Department of Science & Technology (DST), Govt. of India

DST-FIST PROJECT 2023

Sree Narayana College, Sivagiri, Varkala, Kerala

Sree Narayana College, Sivagiri, Varkala, has significantly strengthened its scientific research and academic infrastructure through the Fund for Improvement of S&T Infrastructure (DST-FIST) programme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. The college received support under the DST-FIST 2023 programme to develop advanced scientific facilities and promote multidisciplinary research, skill development, Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) activities, and Industrial Research and Development (IRD) initiatives.

DST-FIST Sponsored

Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF)

View Photo Gallery

₹84.00 L

Total Grant

₹63.00 L

DST (75%)

₹21.00 L

College (25%)

₹75.00 L

Equipment

Instruments

I-STEM

Portal Mapped

Project Identification

Project No.: SR/FST/COLLEGE/2023/1397
TPN No.: 89969
Sanction Order No.: SR/FIST/COLLEGE/2023/1397(G)
Sanction Date: 13 June 2024
Funding Scheme: DST-FIST 2023 (College Level)

Financial Allocation Heads

Sanctioned Budget Head	Allocation
Scientific Equipment	₹ 75.00 Lakh
Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) Activities	₹ 1.00 Lakh
Industrial Research & Development (IRD) Support	₹ 1.00 Lakh
Maintenance Support	₹ 7.00 Lakh
Total Sanctioned Support	₹ 84.00 Lakh

Major Institutional Milestone

Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF)

As a major institutional outcome of the DST-FIST initiative, Sree Narayana College has established a Central Instrumentation Facility (CIF) integrating the advanced scientific equipment acquired through the project. The facility was formally inaugurated in August 2026 by Dr. G. Jayadevan, Treasurer, SN Trusts, marking an important milestone in the college's efforts to create a modern, accessible and interdisciplinary research environment.

The Central Instrumentation Facility provides a common platform for students, research scholars and faculty members from different departments to access sophisticated analytical and research equipment. It strengthens institutional capacity for experimental research, advanced characterization, project-based learning and collaborative scientific investigations.

I-STEM Portal Digital Integration: The facility has been officially mapped in the I-STEM (Indian Science, Technology and Engineering Facilities Map) portal, providing a formal national digital presence for the college's scientific infrastructure and facilitating visibility and access for the nationwide research community.

Inaugurated by Dr. G. Jayadevan (Treasurer, SN Trusts)

View Inauguration Brochure

Establishment of Advanced Research Infrastructure

A major outcome of the DST-FIST support has been the establishment of an advanced research facility equipped with modern scientific instruments. The facility has been designed to support undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, student projects, internships, doctoral research, faculty research, interdisciplinary investigations and collaborative research activities. All the sanctioned equipment have been procured and established, creating an integrated scientific instrumentation facility at the college.

Electrochemical Workstation with Multichannel Battery Cycler

Origalys SAS, France OGF+500 EIS model with Neware, USA multichannel battery cycler

Supports electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry, corrosion studies, electrocatalysis, sensors, supercapacitors and energy-storage research.

UV-Visible-NIR Spectrophotometer

JASCO V-770 with DRS

Supports high-resolution optical and spectroscopic characterization of nanomaterials, chemical compounds, biological materials, thin films, and coordination complexes.

FT-IR Spectrometer

JASCO FTIR-4X LE with ATR

Provides structural and functional-group analysis of organic, inorganic and advanced materials, polymers, nanocomposites, and solid/liquid samples with ATR accessory.

Double Distillation Water Unit

SGW Bi double-stage water distillation unit

Provides high-purity, contaminant-free distilled water required for ultra-trace analytical chemistry, standard solution preparations, and synthetic research procedures.

Ultrasonic Probe Sonicator

Dinesh Scientific DS-UPS-500-WITH-1-TIP

Supports ultrasonic nanoparticle synthesis, efficient dispersion, emulsification, cell disruption, and sonochemical research applications.

Peristaltic Pump

Genetix stainless-steel peristaltic pump

Facilitates controlled, precise and contamination-free fluid handling, microfluidics, continuous reaction flows, and sample transfer for analytical experiments.

Orbital Shaking Incubator

Dinesh Scientific DS-OSI-18

Provides controlled incubation and variable shaking conditions for microbiological cultures, bacterial degradation, enzymatic kinetics, and biological studies.

Deep Freezer (-20 °C)

ESAW DF-245

Enables safe, low-temperature preservation of temperature-sensitive biological samples, enzymes, chemical standards, and delicate research specimens.

Muffle Furnace (High Temperature)

THERELEK MF/1400/13L

Equipped with silicon carbide heating elements, supporting high-temperature material synthesis, calcination, sintering, ashing, thermal treatment and ceramic research.

Key Research Fields Supported by the Facility

Electrochemistry & Energy Storage Nanomaterials & Nanotechnology Materials Science & Metallurgy Environmental Science & Water Analysis Analytical Chemistry & Spectroscopy Biotechnology & Biodegradation Drug-Delivery Research Corrosion Science Electrochemical Sensors

* The facility is open to serve students, research scholars and faculty from neighbouring academic institutions and universities, thereby promoting regional academic collaboration and maximizing scientific resource utilization.

Academic and Research Utilisation

Curriculum & Experimental Innovations

The DST-FIST-supported infrastructure has enhanced practical and research-oriented learning at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. New experiments and training activities have been introduced using the equipment, including:

Heavy mineral separation
Purification of laboratory-grade solvents
Preparation and evaluation of distilled water
Sonochemical synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles
Biodegradation of organic dyes using bacterial cultures
Synthesis and dispersion of metal oxide nanoparticles
Fabrication of nanoceramics for gas-sensing applications
Synthesis of lithium transition-metal oxide materials for battery applications

Postgraduate & Doctoral Research Support

The facility actively supports postgraduate and doctoral research activities. The Electrochemical Workstation, in particular, has been utilised for research involving:

Electrocatalytic nanocomposites & perovskite nanostructures
Supercapacitor electrodes & high-capacity energy-storage materials
Electrocatalytic water-splitting reactions
Advanced chemical sensors & biosensors
Photocatalytic degradation studies
Targeted drug-delivery systems

Several M.Sc. dissertation projects from the Departments of Chemistry, Physics, and Geology have incorporated the facility for advanced investigations, fostering vibrant interdisciplinary research collaborations.

Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) & Training Programmes

An important component of the DST-FIST project is the Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR) programme, through which the college has organized academic and technical programmes for students, researchers, faculty members, and external institutions:

6 September 2024

Workshop on Procurement of Scientific Equipment through GeM Portal

A DST-FIST-sponsored workshop providing principals, faculty members, and administrative personnel from SN Trust colleges with practical awareness of GeM registration, procurement procedures, direct purchase, L1 procurement, and bidding processes.

2 September 2024

National Seminar on GIS Applications and Data Management

Conducted by the Department of Geology and IQAC. The seminar focused on contemporary GIS applications in environmental and climate technology, spatial data analysis, and advanced geoscientific research.

23 August 2024

Seminar on "Mysteries of the Universe" (National Space Day)

Conducted by the Department of Physics in connection with National Space Day, offering students valuable exposure to contemporary topics in astrophysics, space missions, and cosmology.

10 September 2024

Seminar on "Chemistry and Allied Science in the New World"

Organized by the Department of Chemistry and IQAC, focusing on emerging interdisciplinary directions involving chemistry, computational approaches, chemical biology, and advanced materials.

Academic Year 2024–25

Workshop on Electronic Circuit Design

Organized by the Department of Physics for M.Sc. students, providing theoretical and hands-on exposure to electronic circuits, amplifiers, oscillators, multivibrators, Schmitt triggers, and operational-amplifier applications.

Academic Year 2024

TRENDZ Seminar 2024

DST-FIST-supported academic seminar conducted by the Department of Chemistry, providing students and faculty with rich insights into the historical evolution and cutting-edge frontiers of chemical science.

17–18 January 2025

Two-Day National Workshop on Innovations in Electrochemical Analysis

Conducted by the Post Graduate Department of Chemistry and IQAC in collaboration with Research Supporters India. The workshop covered Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Cyclic Voltammetry, Chronoamperometry, supercapacitors, batteries, corrosion, sensors, and electrocatalysis, featuring hands-on training on the newly commissioned Electrochemical Workstation and Multichannel Battery Cycler. Over 30 research scholars and faculty members from nearby colleges participated.

