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Subject: Basic Sciences

  • How climate change is bringing back the idea of Airships?

    How climate change is bringing back the idea of Airships?

    Why in the News?

    Some companies have been working to solve the buoyancy challenge of Airships, a longstanding issue that has hindered their use for cargo transportation.

    What are Airships?

    • Airships are lighter-than-air aircraft capable of controlled powered flight.
    • They were the first aircraft to achieve this and were considered the future of travel in the early 20th century.
    • However, as aeroplane technology advanced, the popularity of airships declined due to their technological limitations.
    • Today, airships are used mainly for:
      • Advertising platforms
      • Aerial observation for research and military purposes
      • Tourism and scenic flights
    Note: Buoyancy is the force that makes things float. It acts in the opposite direction to gravity. When an object is placed in a fluid (like air or water), the fluid pushes up against the object, helping it to stay afloat.

    How do Airships work?

    • Airships achieve lift by using lighter-than-air gases within their structure, much like helium balloons.
    • Early airships used hydrogen due to its lightweight and low cost.
      • However, hydrogen is highly flammable, leading to tragic incidents such as the Hindenburg disaster of 1937, which damaged public trust in airships.
    • Most airships today use helium, a non-flammable gas that is safer than hydrogen.
    • However, helium is scarce and expensive, costing about $35 per cubic meter (enough to lift just 1 kg).
    • Challenge with varying Buoyancy:
      • Airships require the ability to vary their buoyancy to adjust for weight changes when picking up or dropping off loads.
      • Solutions such as releasing and refilling helium are impractical due to helium’s high cost and scarcity.

    How Airships are a Promising Solution?

    Airships hold potential as low-emission cargo vehicles due to their unique design:

    • Airships have a high lift-to-drag ratio, meaning they consume far less fuel than aeroplanes for moving the same load.
    • Companies are exploring the use of ballast to regulate airship buoyancy, a method common in hot air balloons and submarines.
    • A French company has created a 200-meter “flying crane” airship called LCA60T, which can pick up water as ballast mid-flight, avoiding the need for specialized ground infrastructure.
    • With concerns about climate change and the aviation industry’s carbon footprint, airships offer a less polluting alternative. They do not burn fossil fuels to lift, making them an eco-friendly choice.

    PYQ:

    [2017] Examine the development of Airports in India through joint ventures under Public–Private Partnership (PPP) model. What are the challenges faced by the authorities in this regard?

  • Boeing 737’s ‘defective’ Rudder System

    Boeing 737’s ‘defective’ Rudder System

    Why in the News?

    • Certain variants of the Boeing 737, equipped with a rollout guidance actuator, are being investigated due to concerns about a potential jammed or restricted rudder control system.

    What is a Rudder?

    • The rudder is like the steering tool for an airplane.
    • It’s part of the tail and helps the plane move left or right, similar to how a boat’s rudder steers on water.
    • It’s important for making turns, landing in windy conditions, and keeping the plane going straight, especially if one of the engines fails.

    What does a Rudder Rollout Guidance Actuator do?

    • It is a special device that helps the plane control its direction during landings when the plane is flying automatically with the autopilot.
    • It’s especially useful during landings in bad weather with poor visibility, making sure the plane stays on the correct path on its own.

    Why are certain Boeing 737 Planes being checked?

    • Some Boeing 737 planes are being inspected because of a possible problem with their rudder system, which helps steer the plane during landing.
    • An issue came up after a United Airlines flight in February 2024 had a situation where the rudder got stuck during landing, and the pilots had to work harder to control the plane.
    • Investigators found that a part called the rudder rollout guidance actuator might have moisture and corrosion problems, which can cause the rudder to jam.
    • This problem might affect a small number of Boeing 737 planes that use this system for automatic landings in bad weather.

  • How did the Haber-Bosch process change the world?

    Why in the News?

    One hundred million tonnes of nitrogen are extracted from the atmosphere and transformed into fertilizer through the Haber-Bosch process, adding 165 million tonnes of reactive nitrogen to the soil.

    What is the Nitrogen molecule and how is it availed in Nature?

    • The nitrogen molecule (N2) consists of two nitrogen atoms joined by a triple bond, sharing three pairs of electrons. This triple bond makes the molecule extremely stable and nearly inert, requiring a significant amount of energy (946 kJ/mol) to break.
      • When the triple bond is broken, nitrogen atoms can form reactive nitrogen compounds like ammonia (NH3), ammonium (NH4+), or nitrates (NO3–). 
      • These compounds are essential for plant growth as they help synthesize enzymes, proteins, and amino acids.
    • Lightning generates enough energy to break the N2 triple bond, producing nitrogen oxides (NO and NO2) that can combine with water vapor to form nitric and nitrous acids. These acids add reactive nitrogen to the soil through rainfall.
    • Certain bacteria, such as Azotobacter and Rhizobia, fix atmospheric nitrogen through biological processes.
      • Rhizobia forms symbiotic relationships with legumes, while Azolla, an aquatic fern, also fixes nitrogen via its symbiotic cyanobacterium.

    The Haber-Bosch process synthesizes ammonia by reacting nitrogen (N2) with hydrogen (H2) under high pressure (200 atm) and moderate temperature (200°C), using a catalyst (typically iron oxides).

    What is the Haber-Bosch process?

    • The Haber-Bosch process synthesizes ammonia by reacting nitrogen (N2) with hydrogen (H2) under high pressure (200 atm) and moderate temperature (200°C), using a catalyst (typically iron oxides).
    • The process was developed by Fritz Haber, who found that high pressure and a suitable catalyst were key to converting nitrogen to ammonia efficiently. The setup was scaled up by Carl Bosch, leading to the first ammonia production plant in 1913.

    What are the downsides of fertilizers?

    • Environmental Impact: While synthetic nitrogen fertilizers have significantly increased food production, they have also led to negative environmental effects:
      • Over-fertilization: Excess nitrogen application results in reactive nitrogen being released into the atmosphere, contributing to acid rain and soil degradation.
      • Water Pollution: Nitrogen runoff from agricultural fields enters freshwater and coastal ecosystems, leading to eutrophication, which causes oxygen depletion and harms aquatic life.
      • Human Health Concerns: High nitrogen levels in drinking water can pose health risks.
    • Socio-Economic Challenges: Despite increased food production, issues such as starvation, malnutrition, and unequal food distribution persist, highlighting that technological solutions like fertilisers are insufficient; social and political action is also needed.

    Way forward: 

    • Promote Sustainable Fertilizer Use: Encourage the adoption of precision agriculture techniques, such as soil testing and site-specific nutrient management, to optimize fertilizer application. This approach minimizes over-fertilization, reduces nitrogen runoff, and mitigates environmental damage.
    • Strengthen Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: Governments should implement and enforce policies to regulate nitrogen fertilizer use, ensuring that environmental safety standards are met.

  • Fluorescent Nano-Diamonds (FND)

    Why in the News?

    Scientists at Purdue University have figured out how to levitate and spin Fluorescent Nanodiamonds (FNDs) in a vacuum.

    What are FNDs?

    • Fluorescent Nanodiamonds (FNDs) are stable, non-toxic carbon nanoparticles that emit consistent fluorescence, have a lifespan over 10 nanoseconds, and can be levitated and spun for advanced quantum research applications.

    What are their Applications?

    • Medical Diagnostics: FNDs are used for high-resolution imaging and tracking cells over extended periods due to their non-toxic nature.
    • Temperature Sensing: FNDs can measure temperatures at the microscale, making them useful for scientific experiments.
    • Correlative Microscopy: Their fluorescent properties make them ideal for combining different types of imaging techniques.
    • Sensor Technologies: Due to their sensitivity to acceleration and electric fields, FNDs can be used in industry sensors and gyroscopes for rotation sensing.
    • Quantum Computing: FNDs doped with nitrogen can be used for quantum superposition experiments and future quantum computing applications.

    PYQ:

    [2022] Which one of the following is the context in which the term “qubit” is mentioned?

    (a) Cloud Services

    (b) Quantum Computing

    (c) Visible Light Communication Technologies

    (d) Wireless Communication Technologies

  • Neutrino Fog

    Why in the News?

    The LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment revealed that as we continue to push the boundaries of dark matter detection, the issue of neutrino fog becomes increasingly significant.

    What is the LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) Experiment?

    • The LUX-ZEPLIN (LZ) experiment is a cutting-edge dark matter detection project located deep underground at the Sanford Underground Research Facility in South Dakota, USA.
    • It is one of the most sensitive experiments in the world designed to detect dark matter particles, which are believed to make up about 85% of the matter in the universe but have not yet been directly observed.
    • The heart of the LZ experiment is a tank filled with 10 tonnes of liquid xenon, a very dense and pure material.
    • The idea is that if a dark matter particle collides with a xenon atom, it will produce a tiny burst of light and free electrons.
    • These interactions are then detected by sensitive equipment surrounding the xenon.
    • The experiment is located 1.5 km below the Earth’s surface.

    What is Neutrino Fog?

    • Neutrinos, often referred to as “ghost particles,” are subatomic particles with nearly zero mass and no electric charge. 
    • “Neutrino Fog” refers to the interference caused by neutrinos—subatomic particles that rarely interact with matter—in dark matter detection experiments.
    • Neutrinos are produced naturally in the Sun’s core, supernovae, and even Earth’s atmosphere.
    • Though they pass through most matter undetected, their weak interactions can cause small disturbances in highly sensitive detectors.
    • As dark matter detectors become larger and more sensitive, they are more likely to detect neutrinos, leading to a “fog” of signals that can obscure or mimic potential dark matter interactions.

    PYQ:

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

    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?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 and 3 only

    (c) 1 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3 only

  • Param Rudra Supercomputer

    Why in the News?

    PM has dedicated three “PARAM Rudra” Supercomputers along with High-Performance Computing (HPC) systems, ‘Arka’ and ‘Arunika’, to the nation.

    What are High-Performance Computing (HPC) Systems?

    • HPC systems are powerful computational systems that perform large-scale and complex computations at incredibly high speeds.
    • HPC Arka system at IITM has 11.77 Peta Flop capacity and will, for the first time, help improve the country’s horizontal resolution of its global weather prediction models to 6 km from the existing 12 km.
    • HPC Arunika comes with 8.24 Peta Flop capacity. This HPC will prove beneficial in upgrading weather forecast resolution at block levels.

    What is PARAM Rudra?

    • PARAM Rudra is a high-performance computing (HPC) system and part of India’s PARAM series of supercomputers.
    • It is developed indigenously by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) under the National Supercomputing Mission (NSM).

    Applications of PARAM Rudra

    • Astronomy: Used by the Giant Metre Radio Telescope (GMRT) in Pune to study Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs) and other astronomical phenomena.
    • Atomic Physics and Material Science: The Inter-University Accelerator Centre (IUAC) in Delhi uses PARAM Rudra for research in these areas.
    • Physics, Cosmology, and Earth Sciences: The supercomputer at the SN Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences in Kolkata supports advanced studies in these domains.
    • Weather Forecasting and Agriculture: The supercomputers enhance weather forecasting, benefiting industries like agriculture, where improved predictions help farmers make informed decisions.

    Back2Basics: National Supercomputing Mission (NSM):

    Details
    Launch Year 2015
    Objective
    • To enhance India’s research capacities by creating a Supercomputing grid supported by the National Knowledge Network (NKN)
    • To position India as a global leader in supercomputing technology by boosting research, development, and innovation
    Nodal Agency Department of Science and Technology (DST);

    Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
    Implementation Agencies C-DAC, Pune  and IISc, Bengaluru
    Phases 1. Phase I: Assembling supercomputers
    2. Phase II: Manufacturing components in India
    3. Phase III: Designing an indigenous supercomputer
    Historical Context India’s supercomputer program began after the USA’s technology embargo in the late 1980s, leading to the creation of C-DAC and the unveiling of PARAM 800 in 1991 (second-fastest globally at the time)
    Notable Supercomputers AI Supercomputer’ AIRAWAT’ and PARAM Siddhi – AI are currently the fastest supercomputers in India.

    AIRAWAT has been ranked 75th in the world as of June 2023.
    Global Context Frontier (USA) is the world’s fastest supercomputer since December 2023.

  • [pib] Pest-Control Pheromone Dispenser

    Why in the News?

