Objectives and Relevancy: This project is for a cooperative research between Dr. P. Somasudaran of Columbia University and Drs. R. Mallikarjunan and S. Venkatachalam of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) at Bombay. The project is aimed towards understanding the mechanisms of a potential fine beneficiation technique, namely, electroflotation and developing it for beneficiation of selected problem ores. The expertise in IIT, Bombay in electrochemistry and flotation techniques complement that at Columbia University in surface and colloid chemical aspects of flotation of fines in the investigation. The study will include the electroflotation of selected oxides, salt type and sulfide minerals as a function of bubble size and size distribution charge produced, using different electrode designs, and studiesof forces of interaction of such bubbles with minerals. The U.S.-India program supports cooperative research between scientists of the two countries in areas of interest to NSF when benefit is expected to result from the collaboration This project falls in that category. Merit: The U.S. scientist is one of this country's top scientists in the field of materials and minerals processing. IIT Bombay is one of India's prestigious academic and research institutes. The research area deals with an important problem facing the mining industry in the U.S. and is also important to India. Funding: The project is being funded under two grants: The Indian Inst. of Tech. at Bombay: INT 87-16926 $57,143 in Indian currency Columbia University: INT 87-04303 $17,135 in Indian currency plus US$29,218
