P. K. Iyengar
Encyclopedia
Dr. P. K. Iyengar is an eminent India
n nuclear
scientist
and a noted nuclear physicist who has known to be played a central role in India's cold fission tests. He was former head of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
(BARC) and former chairman of Atomic Energy Commission of India
. He was vocal against the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement and expressed that the deal favored the USA
. Iyengar joined the Department of Atomic Energy in 1952 as a Junior Research Scientist. There, he carried out a wide variety of research in neutron scattering
. At the DAE, he built up and headed the team of physicists and chemists that gained international recognition for their original research contributions in this field. In 1960s, he indigenously designed the PURNIMA reactor and headed the team that successfully commissioned the reactor in 1972 at BARC
.
where he was appointed the director of Physics Group (PG). He was one of the key scientist in the developed the India's first nuclear device. The team, under Dr. Raja Ramanna
tested the device under the code name Smiling Buddha
. As Director, he played a leading role, both scientifically and in terms of planning and coordination, in the Peaceful Nuclear Explosion at Pokharan-I in 1974, for which he was conferred the Padma Bhushan
in 1975.
, the completion of which was then in question, and bring it to a successful conclusion under his leadership. Recognizing the importance of transferring newly developed technology from research institutes to industry, he introduced a Technology Transfer Cell at the BARC to assist and speed the process. He motivated basic research in fields ranging from molecular biology, to chemistry and material science. He nucleated new technologies like lasers and accelerators, which lead to the establishment of a new Centre for Advanced Technology, at Indore.
and Secretary to the Department of Atomic Energy in 1990. He was also appointed as Chairman of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India
. Under his leadership the Department of Atomic Energy vigorously pursued the nuclear power programme with the commissioning of two new power reactors at Narora and Kakrapar, and continued with the development of new reactor systems, such as liquid
-sodium
based fast reactors. Equal emphasis was laid on enhanced production of heavy water
, nuclear fuel
and special nuclear materials. He also initiated proposals for the export of heavy-water, research reactors, hardware for nuclear applications to earn precious foreign exchange.
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n nuclear
Nuclear power
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 6% of the world's energy and 13–14% of the world's electricity, with the U.S., France, and Japan together accounting for about 50% of nuclear generated electricity...
scientist
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
and a noted nuclear physicist who has known to be played a central role in India's cold fission tests. He was former head of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is India's primary nuclear research facility based in Mumbai. It has a number of nuclear reactors, all of which are used for India's nuclear power and research programme.- History :...
(BARC) and former chairman of Atomic Energy Commission of India
Atomic Energy Commission of India
The Atomic Energy Commission is a governing body functioning under the Department of Atomic Energy , Government of India. The DAE is under the direct charge of the Prime Minister.- History :...
. He was vocal against the Indo-US civilian nuclear agreement and expressed that the deal favored the USA
Career in Department of Atomic Energy
He was trained in Canada working under Nobel laureate in Physics Dr. Bertram Neville Brockhouse, contributing to path-breaking research on lattice dynamics in germaniumGermanium
Germanium is a chemical element with the symbol Ge and atomic number 32. It is a lustrous, hard, grayish-white metalloid in the carbon group, chemically similar to its group neighbors tin and silicon. The isolated element is a semiconductor, with an appearance most similar to elemental silicon....
. Iyengar joined the Department of Atomic Energy in 1952 as a Junior Research Scientist. There, he carried out a wide variety of research in neutron scattering
Neutron scattering
Neutron scattering,the scattering of free neutrons by matter,is a physical processand an experimental technique using this processfor the investigation of materials.Neutron scattering as a physical process is of primordial importance...
. At the DAE, he built up and headed the team of physicists and chemists that gained international recognition for their original research contributions in this field. In 1960s, he indigenously designed the PURNIMA reactor and headed the team that successfully commissioned the reactor in 1972 at BARC
BARC
Barc or BARC may refer to:Institutions* Beltsville Agricultural Research Center* Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, an Indian nuclear research facility* Bradford Amateur Rowing Club* British Automobile Racing ClubVessels and vehicles* Barque...
.
Operation Smiling Buddha
In 1971, he was transferred to Bhabha Atomic Research CentreBhabha Atomic Research Centre
The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre is India's primary nuclear research facility based in Mumbai. It has a number of nuclear reactors, all of which are used for India's nuclear power and research programme.- History :...
where he was appointed the director of Physics Group (PG). He was one of the key scientist in the developed the India's first nuclear device. The team, under Dr. Raja Ramanna
Raja Ramanna
Raja Ramanna , D.Phil., was an Indian nuclear scientist and a prominent physicist, is best known for his leadership directing the research integral for the development of Indian nuclear programme in its early stages. Having started and joined the nuclear programme in 1964, Ramanna worked under...
tested the device under the code name Smiling Buddha
Smiling Buddha
The Smiling Buddha, formally designated as Pokhran-I, was the codename given to Republic of India's first nuclear test explosion that took place at the long-constructed Indian Army base, Pokhran Test Range at Pokhran municipality, Rajasthan state on 18 May 1974 at 8:05 a.m....
