Central Electro Chemical Research Institute

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Central Electro Chemical Research Institute is one of a chain of forty national laboratories under the aegis of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) in New Delhi. Founded on 25th July 1948 at Karaikudi in Tamilnadu, CECRI came into existence on the January 1953. During the last fifty years CECRI has been recognised as the premier institution for research and development in electrochemical science and technology not only in India but also in the South East Asia, with a total strength of over 600 personnel comprising scientists, engineers, technologists, skilled workers, administrative and other staff, with a combined laboratory space of 400,000 sq ft (37,000 m²). in a campus of 300 acres (1.2 km²). There are four extension centers for CECRI, located at Chennai, Cochin, Mandapam and Tuticorin.

Major R&D programs at CECRI are in the areas of corrosion science and engineering, industrial metal finishing, batteries (primary and secondary), electrometallurgy, electropyrometallurgy, electrochemicals (organic and inorganic), Materials Science, and electrochemical instrumentation & pollution control. The programs are directed towards development of new processes or products or novel use of electrochemistry. Techniques, upgrading of the already developed technology, and basic research are carried out. An excellent library, computer center, workshop, and centralised characterisation and measurement laboratory lend active support.

Over the years 680 patents have been filed, 190 processes have been developed and 140 sponsored projects and 110 grant-in-aid projects have been undertaken. More than 140 processes have been released to 375 licensees for commercial exploitation. The institute staff has published more than 4000 research papers including several review articles in both national and international journals of repute, edited several books and conference proceedings and maintained intimate contacts with the academic institutions within and outside the country. Recognition of contribution made by CECRI to Indian industry has come in the form of 50 major and minor awards. Direct earnings by the way of foreign exchange savings and energy efficient electrochemical technologies including corrosion prevention amount to about Rs.500 crores.

CECRI also conducts short term refresher courses for the benefit of industry and educational institutions, brings out journals (Bulletin Of Electrochemical, Corrosion Update and Battery Newsletter) and runs a B.Tech. program (Chemical and Electrochemical engineering of Madurai Kamaraj University). The institute is alive to societal obligations and actively participates in the Rural Science Forum (VPF), Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development (STED), and Swadeshi Science Movement (SSM) and Ambedkar Nagar in collaboration with other agencies.