Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

7 Ghost Particles pierce through Earth: IceCube Observations

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Neutrinos, IceCube Observatory, Indian Neutrino Observatory (INO), Trident

Mains level : NA

Why in the news

  • Researchers at the IceCube Observatory, buried beneath the Antarctic ice, have identified seven potential instances of elusive “Ghost Particles” or astrophysical Tau Neutrinos as they penetrated through Earth.
  • These neutrinos are pivotal for understanding the cosmic exchanges between Earth and the vast universe.

What are Neutrinos?

  • Neutrinos, often referred to as “ghost particles,” are subatomic particles characterized by their nearly zero mass and lack of electric charge.
  • They traverse through matter with minimal interaction, making their detection extremely challenging.
  • Previously believed to be massless, evidence has emerged indicating that neutrinos possess a very small mass.
  • Neutrinos rank among the most abundant particles in the universe.
  • While neutrinos and electrons behave similarly in terms of nuclear forces, neither of them engages in strong nuclear interactions.
  • However, both participate in weak nuclear interactions.
  • Neutrinos are produced during events such as nuclear fusion in stars like the Sun or nuclear fission in reactors.

Properties of Neutrinos

Electric Charge Electrically Neutral
Mass Extremely Low (Exact Masses Not Known)
Types Electron Neutrino, Muon Neutrino, Tau Neutrino
Interaction Weak Interaction
Speed Close to the Speed of Light
Spin Fermion, Half-Integer Spin
Neutrino Oscillations Neutrinos Change Flavor during Travel
Interactions Very Weak Interaction with Matter
Abundance Among the Most Abundant Particles in the Universe
Cosmic Messengers Can Carry Information from Distant Cosmic Sources

 

Why Neutrinos are termed “Ghost Particles”?

 

  • The weak charge and almost imperceptible mass of neutrinos render them exceedingly difficult for scientists’ to detect directly.
  • Due to their rare interactions with other particles, tracking neutrinos proves nearly impossible.

Significance of Neutrino Detection

  • The origins of the abundant neutrino particles remain largely unknown to scientists.
  • There’s a hypothesis suggesting their potential role in the early universe shortly after the Big Bang, yet concrete evidence remains elusive.
  • Understanding neutrinos better holds the promise of unraveling numerous scientific phenomena, including the mysterious origins of cosmic rays, which neutrinos are known to carry.
  • Researchers anticipate that pinpointing the source of neutrinos will aid in explaining the origins of cosmic rays, a puzzle that has perplexed scientists for centuries.

About IceCube Observatory

icecube

  • Location: The IceCube Neutrino Observatory is situated near the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station in Antarctica.
  • Components:
  1. IceCube: The primary detector consists of 5,160 digital optical modules (DOMs) attached to vertical strings frozen into the ice.
  2. IceTop: Located on top of IceCube strings, it serves as a veto and calibration detector for cosmic rays.
  3. DeepCore: A denser subdetector within IceCube that lowers the neutrino energy threshold for studying neutrino oscillations.
  • Construction:
  1. Completed in December 2010 with 86 strings deployed over seven austral summers.
  2. Involved melting holes in the ice to depths of 2,450 meters and deploying sensors connected to cables.
  • Research Goals:
  1. Observing neutrinos from various astrophysical sources to study cosmic phenomena like exploding stars, gamma-ray bursts, and black holes.
  2. Studying cosmic rays interacting with the Earth’s atmosphere to reveal structures not fully understood.
  3. Advancing neutrino astronomy and exploring high-energy processes in the Universe.

 

Recent Neutrino Observatories in news:

 

[1] Indian Neutrino Observatory (INO)

  • INO approved in 2015, is a proposed particle physics research mega project.
  • Its objective is to study neutrinos in a 1,200 meter deep cave.
  • The primary objective of the INO Project is to study neutrinos, one of the most abundant fundamental particles, coming from various sources and using an underground Iron calorimeter (ICAL) detector.
  • Its location is decided to be at the Bodi West Hills (BWH) region near Pottipuram village in Theni district of Tamil Nadu (110 km from the temple town of Madurai).

[2] China’s TRIDENT

  • Scheduled for completion in 2030, TRIDENT, aptly nicknamed “Ocean Bell” or “Hai ling” in Chinese.
  • It will be positioned 11,500 feet (3,500 meters) beneath the ocean’s surface in the Western Pacific.
  • It seeks to explore the realm of neutrinos, transient particles that momentarily interact with the deep ocean, emitting faint flashes of light.

 


PYQs:

(1) In the context of modern scientific research, consider the following statements about ‘IceCube’, a particle detector located at the South Pole, which was recently in the news: (2015)

  1. It is the world’s largest neutrino detector, encompassing a cubic kilometre of ice.
  2. It is a powerful telescope to search for dark matter.
  3. It is buried deep in the ice.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

 

(2) India-based Neutrino Observatory is included by the planning commission as a mega-science project under the 11th Five-year plan. In this context, consider the following statements: (2010)

  1. Neutrinos are chargeless elementary particles that travel close to the speed of light.
  2. Neutrinos are created in nuclear reactions of beta decay.
  3. Neutrinos have a negligible, but non-zero mass.
  4. Trillions of Neutrinos pass through the human body every second.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. 1 and 3 only
  2. 1, 2 and 3 only
  3. 2, 3 and 4
  4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Celebrating Pi Day: A Tribute to Mathematics

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Pi, Sulbha Sutra

Mains level : NA

In the news

  • March 14, or 3/14, is celebrated globally as Pi Day, paying homage to the mathematical constant Pi (π).

About Pi Day

  • Initiated by: Physicist Larry Shaw of the Exploratorium museum in San Francisco started the tradition in 1988, which has since gained international recognition.
  • UNESCO Designation: In 2019, UNESCO designated Pi Day as the International Day of Mathematics, highlighting its significance in promoting mathematical awareness.

What is Pi?

  • Mathematical Constant: Pi (π) represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter, with a value of approximately 3.14.
  • Irrational Number: Pi is an irrational number, with a decimal representation that neither terminates nor repeats.
  • Ancient Approximations: Ancient civilizations, including Babylonians and Egyptians, approximated Pi using geometric methods, laying the foundation for its calculation.
  • Symbol of Beauty: Pi’s infinite and non-repeating decimal digits evoke a sense of wonder and appreciation for the intricacies of mathematics.

Do you know?

  • Baudhayana (800 BC – 740 BC) is said to be the original Mathematician behind the Pythagoras theorem and Calculation of Pi (3.142).
  •  Pythagoras theorem was indeed known much before Pythagoras, and it was Indians who discovered it at least 1000 years before Pythagoras was born!
  • The credit for authoring the earliest Sulbha Sutras goes to him.
  • Aryabhatta, another great Indian mathematician, worked out the accurate value of π to 3.1416. in 499AD.

 

Evolution of Pi Calculation

  • Archimedes’ Method: Greek polymath Archimedes devised a method to approximate Pi using inscribed and circumscribed polygons, pioneering early calculations.
  • Newton’s Contribution: Isaac Newton revolutionized Pi calculation using calculus, significantly simplifying the process and enabling rapid advancements.
  • Modern Computing: With the aid of modern computers, mathematicians have calculated Pi to trillions of decimal places, facilitating precise scientific calculations.

Practical Significance of Pi

  • Architectural and Engineering Applications: Pi plays a crucial role in designing structures, shaping engineering solutions, and facilitating accurate measurements.
  • Understanding the Universe: Pi’s significance extends to diverse fields, from space exploration to molecular biology, underscoring its universal applicability.
  • Intrinsic Value: Despite its vast decimal expansion, Pi holds intrinsic value as a symbol of mathematical beauty and infinity, inspiring exploration and discovery.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles from Roen Olmi Mushroom

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Roen Olmi Mushroom

Mains level : NA

gold

In the news

  • Researchers in Goa have successfully synthesized gold nanoparticles from a wild mushroom species known as Roen Olmi, which is widely consumed as a delicacy in the coastal state.

About Roen Olmi Mushroom

  • Species: Roen Olmi belongs to the Termitomyces species and is found growing on termite hills.
  • Local Name: Locally known as “roen olmi” in Goa, it is a popular edible wild mushroom enjoyed by the locals, especially during the monsoon season.
  • Habitat: Endemic to the Western Ghats, Roen Olmi mushrooms thrive in the thick forest cover and high humidity prevalent in the region.
  • Ecological Significance: These mushrooms play a crucial role in forest and grassland ecosystems by converting 50% of dead plant material into nutrient-rich soil. They also possess antioxidant and antimicrobial properties.
  • Cultural and Medicinal Value: Roen Olmi mushrooms are valued not only for their nutritional attributes but also for their ethno-medicinal significance in indigenous communities across Asia and Africa.

Implications and Future Directions

  • Economic Impact: The breakthrough has significant economic implications, especially in the biomedical and biotechnological sectors, where the demand for gold nanoparticles is expected to rise.
  • Environmental Sustainability: Unlike conventional methods that employ toxic chemical agents, the use of Roen Olmi mushrooms offers an eco-friendly approach to mass-producing gold nanoparticles.
  • Local Community Benefits: The researchers advocate for the conservation and sustainable use of this valuable resource, emphasizing the importance of sharing benefits with the local community in accordance with the Nagoya Protocol.

Try this PYQ from CSP 2021

In the nature, which of the following is/are most likely to be found surviving on a surface without soil?​

  1. Fern​
  2. Lichen​
  3. Moss​
  4. Mushroom​

Select the correct answer using the code given below.​

(a) 1 and 4 only​

(b) 2 only​

(c) 2 and 3 only​

(d) 1, 3 and 4 only​

 

Post your responses here.
0
Please leave a feedback on thisx

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Room-Temperature Qubits: A Gateway to Affordable Quantum Computing

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Qubits, Quantum Mechanics etc.

Mains level : NA

In the news

  • Quantum computing holds immense potential, yet many systems operate only at extremely low temperatures, making them costly and commercially unfeasible.
  • Researchers are exploring alternative technologies to drive down costs and enhance the commercial viability of quantum computers.

Quantum Computing

  • Quantum computing is a paradigm of computation that utilizes principles from quantum mechanics to process information.
  • In quantum mechanics, particles exhibit wavelike properties, and their behavior is governed by the Schrodinger equation, which describes how these waves behave.

Key Concepts:

  • Wave-Particle Duality: Quantum objects, like electrons and photons, exhibit both particle-like and wave-like properties simultaneously, known as wave-particle duality.
  • Superposition: Objects in quantum science can exist in superposition states, where their quantum state is a combination of multiple states until measured. This concept allows qubits to represent multiple states simultaneously.
  • Quantum States and Qubits: Qubits are the fundamental units of quantum information, representing a two-state quantum system that can be in a superposition of 0 and 1 until measured.
  • Quantum Gates: Quantum computers use quantum gates to manipulate qubits through reversible unitary transformations, enabling complex computations based on algorithms.
  • Entanglement: Quantum entanglement is a unique property where multiple qubits can be correlated in such a way that the state of one qubit is dependent on the state of another, allowing for powerful computational capabilities.

Understanding Qubits and their Fragility

  • Classical vs. Quantum: Similar to classical computers, which rely on bits with two states (0 and 1), quantum computers operate using qubits—physical systems with two quantum states.
  • Unique Feature: Unlike classical bits, qubits can exist not only in one of the two states but also in a superposed state, where they simultaneously hold both states. However, this superposition is fragile and prone to disruption from external interactions.

Challenges in Qubit Implementation

  • Requirement for Identical Qubits: A collection of qubits is necessary for a quantum device, each needing to be identical—a challenge due to manufacturing imperfections.
  • Controllability and Robustness: Qubits must be controllable, allowing manipulation and interaction, while also being robust enough to maintain quantum features at room temperature over extended durations.

Exploring Qubit Systems

  • Diverse Options: Various physical systems serve as qubits, including superconducting junctions, trapped ions, and quantum dots. However, these systems typically require low temperatures or vacuum conditions for operation.
  • High Cost Barrier: The necessity for such conditions renders quantum computers based on these technologies expensive, prompting research into simpler, cost-effective alternatives.

Breakthrough in Room-Temperature Qubits

  • Metal-Organic Framework (MOF): In a recent collaborative study reported in Science Advances, researchers in Japan achieved qubits at room temperature within a metal-organic framework.
  • Composition: The MOF consists of repeated molecular arrangements, with zirconium as the metal component and an organic molecule containing the chromophore pentacene bridging the metal atoms.
  • Singlet Fission Mechanism: Singlet fission, facilitated by interaction between chromophores within the porous MOF networks, generates two triplet excited chromophores from a singlet excited state.
  • Enhanced Stability: The rotation of chromophores within the MOF networks modulates interactions, ensuring long-lived coherence of triplet states even at room temperature.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Scientists carry out Laser Cooling of Positronium

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : AEgIS Initiative , Positronium

Mains level : NA

Why in the News?

  • For the first time, an international team of physicists from the Anti-hydrogen Experiment: Gravity, Interferometry, Spectroscopy (AEgIS) collaboration has achieved a breakthrough by demonstrating the laser cooling of Positronium.

What is Positronium?

  • Positronium comprises a bound electron (e-) and a positron (e+), forming a fundamental atomic system.
  • What are its Properties?
    • Concise (short) life where it annihilates with a half-life of 142 nanoseconds.
    • Its mass is twice the electron mass, and it is considered a pure leptonic atom.
    • Its hydrogen-like system, with halved frequencies for excitation, makes it ideal for attempting laser cooling and performing tests of fundamental physics theories.

About AEgIS Initiative

  • Timeline: The AEgIS experiment was formally accepted by CERN in 2008, with construction and commissioning continuing through 2012-2016.
  • Team: Physicists representing 19 European and one Indian research group from the AEgIS collaboration announced this scientific breakthrough.
  • Experiment Location: The experiment was conducted at the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Why this is significant? This experiment serves as a crucial precursor to the formation of anti-hydrogen and the measurement of Earth’s gravitational acceleration on antihydrogen in the AEgIS experiment.

Key Outcomes

  • Temperature Reduction: Laser cooling initially brought Positronium atoms from ~380 Kelvin to ~170 Kelvin.
  • Laser System: A 70-nanosecond pulse of the alexandrite-based laser system was used to demonstrate cooling in one dimension.
  • Frequency Bands: Lasers deployed were either in the deep ultraviolet or infrared frequency bands.

Future Implications

  • Spectroscopic Comparisons: Physicists expect this experiment to pave the way for performing spectroscopic comparisons required for Quantum Electrodynamics (QED).
  • Potential Applications: The experiment allows for high-precision measurements of properties and gravitational behavior of Positronium, offering insights into newer physics and the production of a positronium Bose–Einstein condensate.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Satyendra Nath Bose and his contributions to the Quantum World

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Quantum Theory, Bose-Einstein Statistics, Bose-Hubbard Model

Mains level : Read the attached story

Satyendra Nath Bose

Introduction

  • Satyendra Nath Bose emerged in the physics community like a comet in 1924, amidst the turbulence of a quantum revolution.
  • His groundbreaking work filled a significant gap in the emerging quantum theory.

Satyendra Nath Bose: Early Life  

  • Born in Kolkata in 1894, Bose’s mathematical prowess was evident early on.
  • He befriended Meghnad Saha during their time at Presidency College and later collaborated with him at Rajabazar Science College.
  • Amidst the changing landscape of physics marked by Einstein’s theory of relativity and quantum concepts, Bose and Saha contributed significantly to translating and applying new physics concepts.

Notable Contributions

[1] Bose-Einstein Statistics:

  • Bose formulated a new statistical theory in 1924, known as Bose-Einstein statistics, to describe the behavior of particles that obey the laws of quantum mechanics.
  • He derived this statistical distribution for particles with integer spin, which later became fundamental in understanding the behavior of particles now known as bosons.

[2] Bose-Einstein Condensate (BEC):

  • Bose’s work laid the foundation for the concept of Bose-Einstein condensate, a state of matter where particles occupy the same quantum state at low temperatures.
  • In 1995, scientists successfully created a BEC in a dilute gas of alkali atoms, confirming Bose’s theoretical predictions and opening up new avenues for research in quantum physics.

[3] Quantum Theory of Radiation:

  • Bose made significant contributions to the field of quantum theory of radiation.
  • He introduced a quantum mechanical theory to explain the behavior of photons, which was later incorporated into the broader framework of quantum electrodynamics.

[4] Bose-Hubbard Model:

  • Bose’s work also inspired the development of the Bose-Hubbard model, a fundamental model in condensed matter physics.
  • This model describes the behavior of ultra-cold atoms trapped in an optical lattice and has applications in quantum computing and quantum simulation.

[5] Exploring Planck’s Law

  • While teaching at Dhaka University, Bose delved into understanding Planck’s law of black-body radiation, a cornerstone of quantum theory.
  • Bose’s innovative approach eliminated classical physics from the picture, revealing the statistical essence behind Planck’s formula and pioneering the field of quantum statistics.

Legacy and Impact

  • Bose’s work laid the groundwork for understanding fundamental particles, distinguishing between bosons and fermions based on their statistical behavior.
  • Despite publishing sparingly after his groundbreaking discovery, Bose’s contribution to quantum theory remains unparalleled, earning him the status of a scientific comet that illuminated the quantum world.

Conclusion

  • Satyendra Nath Bose’s remarkable insight and contribution to quantum theory reshaped the trajectory of physics.
  • His pioneering work on Bose-Einstein statistics not only filled a crucial gap in the emerging quantum framework but also laid the foundation for subsequent advancements in particle physics and quantum mechanics.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

CSIR-NAL unveils High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS)

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS)

Mains level : Not Much

haps

Introduction

  • The National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) in Bengaluru, India, recently conducted the inaugural test flight of a solar-powered High-Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS) vehicle, marking a significant stride in indigenous HAPS technology.
  • India now joins a select group of nations, including China, South Korea, and the UK, pioneering the development of HAPS for diverse applications.

Test Flight Details of India’s HAPS

  • Prototype Description: NAL’s test featured a small-scale HAPS weighing 23 kilograms, boasting a wingspan of 12 meters.
  • Location: Engineers conducted the successful trial at the Challakere testing facilities in Karnataka state, soaring to an altitude of approximately 3 kilometers and sustaining flight for 8.5 hours.
  • Progress: Despite its scaled-down size, the prototype’s performance exceeded expectations, paving the way for future full-scale models.

HAPS Technology Overview

  • Definition: HAPS represents a class of solar-powered unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that operate autonomously in the stratosphere.
  • Features: These aircraft incorporate solar cells and batteries, enabling extended flights resembling satellite persistence without the need for costly rocket launches.

Capabilities and Applications

  • Altitude and Endurance: HAPS can autonomously operate at altitudes of 18-20 kilometers for months or even years, offering persistent aerial monitoring and surveillance capabilities.
  • Strategic Uses: These platforms hold potential for applications such as border surveillance, disaster response, and communication network restoration.

Future Development Goals

  • Milestone Objectives: NAL aims to achieve continuous flight for 24 hours in upcoming trials, further validating the aircraft’s energy storage and solar recharging capabilities.
  • Operational Deployment: India anticipates deploying refined HAPS technology for practical defense by 2027 purposes, particularly in border monitoring.

Benefits and Challenges

  • Cost benefits: HAPS operate closer to Earth than satellites and do not require expensive rocket launches for deployment.
  • Flight Duration: Advanced HAPS can remain airborne for months or years with solar cell-powered battery recharging.
  • Advantages: HAPS offer advantages over traditional satellites, including lower deployment costs, modular payloads, and increased flexibility in targeting and redirection.
  • Obstacles: Challenges include navigating minimal stratospheric flight regulations and addressing unpredictable weather conditions at high altitudes.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Ergosphere: A Unique Feature of Rotating Black Holes

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Ergosphere

Mains level : Not Much

Ergosphere

Introduction

  • Rotating black holes, also known as Kerr black holes, possess a fascinating region called the ergosphere, which sets them apart from their non-rotating counterparts.

Formation of Black Holes

  • Origin: Black holes are born from massive stars that exhaust their nuclear fuel and undergo a supernova explosion. The remaining core collapses under its own gravitational force, forming a black hole.
  • Gravitational Singularity: At the core of a black hole lies a gravitational singularity, a point where the laws of general relativity cease to provide accurate predictions.
  • Event Horizon: Surrounding the singularity is the event horizon, a boundary beyond which nothing, not even light, can escape. It acts as a point of no return for anything entering it.

What is Ergosphere?

  • Ergosphere Description: Beyond the event horizon, rotating black holes feature another unique region known as the ergosphere. This region extends further out from the singularity, creating an additional sphere around the black hole.
  • Name Origins: The term ‘ergosphere’ finds its roots in the Greek word ‘ergon,’ which means ‘work.’ It earned this name due to the intriguing possibility it offers – the extraction of matter and energy from this region.

Characteristics of the Ergosphere

  • Intriguing Property: Unlike the event horizon, objects can enter the ergosphere and potentially escape from it, provided they move at speeds less than that of light.
  • Acceleration Potential: Some scientists have explored the idea of sending objects into the ergosphere to leverage their unique characteristics. Objects within the ergosphere can gain energy and momentum, effectively “borrowing” some of the black hole’s angular momentum.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Merging Brain Tissue with Electronics in Computing

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Brain Tissues in Computers

Mains level : Read the attached story

Brain Tissue

Introduction

  • Researchers have achieved a groundbreaking fusion of brain-like tissue with electronics, creating an ‘organoid neural network.’
  • This innovation marks a significant advancement in neuromorphic computing, directly incorporating brain tissue into computer systems.

Brainoware: Brain Tissues in Computers

  • Development Team: A collaborative effort by scientists from Indiana University, the University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Centre, and the University of Florida resulted in this breakthrough.
  • Publication: The study, published on December 11, signifies a convergence of tissue engineering, electrophysiology, and neural computation, expanding the horizons of scientific and engineering disciplines.

Context of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

  • AI’s Foundation: AI relies on artificial neural networks, silicon-based models of the human brain capable of processing vast datasets.
  • Memory and Processing Separation: Conventional AI hardware separates memory and processing units, leading to inefficiencies when transferring data between them.

Introducing Biological Neural Networks

  • Biocomputing Emergence: Scientists are exploring biological neural networks, composed of live brain cells, as an alternative. These networks can combine memory and data processing.
  • Energy Efficiency: Brain cells efficiently store memory and process data without physically segregating these functions.

Organoid Neural Networks

  • Biological Components: Brain organoids, three-dimensional aggregates of brain cells, were used to create an ‘organoid neural network.’
  • Formation: Human pluripotent stem cells were transformed into various brain cells, including neuron progenitor cells, early-stage neurons, mature neurons, and astrocytes.
  • Reservoir Computer: The network was integrated into a reservoir computer, comprising input, reservoir, and output layers.

Brainoware’s Capabilities

  • Predicting Mathematical Functions: Brainoware demonstrated its ability to predict complex mathematical functions like the Henon map.
  • Voice Recognition: The system could identify Japanese vowels pronounced by individuals with a 78% accuracy rate.
  • Efficiency: Brainoware achieved comparable accuracy to artificial neural networks with minimal training requirements.

Promising Insights and Limitations

  • Foundational Insights: The study provides crucial insights into learning mechanisms, neural development, and cognitive aspects of neurodegenerative diseases.
  • Challenges: Brainoware necessitates technical expertise and infrastructure. Organoids exhibit heterogeneous cell mixes and require optimization for uniformity.
  • Ethical Considerations: The fusion of organoids and AI raises ethical questions about consciousness and dignity.

Future Prospects

  • Optimizing Encoding Methods: Future research may focus on improving input encoding methods and maintaining uniformity in organoids for longer experiments.
  • Complex Computing Problems: Researchers aim to tackle more intricate computing challenges.
  • Ethical Discourse: Ethical debates surrounding organoid consciousness and dignity will continue to evolve.

Conclusion

  • The creation of Brainoware and the integration of brain organoids with computing systems represent a pioneering step towards more efficient and ethically-conscious AI systems.
  • This innovative approach may revolutionize computing paradigms while prompting profound ethical considerations.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Unlocking the Science of E Ink Displays

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : E Ink Displays

Mains level : Not Much

E Ink Displays

Introduction

  • E-readers like the Kindle offer an enjoyable reading experience with their paper-like E Ink displays.
  • Developed at MIT in the 1990s, E Ink technology is now owned by E Ink Corporation.

What is E Ink Displays?

  • Microcapsules and Charges: E Ink displays operate using microcapsules containing positively charged white particles and negatively charged black particles suspended in fluid. By applying electrical charges, these particles rise to the surface, creating text and images.
  • Reflective Light: Unlike LCD and LED displays that require backlighting, E Ink displays reflect ambient light, resembling paper and reducing eye strain during prolonged reading.
  • Energy Efficiency: E Ink’s lack of backlighting results in minimal power consumption, as energy is only used when the image changes. This makes it ideal for devices like e-readers and ensures a long battery life.
  • Outdoor Legibility: E Ink displays offer high contrast and readability even under bright lighting conditions, unlike LCD/LED displays that suffer under sunlight.

Differentiating E Ink from E Paper

  • While often used interchangeably, E Ink and E Paper represent distinct display technologies. E Paper encompasses any screen mimicking real paper.
  •  Whereas E Ink specifically employs microcapsules with white and black particles in a clear fluid.

Applications of E Ink Displays

  • E Ink in E-Readers: E Ink gained popularity in early e-readers like the Amazon Kindle, offering clear text even in bright sunlight. It remains a feature in Kindle and Kobo e-readers today.
  • Brief Stint in Mobile Devices: E Ink briefly appeared in some early cell phones but was eventually replaced by more advanced displays.
  • Revival in Mobile Devices: Some startups are reintroducing E Ink in smartphones, emphasizing reduced screen time and enhanced focus on communication and productivity.
  • Beyond Mobile Devices: E Ink displays are expanding to various urban applications, including bus stop displays and walking direction signs. Restaurants are adopting E Ink menu boards for their matte, glare-free surfaces and readability in diverse lighting conditions.

Pros and Cons  

  • Advantages: E Ink displays excel in low power consumption, making them suitable for devices requiring extended battery life. They also minimize eye strain due to their paper-like visual experience, matte surface, and outdoor readability.
  • Drawbacks: E Ink displays have slower refresh rates compared to LCD and OLED screens, rendering them unsuitable for video or animation. They also have limitations regarding color and resolution and remain relatively expensive for larger sizes.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Post Office Act, its unbridled powers of interception

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Post Office Act

Mains level : Need of robust procedural safeguards in the Post Office Act, 2023, to prevent arbitrary use of interception powers

New Post Office Act Will Allow Employees to Open, Detain Parcels

Central Idea:

The central idea of the article is the concern over the recently enacted Post Office Act, 2023 in India, and the potential threats it poses to privacy due to unchecked interception powers granted to post office authorities. The author also draws parallels with the Telecommunications Bill, 2023, highlighting the importance of procedural safeguards in interception-related legislation to prevent misuse of power by authorities.

Key Highlights:

  • The Post Office Act, 2023, replacing the colonial-era Indian Post Office Act, is critiqued for lacking procedural safeguards and providing unchecked interception powers to post office authorities.
  • Concerns are raised about the undefined term ’emergency’ and the absence of conditions for interception, leaving room for arbitrary use by authorities.
  • The Telecommunications Bill, 2023, which replaces the Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, is mentioned for its similar provisions on interception but with some procedural safeguards.
  • Historical instances, such as the Supreme Court’s intervention in the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) vs Union of India (1996) case, are referenced to emphasize the need for safeguards against arbitrary interception.

Key Challenges:

  • Lack of procedural safeguards in the Post Office Act, 2023, leading to concerns about potential misuse of interception powers.
  • Undefined terms like ’emergency’ in the legislation, creating ambiguity in the conditions for interception.
  • Absence of provisions to hold authorities accountable for misuse of interception powers.
  • The potential intrusion into individual privacy due to unchecked interception.

Key Terms/Phrases:

  • Post Office Act, 2023.
  • Indian Post Office Act, 1898.
  • Telecommunications Bill, 2023.
  • Indian Telegraph Act, 1885.
  • Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933.
  • Information and Technology (IT) Act, 2000.
  • Procedural safeguards.
  • Unchecked interception powers.
  • Right to privacy.
  • Emergency conditions.

Key Quotes:

  • “Unchecked powers of interception of any item by the post office authorities.”
  • “The right to privacy is not lost if some personal items are entrusted to the post office for correspondence.”
  • “The right to communication has been held to be a part of the right to privacy.”
  • “The Constituent Assembly had not expressly resolved to reject the notion of the right to privacy.”

Key Statements:

  • The Post Office Act, 2023, lacks procedural safeguards, raising concerns about potential misuse of interception powers.
  • Undefined terms in the legislation create ambiguity regarding the conditions for interception.
  • Historical legal interventions emphasize the need for safeguards against arbitrary interception.

Key Examples and References:

  • People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL) vs Union of India (1996) case.
  • Distt. Registrar & Collector, Hyderabad & Anr vs Canara Bank (2005).
  • Justice K.S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) & Anr. vs Union of India & Ors. (2017).
  • International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, 1966.
  • Directive Principle 51(c) of the Constitution.

Key Facts/Data:

  • Post Office Act, 2023, was enacted on December 24, 2023.
  • The Indian Post Office Act, 1898, is a colonial-era legislation.
  • The Telecommunications Bill, 2023, received the President’s assent on December 24, 2023.
  • The Indian Telegraph Act, 1885, and the Indian Wireless Telegraphy Act, 1933, are replaced by the Telecommunications Bill, 2023.

Critical Analysis:

  • The article critically evaluates the potential threats to privacy posed by the lack of safeguards in the Post Office Act, 2023.
  • Historical legal cases are cited to underscore the significance of procedural safeguards in interception-related legislation.
  • The comparison with the Telecommunications Bill, 2023, highlights the importance of incorporating safeguards to prevent misuse of interception powers.
  • The article stresses the need for accountability of authorities in case of misuse of interception powers.

Way Forward:

  • Advocate for the inclusion of robust procedural safeguards in the Post Office Act, 2023, to prevent arbitrary use of interception powers.
  • Clearly define terms like ’emergency’ in the legislation to avoid ambiguity.
  • Ensure provisions for holding authorities accountable for any misuse of interception powers.
  • Align legislation with constitutional principles, international conventions, and directive principles regarding the right to privacy.
  • Consider historical legal interventions and lessons from past legislation, such as the Telecommunications Bill, 2023, to inform the development of interception-related laws.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Rise of Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

Mains level : Read the attached story

LED

Introduction

  • In 2014, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences declared that “the 21st century will be lit by LED lamps,” recognizing the pivotal role of Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs) in shaping the future of lighting technology.
  • This article delves into the fascinating world of diodes, LEDs, and their significance in modern technology.

Understanding Diodes

  • Diode Basics: A diode is a small electronic component with two terminals, an anode and a cathode. Its primary function is to allow current flow in one direction only, thanks to a p-n junction.
  • P-N Junction: A p-n junction consists of two adjacent materials: a p-type with positive charge-carriers called holes and an n-type with negative charge-carriers – electrons. Electrons can flow easily from the n-type to the p-type but not the other way, granting the diode its one-way current control.
  • Anode and Cathode: The anode terminal is connected to the p-type material, while the cathode is connected to the n-type material. These terminals define the diode’s directionality.

Birth of Light-Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

  • Electroluminescence: LEDs are diodes that emit light. Electrons, with higher energy levels than holes, release energy when they occupy holes in the p-n junction. If this energy falls within the visible spectrum, light is emitted – a phenomenon known as electroluminescence.
  • Band Gap: LEDs achieve specific light colors by ensuring that electron-hole recombination releases a precise amount of energy, determined by the band gap.

Significance of Band Gap

  • Energy Levels: Electrons can only have distinct energy values and occupy particular energy levels. These electrons tend to occupy the lowest energy levels available, leading to conductors, insulators, and materials with a band gap.
  • Band Gap’s Role: A band gap represents the energy threshold required for electrons to move from lower to higher energy levels, allowing materials to conduct electricity.
  • LEDs and Band Gap: In LEDs, the energy emitted during electron-hole recombination corresponds to the band gap, determining the light’s color.

LED’s Color Palette

  • Historical Context: Scientists developed red and green LEDs over four decades before achieving blue LEDs. The challenge lay in creating gallium nitride crystals with precise properties for electroluminescence.
  • Primary Colors: LEDs can produce red, green, and blue light, offering a versatile color palette. Combining different LEDs enables a broad spectrum of colors on display boards and screens.
  • Breakthrough: Japanese researchers, Isamu Akasaki, Hiroshi Amano, and Shuji Nakamura, made a significant breakthrough in the late 1980s, creating a bright blue LED using gallium nitride. Their achievement earned them the 2014 Nobel Prize in Physics.

Advantages of LEDs

  • Efficiency: LEDs outperform incandescent bulbs and fluorescent lamps in terms of luminous efficacy, emitting more light per watt of power.
  • Durability: LEDs are highly durable, reducing material waste and maintenance costs.
  • Diverse Applications: LEDs find applications in diverse fields, from consumer electronics and signage to greenhouse lighting and air quality monitoring.
  • Color Versatility: LEDs can emit various colors and frequencies, catering to a wide range of applications.

Future Prospects

  • Haitz’s Law: Similar to Moore’s law, LEDs have followed Haitz’s law, predicting cost reduction and increased light output over time.
  • Innovations: Ongoing research explores skin-embedded LEDs, organic LEDs, and efficient LEDs made from perovskites, promising further advancements in lighting technology.

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Study revives South Korea Superconductivity claim

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Superconductivity, LK-99

Mains level : Read the attached story

Superconductivity

Introduction

What is Superconductivity?

  • Zero Resistance: Superconductivity occurs when a material offers almost zero resistance to the flow of electric current, enabling energy-efficient electrical appliances and lossless power transmission.
  • Magnetic Behavior: Superconductors also display fascinating behavior under magnetic fields, enabling technologies like MRI machines and superfast Maglev trains.

Exploring the Material LK-99

  • Apatite Structure: The Korean group utilized copper-substituted lead apatite, a phosphate mineral with unique tetrahedral motifs, to create LK-99.
  • Superconducting Behavior: LK-99 displayed essential superconducting properties, with almost zero resistance to current flow and sudden emergence of resistance above a critical current threshold.
  • Magnetic Resilience: LK-99 retained superconductivity even under the presence of a magnetic field until reaching a critical threshold.

Meissner Effect: Key Indicator of Superconductivity

  • Definition: The Meissner effect is a phenomenon where materials expel magnetic fields from their interior upon becoming superconductors.
  • Observation in Study: The researchers observed this effect in copper-substituted lead apatite, suggesting potential superconductivity.

Quest for Room-Temperature Superconductors

  • Significance: Discovering a material that is superconducting at room temperature and pressure (RTP) has immense scientific and commercial value.
  • Applications: RTP superconductors could revolutionize power transmission, medical diagnostics, computing, and more, due to their ability to conduct electricity without loss.

Hype and Controversies in Superconductivity Research

  • Past Controversies: The field has seen several disputes, including claims by Ranga Dias and a South Korean research group, which were later contested.
  • Impact of Hype: The lucrative potential of RTP superconductors has sometimes led to premature claims and controversies in the scientific community.

New Study: Methodology and Findings

  • Approach: The team synthesized LK-99 samples using advanced techniques and tested for signs of superconductivity beyond specific claims made by previous studies.
  • Direct Current Measurements: They conducted hysteresis experiments, applying and removing a magnetic field to observe the material’s response at various temperatures.

Understanding Hysteresis in Superconductors

  • Meissner Effect and DC Current: The Meissner effect is observable with direct current, as alternating current would disrupt the phenomenon.
  • Type I and II Superconductors: The study helps distinguish between these types based on how they respond to increasing magnetic field strength.

Challenges and Limitations of the Study

  • Small Superconducting Portions: The material’s superconducting sections were small, leading to a low critical magnetic field strength.
  • Interference Issues: The presence of cuprous sulphide interfered with molecular structure analysis using X-rays.

Way Forward: Verifying RTP Superconductivity

  • Potential for RTP Superconductivity: While the study suggests near-RTP superconductivity in LK-99, definitive observation is yet to be made.
  • Need for Further Research: Identifying the material responsible for superconductivity and refining synthesis techniques are crucial next steps.

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Private: What is Radiocarbon Dating?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Radiocarbon Dating

Mains level : Not Much

carbon dating

About Radiocarbon Dating

  • Dating methods determine the age of objects, with radiocarbon dating focusing on the use of carbon-14.
  • Cosmic rays interacting with nitrogen-14 in the earth’s atmosphere create carbon-14, a process happening continuously.
  • This isotope combines with oxygen to form radioactive carbon dioxide, which then enters plants, animals, and other biomass.

Early Discoveries and Assumptions in Radiocarbon Dating

  • In the 1940s, chemists Martin Kamen and Sam Ruben synthesized carbon-14 and determined its half-life.
  • Physical chemist Willard Libby proposed using carbon-14 for dating organic materials.
  • Libby’s method assumed constant atmospheric carbon-14 levels and its uniform diffusion into various ecosystems.

How Radiocarbon Dating Works?

  • Carbon Exchange in Living Organisms: Living organisms constantly exchange carbon with their environment, maintaining a steady carbon-14 level.
  • Decay After Death: Once an organism dies, its carbon-14 content decreases due to radioactive decay.
  • Half Life Concept: C-14 has a half-life of 5,730 ± 40 years—i.e., half the amount of the radioisotope present at any given time will undergo spontaneous disintegration during the succeeding 5,730 years.
  • Dating Technique: Measuring the remaining carbon-14 allows scientists to estimate the time since the organism’s death.

Early Tests and Validation

  • Libby and Arnold’s Experiments: Libby and chemist James Arnold successfully tested their technique on known-age objects, confirming its accuracy.
  • Publication of Findings: Their results, published in 1949, validated radiocarbon dating as a reliable method.

Tools of Radiocarbon Dating

  • Geiger counter: Initially, radiocarbon dating relied on the Geiger counter to detect radioactive decay.
  • Anti-Coincidence Counter: Libby’s team developed this advanced counter to reduce background radiation interference.

Modern Radiocarbon Dating Techniques

  • Accelerator Mass Spectrometry (AMS): AMS, a highly sensitive method, can analyze very small samples by isolating carbon-14 ions.
  • Advancements in AMS: This technique enhances the separation of isotopes, allowing for precise dating of samples.

Impact of Radiocarbon Dating on Science

  • The Radiocarbon Revolution: Radiocarbon dating significantly influenced archaeology and geology, providing a reliable dating method.
  • Applications and Discoveries: It has enabled the dating of archaeological sites, comparison of object ages, and understanding of historical events.

Refinements and Future Directions

  • Use in India: Radiocarbon dating has been used to date historical objects in temples and mosques, holding political and cultural importance.
  • Ongoing Improvements: Scientists continue to refine radiocarbon dating, addressing any deviations and enhancing its accuracy.
  • Recent Developments: Innovations in atmospheric science have improved the time resolution of radiocarbon dating, narrowing it down to specific years.

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National Mathematics Day: Remembering the legacy of Srinivasa Ramanujan

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887-1920)

Mains level : NA

Ramanujan

Central Idea

  • December 22, Ramanujan’s birthday, was declared National Mathematics Day in India by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in 2012, in recognition of his contributions to the field.

Srinivasa Ramanujan (1887-1920)

  • Early life: Srinivasa Ramanujan, born on December 22, 1887, in Erode, Tamil Nadu, exhibited extraordinary mathematical abilities from a very young age.
  • Mathematical Mastery by 14: By age 14, Ramanujan had mastered advanced mathematics, excelling in exams and exploring complex topics.
  • Difficulties in Other Subjects: His singular focus on mathematics led to poor grades in other subjects, hindering his academic progress.
  • Scholarship Loss and Hardships: After losing a scholarship at Government College in Kumbakonam due to his academic struggles, Ramanujan faced financial difficulties and limited job opportunities.

Rise in Mathematical Circles

  • Recognition in Madras: By 1910, Ramanujan had gained recognition in Madras’s mathematical circles for his independent work.
  • Clerical Job and Research: In 1912, he secured a clerical position at the Madras Port Trust, which afforded him time for mathematical research.
  • Collaboration with GH Hardy: In 1913, Ramanujan began a correspondence with British mathematician GH Hardy, leading to an invitation to Cambridge University.

Collaboration and Achievements in Cambridge

  • Journey to Britain: Ramanujan arrived in Britain in 1914 and joined Trinity College, Cambridge.
  • Work with Hardy and Littlewood: Collaborating with Hardy and JE Littlewood, Ramanujan made significant contributions despite his lack of formal higher education.
  • Prestigious Honors: He was elected to the London Mathematical Society in 1917 and became a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1918, one of the youngest Fellows in its history.

Health Struggles and Return to India

  • Declining Health: Ramanujan’s health worsened in the cold British climate, leading to a diagnosis of tuberculosis.
  • Final Years: He returned to India in 1919 and passed away on April 26, 1920, at the age of 32.

Ramanujan’s Enduring Mathematical Legacy

  • High Praise from Hardy: GH Hardy ranked Ramanujan’s natural mathematical talent alongside greats like Euler and Jacobi.
  • Bruce C Berndt’s Analysis: American mathematician Bruce C Berndt extensively studied Ramanujan’s notebooks, emphasizing the depth of his contributions.
  • Impact on Number Theory: Ramanujan’s work, particularly on the partition function, has had a lasting impact on number theory.
  • Broad Contributions: His expertise included areas like continued fractions, Riemann series, elliptic integrals, hypergeometric series, and the zeta function.
  • Legacy of Unpublished Works: Ramanujan left behind notebooks filled with unpublished results that continued to inspire mathematicians for decades.

Try this question from CSP 2016:

A recent movie titled “The Man Who Knew Infinity” is based on the biography of-

(a) S. Ramanujan

(b) S. Chandrasekhar

(c) S. N. Bose

(d) C. V. Raman

 

Post your answers here.
1
Please leave a feedback on thisx

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Private: How Fractals offer a new way to see the Quantum realm?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Fractals, Koch snowflake

Mains level : NA

Fractals

Central Idea

  • Quantum Complexity: Quantum physics studies the behavior of very small particles, like atoms and photons, and is known for being difficult to understand.
  • Heisenberg’s Uncertainty Principle: This principle states that you cannot precisely know both the position and momentum of a particle at the same time.

Quantum Mechanics and Wave-function Collapse

  • Measuring Particles: In quantum mechanics, when you measure a particle’s property, such as its position, you affect its wave-function.
  • Wavefunction Defined: The wave-function is a mathematical function that describes all possible states of a particle. When it collapses, it results in a single state.
  • Particles in Multiple States: Before measurement, a particle can exist in multiple states or locations simultaneously.

Understanding Fractal Dimensions

  • Fractals in Quantum Physics: Fractals are shapes that have non-integer dimensions, used in quantum physics to describe complex systems.
  • Fractals in Nature: Fractals are patterns that repeat at different scales. The Koch snowflake, for example, has a fractal dimension of about 1.26.

Visualizing Fractals in Different Scales

  • Fractals in Nature: Fractal patterns are visible in natural phenomena like tree branches, clouds, and river networks.
  • Fractals in Quantum Materials: In quantum materials, such as neodymium nickel oxide and graphene, fractal patterns can be observed in the arrangement of magnetic domains or electron density.

Applications of Fractals

  • Early Uses: Fractals were initially used to understand random particle movements, like Brownian motion.
  • Diverse Applications: Today, fractals are used in various fields, including technology, space research, and biology.
  • Studying Complex Systems: Fractals help in understanding complex systems that exhibit patterns at different scales.

Importance of Fractals

  • Beyond Geometry: Fractals are important in understanding complex patterns in both quantum physics and natural phenomena.
  • Complexity from Simple Rules: Fractals show how complex patterns can emerge from simple rules, offering insights into the quantum world and the natural environment.

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Private: How does GPS work?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : GPS

Mains level : NA

gps

Central Idea

  • GPS has revolutionized various sectors, including military, scientific research, urban planning, and disaster management.

Global Positioning System (GPS): Structure and Components

  • Origins: Initiated by the U.S. Department of Defence in 1973, the first GPS satellite was launched in 1978.
  • Satellite Constellation: Consists of 24 satellites in six orbits, each completing two orbits daily, ensuring global coverage.
  • Three Main Segments: The space segment (satellites), the control segment (ground-based control stations and antennae), and the user segment (applications across various sectors).

Control Segment and Standards

  • Global Network: Includes master control stations in Colorado and California, and ground antennae across the globe.
  • Standard Positioning Service (SPS): Defines performance expectations for GPS, ensuring reliability and accuracy.

GPS Functionality

  • Signal Transmission: Satellites broadcast signals containing location, status, and time information.
  • Signal Encoding: Uses code-division multiple access with two encoding types for civilian and military use.
  • Distance Calculation: GPS receivers calculate distance from satellites based on signal travel time.
  • Adjustments for Accuracy: Adjustments are made for relativistic effects to ensure precise measurements.

Timekeeping in GPS

  • Importance of Precision: Accurate timekeeping is crucial for GPS functionality, with atomic clocks used for synchronization.
  • Atomic Clock Function: Utilizes the consistent energy levels of electrons in atoms to measure time accurately.

Other such services

  • International Cooperation: The U.S. GPS system collaborates with other GNSS operated by various countries.
  • Other GNSS: Include Russia’s GLONASS, the EU’s Galileo, China’s BeiDou, and others.
  • International Committee on GNSS: Promotes cooperation under the United Nations Office of Outer Space Affairs.
  • NavIC: India’s regional navigation system (using Rubidium Clock) with 7 satellites, providing coverage primarily over India and surrounding regions.
  • GAGAN: Developed by ISRO and the Airports Authority of India for aviation applications and GPS corrections.

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Langlands Program: Making Complex Math Connections Easier to Understand

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Langlands Program

Mains level : Not Much

Central Idea

  • Robert Langlands, a mathematician famous for his “Langlands Program,” has shifted his focus to Turkish literature in his later years.
  • This program is about finding deep links between two areas of math: number theory (the study of numbers) and harmonic analysis (a type of math that breaks down functions or signals into simpler parts).

Langlands Program: A Journey to Connect Different Math Areas

  • Beginning: In 1967, Robert Langlands, a young mathematician at Princeton, started this journey with a letter to another mathematician, Andre Weil, sharing some groundbreaking ideas.
  • Complex Ideas: The program is full of complicated ideas that are hard for even experts to fully understand.
  • Goal: It aims to connect number theory and harmonic analysis, two areas of math that don’t seem related at first.

The Purpose of the Program

  • Abel’s Discovery: In 1824, Niels Henrik Abel showed that it’s impossible to find a one-size-fits-all solution for certain math equations (polynomial equations) beyond a certain complexity.
  • Galois’s Approach: Evariste Galois, who didn’t know about Abel’s work, suggested looking at patterns (symmetries) in the solutions of these equations instead of trying to solve them directly.
  • Galois Groups: These are groups that show the patterns in the solutions of these equations and are key to the Langlands Program.
  • Linking Ideas: The program tries to connect these Galois groups with something called automorphic functions, which would allow using calculus (a branch of math) to explore these equations, connecting harmonic analysis and number theory.

Automorphic Functions: Connecting Different Areas of Math

  • Example of Automorphic Function: Think of functions that have a repeating pattern, like the way sine functions in trigonometry work.
  • Special Symmetry: Automorphic functions have a unique property where they remain the same even after certain transformations, showing a special kind of symmetry.
  • Role in Langlands Program: The program’s goal is to link these special functions with Galois groups, leading to new ways of understanding and solving math problems.

Impact of the Program

  • Solving an Old Puzzle: In 1994, Andrew Wiles and Richard Taylor used ideas from the Langlands Program to solve Fermat’s Last Theorem, a famous and old math problem.
  • Creating New Functions: This program helps in making new types of automorphic functions, which could help solve other complex math problems, like the Ramanujan conjectures.
  • Geometric Langlands: This is a branch of the Langlands Program that looks at connections between different fields like algebraic geometry, representation theory, and even physics.
  • Math and Physics Connection: Recent studies suggest that this program might help in understanding things in physics, like the study of electromagnetic waves.

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500-Years of Aldrovandi’s Herbarium

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Aldrovandi's Herbarium

Mains level : NA

Aldrovandi's Herbarium

Central Idea

  • Researchers have found a 500-year-old herbarium from Italy, particularly Bologna in the north.
  • This collection, meticulously crafted by Italian naturalist Ulisse Aldrovandi between 1551 and 1586, offered a window into the past.

Aldrovandi’s Herbarium

  • Floristic Changes: The herbarium, containing 5,000 specimens, unveiled a tapestry of historical changes in Italy’s flora over five centuries.
  • Human Impact: Clues of human disturbance, habitat loss, transformation, and the invasion of alien species emerged from the pressed and preserved plant specimens.
  • Climate Change: The collection allowed insights into the impact of climate change on Italy’s botanical landscape.
  • Demographic Trends: European demographic shifts, excluding the European part of the former USSR, were reflected in the herbarium.
  • Extinct and Unknown Species: The herbarium hinted at species, both native and alien, that have vanished or remain undiscovered in contemporary times.

