Annual Report 2010 - Comsats

gather the required information for building a pilot plant for its industrial production.
Application of Production of Sodium Hydroxide and Boric Acid by Electrolysis: In this
project, laboratory studies were carried out for production of sodium hydroxide and
low sulphate boric acid from borax pentahydrate by membrane electrolysis method
and feasibility of the process was revised.
Polymer Technologies Project Group: Proton Exchange Membranes for Low-
Temperature Fuel Cell (PEMFC) Applications: These studies being undertaken are
on the development of polymer electrolyte membranes for PEM fuel cells using
national resources. The membranes developed are tested for their appropriateness
to be used as a commercial choice.
Food Institute
During 2010, the Food Institute of TÜBİTAK MRC organised UNISWORK IX -
International Study Tour and Visit Programme on Food Safety, under the UNIDO
International Study Tour and Workshop programmes (UNISWORK programmes).
The programmes started in 2002 at TÜBİTAK MRC Food Institute in Gebze and have
been conducted nine times so far. The programmes aim to combine the provision of
information on the latest developments in selected areas of food technology, food
safety and quality, and the exchange of various experiences from different regions.
This enhances cooperation among various countries in the field of food technology
and food safety necessary for the development and upgrading of agro-food
processing in participating countries. Beneficiary countries belong to Africa, Asia,
Middle East and Balkan Peninsula.
Other Activities of TÜBİTAK MRC
Annual Report 2010
EU-MEDA Project – ZER0-M: TÜBİTAK MRC
implemented its EU-MEDA project, Zer0-M. The
project was aimed at employing the concepts
and technologies to achieve optimized closeloop
usage of all water-flows in small
municipalities or settlements (e.g. tourism
facilities) that are not connected to central
wastewater treatment. Zer0-M includes:
sanitation systems with low water-consumption;
separation of grey, black and yellow water;
biological treatment of segregated wastewater;
and reuse for non drinking purposes (e.g.
irrigation, toilet flush).
TÜBITAK MRC to Address National Biodiversity Concerns: Under the National
Biological Diversity Strategy and Action Plan of the Turkish Government, all the large
mammal species of Turkey are being genotyped by three different DNA markers for
the first time. In addition, DNA- and cell-banks will be established for these species.
MRC has been entrusted to play an important part in the execution of this plan. The
field studies for photo-trapping and collar-fitting will be conducted by the Ministry of
Environment and Forestry, General Directorate of Nature Protection and Natural
Parks, while the laboratory analyses will be conducted by Genetic Engineering and
Biotechnology Institute of the TÜBİTAK MRC and Selçuk University.
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