Haridwar Singh
Haridwar Singh (born 31 March 1944, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India) was an Indian emeritus scientist. He has been director of the High Energy Materials Research Laboratory (H.E.M.R.L), Defence Research and Development Organisation, (D.R.D.O), Ministry of Defence, from 1990 to 2004. Dr. Singh died on November 4, 2017. Biography. Singh has been an eminent scientist who pioneered research for new and advanced energetic materials and development of advanced indigenous technologies for all varieties of solid rocket propellants like D.B.P (double base propellant), nitramine base, fuel-rich propellants, advanced propellants based on new oxidizers and energetic binders and technologies for  advanced powerful and thermally stable high explosives and advanced pyrotechnic smokes. He has formulated methodology for life extension of propulsion systems of advanced missiles, which resulted in enormous financial savings for the country. Among his noteworthy contributions are development of energetic low vulnerability gun propellants, Explosive Reactor Armour (E.R.A) technology, Fuel Air Explosive (F.A.E) and Thermo-baric explosive technology and C.C.C.T (Combustible Cartridge Case Technology). He successfully initiated and monitored many challenging and time-bound mission-oriented research programs in the area of high energy materials especially, propellants and explosives for rockets, missiles and advanced pyrotechnics. The spectrum of scientific  achievements under his capable leadership range from development and transfer of advanced technologies of high energy propellants for various applications including state-of-the-art propellant technology of a novel class of low vulnerability ammunition (LOVA) for tank gun to development of explosive reactive armour, combustible cartridge case technology, high explosive compositions for different types of warheads, advanced non-smoky RD X-based propellants for booster and sustainer applications. India has gained an expertise of life extension of propulsion system of missiles under such extraordinary guidance. His contributions have become an asset for the Defence Services and has made the  country self-sufficient in the field. Singh has been renowned in the national and international scientific community for possessing a unique combination of superior technical prowess and dynamic leadership. Owing to such qualities, he was a close scientific advisor to the 11th president of India, Dr. A. P. J Abdul Kalam and several Indian Prime Ministers. Awards. There have been plethora of awards bestowed upon Singh at the national and international level by governments, academic institutions and professional organizations. A few of these at the national level are as follow: Patents. Singh has 18 patents his credit. Books authored. Singh  has been the first author of three award-winning books: 1. Science & technology of Solid Rocket Propellants, in Hindi. Singh is the first Indian to have written a book on Rocket Propellants in the national language,Hindi. This book was awarded by the Ministry of Human Resource Development, for original work done in the national language for Science & Technology. 2. Science & technology of Solid Rocket Propellants, in English. 3. High Energy Materials, in English. Publications in national and international journals. Singh has authored 181 research publications and 17 technical reports. National & International Professional Associations. International. Germany: The Max-Planck Institute ,Visiting Scientist. U.S.A: High Pressure Combustion Laboratory, Pennsylvania State University, Visiting Scientist. Delaware University, Visiting Scientist. University of Arizona, Visiting Scientist. Army Research Laboratory, Maryland, Visiting Scientist. Science Application Centre, Santa Clara, Visiting Scientist. Sandia National Laboratory,Livermore, Visiting Scientist. American Institute of Aeronautics (A.I.A.A), Lifetime Member. American Chemical Society (A.C.S), Lifetime Member. Russia: Russian Academy of Aeronautics, Honorary Member. Israel: Dr. Singh received the Lady Davis Fellowship and served as "Visiting Professor" at Israel Institute of Technology (I.I.T), Haifa from 2004 to 2010. China: Nanjing University of Science and Technology, China, Visiting Professor. Australia: Australian Institute of High Energy  Materials. Honorary Member, National. India: Chairman of High Energy Material Society of India (H.E.M.S.I). Senate member of University of Pune. Fellow of the Deccan Education Society. Member of Science Journal Editorial Executive Board. Central University, Hyderabad, Visiting Professor. D.I.A.T, Pune, Visiting Professor. Dr. Singh was on the Board of Directors of several private sector companies and a consultant in the area of Industrial Chemistry, High Energy Materials & Management.