Legacy of Transformation

  • New World Influence: Aldrovandi’s herbarium holds the memory of Europe’s first encounters with species from the Americas, which later invaded the continent.
  • Transforming Flora: It documents the initial signs of a profound transformation in European flora and habitats, paving the way for the introduction of new species and ecological shifts.

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IIT-B pioneers Nanostructured Hard-Carbon Florets (NCF)

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Nanostructured Hard-Carbon Florets (NCF)

Mains level : Not Much

Nanostructured Hard-Carbon Florets (NCF)

Central Idea

  • Scientists at IIT Bombay have achieved a groundbreaking development by creating a material known as Nanostructured Hard-Carbon Florets (NCF).
  • This innovative material boasts an unparalleled solar-thermal conversion efficiency, surpassing 87%.

What is Nanostructured Hard-Carbon Florets (NCF)?

  • NCF Development: It is a material capable of absorbing and storing an exceptional amount of heat energy.
  • Stunning Efficiency: It exhibits an extraordinary solar-thermal conversion efficiency of over 87%, absorbing more than 97% of sunlight’s ultraviolet, visible, and infrared components.
  • NCF Manufacturing: The material is manufactured through chemical vapor deposition, making it easily scalable and suitable for large-scale production.

Science behind NCF’s Efficiency

  • NCF’s success lies in its unique structure, resembling interconnected carbon cones.
  • This structure combines high photon thermalization (efficiently converting light into heat) with low phonon thermal conductivity (retaining heat without loss).

Applications of NCF

  • Wide Range: NCF can be applied to diverse surfaces, including paper, elastomer, metal, and terracotta clay, making it adaptable for various contexts.
  • Versatility: The generated heat can be efficiently transferred to air or water, making NCF ideal for smoke-free space heating, particularly beneficial in cold regions like Leh and Ladakh.
  • Eco-Friendly and Cost-Effective: Unlike conventional coatings based on heavy metals like chromium (Cr) or nickel (Ni), NCF coatings do not harm the environment

Beyond Solar Thermal Conversion

  • Heating Rooms and Spaces: Hollow copper tubes coated with NCF can heat air to over 72 degrees Celsius, demonstrating potential applications in space heating.
  • Efficient Water Vapor Conversion: NCFs have achieved an astonishing water vapor conversion efficiency of 186%, surpassing commercial solar stills.
  • Sustainable Energy Solution: This groundbreaking technology provides a green solution to the global energy crisis, supporting the transition to sustainable energy sources.
  • Commercialization and Recognition: The project is on the path to commercialization through the establishment of a company at IIT Bombay’s Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. It has received accolades and support, highlighting its potential to revolutionize the solar-thermal energy market in India and contribute to decarbonization.

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How do SIM Cards work?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Sim Card and the technology behind

Mains level : Read the attached story

sim card

Central Idea

  • In today’s digitally connected world, smartphones and cellular devices are ubiquitous.
  • Yet, amidst these technological marvels, one crucial component often remains unnoticed: the SIM (Subscriber Identification Module) card.

Understanding the SIM Card

  • Subscriber’s Identification: SIM, or Subscriber Identification Module, is a microchip responsible for identifying a user on a cellular network.
  • User Identity: Think of a SIM card as a user’s identification card in a city (cellular network). It helps the network locate and verify the user.
  • Unlocking Access: To connect to a GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) standard network, a SIM card is essential. An authentication key stored in the SIM ensures secure network access.
  • Locating Subscribers: SIM cards help cellular networks locate subscribers. When a call is made, data signed by the SIM’s key is sent to a telephone exchange, verifying the user’s identity and routing the call accordingly.

Working Mechanism

  • ISO/IEC 7816 Standard: SIM cards adhere to the ISO/IEC 7816 international standard, governing electronic identification cards, including smart cards.
  • Physical Structure: SIM cards consist of an integrated circuit attached to a silicon substrate with metal contacts on the reverse side. These contacts interface with the phone’s data connectors.
  • Pin Functions: Metal contacts, called pins, have specific functions such as power supply (Pin 1), clock access (Pin 3), and data transmission (Pin 7), standardized by ISO/IEC 7816-2.

Evolution of SIM Cards

  • Smart Card Origin: The concept of smart cards with integrated circuits emerged in the late 1960s, serving as the foundation for SIM cards.
  • GSM Standardization: The European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) established the GSM Technical Specification 11.11, defining SIM cards’ physical features and functionality, primarily for 2G networks.
  • Transition to 3G, 4G, and 5G: As cellular technology advanced, SIM cards evolved. The term ‘SIM’ referred to the software, while the hardware became the Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC). The software transformed into Universal SIM (USIM) for compatibility with 3G, 4G, and 5G networks.
  • eSIM Innovation: The journey of SIM cards led to the development of eSIMs, permanently embedded eUICCs in mobile devices. These eSIMs offer environmental benefits and improved security.

Future of Connectivity: eSIM

  • Compact Evolution: SIM cards underwent size reductions from full-size to nano-SIM, culminating in the eSIM, permanently embedded in mobile devices.
  • Environmental Advantage: eSIMs reduce plastic and metal waste, making them eco-friendly.
  • Enhanced Security: Malicious access to a phone can’t separately target or duplicate eSIMs.
  • Remote Reprogramming: Network operators can remotely reprogram eSIMs, eliminating the need for physical replacements.
  • Challenges: While eSIMs offer convenience, they may pose digital literacy challenges for some users. Additionally, concerns about data privacy persist in the absence of stringent regulations.

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What separates Classical and Quantum Chaos?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Chaos Theory

Mains level : NA

Central Idea

  • Have you ever wondered why weather forecasts sometimes go wrong?
  • It’s because our atmosphere is a place of constant change and randomness. Predicting exactly what will happen can be really tough.
  • We’ll explore this idea of chaos and how it affects not only weather but many other things, from tiny particles to the quantum world.

Chaos in Weather Forecasting

  • Randomness in the Atmosphere: Earth’s atmosphere, a laboratory of randomness, constantly changes in terms of pressure, density, gas flow rates, and temperature, making the paths of gas molecules unpredictable.
  • The Butterfly Effect: The “butterfly effect” illustrates the idea that a butterfly’s wings flapping in one place can trigger a storm elsewhere, emphasizing the sensitivity of chaotic systems to initial conditions.
  • Deterministic Chaos: Chaotic systems, like a pinball machine, follow deterministic physical laws but exhibit seemingly unpredictable behavior. The term “deterministic chaos” implies that precise knowledge of the present is required for accurate future predictions.

Chaos and the Lyapunov Time

  • Diverse Applications: Chaos theory finds applications in various fields, from fluid dynamics and human heartbeat irregularities to voting patterns and planetary dynamics.
  • Sensitivity to Initial Conditions: Chaotic systems are highly sensitive to their initial conditions, often leading to seemingly random behavior.
  • Lyapunov Time: The predictability of a chaotic system depends on factors such as the accuracy of its initial state knowledge and the Lyapunov time, which varies from milliseconds for electrical circuits to millions of years for the inner solar system.

What is Quantum Chaos?

  • Quantum Mechanics vs. Chaos: Quantum mechanics, while probabilistic, differs from chaos theory. Subatomic particles lack point-like locations, making it impossible to precisely determine their positions.
  • Perturbation Theory: Quantum physics addresses mild disturbances in atomic systems using perturbation theory. Chaos, however, requires a distinct approach, leading to the field of quantum chaos.
  • The Rydberg Atom: The Rydberg atom bridges classical and quantum domains. When an atom’s energy levels become nearly continuous due to high excitation, it exhibits classical behavior.
  • Spectrum Signatures: Chaos in a Rydberg atom manifests in the spectrum of its energy levels, with irregularities that contrast with the randomness of non-chaotic quantum systems.

Significance of studying Quantum Chaos

  • Discrete Energy Steps: Quantum systems feature discrete energy levels, in contrast to classical systems with continuous energy. The Rydberg atom offers a link between these realms.
  • Regularities in Chaos: Chaotic quantum systems surprisingly display strong regularities in the distribution of energy levels, an area ripe for exploration.
  • Expanding Horizons: Quantum chaos is a burgeoning field of research with implications in thermalization, quantum information, and black hole quantum mechanics, presenting exciting challenges and opportunities.

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China’s TRIDENT Telescope: Oceanic Quest for Ghost Particles

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Tropical Deep-sea Neutrino Telescope (TRIDENT)

Mains level : Read the attached story

trident

Central Idea

  • Chinese scientists are constructing the world’s most extensive “ghost particle” detector, named the Tropical Deep-sea Neutrino Telescope (TRIDENT) in the South China Sea.

About TRIDENT Telescope

  • Scheduled for completion in 2030, TRIDENT, aptly nicknamed “Ocean Bell” or “Hai ling” in Chinese.
  • It will be positioned 11,500 feet (3,500 meters) beneath the ocean’s surface in the Western Pacific.
  • It seeks to explore the realm of neutrinos, transient particles that momentarily interact with the deep ocean, emitting faint flashes of light.

Project Timeline

  • Pilot Phase (2026): TRIDENT will initiate a pilot project to fine-tune operations.
  • Full Deployment (2030): The complete detector will be operational, embarking on a quest to expand the frontiers of neutrino astronomy.

Features of TRIDENT

  • Optical Sensors and String Arrays: TRIDENT boasts over 24,000 optical sensors distributed across 1,211 strings, each extending 2,300 feet (700 meters) from the seabed. The detector’s arrangement follows a Penrose tiling pattern, covering a vast 4 km diameter.
  • Expansive Coverage: Once operational, TRIDENT will surveil neutrinos within an impressive 7.5 cubic km. In contrast, the world’s largest current neutrino detector, IceCube in Antarctica, encompasses a mere 1 cubic km.
  • Enhanced Sensitivity: TRIDENT’s extensive coverage significantly heightens its sensitivity, augmenting its prospects of detecting elusive neutrinos.

Back2Basics: Ghost Particles – Neutrinos

Electric Charge Electrically neutral, carrying no charge.
Mass Tiny mass, much smaller than electrons.
Interactions Interact very weakly with matter.
Types 3 known types:

  1. Electron,
  2. Muon, and
  3. Tau neutrinos
Production Sources Neutrinos are produced in various astrophysical processes, nuclear reactions, and particle interactions.
Detection
  • Detecting neutrinos is challenging due to their weak interactions.
  • Specialized detectors like neutrino observatories are used.
Significance
  • Play a crucial role in astrophysics, contributing to our understanding of stars, supernovae, and cosmic rays.
  • Neutrinos can change between different flavors, known as neutrino oscillation, which was a groundbreaking discovery.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Quantum Algorithms: The Power and Promise

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Quantum Algorithm

Mains level : Read the attached story

Central Idea

  • Quantum computers are often heralded as the solution to complex problems that classical computers struggle with.
  • However, harnessing the full potential of quantum computing isn’t just about having the hardware; it requires the development of clever quantum algorithms.

Understanding Algorithms

  • An algorithm is a logical sequence of mathematical steps designed to solve a specific problem.
  • For example, adding three numbers involves two steps: adding the first two numbers and then adding the result to the third number.

Quantum Computing

  • Quantum computing is a cutting-edge field of computing that leverages the principles of quantum mechanics to perform certain types of calculations much faster than classical computers.
  • Instead of using traditional bits (0s and 1s), quantum computers use quantum bits or qubits, which can exist in a superposition of states. Here are some key aspects:
  1. Superposition: Qubits can represent multiple states simultaneously, enabling quantum computers to explore many solutions in parallel.
  2. Entanglement: Qubits can be entangled, allowing information to be processed in ways that classical computers cannot replicate efficiently.
  3. Quantum Gates: Quantum algorithms manipulate qubits using quantum gates, which can perform complex operations on qubits.
  4. Quantum Advantage: Quantum computers have the potential to solve certain problems exponentially faster than classical computers, such as factoring large numbers and simulating quantum systems.

Quantum vs. Classical Algorithms

  • Algorithm Complexity: The efficiency of an algorithm is determined by the number of steps it takes to solve a problem, particularly as the input size increases.
  • Quantum Advantage: Quantum algorithms, implemented using quantum gates, can potentially outperform classical algorithms by reducing the number of required steps.
  • Superposition in Quantum Bits (Qubits): Unlike classical bits, qubits can exist in states of both 0 and 1 simultaneously, allowing quantum algorithms to exploit superposition for speed-up.

Shor’s Algorithm: Factorization Made Efficient

  • Shor’s Breakthrough: Peter Shor’s quantum factorization algorithm significantly outperforms classical methods in identifying factors of large integers.
  • Efficiency Comparison: Shor’s algorithm operates with a polynomial increase in steps, while classical algorithms exhibit superpolynomial growth.
  • Cryptographic Implications: The efficiency of Shor’s algorithm raises concerns for classical cryptography, as it could potentially challenge the security of large integer-based encryption systems.

Grover’s Algorithm: Quantum Search Mastery

  • Quantum Search Algorithm: Lov Grover’s quantum search algorithm excels at identifying numerical patterns in extensive lists of data.
  • Classical vs. Quantum: Classical methods may require nearly half the number of steps as there are patterns, while Grover’s quantum algorithm drastically reduces the steps required.
  • Scalability: Grover’s algorithm showcases exponential speed-up, requiring only a fraction of additional steps for significantly larger datasets.

Deutsch-Jozsa Algorithm: Superposition’s Advantage

  • Problem Scenario: Deutsch-Jozsa tackles the identification of a relationship between two sets – one with two-digit binary numbers and another with binary associations.
  • Two Types of Relations: The algorithm distinguishes between constant and balanced relations.
  • Quantum Efficiency: In classical computing, this task may need up to three steps. Quantum computing, using superposition, achieves the same with just one computation, regardless of input size.

Expanding World of Quantum Algorithms

  • Diverse Applications: Quantum algorithms offer efficiency gains in optimization, drug design, pattern search, and more.
  • Promise of Quantum Computing: Once reliable, large-scale quantum devices become available, they will revolutionize problem-solving across various fields.
  • Interdisciplinary Nature: Quantum algorithm research spans computer science, mathematics, and physics, and it continues to evolve, providing ample opportunities for contributions.

Conclusion

  • Quantum algorithms represent the intelligent design that unlocks the immense potential of quantum computers.
  • As quantum technology advances and reliable devices emerge, these algorithms will play a pivotal role in tackling complex problems that have long eluded classical computing.
  • Quantum algorithm development remains an interdisciplinary frontier with abundant room for innovation and groundbreaking discoveries.

Back2Basics: Quantum Theory

Quantum theory, also known as quantum mechanics or quantum physics, is a fundamental branch of physics that describes the behavior of matter and energy at the smallest scales, typically at the level of atoms and subatomic particles. It introduces the following key principles:

  • Wave-Particle Duality: Particles like electrons and photons exhibit both particle-like and wave-like properties, depending on how they are observed.
  • Superposition: Quantum particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously, known as superposition, until observed.
  • Entanglement: Particles can become entangled, where the state of one particle is dependent on the state of another, even when separated by large distances.
  • Quantization: Certain physical properties, such as energy levels in atoms, are quantized, meaning they can only take on specific discrete values.

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Confronting the long-term risks of Artificial Intelligence

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : NA

Mains level : Short term and Long-term risks associated with AI need for global governance

AI

What’s the news?

  • The film ‘Ex Machina’ highlights the unpredictability of AI risks as technology evolves.

Central idea

  • In the digital age, sharing personal information has become riskier due to cyberattacks and data breaches. Once fictional, AI now impacts various sectors, bringing evolving risks that require global governance.

Short-term risks associated with AI

  • Malfunction of AI Systems: Ensuring that AI systems do not malfunction in their day-to-day tasks, especially in critical infrastructure like water and electricity supply, to prevent disruptions and harm to society
  • Immediate Dangers of Runaway AI: Although improbable, the potential for AI systems to go rogue and manipulate crucial systems, leading to catastrophic consequences even in the near future,

Long-term risks associated with AI

  • AI and Biotechnology: The combination of AI and biotechnology could alter human emotions, thoughts, and desires, posing profound ethical and societal challenges.
  • Human-Level AI: Advanced AI systems capable of human-level or superhuman performance may emerge, potentially acting on misaligned or malicious goals.
  • Dire Consequences: Superintelligent AI with harmful intentions could have catastrophic consequences for society and human well-being.
  • Ethical and Safety Concerns: Developing AI with such capabilities raises significant ethical and safety concerns.

AI

Challenges in Aligning AI with Human Values

  • Transparency and Explainability: Many AI systems, particularly deep learning models, are often seen as black boxes where it’s challenging to understand how they make decisions.
  • Human Control: Ensuring that humans maintain control over AI systems and that AI does not act autonomously in ways that could harm individuals or society is a key challenge.
  • Ethical Decision-Making: Developing AI that can make ethical decisions in complex situations, such as autonomous vehicles deciding how to respond to potential accidents, is an ongoing challenge.
  • Cultural and Societal Values: Different cultures and societies have varying values and norms. Aligning AI with human values involves navigating these differences and ensuring that AI systems respect cultural diversity.
  • Long-Term Considerations: As AI evolves and becomes more powerful, addressing long-term ethical considerations, such as the potential for superintelligent AI, is a critical challenge.

The Threat of Militarized AI

  • The merging of AI with warfare intensifies long-term risks.
  • Treaties like the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons show global norms can be established.
  • Nations need clear rules for AI’s role in warfare.

The Uncharted Territory of AI Governance

  • There’s no unified global approach to AI regulation.
  • Only 37 laws included the term artificial intelligence among 127 countries, as per Stanford’s AI Index.
  • The EU’s AI Act, with its risk-based approach, may be oversimplified.

The importance of global cooperation

  • Uniform Regulation: AI risks are not confined by borders, and inconsistent regulations across countries can lead to confusion and inefficiencies. Global cooperation allows for the development of uniform standards and regulations.
  • Mitigating Global Risks: Many AI-related risks, especially those with global implications such as AI’s convergence with biotechnology or the potential for superintelligent AI, demand a collaborative approach.
  • Ethical Frameworks: Collaborative efforts can lead to the establishment of universally accepted ethical frameworks for AI development and deployment. These frameworks can guide the responsible and ethical use of AI, regardless of where it is developed or employed.
  • Preventing a Race to the Bottom: In the absence of global cooperation, countries may prioritize rapid AI development over safety and ethics to gain a competitive edge. This race to the bottom can undermine global AI safety efforts, making coordination crucial.
  • Technological Divides: Global cooperation helps prevent technological divides where some nations advance rapidly in AI capabilities while others lag behind. Such divides can exacerbate global inequalities and have far-reaching geopolitical consequences.

Conclusion

  • The evolving nature of AI risks necessitates a unified global approach to governance. Immediate action in creating comprehensive regulations and international norms is crucial. The choices we make today will determine the world we inhabit in the future.

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Iron Dome: Israel’s guardian against surprise Terror Attacks

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Iron Dome

Mains level : Not Much

iron dome

Central Idea

  • In the wake of the recent Hamas attack on Israel, the world witnessed the effectiveness of Israel’s Iron Dome, a remarkable air defense system that intercepts rockets and missiles aimed at Israeli targets.

What is Iron Dome?

  • Hezbollah’s Rocket Attacks: The development of the Iron Dome traces back to the 2006 Israeli-Lebanon war when Hezbollah launched thousands of rockets into Israel.
  • Israel’s Response: In 2007, Israel initiated the development of an air defense system to safeguard its cities and population, partnering with Rafael Advance Systems and Israel Aerospace Industries.
  • Deployment: The Iron Dome became operational in 2011 and has since intercepted over 2,000 rockets, with a claimed success rate of over 90%, though experts estimate it at over 80%.

How does it work?

  • Integrated Systems: The Iron Dome comprises three core components that work in unison to provide protection: detection and tracking radar, battle management and weapon control system (BMC), and missile firing units.
  • Radar’s Role: The detection and tracking radar identifies incoming threats, accurately tracking them, while the BMC connects the radar and interceptor missile.
  • Missile Firing Unit: Once launched, the missile maneuvers independently, targeting small objects, and employs a proximity fuse, activated within ten meters of the target, to ensure precise destruction.

Effectiveness and Deterrence

  • All-Weather Capability: The Iron Dome operates effectively in various weather conditions, day and night, enhancing its reliability.
  • Cost Considerations: While each battery can cost over $50 million, and an interceptor Tamir missile about $80,000, cost-effectiveness should be measured in terms of lives saved and the nation’s morale.
  • Deterrence Factor: The Iron Dome serves as a strong deterrent, preventing adversaries from exploiting inexpensive rocket attacks and bolstering national morale against rocket intimidation.

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Atto-Physics: new tools to fathom the world of electrons

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Atto-Physics

Mains level : NA

Atto-Physics: the Physics behind

Central Idea

  • The 2023 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Anne L’Huillier, Pierre Agostini, and Ferenc Krausz.
  • It cited their pioneering work in attosecond science, enabling the study of electron dynamics in matter at an unprecedented timescale of one quintillionth of a second, or 10^-18 seconds.

What is Attosecond?

  • Definition: An attosecond is a minuscule unit of time, equal to one quintillionth of a second (10^-18 seconds). It is the timescale at which electron properties change.
  • Attosecond Science: Attosecond science, or attophysics, focuses on generating ultra-short light pulses and employing them to investigate rapid processes, such as those involving electrons.

Atto-Physics: The science behind

  • High-Harmonic Generation: Researchers, including Anne L’Huillier, discovered that passing an infrared light beam through a noble gas resulted in emitted light with frequencies that were multiples of the beam’s frequency. This phenomenon, known as high-harmonic generation, paved the way for attosecond pulse generation.
  • Wave Mechanics: Attosecond pulse production is rooted in wave mechanics. The emitted light is a consequence of electrons gaining and losing energy as they interact with oscillating electric and magnetic fields in the light beam.
  • Constructive Interference: Attosecond pulses are produced through constructive interference when peaks of different overtones merge. Destructive interference occurs when peaks align with troughs, leading to the cancellation of signals.

Producing Attosecond Pulses

  • Interference Combinations: Researchers manipulate interference combinations of multiple overtones to generate attosecond pulses with durations of a few hundred attoseconds.
  • Precise Frequency Range: Attosecond pulses are produced when the beam’s frequency falls within a specific plateau range, as dictated by interference effects.

Measuring Attosecond Pulses: RABBIT Technique

  • Pierre Agostini and his colleagues developed the RABBIT (Reconstruction of Attosecond Beating by Interference of Two-photon Transitions) technique.
  • It involves measuring electrons kicked out from noble gas atoms by attosecond pulses and a longer-duration pulse, providing insights into pulse properties, including duration.

Applications of Attophysics

  • Solar Power Enhancement: Attosecond studies have refined our understanding of the photoelectric effect, a fundamental process in solar power generation. Insights gained from atto-physics could lead to improved solar technologies.
  • Electron-Dependent Fields: Attophysics impacts various scientific disciplines where electron properties play a crucial role, spanning physics, chemistry, and biology. By studying electron behavior at attosecond timescales, researchers can unlock new possibilities and applications.

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Neuralink’s Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs)

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Neuralink

Mains level : Not Much

neuralink

Central Idea

  • Elon Musk’s brain implant company Neuralink has announced it is one step closer to putting brain implants in people.

Neuralink’s Vision

  • Neuralink uses tiny brain implants to control neural signals for movement.
  • These implants translate thoughts into actions via a wireless app.

Science behind Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs)

  • They use a tiny chip implanted in the brain.
  • This chip reads and sends brain signals to an app, turning thoughts into actions.
  • It starts with helping paralyzed individuals control a computer cursor using their thoughts.
  • Some BCIs use sensor-filled structures like hairnets to detect brain signals.
  • They can stimulate different parts of the brain, which showed promise in treating conditions like depression.

India’s Role in Brain Tech

  • C-DAC in India is developing BCIs to capture brain signals that show intentions.
  • The All India Institute of Medical Sciences is testing this project.
  • BrainSight AI, an Indian startup, maps brain connections to understand neurological conditions.

Indian Innovations and Their Impact

  • Indian BCIs, like Neuralink’s, aim to help paralyzed patients move and communicate.
  • They could also treat mental disorders like schizophrenia.
  • Indian hospitals are testing these technologies.

Challenges Ahead

  • Invasive BCIs, like Neuralink’s, face rules and need lots of data.
  • Non-invasive BCIs are moving faster.
  • Indian institutions are actively testing these technologies and mapping the brain.

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Global initiatives in Quantum Computing

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Quantum computing and its applications

Mains level : Quantum computing

What’s the news?

  • In a quantum leap, global investments in quantum computing soared to US$35.5 billion in 2022, with its game-changing potential across industries.

Central Idea

  • Quantum computing is a rapidly advancing field that has garnered substantial investment from both the public and private sectors. The growth in this field has been driven by extensive international collaboration among governments and private sector entities, reflecting the novelty and complexity of quantum technology.

What is Quantum Technologies Flagship?

  • The Quantum Technologies Flagship is a significant initiative established by the European Union (EU) in 2018. It is part of the EU’s Horizon 2020 (now Horizon Europe) program and has been allocated a budget of approximately 1 billion euros.
  • The primary objective of this initiative is to consolidate European leadership in the field of quantum technologies over a period of ten years.

Key Objectives and Components of the Quantum Technologies Flagship

  • Research and Development: The Quantum Technologies Flagship focuses on advancing research and development in the domain of quantum technologies. This includes quantum computing, quantum cryptography, and other quantum-related fields.
  • Collaboration: The initiative aims to facilitate collaboration among various stakeholders, including research institutions, private sector companies, and public institutions. This collaborative approach is intended to accelerate progress in quantum technology.
  • International Cooperation: The International Cooperation on Quantum Technologies (InCoQFlag) project, which is a crucial part of the Quantum Technologies Flagship. It seeks to establish partnerships and collaboration with countries that are significant investors in quantum technologies, such as the United States, Canada, and Japan.
  • Technology Sharing: The Quantum Technologies Flagship promotes the sharing of quantum technologies, infrastructure, skills, and knowledge with international partners. This sharing is facilitated through various activities, including workshops and networking sessions.
  • Long-Term Vision: The initiative has a long-term vision spanning a decade. It aims to position Europe as a leader in quantum technology research and development. This long-term commitment is designed to ensure that Europe remains at the forefront of quantum technology.

AUKUS Quantum Arrangement

  • The AUKUS Quantum Arrangement is part of the broader AUKUS (Australia, United Kingdom, United States) agreement, which is a trilateral security arrangement established in September 2021.

Key Points About the AUKUS Quantum Arrangement:

  • Quantum Technology Focus: The AUKUS Quantum Arrangement places a strong emphasis on the development and integration of quantum technologies. These technologies encompass a wide range of applications, including quantum computing, quantum communication, and quantum cryptography.
  • Advanced Military Capabilities: One of the key pillars of the broader AUKUS agreement is to enhance joint advanced military capabilities and interoperability among Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
  • Investment in Cutting-Edge Quantum Capabilities: The AUKUS Quantum Arrangement aims to accelerate investments in what is often referred to as generation-after-next quantum capabilities. This signifies a focus on cutting-edge and future-oriented quantum technologies that go beyond current developments.
  • Strategic Competition and Technological Advantage: The arrangement acknowledges the importance of maintaining a strategic and technological advantage, especially in the fields of quantum computing and cryptography. It recognizes the competitive nature of the international landscape, particularly in relation to China, and seeks to stay ahead in quantum technology.
  • National Security Implications: Quantum technologies have significant implications for national security, including secure communication, advanced encryption, and enhanced computational capabilities. Therefore, the AUKUS Quantum Arrangement aims to strengthen the three countries’ capabilities in these areas.

Quad’s commitment to emerging technologies

  • Commitment to emerging technologies: The Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue), consisting of the United States, Japan, India, and Australia, has shown a commitment to emerging technologies, including quantum computing and other cutting-edge fields.
  • Critical and Emerging Technology Working Group: In 2021, the Quad leaders established a Critical and Emerging Technology Working Group. The primary aim of this working group is to ensure that standards and frameworks for key technologies, including 5G, AI, and quantum computing, are governed by shared interests and values among the Quad countries.
  • Quad Investors Network (QUIN): QUIN was launched in May 2023 as part of the Quad’s commitment to emerging technologies. While the article does not provide extensive details, QUIN comprises a network of investors who seek to encourage investments in novel technologies.
  • Quad Centre of Excellence in Quantum Information Sciences: The Quad Centre of Excellence in Quantum Information Sciences was established in June 2023. This center’s primary objective is to facilitate collaboration among researchers and institutions across the Quad countries. It aims to drive greater technological cooperation, market access, and cross-border investments in the field of quantum information sciences.

CERN Quantum Technology Initiative

  • The CERN Quantum Technology Initiative is a comprehensive R and D and academic program initiated by the European Council for Nuclear Research (CERN). CERN, known for its contributions to particle physics and the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), is now expanding its focus to include quantum technologies.

key details about the CERN Quantum Technology Initiative:

  • Initiation Year: The CERN Quantum Technology Initiative was initiated in the year 2020.
  • Scope of the Initiative: This initiative aims to establish collaborations among CERN’s 23 member states and international initiatives in the field of quantum technologies. It encompasses a broad spectrum of quantum technology-related research and development activities.
  • Research and Development Goals: The primary objectives of the CERN Quantum Technology Initiative are as follows:
    • Develop new computing, detector, and communication systems based on quantum technologies.
    • Advance knowledge and understanding of quantum systems and information processing.
    • Assess the potential impact of quantum technologies on future programs and research fields.
    • Prepare the skills and resources required for future generations of researchers to further investigate the application of quantum technologies to specific research domains.
  • Application Areas: The initiative’s activities extend to various research fields, including:
    • Computational chemistry
    • Materials science
    • High-energy physics
    • Space applications
  • Collaborations: The CERN Quantum Technology Initiative involves collaborations with international partners and initiatives in the quantum technology domain. Additionally, CERN is one of the partners of the Open Quantum Initiative, a global center for quantum technology.

Private sector initiatives

  • IBM: IBM has committed to developing a 100,000-qubit quantum computer over the next decade through a US$100-million initiative in collaboration with the University of Tokyo and the University of Chicago. It also collaborates with Indian institutions and quantum startups.
  • Google: Google, claiming quantum supremacy in 2019, partners with various quantum startups and invests in Australian infrastructure, research, and partnerships. It actively explores new quantum computing applications.
  • D-Wave: Based in Canada, D-Wave is the world’s first company to commercially offer quantum computers. It works extensively with NASA and Google, launching its cloud service in India and collaborating with the Australian Department of Defence.
  • Infosys: Infosys pioneers quantum computing and related technologies, collaborating with Australian quantum cybersecurity firm QuintessenceLabs and Amazon Web Services to establish Quantum Living Labs.

Significance of International cooperation in the field of quantum computing and related technologies

  • Shared Knowledge and Expertise: Quantum technology is a highly complex and rapidly evolving field. International cooperation enables countries to pool their knowledge, expertise, and resources, fostering accelerated progress and innovation.
  • Resource Sharing: By collaborating internationally, countries can share the financial burden and access shared resources, making it more cost-effective to undertake ambitious quantum projects.
  • Addressing Global Challenges: Quantum technologies have the potential to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges, such as climate change, cybersecurity, and healthcare.
  • Standardization and Compatibility: Collaborative efforts can lead to the development of common standards and protocols for quantum technologies.
  • Security and Cybersecurity: Quantum technologies also pose security challenges, particularly in the context of cryptography. International cooperation is essential for devising quantum-resistant encryption methods and strengthening global cybersecurity efforts to protect sensitive information from quantum threats.
  • Economic Benefits: Quantum technologies have the potential to drive economic growth and create high-tech jobs. International collaboration expands market opportunities, fosters economic synergies, and bolsters the quantum industry globally.

Impediments to international cooperation in the field of quantum computing

  • Growing Dominance of China:
  • China’s significant investment in quantum technologies and its Thousand Talents Plan have led to concerns about its growing dominance in the field.
  • There have been allegations of scientists illicitly sharing technology and research findings with China, which has raised suspicions and contributed to a more cautious approach among countries regarding international collaboration.
  • Intellectual Property Concerns: Intellectual property (IP) concerns are a major hurdle to international cooperation. Countries and companies are wary of sharing their quantum technology innovations due to fears of IP theft or loss of competitive advantage.
  • Exclusion from Initiatives: Some countries, such as the United Kingdom, Israel, and Switzerland, have reportedly been excluded from international quantum technology initiatives due to concerns about intellectual property rules.
  • Competitive Race: The pursuit of developing practical quantum computers has created a competitive race among nations. Each country aims to outpace others in quantum technology development, leading to a reluctance to share information and collaborate.
  • Need for Ethical and Legal Frameworks: While international cooperation is crucial, the article emphasizes the need for clear ethical and legal frameworks to govern the exchange of quantum technology-related information.

Way forward

  • International Dialogue and Collaboration: Countries and organizations involved in quantum computing should continue to engage in open dialogue and collaboration. Building trust through sustained communication is essential to address concerns and foster cooperation.
  • Establish Clear Ethical and Legal Frameworks: There is a need to develop clear ethical and legal frameworks that govern the exchange of quantum technology-related information. These frameworks should address intellectual property, data sharing, and cybersecurity concerns while promoting responsible conduct in the field.
  • Inclusive Collaboration: Initiatives should aim for inclusivity, ensuring that countries with varying levels of technological development have opportunities to participate. Exclusionary practices should be avoided to promote a global approach to quantum technology development.
  • Resource Allocation and Sharing: Collaborating nations should work together to allocate resources efficiently and fairly. Resource sharing can help balance the financial burden of quantum research and development.
  • Emphasize Mutual Benefits: Emphasize the mutual benefits of international cooperation. Highlight how collaboration can lead to faster advancements, shared knowledge, and solutions to global challenges, such as climate change and cybersecurity.

Conclusion

  • Quantum computing represents a transformative technological frontier with vast potential. Striking a balance between protecting intellectual property and fostering global cooperation is essential to maximize the benefits of quantum technology for humanity’s future.

Also read:

National Quantum Mission: Unlocking India’s Potential in Quantum Technology

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Non-Reciprocity: The physics of letting waves go one way but not the other

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Reciprocity Principle

Mains level : NA

reciprocity

Central Idea

  • Reciprocity, a fundamental principle of physics, dictates that if a signal can travel from Point A to Point B, it can also journey from Point B to Point A.
  • This intuitive concept holds significance in various aspects of daily life and serves as the basis for many technological breakthroughs and challenges.

Exploring Reciprocity

  • The Principle Defined: Reciprocity posits that a signal transmitted from a source (Point A) to a destination (Point B) can also travel in the reverse direction by merely swapping the positions of the source and destination.
  • Everyday Analogies: Familiar scenarios, such as shining a torchlight or observing an object under a streetlight, exemplify reciprocity in action.
  • Counterintuitive Instances: Some situations defy intuition, like interrogation scenes in movies where one party can see through a window while the other cannot, or observing someone walking in darkness.

Applications in Antennas and Beyond

  • Antennas: Reciprocity plays a pivotal role in antenna technology, enabling both the transmission and reception of signals. Engineers utilize reciprocity to assess antennas’ reception quality, simplifying testing processes for radar, sonar, seismic surveys, and MRI scanners.
  • Challenges in Spying: While reciprocity aids signal reception, it poses challenges in espionage, as it allows signals to be captured from an enemy base while potentially revealing one’s own location.
  • One-Way Traffic: To counteract reciprocity, scientists employ devices composed of components with specific properties. These devices break reciprocity, enabling signals to travel in one direction only.

Diverse Ways to Break Reciprocity

  • Magnet-Based Non-Reciprocity: Utilizing wave plates and Faraday rotators, this method disrupts reciprocity for electromagnetic waves.
  • Modulation: By continuously altering a medium’s parameters in time or space, modulation offers a means to control signal transmission.
  • Nonlinearity: Varying a medium’s properties based on signal strength and direction introduces nonlinearity, another avenue to break reciprocity.

Revolutionizing Technologies

  • Quantum Computing: Non-reciprocal devices find applications in quantum computing, where they amplify signals to detect quantum states effectively.
  • Miniaturization: The trend towards nanoscale and microscale devices includes non-reciprocal components, some as small as a strand of hair divided by a thousand. These miniature devices promise contributions to fields like self-driving cars, where efficient signal monitoring is essential for safety.

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Ethics of neurotechnology and neurowarfare

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : neurotechnology applications

Mains level : neurotechnology, neurowarfare, ethical concerns and considerations

neurotechnology

What’s the news?

  • The rapid growth of neurotechnology, driven by advances in neuroscience and technology, has given rise to a field with immense potential and profound ethical implications.

Central Idea

  • Neurotechnology encompasses various aspects, from Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) to neuroimaging and neurostimulation. As this field expands, it poses challenges to human privacy, autonomy, and dignity. In this context, the need for ethical guidelines and governance becomes paramount.

What is neurotechnology?

  • Neurotechnology is a multidisciplinary field that combines neuroscience, engineering, and technology to study, interact with, and manipulate the human nervous system, particularly the brain and its functions.
  • It involves the development and application of various techniques, tools, and devices to better understand and interface with the brain and nervous system.

What is neurowarfare?

  • Neurowarfare, also known as neurotechnology warfare, refers to the use of advanced neurotechnological tools, techniques, and agents in military operations and conflicts.
  • It represents the convergence of neuroscience, neurotechnology, and warfare strategies, with the aim of gaining a tactical or strategic advantage on the battlefield or in intelligence operations.
  • Neurowarfare explores the manipulation of the human nervous system, particularly the brain, for various purposes, both offensive and defensive.

The ethics of neurotechnology

  • Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCIs) and Brain-Machine Interfaces (BMIs): BCIs offer direct communication between the brain and external devices, while BMIs integrate neural signals with machines for various applications, including prosthetics and exoskeletons. Ethical concerns arise regarding privacy, autonomy, and mental influence.
  • Neuroimaging and Neurostimulation: Neuroimaging provides access to neurological data, while neurostimulation modulates neural activity for therapeutic purposes. The potential for behavioral changes and privacy invasion necessitates regulation.
  • Gathering and Use of Neurological Data: The absence of guidelines for gathering, studying, and using neurological data requires immediate attention, especially in light of private sector developments such as Neuralink’s brain implant chip.

The Case of Neuralink

  • Elon Musk’s company, Neuralink, recently unveiled an upgraded brain implant chip approved for human trials.
  • This chip boasts capabilities to potentially alter memories and treat conditions like hearing loss, blindness, paralysis, and depression.
  • This development serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive regulations, especially when such technology is being explored within the private sector.

 

Neurowarfare: The Emerging Threat

  • Neurotechnological Agents: Advances in synthetic biology open doors to neurotechnological agents that can impact neurological abilities. This includes neuropharmacological agents like amphetamines and neurotechnological devices.
  • Dual-Use Nature: Neurotechnology can have dual-use applications, both civilian and military. Neurowarfare refers to its use in military operations, potentially enhancing soldiers’ cognitive abilities or disrupting the cognitive functions of adversaries.
  • Case Study: Havana Syndrome: The mysterious Havana Syndrome experienced by US intelligence personnel raises concerns about directed energy weapons and intentional attacks. Similar cases have been reported in Guangzhou, China.

Ethical Concerns in Neurowarfare

  • Informed Consent and Privacy: Ethical use of neurotechnology in warfare requires informed consent for soldiers and civilians. Oversight and restrictions on using such innovations for harm are essential.
  • Psychological Harm: Studying the psychological impact of neurotechnology weapons is imperative to establishing limits on their deployment.
  • Protection of Non-Combatants: Civilians must be shielded from neurotechnology applications, ensuring their privacy, consent, and protection from manipulation.

Importance of International Cooperation and Responsible Governance

  • International Cooperation: Organizations like the OECD and UNESCO have initiated ethical guidelines for neurotechnology. However, global governance must extend to neurowarfare, with disarmament forums incorporating ethical oversight and transparency.
  • Accountability: State actors should be held accountable through reporting systems, ensuring responsible research and the use of neurotechnology in warfare.

Conclusion

  • Neurotechnology holds immense potential for human advancement but also raises profound ethical challenges in the context of neurowarfare. Striking a balance between technological progress and ethical considerations is crucial to safeguarding human rights and global security in the age of neurotechnology.

Must read:

Implantable Brain-Computer Interface

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Deciphering Atomic Nuclei: Exploring Unstable Nuclei via Electron Scattering

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Electron Scattering Experiment

Mains level : NA

Central Idea

  • In the world of atomic and nuclear physics, the quest to understand the inner workings of matter has been a constant journey of discovery.
  • Scientists have long sought ways to unravel the mysteries hidden within atomic nuclei, and recent breakthroughs in experimental techniques have taken us one step closer to achieving this goal.

Historical Milestones

  • 150 years ago, scientists like Ernest Rutherford, Hans Geiger, and Ernest Marsden conducted experiments exposing a thin gold foil to radiation.
  • These experiments revealed that every atom has a dense central nucleus where mass and positive charge are concentrated.
  • Seven decades ago, physicist Robert Hofstadter led a team that bombarded thin foils with high-energy electrons, allowing scientists to probe atomic nuclei’s inner structure.

Recent advancements

  • Researchers at the RIKEN Nishina Center for Accelerator-Based Science in Japan have demonstrated a setup using electron scattering to investigate unstable nuclei.
  • This advancement opens new avenues for understanding the fundamental building blocks of matter.
  • The SCRIT (Self-Confining Radioactive-isotope Ion Target) setup is more sophisticated than previous experiments using thin foils.
  • SCRIT can hold caesium-137 atom nuclei in place and facilitate electron interactions, a critical innovation.

The Experimental Process

  • Electrons are accelerated in a particle accelerator to energize them.
  • These energized electrons are directed at a block of uranium carbide, resulting in a stream of caesium-137 ions (atoms stripped of electrons).
  • The ions are transported to the SCRIT system, which traps target ions along the electron beam path using electric attractive forces.
  • This “overlap” ensures a high probability of electron-ion collisions.

Probing Nuclear Structure

  • Understanding the experimental setup’s probe into nuclear structure requires exploring interference patterns.
  • When light passes through a small hole, it creates concentric circles of light and dark patches due to interference.
  • Similarly, when an electron scatters off an atomic nucleus, it behaves like a wave during the interaction, resulting in interference patterns.
  • A magnetic spectrometer is used to record these interference patterns, offering advantages in clean and fine-tuned interactions.

Results and Implications

  • The experimental results confirm the internal structure of the caesium-137 nucleus, aligning with previous studies and theoretical calculations.
  • The real significance lies in the development of the “femtoscope,” which can probe the femtometer scale (10^-15 meters) of atomic nuclei, unlocking new possibilities in nuclear physics.

Unresolved Nuclear Structure

  • The challenge in nuclear physics is the absence of a unified theory explaining atomic nuclei’s structure, despite various existing models.
  • Scientists encounter intriguing properties, such as the “island of stability,” where heavier nuclei of unstable elements defy the trend of faster decay via radioactivity.
  • This phenomenon raises questions about nuclear structure and the existence of stable clusters.

Future Prospects

  • Researchers aim to use femtoscopes to explore nuclei with irregular shapes, bridging the gap between expected and unexpected nuclear structures.
  • This promises to illuminate the fundamental nature of atomic nuclei and advance our understanding of the universe at its most basic level.

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3D Printing

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : 3D Printed Post Office , 3D Printing

Mains level : Not Much

post office

Central Idea

  • India’s pioneering 3D-printed post office located in Bengaluru’s Cambridge Layout was recently inaugurated.

3D Printed Post Office

  • Swift Build: The 3D-printed post office was constructed in just 43 days, surpassing the original deadline by two days.
  • Construction Team: Larsen & Toubro Limited undertook the project in collaboration with IIT Madras.

Technological Process

  • Spatial Dimension: The post office covers an area of 1,021 square feet and was created using advanced 3D concrete printing.
  • Automated Procedure: Robotic printers used an automated process to layer concrete according to the approved design.
  • Strong Bonding: A specially formulated quick-hardening concrete ensured strong bonding between layers.
  • Rapid Construction: With robotic precision and pre-embedded designs, the project was completed in just 43 days, far shorter than the conventional 6 to 8 months.

Advantages of 3D Printing

  • Cost-Effective: The project cost ₹23 lakhs, indicating a 30-40% cost reduction compared to traditional methods.
  • Showcasing Technology: The project highlighted concrete 3D printing technology using indigenous machinery and robots, showcasing its scalability.

Distinctive Features

  • Continuous Perimeter: The project boasted continuous perimeter construction without vertical joints.
  • Flexibility: The 3D printing accommodated curved surfaces and different site dimensions, overcoming flat wall limitations.
  • Structural Innovation: Continuous reinforced concrete footing and three-layer walls were created, enhancing structural integrity.
  • Reduced Timeline: The innovative technique drastically reduced the construction timeline to 43 days, minimizing material wastage.

Back2Basics: 3D Printing

  • 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a transformative technology that involves creating three-dimensional objects by adding material layer by layer.
  • This technology has found applications in various industries, from manufacturing and aerospace to healthcare and fashion.

Here’s an overview of the technology and its key components:

(A) Printing Process: The basic process of 3D printing involves the following steps:

  • Design: Create a 3D model using computer-aided design (CAD) software.
  • Slicing: The 3D model is divided into thin horizontal layers using slicing software.
  • Printing: The 3D printer follows the instructions from the sliced file, depositing material layer by layer to build up the object.

(B) Types of 3D Printing Technologies: There are several 3D printing technologies, each with its own unique approach to material deposition and layering. Some common types include:

  • Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM): This is one of the most popular methods. It involves extruding thermoplastic material through a heated nozzle to build up layers.
  • Stereolithography (SLA): SLA uses a UV laser to solidify liquid resin layer by layer, creating highly detailed and accurate objects.
  • Selective Laser Sintering (SLS): In SLS, a laser fuses powdered material (often plastic or metal) layer by layer to create the object.
  • Powder Bed Fusion (PBF): Similar to SLS, PBF involves fusing powder particles using a laser or electron beam to create metal parts.
  • Digital Light Processing (DLP): Similar to SLA, DLP uses a projector to cure an entire layer of resin at once.

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Room Temperature Superconductivity

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Superconductivity

Mains level : Not Much

superconductivity

Central Idea

  • Recently, two South Korean researchers sparked excitement in the physics community by claiming to have achieved Superconductivity at room temperature.
  • They claim to have developed a lead-based compound exhibiting superconducting properties at normal room temperature and pressure (NTP) conditions.

NTP (Normal Temperature and Pressure):

Normal Temperature: Defined as 20 degrees Celsius (20°C) or 293.15 Kelvin (K).

Normal Pressure: Defined as 1 atmosphere (atm) or 101.325 kilopascals (kPa), which is the same pressure as STP.

NTP is another standard set of conditions used for specific applications, but it is less commonly used than STP.

STP (Standard Temperature and Pressure):

Standard Temperature: Defined as 0 degrees Celsius (0°C) or 273.15 Kelvin (K). At this temperature, the average kinetic energy of gas molecules is minimal.

Standard Pressure: Defined as 1 atmosphere (atm) or 101.325 kilopascals (kPa). This is the average atmospheric pressure at sea level.

STP is often used to express gas properties and perform calculations under uniform conditions to allow for meaningful comparisons between different gases or processes.

What is Superconductivity?

  • Zero Resistance: Superconductivity occurs when a material offers almost zero resistance to the flow of electric current, enabling energy-efficient electrical appliances and lossless power transmission.
  • Magnetic Behavior: Superconductors also display fascinating behavior under magnetic fields, enabling technologies like MRI machines and superfast Maglev trains.

Exploring the Material LK-99

  • Apatite Structure: The Korean group utilized copper-substituted lead apatite, a phosphate mineral with unique tetrahedral motifs, to create LK-99.
  • Superconducting Behavior: LK-99 displayed essential superconducting properties, with almost zero resistance to current flow and sudden emergence of resistance above a critical current threshold.
  • Magnetic Resilience: LK-99 retained superconductivity even under the presence of a magnetic field until reaching a critical threshold.

Current Superconductors and Their Limitations

  • Earlier Discoveries: In the 1980s, scientists found copper oxide materials exhibiting superconductivity above -240°C. Subsequent research yielded limited success in achieving higher temperatures.
  • Extreme Conditions: Existing superconductors operate at extremely low temperatures, often below -250°C, close to absolute zero (-273°C).
  • Critical Temperatures: Materials like Mercury, Lead, and Aluminum, Tin, and Niobium exhibit superconductivity at critical temperatures just above absolute zero.
  • High-Temperature Superconductors: Some materials, labelled ‘high-temperature’ superconductors, display superconducting properties below -150°C.

