigue, Low density syntactic foam, Acrylic windows, Titanium alloy Metallurgy, welding techniques etc.
- Underwater Robotics: Underwater vehicle guidance and autonomy, Subsea brushless DC motor, Seawater hydraulics, Carbon fiber frames & structures, Sensors and systems, Robotic arms /force feedback, Artificial intelligence and Machine learning for vehicle navigation, Autonomous vehicles, Power sources, batteries etc.
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Ocean Climate change advisories
- Regional Indian Ocean model development based on MOM6
- Development of AI/ML schemes for climate assessment research
- Storm surge-wave coupling and inundation modelling
- Deep ocean physical and biogeochemical processes.
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Exploration of Deep Sea biological resources and inventorisation
- Bio-processing and Bio-transformation of marine microbial enzymes: Development of processes for using microbial enzymes as industrial intermediates; Technology for transformation of marine microbial enzyme intermediates.
- Screening of Deep- Sea Metagenomic libraries: Construction of large scale deep- sea metagenome clone libraries; Development of process to screen large scale metagenome libraries; Downstream processing of biomolecules screened from metagenome libraries.
- High- throughput screening of microbial metabolites: Development of microbial metabolite library; Screening of microbial metabolites against potential targets.
- Development of high pressure retainable sediment sampler: Development of high pressure sampling system to collect deep- sea sediments at in- situ conditions; Validation and testing of the sampling system.
- Development of automated characterization and species identification system: Biodiversity of various taxa and their assemblage patterns of deep seamount ecosystems based on digital inventory; Automated characterization of underwater video and identification of biological organisms using artificial intelligence and machine learning.
- Development of cell line from deep sea organisms: development of long term storage and preservation methods.
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Deep Ocean survey and exploration
- Mapping of the mid-ocean ridge systems in Indian Ocean and exploration of hydrothermal mineral deposits in the parts of Central and Southwest Indian Ridges.
- Multibeam bathymetry mapping of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ)
- Mapping of Sea bed using geophysical surveys viz. single channel seismic, Magnetic and Gravity etc.
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Ocean Energy
- Thermal processes and turbo machinery for thermal desalination and OTEC
- Offshore platform designs
- Moorings and risers
- Hydrogen generation
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Ocean Biology
- Cell and developmental biology of marine organisms
- Physiological, neurological and behavioral biology of marine organisms
- Biochemistry and microbiology
- Computational and systems biology
- Biotechnology
- Biodiversity and ecology
- Climate change impacts and evolutionary ecology of marine organisms.
Areas
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The six major areas are:
- Development of Technologies for Deep Sea Mining and Manned Submersible
- Development of Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services
- Technological innovation for exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity
- Deep Ocean Survey and Exploration
- Energy and freshwater from the Ocean
- Advanced marine station for Ocean Biology.
Funding Information
- Apart from other minor item,s list all items of permanent equipment costing Rs.50,000/- or above, or requiring import.
- Maximum duration of project will be two years only.
Components
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The major components of Deep Ocean Mission consist of;
- Development of Technologies for Deep Sea Mining, and Manned Submersible,
- Development of Ocean Climate Change Advisory Services,
- Technological innovations for exploration and conservation of deep-sea biodiversity,
- Deep Ocean Survey and Exploration,
- Energy and freshwater from the Ocean,
- Advanced Marine Station for Ocean Biology.
Criteria
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Important Instruction for submission of project proposal:
- The proposal should be forwarded by the Head of the Institution / Organization.
- Manpower requirement should be properly justified in terms of number and designation, and should be recruited as per DST guidelines.
- Inter-institutional programmes are highly appreciated.
- The Advanced Instrumentation Facilities available within and outside the organization should be preferred and the charges are permitted on payment basis.
- Number of MoES projects with the PI should not exceed two. Additional research proposals can be considered only when the ongoing research proposals are about to conclude.
- The PI should provide the names of 5 Area Experts (complete postal address, telephone numbers and e-mail addresses)
- Publication of results/presentation of papers should clearly acknowledge the funding from the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
- The proposal shall be submitted along with the requisite documents. Incomplete proposal shall not be entertained.
- Format for required documents like Certificate & Undertaking, UC & SoE, and Annual Progress Report etc.
For more information, visit DOM.
For more information, visit https://www.moes.gov.in/sites/default/files/2022-09/Advertisement-for-call-for-proposals-under-DOM2.pdf