Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR)
The Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR) is a non-profit making state enterprise under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST).TISTR was originally set up by the Applied Scientific Research Corporation of Thailand Act B.E. 2506 (1963) which was repealed and replaced by the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research Act B.E. 2522 (1979) following the establishment of MOST in the same year.
Objectives
TISTR has the following objectives:
- To initiate and conduct research and to provide scientific and technological services to state agencies and private enterprises for economic and social development of the country.
- To conduct scientific and technological research in order to promote the utilization of natural resources appropriate to the economic conditions, environment, health and welfare of the people.
- To improve productivity in accordance with the government policies by propagating the results of scientific and technological research to benefit the country in agriculture, industry and commerce.
- To train scientific and technological researchers.
- To provide for the industrial assessment, inspection, testing and measuring services and other scientific and technological services.
Policy
TISTR policies for the corporate plan of 2001-2005 are as follows:
- Focus on research and development in agro-industry and other related businesses, in recognition of direct application and positive impacts on economic, social and environmental developments.
- Transfer technologies to satisfy the needs of target groups in various sectors: industry, agriculture, service and rural communities in order to revitalize the economy as well as improve the quality of life.
- Extend S&T services to develop potential for production process of small and medium
industries and to gain a competitive edge in the world market.
- Promote aggressive marketing by identifying target groups and their needs in order to optimize research results.
- Apply quality management system for internal development of organization and enhancement of external organization standards.
- Develop human resource potential for administration, management and technical knowledge as well.
- Extend networking with public and private agencies both internally and externally.
Initial Research Activity
The earliest research work of the Research Corporation was divided into a number of research institutes (the several research divisions of the Corporation were termed ΓÇ£research instituteΓÇ¥). The approved plan was set for three initial institutes:
Technological Research Institute.
Agricultural Research Institute.
Nutrition and Food Sciences Research Institute.
The Technological Research Institute (TRI) was established into four units:
- Industrial chemistry (based primarily on agricultural and other plant product).
- Minerals utilization and metallurgy.
- Materials of construction.Textiles and fibers technology.
At the start, the United Nations Special Fund was responsible for providing $846,300 over the first five years period to assist the TRI, this aid being in the form of service of research leader (20 man-years), specialized research equipment and supplies, and fellowships for training abroad. The government of the Commonwealth of Australia also provided the Research Corporation assistance with the TRI programme under the Colombo plan with some equipment and library materials.
Central Scientific Services
A number of auxiliary scientific services was provided by the Research Corporation, and also being available to scientists working elsewhere in Thailand as well as to the staff of the Research Corporation. The following units were
- Thai National Documentation Center
- Center for Thai National Reference Collections
- Instrument Repair and Calibration Center National Reference Standards Laboratory
- Center for Thai National Standard Specifications.
The Thai National Documentation Center (TNDC) was initiated by the National Research Council and passed over to the Research Corporation in June 1964.Since then, it has operated a central scientific library, document procurement service, bibliographical and translation services, and a document reproduction unit.
Present Organization Structure
Through the various administrations with different visions and concepts the organization of TISTR is turned out to be a large multi-disciplinary Institute of four groups as follows:
Research and Development Group:
- Food Technology Department
- Pharmaceutical and Natural Products Department
- Post-harvest Technology Department
- Agricultural Technology Department
- Biotechnology Department
- Microbiological Resources Centre Environment, Ecology and Energy Department
- Materials Technology Department
- Engineering Department
Technology Transfer Group:
- Rural Technology Transfer Department
- Industrial and Technological Consultancy Department
- Research Station Management Department
- Training Department
Services Group:
- Industrial Metrology and Testing Service Centre
- Thai National Documentation Center
- Material Properties Analysis and Development Centre
- Thai Packing Centre
- Support Services Group.
List of TISTR Achievement in R&D
Since the Act B.E. 2522, TISTR has undertaken a number of projects. The important projects are as follows:
- Development of prefabrication system for housing industry.
- Biotechnology for plant improvement and propagation.
- DNA fingerprints for genotype identification.
- Application of genetic engineering to improve quality of fresh fruit and vegetable for export.
- Research and development of biotechnology for solution of toxic waste absorption and wastewater treatment in community and agro-industry.
- Study and development of incinerator for municipal solid wastes.
- Development of corrosion protective agents for construction materials.
- Research and development of beverage products from algae and marigold.
- Research and development of biofertilizers, night soil and soil conditioners from agro industrial wastes.
- Production of dehydrated fruits.
- Production of insecticide by a blue-green algae, Hapalosiphon sp. TISTR 8252. Ultrasonic cleaner for medical application.
- Production development program on fully blended juices and by-products from lemon.
- Utilization of effective microorganism as probiotic for poultry farms.
- Vacuum sealer and gas injection.
- Development of automatic shrimp food dispenser etc.