Scientific Community’s Response

  • Cautious Optimism: The scientific community responded cautiously to the claims of LK-99’s room-temperature superconductivity, given previous controversies and unverified claims.
  • Technical Errors: Some data in the research papers raised questions and were deemed “sloppy” or “fishy” by independent scientists.
  • Replication Efforts: Numerous research groups worldwide are attempting to reproduce the results to validate the claim.
  • Mixed Perspectives: The authors’ unwavering confidence in their work contrasts with certain aspects of the research that appear hurried or contentious.

Conclusion

  • The search for room-temperature superconductors represents a holy grail in science, promising immense rewards and recognition.
  • Although the recent claim by South Korean researchers has captured attention, it awaits rigorous validation.

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[pib] Hematene Nanoflakes

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Hematene

Mains level : Not Much

hematene

Central Idea

  • Researchers have made a groundbreaking discovery of nanoflakes of a material known as hematene, extracted from iron ore.
  • These nanoflakes have demonstrated exceptional capabilities in withstanding and shielding against high laser intensities.

What is Hematene?

  • Hematene is a novel 2D material that has been derived from hematite (common iron ore).
  • It is a thin, single-layer material with unique properties that make it promising for various applications, especially in the field of optics.
  • Hematene nanoflakes have demonstrated exceptional capabilities in withstanding and shielding against high laser intensities, making them valuable for optical limiting applications.
  • The material’s stability and potential for futuristic technologies have garnered significant interest from researchers and scientists.

How is it made?

  • Hematene is derived from naturally occurring hematite, the mineral form of iron oxide, through a process involving sonication, centrifugation, and vacuum-assisted filtration.
  • With a thickness of just 3 atoms, it exhibits improved photocatalysis efficiency.
  • Being ferromagnetic, like common magnets, it possesses magnetic properties.
  • Notably, it has the exceptional ability to withstand and provide shielding against high laser intensities.

Applications of Hematene Nanoflakes

  • Optical Limiting: Hematene nanoflakes have demonstrated exceptional optical limiting capabilities, making them valuable in protecting sensitive optical equipment, such as sensors, detectors, and other optical devices, from high laser intensities.
  • Photodetectors: Hematene’s properties make it suitable for developing high-performance photodetectors, which are used to detect and convert light signals into electrical signals. This application has potential in telecommunications, imaging, and optical communications.
  • Energy Storage: Hematene can be explored for applications in energy storage devices, such as batteries and super-capacitors, due to its unique electronic and electrochemical properties.
  • Optoelectronics: The material’s properties make it suitable for optoelectronic devices, which involve the interaction of light and electricity, including light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and photovoltaic cells.
  • Photothermal Therapy: Hematene’s ability to withstand and shield against high laser intensities may find applications in photothermal therapy, a medical technique that uses light to treat diseases like cancer.
  • Environmental Applications: Hematene’s stability and potential for use in various environments may make it valuable in environmental applications, such as water purification and pollution control.
  • Sensors: The material’s unique properties may be utilized in developing high-performance sensors for various applications, including gas sensing and environmental monitoring.
  • Catalysts: Hematene’s surface characteristics and electronic properties could be explored for catalytic applications, promoting chemical reactions in various industrial processes.

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Semicon India 2023: How government’s support and will built the semiconductor industry

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Semiconductors and application's and ISM

Mains level : India's progress in the semiconductor industry and a global hub of semiconductor manufacturing and its significance

What’s the news?

  • The second edition of Semicon India, hosted by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), comes at a pivotal moment for the global semiconductor industry.

Central idea

  • As technology advances rapidly and geopolitical landscapes shift, India is determined to foster a thriving domestic ecosystem to achieve self-sufficiency and emerge as a key player in the global semiconductor value chain.

What is Semicon India?

  • Semicon India is the annual conference organized by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).
  • The primary objective of Semicon India is to promote the growth and development of the semiconductor industry in India.
  • It provides an opportunity for the country to demonstrate its capabilities in semiconductor design and manufacturing while fostering networking and knowledge exchange among participants.

What are Semiconductors?

  • Semiconductors are a class of materials that have unique electrical properties, making them intermediate in conductivity between conductors and insulators. They are a vital component in the manufacturing of various electronic devices and play a crucial role in modern technology.

India’s journey in the semiconductor industry

  • Early Efforts: India’s initial forays into the semiconductor sector began with public sector undertakings like Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) and some other labs and institutions attempting to establish a presence in the industry. However, despite promising starts, India faced difficulties in achieving the volume and technology needed for competitiveness.
  • Missed Opportunities: Over the years, India encountered several missed opportunities that hindered its progress in the semiconductor field. One notable example is missing out on the Fairchild Semiconductor fab in the 1960s. Additionally, regulatory and bureaucratic hurdles prevented global semiconductor companies from showing interest in investing in India’s semiconductor manufacturing.
  • Setbacks and Challenges: India’s major VLSI fabrication plant at the Semiconductor Complex Limited (SCL) in Chandigarh began production before Taiwan’s entry into semiconductor manufacturing. Unfortunately, a massive fire in 1989 led to the closure of the plant for many years, hampering India’s progress in the industry.
  • Government Recognition: The Indian government came to recognize the economic and geopolitical significance of the semiconductor industry. Realizing the importance of achieving semiconductor self-sufficiency, the government launched the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) to bolster the domestic ecosystem and position India as a key player in the global semiconductor value chain.

The birth of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)

  • The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) was launched as a significant initiative by the Indian government to bolster the semiconductor industry in the country.
  • It came into existence with a clear vision of nurturing a thriving domestic semiconductor ecosystem to achieve self-sufficiency and elevate India’s position as a key player in the global semiconductor value chain.
  • The mission’s proactive approach, combined with concrete policy interventions and political will, marks a new chapter in India’s journey in the semiconductor sector.

The significance of domestic semiconductor manufacturing for India

  • Economic Growth: By manufacturing semiconductors domestically, India can reduce its dependence on imports, save foreign exchange, and contribute to economic growth by generating revenue and employment opportunities.
  • Technological Advancement: Domestic semiconductor manufacturing enhances India’s capabilities in cutting-edge technologies, research, and development. It fosters innovation and facilitates the growth of other technology-driven sectors, including artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things (IoT), 5G, and advanced electronics. This, in turn, can boost India’s competitiveness on the global technology stage.
  • Self-Reliance and Security: Developing a self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem ensures continuity in critical industries and safeguards against global disruptions. It also enhances India’s national security, as semiconductors play a vital role in defense and communication infrastructure.
  • Attracting Investment: A strong semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem attracts both domestic and foreign investments. This leads to the establishment of semiconductor fabrication plants, research centers, and collaborations with global technology companies.
  • Fostering Innovation: A thriving semiconductor industry encourages local innovation and entrepreneurship. It provides opportunities for startups and research institutions to develop innovative semiconductor technologies and solutions, positioning India as a global innovation hub.
  • Digital Sovereignty: In an increasingly interconnected and digitally driven world, possessing domestic semiconductor manufacturing capabilities is vital for digital sovereignty. It allows India to control its critical technology infrastructure and data security, reducing its reliance on foreign technology providers.

Overwhelming global interest in India as a destination for semiconductor manufacturing

  • Growing Market Potential: India’s large and rapidly growing economy presents a significant market for semiconductor products, attracting global semiconductor companies to establish a presence in the country.
  • Government Support and Vision: The Indian government’s clear vision and commitment to nurturing a thriving domestic semiconductor ecosystem through initiatives like the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) have instilled confidence among global players.
  • Strategic Importance: Policymakers in India recognize the strategic significance of a robust domestic semiconductor industry for economic growth, safeguarding domestic industries, and ensuring national security.
  • Urgency of Semiconductor Self-Reliance: The global semiconductor shortage and disruptions in supply chains have highlighted the urgency of achieving semiconductor self-reliance, making India an attractive location for semiconductor manufacturing.
  • Fiscal Incentives and Regulatory Support: The Indian government’s unprecedented commitment to fiscal incentives and regulatory support has drawn significant interest from semiconductor companies globally.
  • Skilled Workforce: India’s large pool of skilled engineers and technical talent offers an advantageous workforce for semiconductor companies looking to establish operations in the country.
  • Collaboration with Global Partners: Collaborative agreements with countries like the US and Japan in semiconductor development, research, design, and talent development have enhanced India’s appeal as a semiconductor manufacturing hub.
  • Focus on Sustainability: India’s emphasis on sustainable semiconductor manufacturing through green technologies and resource-efficient practices aligns with the global push for environmentally responsible production.
  • Long-term Support and Progress under ISM: The Indian government’s commitment to long-term support for the semiconductor industry, as demonstrated through initiatives like the Design Linked Incentive (DLI) scheme and modernization of facilities, has garnered attention.
  • Potential for Innovation: India’s thriving innovation ecosystem, including startups and research institutions, presents opportunities for collaborative innovation and technological advancements in the semiconductor industry.

Conclusion

  • From missed opportunities to a thriving domestic ecosystem, India’s progress in the semiconductor industry is a global case study in building sectors from scratch through appropriate policy interventions and political will. India is now on track to lead the global race in the semiconductor value chain. The ISM reflects India’s determination to achieve semiconductor self-sufficiency and emerge as a major player in the global semiconductor industry.

Also read:

Semiconductor Fabrication in India: Learning from Past Attempts and Embracing Alternate Approaches

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Quantum Supercomputer using Majorana Zero Modes

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Majorana Zero Modes

Mains level : Not Much

majorana

Central Idea

  • Microsoft researchers have made significant strides in the creation of Majorana zero modes, a type of particle that could revolutionize quantum computing.
  • Majorana zero modes, which are their own antiparticles, possess unique properties that could make quantum computers more robust and computationally superior.

Majorana Fermions: A conceptual backgrounder

  • Fermions and Antiparticles: All subatomic particles that constitute matter are known as fermions, with each fermion having an associated antiparticle that annihilates upon interaction.
  • Majorana Fermions: In 1937, Italian physicist Ettore Majorana discovered that certain particles, known as Majorana fermions, can satisfy specific conditions and be their own antiparticles.
  • Neutrinos as Potential Majorana Fermions: Neutrinos are one type of subatomic particle that scientists speculate may exhibit Majorana fermion behavior, although experimental confirmation is still pending.

Understanding Majorana Zero Modes

  • Quantum Numbers and Spin: All particles have four quantum numbers, with one called the quantum spin having half-integer values for fermions. This property allows any fermion, even a large entity like an atom, to be classified as a fermion.
  • Bound States and Fermions: Bound states composed of two particles can also be classified as fermions if their total quantum spin possesses a half-integer value.
  • Majorana Zero Modes: When these bound states are their own antiparticles and do not readily de-cohere, they are known as Majorana zero modes, which have been sought after by physicists for many years.

Easy explained: Majorana Zero Modes

In the world of physics, particles can have interesting properties and behave in strange ways. One type of particle that scientists have been studying is called a Majorana particle.

Majorana particles have a special property called “non-Abelian statistics.” Without getting too technical, this property means that when two Majorana particles come close together, something interesting happens. Instead of behaving like normal particles, they can combine in a special way to form a new kind of particle called a Majorana zero mode.

A Majorana zero mode is a very peculiar particle because it is its own antiparticle. Normally, particles have antiparticles with opposite properties, like an electron and a positron. But Majorana zero modes are special because they don’t have separate antiparticles. They are their own antiparticles!

Potential Benefits for Computing

  • Enhanced Stability: Majorana zero modes offer increased stability for qubits, the fundamental units of information in quantum computing. Even if one entity within the bound state is disturbed, the qubit as a whole can remain protected and retain encoded information.
  • Topological Quantum Computing: Majorana zero modes can enable topological quantum computing, which takes advantage of non-Abelian statistics. These statistics introduce an additional degree of freedom, allowing algorithms to produce different outcomes based on the order in which steps are performed.

Challenges and Future Prospects

  • Creating Majorana Zero Modes: Scientists have been exploring various setups, such as topological superconductors, to generate Majorana zero modes. However, confirming their existence remains a challenge, as their effects on surrounding materials must be inferred indirectly.
  • Recent Advances by Microsoft Researchers: Microsoft researchers recently engineered a topological superconductor using an aluminium superconductor and an indium arsenide semiconductor. Their device passed a stringent protocol, suggesting a high probability of hosting Majorana zero modes.

Future prospects

  • While this achievement is significant, the existence of Majorana fermions and their potential for topological quantum computing still need independent confirmation.
  • Continued improvements in simulation, growth, fabrication, and measurement capabilities are necessary to achieve the desired topological gap for coherent operations.

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What are Lab-Grown Diamonds (LGDs)?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Lab-Grown Diamond (LGD)

Mains level : NA

lab grown diamond ldg

Central Idea

  • During PM Modi’s state visit to the US, he presented First Lady Jill Biden with a 7.5-carat lab-grown diamond as a gift.
  • Lab-grown diamonds, also known as LGDs, have gained popularity in recent years due to their ethical and environmental advantages over mined diamonds.
The diamond, a gift for First Lady Jill Biden, was gifted in a papier mache box. “Known as kar-e-kalamdani, Kashmir’s exquisite papier mache involves sakthsazi or meticulous preparation of paper pulp and naqqashi, where skilled artisans paint elaborate designs,” a statement from the MEA said.

What is Lab-Grown Diamond (LGD)?

  • Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds created using technology that simulates the natural geological processes of diamond formation.
  • Unlike diamond simulants, such as Moissanite or Cubic Zirconia, LGDs possess the same chemical, physical, and optical properties as natural diamonds.

Ethical and Environmental Advantages

  • LGDs are considered socially and environmentally responsible alternatives to mined diamonds.
  • Their production avoids the socially exploitative aspects of diamond mining and reduces the environmental impact associated with traditional mining practices.

Characteristics of gifted diamond

  • Carat Weight: The diamond weighs 7.5 carats. Carat weight refers to the size and weight of the diamond, with one carat equal to 200 milligrams.
  • Origin: The diamond is created in a laboratory using advanced technology and does not come from natural diamond mining.
  • Certification: The diamond has been certified by the Gemological Lab, IGI (International Gemological Institute). Certification ensures that the diamond meets industry standards for quality and authenticity.
  • Cutting and Polishing: The diamond is expertly cut and polished to enhance its brilliance and visual appeal. The precise craftsmanship and attention to detail result in a well-cut and faceted diamond.

Methods of LGD Production

(A) High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT) Method:

  • This common method involves subjecting a diamond seed, typically made of graphite, to extreme pressures and temperatures to transform it into a diamond.
  • HPHT requires heavy presses capable of generating immense pressure (up to 730,000 psi) and temperatures exceeding 1500 degrees Celsius.

(B) Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and Explosive Formation:

  • CVD involves the deposition of carbon atoms onto a diamond seed using a gas mixture, resulting in the growth of a diamond layer.
  • Explosive formation, known as detonation nano-diamonds, utilizes explosive reactions to create tiny diamond particles.

Properties and Applications of LGDs

  • Optical Properties and Durability: LGDs possess similar optical dispersion to natural diamonds, giving them the characteristic sparkle. Their durability makes them suitable for industrial applications, such as cutters and tools.
  • Enhanced Properties and Industrial Uses: LGDs can have their properties enhanced for specific purposes, such as high thermal conductivity and negligible electrical conductivity. These properties make LGDs valuable for electronics, acting as heat spreaders for high-power laser diodes and transistors.

Impact on the Diamond Industry

(A) Sustainable Growth in the Jewellery Industry

  • As natural diamond reserves decline, LGDs are gradually replacing mined diamonds in the jewelry sector.
  • The production processes for LGDs, including cutting and polishing, align with established practices in the diamond industry.

(B) India’s Diamond Industry

  • The rise of LGDs is unlikely to significantly impact India’s diamond industry, which specializes in polishing and cutting diamonds.
  • India’s established diamond industry can continue to thrive while incorporating LGDs as part of its offerings.

Commercial LGD Production in India: InCent-LGD

  • In the Union Budget 23-24, a 5-year research grant was announced for an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) with the aim of encouraging the development of LGD machinery, seeds, and recipes.
  • It would establish the India Centre for Lab Grown Diamond (InCent-LGD) at IIT Madras.
  • The primary aim of InCent-LGD is to provide technical assistance to domestic industries and entrepreneurs, fostering indigenous manufacturing of Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) and High Pressure and High Temperature (HPHT) systems.
  • The project seeks to expand the Lab-Grown Diamond (LGD) business by offering affordable technology to start-ups, creating employment opportunities, and boosting LGD exports.

Economic significance of LGDs

  • The Gems and Jewellery sector contributes approximately 9% to India’s total merchandise exports and plays a crucial role in the economy.
  • LGD have emerged as a notable technological development in the industry, finding applications not only in jewellery but also in sectors like computer chips, satellites, 5G networks, defense, optics, and thermal & medical industries.
  • The global LGD diamond market, valued at $1 billion in 2020, is expected to grow rapidly, reaching $5 billion by 2025 and surpassing $15 billion by 2035.

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Quantum Computing: A Potential Game Changer for Carbon Capture Technology

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Quantum computing technology applications

Mains level : Quantum computing's potential to transform carbon capture technology

Carbon Capture

Central Idea

  • In a significant breakthrough within the field of quantum computing, researchers from the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and the University of Kentucky have developed an algorithm that holds great promise for advancing carbon capture technology. This cutting-edge algorithm, which can be implemented on existing quantum computers, has the potential to revolutionize the reduction of carbon emissions.

Global Warming: A Pressing Concern

  • Global warming has emerged as a pressing concern for humanity, primarily caused by the escalating levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere resulting from extensive fossil fuel consumption.
  • Atmospheric CO2 has risen by nearly 50 percent from pre-industrial levels, and recent data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration reveals a steady increase in global surface average CO2 levels.
  • To counteract global warming, one approach is atmospheric carbon capture, wherein specific compounds, such as amines like ammonia (NH3), are used to chemically bind with CO2 and remove it from the atmosphere. However, current carbon capture reactions tend to be expensive and inefficient.

Role of Quantum Computing in Carbon Capture

  • Simulating Molecular Interactions: Quantum computers have the capability to simulate and analyze the molecular interactions involved in carbon capture reactions at a quantum scale. Classical computers are limited in their ability to handle such complex calculations, whereas quantum computers excel in solving quantum mechanical problems.
  • Optimization of Carbon Capture Reactions: Quantum computing algorithms, such as the Variational Quantum Eigensolver (VQE), can be used to optimize and improve the efficiency of carbon capture reactions. By leveraging the power of quantum computers, researchers can find optimal conditions and compounds that enhance the effectiveness of capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
  • Overcoming Computational Challenges: Quantum computers can overcome computational challenges that hinder classical computers in simulating and predicting the behavior of molecules. These challenges include the exponential scaling of computational resources required for larger and more complex molecules. Quantum algorithms provide a more efficient approach to solving such problems.
  • Accelerating Research and Development: Quantum computing speeds up the research and development process in carbon capture technology by drastically reducing the time required for complex calculations. Quantum computers can explore a vast number of potential solutions and configurations, enabling researchers to identify effective carbon capture methods more quickly.
  • Quantum Chemistry Applications: Quantum computing has broader applications in quantum chemistry, enabling the study of various chemical reactions beyond carbon capture. This opens up possibilities for advancements in fields such as biology, medicine, and materials science, where understanding molecular interactions is critical.
  • Future Potential: As quantum computing technology continues to evolve and mature, it holds the potential to revolutionize carbon capture by addressing challenges such as limited qubits and noise in quantum algorithms. Continued research and investment in quantum computing will likely lead to more efficient and practical solutions for carbon capture in the future.

India Leveraging quantum Computing Technology to Combat Global Warming

  • Carbon Emission Reduction: India is one of the largest contributors to global carbon emissions. By investing in quantum computing technology, India can accelerate the development and implementation of advanced carbon capture methods, leading to a significant reduction in carbon emissions.
  • Renewable Energy Optimization: Quantum computing can be utilized to optimize the deployment and management of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind farms. Quantum algorithms can analyze complex energy data and optimize energy generation and distribution systems, maximizing the efficiency and effectiveness of renewable energy solutions.
  • Policy and Planning: Quantum computing can aid in developing sophisticated models and simulations for climate change policy and planning. It can assist policymakers in assessing the impact of various interventions, optimizing resource allocation, and devising effective strategies to mitigate climate change.
  • Scientific Research and Collaboration: Quantum computing fosters collaboration between Indian scientific institutions, universities, and international organizations. India can collaborate with leading research institutions to advance quantum computing applications in climate science, carbon capture, and other related fields. This collaboration enables knowledge exchange, enhances research capabilities, and drives innovation.
  • Technological Advancement: Quantum computing requires advanced infrastructure and research facilities. By investing in quantum technology, India can develop its technological capabilities, attract top talent, and foster innovation in related industries. This, in turn, can contribute to India’s overall technological advancement and competitiveness on the global stage.
  • Economic Opportunities: Quantum computing has the potential to create new industries and business opportunities. By investing in quantum technology, India can position itself as a hub for quantum computing research and development, attracting investment and fostering a quantum technology ecosystem. This can lead to job creation, economic growth, and technological leadership in the field of quantum computing.
  • Sustainable Development Goals: Combating global warming aligns with India’s commitment to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Quantum computing can support various SDGs, including affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), climate action (SDG 13), and partnerships for the goals (SDG 17), by providing innovative solutions to address climate change challenges.

Potential challenges in India’s Efforts to Leverage Quantum Computing

  • Technology Readiness: Quantum computing is still an emerging technology, and practical implementations for carbon capture and other climate-related applications are in the early stages. The development of quantum computers with sufficient qubits, stability, and error correction capabilities may take time, and it is uncertain when these technologies will become mature enough for widespread use.
  • Research and Development Funding: Quantum computing research and development require substantial investments in infrastructure, talent, and equipment. Ensuring adequate funding for quantum research, including building and maintaining quantum computing facilities, can be a challenge.
  • Skilled Workforce: Quantum computing is a highly specialized field that requires expertise in quantum physics, computer science, and algorithms. Developing a skilled workforce capable of working with quantum technologies is essential.
  • Infrastructure and Access: Quantum computing infrastructure, including quantum computers and supporting technologies, is limited. Ensuring widespread access to quantum computing resources, particularly for researchers and scientists working on climate-related challenges, may pose logistical and resource challenges.
  • Integration with Existing Systems: Integrating quantum computing technologies into existing computational and data analysis systems can be complex. Developing compatible software and algorithms that can effectively utilize quantum computers while seamlessly integrating with classical computing infrastructure is a significant challenge.
  • Ethical and Policy Considerations: As quantum computing evolves, ethical and policy considerations surrounding its applications in carbon capture and climate-related research need to be addressed.

Way Forward

  • Increased Funding: The Indian government should allocate significant funding for quantum computing research and development, specifically focusing on applications related to carbon capture and climate change.
  • Collaboration and Partnerships: Collaborate with leading international research institutions, universities, and industry partners to leverage their expertise, resources, and infrastructure.
  • Skill Development: Invest in educational programs, training initiatives, and scholarships to develop a skilled workforce in quantum computing. Foster collaboration between academic institutions, research organizations, and industry to create a talent pipeline of quantum computing experts.
  • Quantum Computing Infrastructure: Develop and expand quantum computing infrastructure within India. This includes building quantum computing facilities, increasing the availability of quantum computers, and providing access to quantum resources for researchers and scientists working on climate-related challenges.
  • Quantum Algorithms and Software Development: Support the research and development of quantum algorithms and software specifically tailored for carbon capture and climate modeling. This involves optimizing quantum algorithms for efficiency, developing algorithms for simulating molecular interactions, and integrating quantum computing with classical computing systems.
  • Policy Framework: Establish a policy framework that addresses the ethical, legal, and regulatory aspects of quantum computing in carbon capture and climate change applications. This framework should consider issues such as data privacy, security, intellectual property rights, and responsible use of quantum technologies.

Carbon Capture

Conclusion

  • Quantum computing’s potential to transform carbon capture technology is a significant development in the fight against global warming. The algorithm devised by the NETL-Kentucky team demonstrates the power of combining quantum and classical computing to address complex challenges. India, as a major contributor to carbon emissions, should prioritize investment in quantum computing to accelerate the reduction of its carbon footprint.

Also read:

Quantum Biology: Unveiling the Quantum Secrets of Life

 

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

JATAN: Virtual Museum Software

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Jatan Software

Mains level : NA

jatan

Central Idea

  • The Union government plans to complete the 3D digitisation of all museums under its administrative control by the end of 2023.
  • The digitisation initiative using JATAN software aims to enhance the conservation and preservation of artefacts.

What is JATAN Software?

  • JATAN is a virtual museum builder software used in Indian museums.
  • It enables the creation of a digital collection management system and is deployed in several national museums across India.
  • The objective of JATAN is to digitally preserve and document museum objects for the benefit of researchers, curators, and other interested individuals.
  • The software was designed and developed by the Human Centres Design and Computing Group at the Centre for Development of Smart Computing (C-DAC) in Pune.
  • JATAN facilitates the creation of digital imprints of preserved objects and monuments.
  • These digital imprints are integrated into the national digital repository and portal, making them accessible to the public.

Benefits of 3D Digitisation

  • 3D digitisation offers improved conservation and preservation of artefacts, ensuring their long-term protection.
  • It enhances accessibility and exploration for museum visitors, providing new ways to engage with the collection.
  • The 3D models generated through digitisation can be used in augmented reality, virtual reality, and interactive learning experiences, creating immersive educational opportunities.
  • Furthermore, the digitisation process enables the potential for 3D printing, allowing for replication and detailed study of artefacts.

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Researchers observed rare Higgs Boson Decay

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Higgs Boson Decay

Mains level : Read the attached story

higgs boson

Central Idea

  • Physicists at CERN’s Large Hadron Collider (LHC) reported detecting a rare decay of the Higgs boson into a Z boson and a photon.
  • The decay process provides valuable insights into the Higgs boson and the nature of our universe.

Large Hadron Collider (LHC)

What is it? – The LHC is the world’s largest science experiment constructed by CERN.

– It collides beams of hadrons, such as protons, for high-energy physics research.

– Upgrades have enhanced the LHC’s sensitivity and accuracy for its third season of operations.

Functioning – Protons are accelerated through a 27 km circular pipe using powerful magnets.

– Magnetic fields guide the protons, reaching speeds close to the speed of light.

Particle Collisions – Collisions of high-energy protons lead to the creation of various subatomic particles.

– The LHC has achieved collision energies of up to 13.6 TeV.

Scientific Discoveries at the LHC – LHC’s detectors, including ATLAS and CMS, discovered the Higgs boson in 2012.

– Scientists have tested predictions of the Standard Model, observed exotic particles, and gained insights into extreme conditions.

Future of the LHC – Upgrades are planned to increase the LHC’s luminosity by ten times by 2027, aiming to discover new physics.

– There is a debate about investing in a larger LHC or smaller experiments to explore new realms of physics.

 

Understanding the Higgs Boson

  • The Higgs boson is a type of subatomic particle that carries the force of particle movement through the Higgs field, present throughout the universe.
  • Interaction with Higgs bosons determines a particle’s mass, with stronger interaction leading to greater mass.

Importance of Higgs Boson Decay

  • Studying how different particles interact with Higgs bosons and understanding the properties of Higgs bosons helps reveal information about the universe.
  • The recent detection of Higgs boson decay to a Z boson and a photon provides noteworthy insights.

Role of Virtual Particles

  • Quantum field theory suggests that space at the subatomic level is filled with virtual particles that constantly appear and disappear.
  • Higgs bosons interact fleetingly with virtual particles during their creation, resulting in the production of a Z boson and a photon.

New Result and Probability

  • The Standard Model predicts that the Higgs boson will decay into a Z boson and a photon 0.1% of the time.
  • The LHC needed to produce a significant number of Higgs bosons to observe this decay pathway.

Confirmation and Statistical Precision

  • The ATLAS and CMS detectors, which previously observed the decay independently, combined their data for increased statistical precision.
  • Although the significance is not yet 100%, the combined data enhanced the confirmation of the Higgs boson decay.

Significance for the Standard Model

  • Physicists seek to detect and validate the predicted decay pathways of the Higgs boson according to the Standard Model.
  • Precise testing of the model’s predictions helps identify potential deviations and explore new theories in physics.

Implications for New Theories

  • Higher decay rates through the observed pathway could support new theories beyond the Standard Model.
  • Experimental evidence from the LHC could contribute to advancements in scientific understanding.

Back2Basics: Standard Model

  • The Standard Model is a theoretical framework in physics that describes the fundamental particles and their interactions, except for gravity.
  • It provides a comprehensive understanding of three of the four fundamental forces: electromagnetic, strong nuclear, and weak nuclear forces.
  • Developed in the mid-20th century, the Standard Model has been highly successful in explaining and predicting the behaviour of elementary particles.

Key points about the Standard Model:

  1. Particle Classification: The Standard Model classifies particles into two main categories: fermions and bosons.
  • Fermions: Fermions are particles that make up matter. They are further categorized into quarks and leptons. Quarks are the building blocks of protons and neutrons, while leptons include electrons and neutrinos.
  • Bosons: Bosons are force-carrying particles responsible for transmitting the fundamental forces. Examples include photons (electromagnetic force), gluons (strong nuclear force), and W and Z bosons (weak nuclear force).
  1. Fundamental Forces: The Standard Model explains the interactions between particles through the following fundamental forces:
  • Electromagnetic Force: Mediated by photons, this force governs the interactions between charged particles.
  • Strong Nuclear Force: Mediated by gluons, it binds quarks together to form protons, neutrons, and other particles.
  • Weak Nuclear Force: Mediated by W and Z bosons, it is responsible for certain types of radioactive decay.
  1. Higgs Field and Higgs Boson: The Standard Model introduces the concept of the Higgs field, an energy field that permeates the universe. Particles acquire mass through their interaction with this field. The existence of the Higgs boson, a particle associated with the Higgs field, was confirmed in experiments at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in 2012.

Limitations and Open Questions:

While the Standard Model has been highly successful in describing particle interactions, it has some limitations:

  • Gravity: The theory does not include a description of gravity, which is described by general relativity. Combining gravity with the other forces remains a challenge.
  • Dark Matter and Dark Energy: The Standard Model does not account for dark matter and dark energy, which are believed to constitute a significant portion of the universe.
  • Unification: The theory does not provide a unified description of all forces, including electromagnetism, weak nuclear force, and strong nuclear force.

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VERY IMPORTANT: Harnessing the Potential of Graphene: India’s Path to Leadership

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Graphene, semiconductors and its applications

Mains level : Potential of graphene to transform industries

Graphene

Central Idea

  • In the realm of technological advancements, certain breakthroughs possess the power to revolutionize entire industries. Artificial Intelligence (AI) for software, quantum computing for computers, and graphene for materials are such game-changers. While India has made commendable progress in AI and shows promise in quantum computing, it is crucial for the country to catch up in the domain of graphene.

What is Graphene?

  • Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice pattern. It is a two-dimensional material that is incredibly thin, strong, and lightweight. In fact, it is the thinnest material known to date, with a thickness of just one atom.
  • Despite its thinness, graphene is remarkably strong, around 200 times stronger than steel, yet incredibly flexible.

Graphene

Why Graphene is known as The Wonder Material?

  • Exceptional Strength: Despite being only one atom thick, graphene is incredibly strong. It is approximately 200 times stronger than steel, yet it is incredibly flexible. This combination of strength and flexibility makes it highly desirable for applications where strength and durability are crucial.
  • Superb Electrical Conductivity: Graphene is an excellent conductor of electricity, even surpassing traditional conductors like copper. It allows the flow of electrons with minimal resistance, making it ideal for developing high-performance electronics and electrical devices.
  • High Thermal Conductivity: Along with its electrical conductivity, graphene also exhibits excellent thermal conductivity. It can efficiently transfer heat, making it valuable for applications requiring efficient heat management, such as in electronics, thermal management systems, and energy storage devices.
  • Transparency: Graphene is nearly transparent and can absorb only 2% of light passing through it. This property makes it an intriguing material for optoelectronic devices, transparent conductive films, and touchscreens, as it enables the transmission of light while maintaining conductivity.
  • Impermeability to Gases: Graphene is impermeable to gases, even those as small as hydrogen and helium. This property opens up possibilities for applications in gas separation, filtration, and storage, as well as creating barriers against moisture or gas permeation in various industries.
  • Versatility and Composite Formation: Graphene can be combined with other materials to create composite materials with enhanced properties. Even in small quantities, graphene can significantly improve the strength, conductivity, and other characteristics of composite materials. This versatility expands its potential applications in fields such as aerospace, automotive, construction, and sports equipment.
  • Wide Range of Applications: Graphene has the potential to revolutionize numerous industries and sectors. It can be used in energy storage devices like batteries and supercapacitors, for developing sensors, inks, membranes for water purification, and in healthcare for drug delivery systems and biosensors. Its applications also extend to areas such as defense and aerospace, where its exceptional strength, conductivity, and sensitivity to environmental changes offer unique advantages.

Global Graphene Landscape

  • China: China declared graphene a priority in its 13th Plan. China has emerged as a global leader in the production and commercialization of graphene. China’s emphasis on graphene is evident from its graphene-related patent filings, which have surpassed those of other leading nations in recent years.
  • United States: The United States has a strong presence in the graphene landscape, with active research and development initiatives. Several universities, research institutions, and companies in the U.S. are at the forefront of graphene research, exploring its potential applications and commercialization prospects. The country has a considerable number of graphene-related patents and is home to leading graphene companies and startups.
  • United Kingdom: The UK has been a pioneer in graphene research since its discovery. The University of Manchester, where graphene was first isolated, remains a hub for graphene research and innovation. The UK government has invested in the National Graphene Institute and the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre to support research and development in graphene applications.
  • South Korea: South Korea has active research programs, industry collaborations, and graphene-related patent filings. South Korean companies are involved in graphene production, commercialization, and application development across various sectors.
  • Japan: Japan has a significant presence in graphene research and commercialization. Japanese universities and research institutions have made notable contributions to the field. The country has a strong focus on developing graphene-based technologies in areas such as electronics, energy storage, and composite materials. Japanese companies are actively involved in graphene production and application development.
  • Russia: Russia has a growing presence in the graphene landscape, with notable research activities and patents in the field. Russian universities and research institutes are engaged in graphene research, and the country has witnessed the establishment of graphene-focused companies.
  • Singapore: Singapore has invested in graphene research and development, aiming to position itself as a regional hub for graphene-related technologies. The country has established research institutes and centers focused on graphene and has attracted collaborations with international partners.

India’s progress in the graphene sector

  • Research and Academic Contributions: The Centre for Nano Science and Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore, in collaboration with KAS Tech, has been actively involved in graphene research and development.
  • Start-ups and Industry Initiatives: Several start-ups and foreign subsidiaries have emerged in India, focusing on graphene or graphene derivatives. Notably, Tata Steel has achieved success in growing graphene using annealing and extracting atomic carbon from steel surfaces. They have also explored the use of graphene in recycling plastic products. Other start-ups, such as Log 9 and RF Nanocomposites, have patented graphene-based technologies for ultracapacitors, EMI shielding, and stealth applications, respectively.
  • Graphene Innovation Centre in Kerala: In a laudable step, the India Innovation Centre for Graphene was established in Kerala. This center, implemented by the Digital University Kerala in partnership with Tata Steel and C-MET, Thrissur, aims to foster large-scale innovation activity around graphene. It serves as a collaborative platform for research, development, and commercialization of graphene-based technologies.
  • Patents and Intellectual Property: While India’s graphene-related patent filings are relatively modest compared to other leading countries, there have been efforts to secure intellectual property. Indian researchers and institutions have filed patents for graphene-based technologies and applications, demonstrating innovation and progress in the field.

Graphene

Facts for prelims: Semiconductors

  • Semiconductors are materials that have properties that are in between those of conductors (such as copper) and insulators (such as rubber).
  • They have the ability to conduct electricity under certain conditions, but not under others.
  • The conductivity of semiconductors can be manipulated through the introduction of impurities or doping with other materials.
  • This process alters the electronic properties of the material and creates regions of excess or deficit of electrons, called p-type and n-type regions respectively.
  • The interface between these regions is known as a p-n junction, which is a fundamental building block of many semiconductor devices.

Way Ahead: India’s graphene sector

  • National Graphene Mission: Establish a dedicated National Graphene Mission, similar to initiatives undertaken by other countries. This mission should focus on fostering research, development, and commercialization of graphene-based technologies, with clear objectives, timelines, and allocated resources.
  • Increased Research and Development: Encourage and fund research and development activities in graphene across academic institutions, research organizations, and industry. Foster collaborations between academia, industry, and government to drive innovation and accelerate the discovery of new applications for graphene.
  • Infrastructure and Facilities: Invest in infrastructure and facilities for large-scale production, characterization, and testing of graphene. Develop advanced laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art instruments to support graphene research and development.
  • Skill Development and Training: Promote skill development programs and training initiatives to build a skilled workforce with expertise in graphene technology. Develop specialized courses and training modules at educational institutions to produce a talent pool proficient in graphene research, fabrication, characterization, and application development.
  • Industry-Academia Collaboration: Foster stronger collaboration between industry and academia to bridge the gap between research and commercialization. Encourage joint research projects, technology transfer, and the establishment of industry-academia consortia focused on graphene.
  • Funding and Financial Support: Increase funding for graphene research and development through government grants, industry investments, and venture capital. Provide financial support and incentives for start-ups and companies working on graphene technologies to encourage entrepreneurship and product development.
  • Intellectual Property Protection: Strengthen intellectual property protection mechanisms and encourage researchers and companies to file patents for graphene-based technologies and applications. Support the development of patent pools and licensing frameworks to facilitate technology transfer and commercialization.

Conclusion

  • The potential of graphene to transform industries cannot be understated. As the world advances towards the graphene age, India must secure its position as a leader rather than a bystander. The time to prioritize graphene is now, as the production of high-grade graphene may become concentrated in select global locations, similar to semiconductors. India has witnessed the consequences of missing out on the semiconductor wave, and it cannot afford to repeat history.

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Also read:

India’s Push for Semiconductors

 

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What is Foucault Pendulum?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Foucault Pendulum

Mains level : NA

pendulum

Central Idea

  • The Foucault pendulum is a device that proves the Earth’s rotation and has been installed in the new Parliament building in New Delhi.
  • It was designed and installed by the National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), Kolkata.

Foucault Pendulum: A Unique Invention

  • Historical Context: In 1851, the Foucault pendulum experiment conclusively demonstrated the Earth’s rotation, settling debates about the planet’s movement.
  • Leon Foucault: The French scientist invented the Foucault pendulum and invited scientists and the public to witness the Earth’s rotation through the experiment.
  • Working: The pendulum consists of a heavy iron ball suspended by a steel wire and swings in a plane, mimicking the Earth’s rotation on its axis.
  • Exhibition at the Pantheon: The demonstration took place at the Pantheon in Paris, where the ball’s motion represented the Earth’s rotation.

Significance

  • Earth’s Rotation as a Scientific Fact: The Foucault pendulum experiment solidified the understanding that the Earth rotates on its axis.
  • Supporting Astronomical Studies: The knowledge of the Earth’s rotation is crucial for studying various astronomical phenomena, such as day and night cycles and seasonal changes.
  • Continual Scientific Inquiry: The Foucault pendulum experiment encouraged further research into the Earth’s rotation and its implications for our understanding of the universe.

Modern Applications and Further Exploration

  • Educational Installations: The inclusion of a Foucault pendulum in the new Parliament building in New Delhi provides an opportunity for public education and scientific engagement.
  • Technological Advancements: Advances in technology, such as precision instruments and digital monitoring, can enhance the accuracy and impact of Foucault pendulum installations.
  • Continued Research: Ongoing scientific studies and experiments can deepen our understanding of the Earth’s rotation and its relationship to other celestial bodies.
  • Space Exploration: Exploring the Earth’s rotation from space can offer unique perspectives and insights into its dynamics.

 

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Radiometric Dating using Calcium-41       

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Radiometric Dating , Calcium 41

Mains level : Not Much

Central Idea: A recent study has shown that Calcium-41 can be used in a similar way as Carbon-14 in carbon dating, but with several advantages.

Carbon Dating and its limitations

  • Carbon-14 is an unstable and weakly radioactive isotope of carbon.
  • It has a half-life of 5,700 years and is used to estimate the age of carbon-based materials.
  • Radiocarbon dating provides objective age estimates for materials from living organisms.
  • Carbon-14 cannot determine the age of objects older than approximately 50,000 years.
  • Three techniques are used to measure carbon-14 content: gas proportional counting, liquid scintillation counting, and accelerator mass spectrometry.

Introducing Calcium-41

  • Calcium-41 is a rare long-lived radioisotope of calcium with a half-life of 99,400 years.
  • It is produced through cosmic ray interactions in the soil and is found in the Earth’s crust.
  • Calcium-41 occurs less frequently than carbon-14.

Method used: Atom Trap Trace Analysis (ATTA)

  • ATTA is a technique proposed by researchers at the University of Science and Technology of China.
  • It is based on laser manipulation and detection of neutral atoms.
  • The sample is vaporized, and the atoms are laser-cooled and loaded into a light and magnetic field cage.
  • By tuning the laser’s frequency, Calcium-41 atoms can be detected through electron transitions.

Significance and Applications

  • ATTA can detect one Calcium-41 atom in every 10^16 calcium atoms in seawater with 12% precision.
  • It is selective and avoids confusion with potassium-41 atoms.
  • ATTA can be adapted to study other isotopes, such as argon-39, krypton-81, and krypton-85.
  • The applications of ATTA and Calcium-41 include dating rocks covered by ice and exploring Earth-science applications.

 

Also read:

What is Carbon Dating? How does it work?

 

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National Quantum Mission: Unlocking India’s Potential in Quantum Technology

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Quantum technology applications , National Quantum Mission,

Mains level : National Quantum Mission, prospect, challenges and way ahead

National Quantum Mission

Central Idea

  • India’s focus on developing a strong technology base is gaining momentum with the upcoming National Quantum Mission. This mission holds the potential to revolutionize various sectors, including defense, energy, environment, healthcare, and civil applications.

All you need to know about National Quantum Mission

  • The National Quantum Mission is an ambitious initiative undertaken by the Government of India to propel the country’s advancements in the field of quantum technology.
  • It adopts a project-driven multi-disciplinary approach, fostering fundamental discoveries, imaginative engineering, and entrepreneurial initiatives.
  • Leveraging India’s evolving scientific infrastructure and aligning with national mandates, the mission aims to accelerate research, capacity building, and collaboration across institutions.

The objectives of the National Quantum Mission

  1. Developing indigenous quantum technologies and infrastructure.
  2. Promoting collaboration between academia, industry, and research institutions.
  3. Building a strong ecosystem for research and development in quantum technology.
  4. Creating a skilled workforce in quantum science and technology.
  5. Accelerating the commercialization and adoption of quantum-based products and services.

Key aspects of the mission

  1. Quantum Computing: Advancing quantum computing capabilities for solving complex problems and enhancing computational efficiency.
  2. Quantum Communication: Developing secure and high-speed quantum communication networks to safeguard sensitive information.
  3. Quantum Sensing: Utilizing quantum principles for ultra-precise measurements in fields such as navigation, imaging, and environmental monitoring.
  4. Quantum Metrology: Enhancing measurement accuracy by exploiting quantum properties, leading to advancements in metrology and standards.
  5. Quantum Materials and Devices: Investigating and harnessing the unique properties of quantum materials to develop advanced devices for diverse applications.

Facts for prelims

Nobel Prize in Physics 2022

  • The Nobel Prize in Physics 2022 was awarded jointly to Alain Aspect, John F. Clauser and Anton Zeilinger for experiments with entangled photons, establishing the violation of Bell inequalities and pioneering quantum information science.
  • The Nobel Prize in Physics 2022 recognizes the groundbreaking work of these three physicists, who have demonstrated the power of entanglement to revolutionize our understanding of the universe.
  • Entanglement is a phenomenon in quantum mechanics that occurs when two particles are linked together in such a way that they share the same fate, even when they are separated by a large distance.
  • This seemingly magical connection has profound implications for our understanding of reality, and it has led to the development of new technologies such as quantum computers and quantum cryptography.

The Significance of Quantum Devices

  • Enabling Quantum Computing: Quantum computers rely on quantum devices, such as qubits, to perform quantum computations. These devices can represent and manipulate quantum information, allowing for parallel processing and exponential speed-up in solving complex problems.
  • Facilitating Quantum Communication: Quantum devices enable the generation, manipulation, and detection of quantum states, which are used for secure transmission of information. Devices like quantum transmitters, receivers, and entangled photon sources are vital components in quantum communication protocols such as quantum key distribution (QKD).
  • Enhancing Quantum Sensing and Metrology: Quantum devices enable precise measurements of physical quantities, such as magnetic fields, gravitational waves, and temperature, with exceptional sensitivity and accuracy. Quantum sensors based on devices like superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) and atomic magnetometers have the potential to revolutionize fields like navigation, medical diagnostics, and environmental monitoring.
  • Supporting Quantum Cryptography: Quantum devices are integral to the field of quantum cryptography, which focuses on secure communication based on quantum principles. Devices like single-photon detectors, quantum random number generators, and quantum key distribution systems are used to implement cryptographic protocols that offer provable security based on the laws of quantum mechanics.
  • Driving Fundamental Research: Quantum devices are essential tools for studying fundamental phenomena in quantum physics. They allow researchers to manipulate and control quantum systems, observe quantum behaviors, and conduct experiments to validate quantum theories.

Challenges for India’s National Quantum Mission

  • Research and Development: Quantum technology is a complex and rapidly evolving field, requiring extensive research and development efforts. Developing cutting-edge quantum technologies and pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge pose challenges in terms of funding, expertise, and access to advanced infrastructure and equipment.
  • Skilled Workforce: Quantum technology demands a highly skilled workforce with expertise in quantum physics, engineering, and related disciplines. Developing and retaining a talented pool of researchers, scientists, and engineers proficient in quantum technologies is a challenge, as it requires specialized training programs, educational initiatives, and collaboration between academia and industry.
  • Infrastructure and Resources: Quantum technology requires advanced infrastructure, including specialized laboratories, fabrication facilities, and high-performance computing resources. Establishing and maintaining such infrastructure is a challenge, as it requires substantial investments and ongoing upgrades to keep pace with advancements in the field.
  • International Competition: The development of quantum technology is a global race, with several countries investing heavily in research and development. India faces competition from other nations that have made significant progress in quantum technology, such as the United States, China, and European countries. Maintaining a competitive edge and staying at the forefront of quantum advancements is a challenge.
  • Standardization and Interoperability: Quantum technology is still in its nascent stage, and there is a lack of standardized protocols and frameworks. Achieving interoperability among different quantum systems and ensuring compatibility across platforms is a challenge.
  • Funding and Resource Allocation: Adequate funding is critical for the success of the National Quantum Mission. Securing sustained funding and effective resource allocation, both from government sources and private investments, is a challenge.
  • Ethical and Societal Implications: Quantum technology raises ethical, legal, and societal considerations. The development and application of quantum technologies, such as quantum computing and cryptography, may have significant societal implications, including data privacy, cybersecurity, and societal disruption. Addressing these concerns and establishing ethical frameworks and guidelines is a challenge.
  • Collaboration and Partnerships: Quantum technology development requires collaboration among academia, research institutions, industry, and government bodies. Building effective partnerships, fostering knowledge sharing, and promoting collaboration across different sectors and organizations is a challenge.

Way forward

  • Robust Funding: Ensure sustained and adequate funding for the mission to support research, development, infrastructure building, and talent acquisition. Establish funding mechanisms that prioritize quantum technology initiatives and encourage public-private partnerships to leverage industry expertise and resources.
  • Research Collaboration: Foster collaboration between academia, research institutions, and industry both domestically and internationally. Encourage knowledge sharing, joint research projects, and technology transfer to accelerate the development of quantum technologies.
  • Skill Development: Focus on capacity building and skill development programs to nurture a skilled workforce in quantum science, engineering, and technology. Establish training initiatives, educational programs, and centers of excellence to develop talent and expertise in the field.
  • Infrastructure Development: Invest in state-of-the-art infrastructure, including specialized laboratories, testing facilities, and computational resources. Ensure the availability of advanced equipment and resources across different regions of the country to support research and development activities.
  • Regulatory Frameworks: Establish robust regulatory frameworks and policies to address legal, ethical, and security concerns related to quantum technology. Collaborate with international organizations and experts to develop best practices and standards for responsible development and deployment of quantum technology.
  • Industry Engagement: Encourage industry participation and engagement in quantum technology initiatives. Foster innovation ecosystems, provide support mechanisms for startups and entrepreneurs, and promote collaboration between academia and industry for technology commercialization.
  • International Collaboration: Strengthen international collaborations and partnerships in quantum technology. Establish networks with leading global institutions and organizations to exchange knowledge, share resources, and collaborate on research projects.
  • Public Awareness and Outreach: Increase public awareness about the potential of quantum technology and its impact on various sectors. Conduct outreach programs, public lectures, and awareness campaigns to engage and educate the public about the benefits and applications of quantum technology.