. As Director, he played a leading role, both scientifically and in terms of planning and coordination, in the Peaceful Nuclear Explosion at Pokharan-I in 1974, for which he was conferred the Padma Bhushan
Padma Bhushan
The Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
in 1975.
Career with Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
Dr. Iyengar took over as Director of the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre in 1984. As Director, one of his first tasks was to take charge of the construction of the Dhruva reactorDhruva reactor
The Dhruva reactor is India's largest nuclear research reactor. Located in the Mumbai suburb of Trombay at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre , it is India's primary generator of weapons-grade plutonium-bearing spent fuel for its nuclear weapons program. Originally named the R-5, this pool-type...
, the completion of which was then in question, and bring it to a successful conclusion under his leadership. Recognizing the importance of transferring newly developed technology from research institutes to industry, he introduced a Technology Transfer Cell at the BARC to assist and speed the process. He motivated basic research in fields ranging from molecular biology, to chemistry and material science. He nucleated new technologies like lasers and accelerators, which lead to the establishment of a new Centre for Advanced Technology, at Indore.
Chairman of Atomic Energy Commission of India
Iyengar was appointed Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of IndiaAtomic Energy Commission of India
The Atomic Energy Commission is a governing body functioning under the Department of Atomic Energy , Government of India. The DAE is under the direct charge of the Prime Minister.- History :...
and Secretary to the Department of Atomic Energy in 1990. He was also appointed as Chairman of the Nuclear Power Corporation of India
Nuclear Power Corporation of India
The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited is a government-owned corporation of India based in Mumbai. One of the public sector undertakings, it is wholly owned by the Union Government and is responsible for the generation of nuclear power for electricity. NPCIL is administered by the...
. Under his leadership the Department of Atomic Energy vigorously pursued the nuclear power programme with the commissioning of two new power reactors at Narora and Kakrapar, and continued with the development of new reactor systems, such as liquid
Liquid
Liquid is one of the three classical states of matter . Like a gas, a liquid is able to flow and take the shape of a container. Some liquids resist compression, while others can be compressed. Unlike a gas, a liquid does not disperse to fill every space of a container, and maintains a fairly...
-sodium
Sodium
Sodium is a chemical element with the symbol Na and atomic number 11. It is a soft, silvery-white, highly reactive metal and is a member of the alkali metals; its only stable isotope is 23Na. It is an abundant element that exists in numerous minerals, most commonly as sodium chloride...
based fast reactors. Equal emphasis was laid on enhanced production of heavy water
Heavy water
Heavy water is water highly enriched in the hydrogen isotope deuterium; e.g., heavy water used in CANDU reactors is 99.75% enriched by hydrogen atom-fraction...
, nuclear fuel
Nuclear fuel
Nuclear fuel is a material that can be 'consumed' by fission or fusion to derive nuclear energy. Nuclear fuels are the most dense sources of energy available...
and special nuclear materials. He also initiated proposals for the export of heavy-water, research reactors, hardware for nuclear applications to earn precious foreign exchange.
Legacy and Fame
Dr. Iyengar has been the recipient of many high civilian awards and honours. After retirement Dr. Iyengar has served in various positions such as Member of the Atomic Energy Commission, Scientific Advisor to the Government of Kerala, on the Board of the Global Technology Development Centre, President of the Indian Nuclear Society, and a Member of the Inter-governmental Indo-French Forum, besides serving on various national committees. Dr. Iyengar’s current interests focus on advances in nuclear technology for nuclear applications, issues of nuclear policy and national security, science education and the application of science in nation-building. He has participated in various international meetings on non-proliferation issues. Most recently, as a founder trustee of the Agastya International Foundation, he has been focusing on rural education and instilling creativity and scientific temperament in rural children.Awards and honours
- Padma BhushanPadma BhushanThe Padma Bhushan is the third highest civilian award in the Republic of India, after the Bharat Ratna and the Padma Vibhushan, but comes before the Padma Shri. It is awarded by the Government of India.-History:...
(1975) - Bhatnagar Award (1971)
- Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry Award for the Physical Sciences (1981)
- Raman Centenary Medal of the Indian Academy of Science (1988)
- Bhabha Medal for Experimental Physics of the Indian National Science Academy (1990)
- R. D. Birla Award of the Indian Physics Association (1992)
- Jawaharlal Nehru Birth Centenary Award (1993)
- Homi Bhabha Medal (2006)