National Synchrotron Research Center (NSRC)
The National Synchrotron Research Center(NSRC) was founded by the Ministry of Science,Technology and Environment (MOSTE) to promote the National Synchrotron Research Project, usually referred to as the Siam Photon Project in Thailand. The Siam Photon Project is as follows:
1.A 1.0 GeV electron storage ring with four long straight sections for insertion devices shall be constructed. The electron energy shall be increased to 1.2 GeV in the future.
2.Bcam lines and experimental stations for advanced spectroscopic studies on gases, solid materials, surfaces and interfaces shall be built.
3.Conventional beam lines for routine photoreflection experiments and radiation biology shall be built.
4.A beam line for basic researches on metrology using synchrotron radiation as an intensity standard of light shall be built.
5.A beam line for the study of micro machining shall be built. An experimental station for basic researches on micro lithography shall also be built.
6.The installation of superconducting magnet wigglers is considered. Beam lines for various x-ray experiments using light from the wigglers shall be built. They are for
- Protein crystallography
- XAFS
- Characterization of materials
- Fluorescent x-ray chemical analysis.
At present, the Siam Photon light source is under machine commissioning. On the 17th of December 2001, the electron beam was filled in the storage ring successfully for the time, We expect that the machine commissioning will end at the beginning of April 2003, bywhich the synchrotron light at energy of 20.240 eV. can be serviced to the users community.
NSRC is considering to install super conducting magnet wigglers to produce X-ray in the near future. X-ray experiments under consideration are protein crystallography, ordinary X-ray diffraction experiments, XAFS measurements and materials characterization. We have started the work of the beamline design for protein crystallography as the first stage of the construction in coming two year. The construction of a beam line for the VUV-SX spectroscopy is also considered as the two year plan. The beam line is for the undulator.
Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP)
Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP) is the new name of the former Office of Atomic Energy for Peace (OAEP), after the recent governmentΓÇÖs restructuring of Thai bureaucracy as from 3 October 2002. Its status and authority remain the same as those of OAEP, which was established by virtue of Article 19 of the Atomic Energy for Peace Act B.E. 2504 (1961).The Act also established the Atomic Energy for Peace Commission (Thai AEC) to which OAP is the Secretariat.
The main reason to restructure the former OAEP is for OAP to be the organization in Thailand charged with policy and strategic plan formulation on all nuclear matters; and nuclear and radiation safety, and nuclear material regulatory authorities with independent management from the research and development activities of the former OAEP.A new entity called ΓÇ£Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology or TINTΓÇ¥ is to be established for the research and development, pending a legislation to be enacted. Therefore, at the meantime, the research and development activities remain with OAP as number of research and development programs.
Vision
1. Vision of OAP is to secure peaceful utilization of atomic energy through supporting legislations, regulations, and policies.
2. Once established, vision of ΓÇ£TINTΓÇ¥ would be to excel in research and development of nuclear technology for development, and in safety records.
Functions
1.To be the Secretariat of the Atomic Energy for Peace Commission (Thai AEC)
2.To regulate radiation and nuclear safety, and nuclear material
3.To conduct research and development of nuclear technology
4.To coordinate formulation of national policy and strategic plans on peaceful utilization of atomic energy
5.To coordinate and carry out commitments and obligations with international organizations and with foreign institutes
6.To coordinate and support national security relevant to atomic energy issues
7.To coordinate and carry out technical cooperation with organizations in Thailand and abroad
The recent priorities of OAP activities are:
1. Establishment of Ongkharak Nuclear Research Center
2. Establishment of Thailand Institute of Nuclear Technology
3. Revising the Atomic Energy for Peace Act (1961) and the associated regulation for nuclear material control and for nuclear, radiation, radioactive waste and transport Safety Regulations
4. Isotope production for medical uses
5. Irradiated food and agricultural products by Thai Irradiation Center facility
6. Irradiated gems by neutron activation
Structure
Office of Atoms for Peace (OAP)
- Office of the Secretary
- Bureau of Atomic Energy Administration
- Bureau of Radiation Safety Regulation
- Bureau of Nuclear Safety Regulation
- Bureau of Technical Support for Safety Regulation
Research and Development Programs to constitute National Institute of Nuclear Technology (TINT) ΓÇö pending legislation
- Radioactive Waste Management Program
- Radioisotope Production Program
- Research Reactor and Nuclear Technology Operation Program
- Radiation and Nuclear Safety Program
- Irradiation for Agriculture Research Program
- Chemistry and Material Science Research Program
- Physics and Advanced Technology Research Program
Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Public Organization): GISTDA
The rapid population growth and rapid technological progress have consumed enormous natural resources and subsequently has caused dynamic changes on the earth surface regarding natural resources and environment. Realizing that space remote sensing technology and GIS have the significant role in monitoring environmental changes and management of natural resources, the Geo-Informatics and Space Technology Development Agency (Public Organization) or GISTDA was therefore established on 2 November 2000 under supervision of the Minister of Science and Technology.
The main objectives of GISTDA are to develop space technology and geo-informatics to benefit the country as a whole, to apply satellite remote sensing data and serve as a center for satellite based natural resources data sets and derived information, to distribute data and services on space technology and geoinformatics, to provide services in capacity building as well as technical consultancies on remote sensing and geo-informatics, to conduct research and development in related fields, and to serve as a core agency for remote sensing and GIS data standardization.
Vision.
To be a centre of excellence in space technology and geo-informatics, with national and international cooperation networks to promote and support the sustainable development of natural resources, environment, quality of life and national security.
Mission Statement
To perform space technology and geoinformatics activities such as data and technical services, R&D investments, technology transfer and data exchange as well as to coordinate with both governmental and non-governmental organizations in the development of space technology and geoinformatics within and outside the country.
Space Technology Development
GISTDAΓÇÖs ground receiving station was established in 1982 with its footprint covering 17 countries in the region comprising the southern part of China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, the eastern part of India and Thailand. GISTDA can therefore serve as a centre of satellite-based data for users worldwide. Presently, GISTDA directly receives the data of Landsat-7, IRS-1C, 1D and Radarsat with medium resolution between 5.8 metres ΓÇö 30 metres. In addition, with cooperation of Space Imaging Southeast Asia Company, GISTDA jointly operates the IKONOS ground station as the Regional Operation Centre for 1 metre resolution data. However, the historical archived data of Landsat 4/5, SPOT, MOS-1 and JERS-1 are also available on request. In the near future, through the cooperation with Japan, GISTDA plans to receive 2.5 metre resolution data of ALOS satellite and will become a data node for this region.
Geoinformatics Development
GISTDA is a core agency not only for remote sensing but also for GIS data standardization. Development and implementation in GIS or geoinformatics consists of the following activities:
Development of National GIS Master Plan which is scheduled to be completed in March
2003.Moreover, GISTDA has been aided by USTDA to conduct a feasibility study on implementation of NSDI starting early March 2003.
- Development of common standards for GIS/Geoinformatics of the country in view of data sharing and data exchange.
- Establishment of web-based GIS (map server) and data base network is on progress. Besides, GISTDA has participated in the Global Map/GSDI programme as a national node for global scale GIS data.
International Cooperation
GISTDA has cooperation with countries and international organizations in the area of development of space technology and applications. Cooperation Agreements were concluded with countries including France, India, Japan, Russia, and the USA.
Department of Science Service
Department of Science Service was founded in 1891 as a small unit in the Royal Department of Mines and Geology. During its early year, its main function was chemical assay for ores and mineral focusing on coin composite validation. The department has been transferred to five different ministries, namely Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Industry, Ministry of Science, Technology and Energy, Ministry of Science Technology and Environment, and lately Ministry of Science and Technology, while it has been expanded and upgraded to be a government central laboratory providing scientific testing services to both public and private sectors.
Over the years, some of its activities have grown to such extents that formation of new specialized institutions became necessary. Therefore the department initiated the formation of new institutions and they are the Department of Medical Science, the Office of the National Research Council, the Office of the Atomic Energy for Peace, Thai Industrial Standards Institute (TISI) and lately (1998) the National Institute Metrology Thailand (NIMT).
At the moment, the departmentΓÇÖs major role is being the national central laboratory for material and product testing, calibration and analysis in chemical, physical and biological science aspects. In addition to its laboratorial service, the department also provides; educational service where it offers three year accredited diploma program for analytical chemistry; science and technology library and information service where it provides access to more than 500,000 volumes of scientific publications. Besides these services, the department is actively conducting several research projects aiming for improving industrial manufacturing processes in ceramics and glass, pulp and paper, food processing and packaging and related biological science technology. The results from these research works enable the department to initiate a number of technology transfer programs for industry, SMEs, and rural development. Some of these technology transfer programs, notably the conventional ceramic technology, are developed in cooperation with the Royal Art and Craft Training Centers to create jobs for people in rural areas.
In the near future, the department will become a laboratory accreditation body and could provide accreditation services for laboratories both in industrial sector and government sector which require international acceptance for their laboratories quality assurance system. Apart from testing and calibration, our laboratory services include consultation for laboratory quality system development to be conformed to international standard. The new training program for scientists and laboratory personnel development will provide more flexible training courses and seminars allowing the customization of its curriculums and tailoring the need of current industrial trends and standards possible. The departmentΓÇÖs science and technology library and information service will extend electronic access to its resources as well as its network partners while improve its specialized collections to serve some specific titles that answer industrial needs. The departmentΓÇÖs programs on research and technology transfer will focus more on science and technology for sustainable development at the community level, researching for ways to utilize science and technology to : increase productivity, create value-added for local community products, and improve quality of life.