Concept box from civilsdaily

Understand in simple words

Quantum:

  • Quantum refers to the smallest possible unit of something. It is the fundamental building block or unit of energy, matter, or information in the field of physics.
  • Quantum is often associated with the principles of quantum mechanics, which is a branch of physics that describes how particles and energy behave at the atomic and subatomic levels.

Quantum technology:

  • Quantum technology is the application of the principles of quantum mechanics to develop new technologies that harness the unique properties of quantum particles.
  • It involves manipulating and controlling these particles to perform tasks that are not possible with classical technology.
  • Quantum technology takes advantage of phenomena like superposition and entanglement, which allow particles to exist in multiple states simultaneously or become interconnected regardless of distance. These properties enable quantum systems to store and process information in ways that surpass the capabilities of classical systems.

Conclusion

  • The National Quantum Mission’s focus on quantum materials and devices marks a significant step towards India’s technological advancements. Through strategic investments, collaborative research, and an efficient R&D ecosystem, India can harness the power of quantum technology, propel innovation, and achieve self-reliance across multiple sectors. The mission’s success will position India as a global leader in quantum materials and devices, shaping a brighter future for the country.

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Also read:

Making India’s Quantum Cyberspace resilient

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Quantum Biology: Unveiling the Quantum Secrets of Life

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Quantum Biology

Mains level : Not Much

biology

Central Idea: The article introduces the concept of quantum biology, which explores the influence of quantum effects on living systems.

Nature and Quantum Mechanics

  • Quantum effects refer to phenomena that occur between atoms and molecules that cannot be explained by classical physics.
  • Quantum mechanics, which governs the behavior of objects at atomic scales, differs from classical mechanics, leading to counterintuitive phenomena like particle tunnelling and superposition.

Quantumness in Biology

  • Quantum biology is an emerging field that explores the role of quantum mechanics in biological processes and living systems.
  • It investigates how quantum phenomena and effects, which typically occur at atomic and subatomic scales, influence and contribute to the functioning and behavior of biological systems.
  • It aims to uncover and understand the quantum nature of biological molecules, processes, and interactions.
  • It seeks to study how quantum mechanics may impact various biological phenomena such as photosynthesis, enzyme reactions, and navigation in birds.

Evidence of Quantum Effects in Biology

  • Research on chemical reactions in biomolecules like proteins and genetic material suggests the influence of quantum effects.
  • Nanoscopic quantum effects can drive macroscopic physiological processes, including enzyme activity, sensing magnetic fields, cell metabolism, and electron transport.

Studying Quantum Biology

  • Studying quantum effects in biology requires tools to measure short time scales, small length scales, and subtle differences in quantum states.
  • Researchers can apply tailored magnetic fields to control the spins of electrons, influencing physiological processes that respond to magnetic fields.

Potential applications

  • Therapeutic devices: Understanding and fine-tuning quantum properties in nature could lead to non-invasive, remotely controlled therapeutic devices accessible through mobile phones.
  • Bio-manufacturing: Electromagnetic treatments based on quantum principles could be used for disease prevention and treatment, such as brain tumors, as well as in bio-manufacturing.

Scope quantum biology’ study

  • Multi-disciplinary: Quantum biology is an interdisciplinary field that brings together researchers from various disciplines, including quantum physics, biophysics, medicine, chemistry, and biology.
  • Many applications: Collaboration and cross-disciplinary research are crucial for advancing quantum biology and unlocking its transformative potential in biology, medicine, and technology.

 

Facts for Prelims

Superposition: A quantum phenomenon where particles can exist in multiple states simultaneously until measured or observed, in contrast to classical physics where objects have definite properties.

Spins: Quantum properties of electrons that define their interaction with magnetic fields, analogous to the way charge defines their interaction with electric fields.

Deterministic Codebook: A comprehensive understanding of the relationship between quantum causes and physiological outcomes, providing a guide for mapping quantum phenomena to specific biological effects.

 

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

DoT develops Facial Recognition Tool ‘ASTR’

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : ASTR, AI

Mains level : Not Much

astr

Central Idea: The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) has developed an artificial-intelligence-based facial recognition tool called Artificial Intelligence and Facial Recognition powered Solution for Telecom SIM Subscriber Verification (ASTR).

What is ASTR?

  • ASTR is designed to check subscriber databases of telecom operators to identify multiple connections associated with the same person.
  • The goal of ASTR is to detect and block fraudulent mobile connections, thereby reducing cyber frauds.

Development of ASTR

  • In 2012, DoT issued an order requiring telecom operators to share their subscriber database, including users’ pictures, with the department.
  • These images serve as the core database for facial recognition using ASTR.
  • The ASTR project was conceptualized and designed by the DoT’s unit in Haryana between April 2021 and July 2021.
  • A pilot project was conducted in Haryana’s Mewat region to test the feasibility of ASTR, where a significant number of fraudulent SIMs were detected.

How ASTR works?

  • ASTR uses convolutional neural network (CNN) models to encode human faces in subscribers’ images, accounting for various factors like face tilt, angle, image opaqueness, and dark color.
  • A face comparison is performed for each face against all faces in the database, grouping similar faces under one directory.
  • ASTR considers two faces to be identical if they match to a minimum extent of 97.5%.
  • It can detect all SIMs associated with a suspected face within 10 seconds from a database of 1 crore (10 million) images.
  • After matching faces, ASTR’s algorithm utilizes “fuzzy logic” to find approximate matches for subscriber names, considering variations, typographical errors, and related results.

Impact and Results

  • In the first phase, ASTR analyzed over 87 crore (870 million) mobile connections and detected more than 40 lakh (4 million) cases of people using a single photograph to obtain multiple connections.
  • After verification, over 36 lakh (3.6 million) connections were discontinued by telecom operators.
  • The list of fraudulent connections is also shared with banks, payment wallets, and social media platforms to disengage these numbers from their respective platforms.
  • WhatsApp collaborated with the government to disable accounts created using such numbers, and similar efforts are being made with other social media platforms.

Facts for Prelims

Convolutional Neural Network (CNN): A type of deep learning algorithm commonly used for image recognition tasks, where it extracts features and patterns from images by applying convolution operations.

Fuzzy Logic: A form of logic that deals with approximate or qualitative reasoning rather than strict binary true/false values. In the context of ASTR, it is used to find similarity or approximate matches for subscriber names, accounting for variations and typographical errors.

 

 

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Indian scientists identify and probe EMIC waves

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : EMIC Waves

Mains level : Indian Antarctic Program

emic

Central idea

  • Scientists working at the Indian Antarctic Station, Maitri, have identified and probed Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves to study their characteristics.
  • The study aims to understand the impact of energetic particles in the radiation belts on low orbiting satellites.

About Indian Antarctic Station, Maitri

Description
Name Maitri Antarctic Station (Friendship Research Centre)
Establishment 1984
Location Schirmacher Oasis, East Antarctica
Distance from other stations 5 km away from Novolazarevskaya Station
Purpose Conducting scientific research as part of the Indian Antarctic Programme
Features Second permanent research station of India in Antarctica
Named by Then-PM Indira Gandhi
First camp commander Squadron Leader D.P. Joshi
First huts Completed in 1989 by the IV Antarctica Expedition

 

What are EMIC Waves?

  • Electromagnetic Ion Cyclotron (EMIC) waves are a type of plasma wave that occurs in the Earth’s magnetosphere.
  • They are caused by the interaction of energetic particles in the radiation belts with the Earth’s magnetic field.
  • These waves have frequencies in the range of a few hundred hertz to a few kilohertz and are known to play an important role in the acceleration and loss of energetic particles in the Earth’s magnetosphere.
  • The study of EMIC waves is important for understanding the effects of space weather on satellite communication and navigation systems.

Identification and study of EMIC waves

  • A team of scientists from the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG) analysed data collected between 2011 and 2017 by the Induction Coil Magnetometer.
  • The device was installed at the Indian Antarctic station Maitri to bring out several aspects of the ground observation of the EMIC waves.

Significance of the study

  • This study is important to improve our understanding of EMIC wave modulation and how they interact with energetic particles that impact satellites and their communication.
  • It could help understand the impact of energetic particles in the radiation belts on low orbiting satellites and lead to improved satellite communication systems.

Back2Basics:  Indian Antarctic Programme

  • It is a scientific program run by the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
  • It was launched in 1981 and since then India has been operating research stations in Antarctica.
  • It gained global acceptance with India’s signing of the Antarctic Treaty and subsequent construction of the Dakshin Gangotri Antarctic research base in 1983, superseded by the Maitri base from 1989.
  • The program conducts research in areas such as geology, oceanography, atmospheric sciences, and earth sciences.
  • India currently operates two permanent research stations in Antarctica – Maitri and Bharati.
  • The program also has plans to set up a third research station called ‘Siddhanta’ in the coming years.
  • Apart from conducting research, the program also engages in logistics support, environmental monitoring, and outreach activities.

 

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Plant ‘cries’: Recalling Jagadish Chandra Bose

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : JC Bose and his contributions

Mains level : NA

bose

Central idea

  • A recent discovery by researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel, that plants make distinct sounds in the ultrasonic range when faced with stress, made headlines around the world.
  • However, Indians who had grown up hearing about Jagadish Chandra Bose’s work, more than a century ago, on plant physiology and their ability to feel pleasure and pain, were not surprised.

 

Details
Who was JC Bose? – Born in 1858 in Mymensingh, Bengal.

– A polymath who made significant contributions to physics, biophysics, and plant physiology

– Graduated from Calcutta University with honors in physics and studied in London and Cambridge.

Notable works – Developed sensitive instruments for wireless telegraphy and demonstrated the first-ever wireless transmission of microwaves in 1895.

– Showed that plants produce electrical signals in response to stimuli and made significant contributions to biophysics.

Recognition & Controversy – Despite his contributions, he was not awarded a Nobel Prize, which many believe he deserved.

– Refused to obtain patents for his work and rejected the idea of making money from science.

– Claimed that even inanimate inorganic matter could respond to stimulus and regarded plants as intermediates in a continuum between animals and non-living materials, which was not easily accepted by his contemporaries.

Legacy and Significance – Founded the Bose Institute, a premier research institute in India.

– The crater Bose on the Moon is named after him.

– Regarded as one of India’s greatest scientists, and his legacy continues to inspire future generations of scientists.

Significance – Bose’s work on plant physiology and biophysics was ahead of his time and not fully understood by his contemporaries.

– However, over the years, much of his work has been confirmed.

 

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What is Magnetoresistance?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Magnetoresistance

Mains level : NA

magnet

 

Researchers in the UK, led by Nobel laureate Andre Geim, have discovered magnetoresistance in graphene – a single-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms bonded in a honeycomb pattern – that further distinguishes this ‘wonder’ material.

Graphene’s anomalous Giant Magnetoresistance (GMR)

  • Graphene displayed an anomalous giant magnetoresistance (GMR) at room temperature.
  • GMR is the result of the electrical resistance of a conductor being affected by magnetic fields in adjacent materials.
  • It is used in hard disk drives and magnetoresistive RAM in computers, biosensors, automotive sensors, micro-electromechanical systems, and medical imagers.

What is GMR?

  • GMR is a phenomenon where the electrical resistance of a conductor is affected by magnetic fields in adjacent materials.
  • Say a conductor is sandwiched between two ferromagnetic materials (commonly, metals attracted to magnets, like iron).
  • When the materials are magnetised in the same direction, the electrical resistance in the conductor is low.
  • When the directions are opposite each other, the resistance increases.

Significance of the finding

  • The magnetoresistance observed in the graphene-based device was almost 100 times higher than that observed in other known semimetals in this magnetic field range.
  • In the study, the magnetoresistance in monolayer graphene at 27º C held between two layers of boron nitride increased by 110% under a field of 0.1 tesla.
  • To compare, the magnetoresistance in these conditions increases by less than 1% in normal metals.
  • The team attributed this to the presence of a ‘neutral’ plasma and the electrons’ mobility.

Try this MCQ

Which of the following best describes magnetoresistance?

(a) The magnetic resistance of a conductor to electrical current flow

(b) The phenomenon where the electrical resistance of a conductor is affected by magnetic fields in adjacent materials

(c) The ability of a conductor to produce a magnetic field when an electrical current is passed through it

(d) The resistance of a magnet to demagnetization by an external magnetic field

 

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Online Dispute Resolution (ODR): Bus to Become An Arbitration Hub

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : ODR applications

Mains level : Online Dispute Resolution mechanism in India, advantages , challenges and measures

Online

Central Idea

  • India can still become a leader in dispute resolution despite missing the opportunity to establish itself as an arbitration hub. The use of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) can enable India to enhance its ease of doing business and become a more preferred destination for dispute resolution.

India’s shortcomings in arbitration

  • India’s low rank in the ‘Enforcing Contracts’ category in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business report, which indicates the difficulties in enforcing contracts in India.
  • Although India has taken steps to improve its arbitration laws and regulations, it is not yet a preferred destination for arbitration.

India’s strengths in technology

  • India’s has demonstrated its strengths in technology, especially in the field of ODR.
  • India has a unique advantage in this area due to the widespread adoption of online technology during the COVID-19 pandemic, which saw the judiciary lead the way in online hearings.

What is Online Dispute Resolution (ODR)?

  • ODR is a method of resolving disputes through the use of digital technology and the internet, without the need for physical presence in a traditional courtroom setting.
  • It involves the use of various tools and platforms such as video conferencing, case management systems, digital signatures, and even advanced technologies such as blockchain, artificial intelligence, and machine learning to resolve disputes.
  • ODR offers many advantages over traditional methods of dispute resolution, such as reduced burden on courts, time and cost savings, and increased accessibility to dispute resolution services for parties located in different geographical locations.
  • ODR is becoming increasingly popular around the world, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic which has made physical hearings and meetings difficult or impossible in many cases.

Advantages of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) in India

  • Convenience: ODR provides a convenient way for parties to resolve disputes without the need to physically travel to a court or other dispute resolution center. This can save time and money, especially in cases where parties are located in different parts of the country.
  • Efficiency: ODR can help to streamline the dispute resolution process by providing tools such as case management systems, automated case flows, and digital signatures and stamping. This can help to reduce the time and costs associated with traditional dispute resolution methods.
  • Accessibility: ODR can make dispute resolution more accessible to individuals and businesses, especially those who may not have the resources to pursue traditional legal remedies.
  • Expertise: ODR platforms can provide access to experts in specific fields, such as intellectual property, international trade, or e-commerce, which can be especially useful in resolving disputes that involve complex legal issues.
  • Confidentiality: ODR can provide a confidential environment for parties to resolve disputes, which can be especially important in cases where sensitive business information is involved.
  • Flexibility: ODR can be tailored to the specific needs of the parties and the dispute, providing a more flexible and adaptable approach to dispute resolution than traditional legal methods.

Opportunities for ODR in India

  • ORD already in use: Private platforms in India are already resolving lakhs of disputes through ODR and that many corporates have migrated to ODR to resolve small-value disputes.
  • Look beyond the conventional tools: The ODR can be used for more than just audio/video conferencing and can encompass tools such as multi-channel communication, case management systems, automated case flows, digital signatures and stamping, and even advanced technologies such as blockchain, natural language processing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.

Measures to promote ODR

Three key measures that can be taken to promote ODR in India are as follows:

  1. Incentivizing the use of ODR: Incentivizing the use of ODR through legislative measures such as setting ODR as a default dispute resolution tool for online transactions, fast-tracking enforcement of ODR outcomes, and exempting or reducing stamp duty and court fees.
  2. Solving infrastructure challenges: Solving infrastructural challenges and optimizing existing setups such as Aadhaar kendras to also function as ODR kiosks. Each court can have an ODR cell along with supplemental technical and administrative support.
  3. Proactive use of ODR by government: Government departments should explore ODR as a grievance redress mechanism. Proactive use of ODR by government entities will not only increase trust in the process but also ensure that citizens have access to a convenient and cost-effective means of resolving disputes with the government.

Conclusion

  • The ODR has the potential to ensure justice for all, at everyone’s fingertips. While India may have missed the bus to become an arbitration hub, it can still catch up and overtake other countries in ODR.

Mains Question

Q. What is Online Dispute Resolution (ODR)? Discuss the advantages of ODR in India and suggest measures that can be taken to promote its use.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

What is Large Hadron Collider (LHC)?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Large Hadron Collider (LHC)

Mains level : Not Much

hadron

Central idea: The article provides an overview of the LHC, its construction, how it works, and what it has discovered. It also discusses the future of the LHC, including plans to upgrade it and build a bigger version.

Large Hadron Collider (LHC)

  • The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) is the world’s largest science experiment built by the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN).
  • It is a collider that smashes two beams of particles in opposite directions and these particles are hadrons.
  • The LHC is on the energy frontier of physics research, conducting experiments with highly energized particles.
  • Currently, the LHC is being warmed up for its third season of operations following upgrades that have made it more sensitive and accurate.

How does the LHC work?

  • Hadrons are subatomic particles made up of smaller particles, and the LHC typically uses protons.
  • Protons are energized by accelerating them through a narrow circular pipe that is 27 km long.
  • The pipe encircles two D-shaped magnetic fields created by almost 9,600 magnets.
  • Protons are accelerated through the beam pipe by rapidly switching the direction of the magnetic field.
  • Eventually, protons move at 99.999999% of the speed of light, according to the special theory of relativity.

What happens when particles are smashed?

  • When two antiparallel beams of energized protons collide head-on, the energy at the point of collision is equal to the sum of the energy carried by the two beams.
  • The highest centre-of-mass collision energy the LHC has achieved so far is 13.6 TeV.
  • At the moment of collision, there is chaos, and energy coalesces into different subatomic particles under the guidance of the fundamental forces of nature.
  • Different particles take shape depending on the amount and flavour of energy available.

What has the LHC found so far?

  • The LHC consists of nine detectors, and they study particle interactions in different ways.
  • The ATLAS and CMS detectors discovered the Higgs boson in 2012 and confirmed their findings in 2013.
  • Using the data from collisions, scientists have tested the predictions of the Standard Model of particle physics, observed exotic particles, and pieced together information about extreme natural conditions.

What is the LHC’s future?

  • The LHC has not been able to find ‘new physics’ that can explain the nature of dark matter or why gravity is such a weak force.
  • One way forward is to improve the LHC’s luminosity by 10x by 2027 through upgrades.
  • Another idea is to build a bigger and more powerful version of the LHC, based on the hypothesis that it can find ‘new physics’ at even higher energies.
  • Physicists are divided on whether to invest in building a bigger machine or less expensive experiments with guaranteed results.

B2BASICS

What is Hadron?

  • Hadron is any member of a class of subatomic particles that are built from quarks and thus react through the agency of the strong force. The hadrons embrace mesons, baryons (e.g., protons, neutrons, and sigma particles), and their many resonances.

CERN

  • European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) is the world’s largest nuclear and particle physics laboratory.
  • CERN is based in Geneva on the French-Swiss border. It has 23 member states.
  • India in 2016 became an associate member of the CERN. Indian scientists have played a significant role in the ALICE experiment, which is a dedicated experiment for search and study of Quark Gluon Plasma (QGP).

Try this MCQ

Which of the following is a subatomic particle made up of smaller particles and is commonly used in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)?

(a) Protons

(b) Electrons

(c) Neutrons

(d) Photons

 

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IIT Mandi’s novel catalyst to make Hydrogen more viable fuel

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Green Hydrogen, Carbon Laser

Mains level : Not Much

hydrogen

Scientists at IIT Mandi have created an innovative carbon-based catalyst that can enhance the efficiency of water electrolysis to generate green hydrogen.

Water electrolysis and its Challenges

  • Water electrolysis is the process of splitting water molecules into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity inside an electrolyser.
  • However, this process consumes a lot of electrical energy.
  • A well-known solution is to use a catalyst to induce the water molecules to split at a much lower energy.
  • The better catalysts are often based on the metals iridium and ruthenium, which are expensive, in great demand in other sectors, and not consistently stable as the reaction progresses.

IIT’s breakthrough: Development of Laser Carbon

  • Researchers have developed a porous carbon material containing nitrogen that functions both as a catalyst and as the anode in electrolyser units.
  • This material, called “laser carbon,” was produced by exposing a sheet of a polymer called polyimide to a laser beam, which carbonised the exposed bits, leaving the remainder rich in nitrogen.

How does laser carbon work?

  • The nitrogen atoms in laser carbon draw electron clouds towards themselves, rendering the nearby carbon atoms to bond with atoms or molecules containing electron pairs.
  • This makes the location of these atoms active sites for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER).
  • OER is a bottleneck in this ideal reaction process because it proceeds slowly, with many intermediate steps, lowering the total reaction efficiency.
  • Laser carbon offers to fix this problem by reducing the OER overpotential, which means the reaction kicks off sooner and proceeds with more vigor.

Advantages of laser carbon

Laser carbon has several advantages over other carbon-based catalysts.

  • It is “highly power efficient,” cheaper to produce, has a simpler synthesis technique, and “can be batch-manufactured with a laser.”
  • The manufacturing process is also environment-friendly, as no waste is generated, and there are no wet chemicals that would require disposal.
  • Additionally, it does not require a substrate as it is self-supported in the form of a film, acting as both electrode and electrocatalyst.

Challenges

  • The catalytic activity of laser carbon may not be as high as that of some metals but is comparable.
  • Further improvements in the fabrication process and use of other polymers may address this challenge.

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Scientists spot Piezoelectric Effect in Liquids

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Piezoelectric Effect

Mains level : Not Much

peizo

Central idea: Scientists have recently discovered evidence of the piezoelectric effect in liquids for the first time. This effect has only been observed in solids for the past 143 years. This new finding challenges the theory that describes this effect and opens doors to previously unanticipated applications in electronic and mechanical systems.

What is Piezoelectric Effect?

  • The piezoelectric effect occurs when a body develops an electric current when it is squeezed.
  • It has been observed in quartz crystals (SiO2), which are used in wristwatches, clocks, and various instruments that convert mechanical stress to a current.

Recent observation

  • The piezoelectric effect was found in pure 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium bis(trifluoromethyl-sulfonyl)imide and 1-hexyl-3-methyl imidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide.
  • Both of these liquids are ionic liquids, which means that they are made of ions instead of molecules, and were found at room temperature.

Why is the effect in liquids surprising?

  • Liquids do not have an organized structure like solids, which is why the piezoelectric effect has only been expected in solids until now.
  • However, the scientists found the effect in pure ionic liquids at room temperature, challenging the current understanding of the effect.
  • The magnitude of the piezoelectric effect in the first liquid was 16 millivolt per newton (mV/N) and in the second, 17 mV/N, in both cases within a margin of 1 mV/N.

What is the strength of the effect?

  • In the experiment, the scientists found that the strength of the piezoelectric effect in the two ionic liquids they tested was lower than that of quartz by a factor of 10.
  • However, this is still a significant discovery since it opens the door to new applications.

Possible applications

  • The discovery of the piezoelectric effect in liquids opens the door to previously inaccessible applications that have fewer environmental issues than many currently used piezoelectric materials.
  • Additionally, these liquids displayed the inverse piezoelectric effect, which could be used to control how the liquids bend light passing through them by passing different currents through them, creating lenses with dynamic focusing abilities.

 

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Are neutrinos their own anti-particles?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Neutrino, Ant-particles

Mains level : Not Much

neutrino

Central idea: The article discusses recent research on the idea that neutrinos might be their own antiparticles, a concept that has been debated in the scientific community for many years.

What are neutrinos?

  • Neutrinos are fundamental particles that are similar to electrons but have no electric charge.
  • They are one of the most abundant particles in the universe, but they are also one of the most difficult to detect because they interact only very weakly with matter.
  • Neutrinos are created in a variety of natural processes, including nuclear reactions in stars, radioactive decay, and cosmic ray interactions.
  • They are also produced in particle accelerators and nuclear reactors.

Its types

  • Neutrinos come in three different types or “flavors”:
  1. Electron neutrinos
  2. Muon neutrinos, and
  3. Tau neutrinos
  • Each flavor of neutrino is associated with a different charged lepton (electron, muon, or tau).

Why study neutrinos?

  • Because they are electrically neutral and interact only weakly with matter, neutrinos can pass through enormous amounts of material without being stopped or deflected.
  • This property makes them useful for studying astrophysical phenomena such as supernovae and the sun’s interior, as well as for exploring the fundamental nature of matter.

Neutrinos as their own antiparticles

  • Particle physics explains that particles and their antiparticles have opposite properties, and they can annihilate each other when they meet.
  • Neutrinos are fundamental particles that are difficult to detect as they have no electric charge and interact only weakly with matter.
  • The idea that neutrinos could be their own antiparticles is supported by the fact that they are electrically neutral, and they could interact with themselves in a process called neutrinoless double beta decay.

Substantiation of this

  • The Majorana Demonstrator experiment is designed to detect neutrinoless double beta decay.
  • The experiment has reported some promising results that suggest that neutrinos could indeed be their own antiparticles.

Significance of this theory

  • If confirmed, the idea that neutrinos are their own antiparticles could have important implications for our understanding of the fundamental nature of matter and the universe as a whole.
  • More research will be needed before any definitive conclusions can be drawn, but the results of the Majorana Demonstrator experiment provide some promising evidence for the idea that neutrinos are their own antiparticles.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Live transcription of Supreme Court proceedings introduced

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : AI, NLP

Mains level : AI solution for Indian Judiciary

live

Central idea: The Supreme Court introduced live transcription of court proceedings for the first time in the country, employing artificial intelligence (AI) and high-tech tools.

Fun fact!

The CJI announced that the live transcription will commence on an experimental basis with the constitution bench hearing on the vertical political split in a mainstream Maharashtrian political party.

 

How does AI-based transcription work?

  • AI-based transcription works by using advanced machine learning algorithms to automatically transcribe audio or video content into written text.
  • The software uses natural language processing (NLP) and speech recognition technology to identify and transcribe spoken words, which are then formatted into a text document.

What is Natural Language Processing (NLP)?

  • Natural Language Processing (NLP) is a subfield of computer science, artificial intelligence, and computational linguistics concerned with the interactions between computers and human (natural) languages.
  • It involves developing algorithms and computational models that can understand, interpret, and generate human language.
  • NLP is used in a variety of applications, including language translation, sentiment analysis, text summarization, speech recognition, and more.
  • It combines techniques from computer science, linguistics, and psychology to enable computers to process and understand natural language.

Benefits of the move

  • Improved access to justice: For the hearing impaired and those with limited understanding of English.
  • Enhanced transparency and accountability: The transcripts can be reviewed and analyzed.
  • Reduced errors and inaccuracies: AI-based technology is more efficient and reliable than human transcriptionists.
  • Time-saving and cost-saving: For the court system and litigants, as live transcription eliminates the need for manual transcription and subsequent editing making justice dispensation faster than ever.
  • Legal awareness in public domain: Availability of real-time transcripts can help journalists and researchers report on court proceedings more accurately and quickly.

Other AI solutions used in Indian Judiciary

  • E-SCR project: The electronic Supreme Court Reports (e-SCR) has more than 34,000 judgments available, accords free access to the official law reports of the Supreme Court’s reported Judgments to the law students, lawyers, and other legal professionals and to the public at large with special tools for the accessibility to those with visual disabilities as well.
  • SUPACE: Supreme Court Portal for Assistance in Courts Efficiency (SUPACE) is a tool that collects relevant facts and laws and makes them available to a judge.
  • SCI-Interact: In 2020, the Supreme Court developed a software called, SCI-Interact, to make all its 17 benches paperless. This software helps judges’ access files, annexures to petitions and make notes on computers.
  • LIMBS: Earlier, the Department of Legal Affairs has introduced a web-based application called LIMBS or Legal Information Management & Briefing System. The idea is to track the entire life cycle of a case efficiently.
  • SUVAAS: In November 2019, the Apex Court launched an indigenously engineered neural translation tool, SUVAAS, to translate judicial orders and rulings from English to vernacular languages faster and efficiently.

Challenges for the AI breakthrough

  • Cost and Resources: The implementation of live transcription would require significant financial and technological resources.
  • Accuracy of Transcription: The accuracy of the live transcription is an important issue as any errors in the transcription could have significant implications, particularly in legal proceedings.
  • Privacy and Security: The live transcription of court proceedings could raise concerns about privacy and security as sensitive information could be disclosed or key judicial interpretations could be tampered.

Way forward

  • The ethical and responsible use of AI and ML for the advancement of efficiency enhancing can be increasingly embedded in legal and judicial processes.
  • The Supreme Court has laid a strong foundation basis which efficiency enhancement can be accelerated across functional processes.
  • This is one of the key reasons why justice delivery in India is poised for transformative change.

 

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

InfoCrop v2.1: Indigenous Crop Simulator

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : InfoCrop v2.1

Mains level : Use of AI in agriculture

infocrop

Central idea: Scientists at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute conducted an experiment using InfoCrop version 2.1 to quantify the impact of hot weather on crop yield in Punjab and Haryana.

What is InfoCrop v2.1?

  • InfoCrop version 2.1 is India’s only dynamic crop simulation model developed and released by the IARI in 2015 to study the long-term impact of climate change and crop management practices on yield.
  • InfoCrop is more suited for India as it has the life cycle data for almost all the local varieties of 11 crops: paddy, wheat, maize, sorghum, pearl millet, pigeon pea, chickpea, soybean, groundnut, potato and cotton.

How does it work?

  • In InfoCrop, the parameters are already calibrated to Indian crop varieties and they are updated at regular intervals by the institute.
  • The parameters deal with aspects of-
  1. Weather (precipitation, temperature, radiation and others)
  2. Crop growth (phenology, grain characteristics, leaf growth, temperature and flooding sensitivity and others)
  3. Soil (texture and organic carbon, water holding characteristics and pH levels) and
  4. Pests and crop management (organic matter, fertiliser and irrigation).

Efficiency of InfoCrop model

  • The model has an 85 per cent accuracy rate.
  • This is on par with widely used dynamic models such as the Decision Support System for Agrotechnology Transfer model, developed by the US, and Agriculture Production Systems sIMulator, developed by Australia.

Utility of this tool

  • Prevent on-field corruption: India currently relies on field trials, which are expensive and resource-intensive as well as highly corrupt practise.
  • Crop insurance prediction: Government and insurance companies can use this for climate impact projections and for pre- or in-season crop yield forecasts to improve accuracy.
  • Assess crop loss: Besides forecasting, simulation models can be used to assess crop loss in the aftermath of an extreme weather event, which can then be used to provide relief packages.

 

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Scientists discover new ‘Quasicrystals’

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Quasicrystals

Mains level : NA

quasicrystals

Scientists have discovered a new type of quasicrystal, one with 12-fold symmetry, in the Sand Hills of north central Nebraska, USA.

What is a Quasicrystal?

  • Quasicrystal is essentially a crystal-like substance.
  • However, unlike a crystal, in which atoms are arranged in a repeating pattern, a quasicrystal consists of atoms that are arranged in a pattern that doesn’t repeat itself regularly.
  • For the longest time, physicists believed every crystalline arrangement of atoms must have a pattern that repeats itself perfectly over and over again.
  • However, this changed in 1982, when material scientist Dan Shechtman discovered crystal structures that are mathematically regular, but that do not repeat themselves.

How are they formed?

  • Electrical discharge triggered quasicrystal formation in the recent finding.
  • It’s also the first time that researchers have found a quasicrystal somewhere other than meteorites or the debris from nuclear blasts.

Applications of quasicrystals

  • There is no major commercial applications yet exploit properties of the quasicrystalline state directly.
  • Quasicrystals form in compounds noted for their high strength and light weight, suggesting potential applications in aerospace and other industries.
  • They can be used in surgical instruments, LED lights and non-stick frying pans.

 

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Muons and their use to analyse large structures

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Muons

Mains level : Not Much

muon

As per a new study, researchers are examining the fortress wall of Xi’an, an ancient city in China, by using tiny outer space particles ‘Muon’ that can penetrate hundreds of metres of stone surfaces.

What are Muons?

  • Muons are subatomic particles raining from space.
  • They are created when the particles in Earth’s atmosphere collide with cosmic rays — clusters of high-energy particles that move through space at just below the speed of light.
  • About 10,000 muons reach every square metre of the Earth’s surface a minute.
  • These particles resemble electrons but are 207 times as massive.
  • Therefore, they are sometimes called “fat electrons”. Because muons are so heavy, they can travel through hundreds of metres of rock or other matter before getting absorbed or decaying into electrons and neutrinos.
  • In comparison, electrons can penetrate through only a few centimetres. Muons are highly unstable and exist for just 2.2 microseconds.

What is muon tomography or muography?

  • Muography is conceptually similar to X-ray but capable of scanning much larger and wider structures, owing to the penetration power of muons.
  • As these high-energy particles are naturally produced and ubiquitous, all one needs to do is place a muon detector underneath, within or near the object of interest.
  • The detector then tracks the number of muons going through the object from different directions, to form a three-dimensional image.

Muons and archaeology

  • The technique was first used in the late 1960s, when Nobel Laureate and US experimental physicist Luis Alvarez joined hands with Egyptologists to search for hidden chambers in the Pyramid of Khafre, Giza.
  • Nothing was found at the time.

Recent feats achieved

  • In 2017, modern archaeologists repeated the experiment with more sophisticated and advanced muon detectors and stumbled upon a major finding.
  • By placing several detectors, the archaeologists were able to discover a previously unknown chamber at least 30 metres long.
  • It was the first major inner structure to be found in the pyramid since the 19th century.

Uses of muography beyond archaeology

  • Apart from archaeology, muography has found use in customs security, internal imaging of volcanoes and others.
  • Around 2015, scientists used the technique to look inside the Fukushima nuclear reactors after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
  • As the site was highly radioactive, they put the two muon detectors in 10 centimetres thick boxes to protect them from radiation and then carried out the scanning.
  • Muography is also being used by researchers to analyse Mount Vesuvius, a volcano in Italy.

 

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Superconductivity in Mercury

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Superconductivity in Mercury

Mains level : Not Much

mercury

This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in TH.

What is a superconductor?

  • A superconductor is defined as a substance that offers no resistance to the electric current when it becomes colder than a critical temperature.
  • Some of the popular examples of superconductors are aluminium, magnesium diboride, niobium, copper oxide, yttrium barium and iron pnictides.

How mercury becomes superconductor?

  • In 1911, Dutch physicist Heike Kamerlingh Onnes discovered superconductivity in mercury.
  • He found that at a very low temperature, called the threshold temperature, solid mercury offers no resistance to the flow of electric current.

How is mercury capable of achieving superconductivity?

Ans. Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory

  • Scientists classified mercury as a conventional superconductor because its superconductivity could be explained by the concepts of Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer (BCS) theory.
  • While scientists have used the BCS theory to explain superconductivity in various materials, they have never fully understood how it operates in mercury — the oldest superconductor.
  • The researchers used state-of-the-art theoretical and computational approaches and found that all physical properties relevant for conventional superconductivity are anomalous in some respect in mercury.

How BCS explains it?

  • In BCS superconductors, vibrational energy released by the grid of atoms encourages electrons to pair up, forming so-called Cooper pairs.
  • These Copper pairs can move like water in a stream, facing no resistance to their flow, below a threshold temperature.
  • By including certain factors that physicists had previously side-lined, the group’s calculations led to a clearer picture of how superconductivity emerges in mercury.
  • For example, when the researchers accounted for the relationship between an electron’s spin and momentum, they could explain why mercury has such a low threshold temperature (around –270°C).

Coulomb repulsion and Mercury

  • Similarly, the group found that one electron in each pair in mercury occupied a higher energy level than the other.
  • This detail reportedly lowered the Coulomb repulsion (like charges repel) between them and nurtured superconductivity.
  • Thus, the group has explained how mercury becomes a superconductor below its threshold temperature.
  • Their methods and findings suggest that we could have missed similar anomalous effects in other materials, leading to previously undiscovered ones that can be exploited for new and better real-world applications.

 

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Green Hydrogen Mission: India in the right bus in the right direction

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Green hydrogen and its applications

Mains level : National Green Hydrogen mission

Mission

Context

  • As countries work on reducing their dependence on fossil fuels due to climate change considerations, a race is currently on to secure the energy sources of the future. Green hydrogen, produced through a clean process, is rightly seen as the most dependable source of energy of the future.

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Mission

Highlights: India’s efforts towards clean energy transition and the challenges

  • Seasonality challenge for solar and Wind energy: Solar and wind energy have almost been tamed, but their intermittency and seasonality continue to be a challenge.
  • High cost of nuclear energy: The Nuclear energy has been in use for several decades now, but its cost remains a constraint.
  • Electric vehicles are still not convenient: Even though electric vehicles are fast gaining in popularity, the convenience of petrol or diesel is still missing.
  • The government approval to the National Green Hydrogen Mission: recently government approved National green hydrogen Mission a keenly-awaited decision. The nearly Rs 20,000 crore mission is aimed at building domestic capabilities in developing technologies to produce hydrogen, an element that is readily available in nature but never alone, because of which it requires segregation.

What is Green Hydrogen?

  • Clean and no harmful gas emission: The Green hydrogen is the one produced with no harmful greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Produced by electrolysis of water: It is made by using clean electricity from surplus renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, to electrolyse water. Electrolysers use an electrochemical reaction to split water into its components of hydrogen and oxygen, emitting zero-carbon dioxide in the process.
  • Energy intensive process: It is an energy-intensive process for splitting water into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable power to achieve this.

Analysis: Green Hydrogen most dependable source of energy of the future

  • Energy of the future: The Green hydrogen, produced through a clean process, is rightly seen as the most dependable source of energy of the future.
  • Fuel for vehicles or to generate electricity: It can be used to generate electricity or as fuel in industries or vehicles.
  • Not yet cost effective: Even though the technology to produce hydrogen in an emission-free manner is not yet mature or cost-effective, it features prominently in several countries’ strategies to achieve net-zero emission status by the middle of this century.
  • Production is expensive: The green hydrogen currently makes up a small percentage of the overall hydrogen, because production is expensive. The current cost of green hydrogen in India is ₹300 to ₹400 per kg.

Mission

Late entry in Solar energy: a lesson to be remembered

  • Green hydrogen is still in a nascent stage: Efforts to harness the energy of hydrogen in a clean and affordable manner have been stepped up significantly in the last few years. In many ways, green hydrogen is where solar energy was 10-12 years ago.
  • Technology was available but not economical: The technology to harness the energy was available, but wasn’t economical. Then, dramatically, in a period of less than five years, a combination of technology improvement and massive demand in countries like China saw the prices of solar photovoltaic cells come down by 80-90 per cent, suddenly making solar energy an extremely attractive proposition.
  • India’s entry in solar revolution was a little late: India joined the solar revolution a little late, after the prices had come down. And while India is now one of the biggest players in solar energy, most of the raw materials and components are imported.
  • The big concern: There are already concerns that inability to develop domestic capabilities in solar manufacturing will only result in India moving from one kind of dependency oil imports to another.

Mission

National hydrogen mission: India’s efforts in right direction

  • Early entry in Hydrogen energy: With the hydrogen mission, India is making a relatively early entry into a still nascent technology domain.
  • Emphasis on developing domestic manufacturing capabilities: It is reassuring to see that the bulk of the financial allocation for the mission is geared towards developing domestic manufacturing of electrolysers, the equipment in which hydrogen is separated from water molecules, and the production of hydrogen.
  • Allocation of funds for R&D, a move in right direction: A substantial part of the money has been earmarked for R&D activities with the aim of developing globally competitive technologies.

Conclusion

  • With the much-needed hydrogen mission, India is making a relatively early entry into a still nascent technology domain. It is important not to miss the bus like the solar revolution this time. For now, the government seems to be moving in the right direction.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

129th birth anniversary of Satyendra Nath Bose

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Boson, Satyendranath Bose

Mains level : Not Much

satyendra nath bose

Born on January 1, 1894, Bose collaborated with Einstein to develop what we now know as the Bose-Einstein statistics. We take a look at the Indian physicist’s illustrious legacy and stellar achievements.

Satyendra Nath Bose

  • Born on January 1, 1894, Bose grew up and studied in Kolkata, where he solidified his position as an exemplary academician.
  • His father, an accountant in the Executive Engineering Department of the East Indian Railways, gave him an arithmetic problem to solve every day before going to work, encouraging Bose’s interest in mathematics.
  • By the age of 15, he began pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree at the Presidency College, and later finished his MSc in Mixed Mathematics in 1915.

Career as researchers

  • These were tough times for Indian researchers as World War I had broken out and, European scientific journals came to India quite infrequently.
  • Not only this, most of the research papers weren’t available in English and both Bose and Saha had to learn scientific terms in German and French languages to read published works.
  • However, the new skill came in handy for them in 1919, when they published English translations of Albert Einstein’s special and general relativity papers.
  • Two years later, Bose was appointed to the position of Reader in Physics at the University of Dhaka. It was here that he made his most significant contributions to physics.

Association with Einstein

  • Bose wrote a letter to Albert Einstein in 1924 about his breakthrough in quantum mechanics.
  • He claimed that he had derived Planck’s law for black body radiation (which refers to the spectrum of light emitted by any hot object) without any reference to classical electrodynamics.
  • Impressed by Bose’s findings, Einstein not only arranged for the publication of the paper but also translated it into German.
  • This recognition catapulted Bose to fame and glory.

Breakthrough in the invention of Boson

  • He went on to work with Einstein and together they developed what is now known as the Bose-Einstein statistics.
  • Today, in honour of his legacy, any particle that obeys the Bose-Einstein statistics is called a boson.
  • On his 129th birth anniversary, we take a look at the Indian physicist’s illustrious legacy and stellar achievements.

 

 

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Neuralink and the unnecessary suffering of animals

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Nuralink

Mains level : Nuralink and its applications and testing issues

Neuralink

Context

  • Elon Musk’s medical company, Neuralink, has been accused of causing needless suffering and death to around 1,500 animals in just short few years. Sources indicate that animal testing is proceeding too swiftly, which results in unnecessary suffering and death for the animals.

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Neuralink

What Is Neuralink?

  • A device to be inserted in brain: Neuralink is a gadget that will be surgically inserted into the brain using robotics. In this procedure, a chipset called the link is implanted in the skull.
  • Insulated wires connected to electrodes: It has a number of insulated wires connected from the electrodes that are used in the process.
  • Can be operated by smartphones: This device can then be used to operate smartphones and computers without having to touch it.

Neuralink

The science behind the human brain

  • Neurons of the Brain: The brain consists of neurons that transmit signals to cells in the body including muscle, nerve, gland and other neuron cells.
  • Functions of each part of the brain: Every neuron is made up of three parts called the dendrite, the soma (cell body) and the axon. Each of this part has its own function. The dendrite receives the signals. The soma processes these signals. The axon then transmits the signals to the other cells.
  • Neurotansmitters: The neurons are connected to one another by the synapses which release neurotransmitters. These chemical substances are then sent to another neuron cell’s dendrite causing the flow of current across the neurons.

How Does Neuralink Work?

  • Electrodes can read electric signals: The electrodes that are part of the Neuralink will read electrical signals that are produced by several neurons in the brain. The signals are then outputted in form of an action or movement.
  • Implanted directly in the brain: According to the company’s website, the device is implanted directly in the brain because placing it outside the head will not detect the signals produced by the brain accurately

Neuralink

What Does Neuralink Do?

  • To operate encephalopathy: Neuralink can be used to operate encephalopathy.
  • People with paralysis can be operated: It can also be used as a connection between the human brain and technology. This means that people with paralysis can easily operate their phones and computer directly with their brain.
  • It will help people to communicate: Its main purpose is to help people to communicate through text or voice messages.
  • Wide applications: Neuralink can also be utilised to draw pictures, take photographs and do other activities.appliactions

Conclusion

  • Though the Neuralink innovation pushing the boundaries of neural engineering, cruelty over the animals cannot be ignored.

Mains question

Q. What is Neuralink? What is the science behind the human brain and what the neuralink will do?

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

AVGC-Extended Reality Mission for Gaming Sector

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : NA

Mains level : AVGC-ER

avgc gaming

The Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics (AVGC) Promotion Task Force report has proposed a national AVGC-Extended Reality Mission with a budget outlay to be created for integrated promotion and growth of the sector.

What is AVGC?

  • While the etymology of the word surrounds everything to do with Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics, the overarching term is an umbrella for all the sub-sectors that are contributing to India’s digital economy.
  • This includes-
  1. Animation Studios
  2. VFX Studios
  3. Game Development Studios
  4. Platforms
  5. Hardware Manufacturers
  6. Software developers
  7. Virtual Production Studios and many more entities
  • The sector saw immense growth with technological adoption as is, but it witnessed steep uptake with the onset of the pandemic.

Why focus on the AVGC sector?

  • Emerging sector: The global AVGC industry amounts to $800 billion, and the Indian AVGC sector is brimming with the potential to bag up to 5 percent of the global share ($40 billion).
  • India’s IT prowess: India today contributes about $2.5-3 billion of the estimated $260-275 billion worldwide AVGC market.
  • Skilled workforce availability: According to industry experts, the Indian market which currently employs about 1.85 lakh AVGC professionals, can witness a growth of 14-16% in the next decade.
  • Employment generation: Not only does the sector contribute significantly to the economy, it also creates an abundance of employment opportunities for several skilled sectors, with over 160,000 jobs that it could provide yearly.

Key recommendations by the task force

The report has also recommended-

  • “Create in India” campaign with an exclusive focus on content creation
  • Establishment of AVGC accelerators and innovation hubs in academic institutions
  • Democratizing AVGC technologies by promoting subscription-based pricing models for MSME, Start-ups and institutions;
  • Indigenous technology development through incentive schemes and Intellectual Property creation; and
  • Setting up a dedicated production fund for domestic content creation from across India to promote the country’s culture and heritage globally.
  • Memorandum of Cooperation with developed global AVGC markets — U.S., Japan, South Korea, Germany etc.

Way forward

  • Policy vision: Because of the wide range of sub-sectors that are amass under AVGC’s wide umbrella, there is a need for a broad vision to help further incubate this industry.
  • Up-skilling: There is a requirement for not only financing and resource allocation for the sector, but also education and talent development.
  • Collaboration: Gaming, VFX, and animation markets in the likes of the US or South Korea, for instance, has been heavily incubated, and are thus at the crest of the wave on a global scale today.

Conclusion

  • If it gets the correct atmosphere to grow in–especially one that covers all the bases under it, the Indian AVGC sector has the capacity to become the zenith of Digital India and the hallmark of the ‘Brand India’ dream that PM envisages.

 

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DigiYatra Initiative for facial recognition technology at Airports

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : DigiYatra

Mains level : Not Much

digiyatra

The centre has introduced paperless entry at select airports to make air travel hassle-free under the DigiYatra initiative.

What is DigiYatra?

  • DigiYatra envisages that travellers pass through various checkpoints at the airport through paperless and contactless processing.
  • This means, passengers won’t need to carry their ID card and boarding pass.
  • This would rather use facial features to establish their identity, which would be linked to the boarding pass.
  • With this technology, the entry of passengers would be automatically processed based on the facial recognition system at all checkpoints – including entry into the airport, security check areas, aircraft boarding, etc.

Implementation strategy

  • In the first phase, the initiative will be launched at seven airports, starting with three — Delhi, Bengaluru, and Varanasi.
  • It will then be followed by four airports namely Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, and Vijayawada by March 2023.
  • Subsequently, the technology will be implemented across the country.

How is it being implemented?

  • The project is being implemented by the DigiYatra Foundation — a joint-venture company whose shareholders are the Airports Authority of India (26% stake) and Bengaluru Airport, Delhi Airport, Hyderabad Airport, Mumbai Airport and Cochin International Airport.
  • These five shareholders equally hold the remaining 74% of the shares.

How can people avail the DigiYatra facility?

  • For availing the service, a passenger has to register their details on the DigiYatra app using Aadhaar-based validation and a self-image capture.
  • In the next step, the boarding pass has to be scanned, and the credentials are shared with airport authorities.
  • At the airport e-gate, the passenger has to first scan the bar coded boarding pass and the facial recognition system installed at the e-gate will validate the passenger’s identity and travel document.
  • Once this process is done, the passenger can enter the airport through the e-gate.
  • The passenger will have to follow the normal procedure to clear security and board the aircraft.

 

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India’s first indigenous Overhauser Magnetometer

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Overhauser Magnetometers

Mains level : Not Much

magnet

Indian scientists have developed an indigenous Overhauser Magnetometer, one of the most accurate magnetometers extensively used by all magnetic observatories around the world.