Internship, Industry Linkage & Research Culture

PG Student Research Internships

Under SSR activities, the college organized a dedicated research internship programme for postgraduate students of Physics, Chemistry, and Geology. Ten students were selected through rigorous interviews and engaged in faculty-supervised research projects with real-world scientific exposure.

Industry-on-Campus Start-up (IRD)

Under the Industrial Research and Development (IRD) component, an Industry-on-Campus programme was implemented in collaboration with PROMINENT, training students in scientific equipment handling, solar-product installation & maintenance, and assembly of solar street lamps.

Water Quality Analysis Certificate Course

A skill-development certificate course in Water Quality Analysis was conducted under the IRD initiative, providing intensive theoretical and hands-on laboratory sessions on physicochemical parameters, testing methodologies, and analytical protocols.

Impact and Future Vision

The DST-FIST 2023 project has created a strong foundation for the development of a research-driven and interdisciplinary scientific ecosystem at Sree Narayana College, Sivagiri, Varkala. The availability of advanced instrumentation has strengthened practical education, student research, faculty research, postgraduate dissertations, doctoral work, internships and collaborative investigations.

The Central Instrumentation Facility now serves as a common institutional platform for advanced scientific analysis and research. Its mapping in the I-STEM portal further enhances the visibility of the college's scientific resources and supports its objective of contributing to a wider research network.

Through continued academic programmes, technical training, internships, industry interaction and interdisciplinary research, the DST-FIST-supported facility is expected to contribute substantially to the development of scientific skills among students and researchers and to promote quality research and innovation at the institution. The DST-FIST Project 2023 therefore represents a significant step towards transforming Sree Narayana College, Sivagiri, Varkala into a stronger centre for advanced scientific education, research, innovation and collaborative utilisation of scientific infrastructure.

DST-FIST Photo Gallery

Photographic documentation of meetings, CIF inauguration, equipment, seminars, workshops, and student training sessions

DST-FIST Subject Expert Committee Meeting at IIT Delhi

Expert Committee
DST-FIST 2023 Subject Expert Committee Meeting at IIT Delhi

Expert Committee
DST-FIST 2023 Subject Expert Committee Meeting at IIT Delhi

Research Equipment
Central Instrumentation Facility – Electrochemical Workstation

SSR Activity
Interview of Internship Programme for PG Students (SSR)

Workshop
Two-Day National Workshop on Innovations in Electrochemical Analysis

Practical Demonstration Electrochemical Analysis

Workshop
Hands-on Training in Electrochemical Analysis & Battery Cycling

Seminar
Seminar on Chemistry and Allied Science in the New World

Workshop
Workshop on Electronic Circuit Design (Dept. of Physics)

Seminar
TRENDZ Seminar 2024 – Dept. of Chemistry (DST-FIST)

IRD Initiative
Inauguration of Industry on Campus – Student Start-up Programme

Training
Training Session on Laboratory Equipment Service

Hands-on Laboratory Equipment Maintenance

Training
Equipment Handling and Service Demonstration

Certificate Course
Inauguration of Certificate Course in Water Quality Analysis

Certificate Course
Water Quality Analysis – Course Inauguration Ceremony

Technical Session Water Quality Analysis

Certificate Course
Certificate Course in Water Quality Analysis (Technical Session)

Certificate Course
Water Quality Analysis – Students in Classroom Session

Laboratory Practical
Practical session for Water Quality Analysis

CIF Inauguration
Inauguration Brochure & Programme Schedule (18 August 2026)

CIF Inauguration
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony by Dr. G. Jayadevan (Treasurer, SN Trusts)

CIF Inauguration
Felicitation of Dignitaries at the Inaugural Ceremony

CIF Inauguration
Ceremonial Lighting of the Lamp by Dignitaries

CIF Inauguration
Dr. G. Jayadevan (Treasurer, SN Trusts) Lighting the Lamp

CIF Inauguration
Inaugural Address by Dr. G. Jayadevan (Treasurer, SN Trusts)

CIF Inauguration
Faculty, Research Scholars, and Students at Inaugural Event

CIF Inauguration
Opening of Central Instrumentation Facility Doors

CIF Facility Inspection
Inspection & Demonstration of FT-IR Spectrometer in CIF