Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST), previously RONAST, is an autonomous apex body established in 1982 to promote
science and technology in Nepal
Science and technology in Nepal, sometimes shortened to S&T in Nepal, encompass the development and challenges of scientific research and technological innovation in Nepal, and how these developments, in turn, affect Nepali society, politics, and ...
. With the implementation of federal structure by the
government of Nepal
The Government of Nepal ( ne, नेपाल सरकार) is the federal executive authority of Nepal. Prior to the abolition of the Nepali monarchy in 2006 (became republic in 2008), it was officially known as His Majesty's Government.
T ...
, it has opened its first provincial office at
Mahendranagar.
Objectives
It has the following objectives:
* Advancement of science and technology
* Preservation and modernization of indigenous technologies.
* Promotion of research in science and technology.
* Identification and facilitation of technology.
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; commonly known as
Citrus Greening 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
''Bacillus thuringiensis'' (or Bt) is a gram-positive, soil-dwelling bacterium, the most commonly used biological pesticide worldwide. ''B. thuringiensis'' also occurs naturally in the gut of caterpillars of various types of moths and butterflie ...
based biological pesticide,
Citrus Tristeza Virus
Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) is a viral species of the genus ''Closterovirus'' that causes the most economically damaging disease to its namesake plant genus, ''Citrus''. The disease has led to the death of millions of ''Citrus'' trees all over ...
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
Medicinal plants, also called medicinal herbs, have been discovered and used in traditional medicine practices since prehistoric times. Plants synthesize hundreds of chemical compounds for various functions, including defense and protection ag ...
and fungal biodiversity of
Manasalu Conservation Area, Central Nepal and
Sagarmatha National Park
Sagarmāthā National Park is a national park in the Himalayas of eastern Nepal that is dominated by Mount Everest. It encompasses an area of in the Solukhumbu District and ranges in elevation from at the summit of Mount Everest. In the north, i ...
, Khumbu region,
* Exploration of hot spring
Thermophile
A thermophile is an organism—a type of extremophile—that thrives at relatively high temperatures, between . Many thermophiles are archaea, though they can be bacteria or fungi. Thermophilic eubacteria are suggested to have been among the earl ...
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
An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile (easily evaporated at normal temperatures) chemical compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, aetheroleum, or simply as the o ...
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 waste waters. 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. Separation of solid material from wastewater by sedimentation and filtration technique and followed by Oxidation process is one of the technique.
* The
Waste Management
Waste management or waste disposal includes the processes and actions required to manage waste from its inception to its final disposal.
This includes the collection, transport, treatment and disposal of waste, together with monitoring ...
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
Okharpauwa is a village development committee in Nuwakot District in the Bagmati Zone of central Nepal. At the time of the 1991 Nepal census
The 1991 Nepal census was a widespread national census conducted by the Nepal Central Bureau of Statisti ...
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 water 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 monitors has 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 physicist A medical physicist is a health professional with specialist education and training in the concepts and techniques of applying physics in medicine and competent to practice independently in one or more of the subfields (specialties) of medical physi ...
s). 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
The Kathmandu Valley ( ne, काठमाडौं उपत्यका; also known as the Nepal Valley or Nepa Valley ( ne, नेपाः उपत्यका, Nepal Bhasa: 𑐣𑐾𑐥𑐵𑑅 𑐐𑐵𑑅, नेपाः गाः)), ...
.
* 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.
Nepal flora project
Nepal
Nepal (; ne, नेपाल ), formerly the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal ( ne,
सङ्घीय लोकतान्त्रिक गणतन्त्र नेपाल ), is a landlocked country in South Asia. It is mai ...
has 6500 species of flowering plants. The botanical exploration is not yet completed and therefore, some plant species are unexplored. Realizing the need for a publication of the flora of Nepal, the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology initiated the project in collaboration with national and international institutions.
Ten volumes of the Nepal Flora have been scheduled to publish by 2020 in digital and printed book version. Volume 3 including plants from
Magnoliaceae
The Magnoliaceae () are a flowering plant family, the magnolia family, in the order Magnoliales. It consists of two genera: ''Magnolia'' and ''Liriodendron'' (tulip trees).
Unlike most angiosperms, whose flower parts are in whorls (rings), the ...
to
Rosaceae
Rosaceae (), the rose family, is a medium-sized family of flowering plants that includes 4,828 known species in 91 genera.
The name is derived from the type genus ''Rosa''. Among the most species-rich genera are ''Alchemilla'' (270), ''Sorbus ...
was published in 2011 as a first publication from the
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a scientific centre for the study of plants, their diversity and conservation, as well as a popular tourist attraction. Founded in 1670 as a physic garden to grow medicinal plants, today it occupies ...
, UK which includes 21 families with 123 genera, 600 species, 19 sub-species, 31 varieties and 4 forma.
Solar Energy
Some activities are:
* Solar Radiation Monitoring and Analysis of the solar radiation in Nepal. The data will be processed to calculate the potential to exploit solar radiation to meet the energy demand of the country.
* Energy Auditing and Conservation in order to minimize the energy waste. Energy Auditing is the tool used for the purpose.
* Diversification of Solar Technology. The activity covers activities such as proliferation of knowledge on solar energy technologies, feasibility study of grid connected rooftop PV system along with mini/micro grids and efficient use of Sun Simulator and module tester.
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
Optoelectronics (or optronics) is the study and application of electronic devices and systems that find, detect and control light, usually considered a sub-field of photonics. In this context, ''light'' often includes invisible forms of radiatio ...
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
''Jatropha curcas'' is a species of flowering plant in the spurge family, Euphorbiaceae, that is native to the American tropics, most likely Mexico and Central America. It is originally native to the tropical areas of the Americas from Mexico to ...
and waste cooking oil using homely grown or to be grown or available
feedstock
A raw material, also known as a feedstock, unprocessed material, or primary commodity, is a basic material that is used to produce goods, finished goods, energy, or intermediate materials that are feedstock for future finished products. As feedst ...
or catalyst to develop the novel technology. The primary concerns are in jatropha oil, waste cooking oil, microalgae.
Biomass
Biomass is plant-based material used as a fuel for heat or electricity production. It can be in the form of wood, wood residues, energy crops, agricultural residues, and waste from industry, farms, and households. Some people use the terms bi ...
Laboratory: NAST works on utilization of biomass wastes; agro, forest or households, or municipal, to make energy commodities or manures as following:
* Bio briquette technology for energy
* Biochar Technology for soil enrichment
*
Clean cooking
One aspect of energy poverty is lack of access to clean, modern fuels and technologies for cooking. As of 2020, more than 2.6 billion people in developing countries routinely cook with fuels such as wood, animal dung, coal, or kerosene. Burning t ...
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 inaugurated 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.
References
{{Authority control
National academies of sciences
Nepal Academy of Science and Technology
1982 establishments in Nepal
Scientific organizations established in 1982
Members of the International Council for Science
Members of the International Science Council