What are Overhauser Magnetometers?

  • A magnetometer is a scientific instrument used to measure the strength and direction of the magnetic field.
  • OVH magnetometers are known for their higher accuracy, higher sensitivity, and efficient power consumption.
  • They find applications in all magnetic observatories worldwide as well as in international space programs.
  • It has so far been imported for such purposes in India.

Feats achieved

  • The performance of this indigenously made magnetometer is at par with a commercial OVH sensor that is currently installed at the magnetic observatories of IIG.
  • The Indian OVH sensor reproduced the geomagnetic diurnal variations accurately and precisely.
  • It showed the signatures of various space weather events such as geomagnetic storms, sudden impulses, etc.
  • It would also be of potential help to develop a sensitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) instrument.

Benefits of OVH magnetometers

  • OVH magnetometers reduce the cost of sampling and sensing experiments essential for geomagnetic sampling.
  • It can reduce India’s dependence on commercial OVH magnetometers for performing geomagnetic field measurements.

 

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What is Web 3.0?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Web 3.0

Mains level : Not Much

web

India has a rapidly-growing Web3 ecosystem with more than 450 active start-ups in the space that raised $1.3 billion in funding till April 2022.

What is Web 3.0?

  • Web3 help users interact with decentralized applications built on blockchain technology.
  • Web3 technologies like distributed ledgers, artificial intelligence, Metaverse and others aim to create the next-generation internet, which is accessible to everyone and offers benefits.
  • Web2 is what we know and use today.

Why need Web 3?

  • Centralization has helped onboard billions of people to the World Wide Web (www) and created the stable, robust internet infrastructure.
  • At the same time, a handful of centralized entities have a stronghold on large swathes of the World Wide Web.
  • They unilaterally decide what should and should not be allowed over Internet.

Key features of a Web3

  • Immutable ecosystem, i.e., trust that people will download the digital product just as the original creator intended.
  • Enhanced transparency and security,
  • Quicker browsing performance,
  • Complete user anonymity and confidentiality,
  • Integrating cryptocurrency wallets with multiple blockchains,
  • Complete control over the content due to decentralization.

Evolution of (world-wide) web

  • The Web most of us know today is quite different from originally imagined.
  • To understand this better, it’s helpful to break the Web’s short history into loose periods—Web 1.0 and Web 2.0.

(1) Web 1.0: Read-Only (1990-2004)

  • The first inception of ‘Web 1.0’, occurred roughly between 1990 to 2004.
  • It was mainly static websites owned by companies, and there was close to zero interaction between users – individuals seldom produced content – leading to it being known as the read-only web.

(2) Web 2.0: Read-Write (2004-now)

  • The Web 2.0 period began in 2004 with the emergence of social media platforms.
  • Instead of a read-only, the web evolved to be read-write.
  • Instead of companies providing content to users, they also began to provide platforms to share user-generated content and engage in user-to-user interactions.
  • As more people came online, a handful of top companies began to control a disproportionate amount of the traffic and value generated on the web.
  • Web 2.0 also birthed the advertising-driven revenue model.
  • While users could create content, they didn’t own it or benefit from its monetization.

How is Web3 prospected to be?

  • The premise of ‘Web 3.0’ was coined by Ethereum co-founder Gavin Wood shortly after Ethereum launched in 2014.
  • Gavin put into words a solution for a problem that many early crypto adopters felt: the Web required too much trust.
  • That is, most of the Web that people know and use today relies on trusting a handful of private companies to act in the public’s best interests.

Core ideas of Web3

Although it’s challenging to provide a rigid definition of what Web3 is, a few core principles guide its creation.

  • Web3 is decentralized: instead of large swathes of the internet controlled and owned by centralized entities, ownership gets distributed amongst its builders and users.
  • Web3 is permission-less: everyone has equal access to participate in Web3, and no one gets excluded.
  • Web3 has native payments: it uses cryptocurrency for spending and sending money online instead of relying on the outdated infrastructure of banks and payment processors.
  • Web3 is secure: It operates using incentives and economic mechanisms instead of relying on trusted third-parties.

Why is Web3 important?

  • Ownership: Web3 gives you ownership of your digital assets in an unprecedented way. Web3 allows for direct ownership through non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
  • Censorship resistance: The power dynamic between platforms and content creators is massively imbalanced.
  • Decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs): As well as owning your data in Web3, you can own the platform as a collective, using tokens that act like shares in a company.

 

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Private: What are Entangled Atomic Clocks?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Atomic clocks

Mains level : Not Much

For the first time, scientists at the University of Oxford have been able to demonstrate a network of two entangled optical atomic clocks.

Trending in news this year is the Quantum Technology, (As it used to be until last year were- the Internet of Things (IoT) CSP 2019, Artificial Intelligence (AI) etc.)

Must read all this news in a loop:

National Mission on QC

Quantum Coin

Quantum Supremacy

What is the news?

  • The high-precision atomic clocks and quantum entanglement have been achieved altogether.
  • This means the inherent uncertainty in measuring their frequencies simultaneously is highly reduced.

What are Atomic Clocks?

  • An atomic clock is a clock that uses the resonance frequencies of atoms as its resonator.
  • Cesium is incredibly accurate at timekeeping and is used in atomic clocks.

Fundamental limit of precision through entanglement

  • Entanglement is a quantum phenomenon in which two or more particles become linked together so that they can no longer be described independently, even at vast distances.
  • This is the key to reaching the fundamental limit of precision that’s determined by quantum theory.
  • Previous experiments have demonstrated that entanglement between two atomic clocks in the same system can be used to improve the quality of measurements.
  • This is the first time researchers have been able to achieve this between clocks in two separate remotely entangled systems.

Why do we use clocks to navigate in space?

  • To determine a spacecraft’s distance from Earth, navigators send a signal to the spacecraft, which then returns it to Earth.
  • The time the signal requires to make that two-way journey reveals the spacecraft’s distance from Earth, because the signal travels at a known speed (the speed of light).
  • While it may sound complicated, most of us use this concept every day. The grocery store might be a 30-minute walk from your house.
  • If you know you can walk about a mile in 20 minutes, then you can calculate the distance to the store.
  • By sending multiple signals and taking many measurements over time, navigators can calculate a spacecraft’s trajectory: where it is and where it’s headed.

Why need atomic clocks?

  • To know the spacecraft’s position within a meter, navigators’ need clocks with precision time resolution — clocks that can measure billionths of a second.
  • Navigators also need clocks that are extremely stable.
  • Stability refers to how consistently a clock measures a unit of time; its measurement of the length of a second, for example, needs to be the same (to better than a billionth of a second) over days and weeks.

What is an oscillator in a clock?

  • Most modern clocks, from wristwatches to those used on satellites, keep time using a quartz crystal oscillator.
  • These devices take advantage of the fact that quartz crystals vibrate at a precise frequency when voltage is applied to them.
  • The vibrations of the crystal act like the pendulum of a grandfather clock, ticking off how much time has passed.

What do atoms have to do with clocks?

  • By space navigation standards, quartz crystal clocks aren’t very stable.
  • After only an hour, even the best-performing quartz oscillators can be off by a nanosecond (one billionth of a second).
  • After six weeks, they may be off by a full millisecond (one thousandth of a second), or a distance error of 185 miles (300 kilometers).
  • That would have a huge impact on measuring the position of a fast-moving spacecraft.
  • Atomic clocks combine a quartz crystal oscillator with an ensemble of atoms to achieve greater stability.

 

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Dvorak Technique of Weather Forecasting

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Dvorak Technique

Mains level : Weather forecasting

Recently, the American meteorologist Vernon Dvorak passed away at the age of 100 who pioneered the widely used Dvorak Technique.

Who was Vernon Dvorak?

  • Dvorak was an American meteorologist best credited for developing the Dvorak (read as Do-rak) technique in the early 1970s.
  • The technique helps forecast the tropical storm.
  • His technique has saved the lives of millions of people across the world and will continue to do so.

What is the Dvorak technique?

  • The Dvorak technique was first developed in 1969 and tested for observing storms in the northwest Pacific Ocean.
  • Forecasters used the available satellite images obtained from polar orbiting satellites to examine the features of the developing tropical storms (hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons).
  • During day time, images in the visible spectrum were used while at night, the ocean would be observed using infrared images.
  • It was a cloud pattern recognition technique based on a concept model of the development and decay of the tropical cyclone.

Why is technique still widely in use?

  • Unlike land, ocean observations in the 1970s were sparse.
  • Today, there continues to be an improved network of land-based meteorological observations, either in the form of taking manual observations, installing automatic weather stations or automatic rain gauges.
  • On the other hand, ocean observations still remain limited.
  • There are many vast regions across the four oceans that have not been fully examined with meteorological instruments.
  • Ocean observations are mostly taken by deploying buoys or dedicated ships, but the number of observations from the seas is still not sufficient across the world.
  • That is why meteorologists have had to depend more on satellite-based imageries, and combine it with the available ocean-data at the time of forecasting the intensity and wind speed of the tropical cyclones.

 

 

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Cyborg Cockroaches to help in urban search-rescue missions

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Cyborg

Mains level : Not Much

cyborg

Japanese scientists have devised a system that can create cyborg cockroaches that are part insect and part machine.

Cyborg cockroaches

  • Cyborg cockroaches’ movements are controlled by tiny integrated circuits.
  • They will be able to conduct surveillance in procedures like urban search and rescue, environmental monitoring and inspection of areas dangerous to humans.
  • By equipping the cockroaches with small wireless control modules, handlers will be able to control the insect’s legs remotely for long periods of time.
  • The team used Madagascar cockroaches, which are not only the largest species of cockroaches, reaching an estimated 6 cm, but are also known for making hissing sounds when disturbed, which they make by expelling air from the openings on their back.

How is it powered?

  • The researchers also designed the system to be rechargeable, by powering it with a super thin 0.004 mm solar cell module that is installed on the dorsal side of the cockroach’s abdomen.
  • This was done to ensure that the battery remains charged and the cockroach can be controlled for long periods of time, while simultaneously ensuring that the movement remains unhindered.

 

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Hellfire R9X missile: The mystery weapon

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Hellfire R9X Missile

Mains level : Strategic weapons

The US military used its ‘secret weapon’ — the Hellfire R9X missile – to kill Al Qaeda chief Ayman al-Zawahiri on the balcony of a safehouse in Kabul.

What is the Hellfire R9X missile?

  • Better known in military circles as the AGM-114 R9X, the Hellfire R9X is a US-origin missile known to cause minimum collateral damage while engaging individual targets.
  • Also known as the ‘Ninja Missile’, this weapon does not carry a warhead and instead deploys razor-sharp blades at the terminal stage of its attack trajectory.
  • This helps it to break through even thick steel sheets and cut down the target using the kinetic energy of its propulsion without causing any damage to the persons in the general vicinity or to the structure of the building.
  • The blades pop out of the missile and cut down the intended target without causing the massive damage to the surroundings which would be the case with a missile carrying an explosive warhead.

When did the Hellfire missile enter active service?

  • The Hellfire 9RX missile is known to have been in active service since 2017.
  • However, its existence became public knowledge two years later in 2019.
  • It is a variant of the original Hellfire missile family which is used in conventional form with warheads and is traditionally used from helicopters, ground-based vehicles, and sometimes small ships and fast moving vessels.
  • For several years now, the Hellfire family of missiles, including the ‘Ninja Missile’, are armed on Combat Unmanned Aerial Vehicles or drones.

What is known about the other Hellfire missile variants?

  • Hellfire is actually an acronym for Heliborne, Laser, Fire and Forget Missile and it was developed in the US initially to target tanks from the Apache AH-64 attack helicopters.
  • Later, the usage of these missiles spread to several other variants of helicopters and also ground and sea-based systems and drones.
  • Developed by Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, the Hellfire missile has other variants such as ‘Longbow’ and ‘Romeo’ apart from the ‘Ninja’.

 

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AlphaFold: AI-based Protein Structure Prediction Tool

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : AlphaFold

Mains level : Not Much

DeepMind, a company based in London and owned by Google, announced that it had predicted the three-dimensional structures of more than 200 million proteins using AlphaFold.

This is the entire protein universe known to scientists today.

What is AlphaFold?

  • AlphaFold is an AI-based protein structure prediction tool.
  • It is based on a computer system called deep neural network.
  • Inspired by the human brain, neural networks use a large amount of input data and provide the desired output exactly like how a human brain would.
  • The real work is done by the black box between the input and the output layers, called the hidden networks. AlphaFold is fed with protein sequences as input.
  • When protein sequences enter through one end, the predicted three-dimensional structures come out through the other.
  • It is like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat.

How does AlphaFold work?

  • It uses processes based on “training, learning, retraining and relearning.”
  • The first step uses the available structures of 1,70,000 proteins in the Protein Data Bank (PDB) to train the computer model.
  • Then, it uses the results of that training to learn the structural predictions of proteins not in the PDB.
  • Once that is done, it uses the high-accuracy predictions from the first step to retrain and relearn to gain higher accuracy of the earlier predictions.
  • By using this method, AlphaFold has now predicted the structures of the entire 214 million unique protein sequences deposited in the Universal Protein Resource (UniProt)

What are the implications of this development?

  • Proteins are the business ends of biology, meaning proteins carry out all the functions inside a living cell.
  • Therefore, knowing protein structure and function is essential to understanding human diseases.
  • Scientists predict protein structures using x-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, or cryogenic electron microscopy.
  • These techniques are not just time-consuming, they often take years and are based mainly on trial-and-error methods.
  • The development of AlphaFold changes all of that.
  • It is a watershed movement in science and structural biology in particular.

What does this development mean for India?

  • Vaccine development: Understanding the accurate structures of COVID-19 virus proteins in days rather than years will accelerate vaccine and drug development against the virus.
  • Structural biology: From the seminal contribution of G. N. Ramachandran in understanding protein structures to the present day, India is no stranger to the field and has produced some fine structural biologists.

Back2Basics: Proteins

  • Protein is found throughout the body—in muscle, bone, skin, hair, and virtually every other body part or tissue.
  • It makes up the enzymes that power many chemical reactions and the hemoglobin that carries oxygen in your blood.
  • At least 10,000 different proteins make you what you are and keep you that way.
  • Protein is made from twenty-plus basic building blocks called amino acids.
  • Because we don’t store amino acids, our bodies make them in two different ways: either from scratch or by modifying others.
  • Nine amino acids—histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine—known as the essential amino acids, must come from food.
  • Chemically, amino acids are organic compounds made of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur.
  • There are seven types of proteins: antibodies, contractile proteins, enzymes, hormonal proteins, structural proteins, storage proteins, and transport proteins.

 

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Three new ‘exotic’ sub-atomic particles discovered  

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Quarks

Mains level : Not Much

The Large Hadron Collider beauty (LHCb) experiment has observed three never-before-seen particles.

What is the discovery?

  • CERN was investigating the slight differences between matter and antimatter by studying a type of particle called the “beauty quark”, or “b quark”.
  • The three “exotic” additions — a new kind of “pentaquark” and the first-ever pair of “tetraquarks” — to the growing list of new hadrons were found.
  • This discovery will help physicists better understand how quarks bind together into these composite particles.

What are Quarks?

  • Quarks are elementary particles that come in six “flavours”: up, down, charm, strange, top, and bottom.
  • They usually combine together in groups of twos and threes to form hadrons such as the protons and neutrons that make up atomic nuclei.
  • But they can also combine into four-quark and five-quark particles, called tetraquarks and pentaquarks.
  • These exotic hadrons were predicted by theorists about six decades ago — around the same time as conventional hadrons — but they have been observed by LHCb and other experiments only in the past 20 years.

What about tetraquarks and pentaquarks?

  • Most exotic hadrons discovered in the past two decades are tetraquarks or pentaquarks.
  • They contain a charm quark and a charm antiquark — with the remaining two or three quarks being an up, down or strange quark or their antiquarks.

 

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What is the Large Hadron Collider (LHC)?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Large Hadron Collider (LHC)

Mains level : Not Much

The world’s most powerful particle collider, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), will begin smashing protons into each other at unprecedented levels of energy beginning July 5.

What is the LHC?

  • The Large Hadron Collider is a giant, complex machine built to study particles that are the smallest known building blocks of all things.
  • Structurally, it is a 27-km-long track-loop buried 100 metres underground on the Swiss-French border.
  • In its operational state, it fires two beams of protons almost at the speed of light in opposite directions inside a ring of superconducting electromagnets.
  • The LHC’s second run (Run 2) began in 2015 and lasted till 2018. The second season of data taking produced five times more data than Run 1.
  • The third run will see 20 times more collisions as compared to Run 1.

How does it work?

  • The magnetic field created by the superconducting electromagnets keeps the protons in a tight beam and guides them along the way as they travel through beam pipes and finally collide.
  • Just prior to collision, another type of magnet is used to ‘squeeze’ the particles closer together to increase the chances of collisions.
  • The particles are so tiny that the task of making them collide is akin to firing two needles 10 km apart with such precision that they meet halfway.

Extreme conditions involved

  • Since the LHC’s powerful electromagnets carry almost as much current as a bolt of lightning, they must be kept chilled.
  • The LHC uses a distribution system of liquid helium to keep its critical components ultracold at minus 271.3 degrees Celsius, which is colder than interstellar space.
  • Given these requirements, it is not easy to warm up or cool down the gigantic machine.

What is the latest upgrade?

  • Three years after it shut down for maintenance and upgrades, the collider was switched back on this April.
  • This is the LHC’s third run, and it will operate round-the-clock for four years at unprecedented energy levels of 13 tera electron volts.

Note: A TeV is 100 billion, or 10-to-the-power-of-12, electon volts. An electron volt is the energy given to an electron by accelerating it through 1 volt of electric potential difference.

Targets this year

  • It now aims to be delivering 1.6 billion proton-proton collisions per second.
  • The last time, the proton beams will be narrowed to less than 10 microns — a human hair is around 70 microns thick — to increase the collision rate.
  • ATLAS is the largest general purpose particle detector experiment at the LHC.
  • The Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiment is one of the largest international scientific collaborations in history, with the same goals as ATLAS, but which uses a different magnet-system design.

Previous runs & ‘God Particle’ discovery

  • Ten years ago, in 2012, scientists at CERN had announced to the world the discovery of the Higgs boson or the ‘God Particle’ during the LHC’s first run.
  • The discovery concluded the decades-long quest for the ‘force-carrying’ subatomic particle, and proved the existence of the Higgs mechanism, a theory put forth in the mid-sixties.
  • This led to Peter Higgs and his collaborator François Englert being awarded the Nobel Prize for physics in 2013.
  • The Higgs boson and its related energy field are believed to have played a vital role in the creation

 

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What is Web 5.0?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Web and its evolution

Mains level : Not Much

Former Twitter CEO recently announced his vision for a new decentralized web platform that is being called Web 5.0 and is being built with an aim to return “ownership of data and identity to individuals”.

Various versions of Web

  • Web 1.0 was the first generation of the global digital communications network. It is often referred to as the “read-only” Internet made of static web-pages that only allowed for passive engagement.
  • Web 2.0 was the “read and write” Internet. Users were now able to communicate with servers and other users leading to the creation of the social web. This is the World Wide Web that we use today.
  • Web 3.0 is an evolving term that is used to refer to the next generation of Internet – a “read-write-execute” web – with decentralization as its bedrock. It leverages the blockchain technology and will be driven by Artificial Intelligence and machine learning.
  • Web 4.0 is not really a new version, but is a alternate version of what we already have. Web needed to adapt to its mobile surroundings. Web 4.0 connects all devices in the real and virtual world in real-time.

What is Web 5.0?

  • Web 5.0 is aimed at building an extra decentralized web that puts you in control of your data and identity.
  • Simply put, Web 5.0 is Web 2.0 plus Web 3.0 that will allow users to ‘own their identity’ on the Internet and ‘control their data’.
  • Both Web 3.0 and Web 5.0 envision an Internet without threat of censorship – from governments or big tech, and without fear of significant outages.

What are the use cases for Web 5.0?

There can be two use cases for how Web 5.0 will change things in the future.

  1. Control of identity: A digital wallet that securely manages user identity, data, and authorizations for external apps and connections.
  2. Control over own data: Say, we can grant any music app access to settings and preferences, enabling the app to take our personalized music experience across different music apps.

Try this question from CSP 2022:

With reference to Web 3.0, consider the following statements:

  1. Web 3.0 technology enables people to control their own data.
  2. In Web 3.0 world, there can be blockchain based social networks.,
  3. Web 3.0 is operated by users collectively rather than a corporation.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

 

Post your answers here.
9
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What are eVTOL Aircrafts?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : eVTOL Aircrafts

Mains level : Not Much

The Union Civil Aviation Ministry is exploring the possibility of inviting manufacturers of Electric Vertical Take-off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft to set up base in India.

What is eVTOL?

  • EVTOL aircraft is one that uses electric power to hover, take off, and land vertically.
  • Most eVTOLs also use what is called as distributed electric propulsion technology which means integrating a complex propulsion system with the airframe.
  • There are multiple motors for various functions; to increase efficiency; and to also ensure safety.
  • It works on electric propulsion based on progress in motor, battery, fuel cell and electronic controller technologies.
  • It is also fuelled by the need for new vehicle technology that ensures urban air mobility (UAM).

Features of eVTOL

  • eVTOL is emerging as a runway independent technological solution” for the globe’s transportation needs.
  • There are an estimated 250 eVTOL concepts or more being fine-tuned to bring alive the concept of UAM.
  • Some of these include the use of multi-rotors, fixed-wing and tilt-wing concepts backed by sensors, cameras and even radar.
  • The key word here is “autonomous connectivity”. Some of these are in various test phases.
  • In short, eVTOLs have been likened to “a third wave in an aerial revolution”; the first being the advent of commercial flying, and the second, the age of helicopters.

What are the developments in powering eVTOLs?

  • The roles eVTOLs adopt depends on battery technology and the limits of onboard electric power.
  • Power is required during the key phases of flight such as take-off, landing and flight (especially in high wind conditions).
  • There is a “Diamond Nuclear Voltaic (DNV) technology” using minute amounts of carbon-14 nuclear waste encased in layered industrial diamonds to create self-charging batteries.
  • There are some industry experts who are questioning the use of only batteries and are looking at hybrid technologies such as hydrogen cells and batteries depending on the flight mission.

What are the challenges?

  • As the technology so far is a mix of unpiloted and piloted aircraft, the areas in focus include “crash prevention systems”.
  • There are also issues such as ensuring safety in case of power plant or rotor failure.
  • Aircraft protection from cyberattacks is another area of focus.
  • A third area is in navigation and flight safety and the use of technology when operating in difficult terrain, unsafe operating environments, and also bad weather.

 

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[pib] Param Ananta Supercomputer

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Param Ananta Supercomputer

Mains level : National Supercomputing Mission

Param Ananta, a state-of the art Supercomputer was commissioned at IIT Gandhinagar.

Param Ananta

  • Param Ananta is capable of offering peak performance of 838 teraflops.
  • It is a joint initiative of Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and Department of Science and Technology (DST).
  • This facility is established under Phase 2 of the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).
  • The system is equipped with a mix of CPU nodes, GPU nodes, High Memory nodes, High throughput storage and high performance Infiniband.
  • The supercomputer will rank behind C-DAC’s Param Siddhi-AI, which as of November 2021 was the 102nd most powerful supercomputer in the world — with peak performance capability of 3.3 petaflops.

What is a Supercomputer?

  • A supercomputer is a computer with a high level of performance as compared to a general-purpose computer.
  • The performance of a supercomputer is commonly measured in floating-point operations per second (FLOPS) instead of million instructions per second (MIPS).
  • Since 2017, there are supercomputers which can perform over a hundred quadrillion FLOPS (peta FLOPS).
  • Since November 2017, all of the world’s fastest 500 supercomputers run Linux-based operating systems.

Specific features

  • Param Ananta system is based on Direct Contact Liquid Cooling technology to obtain a high power usage effectiveness and thereby reducing the operational cost.
  • Multiple applications from various scientific domains such as Weather and Climate, Bioinformatics, Computational Chemistry, Molecular Dynamics, Material Sciences, Computational Fluid Dynamics etc. have been installed on the system for the benefit of researchers.
  • This high end computing system will be a great value addition for the research community.

Back2Basics: National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)

  • NSM is a proposed plan by GoI to create a cluster of seventy supercomputers connecting various academic and research institutions across India.
  • In April 2015 the government approved the NSM with a total outlay of Rs.4500 crore for a period of 7 years.
  • The mission was set up to provide the country with supercomputing infrastructure to meet the increasing computational demands of academia, researchers, MSMEs, and startups by creating the capability design, manufacturing, of supercomputers indigenously in India.
  • Currently there are four supercomputers from India in Top 500 list of supercomputers in the world.

Aims and objectives

  • The target of the mission was set to establish a network of supercomputers ranging from a few Tera Flops (TF) to Hundreds of Tera Flops (TF) and three systems with greater than or equal to 3 Peta Flops (PF) in academic and research institutions of National importance across the country by 2022.
  • This network of Supercomputers envisaging a total of 15-20 PF was approved in 2015 and was later revised to a total of 45 PF (45000 TFs), a jump of 6 times more compute power within the same cost and capable of solving large and complex computational problems.

When did India initiate its efforts to build supercomputers?

  • India’s supercomputer program was initiated in the late 1980s, when the United States ceased the export of a Cray Supercomputer due to technology embargos.
  • This resulted in India setting up C-DAC in 1988, which in 1991, unveiled the prototype of PARAM 800, benchmarked at 5 Gflops. This supercomputer was the second-fastest in the world at that time.
  • Since June 2018, the USA’s Summit is the fastest supercomputer in the world, taking away this position from China.
  • As of January 2018, Pratyush and Mihir are the fastest supercomputers in India with a maximum speed of Peta Flops.

What are the phases of the National Supercomputing Mission?

Phase I:

  • In the first phase of the NSM, parts of the supercomputers are imported and assembled in India.
  • A total of 6 supercomputers are to be installed in this phase.
  • The first supercomputer that was assembled indigenously is called Param Shivay. It was installed in IIT (BHU) located in Varanasi.
  • Similar systems, Param Shakti (IIT Kharagpur) and Param Brahma (IISER, Pune) were also later installed within the country.
  • The rest will be installed at IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad and Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Advanced Studies (JNIAS).

Phase II:

  • The supercomputers that are installed so far are about 60% indigenous.
  • The 11 systems that are going to be installed in the next phase will have processors designed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and will have a cumulative capacity of 10 petaflops.
  • These new systems are to be constructed more cost-effectively than the previous ones.
  • One of the 11 proposed supercomputers will be installed
  • at C-DAC exclusively for small and medium enterprises so that they can train employees as well as work on supercomputers at a very low cost.

Phase III:

  • The third phase aims to build fully indigenous supercomputers.
  • The government had also approved a project to develop a cryogenic cooling system that rapidly dispels the heat generated by a computing chip. This will be jointly built together by IIT-Bombay and C-DAC.

 

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What are Artificial Intelligence (AI) Chips?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : AI chips

Mains level : Read the attached story

Market leader Nvidia recently announced its H100 GPU (graphics processing unit), which is said to be one of the world’s largest and most powerful Artificial Intelligence (AI) accelerators, packed with 80 billion transistors.

What are AI chips?

  • AI chips are built with specific architecture and have integrated AI acceleration to support deep learning-based applications.
  • These chips, with their hardware architectures and complementary packaging, memory, storage and interconnect technologies, make it possible to infuse AI into a broad spectrum of applications.
  • There are different types of AI chips such as application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), central processing units (CPUs) and GPUs, designed for diverse AI applications.

What is Deep Learning?

  • Deep learning, more commonly known as active neural network (ANN) or deep neural network (DNN), is a subset of machine learning and comes under the broader umbrella of AI.
  • It combines a series of computer commands or algorithms that stimulate activity and brain structure.
  • DNNs go through a training phase, learning new capabilities from existing data.
  • DNNs can then inference, by applying these capabilities learned during deep learning training to make predictions against previously unseen data.
  • Deep learning can make the process of collecting, analysing, and interpreting enormous amounts of data faster and easier.

Utility of AI chips

  • The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) chips has risen, with chipmakers designing different types of these chips to power AI applications such as:
  1. Natural language processing (NLP)
  2. Computer vision
  3. Robotics, and
  4. Network security across a wide variety of sectors, including automotive, IT, healthcare, and retail

Are they different from traditional chips?

  • When traditional chips, containing processor cores and memory, perform computational tasks, they continuously move commands and data between the two hardware components.
  • These chips, however, are not ideal for AI applications as they would not be able to handle higher computational necessities of AI workloads which have huge volumes of data.
  • Although, some of the higher-end traditional chips may be able to process certain AI applications.
  • In comparison, AI chips generally contain processor cores as well as several AI-optimised cores that are designed to work in harmony when performing computational tasks.
  • The AI cores are optimised for the demands of heterogeneous enterprise-class AI workloads with low-latency inferencing, due to close integration with the other processor cores.

What are their applications?

  • Use of AI chips for NLP applications has increased due to the rise in demand for chatbots and online channels such as Messenger, Slack, and others
  • They use NLP to analyse user messages and conversational logic.
  • Then there are chipmakers who have built AI processors designed to help customers achieve business insights at scale across banking, finance, trading, insurance applications and customer interactions.

What firms are making these chips?

  • Nvidia Corporation, Intel Corporation, IBM Corporation, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., and Apple Inc. are some of the key players in the AI chip market.

Major breakthroughs

  • Nvidia, which dominates the market, offers a wide portfolio of AI chips including Grace CPU, H100 and its predecessor A100 GPUs.
  • It is capable of handling some of the largest AI models with billions of parameters.
  • The company claims that twenty H100 GPUs can sustain the equivalent of the entire world’s internet traffic.
  • IBM’s new AI chip, announced last year, can support financial services workloads like fraud detection, loan processing, clearing and settlement of trades, anti-money laundering and risk analysis.

Scale of global market

  • The Worldwide AI chip industry accounted for $8.02 billion in 2020.
  • It is expected to reach $194.9 billion by 2030, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 37.4% from 2021 to 2030.

What can be expected in the future?

  • AI company Cerebras Systems set a new standard with its brain-scale AI solution, paving the way for more advanced solutions in the future.
  • Its CS-2, powered by the Wafer Scale Engine (WSE-2) is a single wafer-scale chip with 2.6 trillion transistors and 8,50,000 AI optimised cores.
  • The human brain contains on the order of 100 trillion synapses, the firm said, adding that a single CS-2 accelerator can support models of over 120 trillion parameters (synapse equivalents) in size.
  • Another AI chip design approach, neuromorphic computing, utilises an engineering method based on the activity of the biological brain.
  • An increase in the adoption of neuromorphic chips in the automotive industry is expected in the next few years.

 

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What are W Bosons?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Various sub-atomic particles

Mains level : Particle physics

Researchers from Collider Detector at Fermilab (CDF) Collaboration, in the US, announced that they have made a precise measurement of the mass of the so-called W boson.

Do you know?

There are four fundamental forces at work in the universe: the strong force, the weak force, the electromagnetic force, and the gravitational force. They work over different ranges and have different strengths. Gravity is the weakest but it has an infinite range.

What is W Boson?

  • Discovered in 1983, the W boson is a fundamental particle.
  • Together with the Z boson, it is responsible for the weak force, one of four fundamental forces that govern the behaviour of matter in our universe.
  • Particles of matter interact by exchanging these bosons, but only over short distances.
  • The W boson, which is electrically charged, changes the very make up of particles.
  • It switches protons into neutrons, and vice versa, through the weak force, triggering nuclear fusion and letting stars burn.
  • This burning also creates heavier elements and, when a star dies, those elements are tossed into space as the building blocks for planets and even people.

Debate over W Boson’s mass

  • The weak force was combined with the electromagnetic force in theories of a unified electroweak force in the 1960s, in an effort to make the basic physics mathematically consistent.
  • But the theory called for the force-carrying particles to be massless, even though scientists knew the theoretical W boson had to be heavy to account for its short range.
  • Theorists accounted for the mass of the W by introducing another unseen mechanism. This became known as the Higgs mechanism, which calls for the existence of a Higgs boson.

What is the news?

  • CDF researchers stated that this precisely determined value did not match with what was expected from estimates using the standard model of particle physics.
  • This result is highly significant because this implies the incompleteness of the standard model description.
  • This is a major claim, since the standard model has been extraordinarily successful in the past decades.
  • Hence, physicists are looking for corroboration from other, independent, future experiments.

What is the standard model of elementary particle physics?

  • The Standard Model of particle physics is the theory describing three of the four known fundamental forces (the electromagnetic, weak, and strong interactions while omitting gravity) in the universe and classifying all known elementary particles.
  • It is a theoretical construct in physics that describes particles of matter and their interaction. Ex. Proton, Neutron, Electron etc.
  • It is a description that views the elementary particles of the world as being connected by mathematical symmetries, just as an object and its mirror image are connected by a bilateral (left–right) symmetry.
  • These are mathematical groups generated by continuous transformations from, say, one particle to another.
  • According to this model there are a finite number of fundamental particles which are represented by the characteristic “eigen” states of these groups.
  • The particles predicted by the model, such as the Z boson, have been seen in experiments and the last to be discovered, in 2012, was the Higgs boson which gives mass to the heavy particles.

Why is the standard model believed to be incomplete?

  • The standard model is thought to be incomplete because it gives a unified picture of only three of the four fundamental forces of nature and it totally omits gravity.
  • So, in the grand plan of unifying all forces so that a single equation would describe all the interactions of matter, the standard model was found to be lacking.
  • The other gap in the standard model is that it does not include a description of dark matter particles.

How are the symmetries related to particles?

  • The symmetries of the standard model are known as gauge symmetries, as they are generated by “gauge transformations” which are a set of continuous transformations (like rotation is a continuous transformation).
  • Each symmetry is associated with a gauge boson.
  • For example, the gauge boson associated with electromagnetic interactions is the photon.
  • The gauge bosons associated with weak interactions are the W and Z bosons. There are two W bosons — W+ and W-.

What is the main result of the recent experiment?

  • The recent experiment at CDF, which measured the mass of the W boson as 80,433.5 +/- 9.4 Mev/c2, which is approximately 80 times the mass of a hydrogen nucleus.
  • This came out to be more than what is expected from the standard model.
  • The expected value using the standard model is 80,357 +/- 8 MeV/c2 .
  • Thus, the W boson mass itself is a prediction of the standard model.
  • Therefore, any discrepancy in its mass means a lack of self-consistency in the standard model.

What is the discrepancy they obtained?

  • The mass discrepancy of the W boson needs to be checked and confirmed to the same accuracy by other facilities, for example, the Large Hadron Collider (LHC).

Where do we stand now in terms of new physics?

  • New physics is in the air, and experiments have been gearing up for some years now to detect new particles.
  • With its high-precision determination of the W boson mass, the CDF has struck at the heart of the standard model.
  • So it is a significant finding and if this is confirmed by the LHC and other experiments, it will throw open the field for ideas and experiment.

 

 

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Near Field Communication (NFC) technology for instant payments

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Near Field Communication (NFC)

Mains level : Not Much

Google Pay has recently launched a new feature in India, ‘Tap to pay for UPI’, in collaboration with Pine Labs. The feature makes use of Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.

What is Near Field Communication (NFC)?

  • NFC is a short-range wireless connectivity technology that allows NFC-enabled devices to communicate with each other and transfer information quickly and easily with a single touch.
  • It makes possible to pay bills, exchange business cards, download coupons, or share a document.

How does it work?

  • NFC transmits data through electromagnetic radio fields, to enable communication between two devices. Both devices must contain NFC chips, as transactions take place within a very short distance.
  • NFC-enabled devices must be either physically touching or within a few centimetres from each other for data transfer to occur.

When did NFC tech start?

  • In 2004, consumer electronics companies, Nokia, Philips and Sony together formed the NFC Forum, which outlined the architecture for NFC technology to create powerful new consumer-driven products.
  • Nokia released the first NFC-enabled phone in 2007.

How will this technology work with the recently launched feature, ‘Tap to pay for UPI’?

  • Google Pay has been the first among UPI apps to bring the Tap to Pay feature working on POS terminals.
  • It will allow users with UPI accounts configured on Google Pay to make payments just by tapping their NFC-enabled Android smartphones on any Pine Labs Android POS terminal.
  • Once users tap their phones on the POS terminal, it will automatically open the Google pay app with the payment amount pre-filled.
  • Users can then verify the amount and merchant name and authenticate the payment, using their UPI PIN.
  • The process is much faster compared to scanning a QR code or entering the UPI-linked mobile number which has been the conventional way till now.

What are the other applications of NFC technology?

  • NFC tech has a wide range of applications besides driving payment services.
  • It is used in contactless banking cards to perform money transactions or to generate contact-less tickets for public transport.
  • Contactless cards and readers use NFC in several applications from securing networks and buildings to monitoring inventory and sales, preventing auto theft, keeping tabs on library books,
  • NFC is behind the cards that we wave over card readers in subway turnstiles and on buses to check tickets.
  • It is present in speakers, household appliances, and other electronic devices that we monitor and control through our smartphones.
  • With just a touch, NFC can also set up WiFi and Bluetooth devices in our homes, investopedia noted.
  • It also has an application in healthcare, to monitor patient stats through NFC-enabled wristbands.
  • NFC is used in wireless charging too.

How safe is this technology?

  • NFC technology is designed for an operation between devices within a few centimetres from each other.
  • This makes it difficult for attackers to record the communication between the devices compared to other wireless technologies which have a working distance of several metres, according to the NFC forum, a non-profit industry association.
  • The user of the NFC-enabled device determines by the touch gesture which entity the NFC communication should take place with, making it more difficult for the attacker to get connected.
  • The security level of the NFC communication is by default higher compared to other wireless communication protocols.

Where does it stand in comparison to other wireless technologies?

  • There are other wireless technologies available which are replacing cable-based connections.
  • The IrDa technology is a short range (a few metres) connection based on the exchange of data over infrared light where the two communication devices must be positioned within a line of sight.
  • Today, this technology is mainly used for remote control devices. For larger data communication with computer devices this technology was replaced by Bluetooth or WiFi connections.
  • However, for these technologies’ receiver devices need their own power supply due to the larger working distance.
  • Therefore, the receiving device cannot be powered by the radiofrequency (RF) field like in NFC, the NFC forum highlighted.
  • Another consequence of the larger working distance is the need for the user to configure their device and to pair them together for communication.

 

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Kinzhal Advanced Hypersonic Missile

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Kinzhal Missile

Mains level : Not Much

Russia said that it had unleashed hypersonic missiles against an arms depot in Ukraine, the first use of the next-generation weapons in combat.

Kinzhal Missile

  • It is a nuclear-capable air-launched ballistic missile that flies at 10 times the speed of sound and can overcome air-defence systems. Kinzhal means ‘dagger’.
  • The missile has a range of approximately 1,500-2,000km and can carry a nuclear payload or conventional payload of 480 kg.
  • The Kinzhal was one of an array of new weapons Russian President Vladimir Putin unveiled in his state-of-the-nation address in 2018. Putin had termed Kinzhal as “an ideal weapon”.
  • This is the first time that Russia has admitted to using the high-precision weapon in combat.
  • Following launch, the Kinzhal rapidly accelerates to Mach 4 (4,900 km/h), and may reach speeds of up to Mach 10 (12,350 km/hr).

What is a hypersonic weapon?

  • They are normally defined as fast, low-flying, and highly manoeuvrable weapons designed to be too quick and agile for traditional missile defence systems to detect in time, according to Bloomberg.
  • Unlike ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons don’t follow a predetermined, arched trajectory and can maneuver on the way to their destination.
  • The term “hypersonic” describes any speed faster than five times that of sound, which is roughly 760 miles (1,220 kilometers) per hour at sea level.
  • At hypersonic speeds, the air molecules around the flight vehicle start to change, breaking apart or gaining a charge in a process called ionization.
  • This subjects the hypersonic vehicle to “tremendous” stresses as it pushes through the atmosphere.

Types of hypersonic weapons

  • There are two main types of these weapons — glide vehicles and cruise missiles.
  • Most of the attention is focused on the former, which are launched from a rocket before gliding to their target, because of the challenges of achieving hypersonic propulsion of missiles.
  • The missiles have engines called scramjets that use the air’s oxygen and produce thrust during their flight, allowing them to cruise at a steady speed and altitude.

Who has these weapons?

  • US, China and Russia have the most advanced capabilities.
  • Several other countries are investigating the technology, including India, Japan, Australia, France, Germany and North Korea, which claims to have tested a hypersonic missile.
  • In fact, India is also closing in on having such weapons in its arsenal.
  • Last year, India successfully tested its hypersonic technology demonstrator vehicle (HSTDV), powered by a scramjet engine.
  • The HSTDV will serve as a crucial building block in the development of long-range hypersonic weapons, which will take at least another four to five years to become a reality.

Back2Basics: Types of Missiles

(1) Subsonic missiles

  • They travel at a rate slower than the speed of sound.
  • Most well-known missiles, such as the US Tomahawk cruise missile, the French Exocet, and the Indian Nirbhay, fall into this category.
  • These travel at about Mach-0.9 (705 mph), and are slower and easier to intercept, but they continue to play a significant role in modern battlefields.
  • They significantly less expensive to produce because the technological challenges have already been overcome and mastered.
  • Due to their low speed and small size, subsonic missiles provide an additional layer of strategic value.

(2) Supersonic missiles

  • They are the one that travels faster than the speed of sound (Mach 1) but not faster than Mach-3.
  • Most supersonic missiles travel at speeds ranging from Mach-2 to Mach-3, or up to 2,300 mph.
  • The Indian/Russian BrahMos, currently the fastest operational supersonic missile capable of speeds of around 2,100–2,300 mph, is the most well-known supersonic missile.

(3) Hypersonic Missiles

Explained above

 

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What are Man-Portable Air-Defence Systems (MANPADS)?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : MANPADS

Mains level : Not Much

The United States has approved a $200-million arms package for Ukraine, which would include US made Stinger Missiles, which are a type of shoulder-fired Man-Portable Air-Defence Systems (MANPADS).

What are MANPADS?

  • Man-Portable Air-Defence Systems are short-range, lightweight and portable surface-to-air missiles that can be fired by individuals or small groups to destroy aircraft or helicopters.
  • They help shield troops from aerial attacks and are most effective in targeting low-flying aircrafts.
  • MANPATs or Man-Portable Anti-Tank Systems work in a similar manner but are used to destroy or incapacitate military tanks.

Uniqueness of MANPADS

  • MANPADS can be shoulder-fired, launched from atop a ground-vehicle, fired from a tripod or stand, and from a helicopter or boat.
  • They weigh anywhere between 10 to 20 kilograms and not being longer than 1.8 metres.
  • They are fairly lightweight as compared to other elaborate weapon systems, making them easy to operate by individual soldiers.
  • Operating MANPADS requires substantially less training.
  • MANPADS have a maximum range of 8 kilometres and can engage targets at altitudes of 4.5 km.

Stealth features

  • They have passive or ‘fire and forget’ guidance systems, meaning that the operator is not required to guide the missile to its target, enabling them to run and relocate immediately after firing.
  • The missile stays locked-on to the targeted object, not requiring active guidance from the soldier.
  • The missiles are fitted with infrared (IR) seekers that identify and target the airborne vehicle through heat radiation being emitted by the latter.

 

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Antonov AN-225: World’s largest aircraft

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : An-225

Mains level : NA

Amid Moscow’s assault on Ukraine, the world’s largest cargo aircraft, the Antonov AN-225 or ‘Mriya’, was destroyed by Russian troops during an attack on an airport near Kyiv.

Antonov AN-225

  • With a wingspan of over 290-feet, the unique Antonov AN-225 was designed in what was then the Ukrainian USSR during the 1980s amid a tense race to space between the US and the Soviet Union.
  • The plane, nicknamed ‘Mriya’ or ‘dream’ in Ukrainian, is very popular in aviation circles, and is known to attract huge crowds of fans at air shows around the world.
  • It was initially designed as part of the Soviet aeronautical program to carry the Buran, which was the Soviet version of the US’ Space Shuttle.
  • After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, when the Buran program was cancelled, the aircraft was instead used to transport massive cargo loads.

Its manufacturing

  • Only one AN-225 was ever built by the Kyiv-based Antonov Company, the defence manufacturers who originally designed the plane.
  • It is essentially a large version of another design by the Antonoc Company — the four-engine An-124 ‘Condor’, which is used by the Russian Air Force.
  • The aircraft first took flight in 1988 and has been in use ever since.
  • In the recent past, it has been used for delivering relief supplies during calamities in neighbouring nations.

 

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What are Artificial Neural Networks (ANN)?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Artificial Neural Networks (ANN)

Mains level : Artificial Intelligence

This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in TH.

What are ANN?

  • The concept behind an ANN is to define inputs and outputs, feed pieces of inputs to computer programs that function like neurons and make inferences or calculations.
  • It then forwards those results to another layer of computer programs and so on, until a result is obtained.
  • As part of this neural network, a difference between intended output and input is computed at each layer and this difference is used to tune the parameters to each program.
  • This method is called back-propagation and is an essential component to the Neural Network.

Setting up of ANNs

  • Instead of CPUs, Graphic Processing Units (GPU) which are good at performing massive parallel tasks can be used for setting up ANNs.
  • A few free ANN frameworks are TensorFlow, Keras, PyTorch and Theano.
  • These can be used for both normal Machine Learning tasks like classification or clustering and for Deep Learning/ANN tasks.

Why called Neural Network?

  • Neuron is the building block of the brain and it inspired computer scientists from the 1950s to make a computer perform tasks like a brain does.
  • It is not a simple problem and the clue to its complexity is in the brain structure.

Why ANN?

Ans. Making an artificial brain

  • We need billions of artificial neurons if we were to build an artificial brain.
  • With the increase in computing power, mimicking billions of neurons is now possible.

Popularity of ANNs

  • Data Science, used interchangeably with Machine Learning, is the computer technology that uses data to detect patterns.
  • Hand-written digit recognition is a good example of machine learning.
  • However, in order for the computer to do this task, large amounts of sample data need to be manually labelled as examples of images of digits.
  • The ANN mentioned above with its backpropagation does exactly this.
  • This is why ANNs have become hugely popular in the past decade. This approach of using neural networks of many layers to automatically detect patterns and parameters is called Deep Learning.

 

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What are Solid-State Batteries?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Solid-state lithium ion battery

Mains level : Battery Technology for e-Vehicles boost

After Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal, now another Indian origin is in the headline is Jagdeep Singh, CEO and founder of a US battery startup. The reason for his recent buzz for his breakthrough battery technology.

About QuantumScape

  • QuantumScape Corp is a battery startup backed by Volkswagen AG.
  • Its solid-state battery — lithium metal with a solid electrolyte separating the two electrodes — is seen as an exceptionally bright prospect in E-Vehicle industry.

What are Solid-state batteries?

  • A solid-state battery is a battery technology that uses solid electrodes and a solid electrolyte, instead of the liquid or polymer gel electrolytes found in lithium-ion or lithium polymer batteries.
  • Such batteries can provide potential solutions for many problems of liquid Li-ion battery, such as flammability, limited voltage, unstable solid-electrolyte interphase formation, poor cycling performance and strength.

What are Li-ion Batteries?

  • Lithium-ion batteries use aqueous electrolyte solutions, where ions transfer to and fro between the anode (negative electrode generally made of graphite) and cathode (positive electrode made of lithium), triggering the recharge and discharge of electrons.
  • The energy density of lithium-ion cells used in today’s mobile phones and electric vehicles is nearly four times higher than that of older-generation nickel-cadmium batteries.

Its limitations

  • Low energy density: Despite improvements in technology over the last decade, issues such as long charging times and weak energy density persist.
  • Small appliances: While lithium-ion batteries are seen as sufficiently efficient for phones and laptops, they still lack the range that would make EVs a viable alternative.
  • Extreme reactivity: One major problem is that lithium metal is extremely reactive.
  • Corrosion of cells: The main form of lithium corrosion is dendrites (branched lithium structures) that grow out from the electrode and can potentially pierce the separator short-circuiting the cell.
  • Fire hazard: In current lithium-ion batteries, in which the electrolyte is a flammable liquid, dendrite formation can trigger a fire.

What is the breakthrough?

  • QuantumScape claims to prevent dendrites formation.
  • It uses a solid-state separator technology that eliminates the side reaction between the liquid electrolyte and the carbon/graphite in the anode of conventional lithium-ion cells.
  • The replacement of the separator enables the use of a lithium-metal anode in place of the traditional
  • The lithium metal anode is more energy-dense than conventional anodes, which allows the battery to store more energy in the same volume, according to the company.

