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| title | chunk | source | category | tags | date_saved | instance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arun Kumar Biswas | 2/3 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arun_Kumar_Biswas | reference | science, encyclopedia | 2026-05-05T17:42:09.091544+00:00 | kb-cron |
role of CO2 in calcite flotation collector-frother interactions adsorption at three phase interline tannin-fatty acids and starch-fatty acids interactions in calcite-fluorite flotation separation selective dispersion and flocculation in hematite-clay system In late seventies and eighties, Biswas and coworkers made important contributions towards characterization of mineral separation systems using XRD, SEM with X-ray microanalysis, EPMA, TEM and several spectroscopic techniques (IR, NMR, Mossbauer, etc.). The systems studied included fine grained alumina-rich Indian iron ore, Zn-containing flotation tails, Zawar ancient siliceous slag and retorts, and ferromanganese nodules from the Indian Ocean and their synthetic analogues, chalcopyrite, and synthetic tungsten minerals. Biswas participated in several important international conferences such as International Mineral Processing Congresses (Cannes, 1963; Prague, 1970; Cagliari, 1975; Warsaw, 1979) and International Symposium on Surfactants, Gainesville, Florida, 1990.
=== Contributions to archaeometallurgy and beyond === Biswas's intellectual activities extended far beyond mineral engineering and covered languages, archaeometallurgy, minerals and gems in ancient India, literature, music and religions – mostly in the Indian context. Biswas was the founder-president of the Indian Languages Society, which organized a national seminar on Profiles in Indian languages during 10–12 December 1982. The proceedings of the seminar were published as a multi-authored book Profiles in Indian languages and literatures, which received international acclaim. The period around 1980 was also the beginning of his increasing interest in archaeometallurgy. Characterisation studies on ancient slag and retorts from Zawar mines later culminated in a number of papers on the primacy of India in brass and zinc metallurgy. During 1987–90, History of Science Division of Indian National Science Academy (INSA) sponsored a project on 'Minerals and Metals in Ancient India up to 1200 AD from Sanskrit Literature and other Sources'. In this project, he was ably assisted by his wife, Sulekha, a Sanskrit scholar. The project completion report submitted in 1991 later (in 1996) resulted in the publication of the monumental monograph called 'Minerals and Metals in Ancient India'. This two volume monograph (volume 1 – Archaeological Evidence, Volume – 2 Literary Evidence) tells the fascinating, coherently woven story of the Mineral and Metals from across the entire sub-continental sprawl of the old-world India (including Pakistan and Bangladesh). In following years (1991–94), INSA sponsored another project on Minerals and Metals in Pre-Modern period (1200–1900 AD) which led to the publication of several interesting papers in Indian J History of Science; Gem minerals in pre-Modern India, Non-Gem Minerals in Pre-modern India and Iron and Steel in Pre-modern India. Biswas delved deep into the ancient Indian texts and established the etymology of beryllium-containing minerals in the Indian and world literature – particularly of Beryl (Vaidurya) and emerald (Marakata). Similarly, other topics related to history of science included : History of science in India : In search of a new paradigm, Rasa-Ratna Samuccaya and Mineral Processing State of Art in the 13th Century A.D. India, Revered father Eugene Lafont and science activity of St Xavier's College, During the period 1985–94, he also wrote and edited several books
Swami Vivekananda and the Indian Quest for Socialism (Firma KLM Pvt Ltd, Calcutta, 1986); A Pilgrimage to Khetri and the Sarasvati Valley (Sujan Publications, Calcutta, 1987); Buddha and Bodhisattva – A Hindu View (Cosmo Publications, New Delhi, 1987); Frontiers in Applied Chemistry (edited volume, Springer Verlag, Berlin and Narosa Publishing House, New Delhi, 1989); and Swami Vijnanananda and his Paramahamsa Carita (Sujan Publication, 1994). The superannuation of Professor Biswas from IIT/K on 31 July 1994, marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life. He moved to Kolkata where he spent a lot more time with Ramakrishna Mission. He served several organizations in various honorary capacities for example, Mahendralal Sircar Research Professor in History of Science at the Asiatic Society, Kolkata (1995–2001); the AICTE Emeritus Fellow at the Jadavpur University (2001–2004); and INSA Research Fellow in Kolkata. He joined as a member of the INSA National Commission for History of Science and the editorial board member of the Indian Journal of the History of Science.
== Post IIT Kanpur era ==
=== Research papers and book reviews === Biswas's academic interest and firm conviction that both social sciences and humanities and science and technology are essential for human progress, propelled him to publish a large number of research papers and reviews on a wide spectrum of topics. The topics covered included: Epic of Saltpetre to Gunpowder; Why did Scientific Renaissance take place in Europe and not in India; Brass and zinc metallurgy in the ancient and medieval world : India's primacy and the technology transfer to the west, Raman, Krishnan and the IACS Episodes of the 1930s; The Era of Science Enthusiasts in Bengal (1841–1891): Akshayakumar's; Vidyasagar and Rajendralala; Calcuttan Science 1784–1930 and the Awakening in India; Rammohun Roy, his Intellectual Compatriots and their Scientific Contributions; Science in the Path of Syncretism, Syncretism in the Future of Humankind – Some Golden thoughts of Swami Vivekananda; Social Factors in the Development of Technology in Ancient India; Science, Spirituality and Socialism: A Tribute to Joseph Needham; Science and Music with a Special Note on Helmholtz, James Jeans to Pandit Ravishankar. He also published some interesting book reviews, such as: Images and Contexts: The Historiography of Science and Modernity in India; Story of the Delhi Iron Pillar; The Indus Civilization, A People's History of India. Jagadish Chandra Bose and National Science; Kautilya's Arthasastra in the light of modern science and technology; An Eye For Excellence: (Fifty Innovative Years of IIT Kanpur); la vintage metallurgie (coffee table book, CSIR-NML); Caught between two Cultures – Science in Nineteenth Century Bengal, etc.
=== Books === Some of his well-known books after 1995 include: