Asian Network for Natural & Unnatural Materials (Annum3) concluded at Panjab University (PU) here today. The three day international conference was sponsored by Department of Science & Technology (DST)- PURSE and was organized by PU Department of Chemistry & Centre of Advanced Studies in Chemistry.

The 126 young researchers presented their research findings enthusiastically in the form of well designed posters. A three judge committee comprising of Prof John Stride from Australia, Prof Suresh Valiyaveetil from Singapore and Prof Koushik Das Sarma from Sudarshan Chemicals judged four winners for poster awards which went to Subhamay Pramanik from GNDU, Amritsar, Shivpoojan Kori from Forensic Science Department, PU, Shahi Imam Reja, GNDU, Amritsar and Department of Chemistry, PU, Dipika Narula.

The main focus of the conference had been on the dynamics and interrelations between different countries of Asian region particularly on the most relevant issues of sustainability of natural resources as well as scientific and technological breakthroughs, scrutinized from a systemic perspective. The three day deliberations laid a sound basis for interaction between scientist of the region and cooperation to resolve critical problems being faced by these countries.

Third Day of the conference witnessed a captivating talk by James Cook University, Australia Prof Paramjit Singh Bansal on identification and utility of peptides from spider venom. Prof Jyh-Tsung Lee from Taiwan gave an overview of development of nitroxide radical polymer brushes and their applications in batteries. University of California, USA Prof Ashwani Vij elaborated upon new type of halogen bonding and its applications in design of water repellent textiles and other useful materials. IIT Kanpur Prof. Sri Sivakumar gave an insight into nanoparticle based targeted drug delivery systems.

Secretary General, International Council of Scientific Union, Prof David Black congratulated the winner on their success and gave away the prizes. IIT Delhi Prof H.M Chawla got emotional and spoke from the core of his heart in praise of the hospitality and spirit of students at PU. The convener of the conference Department of Chemistry Prof S.K. Mehta thanked his team and students for their onerous efforts in arranging ANNUM 3 and expressed heartfelt gratitude to all the elite speakers for their valuable presence. The ANNUM core committee consisting of Profs. David Black, N. Kumar, V.V. Suresh, R. Bates, H.M. Chawla and S.K. Mehta deliberated on the preceedings of ANNUM 3 and declared that ANNUM 4 will be held at Singapore in 2016.

This stimulating conference was not only beneficial to the scientific community but also to society in more general terms by addressing important problems and finding new solutions for them- a key to a brighter future.