Key advantages of QuantumScape Battery

  • The advantages of the solid-state battery technology include higher cell energy density (by eliminating the carbon anode), lower charge time (by eliminating the need to have lithium diffuse into the carbon particles in conventional lithium-ion cells).
  • It has the ability to undertake more charging cycles and thereby a longer life, and improved safety.
  • Lower cost could be a game-changer, given that at 30 per cent of the total cost, battery expenses are a key driver of the vehicle costs.

India’s battery push

  • The centre is working on a blueprint for a project of around 4,000 MWh of grid-scale battery storage system at the regional load dispatch centres that control the country’s power grid, primarily to balance the vagaries of renewable generation.
  • Reliance Industries Ltd has announced plans to set up an Energy Storage Giga factory; state-owned NTPC Ltd has floated a global tender for a grid-scale battery storage project.
  • The Ministry of Heavy Industries issued a request for proposal for setting up manufacturing facilities for Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) battery storage in India.

 

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

IIT-B develops One-time Programmable Memory

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : One-time Programmable Memory

Mains level : NA

IIT Bombay researchers have developed a “memory technology” that can, in principle, revolutionise Indian industry and the many applications that need semiconductor chips, such as in the defence sector, automobiles and future aspirations in cell phone manufacturing.

One-time Programmable Memory

  • Hard disks, flash memory, etc, are examples of memory technology.
  • There is also another form of memory called the one-time programmable memory (OTP) where the memory is written once, stored for a lifetime, and retrieved and used many times.
  • This finds varied uses, one of which is in correcting faulty chips that have been mass produced for specific applications.

Its utility

  • For instance, think of a chip that helps read off the temperature.
  • Due to a manufacturing defect, the chip may read 100 degree Celsius as 101 degree Celsius.
  • This “offset” of 1 degree may be corrected by storing the error correction parameter in the OTP memory.
  • This is done uniquely for each chip and once stored, the memory corrects the chip’s output for its lifetime.
  • OTP memories are also used for other purposes, mainly three: chip identity, secure information storage and chip calibration for error correction.

How does it work?

  • To store the correction value, the researchers used eight memory cells, each of which would store one “bit” (that is a value of zero or one).
  • Each of the memory cells consist of an ultrathin silicon dioxide layer which is 10-15 atomic layers thick.
  • This is deposited uniformly over a dinner plate–sized eight-inch silicon wafer to form millions of nanoscale capacitors.
  • The pristine silicon dioxide layer is insulating, passing a very low current [which in digital electronics is read as a “0”].
  • A nanoscale lightning is generated of 3.3 volts to blow the capacitor, leading to a short circuit that produced high current [this is a “1”].
  • Thus, the OTP memory remembers either the “0” state or “1” state through its lifetime.

Benefits offered

  • The group has successfully demonstrated CMOS 180-nanometre–based, production-ready, eight-bit memory technology.
  • These include successful operation between minus 40 degrees C to 125 degrees C and reliability to ensure excess of 95% yield on eight-bit memories.

Significance

  • A large fraction of manufactured chips may need to be discarded for faults that can be corrected using this technology.
  • This technology is the first indigenous semiconductor memory technology adoption to manufacturing at 180-nanometre node.
  • Thus, this is a major national milestone for semiconductor innovation.

 

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Revolution unfolding in data regulation

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : DEPA

Mains level : Paper 3-Data protection regulations

Context

A number of countries have been looking to extend their existing data protection frameworks to ensure that users have more effective control over their data than their regulations currently allow.

Measures to unlock the data silos

  • Benefits: These measures aimed at unlocking data silos will make it easier for data to flow from the entity that currently holds it to any other data business that might want to use it with the permission of the data subject.
  • In Australia, Consumer Data Right framework will allow consumers in Australia to require any business with which they have a commercial relationship to transfer that data to any other business of their choice.
  • The first sector in which this new data right is being rolled out in the banking sector, with power set to follow close on its heels.
  • The EU’s proposed Data Act will create a fairer data economy by ensuring better access to and use of data and is intended to cover both business-to-business and business-to-government transfers of data.
  • Along similar lines, the EU has also drafted a Data Governance Act to govern the data exchanges and platforms.
  • It will thus both enable and regulate new data-sharing arrangements that will intermediate the transfer of data from data businesses that currently hold it to those that have been permitted to use it.
  • Data regulation to protect and utilize data: Regulatory activity seems to suggest that it is not enough to protect data if you cannot also ensure that this data is effectively utilized.

What are the issues with regulation measures?

1) Law and regulation cannot keep pace with technology

  • Technology determines how data is collected, processed and used, and, by extension, the manner in which it is transferred.
  • Decades of trying to regulate technology businesses have taught us that laws and regulation simply cannot keep pace with changes in technology.
  • No matter how fast we move, if the only weapon we are using to regulate technology is the law, we will be doomed to play catch-up forever.
  • These new consumer-centric measures are likely to fail if they are to be implemented solely through legislation.

2) Data transfers in the absence of a legal framework can lead to problems in India

  • India has adopted a slightly different approach to data transfers known as the Data Empowerment and Protection Architecture (DEPA).
  • DEPA offers a technology-based solution for consent-based data flows, allowing users to transfer their data from data businesses that currently hold them to those that want to use them.
  •  Last week, the country’s Account Aggregator framework—the first implementation of DEPA—went live in the financial sector.
  •  It too suffers from infirmities that could threaten its success.
  • India still does not have a data protection regulation and implementing a technological solution for data transfers in the absence of a legal framework could lead to new problems.

Way forward: Techno-legal approach

  • Use techno-legal approach to regulate: Technology businesses are most effectively regulated through a judicious mix of law and technology—strong, principle-based laws to provide the regulatory foundation, with protocol-based guardrails to ensure compliance.
  • Seven countries came together to endorse a techno-legal approach to data regulation.
  • If successful, this would be the first global attempt to adopt a techno-legal solution for data-transfer regulation.

Consider the question “There is growing appreciation in regulatory circles that it is not enough to protect data if you cannot also ensure that this data is effectively utilized” In light of this, examine the challenges in regulation of data while ensuring its safe transfer for utilisation.” 

Conclusion

Techno-legal solution offers effective ways to deal with the problems of data regulation and data transfer.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

What are Doppler Radars?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Doppler Radar

Mains level : Not Much

The India Meteorological Department’s (IMD) Doppler Radar in Mumbai, which surveys weather patterns and forecasts, stopped working after heavy rainfalls.

How does a Doppler radar work?

  • In radars, a beam of energy– called radio waves– is emitted from an antenna.
  • When this beam strikes an object in the atmosphere, the energy scatters in all directions, with some reflecting directly back to the radar.
  • The larger the object deflecting the beam, the greater is the amount of energy that the radar receives in return.
  • Observing the time required for the beam to be transmitted and returned to the radar allows weather forecasting departments to “see” raindrops in the atmosphere, and measure their distance from the radar.

What makes a Doppler radar special?

  • It can provide information on both the position of targets as well as their movement.
  • It does this by tracking the ‘phase’ of transmitted radio wave pulses; phase meaning the shape, position, and form of those pulses.
  • As computers measure the shift in phase between the original pulse and the received echo, the movement of raindrops can be calculated.
  • Thus it is possible to tell whether the precipitation is moving toward or away from the radar.

Types of Doppler radar

  • In India, Doppler radars of varying frequencies — S-band, C-band and X-band — are commonly used.
  • They help track the movement of weather systems and cloud bands and gauge rainfall over its coverage area of about 500 km.
  • The radars guide meteorologists, particularly in times of extreme weather events like cyclones and associated heavy rainfall.
  • An X-band radar is used to detect thunderstorms and lightning whereas C-band guides in cyclone tracking.

Why are they called ‘Doppler’ radars?

  • The phase shift in these radars works on the same lines as the “Doppler effect” observed in sound waves.
  • It tells that the sound pitch of an object approaching the observer is higher due to the compression of sound waves (a change in their phase).
  • As this object moves away from the observer, the sound waves stretch, resulting in lower frequency.
  • This effect explains why an approaching train’s whistle sounds louder than the whistle when the train moves away.
  • The discovery of the phenomenon is attributed to Christian Doppler, a 19th-century Austrian physicist.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

[pib] Space-time induces Neutrino Oscillations

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Neutrinos

Mains level : NA

Indian scientists have shown that the geometry of space-time can cause neutrinos to oscillate.

What are Neutrinos?

  • A neutrino is a subatomic particle that is very similar to an electron but has no electrical charge and a very small mass, which might even be zero.
  • Since neutrinos are electrically neutral, they are not affected by the electromagnetic forces which act on electrons. Hence, they are also called Ghost Particles.
  • Neutrinos are affected only by a “weak” sub-atomic force of a much shorter range than electromagnetism and are therefore able to pass through great distances in matter without being affected by it.
  • They are also one of the most abundant particles in the universe. As they have very little interaction with matter, however, they are incredibly difficult to detect.

Answer this PYQ in the comment box:

Q.The known forces of nature can be divided into four classes, viz, gravity, electromagnetism, weak nuclear force and strong nuclear force. With reference to them, which one of the following statements is not correct?

(a) Gravity is the strongest of the four

(b) Electromagnetism act only on particles with an electric charge

(c) Weak nuclear force causes radioactivity

(d) Strong nuclear force holds protons and neutrons inside the nuclear of an atom

Finding of the new research

  • Neutrinos are mysterious particles, produced copiously in nuclear reactions in the Sun, stars, and elsewhere.
  • They “oscillate”- meaning that different types of neutrinos change into one another – as has been found in many experiments.
  • Probing of oscillations of neutrinos and their relations with mass are crucial in studying the origin of the universe.
  • Neutrinos interact very weakly with everything else – trillions of them pass through every human being every second without anyone noticing.
  • A neutrino’s spin always points in the opposite direction of its motion, and until a few years ago, neutrinos were believed to be massless.

What makes this possible?

  • The geometry of space-time can cause neutrino oscillations through quantum effects even if neutrinos are massless.
  • Einstein’s theory of general relativity says that gravitation is the manifestation of space-time curvature.
  • Neutrinos, electrons, protons and other particles which are in the category of fermions show a certain peculiarity when they move in presence of gravity.
  • Space-time induces a quantum force in addition to gravity between every two fermions.
  • This force can depend on the spin of the particles and causes massless neutrinos to appear massive when they pass through matter, like the Sun’s corona or the Earth’s atmosphere.
  • Something similar happens for electroweak interactions, and together with the geometrically induced mass, it is enough to cause oscillation of neutrinos.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

China’s EAST Tokamak Device

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Artificial Sun

Mains level : Concept behind artificial sun

China’s Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST), which mimics the energy generation process of the sun, set a new record.

What is China’s ‘artificial sun’ EAST?

  • The Experimental Advanced Superconducting Tokamak (EAST) reactor is an advanced nuclear fusion experimental research device.
  • The purpose of the artificial sun is to replicate the process of nuclear fusion, which is the same reaction that powers the sun.
  • The EAST is one of three major domestic tokamaks that are presently being operated across the country.
  • Apart from the EAST, China is currently operating the HL-2A reactor as well as J-TEXT.
  • Since it first became operational in 2006, the EAST has set several records for the duration of confinement of exceedingly hot plasma.
  • The EAST project is part of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) facility, which will become the world’s largest nuclear fusion reactor when it becomes operational in 2035.
  • The project includes the contributions of several countries, including India, South Korea, Japan, Russia and the United States.

How does the ‘artificial sun’ EAST work?

  • The EAST Tokamak device is designed to replicate the nuclear fusion process carried out by the sun and stars.
  • Nuclear fusion is a process through which high levels of energy are produced without generating large quantities of waste.
  • Previously, energy was produced through nuclear fission — a process in which the nucleus of a heavy atom was split into two or more nuclei of lighter atoms.

Fission vs. Fusion

  • While fission is an easier process to carry out, it generates far more nuclear waste.
  • Unlike fission, fusion also does not emit greenhouse gases and is considered a safer process with a lower risk of accidents.
  • Once mastered, nuclear fusion could potentially provide unlimited clean energy and very low costs.

But what is Fusion?

  • For nuclear fusion to occur, tremendous heat and pressure are applied on hydrogen atoms so that they fuse together. `
  • The nuclei of deuterium and tritium — both found in hydrogen — are made to fuse together to create a helium nucleus, a neutron along with a whole lot of energy.
  • Fuel is heated to temperatures of over 150 million degrees C so that it forms a hot plasma “soup” of subatomic particles.
  • With the help of a strong magnetic field, the plasma is kept away from the walls of the reactor to ensure it does not cool down and lose its potential to generate large amounts of energy.
  • The plasma is confined for long durations for fusion to take place.

What is the latest record and why does it matter?

  • The EAST reactor set a new record on Friday when it achieved a plasma temperature of 216 million degrees Fahrenheit and also managed to run for 20 seconds at 288 million degrees Fahrenheit.
  • To put this in perspective, the sun’s core only reaches about 15 million degrees Celsius, which means the reactor was able to touch temperatures that are 10 times hotter than that.
  • The next goal for the scientists behind the experimental reactor is to maintain the high temperature for a long period of time. Previously, the EAST had reached a record temperature of 100 million degrees Celsius in 2018.

China is not the only

  • But China is not the only country that has achieved high plasma temperatures.
  • In 2020, South Korea’s KSTAR reactor set a new record by maintaining a plasma temperature of over 100 million degrees Celsius for 20 seconds.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

[pib] “AmbiTAG”- India’s first indigenous temperature data logger

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : AmbiTag

Mains level : NA

IIT Ropar in (Punjab) has developed a first-of-its-kind IoT device – AmbiTag that records real-time ambient temperature during the transportation of perishable products, vaccines, and even body organs and blood.

AmbiTag

  • Shaped like a USB device, AmbiTag continuously records the temperature of its immediate surroundings “from -40 to +80 degrees in any time zone for a full 90 days on a single charge.
  • Most of the similar devices available in the international market record data only for a duration of 30- 60 days.
  • It generates an alert when the temperature goes beyond a pre-set limit. The recorded data can be retrieved by connecting the USB with any computer.
  • So far, such devices are being imported by India in a massive quantity from other countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Ireland, and China.
  • The device has been developed under Technology Innovation Hub – AWaDH (Agriculture and Water Technology Development Hub) and its Startup ScratchNest.

Its applications

  • The device helps know whether that particular item transported from anywhere in the world is still usable or perished because of temperature variation.
  • This information is particularly critical for vaccines including the Covid-19 vaccine, organs, and blood transportation.
  • Besides perishable items including vegetables, meat, and dairy products it can also monitor the temperature of animal semen during transit.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

[pib] Bharat Ratna Professor CNR Rao

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : CNR Rao and his scientific contributions

Mains level : Not Much

Bharat Ratna Professor C.N.R. Rao has received the International Eni Award 2020 for research into renewable energy sources and energy storage, also called the Energy Frontier award.

Who is CNR Rao?

  • Rao is an Indian chemist who has worked mainly in solid-state and structural chemistry.
  • Rao is one of the world’s foremost solid state and materials chemists. He has contributed to the development of the field over five decades.

His scientific contributions

His work on transition metal oxides has led to a basic understanding of novel phenomena and the relationship between materials properties and the structural chemistry of these materials.

  • Rao was one of the earliest to synthesize two-dimensional oxide materials such as La2CuO4.
  • He was one of the first to synthesize 123 cuprates, the first liquid nitrogen-temperature superconductor in 1987. He was also the first to synthesis Y junction carbon nanotubes in the mid-1990s.
  • His work has led to a systematic study of compositionally controlled metal-insulator transitions.
  • Such studies have had a profound impact in application fields such as colossal magnetoresistance and high-temperature superconductivity.
  • He has made immense contributions to nanomaterials over the last two decades, besides his work on hybrid materials.

Answer this PYQ from CSP 2020 in the comment box:

Q. With reference to carbon nanotubes, consider the following statements:

1. They can be used as carriers of drugs and antigens in the human body.
2. They can be made into artificial blood capillaries for an injured part of the human body.
3. They can be used in biochemical sensors.
4. Carbon nanotubes are biodegradable.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2, 3, and 4 only
(c) 1, 3, and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Citations for the Energy Frontiers award

  • Professor Rao has been working on hydrogen energy as the only source of energy for the benefit of all mankind.
  • Hydrogen storage, photochemical and electrochemical production of hydrogen, solar production of hydrogen, and non-metallic catalysis were the highlights of his work.
  • The EF award has been conferred for his work on metal oxides, carbon nanotubes, and other materials and two-dimensional systems, including graphene, boron-nitrogen-carbon hybrid materials, and molybdenum sulfide (Molybdenite – MoS2) for energy applications and green hydrogen production.
  • Green hydrogen production can be achieved through various processes, including the photodissociation of water, thermal dissociation, and electrolysis activated by electricity produced from solar or wind energy.

Significance of this award

  • This is considered to be the Nobel Prize in Energy Research.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

What is the Whitest Paint?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Whitest paint and its composition

Mains level : NA

Engineers in the US have created what they are calling the whitest paint yet.

What is the whitest paint?

  • The researchers created an ultra-white paint pushing the limits of how white paint can be.
  • This older formulation was made of calcium carbonate, while the new one is made up of barium sulphate, which makes it more white.
  • The newer paint is whiter and keeps the surface areas it is painted on cooler than the formulation before this could.
  • If this new paint was used to cover a roof area of 1,000 square feet, it may be able to get a cooling power of 10 kilowatts.
  • Most ovens use up about 2.3 kilowatts to run for an hour and a 3 ton 12 Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) air conditioner uses up about 3 kilowatts to run for an hour.

The researchers have claimed that this paint may be the closest equivalent to the blackest black paint called “Vantablack” which is able to absorb up to 99.9 per cent of visible light.

What determines if a colour absorbs or reflects light?

  • To understand how this works one needs to note that whenever an object is seen by the eye, it is either because of sunlight or the artificial light in the room.
  • This light is made up of seven different colours (Violet, Indigo, Blue, Green, Yellow, Orange and Red or VIBGYOR).
  • Specifically, light is made up of wavelengths of different colours.
  • If an individual is looking at a sofa that is green, this is because the fabric or material it is made up of is able to absorb all the colours except green.
  • This means that the molecules of the fabric reflect the green coloured wavelengths, which is what the eye sees.
  • Therefore, the colour of any object or thing is determined by the wavelength the molecules are not able to absorb.

Try this PYQ:

Q.Rainbow is produced when sunlight falls on drops of rain. Which of the following physical phenomena are responsible for this?

  1. Dispersion
  2. Refraction
  3. Internal reflection

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

What determines which wavelength of light will be reflected and absorbed?

  • This is dependent on how electrons are arranged in an atom (the building block of life, an atom is made up of electrons, protons and neutrons.
  • These three particles make up everything in the known universe from mountains, planets, humans to pizza and cake).
  • In contrast, if an object is black, it is because it has absorbed all the wavelengths and therefore no light is reflected from them.
  • This is the reason that darker objects, as a result absorbing all wavelengths tend to heat up faster (during absorption the light energy is converted into heat energy).

So, what makes the paint so white?

There are two features:

  1. One is the paint’s high concentration of a chemical compound called barium sulfate, which is also used to make photo paper and cosmetics white.
  2. The second feature is that the team has used different sized particles of this chemical compound, which means different sizes scatter different amounts of light.

In this way, the varying size of particles of the compound makes sure that the paint can scatter more of the light spectrum from the sun.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

[pib] NanoSniffer: A Microsensor based Explosive Trace Detector

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : NanoSniffer

Mains level : NA

A Union Minister has launched NanoSniffer, the world’s first Microsensor based Explosive Trace Detector (ETD) developed by NanoSniff Technologies, an IIT Bombay incubated startup.

Can you name some explosives?

NanoSniffer

  • NanoSniffer is a 100% Made in India product in terms of research, development & manufacturing.
  • It can detect explosives in less than 10 seconds and it also identifies and categorizes explosives into different classes. It detects all classes of military, conventional and homemade explosives.
  • It gives visible & audible alerts with a sunlight-readable colour display.
  • NanoSniffer provides trace detection of the nano-gram quantity of explosives & delivers result in seconds.
  • It can accurately detect a wide range of military, commercial and homemade explosives threats.
  • Further analysis of the algorithms also helps in the categorization of explosives into the appropriate class.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Muon G–2 Experiment

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Muan

Mains level : Particle physics and its various anomalies

The results from the Muon g-2 experiment show that fundamental particles called muons behave in a way that is not predicted by the Standard Model of particle physics.

After genetics, AI and the blockchain, Particle Physics is making several headlines these days. This is something intuitive.

What is Muon?

  • Fermilab, the American particle accelerator, has released first results from its “muon g-2” experiment.
  • These results spotlight the anomalous behaviour of the elementary particle called the muon.
  • The muon is a heavier cousin of the electron and is expected to have a value of 2 for its magnetic moment, labelled “g”.
  • Now, the muon is not alone in the universe.
  • It is embedded in a sea where particles are popping out and vanishing every instant due to quantum effects.
  • So, its g value is altered by its interactions with these short-lived excitations.

Main characteristic: Anomalous magnetic moment

  • The Standard Model of particle physics calculates this correction, called the anomalous magnetic moment, very accurately.
  • The muon g-2 experiment measured the extent of the anomaly and announced that “g” deviated from the amount predicted by the Standard Model.
  • That is, while the calculated value in the Standard Model is 2.00233183620 approximately, the experimental results show a value of 2.00233184122.
  • They have measured “g” to an accuracy of about 4.2 sigma when the results are combined with those from a 20-year-old experiment.
  • This makes physicists sit up and take note, but it is not yet significant enough to constitute a discovery – for which they need a significance of 5 sigma.

The g factor

  • The muon is also known as the fat electron.
  • It is produced copiously in the Fermilab experiments and occurs naturally in cosmic ray showers.
  • Like the electron, the muon has a magnetic moment because of which, when placed in a magnetic field, it spins and processes, or wobbles, slightly, like the axis of a spinning top.
  • Its internal magnetic moment, the g factor, determines the extent of this wobble.
  • As the muon spins, it also interacts with the surrounding environment, which consists of short-lived particles popping in and out of a vacuum.

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Xenobots: Robots developed from stem cells of frogs

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Xenobot

Mains level : Biomedicines and their applications

Researchers have developed robots from stem cells of frogs called Xenobots.

Xenobots, the name itself suggests its peculiarity.

Xenobots

  • Xenobots, named after the African clawed frog are synthetic organisms that are automatically designed by computers to perform some desired function and built by combining together different biological tissues.
  • They are less than a 1 millimeter (0.039 inches) wide and composed of just two things: skin cells and heart muscle cells, both of which are derived from stem cells harvested from early (blastula stage) frog embryos.
  • They can self-heal after damage, record memories and work together in groups.
  • These biological robots can record information about their surroundings and move using cilia – minute hair like particles present on their surface.

Its applications

  • These soft-body living machines can have several applications in biomedicine and the environment.
  • They could be made from a human patient’s own cells, which would bypass the immune response challenges of other kinds of micro-robotic delivery systems.
  • Such xenobots could potentially be used to scrape plaque from arteries and with additional cell types and bioengineering, locate and treat disease.

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Large Hadron Collider beauty Experiment

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : LHCb experiments and its findings

Mains level : Formation of the universe and the Big Bang

The LHCb experiment at CERN (European Council for Nuclear Research) has announced the results of their latest analysis of data.

LHCb Experiment: An easy explanation

  • LHCb is an experiment set up to explore what happened after the Big Bang that allowed the matter to survive and build the Universe we inhabit today.
  • Fourteen billion years ago, the Universe began with a bang.
  • Crammed within an infinitely small space, energy coalesced to form equal quantities of matter and antimatter.
  • But as the Universe cooled and expanded, its composition changed.
  • Just one second after the Big Bang, antimatter had all but disappeared, leaving the matter to form everything that we see around us — from the stars and galaxies to the Earth and all life that it supports.

What is the new finding?

  • CERN scientists are excited enough to reveal that if the anomaly they had detected was confirmed.
  • Because, if confirmed, it would require a new physical process, such as the existence of new fundamental particles or interactions.

What is this excitement all about?

It is necessary to delve into the world of elementary particles to understand this.

(1) Particle zoo

Until now it is believed that the electron, muon and tauon and their antiparticles, though they differ in mass, behave similarly in particle interactions.

  • Broadly speaking, elementary particles are classified into the particles called baryons – which include protons, neutrons and their antiparticles the antiprotons etc.
  • The “middle mass” particles, roughly speaking, are called the mesons and they include members such as the K and B particles.
  • We then have the leptons, which include the electron and its cousins the muon and tau particles and the anti-particles.
  • At a still smaller scale, there are tiny particles called quarks and gluons.
  • There are six flavours of quarks: up, down, truth, beauty, charm and strange. They too have antiquarks associated with them.

In this particle zoo, while the baryons are made up of combinations of three quarks, the mesons contain two quarks, more accurately a quark and antiquark pair, and the leptons are truly fundamental and are thought to be indivisible.

Do you know?

Higgs Boson is called the god particle.

(2) Colliding particle beams

By interactions here, is meant the following:

  • If a huge particle accelerator such as the LHC were to accelerate beams of hadrons (such as protons) to very high speeds, a fraction of that of light, and then cause them to collide.
  • Basically, smash through the repulsive nuclear forces and shatter them, the hadrons would break up into constituents which would recombine to form short-lived particles, which would decay into stabler states.
  • Roughly speaking, during this process, they are imaged in a huge multistorey detector and the number of specific processes and particles are counted.

(3) Lepton universality principle

  • One such process that was measured was the decay of a meson B (which contained the beauty quark) into K-meson (which contains the strange quark) and a muon-antimuon pair, and this was compared with the decay of B into K and an electron-antielectron pair.
  • The expectation is that the ratio of the strengths of these two sets of interactions would be just one.
  • This is because the muons are not essentially different from the electrons as per the Standard Model, the presently accepted theoretical model of all elementary particle interactions.
  • This is called the lepton universality principle.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

[pib] High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT)

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : HEMT

Mains level : NA

Indian Scientists from Bangalore have developed a highly reliable, High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMTs) that is normally OFF the device and can switch currents up to 4A and operates at 600V.

We cannot deny the possibility of a complex S&T based prelims question. This newscard seems very technical. However many of you might be aware of the p-n junction diodes and conventional transistors.

What is HEMT?

  • A high electron mobility transistor or HEMT is a type of field-effect transistor (FET) that is used to produce a high performance at microwave frequencies.
  • The HEMT provides a fusion of low noise figure that comes combined with the unique ability to function at very high microwave frequencies.
  • These devices are commonly used in aspects of radiofrequency designs that require high performance at high-frequency levels.
  • They produce a high gain, which makes these transistors very useful as amplifiers. They can switch speeds very rapidly.
  • And finally, they produce very low noise values as the current variations in these transistors are comparatively low.

Practical applications of HEMT

  • HEMTs are used in applications where microwave millimetre wave communications are conducted.
  • They are also used for radar, imaging, as well as radio astronomy.
  • They are also used in voltage converter applications.
  • These transistors are also ideal as digital on-off switches in integrated circuits, and to be used as amplifiers for huge amounts of current by using a small voltage as a control signal.

What is the news?

First-ever indigenous HEMT

  • This first-ever indigenous HEMT device made from gallium nitride (GaN) is useful in electric cars, locomotives, power transmission and other areas requiring high voltage and high-frequency switching.
  • It would reduce the cost of importing such stable and efficient transistors required in power electronics.

How does it work?

  • Power electronic systems demand high blocking voltage in OFF-state and high current in ON-state for efficient switching performance.
  • Specific transistors called HEMTs made of aluminium gallium nitride/ gallium nitride (AlGaN/GaN) provides an edge over silicon-based transistors as they allow the systems to operate at very high voltages, switch ON and OFF faster, and occupy less space.
  • Commercially available AlGaN/GaN HEMTs use techniques to keep the transistor in a normally OFF state, which affects the stability, performance and reliability of the device.
  • Therefore, to meet this need, researchers have developed a new kind of HEMT, which is in the OFF state by default and works like any other commonly used power transistor.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Responsible and ethical AI

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Not much

Mains level : Paper 3- AI governance

The article highlights the challenges and opportunities offered by the Artificial Intelligence and suggests the ways to deal with them.

AI as a part of our life

  • AI is embedded in the recommendations we get on our favourite streaming or shopping site; in GPS mapping technology; in the predictive text that completes our sentences when we try to send an email or complete a web search.
  • And the more we use AI, the more data we generate, the smarter it gets.
  • In just the last decade, AI has evolved with unprecedented velocity.

How AI could help us

  • AI has helped increase crop yields, raised business productivity, improved access to credit and made cancer detection faster and more precise.
  • It could contribute more than $15 trillion to the world economy by 2030, adding 14% to global GDP.
  • Google has identified over 2,600 use cases of “AI for good” worldwide.
  • A study published in Nature reviewing the impact of AI on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) finds that AI may act as an enabler on 134 of all SDG targets.

Concerns with AI

  • Yet, the study in Nature also finds that AI can actively hinder 59 — or 35% — of SDG targets.
  • AI requires massive computational capacity, which means more power-hungry data centres — and a big carbon footprint.
  • AI could compound digital exclusion.
  • Many desk jobs will be edged out by AI, such as accountants, financial traders and middle managers.
  • Without clear policies on reskilling workers, the promise of new opportunities will in fact create serious new inequalities.
  • Investment is likely to shift to countries where AI-related work is already established widening gaps among and within countries.
  • AI also presents serious data privacy concerns. 
  • We shape the algorithms and it is our data AI operate on.
  • In 2016, it took less than a day for Microsoft’s Twitter chatbot, “Tay”, to start spewing egregious racist content, based on the material it encountered.

Way forward

  • Without ethical guard rails, AI will widen social and economic schisms, amplifying any innate biases.
  • Only a “whole of society” approach to AI governance will enable us to develop broad-based ethical principles, cultures and codes of conduct.
  • Given the global reach of AI, such a “whole of society” approach must rest on a “whole of world” approach.
  • The UN Secretary-General’s Roadmap on Digital Cooperation is a good starting point.
  • This approach lays out the need for multi-stakeholder efforts on global cooperation.
  • UNESCO has developed a global, comprehensive standard-setting draft Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence to Member States for deliberation and adoption.
  • Many countries, including India, are cognisant of the opportunities and the risks, and are striving to strike the right balance between AI promotion and AI governance.
  • NITI Aayog’s Responsible AI for All strategy, the culmination of a year-long consultative process, is a case in point.

Consider the question “What are the ways in which Artificial Intelligence in helping humanity? What are the concerns with the promotion and the governance of AI?”

Conclusion

Chellenging part starts where principles meet reality that the ethical issues and conundrums arise in practice, and for which we must be prepared for deep, difficult, multi-stakeholder ethical reflection, analyses and resolve. Only then will AI provide humanity its full promise.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Raman Thermometry check on health of power lines

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Raman Thermometry

Mains level : Discom issues

Researchers at IIT Madras have demonstrated that by using Raman thermometry on fibre optic cables, they can achieve the monitoring of power transmission cables.

What is Raman Thermometry?

  • Raman spectroscopy is well known as an analytical method for identifying chemical compounds and characterizing the chemical bonding and solid-state structure of materials.
  • Perhaps less well known is the fact that one can use Raman spectroscopy to determine the temperature of the material being analyzed.

For that, we need to get familiarized with Raman Effect

  • India’s first and so far only Nobel laureate in physics, C.V. Raman, won the prize for his discovery of the Raman Effect.
  • This consisted of experimental observations on the scattering of light.
  • In the Raman Effect, when light is scattered off an object, say a molecule, two bands are observed, with a higher and lower frequency than the original light, called the Stokes and anti-Stokes bands, respectively.
  • By studying the relative intensity of the two bands, it is possible to estimate the temperature of the object that scattered the light.
  • The anti-Stokes component of Raman scattering is strongly dependent on the temperature that the material is subjected to.

Thus, by measuring the intensity of the anti-Stokes scattered light we can estimate the temperature. This is Raman thermometry.

Try this PYQ:

Q.Which Indian astrophysicist and Nobel laureate predicted rapidly rotating stars emit polarized light?

(a) Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar

(b) CV Raman

(c) Ramanujan

(d) Amartya Sen

What has IITM achieved?

  • The temperature measurement was performed in not just one location, but in a distributed manner using an optical fibre.
  • To achieve this, a pulse of light was launched into the optical fibre and the backscattered radiation was observed.
  • The time of flight of the backscattered radiation provided an estimate of the distance from which the light is backscattered.
  • This can go up to tens of kilometres. This technique is married to Raman thermometry to get the results for actual measurements over tens of kilometres.

What makes this experiment special?

  • The distribution Sector considered the weakest link in the entire power sector.
  • We are much aware of Transmission and Distribution loss that is incurred to our DISCOMS.
  • This IITM technology helps analyze transmission efficiencies in a better way.
  • The present method devised by the team is both economical and provides real-time information.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Life deep beneath Antarctica’s ice shelves

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Life under Antarctic

Mains level : Not Much

Researchers have accidentally discovered living under the ice shelves of the Antarctic — in extremely cold and harsh conditions.

Life beneath the Antarctic

  • Scientists have discovered sessile sponges — a pore bearing multicellular organism and other alien species — attached to the sides of rock beneath the ice sheets.
  • The unidentified species are estimated to be related to sponges, ascidians (sea squirts), hydroids, barnacles, cnidarian or polychaete. All of these look like bristle worms.
  • Scientists are yet to discover how these organisms access food.
  • They would use Environment Deoxyribonucleic acid (e-DNA) technology in future to identify the organisms.

Organisms discovered

Sponges

  • Sponges are the members of the phylum Porifera.
  • They are multicellular organisms that have bodies full of pores and channels allowing water to circulate through them, consisting of jelly-like mesohyl sandwiched between two thin layers of cells.

Ascidians

  • Ascidians, or sea squirts, are invertebrate chordates that belong to the earliest branch in the chordate phylum.
  • Ascidians are found all over the world, usually in shallow water with salinities over 2.5%.

Hydroids

  • Hydroids are a life stage for most animals of the class Hydrozoa, small predators related to jellyfish.
  • Some hydroids such as the freshwater Hydra are solitary, with the polyp attached directly to the substrate.

Barnacles 

  • Barnacles are a highly specialized group of crustaceans.
  • A barnacle is a type of arthropod related to crabs and lobsters.

Cnidarians

  • Cnidarians, also called coelenterate, any member of the phylum Cnidaria (Coelenterata), a group made up of more than 9,000 living species.
  • Mostly marine animals, the cnidarians include the corals, hydras, jellyfish, Portuguese men-of-war, sea anemones, sea pens, sea whips, and sea fans.

Now take this chance to revise your biology basics on various phyla. It will be beneficial for state PSC exams. UPSC has also begun puzzling us on core biology questions.

Defying old theories

  • The discovery has left many of them baffled for it contradicts earlier theories of non-survival of life in such extreme conditions.
  • Until now, scientists believed that sea life decreased with an increase in the depth of the Antarctic ice floor.

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Mechanophotonics: Manipulating light through crystals

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Mechanophotonics, Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

Mains level : Not Much

Crystals are normally rigid, stiff structures, but researchers from the University of Hyderabad have shown how crystals can be sliced and even bent using atomic force microscopy. They have named this technique as “mechanophotonics”.

The newscard discusses an out of the box technology which if brought to reality in practical use, can create immense disruptions in the technology market.

Manipulating light through crystals

  • Manipulating them with precision and control comes in very useful in the field of nanophotonics, a qualitative, emerging field.
  • The aim is to go beyond electronics and build-up circuits driven entirely by photons (light).

If the technique can be successfully developed, this can achieve an unprecedented level of miniaturisation and pave the way to all-optical-technology such as pliable, wearable devices operated by light entirely.

What Indian researchers have achieved?

: Bending light path

  • Light, when left to itself moves along straight paths, so it is crucial to develop materials and technology that can cause its path to bend along what is required in the circuits.
  • This is like using fibre optics, but at the nanoscale level using organic crystals.
  • The Hyderabad group has demonstrated how such crystals can be lifted, bent moved, transferred and sliced using atomic force microscopy.

: How?

  • Researchers add a crucial piece to the jigsaw puzzle of building an “organic photonic integrated circuit” or OPIC.
  • Generally, millimetre- to centimetre-long crystals were bent using hand-held tweezers.
  • This method lacks precision and control. Also, the crystals used were larger than what was required for miniaturisation.
  • The atomic force microscopy (AFM) cantilever tip could be used to lift a crystal, as crystals tend to stick to the tip due to tip–crystal attractive forces.
  • Thus they demonstrated the real waveguiding character of the crystal lifted with a cantilever tip.

In 2014, for the first time, the group led by Rajadurai Chandrasekar of the Functional Molecular Nano/Micro Solids Laboratory in University of Hyderabad demonstrated that tiny crystals could be lifted and moved with precision and control using atomic force microscopy.

What is Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)?

  • AFMs are a type of electron microscope used for the observation at an atomic level.
  • It is commonly used in nanotechnology.
  • The AFM works by employing an ultra-fine needle attached to a beam.
  • The tip of the needle runs over the ridges and valleys in the material being imaged, “feeling” the surface.

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Emphasising self-reliance in science

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Not much

Mains level : Paper 3- Draft fifth Science, Technology and Innovation Policy

The article discusses the features in the fifth Science, Technology and Innovation policy and also suggests the areas that needs attention.

Draft Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy

  • The new policy envisages technological self-reliance and aims to position India among the top three scientific superpowers.
  • For that to happen, the draft policy says, we need to attract our best minds to remain in India by developing a people-centric science, technology, and innovation ecosystem.
  • It aims at doubling private sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Expenditure on Research and Development every five years.

Following are the highlights of the policy

1) Funding issue

  • Raising our R&D investment in science (about 0.6% now) to 2% of the GDP has been a national goal for a while.
  • Despite strong recommendations in the past by several scientific bodies and leading scientists and policymakers, we are still well short of that goal.
  • The 2020 draft policy blames this on “inadequate private sector investment” and adds that “a robust cohesive financial landscape remains at the core of creating an STI-driven Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
  • Government is trying to shift the responsibility of financing R&D to different agencies such as the States, private enterprises, and foreign multinational companies.
  • But it is doubtful if the various funding models that are presented are workable or practical, especially during a pandemic.
  • Private sector cannot be expected to pay for basic research as return on investment in basic research takes too long from a private sector perspective.
  • The fact is that basic science research in India is suffering from the lack of adequate funding despite grand proclamations.
  • We need to implement the self-financing revenue model proposed in the Dehradun Declaration for the CSIR labs back in 2015.

2) A decentralized institutional mechanism

  • Policymakers are considering alternative mechanisms of governance of the financial landscape.
  • The issue of the administrative burdens of researchers and the problem of journal paywalls is also being considered.
  • Policymakers are also exploring international best practices of grant management.
  • The draft policy visualises a decentralized institutional mechanism for a robust STI Governance.
  • This intention is in fact defeated in the document itself, where several new authorities, observatories and centres have been proposed.
  • Decentralisation of administrative architecture is essential, but we need to explore the practical option of providing more autonomy to research and academic centres for financial management.

3) Steps to tackle the discrimination

  • The number of suicides of students is on the increase in the IITs.
  •  In 2019, more than 2,400 students dropped out from the 23 IITs in just two years, over half of them belonging to the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe and Other Backward Classes.
  • Caste discrimination could be one of the reasons for these tendencies.
  • As a part of inculcating an inclusive culture in academia, the document promises to tackle discriminations “based on gender, caste, religion, geography, language, disability and other exclusions and inequalities”.
  • It mentions more representation of women and the LGBTQ community.

Way forward

  • The document should prioritise important issues and amplify first the problems which have cultural and administrative dimensions.
  • The document does not mention how to stem the rot within, although it speaks extensively about science communication and scientific temperament.
  • There is need to facilitate an environment that encourages a mindset that constantly challenges conventional wisdom as well as open-minded inquiry among the students.

Consider the question “As India aspires to be the scientific superpower, suggest the areas which the new Science, Technology and Innovation policy should focus on”

Conclusion

With the advent of new disruptive technologies, global competitiveness will be increasingly determined by the quality of science and technology, which in turn will depend on raising the standard of Indian research/education centres and on the volume of R&D spending. India has no time to waste.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

The threat of deepfakes

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : AI and deepfakes

Mains level : Paper 3- Deepfakes and threats associated with it

Deepfakes creates media in which it challenges our ability to detect real from fake, it blurs the line between two. This article explains the threat associated with it.

What are deepfakes and threat associated with it

  • Deepfakes are synthetic media (including images, audio and video) that are either manipulated or wholly generated by Artificial Intelligence.
  • AI is used for fabricating audios, videos and texts to show real people saying and doing things they never did, or creating new images and videos.
  • These are done so convincingly that it is hard to detect what is fake and what is real.
  • They are used to tarnish reputations, create mistrust, question facts, and spread propaganda.

Legal provision in India

  • Deepfakes even have the power to threaten the electoral outcome.
  • So far, India has not enacted any specific legislation to deal with deepfakes.
  • However, there are some provisions in the Indian Penal Code that criminalise certain forms of online/social media content manipulation.
  • The Information Technology Act, 2000 covers certain cybercrimes.
  • But this law and the Information Technology Intermediary Guidelines (Amendment) Rules, 2018 are inadequate to deal with content manipulation on digital platforms.
  • The guidelines stipulate that due diligence must be observed by the intermediate companies for removal of illegal content.
  • In 2018, the government proposed rules to curtail the misuse of social networks.
  • Social media companies voluntarily agreed to take action to prevent violations during the 2019 general election.
  • The Election Commission issued instructions on social media use during election campaigns.

How to deal with the problem of deepfakes

  • Only AI-generated tools can be effective in detection.
  • Blockchains are robust against many security threats and can be used to digitally sign and affirm the validity of a video or document.
  • Educating media users about the capabilities of AI algorithms could help.
  • Six themes identified in the workshop convened by the University of Washington and Microsoft are to dela with the deepfakes
  • 1) Deepfakes must be contextualised within the broader framework of malicious manipulated media, computational propaganda and disinformation campaigns.
  • 2) Deepfakes cause multidimensional issues which require a collaborative, multi-stakeholder response that require experts in every sector to find solutions.
  • 3) Detecting deepfakes is hard.
  • 4) Journalists need tools to scrutinise images, video and audio recordings for which they need training and resources;
  • 5) Policymakers must understand how deepfakes can threaten polity, society, economy, culture, individuals and communities.
  • 6) Any true evidence can be dismissed as fake is a major concern that needs to be addressed.

Consider the question “What are the deepfakes and threats associated with it? How these threats can be tackled?”

Conclusion

In today’s world, disinformation comes in varied forms, so no single technology can resolve the problem. As deepfakes evolve, AI-backed technological tools to detect and prevent them must also evolve.

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Know the scientist: Dmitri Mendeleev

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Dmitri Mendeleev, Periodic table

Mains level : NA

Mendeleev was a Russian chemist and inventor who formulated the Periodic Law and the Periodic Table of Elements.

Chemistry can, no wonder, find their place in exam if core Biology could do in 2020 CSP.

Q.Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the general difference between plant cells and animal cells?

  1. Plant cells have cellulose cell walls whilst animal cells do not.
  2. Plant cells do not have plasma membrane unlike animals cells which do
  3. Mature plant cell has one large vacuole whilst animal cell has many small vacuoles

Select the correct answer using the given code below-

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Dmitri Mendeleev

  • Mendeleev was born in the Siberian town of Tobolsk.
  • In 1861, Mendeleev published a textbook named Organic Chemistry, which won him the Demidov Prize of the Petersburg Academy of Sciences.
  • While explaining the chemical and physical properties of elements, he discovered similarities in the progression of atomic weights.
  • He found that the order of atomic weights could be used to arrange the elements within each group and the groups themselves.
  • Thus, Mendeleev formulated the periodic law. His Osnovy khimii (The Principles of Chemistry) became a classic, running through many editions and many translations.

The Periodic Law

  • Using the Periodic Law, Mendeleev developed a systematic table of all the 63 elements then known.
  • He even predicted the locations of unknown elements together with their properties within the periodic table.
  • When these predicted elements, notably gallium ( 1875), scandium (1879), and germanium (1886) were discovered, Mendeleev Periodic Table began to gain wide acceptance.
  • Incidentally, in 1870, German chemist Julius Lothar Meyer also published a paper describing the same organisation of elements as Mendeleev’s. But the latter is given credit for the table.
  • In all, Mendeleev predicted 10 new elements, of which all but two turned out to exist. Element 101 is named Mendelevium in his honour.

Also read:

Mendeleev and his periodic table of elements

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Exploiting 5G strategically

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : IOT, 5G technology

Mains level : Paper 3- Chinese 5G technology and threats associated with it

The article examines the threat posed by the Chinese 5G technology to the world and India.

Implications of Chinese 5G technology for Nepal

  • The launch of 5G in Nepal would mean that Nepal’s business interests could pass into Chinese control.
  • Real-time information on weather, routes, map, etc could be based on Chinese 5G, thus making locals or visitors to Nepal dependent on it.
  • A related development of infrastructure along the borders, where most mountaineering sites are, could make Nepal’s borders vulnerable and damage its tourism industry.
  • With lower incomes, the tourism industry might get lured into Chinese cheap loans, leading to a strategic debt trap.
  • Such development would have several ramifications for India.

Implications of Chinese 5G technology for the world

  • 2020 has been no ordinary year —Militaries have been pushed to the borders, treaties, and agreements are being signed, and a record number of military deals have happened.
  • This year has witnessed the most unprecedented intensification of global military conflicts since the Gulf War.
  • AI applications have been at display in warfare, with drone killing machines being advertised.
  • There is no option left but to get the 5G technology now.
  • Huge Chinese investments across the world to spread a 5G network will encompass the planet — a “digital encirclement of the world”.
  • Combined with the BRI (Belt and Road Initiative), this encirclement would be complete.
  • Intrinsic to the BRI is the fact that Chinese companies will build digital infrastructure.
  • Militaries who allow Chinese 5G, could then become hostage to Chinese technology, as seen during the pandemic.

Indian 5G technology: Advantages and challenges ahead

  •  India is likely to survive the Chinese 5G invasion if it accelerates the launch of the Indian 5G.
  • India is working on technologies that would enable it to launch Indigenous 5G that would run IoT platforms for civilians as well as military applications.
  • The banning of Chinese apps and blocking of hardware supply chains would be the correct counteroffensive to protect the business and security interests of the country.
  • The problem is India being poor in “implementation”.
  • Where India starts losing out is in slow adoption, getting entangled in policy processes and the crosshairs of the bureaucracy. 

Consider the question “What are the concerns with the adoption of Chinese 5G technology? How indigenous 5G technology help India and what are the challenges in developing it?” 

Conclusion

India must get its timing right. The implementation of 5G, though a bit delayed, can make India a good alternative to China. But agreements like RCEP and China’s other debt strategies will remain a larger threat to the world.

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Why the universe has less ‘antimatter’ than matter?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Matter, Anti-matter

Mains level : Formation of the universe and the Big Bang

This newscard is an excerpt from the original article published in DownToEarth.

Try this PYQ:

Q.The known forces of nature can be divided into four classes, viz, gravity, electromagnetism, weak nuclear force and strong nuclear force. With reference to them, which one of the following statements is not correct?

(a) Gravity is the strongest of the four

(b) Electromagnetism act only on particles with an electric charge

(c) Weak nuclear force causes radioactivity

(d) Strong nuclear force holds protons and neutrons inside the nuclear of an atom.

What is Antimatter?

  • Antimatter is the opposite of normal matter. More specifically, the sub-atomic particles of antimatter have properties opposite those of normal matter.
  • The electrical charge of those particles is reversed.
  • Antimatter was created along with matter after the Big Bang, but antimatter is rare in today’s universe.
  • To better understand antimatter, one needs to know more about the matter.
  • The matter is made up of atoms, which are the basic units of chemical elements such as hydrogen, helium or oxygen.

Their existence

  • The existence of antimatter was predicted by physicist Paul Dirac’s equation describing the motion of electrons in 1928.
  • At first, it was not clear if this was just a mathematical quirk or a description of a real particle.
  • But in 1932 Carl Anderson discovered an antimatter partner to the electron — the positron — while studying cosmic rays that rain down on Earth from space.
  • Over the next few decades’ physicists found that all matter particles have antimatter partners.
  • Scientists believe that in the very hot and dense state shortly after the Big Bang, there must have been processes that gave preference to matter over antimatter.
  • This created a small surplus of matter, and as the universe cooled, all the antimatter was destroyed, or annihilated, by an equal amount of matter, leaving a tiny surplus of matter.
  • And it is this surplus that makes up everything we see in the universe today.

Studying the difference between matter and antimatter

  • A Quark is a type of elementary particle and a fundamental constituent of matter.
  • Quarks combine to form composite particles called hadrons, the most stable of which are protons and neutrons, the components of atomic nuclei.
  • The behaviour of quarks, which are the fundamental building blocks of matter along with leptons, can shed light on the difference between matter and antimatter.
  • Since they are unstable, they will “decay” — fall apart — into other more stable particles at some point during their oscillation.