    A new sustainable pheromone dispenser has been developed through a collaborative research project by scientists from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) and ICAR–National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (ICAR–NBAIR).

    What is the Pest-Control Pheromone Dispenser?

    Details
    What is it? A device designed to release pheromones that alter the behaviour of pests, primarily used in agriculture to control infestations and prevent crop damage.
    Developed By A collaborative project by scientists from Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bengaluru, and ICAR–National Bureau of Agricultural Insect Resources (ICAR–NBAIR), India.
    How it Works
    • Releases synthetic pheromones that mimic natural insect signals.
    • Attracts pests to traps or disrupts mating cycles, preventing infestations.
    Technology
    • Uses mesoporous silica matrix technology for controlled release.
    • Ensures consistent pheromone release, independent of external factors like temperature.
    Benefits
    • Cost-effective: Fewer replacements of pheromones reduce overall costs.
    • Labor-saving: Longer intervals between replacements lower labor requirements.
    • Environmentally friendly: Reduces chemical pesticide use, promoting sustainable agriculture.
    • Increased efficacy: Stable release rate ensures effective pest control over extended periods.
    Scalability Suitable for both small-scale farms and large industrial agricultural operations, making it highly scalable.

     

    PYQ:

    [2018] With reference to the Genetically Modified mustard (GM mustard) developed in India, consider the following statements:

    1. GM mustard has the genes of a soil bacterium that give the plant the property of pest-resistance to a wide variety of pests.

    2. GM mustard has the genes that allow the plant cross-pollination and hybridization.

    3. GM mustard has been developed jointly by the IARI and Punjab Agricultural University.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 and 3 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) 2 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

  • Ammonium Nitrate imports cause concern                                                                       

    Why in the News?

    • Ammonium Nitrate (AN) imports from Russia have sharply increased affecting domestic fertilizer companies in India.
      • The import of Ammonium Nitrate is concerning due to increased dependence on foreign supply, price disparity impacting domestic industries, and potential risks to national energy and security.

    What is Ammonium Nitrate?

    • Ammonium Nitrate (NH₄NO₃) is a nitrogen-rich, white, crystalline chemical compound.
    • It is soluble in water and commonly used in various industries.
    • Uses:
      • It is widely used as a fertilizer in agriculture.
      • It serves as a component for anaesthetic gases and cold packs.
      • It is also a key ingredient in commercial explosives used for mining and construction.
    • Ammonium nitrate is classified as an oxidizing substance under Grade 5.1 by the United Nations.
    • India’s Regulations:
      • AN is regulated under The Ammonium Nitrate Rules, 2012, and its manufacture or use requires a license.
      • The Explosives Act, 1884 defines ammonium nitrate as any compound with more than 45% AN by weight.
      • Storage Restrictions: Storing large quantities of AN in populated areas is illegal in India.
      • For manufacturing, companies need an industrial license under the Industrial Development and Regulation Act, 1951.

    Why is it a Cause of Concern?

    • Ammonium Nitrate is a primary component in explosive mixtures like ANFO (Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil).
    • Though not explosive on its own, it becomes highly dangerous when mixed with detonators like RDX or TNT.
    • It has been used in Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) by terrorist groups.
    • Accidents involving AN, like the Beirut port explosion in 2020, have raised serious concerns about its storage and handling.
    • Its widespread use in fertilizers leads to concerns about environmental impact, especially when mishandled.
    • Improper storage in populated areas can result in devastating accidents, which is why stringent regulations are in place to control its use, storage, and transport.

    PYQ:

    [2015] What can be the impact of excessive/inappropriate use of nitrogenous fertilizers in agriculture?

    1. Proliferation of nitrogen-fixing microorganisms in soil can occur.

    2. Increase in the acidity of soil can take place.

    3. Leaching of nitrate to the ground-water can occur.

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

    (a) 1 and 3 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) 2 and 3 only

    (d) 1, 2 and 3

  • Project Strawberry by OpenAI

    Why in the News?

    OpenAI has planned to release its most powerful AI model likely as part of ChatGPT-5. Initially called Project Q* (Q-star), it is now codenamed Project Strawberry.

    What is Project Strawberry?

    • Nearly six months ago, OpenAI’s secretive Project Q* (Q-Star) gained attention for its innovative approach to AI training.
    • OpenAI is now working on a new reasoning technology under the code name “Strawberry” believed to be the new name for Project Q*.
    • Strawberry aims to enable AI models to plan ahead, autonomously search the internet, and conduct deep research.

    What are Large Language Models (LLMs)?

    • LLMs are advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems designed to understand, generate, and process human language.
    • They are built using deep learning techniques, particularly neural networks, and are trained on vast amounts of text data.

    Difference from Existing AI Models

    • Existing Large Language Models (LLMs) can summarize texts and compose prose but struggle with common sense problems and multi-step logic tasks.
    • Current LLMs cannot plan ahead effectively without external frameworks.
    • Strawberry models are expected to enhance AI reasoning, allowing for planning and complex problem-solving.
    • These models could enable AI to perform tasks that require a series of actions over an extended time, potentially revolutionizing AI’s capabilities.

    Potential Applications of Strawberry Models

    • Advanced AI models could conduct experiments, analyze data, and suggest new hypotheses, leading to breakthroughs in sciences.
    • In medical research, AI could assist in drug discovery, genetics research, and personalized medicine analysis.
    • AI could solve complex mathematical problems, assist in engineering calculations, and participate in theoretical research.
    • AI could contribute to writing, creating art and music, generating videos, and designing video games.

    PYQ:

    [2020] With the present state of development, Artificial Intelligence can effectively do which of the following?

    1. Bring down electricity consumption in industrial units.
    2. Create meaningful short stories and songs.
    3. Disease diagnosis.
    4. Text-to-Speech Conversion.
    5. Wireless transmission of electrical energy.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below:

    (a) 1, 2, 3 and 5 only
    (b) 1, 3 and 4 only
    (c) 2, 4 and 5 only
    (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

  • [pib] Novel Nanopolymer developed by INST Mohali

    Why in the News

    Researchers at the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) Mohali, have developed novel electrochemical and optical sensors using a new group of nano polymer materials.

    About the Novel Nanopolymer:

    Novel nanopolymers are innovative polymer materials that incorporate nanostructures or nanoparticles to impart unique properties.

    • They are prepared using various methods like vapor condensation, vacuum evaporation, electrospinning, and chemical synthesis to create nanofibers, core-shell structures, hollow fibers, and tubes with diameters down to a few nanometers.
    • Examples: Silicon nanospheres that are much harder than regular silicon, with hardness between sapphire and diamond, and bio-based N-heterocyclic poly(aryl ether ketone) with high biomass content and superior properties
    • Applications of Novel Nanopolymers:
      • Biosensors and optoelectronics utilizing the fluorescence and magnetic properties of nanoparticles.
      • Drug delivery, tissue engineering, and gene therapy using biodegradable nanoparticle systems.
      • Forensics for drug detection, fingerprinting, DNA analysis, and sensors.
      • High-temperature-resistant plastics with improved properties.

    These are the Novel Nanopolymers developed by INST:

    Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) 2-dimensional (2D) Materials
    Details Crystalline materials with metal ions and organic ligands form porous structures. Materials a few atomic layers thick with unique electrical, optical, and mechanical properties.
    Surface Area Extremely high (over 10,000 m²/g), ideal for adsorption. High surface-to-volume ratio, enhancing interactions for sensing and energy storage.
    Versatility Customizable for gas storage, separation, catalysis, and sensing. Functionalizable for bio-sensing and environmental monitoring.
    Properties High porosity and stability in harsh environments. Excellent conductivity, flexibility, and strength, useful in electronics and optoelectronics.
    Sensing Applications Detects gases, toxins, and biomarkers with high sensitivity. Detects gases, biomolecules, and pollutants quickly and efficiently.
    Examples Various MOFs designed for specific uses. Includes graphene, MoS2, MXenes.

     

    PYQ:

    [2015] With reference to the use of nanotechnology in health sector, which of the following statements is/are correct?

    1. Targeted drug delivery is made possible by nanotechnology.

    2. Nanotechnology can largely contribute to gene therapy.

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) Both 1 and 2

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2