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[pib] Metal CO2 Battery

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Metal-CO2 battery

Mains level : Optimization of space missions and thier payloads

India’s planetary missions like Mars Mission may soon be able to reduce payload mass and launch costs with the help of an indigenously developed Metal- CO2 battery with CO2 as an Energy Carrier.

Try this PYQ:

Q.Hydrogen fuel cell vehicles produce one of the following as “exhaust”:

(a) NH3

(b) CH4

(c) H2O

(d) H2O2

Metal CO2 Battery

  • An IIT professor recently demonstrated the technical feasibility of Lithium- CO2 battery in simulated Mars atmosphere for the first time.
  • The development of Metal-CO2 batteries will provide highly specific energy density with the reduction in mass and volume, which will reduce payload mass and launch cost of planetary missions.
  • Metal-CO2 batteries have a great potential to offer significantly high energy density than the currently used Li-ion batteries.
  • They provide a useful solution to fix CO2 emissions, which is better than energy-intensive traditional CO2 fixation methods.

It’s working

  • A primary Li-CO2 battery uses pure carbon dioxide as a cathode.
  • According to chemical knowledge, Lithium metal can react with CO2 to form lithium oxalate at room temperature.
  • While at high temperatures, lithium oxalate decomposes to form lithium carbonate and carbon monoxide gas.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Technology

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : QKD

Mains level : Quantum Mechanics and its development in India

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has successfully demonstrated communication between its two labs using Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology.

Q. What is Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) Technology? Discuss how it enables secure communication networks. (150W)

What is QKD Technology?

  • Quantum key distribution (QKD) is a secure communication method which implements a cryptographic protocol involving components of quantum mechanics.
  • It enables two parties to produce a shared random secret key known only to them, which can then be used to encrypt and decrypt messages.
  • It gives the ability of the two communicating users to detect the presence of any third party trying to gain knowledge of the key.
  • This is a result of a fundamental aspect of quantum mechanics: the process of measuring a quantum system, in general, disturbs the system.
  • By using quantum superposition or quantum entanglement and transmitting information in quantum states, a communication system can be implemented that detects data leak.

How does it work?

  • In the QKD, encryption keys are sent as qubits in a fibre optic cable. Time-bin encoding is used to encode qubit on a photon.
  • Quantum computing uses qubits as basic resources, similar to how bits are used as basic resources in classical computing.
  • The QKD is designed in a way that if an illegitimate entity tries to read the transmission, it will disturb the qubits – which are encoded on photons.
  • This will generate transmission errors, leading to legitimate end-users being immediately informed.

Advantages of using QKD

  • It allows the detection of data leak or hacking because it can detect any such attempt.
  • It also allows the process of setting the error level between the intercepted data in dependence.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT)

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : IoT , AI

Mains level : Internet based applications

In a first, BSNL launches world’s largest NB-IoT to provide connectivity for millions of unconnected machines, sensors and industrial IoT devices across the country.

What is NB-IoT?

  • NB-IoT is a Low Power Wide Area (LPWA) technology that works virtually anywhere.
  • It will connect many more devices to the Internet of Things and make many new applications a reality.
  • It is optimized for applications that need to communicate small amounts of data over long periods of time.
  • Since it operates in licensed spectrum, it is secure and reliable providing guaranteed quality of service.
  • It connects devices more simply and efficiently on already established mobile networks and handles small amounts of fairly infrequent 2‑way data, securely and reliably.

And the best is, it provides-

  • very low power consumption
  • excellent extended range in buildings and underground
  • easy deployment into the existing cellular network architecture
  • network security & reliability
  • lower component cost

Back2Basics: Internet of Things (IoT)

  • The IoT describes the network of physical objects—“things”—that are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies for the purpose of connecting and exchanging data with other devices and systems over the Internet.
  • The definition of the IoT has evolved due to the convergence of multiple technologies, real-time analytics, AI, sensors, and embedded systems.
  • In the consumer market, IoT technology is most synonymous with products pertaining to the concept of the “smart home”, including devices and appliances.
  • It supports one or more common ecosystems and can be controlled via devices associated with that ecosystem, such as smartphones and smart speakers e.g. Alexa.

Remember this PYQ?

When the alarm of your smartphone rings in the morning, you wake up and tap it to stop the alarm which causes your geyser to be switched on automatically. The smart mirror in your bathroom shows the day’s weather and also indicates the level of water in your overhead tank. After you take some groceries from your refrigerator for making breakfast, it recognises the shortage of stock in it and places an order for the supply of fresh grocery items. When You step out of your house and lock the door, all lights, fans, geysers and AC machines get switched off automatically. On your way to office, your car warns you about traffic congestion ahead and suggests an alternative route, and if you are late for a meeting, it sends a message to your office accordingly.

In the context of emerging communication technologies, which one of the following terms best applies to the above scenario?

(a) Border Gateway Protocol

(b) Internet of Things

(c) Internet Protocol

(d) Virtual Private Network


Also read:

[Burning Issue] Internet of Things (IoT)

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Countering deepfakes, the most serious AI threat

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Deepfakes

Mains level : Paper 3- Threats of the deepfakes

Deepfakes poses threaten the society at various level due to their disruptive potential. The article explains the threat and suggest the measures to deal with the threat. 

Understanding deepfakes

  • Deepfakes are the digital media (video, audio, and images) manipulated using Artificial Intelligence.
  • This synthetic media content is referred to as deepfakes.
  •  They make it possible to fabricate media — swap faces, lip-syncing, and puppeteer.
  • Access to commodity cloud computing, algorithms, and abundant data has created a perfect storm to democratise media creation and manipulation.
  • Synthetic media can create possibilities and opportunities for all people.
  •  But as with any new innovative technology, it can be weaponised to inflict harm.

Threat posed by deepfakes

  • Deepfakes, hyper-realistic digital falsification, can inflict damage to individuals, institutions, businesses and democracy.
  • Nation-state actors with geopolitical aspirations, ideological believers, violent extremists, and economically motivated enterprises can manipulate media narratives using deepfakes, with easy and unprecedented reach and scale.
  • Pornographic deepfakes can threaten, intimidate, and inflict psychological harm and reduce women to sexual objects.
  • Deepfakes can be deployed to extract money, confidential information, or exact favours from individuals.
  • Deepfakes can cause short- and long-term social harm and accelerate the already declining trust in news media.
  • Such an erosion can contribute to a culture of factual relativism, fraying the increasingly strained civil society fabric.

Undermining democracy

  • A deepfake can also aid in altering the democratic discourse and undermine trust in institutions and impair diplomacy.
  • False information about institutions, public policy, and politicians powered by a deepfake can be exploited to spin the story and manipulate belief.
  • A deepfake of a political candidate can sabotage their image and reputation.
  • Voters can be confused and elections can be disrupted.
  • A high-quality deepfake can inject compelling false information that can cast in doubt the voting process and election results.
  • Deepfakes contribute to factual relativism and enable authoritarian leaders to thrive.
  • Another concern is a liar’s dividend; an undesirable truth is dismissed as deepfake or fake news.

Solution to the problem

  • Media literacy for consumers and journalists is the most effective tool to combat disinformation and deepfakes.
  • Improving media literacy is a precursor to addressing the challenges presented by deepfakes.
  • Meaningful regulations with a collaborative discussion with the technology industry, civil society, and policymakers can facilitate disincentivising the creation and distribution of malicious deepfakes.
  • We also need easy-to-use and accessible technology solutions to detect deepfakes, authenticate media, and amplify authoritative sources.

Conclusion

Deepfakes can create possibilities for all people. However, as access to synthetic media technology increases, so does the risk of exploitation. To counter the menace of deepfakes, we all must take the responsibility to be a critical consumer of media on the Internet, think and pause before we share on social media, and be part of the solution to this infodemic.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Room Temperature Superconductivity

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Superconductivity

Mains level : Not Much

A study has shown that a new material superconducts at 15 degrees Celsius but at extremely high pressure.

In India, we often get to hear about the transmission losses in DISCOMS. Such losses can be zeroed with the application of superconducting cables (which is practically impossible unless we find a normal working one). The phenomena, superconductivity, however, is not new to us, UPSC may end up asking some tricky statements in the prelims regarding it.

What is Superconductivity?

  • A superconductor is a material, such as a pure metal like aluminium or lead, that when cooled to ultra-low temperatures allows electricity to move through it with absolutely zero resistance.
  • Kamerlingh Onnes was the first scientist who figured out exactly how superconductor works in 1911.
  • Simply put, superconductivity occurs when two electrons bind together at low temperatures.
  • They form the building block of superconductors, the Cooper pair.
  • This holds true even for a potential superconductor like lead when it is above a certain temperature.

What is the new material?

  • A new material composed of carbon, hydrogen and sulphur superconducts at 15 degrees Celsius.
  • However, it needs ultrahigh pressure of about 2 million atmospheres to achieve this transition, putting off any thoughts of application to the future.
  • The pressure they needed was 267 Gigapascals (GPa), or 2.6 million atmospheres.
  • The pressure at the centre of the Earth is 360 GPa, so it is 75% of the pressure at the centre of the Earth.

What are Superconductors?

  • Superconductors are materials that address this problem by allowing energy to flow efficiently through them without generating unwanted heat.
  • They have great potential and many cost-effective applications.
  • They operate magnetically levitated trains, generate magnetic fields for MRI machines and recently have been used to build quantum computers, though a fully operating one does not yet exist.

Issues with superconductors

  • They have an essential problem when it comes to other practical applications: They operate at ultra-low temperatures.
  • There are no room-temperature superconductors. That “room-temperature” part is what scientists have been working on for more than a century.
  • The amount of energy needed to cool a material down to its superconducting state is too expensive for daily applications.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Indian IT industry must seize the opportunity of Chinese tech exit

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Not much

Mains level : Paper 3- Opportunity of Indian IT industry

The article analyses the significance of the Indian ban on Chinese apps. The ban also presents Indian IT companies with unique opportunity.

Context

  • The current India-China border standoff has entered into cyberspace.

How China took lead in IT

  • The Chinese government censored and banned several popular Western websites and applications years ago.
  • In the intervening years the Chinese Internet market exploded and has grown to over 900 million users.
  • The Chinese government insulated Chinese entrepreneurs from Big Tech in Silicon Valley.
  • Home-grown apps at first were faithful reproductions of Silicon Valley, but soon morphed into distinctly Chinese applications tailored solely to the home market.
  • According to the 2016 White House report, the Chinese have leapfrogged even the U.S. in AI research.
  • In this case, the intellectual property being produced actually belongs to China and is not a faithful duplicate of someone else’s product or technology.
  • This has far-reaching implications.

Significance of India’s ban

  • India now has the lowest Internet data costs in the world.
  • In its attempt to dominate the rest of the world, the Chinese Internet industry desperately needs India’s 500-plus million netizens to continue to train AI algorithms they put together.
  • The ban on apps in India is not only a geopolitical move but also a strategic trade manoeuvre that can have a significant economic impact.
  • Ban on Chinese apps allows our home-grown IT talent to focus on the newly arrived Internet user.
  • However, India’s focus remains on exporting IT services while paying little attention to servicing our own nation’s tech market.
  • India spent the last two decades exporting technology services to developed countries in the West, the vacuum created as the Indian Internet grew has been filled by American Big Tech and by the Chinese.
  • After the removal of more than 118 Chinese apps, Indian techies have started trying to fill the holes.

Way forward

  • The primary Indian IT objective must shift from servicing others to providing for ourselves.
  • Focus should not be simply to replace what the exiting firms have so far been providing.
  • Focus should be on providing services and products of high quality that will be used by everyday Indians across the country.
  • The aim of providing netizens with the same services across diverse markets is overarching — regional barriers created by language exist within our own nation.
  • The fundamental focus of the new digital products should be to provide for hyper-regional necessities and preferences.
  • Hyper-local and hyper-regional services with great accessibility that are also portable across our linguistic diversity, are likely to succeed in creating one of the strongest Internet markets in the world.

Consider the question “What are factors responsible for the lack of innovation in the Indian IT industry? How the ban on Chinese apps provide the IT industry with the opportunity to fill the vacuum?”

Conclusion

Indian IT companies must seize the opportunity provided by the exit of Chinese IT companies and come up with products transcending regional barriers and allowing accessibility.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

What is Carbon-14 (C14) Battery?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : C-14, Carbon Dating

Mains level : Scientific management of nuclear waste and its disposal

A California-based company has made a self-charging battery, which can run for 28,000 years on a single charge, by trapping carbon-14 (C14) nuclear waste in artificial diamond-case.

Try this PYQ:

Q.The known forces of nature can be divided into four classes, viz. gravity, electromagnetism, weak nuclear force and strong nuclear force. With reference to them, which one of the following statements is not correct?

(a) Gravity is the strongest of the four

(b) Electromagnetism act only on particles with an electric charge

(c) Weak nuclear force causes radioactivity

(d) Strong nuclear force holds protons and neutrons inside the nuclear of an atom.

What is C14?

  • Carbon-14 (14C), or radiocarbon, is a radioactive isotope of carbon with an atomic nucleus containing 6 protons and 8 neutrons.
  • There are three naturally occurring isotopes of carbon on Earth: carbon-12, which makes up 99% of all carbon on Earth; carbon-13, which makes up 1%; and carbon-14, which occurs in trace amounts.
  • Its presence in organic materials is the basis of the radiocarbon dating method pioneered by Willard Libby and colleagues (1949) to date archaeological, geological and hydrogeological samples.

C14 battery

  • The battery works by generating electricity on its own from a shower of electrons as a result of radioactive decay scattered and deposited in the artificial diamond-case.
  • The battery can be used in electric vehicles, mobile phones, laptops, tablets, drones, watches, cameras, health monitors and even sensors.
  • It is also said to be extremely safe and tamper-proof as it is coated with a non-radioactive diamond which prevents radiation leaks.

Best example of nuke waste recycling

  • It is estimated that 33 million cubic metres of global nuclear waste will cost over $100 billion to manage and dispose of.
  • And a lot of this waste is graphite that is one of the higher risks of radioactive waste and one of the most expensive and problematic waste to store.

Its applications

  • The company says its battery can be used to powerhouses, and that any excess electricity generated can be sold to the grid.
  • As the new battery need not be replaced, it can be installed in hard to reach places like pacemakers and implants, where a regular change of battery is not possible.
  • Another area of use is space electronics. The battery is said to power space equipment in rockets.
  • It can power the electrical needs of space crafts, like providing power to cockpits and assisting launch into the upper atmosphere.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

AI integration will be at the core of the transition

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : AI

Mains level : Paper 3- AI and its applications

The article tracks the latest developments in the field of AI by the leading technology companies.

Integrating AI in the phone

  • Over the last few years, most mobile phone manufacturers have been content with design upgrades, apart from specs.
  • Samsung launched a device which has been able to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) in its phones.
  • In the case of S-Pen, Samsung demonstrated that it has been able to reduce latency between pen operation and what appears on the screen to 9 milliseconds using predictive analysis.
  • Latency is a major concern in technologies like smart cars.
  • Samsung also showcased active noise cancellation, which again uses prediction analysis to drown out ambient noises.
  • Apple’s virtual event also focused on higher integration and more uses of AI.
  • Siri has become even smarter and is increasingly being integrated with more services.
  • The camera function of Apple devices, for instance, pieces together a picture using best angles to create the perfect image.
  • Samsung and Apple now can monitor health more accurately using their smartwatches.

Future scope

  • This indicates how much further we are moving towards a future with more edge computing.
  • This computing will power technologies like a smart car.
  • Given the progress in IoT, there is a huge likelihood that those betting early on AI integration will reap the biggest rewards of the connected living market.

Consider the question “What is artificial intelligence? How it could transform the world of technology?”

Conclusion

Integration of AI in the devices we use in everyday life holds a promising future for us. India must encourage its development.


Source-

https://www.financialexpress.com/opinion/ai-integration-will-be-at-the-core-of-the-transition-to-future-technologies-such-as-smarts-cars/2047309/

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

What are Time Capsules?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Time capsules

Mains level : NA

Ahead of the laying of the foundation stone for a temple, claims and denials have emerged about plans to put in a time capsule, or ‘Kaal Patra’.

Do you know?

A rubidium standard or rubidium atomic clock is the most inexpensive, compact, and widely produced atomic clock, used to control the frequency of television stations, cell phone base stations, in test equipment, and global navigation satellite systems like GPS.

What is a Time Capsule?

  • It is a container of any size or shape, which accommodates documents, photos and artefacts typical of the current era and is buried underground, for future generations to unearth.
  • The time capsule requires special engineering so that the contents don’t decay, even if pulled out after a century.
  • Material such as aluminium and stainless steel are used for the encasing, and documents are often reproduced on acid-free paper.
  • While the term “time capsule” was coined in the 20th century, among the earliest examples of one dates back to 1777, found by historians inside the statue of Jesus Christ in Spain during its restoration.

There’s a global society:

International Time Capsule Society

  • The International Time Capsule Society (ITCS), based in the US and formed in 1990, is now defunct but continues estimating the number of time capsules in the world.
  • As per its database, there are “10,000-15,000 times capsules worldwide”.

Are there any time capsules in India?

  • There have been a number of prominent examples.
  • One time capsule, outside the Red Fort and placed underground in 1972 by then PM Indira Gandhi, was dug out by the subsequent government.
  • Other time capsules are at a school in Mumbai, IIT-Kanpur, LPU in Jalandhar, and Mahatma Mandir in Gandhinagar.
  • The Red Fort time capsule was supposed to be dug out after 1,000 years.

Significance of time capsules

  • Historians often criticize the idea of being motivated.
  • This exercise is inevitably a subjective exercise, geared towards glorification not to construct the real picture.
  • All historians look at this time capsule exercise with suspicion.
  • It’s not a valid historical method — who decides what matter, what artefacts, written documents are going into it?

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

How to treat data as public good

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Non-personal data

Mains level : Paper 3- Issue of data sharing

This is the age of Big data. Even after anonymising it, we gain useful information using analytical tools. So, given its potential, there is a call for treating the public data as a public good. This article analyses the suggestion of Kris Gopalakrishnan panel in this regard.

Why data matter

  • By one brave count, the world generates over 2.5 quintillion bytes of data every day.
  • A significant chunk of it is highly valuable.
  • With the increasing sophistication of tools designed to analyse it, the value of the data is increasing further.
  • This analysis of data can yield market patterns, traffic predictions, epidemic risks and much more.[Remember why Google shows you only particular ads.]
  • Data need not be either big or personal for it to be highly sought after.

Non-personal data: A public good

  • Would it not be better if at least some data were treated as a public good?
  • Treating it as a public good will allow its open use by startups, do-gooders and government bodies.
  • Dealing with such questions, a centre-appointed panel, headed by Infosys co-founder Kris Gopalakrishnan, submitted its draft report on the regulation of non-personal data in India.
  • “Non-personal data” is defined as that which is either devoid of people’s details or anonymized to prevent individual identification.

Proposals of Kris Gopalan panel

  • The panel has proposed a new data authority to regulate non-personal data.
  • It has also outlined the need of a framework that would require companies to share its databanks with others.
  • Sharing of databank will help the country catalyse business innovation, bolster India’s startup ecosystem, and help governments and local authorities frame data-enriched public policies. 

Challenges

  • What data a private entity can be forced to disclose must follow a commonly accepted set of principles.
  • Data authority demanding companies to share data painstakingly acquired often with large sums invested to acquire it won’t work.
  • Also, if sharing data blunts companies’ strategic edge over competitors, they would probably appeal against it in court.
  • If enterprises fear that their confidential learnings could be threatened by intrusive data authority, then the cause of innovation would actually be set back.

Way forward

  • A clear set of guidelines could be set down that specify what sort of data qualifies as a public good and must be kept open to all.
  • For other kinds of data, maybe a market mechanism could evolve that lets various parties bid for privately-held information.

Consider the question “There is a growing demand for treating the non-personal data as a public good. What are the benefits and challenges of treating the non-personal data as public good?

Conclusion

Given its potential, big data does deserve regulation. But it needs to be done with clarity.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Explaining Lithium increase in the Universe

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Explaining the increase of Li in the the Universe

Mains level : Not much

In a study recently published in Nature Astronomy scientists from Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) along with their international collaborators have provided a robust observational evidence for the first time that Li production is common among low mass Sun-like stars during their He-core burning phase.

Importance of lithium in our life

  • Light inflammable, metal lithium (Li) has brought about transformation in modern communication devices and transportation.
  • A great deal of today’s technology is powered by lithium in its various shades [remember Li-ion battery!].
  • But where does the element come from?
  • The origin of much of the Li can be traced to a single event, the Big-Bang that happened about 13.7 Billion years ago, from which the present-day Universe was also born.

Why lithium was thought to be different?

  • Li content in the physical Universe has increased by about a factor of four over the life of the Universe.
  • However, the rest of the elements carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, iron, nickel and so on which grew about a million times over the lifetime of the Universe.
  • Li, however, understood to be an exemption!
  • Current understanding is that lithium in stars like our Sun only gets destroyed over their lifetime.
  • As a matter of fact, the composition of all the elements in the Sun and the Earth is similar.
  • But, the measured content of Li in the Sun is a factor of 100 lower than that of the Earth, though both are known to have formed together.

So, what the new finding suggests?

  • This discovery challenges the long-held idea that stars only destroy lithium during their lifetime.
  • It implies that the Sun itself will manufacture lithium in the future.
  • This is not predicted by models, indicating that there is some physical process missing in stellar theory.
  • Further, the authors identified “He flash”.
  • “He flash” is an on-set of He-ignition at the star’s core via violent eruption at the end of the star’s core hydrogen-burning phase, as the source of Li production.
  • Our Sun will reach this phase in about 6-7 billion years.

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Gold Nanoparticles and their applications

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Gold Nanoparticles

Mains level : Applications of nanomaterials

Indian researchers have successfully synthesized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) using psychrotolerant Antarctic bacteria through a non-toxic, low-cost, and eco-friendly way.

Nanotechnology is a pathbreaking technology which can create many new materials and devices with a wide range of applications, such as in nanomedicine, nanoelectronics etc.   GNPs are another distinct development.

What are Gold Nanoparticles?

  • Metallic NPs have been efficiently exploited for biomedical applications and among them, GNPs are found to be effective in biomedical research.
  • And NPs are those materials that are at least one dimension smaller than 100 nanometers.
  • NPs have a high surface-to-volume ratio and they can provide the tremendous driving force for diffusion, especially at elevated temperatures.
  • GNPs are melted at much lower temperatures (300 °C) than bulk gold (1064 °C).
  • NPs have been found to impart various desirable properties to different day-to-day products.
  • For example, GNPs are found to have greater solar radiation absorbing ability than the conventional bulk gold, which makes them a better candidate for use in the photovoltaic cell manufacturing industry.

Properties of GNP

1) Biomedical

  • Genotoxicity describes the property of a chemical agent that is capable of damaging the genetic information of DNA and thus causing the mutation of the cell, which can lead to cancer.
  • The study revealed the genotoxic effect of GNPs on a sulphate reducing bacteria (SRB).
  • These GNPs can be used as composite therapeutic agent clinical trials, especially in anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-diabetic, and cholesterol-lowering drugs.

2) Optical

  • GNPs have unique optical properties too. For example, particles above 100 nm show blue or violet colour in the water, while the colour becomes wine red in 100 nm gold colloidal particles.
  • They can thus be used for therapeutic imaging.

3) Electronics

  • GNPs are also found to be useful in the electronics industry.
  • Scientists have constructed a transistor known as NOMFET (Nanoparticles Organic Memory Field-Effect Transistor) by embedding GNPs in a porous manganese oxide.
  • NOMFETs can mimic the feature of the human synapse known as plasticity or the variation of the speed and strength of the signal going from neuron to neuron.
  • These novel transistors can now facilitate better recreation of certain types of human cognitive processes, such as recognition and image processing and have their application in AI.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI)

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : GPAI and its members

Mains level : GPAI

India joins Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) as a founding member to support the responsible and human-centric development and use of AI.

Practice question for mains:

Q. Discuss India’s National Strategy for Artificial Intelligence (AI) unveiled by the NITI Aayog.

About GPAI

  • GPAI is an international and multi-stakeholder initiative to guide the responsible development and use of AI, grounded in human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation, and economic growth.
  • It is the league of leading economies including India, USA, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, and Singapore.
  • GPAI will be supported by a Secretariat, to be hosted by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, as well as by two Centers of Expertise- one each in Montreal and Paris.
  • This is also the first initiative of its type for evolving better understanding of the challenges and opportunities around AI using the experience and diversity of participating countries.
  • In order to achieve this goal, the initiative will look to bridge the gap between theory and practice on AI by supporting cutting-edge research and applied activities on AI-related priorities.

Aims and Objectives

  • In collaboration with partners and international organizations, GPAI will bring together leading experts from industry, civil society, governments, and academia to collaborate to promote responsible evolution of AI.
  • It will also help evolve methodologies to show how AI can be leveraged to better respond to the present global crisis around COVID-19.

India and AI

  • It is pertinent to note that India has recently launched the National AI Strategy and National AI Portal.
  • It has also started leveraging AI across various sectors such as education, agriculture, healthcare, e-commerce, finance, telecommunications, etc. with inclusion and empowerment of human being approach by supplementing growth and development.
  • By joining GPAI as a founding member, India will actively participate in the global development of Artificial Intelligence, leveraging upon its experience around the use of digital technologies for inclusive growth.

Also read:

https://www.civilsdaily.com/news/op-ed-snap-india-takes-the-first-step-to-building-an-ai-vision/

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Airborne Rescue Pod for Isolated Transportation (ARPIT)

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : ARPIT

Mains level : Not Much

The Indian Air Force has developed and inducted an Airborne Rescue Pod for Isolated Transportation (ARPIT).

This rescue pod ARPIT can be used as an example of self-sufficiency under the ambitious Atmanirbhar Abhiyan.

What is ARPIT?

  • ARPIT is a lightweight isolation system made from aviation certified material.
  • It has a transparent and durable cast Perspex for enhanced patient visibility which is larger, higher and wider than the existing models.
  • The isolation system caters for the suitable number of air exchanges, integration of medical monitoring instruments, and ventilation to an intubated patient.
  • In addition, it generates high constant negative pressure in the isolation chamber for prevention of infection risk to aircrew, ground crew and health care workers involved in air transportation.
  • It utilizes High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) H-13 class filters and supports invasive ventilation using Transport Ventilator.

It’s utility

  • This pod will be utilized for the evacuation of critical patients with infectious diseases including COVID-19 from high altitude area, isolated and remote places.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Electrolytic splitting of Water

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Electrolytic splitting of Water

Mains level : Hydrogen as a clean fuel

Scientists from The Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have found out a low cost and efficient way to generate hydrogen from water using Molybdenum dioxide as a catalyst.

Practice question for mains:

Q. Hydrogen is the future of clean and sustainable energy. Discuss.

Electrolytic splitting of water

  • Electrolysis of water is the decomposition of water into oxygen and hydrogen gas due to the passage of an electric current.
  • This technique can be used to make hydrogen gas, the main component of hydrogen fuel, and breathable oxygen gas, or can mix the two into oxyhydrogen, which is also usable as fuel, though more volatile and dangerous.
  • It is a promising method to generate hydrogen but requires energy input that can be brought down in the presence of a catalyst.

Using Molybdenum Catalyst

  • The scientists have shown that Molybdenum dioxide (MoO2) nanomaterials annealed in hydrogen atmosphere can act as efficient catalysts to reduce the energy input to bring about water splitting into Hydrogen.
  • Molybdenum dioxide has the potential to replace the currently employed catalyst platinum, which is expensive and has limited resources.
  • MoO2 is a conducting metal oxide that is one of the low-cost catalysts with good efficiency and stability for hydrogen evolution.
  • The catalyst is highly stable for a longer duration of reaction with sustained hydrogen evolution from water.
  • About 80 % efficient conversion of electrical energy into hydrogen has been achieved using this catalyst.

Significance

  • Hydrogen is considered as the future of clean and sustainable energy as it can be generated from water and produces water on energy generation without any carbon footprint.
  • Hydrogen can be directly used as a fuel similar to natural gas or as input for fuel cells to generate electricity.
  • It is the future energy for a clean environment and an alternative to fossil fuels, underlining the necessity of low-cost catalysts for its production.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

What is Superconductivity?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Superconductivity

Mains level : Not Much

On a larger scale, electric grids, such as high power lines, lose over 5 per cent of their energy in the process of transmission.

In India, we often get to hear about the transmission losses in DISCOMS. Such losses can be zeroed with the application of superconducting cables (which is practically impossible unless we find a normal working one). The phenomena, superconductivity, however is not new to us, UPSC may end up asking some tricky statements in the prelims regarding it.

Heat losses

Waste heat is all around you. On a small scale, if your phone or laptop feels warm, that’s because some of the energy powering the device is being transformed into unwanted heat.

Where does this wasted heat come from?

  • These elementary particles of an atom move around and interact with other electrons and atoms.
  • Because they have an electric charge, as they move through a material — like metals, which can easily conduct electricity — they scatter off other atoms and generate heat.

Understanding Superconductivity

  • A superconductor is a material, such as a pure metal like aluminium or lead, that when cooled to ultra-low temperatures allows electricity to move through it with absolutely zero resistance.
  • Kamerlingh Onnes was the first scientist who figured out exactly how superconductor works in 1911.
  • Simply put, superconductivity occurs when two electrons bind together at low temperatures.
  • They form the building block of superconductors, the Cooper pair.
  • This holds true even for a potential superconductor like lead when it is above a certain temperature.

What are Superconductors?

  • Superconductors are materials that address this problem by allowing energy to flow efficiently through them without generating unwanted heat.
  • They have great potential and many cost-effective applications.
  • They operate magnetically levitated trains, generate magnetic fields for MRI machines and recently have been used to build quantum computers, though a fully operating one does not yet exist.

Issues with superconductors

  • They have an essential problem when it comes to other practical applications: They operate at ultra-low temperatures.
  • There are no room-temperature superconductors. That “room-temperature” part is what scientists have been working on for more than a century.
  • The amount of energy needed to cool a material down to its superconducting state is too expensive for daily applications.

Future scope

  • In a dramatic turn of events, a new kind of superconductor material was discovered in 1987 at IBM in Zurich, Switzerland.
  • The material was a kind of ceramic. These new ceramic superconductors were made of copper and oxygen mixed with other elements such as lanthanum, barium and bismuth.
  • They contradicted everything physicists thought they knew about making superconductors.
  • Since then, curiosity regarding the superconductors has been ever increasing.

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R&D: Path to self-reliant India

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Mains level : Paper 3- Importance of innovation for self-reliance.

What does it take to be self-reliant? (Hint: R&D!) This is the question this article tries to answer.  After independence, we had a good start in R&D. But what went wrong? What was the role played by globalisation? Did the globalisation deliver on its promise of technology transfer? And finally, what lies on the way forward for India? This article answers all such question.

What went wrong: historical perspective

  • India chose the path of self-reliance in state-run heavy industries and strategic sectors after independence.
  • In the decades following independence, this choice of self-reliance had placed India ahead of most developing countries.
  • In the 1970s and 80s, however, India did not modernise these industries to climb higher up the technological ladder.
  • The private sector, which had backed the state-run core sector approach in its Bombay Plan, stayed content with near-monopoly conditions in non-core sectors in a protected market.
  • Little effort was made to modernise light industries or develop contemporary consumer products.
  • India’s industrial ecosystem was thus characterised by low productivity, poor quality and low technology, and was globally uncompetitive.

What did India lose in the ‘lost decades’?

  • India completely missed out on the ‘third industrial revolution’.
  • Third industrial revolution comprised electronic goods, microprocessors, personal computers, mobile phones and decentralised manufacturing and global value chains during the so-called lost decade(s).
  • Today, India is the world’s second-largest smartphone market.
  • However, it does not make any of these phones itself.
  • India manufactures only a small fraction of solar photovoltaic cells and modules currently used, with ambitious future targets.

What happened to ‘self-reliance’ after India embraced globalisation?

  • At the turn of the millennium, when India embarked on liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation.
  • So, the very concept of self-reliance was rubbished.
  • This happened in the belief that it was like reinventing the things already invented and wasting money on it.
  • And when advanced technologies could simply be bought from anywhere at lower costs. 
  • Two related ideas have prevailed since then, and neither delivered the desired results.

So, what are these two basic ideas?

1. Unsuitability of PSUs in the globalised world

  • The first idea was that public sector undertakings (PSUs) are, by definition, inefficient and sluggish for the competitive globalised scenario.
  • No effort was made to engender either real autonomy or a transition to new technological directions.
  • Instead, PSUs with capability and scale were undermined or abandoned, along with many nascent research and development (R&D) efforts, for instance, in photovoltaics, semiconductors and advanced materials.

So, what was the result of this attitude towards PSUs?

  • The private sector displayed little interest in these heavy industries and showed no appetite for technology upgradation.
  • With entry of foreign corporations, most Indian private companies retreated into technology imports or collaborations.
  • Even today, most R&D in India is conducted by PSUs.
  • And much of the smaller but rising proportion of private sector R&D is by foreign corporations in information technology and biotechnology/pharma.
  • Conclusion: Given the disinclination of most of the private sector towards R&D and high-tech manufacturing, significant government reinvestment in PSUs and R&D is essential for self-reliance.

2. Foreign companies were expected to bring new technologies in India

  • The second idea was that inviting foreign direct investment and manufacturing by foreign majors would bring new technologies into India’s industrial ecosystem.
  • This was thought to obviate the need for indigenous efforts towards self-reliance.

So, what happened on the ground?

  • But mere setting up of manufacturing facilities in India is no guarantee of absorption of technologies.
  • There is no evidence from any sector that this has taken place or has even been attempted.
  • The fact is, foreign majors jealously guard commercially significant or strategic technologies in off-shore manufacturing bases.
  • Conclusion: The key problem of self-reliance is therefore neither external finance nor domestic off-shore manufacturing, but resolute indigenous endeavour including R&D.

Let’s look at experience of other Asian countries towards self-reliance

Three models emerge from Asian countries.

1. Focus on technology and industries

  •  Japan’s post-war success, was seen as a template by some countries to follow.
  • These include countries like South Korea, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong
  • These countries took huge technological and industrial strides in the 1970s and 80s.
  • South Korea emerged as a global powerhouse in manufacturing, but also in indigenously developed technologies.
  • Taiwan developed technologies and manufacturing capacities in robotics and micro-processors.
  • While Singapore and Hong Kong adapted advanced technologies in niche areas.
  • These self-reliant capabilities were enabled, among other factors, by planned state investments in R&D including basic research (3-5% of GDP), technology and policy support to private corporations, infrastructure and, importantly, education and skill development (4-6% of GDP).

2. Focus on off-shore manufacturing and not on self-reliance

  • Countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam have focused on off-shore manufacturing lower down the value chain and without the thrust on self-reliance.
  • This is useful for job creation but is an unsuitable model for a country of India’s size and aspirations.

3. China: Transition from low-end manufacturing to dominant role in supply chains

  • China is, of course, unique in scale and in its determination to become a superpower not just geopolitically but also in self-reliant S&T and industrial capability.
  • China advanced purposefully from low-end mass manufacturing to a dominant role in global supply chains.
  • It has now decided on shifting to advanced manufacturing.
  • It has set itself a target of becoming a world leader by 2035 in 5G, supercomputing, Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous vehicles, biotech/pharma and other technologies of the ‘fourth industrial revolution’.

Way forward for India

  • India may well have missed the bus in many of technologies in which the U.S., Europe and China have established perhaps insurmountable leads.
  • Yet, self-reliant capabilities in electric and fuel cell vehicles, electricity storage systems, solar cells and modules, aircraft including UAVs, AI, robotics and automation, biotech/pharma and others are well within reach.
  • Large-scale concerted endeavours would, however, be required, since self-reliance will not happen by itself.
  • State-funded R&D, including in basic research, by PSUs and research institutions and universities needs to be scaled-up significantly, well above the dismal 1% of GDP currently.
  • Upgraded and reoriented PSUs would also be crucial given their distinctive place in the ecosystem.
  • Private sector delivery-oriented R&D could also be supported, linked to meaningful participation in manufacturing at appropriate levels of the supply chain.
  • India’s meagre public expenditure on education needs to be substantially ramped up including in skill development.

Consider the question “The path to the self-reliance of any country goes through robust capabilities in the R&D. Comment”

Conclusion

Self-reliance would need a paradigm shift in our approach toward many things. First and foremost is the R&D. Potential of the PSUs has to be tapped to their fullest in the realms of R&D. The second area of focus should be education. These two areas are the key to achieve self-reliance and should be the focus of policymakers.


Back2Basics: Bombay Plan

  • The Bombay plan was a set of proposal of a small group of influential business leaders in Bombay for the development of the post-independence economy of India.
  • This plan was published in two parts or volume- first in 1944 and second in 1945.
  • The prime objectives of the plan were to achieve a balanced economy and to raise the standard of living of the masses of the population rapidly by doubling the present per capita income within a period of 15 years from the time the plan goes into operation.

 

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[pib] Energy-efficient Photodetector for Security Application

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Photodetectors and their applications

Mains level : NA

Indian scientists have fabricated an economical and energy-efficient wafer-scale photodetector using gold – silicon interface, for security applications.

A basic question on the working principle of Photodetectors can be asked in the Prelims.

What are Photodetectors?

  • Photodetectors, also called photosensors, are sensors of light or other electromagnetic radiation.
  • A photodetector has a p–n (positive-negative) junction that converts light photons into the current.
  • The absorbed photons make electron-hole pairs in the depletion region.
  • Photodiodes and phototransistors are a few examples of photodetectors. Solar cells convert some of the light energy absorbed into electrical energy.
  • The material cost and the intricate fabrication processes involved in realizing high-performance detectors make them unaffordable for day to day applications.

Applications

  • Photodetectors are the heart of any optoelectronic circuit that can detect light.
  • They are employed for a wide variety of applications ranging from controlling automatic lighting in supermarkets to detecting radiation from the outer galaxy as well as security-related applications.
  • They range from simple devices that automatically open supermarket doors, to receivers on the TV remote controls.

What did Indian researchers achieve?

  • The scientists have fabricated gold (Au) – silicon (Si) interface, which showed high sensitivity towards light demonstrating the photodetection action.
  • The Au–Si interface was brought about by galvanic deposition, a technique for electroplating of metals, wherein water-based solutions (electrolytes) are used, which contain the metals to be deposited as ions.
  • In addition, a nanostructured Au film also was deposited on top of p-type silicide (having an excess of positive charges), which acts as a charge collector.

Benefits

  • Being a solution-based technique, the method is highly economical and enabled large-area fabrication without compromising the detector response.
  • The process is quick, taking only minutes to fabricate a detector of any arbitrary area and exhibited a rapid response of 40 microseconds.
  • This photodetector displayed long-term environmental stability.
  • The Indian invention provides a simple and cost-effective solution-based fabrication method for high-performance photodetector.
  • It could help detect weak scattered light as an indication of unwanted activity.

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[pib] HCARD robot to assist frontline COVID-19 healthcare warriors

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : HCARD

Mains level : Technology assistance for COVID-19 containment

HCARD, a robot, to assist frontline COVID-19 healthcare warriors has been developed by a CSIR lab.

It is very unlikely to create a prelim question on HCARD. However, developments as such help in exemplifying the scientific developments which helped contain such highly contagious outbreaks.

What is HCARD?

  • The robotic device HCARD, an acronym for Hospital Care Assistive Robotic Device, can help frontline healthcare workers in maintaining physical distance from those infected by the coronavirus.
  • The device is equipped with various state-of-the-art technologies and works both in automatic as well as manual modes of navigation.
  • This robot can be controlled and monitored by a nursing booth with a control station having such features as navigation, drawer activation for providing medicines and food to patients, sample collection and audio-visual communication.
  • The cost of this device is less than Rs 5 lakh and the weight is less than 80 kilograms.

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The Curie Family and its Nobel legacy

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Radioactivity

Mains level : NA

This newscard is inspired by an article published in the DTE which talks about a family which has received a total of four Nobel prizes, the highest won by a single-family.

Last year in 2019 CSP, there was a question on pure Biology about Hepatitis and its variants. With such news trending, we can expect a core chemistry or physics based question coupled with a slight Current Affairs blend.

The ‘Nobel’ family

  • On April 20, 1902, Marie and Pierre Curie successfully isolated radioactive radium salts from pitchblende, a mineral, in a laboratory in Paris, France.
  • They were inspired by French physicist Henri Becquerel’s 1896 experiment on phosphorescence or the phenomenon that allows certain objects to glow in the dark.
  • They were able to find traces of two radioactive elements—polonium (Element 84) and radium (Element 88).
  • Curie shared the 1903 Nobel with her fellow researcher Pierre Currie and Becquerel for their combined work on radioactivity.

Important facts

  • In 1903, Marie Curie received the Nobel Prize in Physics making her the world’s first woman to win the prize.
  • In 1911, she created history again by becoming the first woman to have won two Nobel awards.
  • The 1911 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Marie after she managed to produce radium as a pure metal. This proved the new element’s existence beyond doubt.
  • However, this was not the last Nobel for the Curie family.
  • The 1935 Nobel in Chemistry went to Irène Curie and her husband and co-researcher Frédéric Joliot for their joint work on the artificial creation of new radioactive elements.
  • The Curies have received a total of four of Nobel prizes, the highest won by a single-family. They also have the unique distinction of having three Nobel-prize winning members in the family.

Birth of Radioactivity

  • While delivering a lecture at the Royal Academy of Sciences in Stockholm, Sweden in 1911, Curie shared some critical details about “radioactive elements” and the phenomenon called “radioactivity”.
  • She also spoke about the chemical properties of radium, the new element that was about a million times more radioactive than uranium.
  • Radium in solid salts was about 5 million times more radioactive than an equal weight of uranium.

Back2Basics: Radioactivity

  • Radioactivity refers to the particles which are emitted from nuclei as a result of nuclear instability.
  • It is the process by which an unstable atomic nucleus loses energy by radiation.
  • The most common types of radiation are called alpha, beta, and gamma radiation, but there are several other varieties of radioactive decay.
  • Radioactive decay rates are normally stated in terms of their half-lives, and the half-life of a given nuclear species is related to its radiation risk.
  • Examining the amounts of decay products makes possible radioactive dating.

Its applications

  • Medical use: Many diseases such as cancer are cured by radiotherapy. Sterilization of medical instruments and food is another common application of radiation.
  • Scientific use: Alpha particles emitted from the radioisotopes are used for nuclear reactions.
  • Industrial use: Radioisotopes are used as fuel for atomic energy reactors. Also used in Carbon dating.

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[pib] ‘NanoBlitz 3D’ tool to map properties of nano-materials

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level :  NanoBlitz 3D

Mains level : NA

Indian scientists have developed an advanced tool for mapping nano-mechanical properties of materials like multi-phase alloys, composites, and multi-layered coatings.

Nanotechnology is a pathbreaking technology which can create many new materials and devices with a wide range of applications, such as in nanomedicine, nanoelectronics etc.  NanoBlitz 3D is another distinct development. We can expect a prelims question asking what the NanoBlitz 3D is , with confusing options like 3d printing tool etc.

 NanoBlitz 3D

  • Scientists from Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy and New Materials (ARCI) an autonomous institute under the Dept. of S&T have developed this tool.
  • It is an advanced tool for mapping nano-mechanical properties of materials like multi-phase alloys, composites, and multi-layered coatings.
  • The tool has been useful to yield excellent results on a wide range of material systems, including glass-fibre-reinforced polymer composites, dual-phase steels, softwood and shale.
  • An important aspect of this technique is its high-throughput, with just a few hours of testing required for generating more than 10,000 data points that can be processed using machine learning (ML) algorithms.

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[pib] Ionospheric Electron Density (IED) and its applications

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : IED

Mains level : Not Much

Researchers from the Indian Institute of Geomagnetism (IIG), Mumbai, have developed a global model to predict the ionospheric electron density with larger data coverage—a crucial need for communication and navigation.

We can gauge these days that PIB is coming with ample news which is visibly important and are focused on basic GS concept. Ionospheric Electron Density is one such concept. Its significance for prelims cannot be denied.

Ionospheric Electron Density (IED)

  • The ionosphere exists between about 90 and 1000 km above the earth’s surface.
  • Radiation from the sun ionizes atoms and molecules here, liberating electrons from molecules and creating a space of free electron and ions.

Studying IED

  • The ionospheric variability is greatly influenced by both solar originated processes and the neutral atmosphere origin.
  • Scientists have tried to model the ionosphere using theoretical and empirical techniques; however, the accurate prediction of electron density is still a challenging task.
  • In recent years, Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) are showing potential to handle more complex and non-linear problems.

What are Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs)?

  • ANNs are computing systems vaguely inspired by the biological neural networks that constitute animal brains.
  • Such systems “learn” to perform tasks by considering examples, generally without being programmed with task-specific rules.
  • For example, in image recognition, they might learn to identify images that contain cats by analyzing example images that have been manually labeled as “cat” or “no cat” and using the results to identify cats in other images.
  • They do this without any prior knowledge of cats, for example, that they have fur, tails, whiskers and cat-like faces.
  • Instead, they automatically generate identifying characteristics from the examples that they process.

Significance of IED

  • Due to the ability of ionized atmospheric gases to refract high frequency (HF, or shortwave) radio waves, the ionosphere can reflect radio waves directed into the sky back toward the Earth.
  • Radio waves directed at an angle into the sky can return to Earth beyond the horizon.
  • This technique, called “skip” or “skywave” propagation, has been used since the 1920s to communicate at international or intercontinental distances.

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Virus outbreak can potentially spur the next quantum leap for computing

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Qubit, superposition.

Mains level : Paper 3- What do you understand by quantum technology? What are its applications? How it is different from the classical computer technology?

The article suggests that the corona crisis would speed up research in the field of quantum computing. The tremendous speed offered by quantum computers will help us find a cure for diseases like Covid-19 in a much shorter duration. This article explains the limitations of classical computers, working of quantum technology, and how quantum computer overcomes these limitations.

Use of supercomputer to find the cure of Covid-19

  • The whole world is pressurized into quickly discovering a vaccine and a cure for covid-19.
  • IBM’s Summit, the world’s fastest supercomputer, was used for running numerous simulations and computations.
  • These simulations and computations help scientists find promising molecules to fight the pandemic.
  • The latest update says the Summit has been able to identify 77 candidate molecules that researchers can use in trials.
  • This was achieved in just two days, while, traditionally, it has taken months to make such progress.

Computing capacity as a limit on molecular discoveries

  • Today, faster molecular discoveries are limited by computing capacity.
  • Molecular discoveries are also limited by the need for scientists to write codes for harnessing the computing power.
  • It is no secret that classical computing power is plateauing (e. it is not growing anymore)
  • And till we have scalable artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), scientists will have to write code for not only different scenarios but also for different computing platforms.
  • So, what we need today is more computing power.

The following points explain the limits of classical computers. Pay attention to the Moore’s law, and how it explains the development of semiconductor technologies and in turn computers as a whole.

What is the solution to the limits of classical computers?

  • Given that we have already neared the peak of classical computing, the solution probably is quantum computing.
  • Not just vaccines, quantum computing can accelerate many innovations, such as hyper-individualized medicines, 3-D printed organs, search engines for the physical world etc.
  • All innovations currently constrained by the size of transistors used in classical computing chips can be unleashed through quantum computing.
  • Moore’s law: In 1965, Gordon Moore had said the number of transistors that can be packed into a given unit of space will double about every two years.
  • Subsequently, in an interview in 2005, he himself admitted that this law can’t continue forever.
  • He had said: “It is the nature of exponential functions, they eventually hit a wall.”
  • Over the last 60 years, we reaped the benefits of Moore’s law in many ways.
  • For instance, compared to initial days of the Intel 4004, the modern 14nm processors deliver way bigger impact—3,500 times better performance and 90,000 times improved efficiency, at 1/60,000th the cost!
  • Yet, we are also seeing his 2005 statement coming true. All the experts agree that the ‘wall’ is very near.
  • So, what next? The answer again is probably the same—quantum computing.

Quantum technology is one of the emerging and revolutionary technologies, you should be aware of the terms and general principle which lies at the heart of such technology. So, terms like superposition, qubit, binary etc are important if you want to answer a questions related to this technology.

Quantum computing and its applications

  • It is no more a concept, there are working models available on the cloud.
  • How it works: Quantum computing uses the ability of sub-atomic particles to exist in multiple states simultaneously, until it is observed.
  • The concept of qubits: Unlike classical computers that can store information in just two values, that is 1 or 0, quantum computing uses qubits that can exist in any superposition of these values,
  • This superposition enables quantum computers to solve in seconds problems which a classical computer would take thousands of years to crack.
  • Applications: The application of this technology is enormous, and just to cite a few, it can help with the discovery of new molecules, optimize financial portfolios for different risk scenarios.
  • It can also crack RSA encryption keys, detect stealth aircraft, search massive databases in a split second and truly enable AI.

Investment in the development of technology

  • In the Union budget this year, the Indian government announced investments of ₹8,000 crores for developing quantum technologies and applications.
  • Globally, too, countries and organizations are rushing to develop this technology and have already invested enormous capital towards its research.

Conclusion

Historically, unprecedented crises have always created more innovations than routine challenges or systematic investments. Coincidentally, current times pose similar opportunities in disguise for the development of quantum technologies.


Back2Basics: Difference between bit and qubit

  • A binary digit, characterized as 0 and 1, is used to represent information in classical computers.
  • A binary digit can represent up to one bit of information, where a bit is the basic unit of information.
  • In classical computer technologies, a processed bit is implemented by one of two levels of low DC voltage.
  • And whilst switching from one of these two levels to the other, a so-called forbidden zone must be passed as fast as possible, as electrical voltage cannot change from one level to another instantaneously.
  • There are two possible outcomes for the measurement of a qubit—usually taken to have the value “0” and “1”, like a bit or binary digit.
  • However, whereas the state of a bit can only be either 0 or 1, the general state of a qubit according to quantum mechanics can be a coherent superposition of both.
  • Moreover, whereas a measurement of a classical bit would not disturb its state, a measurement of a qubit would destroy its coherence and irrevocably disturb the superposition state.
  • It is possible to fully encode one bit in one qubit.
  • However, a qubit can hold more information, e.g. up to two bits using superdense coding.
  • For a system of n components, a complete description of its state in classical physics requires only n bits, whereas in quantum physics it requires 2n−1 complex numbers.

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[pib] Plasmonic Semiconductor Nanomaterials

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Nanomaterials, Semiconductors

Mains level : Applications of nanomaterials

Researchers are exploring ways to develop plasmonic semiconductor nanomaterials for removal of toxic organic compounds from water by harvesting solar light.

Nanotechnology is a pathbreaking technology which can create many new materials and devices with a wide range of applications, such as in nanomedicine, nanoelectronics etc.  PSN is one such application. Topics like PSN are most likely to be asked in the competitive examinations.

Plasmonic Semiconductor Nanomaterials

  • PSN are metal-like materials with free electrons on the surface that oscillate collectively when hit by light.
  • It uses solar light to increase the photocatalytic efficiency to degrade pollutants as well as generate renewable Hydrogen.
  • These materials can easily adsorb toxic ions like arsenic and fluoride, which are often found in water in North East India and convert it to its not toxic forms when they are exposed to sunlight.
  • PSN can be used for hydrogen energy generation, a process which has shown high photon to hydrogen conversion efficiency under visible and near infra-red light.

What are Semiconductors?

  • Semiconductors are materials which have a conductivity between conductors (generally metals) and nonconductors or insulators (such as most ceramics).
  • Its resistance falls as its temperature rises; metals are the opposite.
  • They can be pure elements, such as silicon or germanium, or compounds such as gallium arsenide or cadmium selenide.

Back2Basics: Nanomaterials

  • Nanomaterials are materials of which a single unit small-sized (in at least one dimension) between 1 and 100 nm (the usual definition of nanoscale).
  • Materials with structure at the nanoscale often have unique optical, electronic, or mechanical properties.
  • They are created from the gas phase by producing a vapour of the product material using chemical or physical means.
  • Examples of nanomaterials include carbon nanotube, nanoparticles, metal rubber, quantum dots, nanopores and many more.

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Innovations in Sciences, IT, Computers, Robotics and Nanotechnology

Making use of technology to trace Covid-19 cases

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Aarogya Setu App.

Mains level : Paper 3- Using technology for tackling the Covid-19.

The article argues for the greater adoption of technology in tracing the Covid-19. Taking a cue from the success of JAM and UPI, recently launched app Aarogya Setu could also be the next game-changer in the fight against the pandemic. However, there are several challenges that are also discussed here.

Success story of domestic digital platforms

  • The success of two domestic digital payment platforms offers us an opportunity to show how the tracing of COVID-19 cases can be done at scale and with greater speed.
  • The JAM (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) trinity for DBTs (Direct Benefit Transfers) and UPI (Unified Payments Interface) have made India a technology leader in money transfers.
  • The JAM has lent efficiency to the transfer of funds to the needy.
  • It was drafted into action recently to channel payments to the more vulnerable who need help in dealing with the adverse economic consequences of the lockdown.
  • The UPI is emerging as a transaction vehicle of choice for all retail payments.
  • In March, 148 banks were on the UPI platform, helping process over 120 crore transactions worth over Rs 2 lakh crore.

The success story of the UPI and JAM is important from the UPSC point of view. Riding on the success of these two, the Aarogya Setu could also become the third and help in the fight against the epidemic. So, we should be aware of the basics of its working and problems the app could face.

How the Aarogya Setu works?

  • Widespread adoption is required: The success of India’s Aarogya Setu mobile application will depend on its widespread adoption.
  • Based on bluetooth technology: The app relies on bluetooth technology to map and deconstruct the contact history of individuals who may have come in contact with potential carriers of the coronavirus.
  • Exchange of information between apps: If two individuals are at the same place at the same time, their apps can exchange information-up to a maximum distance of about 15 feet.
  • Exchange of the above information is without the server knowing anything about it.
  • The app notifies users and authorities of individuals who are at risk.
  • Privacy safeguards: Some privacy safeguards have been put in place to ensure that individuals do not share personally identifiable information with each other but only with authorities — that too, in select cases.
  • A confidence-building measure would be to release the code for public scrutiny with the aim of further bolstering privacy standards.

What are the possible challenges in the success of Aarogya Setu?

  • The distribution of the detection framework necessitates a rethink, beyond an app.
  • Issues with app download in India: Nandan Nilekani has underlined that app downloads in India are perhaps the most expensive compared to any other developed or fast-developing nation.
  • Despite the falling cost of data, Indian users consider several factors before downloading an app such as required storage space, the potential impact on battery and data usage.
  • Given India’s open internet, several publishers from across industries and geographies are vying for smartphone real estate.
  • Challenge involved: In such a situation, drawing attention to particular use-cases i.e. Aarogya Setu-howsoever urgent-is challenging.

Following are the suggestions to overcome the shortcoming of the Aarogya Setu. Though they are for Aarogya Setu, we can apply these in other situations in which mobile technology bases app is used by the government in the larger public interest such as rescue operation or warnings in case of disaster.

So, what could be the alternate strategy?

  • The alternative strategy involves using the reach of the other famous apps (for ex. Paytm) to do what we want to do i.e. tracing by delinking.
  • Delinking involves separating the technology we want to use for tracing (the backend) from the channels (the front end).
  • A fine-tuned backend can be pushed to, and used by, publishers (other apps) who already have the reach.
  • Similarity with UPI: This is akin to the UPI being used by several banks and technology firms for payment.
  • The government did build its frontend in the form of the BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) app but mostly for signalling purposes.
  • In the current context, the government can consider using its own app for tracing and for additional use-cases such as passes and approvals for movement when the lockdown is gradually eased out.
  • It could even host other health-related features.
  • Expanding its ambit and making it a conduit like JAM will likely increase the incentive for people to embrace it.

Limitations of using GPS and Bluetooth for tracing in India

  • Another area where improvisations are called for is the tooling for tracking.
  • While reports have indicated that the developers are using bluetooth for tracing and are also capturing GPS coordinates, both users and device manufacturers limit their usage of these technologies in favour of other optimisations.
  • Users are concerned with both data and battery usage while device manufacturers kill background jobs even if the publishers have sought and secured permissions from users.
  • These tendencies are pronounced on Android, the dominant mobile operating system in India.
  • What are the other options? In such a scenario, developers ought to think about using other techniques.
  • For instance, using cell tower data and WiFi identifiers to bolster tracing efforts.
  • This is especially important in a context where only a third of our population has smartphones and even fewer people have devices with bluetooth capability.
  • Even the recently announced Google-Apple partnership may not have meaningful results in this setting.

Conclusion

With the potential ramifications of COVID-19’s spread in India and across the globe, the nation’s recent history of technological successes and a government committed to agile governance, the pandemic presents an opportunity for the country to show its people and the world how technology is a force of good.

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Covid-19: Software vendors focus on big data, AI despite fall in IT spending

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Not much.

Mains level : Paper 3- Leveraging AI and Big data for dealing with Covid-19, and how the IT industry could turn the Covid-19 crisis into an opportunity?

The article discusses how COVID-19 has prompted the software companies to focus on technologies that are still in demand. The IT companies have started to focus on ways to leverage the potential of AI and the Big data to deal with the pandemic.

Impact on IT companies and how they are planning to cope with it?

  • Fall in spending: Spending on information technology (IT) globally is expected to shrink by 3-4% by the end of 2020.
  • Impact: That would have a severe impact on hardware and slowdown in the software and service businesses.
  • How companies are planning to deal with the situation? Software vendors such as IBM, SAP Software Solutions and Microsoft Corporation plan to make use of emerging technologies to become more relevant to their customers.
  • IBM has created an AI platformWatson Assistant for Citizens’ on its public cloud.
  • The platform helps citizens understand and respond to common questions about covid-19, commonly known as the novel coronavirus.
  • While the ongoing pandemic is having a dreadful impact on companies at scale, matured ones are taking a pause and rethinking their analytics approach.
  • Using data analysis to prepare contingency plan: Data science teams are being called into action to crunch petabytes of data and build best business models on trusted data for decision-makers to quickly prepare contingency plans.
  • This is where we are seeing enterprises using AI, machine learning, and natural language processing to mine the data and build predictive or prescriptive models in IBM Cloud Pack for Data.

UPSC could ask question connecting the use of IT and its potential to deal with the pandemics. And it could also be other way round you can cite the example of use of IT in the health sector.

Adoption of the AI by various sectors

  • The government and public service agencies as well as healthcare and research companies urgently need AI solutions and analytics as they are in a race to find a treatment for the deadly disease.
  • Other industries with high end-user touch-points like banks, insurance, retail, etc. are also in urgent need to use AI/ML-driven analytics and cognitive technologies to automate their communications, streamline predictions, decision making, etc.

AI and Big data could be a game-changer across the various sectors, health being one of them. As among the buzzwords in technologie today UPSC could ask about AI and Big data.

Covid-19 as an opportunity for the IT industry

  • The covid-19 crisis is an opportunity for IT vendors to build and improve on their capabilities on AI and big data.
  • Leveraging AI: They are also keeping an eye on emerging uses cases in AI for disease detection, tracking, and prevention.
  • Relatively smaller companies are also launching dedicated AI-based apps to assist people amid the covid-19 crisis.
  • Eka Software Solutions recently released ‘COVID-19 Risk Monitoring’, it help customers quickly gain visibility in supply chain risks by showing a company’s contract position across countries with reported cases of the virus.
  • Based on company data, the app instantly visualises contracts at risk and provides businesses with the ability to identify alternate suppliers to maintain business continuity.

Conclusion

As the epidemic is far from being tamed, various sectors are likely to feel the existential crisis and IT could be one of them. But they can also turn this crisis into an opportunity by leveraging the AI and Big data in tackling the epidemic at various levels.

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[pib] Laser Surface Micro-texturing

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Laser surface micro-texturing

Mains level : NA

International Advanced Centre for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI) an autonomous R&D Centre of Dept. of Science and Technology has developed ultrafast laser surface texturing technology, which can improve the fuel efficiency of internal combustion engines.

Laser surface micro-texturing

  • This technology offers precise control of the size, shape and density of micro-surface texture features. This has gained momentum as a way to control friction and wear.
  • In this technology, a pulsating laser beam creates micro-dimples or grooves on the surface of materials in a very controlled manner.
  • Such textures can trap wear debris when operating under dry sliding conditions and sometimes provide effects like enhancing oil supply (lubricant reservoir) which can lower friction coefficients and may enable reduced wear rate.
  • The texture surfaces were created on automotive internal combustion engine components, piston rings and cylinder liners using 100 fs pulse duration laser.
  • The micro dimples of 10-20 μm diameter and about 5-10 μm deep which have been created with laser beams had a regular pattern.

Benefits of micro-texturing

  • The created textures were tested in an engine test rig under different speeds and temperatures of coolant and lubrication oil, and it was observed that there was a 16% reduction in the lube oil consumption with the use of texture on the piston rings.
  • The 10-hour lube oil consumption test shows that the blowby substantially reduced with textured rings.
  • Fabrication of a pattern of micro dimples or grooves on the surface of materials results in a change in surface topography which generates additional hydrodynamic pressure, thereby increasing the load-carrying capacity of the surfaces.
  • Hence these become useful for trapping wear debris when operating under dry sliding conditions and sometimes provide effects like enhancing oil supply (lubricant reservoir) which can lower friction coefficients and may enable reduced wear rate.

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[pib] National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Supercomputers

Mains level : Applications of Supercomputers

The Union Ministry of Science & Technology has informed about the progress of the National Supercomputing Mission.

National Supercomputing Mission (NSM)

  • NSM is a proposed plan by GoI to create a cluster of seventy supercomputers connecting various academic and research institutions across India.
  • In April 2015 the government approved the NSM with a total outlay of Rs.4500 crore for a period of 7 years.
  • The mission was set up to provide the country with supercomputing infrastructure to meet the increasing computational demands of academia, researchers, MSMEs, and startups by creating the capability design, manufacturing, of supercomputers indigenously in India.
  • Currently there are four supercomputers from India in Top 500 list of supercomputers in the world.

Aims and objectives

  • The target of the mission was set to establish a network of supercomputers ranging from a few Tera Flops (TF) to Hundreds of Tera Flops (TF) and three systems with greater than or equal to 3 Peta Flops (PF) in academic and research institutions of National importance across the country by 2022.
  • This network of Supercomputers envisaging a total of 15-20 PF was approved in 2015 and was later revised to a total of 45 PF (45000 TFs), a jump of 6 times more compute power within the same cost and capable of solving large and complex computational problems.

IWhat is a Supercomputer?

  • A supercomputer is a computer with a high level of performance as compared to a general-purpose computer.
  • The performance of a supercomputer is commonly measured in floating-point operations per second (FLOPS) instead of million instructions per second (MIPS).
  • Since 2017, there are supercomputers which can perform over a hundred quadrillion FLOPS (petaFLOPS).
  • Since November 2017, all of the world’s fastest 500 supercomputers run Linux-based operating systems.

Why do we need supercomputers?

  • Developed and almost-developed countries have begun ensuring high investments in supercomputers to boost their economies and tackle new social problems.
  • These high-performance computers can simulate the real world, by processing massive amounts of data, making cars and planes safer, and more fuel-efficient and environment-friendly.
  • They also aid in the extraction of new sources of oil and gas, development of alternative energy sources, and advancement in medical sciences.
  • Supercomputers have also helped weather forecasters to accurately predict severe storms, enable better mitigation planning and warning systems.
  • They are also used by financial services, manufacturing and internet companies and infrastructure systems like water-supply networks, energy grids, and transportation.
  • Future applications of artificial intelligence (AI) also depend on supercomputing.
  • Due to the potential of this technology, countries like the US, China, France, Germany, Japan, and Russia have created national-level supercomputing strategies and are investing substantially in these programmes.

When did India initiate its efforts to build supercomputers?

  • India’s supercomputer programme initiated in the late 1980s, when the United States ceased the export of a Cray Supercomputer due to technology embargos.
  • This resulted in India setting up C-DAC in 1988, which in 1991, unveiled the prototype of PARAM 800, benchmarked at 5 Gflops. This supercomputer was the second-fastest in the world at that time.
  • Since June 2018, the USA’s Summit is the fastest supercomputer in the world, taking away this position from China.
  • As of January 2018, Pratyush and Mihir are the fastest supercomputers in India with a maximum speed of Peta Flops.

What are the phases of the National Supercomputing Mission?

Phase I:

  • In the first phase of the NSM, parts of the supercomputers are imported and assembled in India.
  • A total of 6 supercomputers are to be installed in this phase.
  • The first supercomputer that was assembled indigenously is called Param Shivay. It was installed in IIT (BHU) located in Varanasi.
  • Similar systems, Param Shakti (IIT Kharagpur) and Param Brahma (IISER, Pune) were also later installed within the country.
  • The rest will be installed at IIT Kanpur, IIT Hyderabad and Jawaharlal Nehru Institute of Advanced Studies (JNIAS).

Phase II:

  • The supercomputers that are installed so far are about 60% indigenous.
  • The 11 systems that are going to be installed in the next phase will have processors designed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and will have a cumulative capacity of 10 petaflops.
  • These new systems are to be constructed more cost-effectively than the previous ones.
  • One of the 11 proposed supercomputers will be installed
  • at C-DAC exclusively for small and medium enterprises so that they can train employees as well as work on supercomputers at a very low cost.

Phase III:

  • The third phase aims to build fully indigenous supercomputers.
  • The government had also approved a project to develop a cryogenic cooling system that rapidly dispels the heat generated by a computing chip. This will be jointly built together by IIT-Bombay and C-DAC.

What are the advantages of the National Supercomputing Mission?

  • The National Supercomputing Mission can ensure accessibility to supercomputers at an affordable rate to the scientific community and medium and small enterprises.
  • It can exponentially enhance the quality and quantity of R&D and higher education in the areas of science and technology.
  • It can solve the current and future challenges that are plaguing the country.
  • Currently, the world’s top supercomputers are mostly under the control of advanced nations like the US, Japan, China and the European Union. This Mission has the potential to bring India into this select league of such nations.
  • These supercomputers can be used in the areas of climate modelling, weather predictions, computational biology, atomic energy simulations, defence, disaster simulation, astrophysics etc.
  • These computers have played a crucial role in scientific and technological advancements in numerous fields.
  • Unlike other computers, these high-performance machines can crunch the most complex of data at a speed, which is millions of times faster than a desktop PC.
  • This mission, aiming to provide supercomputing facilities to about 60-70 institutions across the nation and thousands of active researchers, academicians, is moving fast towards creating a computer infrastructure within the country.
  • This mission can also enhance the country’s capacity to develop the next generation of supercomputer experts.

How do other countries make use of supercomputers?

China:

  • Jiangsu Province has a supercomputer called “Sunway TaihuLight”.
  • This supercomputer performs a wide range of tasks, including climate science, weather forecasting and earth-system modelling to help ships avoid rough seas, improve farmers’ yields and ensure the safety of offshore drilling.
  • TaihuLight has already led to an increase in profits and a reduction in expenses that justify its cost ($270 million).

United States:

  • In the US, supercomputers are radically transforming the healthcare system.
  • The Centre for Disease Control (CDC) has used supercomputers to create a far more detailed model of the Hepatitis-C virus, a major cause of the liver disease that costs $9 billion in healthcare costs in the US alone.
  • Using supercomputers, the researchers have now developed a model that comprehensively simulates heart down to the cellular level and can lead to a substantial reduction in heart diseases.

These are some of the very few cases of how supercomputers have enhanced breakthroughs in various fields.

How do supercomputers help fight coronavirus?

  • Earlier, the US had established COVID-19 High-Performance Computing Consortium that will bring together industry, academic institutions, and federal laboratories to try to identify or create candidate compounds that might prevent or treat coronavirus infection.
  • One of the members of the consortium, the Oak Ridge National Laboratory, aimed to look into compounds that are already available in the market that might combat COVID-19.
  • For this purpose, the world’s fastest supercomputer “Summit” was used.
  • Like other viruses, the novel coronavirus uses a spike protein to inject cells.
  • Using Summit with an algorithm to investigate which drugs could bind to the protein and prevent the virus from doing its duty, the researchers have a list of 77 drugs that show promise.
  • Starting with 8,000 compounds, Summit has shortened the time of the experiment exponentially, ruling out the vast majority of possible medications before settling on 77 drugs, which are ranked based on how effective they are likely to be at halting the virus in the human body.

Way forward

  • It is evident that supercomputers would become a vital part of our lives as it can provide solutions to the current and future problems and India, one of the most populous nations in the world, must ensure that it also has access to this technology for the welfare of its people.
  • Supercomputers, as they operate at such incredible speeds, will encounter numerous barriers like network and interconnectivity hardware that previous generations of designers did not have to deal with.
  • The cooling system is also one of the major design constraints.
  • Hence, India must give a high emphasis on innovation to tackle these challenges.
  • India must also give high emphasis to the application rather than the technology itself.
  • Supercomputing research also requires fundamental research of the next stages of computing like quantum computing that are still in the theoretical stage.
  • Bureaucratic red-tapism must be circumvented and scientists and researchers must be allowed to take bold and radical steps without fear of reprisal.
  • The government must also invest in necessary physical and digital infrastructure.
  • It must also address the challenges of:
  • Limited funding and delayed release of funds
  • The increasing need for imports for necessary hardware components to build supercomputers

Conclusion:

  • Supercomputers are strategically important for India as it can help the country to become a knowledge-driven economy.
  • This technology also can support cutting edge research that can benefit the economy, society, businesses, environment, etc.
  • Thus, enhancing investments, improving flexibility for research and providing other necessary infrastructures must be ensured for it to grow.
  • Without this technology, India risks being surpassed on the global stage by other nations and will consequently miss the huge benefits that come from having this strategically important technology at the disposal of the country’s best and brightest minds

 

 

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Picking up the quantum technology baton

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : NM-QTA

Mains level : Paper 3- Research on Quantum technology and its applications in India.

Context

With the Budget announcement providing direction for the development in quantum technology, the stakeholders need to roll-out the national mission quickly.

Pushing India into second quantum revolution

  • Budgetary allocation for NM-QTA: In the Budget 2020 speech, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made a welcome announcement for Indian science — over the next five years she proposed spending ₹8,000 crores (~ $1.2 billion) on a National Mission on Quantum Technologies and Applications.
  • This promises to catapult India into the midst of the second quantum revolution, a major scientific effort that is being pursued by the United States, Europe, China and others.

Timeline of the development of Quantum Mechanics

  • Science to describe nature on atomic-scale: Quantum mechanics was developed in the early 20th century to describe nature in the small — at the scale of atoms and elementary particles.
  • Foundation for understanding: For over a century it has provided the foundations of our understanding of the physical world, including the interaction of light and matter.
    • It also led to ubiquitous inventions such as lasers and semiconductor transistors.
    • Despite a century of research, the quantum world still remains mysterious and far removed from our experiences based on everyday life.
  • Second revolution: A second revolution is currently underway with the goal of putting our growing understanding of these mysteries to use by actually controlling nature and harnessing the benefits of the weird and wondrous properties of quantum mechanics.
  • Challenge of experimental realisation: One of the most striking of these is the tremendous computing power of quantum computers, whose actual experimental realisation is one of the great challenges of our times.
  • Quantum supremacy: The announcement by Google, in October 2019, where they claimed to have demonstrated the so-called “quantum supremacy”, is one of the first steps towards this goal.

Applications and challenges

  • Applications: Besides computing, exploring the quantum world promises other dramatic applications including the creation of novel materials, enhanced metrology, secure communication, to name just a few.
    • Some of these are already around the corner.
    • Application in communication: China recently demonstrated secure quantum communication links between terrestrial stations and satellites.
    • Applications in cryptography: Computer scientists are working towards deploying schemes for post-quantum cryptography — clever schemes by which existing computers can keep communication secure even against quantum computers of the future.
    • Exploring fundamental questions: Beyond these applications, some of the deepest foundational questions in physics and computer science are being driven by quantum information science. This includes subjects such as quantum gravity and black holes.
  • The need for collaboration: Pursuing these challenges will require unprecedented collaboration between physicists (both experimentalists and theorists), computer scientists, material scientists and engineers.
  • Challenges on the experimental front: On the experimental front, the challenge lies in harnessing the weird and wonderful properties of quantum superposition and entanglement in a highly controlled manner by building a system composed of carefully designed building blocks called quantum bits or qubits.
    • These qubits tend to be very fragile and lose their “quantumness” if not controlled properly, and a careful choice of materials, design and engineering is required to get them to work.
  • Challenges on the theoretical front: On the theoretical front lies the challenge of creating the algorithms and applications for quantum computers.
    • These projects will also place new demands on classical control hardware as well as software platforms.

Where India stands

  • India late in starting work on technology: Globally, research in this area is about two decades old, but in India, serious experimental work has been underway for only about five years, and in a handful of locations.
  • What are the constraints on Indian progress in this field? So far we have been plagued by a lack of sufficient resources, high-quality manpower, timeliness and flexibility.
    • Resource and quality manpower problem: The new announcement in the Budget would greatly help fix the resource problem but high-quality manpower is in global demand.
    • In a fast-moving field like this, timeliness is everything — delayed funding by even one year is an enormous hit.
  • A previous programme called Quantum Enabled Science and Technology has just been fully rolled out, more than two years after the call for proposals.
  • Laudable announcement: One has to laud the government’s announcement of this new mission on a massive scale and on a par with similar programmes announced recently by the United States and Europe.

Limits and way forward

  • But there are some limits that come from how the government must do business with public funds.
  • Role of the private sector: Here, private funding, both via industry and philanthropy, can play an outsized role even with much smaller amounts.
  • For example, unrestricted funds that can be used to attract and retain high-quality manpower and to build international networks — all at short notice — can and will make an enormous difference to the success of this enterprise.
  • Private participation is the effective way: This is the most effective way (as China and Singapore discovered) to catch up scientifically with the international community, while quickly creating a vibrant intellectual environment to help attract top researchers.
  • Connection with industry: Further, connections with the Indian industry from the start would also help quantum technologies become commercialised successfully, allowing the Indian industry to benefit from the quantum revolution.
  • We must encourage industrial houses and strategic philanthropists to take an interest and reach out to Indian institutions with an existing presence in this emerging field.
  • For example, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), home to India’s first superconducting quantum computing lab, would be delighted to engage.

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[pib] Friction-reducing Nanocomposite Coatings

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Nano-composites and its applications

Mains level : Not Much

A group of scientists at the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI) have developed a process for size-selective deposition of nanocomposite coatings which can reduce friction of these dynamic systems.

What are Nanocomposites?

  • Nanocomposite coatings are formed by mixing two or more dissimilar materials at nanoscale to improve the physical, chemical and physicochemical properties of the new materials.
  • The scientists have found that nickel tungsten-based coatings with infusion of particular sized Silicon Carbide (SiC) submicron particles using a pulsed electroplating can provide an excellent combination of wear and corrosion resistance.

Applications

  • Many aerospace, defence, automobile, space devices need to reduce friction, wear, and tear to enhance the life of components.
  • Lubricating these dynamic systems add to the cost, complexity, and weight of these systems.
  • The coating could help in reducing the friction of such devices.

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[pib] Quantum coin or ‘qubit’ and Entanglement Theory

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Qubit, Quantum Entanglement

Mains level : Quantum Computing and its applications

Researchers from Raman Research Institute (RRI), an autonomous institution under the Dept. of Science & Technology, have devised a new test for fairness of quantum coin or ‘qubit’ using entanglement theory. The Qubit is the basic unit of information in a quantum computer.

Entanglement Theory

  • It is a special type of correlation that exists in the quantum world with no classical counterpart.
  • The researchers from RRI made use of this quantum resource to arrive at a test for fairness of a quantum coin (a qubit).
  • Their strategy, which makes use of entanglement, enables better discrimination between quantum states. Such advantage is valuable in quantum sensors.
  • This work is a significant contribution to the domain of quantum state discrimination, which is an essential aspect of quantum information science.
  • It brings out the crucial role of entanglement in improving our ability to discriminate quantum states.
  • In this work the researchers concretely implemented the theoretical idea on the simulation facility of the IBM quantum computer.

Quantum coins

  • By repeated trials, one can determine the fairness of a classical coin with a confidence which grows with the number of trials.
  • A quantum coin can be in a superposition of heads and tails.
  • Given a string of qubits representing a series of trials, one can measure them individually and determine the state with a certain confidence.
  • The team has shown that there is an improved strategy which measures the qubits after entangling them, which leads to a greater confidence.

Significance

  • This is a significant contribution to quantum state discrimination, an essential aspect of quantum information science which is expected to influence quantum sensing.
  • The domain of Quantum Information and Quantum Computing Technology is a growing area of research which is expected to influence Data Processing, which in turn, plays a central role in our lives in this Information Age.
  • For instance, bank transactions, online shopping and so on crucially depend on the efficiency of information transfer.
  • Thus the recent work on quantum state discrimination is expected to be valuable in people’s lives in the current era.

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[pib] Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC)

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells (PEMFC)

Mains level : Read the attached story

Scientists at International Advanced Research for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad have developed Polymer Electrolyte Membrane fuel cells (PEMFC).

Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cells

  • Proton-exchange membrane fuel cells, also known as polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells (PEMFC) are a type of fuel cell being developed mainly for transport applications, as well as for stationary fuel-cell applications and portable fuel-cell applications.
  • Their distinguishing features include lower temperature/pressure ranges (50 to 100 °C) and a special proton-conducting polymer electrolyte membrane.
  • PEMFCs generate electricity and operate on the opposite principle to PEM electrolysis, which consumes electricity.
  • They are a leading candidate to replace the aging alkaline fuel-cell technology, which was used in the Space Shuttle.

Working

 

  • The PEMFC uses a water-based, acidic polymer membrane as its electrolyte, with platinum-based electrodes.
  • The protons pass through the membrane to the cathode side of the cell while the electrons travel in an external circuit, generating the electrical output of the cell.

Applications in disaster management

  • Emergency Operation Centres (EOC) backed with 10 kW systems is being planned as a natural disaster management measure.
  • Tamil Nadu is generally affected by five to six cyclones every year, of which two to three are severe and is followed by frequent power cuts.
  • ARCI is now planning to set up a PEMFC system for Tamil Nadu to operate the systems like early warning systems, VHF set, IP phone, BSNL Ethernet and office equipment like scanner, computers, printers, phone, FAX and normal requirements like lighting and fan.

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Media Access Control (MAC) Binding

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Media Access Control (MAC) Binding

Mains level : Internet shutdown as an infringement of FR

After seven months, the use of social media was allowed in Jammu and Kashmir with an order laying down the latest rules for the use of the Internet in the UT.  Among various conditions, the order says Internet connectivity will be made available “with mac-binding”.

What is Mac-binding?

  • Every device has a Media Access Control (MAC) address, a hardware identification number that is unique to it. While accessing the Internet, every device is assigned an IP address.
  • Mac-binding essentially means binding together the MAC and IP addresses, so that all requests from that IP address are served only by the computer having that particular MAC address.
  • In effect, it means that if the IP address or the MAC address changes, the device can no longer access the Internet.
  • Also, monitoring authorities can trace the specific system from which a particular online activity was carried out.

Permitted connections

  • The Internet can be accessed on all postpaid devices, and those using Local Area Networks (LAN).
  • While the postpaid SIM card holders shall continue to be provided access to the Internet, these services shall not be made available on prepaid SIM cards unless verified as per the norms applicable for postpaid connections.
  • Apart from this, special access terminals provided by the government will continue to run.
  • It is further directed that the access/communication facilities provided by the government, viz. e-terminals/Internet kiosks apart from special arrangements for tourists, students, traders etc shall continue.

Only 2G permitted

  • Internet speed in J&K is still restricted to 2G.
  • This means very slow services — pictures will take a long time to be sent or downloaded, videos will be nearly impossible to share, and there will be a long loading time for most websites.
  • It also means that although in theory, the “whitelist system” — where people could only access some websites pre-approved by the government — has been removed, some sites designed for a 4G Internet experience will hardly work.

Have curbs been lifted?

  • Not exactly. The latest order is to remain in force till March 17 unless modified earlier.
  • The government has been relaxing Internet and phone usage in the UTs in phases.

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What is the ‘Raman effect’?

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Spectroscopy, Raman Effect

Mains level : Applications of Raman Effect

 

 

Yesterday, February 28th was celebrated as National Science Day. In 1986, the Govt. of India designated this Day, to commemorate the announcement of the discovery of the “Raman effect”.

CV Raman

  • Raman conducted his Nobel-prize winning research at IACS, Calcutta.
  • While he was educated entirely in India, Raman travelled to London for the first time in 1921, where his reputation in the study of optics and acoustics was known to physicists such as JJ Thomson and Lord Rutherford.
  • The Raman Effect won scientist Sir CV Raman the Nobel Prize for physics in 1930.
  • It was also designated as an International Historic Chemical Landmark jointly by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS).
  • His speciality was the study of vibrations and sounds of stringed instruments such as the Indian veena and tambura, and Indian percussion instruments such as the tabla and mridangam.

The Raman Effect

  • In 1928, Raman discovered that when a stream of light passes through a liquid, a fraction of the light scattered by the liquid is of a different colour.
  • While Raman was returning from London in a 15-day voyage, he started thinking about the colour of the deep blue Mediterranean.
  • He wasn’t convinced by the explanation that the colour of the sea was blue due to the reflection of the sky.
  • As the ship docked in Bombay, he sent a letter to the editor of the journal Nature, in which he penned down his thoughts on this.
  • Subsequently, Raman was able to show that the blue colour of the water was due to the scattering of the sunlight by water molecules.
  • By this time he was obsessed with the phenomenon of light scattering.

Observing the effect

  • The Raman Effect is when the change in the energy of the light is affected by the vibrations of the molecule or material under observation, leading to a change in its wavelength.
  • Significantly, it notes that the Raman effect is “very weak” — this is because when the object in question is small (smaller than a few nanometres), the light will pass through it undisturbed.
  • But a few times in a billion, light waves may interact with the particle. This could also explain why it was not discovered before.
  • In general, when light interacts with an object, it can either be reflected, refracted or transmitted.
  • One of the things that scientists look at when light is scattered is if the particle it interacts with is able to change its energy.

Applications

  • Raman spectroscopy is used in many varied fields – in fact, any application where non-destructive, microscopic, chemical analysis and imaging is required.
  • Whether the goal is qualitative or quantitative data, Raman analysis can provide key information easily and quickly.
  • It can be used to rapidly characterize the chemical composition and structure of a sample, whether solid, liquid, gas, gel, slurry or powder.

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[pib] Responsible AI for Social Empowerment (RAISE) 2020

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : RAISE 20202

Mains level : Creating a roadmap to harness AI

 

 

The Govt. has announced the mega event, RAISE 2020- ‘Responsible AI for Social Empowerment 2020,’ to be held in April in New Delhi.

RAISE 2020

  • RAISE 2020 is a first of its kind, a global meeting of minds on Artificial Intelligence to drive India’s vision and roadmap for social empowerment, inclusion and transformation through responsible AI.
  • It is India’s first Artificial Intelligence summit to be organized by the Government in partnership with Industry & Academia.
  • The summit will be a global meeting of minds to exchange ideas and charter a course to use AI for social empowerment, inclusion and transformation in key areas like Healthcare, Agriculture, Education and Smart Mobility amongst other sectors.
  • It will facilitate an exchange of ideas to further create a mass awareness about the need to ethically develop and practice AI in the digital era.

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[op-ed snap] The hype over hypersonics

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Avangard-HGV

Mains level : Paper 3- Hypersonic Glide Vehicle, whether India go for developing it- and challenges to Indian security.

Context

Russia announced that its new hypersonic glide vehicle (HGV), Avangard, had been made operational.

What HGV is and where the US and China stand

  • What is HGV and what is it capable of?
    • Speed over 5 Mach: A hypersonic delivery system is essentially a ballistic or cruise missile that can fly for long distances and at speeds higher than 5 Mach at lower altitudes.
    • Invulnerable to interception: This allows it to evade interception from current Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD).
    • High manoeuvrability: It can also execute a high degree of manoeuvres.
    • Avangard-Developed by Russia: Russia claims that this HGV can fly at over 20 times the speed of sound.
    • Invulnerable to interception: and is capable of such manoeuvring as to be invulnerable to interception by any existing and prospective missile defence means of the potential adversary.
  • China and the U.S. are also close on the heels: The U.S. has moved from the research to the development stage.
    • Where China stands: China demonstrated the DF-17, a medium-range missile with the HGV, at the military parade in October 2019.
  • What were the reasons for the development: The U.S. walked out of anti-ballistic missile treaty in 2002, prompted by the U.S. exit from the treaty and fear of the U.S. anti-ballistic missile defence system.

How would hypersonics complicate the security concerns?

  • First complication-Increase in the possibility of miscalculation: These missiles are being added to the military capabilities of countries that possess nuclear weapons.
    • For these nations, the concern is always an attack on nuclear assets to degrade retaliation
    • Destination ambiguities: Another layer of complication is added by the fact that these missiles bring in warhead and destination ambiguities.
    • Increasing tendency to assume worst: In both cases, when an adversary’s early warning detects such missiles headed in its direction, but cannot be sure whether they are conventional or nuclear-armed, nor ascertain the target they are headed towards, the tendency would be to assume the worst.
    • For an adversary that faces a country with a BMD but itself has a small nuclear arsenal, it would fear that even conventionally armed hypersonic missiles could destroy a portion of its nuclear assets.
    • The tendency to shift to trigger-ready postures: The tendency could then be to shift to more trigger-ready postures such as launch on warning or launch under attack to ostensibly enhance deterrence.
    • Risk of miscalculation: But such shifts would also bring risks of misperception and miscalculation in moments of crisis.
  • Second complication-Offence defence spiral: According to reports, the U.S. has begun finding ways of either strengthening its BMD or looking for countermeasures to defeat hypersonics, besides having an arsenal of its own of the same kind.
    • Possibility of arms race: The stage appears set for an arms race instability given that the three major players in this game have the financial wherewithal and technological capability to play along.
    • This looks particularly imminent in the absence of any strategic dialogue or arms control.
  • Third complication-Possibility of the arms race into outer space: A third implication would be to take offence-defence developments into outer space.
    • Sensors are already placed into space: Counter-measures to hypersonics have been envisaged through the placement of sensors and interceptors in outer space.
    • While none of this is going to be weaponisation of outer space would, nevertheless, be a distinct possibility once hypersonic inductions become the norm.

Conclusion

The induction of this technology would likely prove to be a transitory advantage eventually leading nations into a strategic trap. India needs to make a cool-headed assessment of its own deterrence requirements and choose its pathways wisely.

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[op-ed snap] Frame rules to govern how devices identify us

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Not much.

Mains level : Paper 3- Face recognition technique, its uses and related issue.

Context

Facial recognition technology is set to become an integral part of the law enforcement toolkit, but we should regulate this technology before it pervades our public spaces.

What are the issues with the use of facial recognition?

  • Enormous possibilities for law enforcement agencies:
    • Detectives have been using facial recognition to solve crimes for almost as long as the camera has been in existence.
    • Use of AI for facial recognition: It is but a logical extension of the modern crime solver’s toolkit to use artificial intelligence (AI) on the most identifiable physical feature of people, their face.
    • Screening faces within hours: An image captured at the scene of a crime can now be screened against photographs of entire populations for a match within a matter of hours.
  • Uneasiness with being watched: The idea of being watched by devices linked to vast databases far out of sight makes liberal societies uneasy.
  • Invasion of privacy:  The intrusion that is causing alarm, however, has nothing to do with the technology itself, and everything to do with the all-pervasive surveillance it enables.

Should there be no rules governing it?

  • Issue of accuracy: How accurately faces are identified by machines is a major point of concern. Deployed in law enforcement, false matches could possibly result in a miscarriage of justice.
    • Judicial scrutiny: Even a low rate of error could mean evidence faces judicial rejection. It is in the judiciary’s interest, all the same, to let technology aid police-work.
  • Racial bias: First up for addressal is the criticism that facial recognition is still not smart enough to read emotions or work equally well for all racial groups.
    • With iterative use, it will improve.
  • Mala fide use: Since such tools can be put to mala fide use as-rogue drones equipped with the technology, for example, should never be in a position to carry out an assassination.
    • Nor should an unauthorized agent be able to spy on or stalk anyone.
    • Caution in the developed countries:  Apart from California, the European Union has also decided to exercise some caution before exposing people to it.
  • Privacy as fundamental rights in India: India, which has recently accepted privacy as a fundamental right, would do well to tilt the Western way on this.

Conclusion

  • We need regulations that restrict the use of facial recognition to the minimum required to serve justice and ease commercial operations. For the latter, customer consent should be mandatory.
  • There will be some overlaps. Its use at an aerobridge to board an aircraft, for example, could serve the interests of both state security and the airline, but data-sharing could risk leakage.

 

 

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Xenobot

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Xenobot

Mains level : Utility of stem cells in bio-robotics

Scientists in the US have created the world’s first “living machines” — tiny robots built from the cells of the African clawed frog that can move around on their own.

Xenobot

  • Scientists have developed living robots from frogs stem cells.
  • They have named this millimetre-wide robots “xenobots” — after the species of aquatic frog found across sub-Saharan Africa from Nigeria and Sudan to South Africa, Xenopus laevis.
  • Scientists have repurposed living cells scraped from frog embryos and assembled them into entirely new life-forms.
  • The xenobots can move toward a target, perhaps pick up a payload (like a medicine that needs to be carried to a specific place inside a patient) — and heal themselves after being cut.

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Virtual human’ NEON

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : NEON

Mains level : Applications of AI

NEONs are being called the world’s first artificial humans. They look and behave like real humans, and could develop memories and emotions — though from behind a 4K display.

NEON

  • Star Labs is headed by India-born scientist Pranav Mistry who underlines that what was showcased at CES was the product of just four months’ work.
  • The company says NEONs are computationally created virtual humans — the word derives from NEO (new) + humaN.
  • For now, the virtual humans can show emotions when manually controlled by their creators.
  • But the idea is for NEONs to become intelligent enough to be fully autonomous, showing emotions, learning skills, creating memories, and being intelligent on their own.
  • Star Labs thinks they can be “friends, collaborators, and companions”, but all that is a few years away.

How does it work?

There are two core technologies behind his virtual humans.

  • First, there is the proprietary CORE R3 technology that drives the “reality, real time and responsiveness” behind NEONs.
  • It is the front-end reality engine that is able to give you that real expression.
  • The company claims CORE R3 “leapfrogs in the domains of Behavioral Neural Networks, Evolutionary Generative Intelligence and Computational Reality”, and is “extensively trained” on how humans look, behave and interact.
  • But in the end, it is like a rendition engine, converting the mathematical models to look like actual humans.
  • The next stage will be SPECTRA, which will complement CORE R3 with the “spectrum of intelligence, learning, emotions and memory”.
  • But SPECTRA is still in development, and is not expected before NEONWORLD 2020 later this year.

How could NEONs be used?

  • NEONs are the interface for technologies and services.
  • They could answer queries at a bank, welcome you at a restaurant, or read out the breaking news on television at an unearthly hour.
  • This form of virtual assistance would be more effective, for example, while teaching languages, as NEONs will be capable of understanding and sympathizing.

How are they different from Virtual Assistants?

  • Virtual Assistants now learn from all the data they are plugged into. NEONs will be limited to what they know and learn.
  • Their leaning could potentially be limited to the person they are catering to, and maybe her friends — but not the entire Internet.
  • They will not be an interface for you to request a song, rather they will be a friend to speak to and share experiences with.
  • Currently, its developer doesn’t want NEONs to have collective memory, or to share data among themselves.

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[op-ed of the day] The age of ubiquitous drones and the challenges overhead

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Not much

Mains level : Paper 3- Drones, applications and security threats.

Context

Increasing the use of drones in warfare and other areas has brought into focus the potential the use of drones hold and the other issues related to its misuse.

Recent events featuring drones

  • A drone was used by the U.S. to fire the missile at Qassem Soleimani to assassinate him.
  • A few days before that, less-lethal drones monitored crowds of student protesters rocking India.

A potential area of use of drones

  • Military and Policing: Drones are largely used for military or policing purposes, but they also have other uses.
  • Recreation and Sports: They are used for recreation and sports. The Chinese company DJI dominates this space.
  • Logistics: Logistics is another use, with Amazon developing last-mile drone delivery.
  • At scale, this delivery model can save money, energy and time.
  • Domino’s extended this logic to deliver its first pizza by drone in New Zealand and is experimenting with scaling this model up in many markets.
  • Botswana has had some successful trials where drones have delivered blood and life-saving drugs to villages out in the wilderness.
  • Agriculture: A startup called Terraview uses drones with advanced image processing, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality to increase the productivity of vineyards.
  • A drone can be used to measure the amount of grain that’s piled up after harvest.
  • Mining Output: Tata Steel has used drones quite effectively to measure mining output.
  • Access the inaccessible places: Drones can go where people cannot.
  • So, inspection and repair at remote wind farms on an island, or pipelines in the remote tundra, or equipment in a rainforest can be done more cheaply and precisely.
  • Drone surveillance is now widely used by the insurance industry in the aftermath of floods or pest inspections.
  • They can provide organizations a 360-degree view of the status of any construction project and its assets.
  • Explosive detection and defusing: In many places, it is just safer to send a drone, such as while using explosives in deep mines or defusing suspected bombs.
  • Wildlife protection and survey: drones are used to survey wildlife and detect poaching in the jungles of Africa.

Drones as commodity

  • Drones will soon become a hardware commodity, much like personal computers.
  • It will be the software loaded on it that will be the real force-multiplier.
  • Industry 4.0 revolution: Business like “drones-as-a-service” will emerge, dramatically reducing the time taken for tasks and serving as a vital tool in the Industry 4.0 revolution.

A potent tool for Swarm-attack by military

  • Perhaps the most fascinating developments will occur where drones originated, in
  • Drones will mutate into swarms, where multiple, intelligent, small drones act as one vast network, much like a swarm of birds or locusts.
  • Advanced militaries have drone swarms under trial that could revolutionize future conflicts.
  • These swarms could overwhelm enemy sensors with sheer numbers and precisely target enemy soldiers and assets using data fed into them.
  • They will be difficult to shoot down as there will be hundreds of small flying objects rather than one big ballistic missile.
  • The swarm will use real-time ground data to organize itself and operate in concert to achieve its goal.

Issues with drones

  • It will be us humans who will decide whether we use drones for beneficial or malevolent ends.
  • National Security Issues: Drones have demonstrated the potentials for their threat to the security of a country. Drones are operated remotely and can strike where it want it to strike. Raising serious security issues.
  • Terrorism: Drones have been used by various terrorist organisations like ISIS in Syria and Iraq to hit their targets.
  • Aviation safety: Drones flying too close to commercial aircraft has called for regulations.
  • Privacy: Drones have been used by the paparazzi to take the images of individuals breaching their privacy.

Conclusion

Drones can indeed be a fantastic tool for good projects, from helping save the planet to identifying and nabbing criminals, and preventing the loss of human life. However, for that, we will have to change the DNA that they were born with, as lethal weapons of war. Otherwise, they will remain anonymous killers, wreaking death and destruction as they hover innocuously above.

 

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Lithium-Sulfur Battery

Note4Students

From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :

Prelims level : Lithium-Sulfur Battery

Mains level : Application of Li-S batteries in EVs

Researchers from Australia have claimed that they have developed the world’s most efficient lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery, capable of powering a smartphone for five continuous days. With this equivalence, an electric car would be able to drive a distance of over 1,000 km in one charge.

What are Lithium-Sulfur Batteries?

  • Researchers who have developed this new Li-S battery claim it has an “ultra-high capacity” and has better performance and less environmental impact.
  • This means that they may be able to outperform the Li-ion batteries by more than four times.
  • With Li-ion batteries, some disadvantages include their susceptibility to overheating and their being prone to damage at high voltages.
  • Such batteries also start losing their capacity over time — for instance, a laptop battery in use for a few years does not function as well as a new one.

Construction

While the materials used in the Li-S batteries are not different from those in Li-ion batteries, the researchers have reconfigured the design of the sulfur cathodes (a type of electrical conductor through which electrons move) to accommodate higher stress without a drop in overall capacity.

Advantages of the Li-S batteries

  • Li-S batteries are generally considered to be the successors of the Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries because of their lower cost of production, energy efficiency and improved safety.
  • Their cost of production is lower because sulfur is abundantly available.
  • Even so, there have been some difficulties when it comes to commercialising these batteries, mainly due to their short life cycle and poor instantaneous power capabilities.

Why is this development important?

  • As the market share of electric vehicles (EV) is increasing and people are becoming more aware and conscious of global warming and climate change.
  • There is a need for development in terms of the kind of batteries used in these vehicles.
  • The growth of the EV market is linked to the development of batteries that are cost-effective, more efficient and leave a smaller environmental burden.
  • Today, most EV use Li-ion batteries, but are slowly reaching their theoretical limits of being able to provide roughly up to 300-watt hour per kilogram of energy.
  • Thus arises the need for batteries that can store more energy to run these cars, and Li-S batteries are considered to be a good alternative.

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