12.Science-33T Flashcards
- RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
10.1. INDIA’S SPENDING ON
R&D
Background
As per a study of the National Science and
Technology Management Information System
(NSTMIS), India’s gross research spending on R&D
has consistently been increasing over the years.\
Details
• While India spent 0.69 per cent of its GDP on
R&D in 2014-15, other major countries spent
much more.
• India topped the list with regard to the
government’s participation in R&D but hit the
bottom in terms of participation of
institutions of higher education.
• The central government accounted for 45.1
per cent of total expenditure, followed by
private sector industries (38.1 per cent), state
governments (7.4 per cent), higher education
sector (3.9 per cent) and the public sector
industries (5.5 per cent).
• Women’s participation in extra mural R&D
projects has increased significantly from a
mere 13% in 2000-01 to 29 % in 2014-15.
• The country’s share in global research
publications increased from 2.2 per cent in
2000 to 3.7 per cent in 2013 while the
number of researchers per million population
increased from 110 in 2000 to 218 in 2015.
Recently Ministry of Science & Technology announced
four new schemes to promote young scientists and
researchers in the country.
Teacher Associateship for Research Excellence (TARE)
Scheme
• It aims to tap the latent potential of faculty
working in state universities, colleges and private
academic institutions who are well trained but
have difficulty in pursuing their research due to
reasons like lack of facilities, funding and
guidance.
• The scheme facilitates mobility of such faculty
members to carryout research in well-established
public funded institution such as IITs, IISc, NITs,
CSIR, ICAR, etc. Up to 500 TAs (Teacher
Associates) will be supported under this scheme.
Overseas Visiting Doctoral Fellowship (OVDF)
• This has been instituted for enhancing the
international mobility of Indian research
students with potential to create a talented pool
of globally trained manpower.
• It offers opportunities for up to 100 PhD students
admitted in the Indian institutions for gaining
exposure and training in overseas universities for
period up to 12 months during their doctoral
research.
Distinguished Investigator Award (DIA)
• This has been initiated to recognize and reward
Principal Investigators (PIs) of Science and
Engineering Research Board/Department of
Science and Technology projects who have
performed remarkably well.
• It is a one-time career award devised to
specifically cater to the younger scientists who
have not received any other prestigious awards or
fellowships.
Augmenting Writing Skills for Articulating Research
(AWSAR) scheme
• This has been initiated to encourage, empower
and endow popular science writing through
newspapers, magazines, blogs, social media, etc.
by young PhD Scholars.
• The scheme aims to tap the tremendous potential
in the country to popularize & communicate
science and also to inculcate scientific
temperament in the masses.
Other scheme launched
NIDHI (National Initiative for Development and
Harnessing Innovations),
• It’s an umbrella program by the Department of
Science & Technology (DST) for nurturing ideas
and innovations (knowledge-based and
technology-driven) into successful startups.
• Aim: to provide technological solutions not only
to the pressing needs of the society but also
targets to create new avenues for wealth and job
creation.
KIRAN (Knowledge Involvement in Research
Advancement through Nurturing)
• Implemeted by Department of Science &
technology
• Aim: To bring gender equality to the field of
science and technology and build leadership
positions for women
• Objective: To increase the number of lady
researchers in the country, and to provide
research grants, especially to those who are
female researchers and technologists taking a
break in their career due to household or
domestic compulsions..
10.2. PRIME MINISTER’S
RESEARCH FELLOWSHIP
SCHEME
Why in news?
Cabinet recently decided to implement “Prime
Minister’s Fellowship Scheme”.
About the Scheme
• It is a public-private partnership (PPP)
between Science & Engineering Research
Board (SERB), which is an autonomous body
under the Department of Science and
Technology (DST), Government of India, and
Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
• It aims to improve the quality of research by
attracting the best talents across the country
and reduce brain drain.
• Under the scheme around 1000 students who
have completed B.Tech or integrated M.Tech
or M.sc in Science and technology streams
will be offered direct admission in PhD
programme in the IITs/IISc with a fixed
amount of fellowship.
• Apart from this, a research grant of Rs.2 lakhs
will be provided to each of the Fellows for a
period of 5 years to enable them to
participate in international research
conferences and present research papers.
Science & Engineering Research Board
• It is a statutory body established through an Act
of Parliament.
• Supporting basic research in emerging areas of
Science & Engineering are the primary mandate of
the Board.
• The Board is vested with both financial and
administrative powers to enable quicker
decisions on research issues, greatly improving
thereby our responsiveness to the genuine needs
of the research scientists and the S&T system.
10.3. ATL COMMUNITY DAY
Why in news?
Recently Atal Innovation Mission celebrated
Community Drive Initiative as a part of ATL
Community Day under aegis of NITI Aayog.
Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) Community Day
• It is an initiative under which 25 young
mentors will interact with over 200 children
not enrolled in formal education system by
conducting brief sessions.
• It is aimed at maximising the impact of Atal
Tinkering Lab by extending innovation to
children with a purpose to provide them with
same educational tools as the students in
ATL to enable them to become problem
solvers and inspire the spirit of innovation.
Atal Tinkering Labs
• They are dedicated innovation play
workspaces for students between class 6-12
to learn innovation skills and develop ideas
for stimulating innovations.
• Atal Innovation Mission supports
establishment of ATLs for realising the need
to create scientific temper and cultivate the
spirit of curiosity, entrepreneurship and
innovation among young minds and achieve
the vision of “Cultivate one Million children in
India as Neoteric Innovators.”
• Under ATLs children will get a chance to work
with tools and equipment to understand
what, how and why aspects of STEM
(Science, Technology, Engineering and Math)
• These labs are equipped with state of the art
technology like 3D printers, robotics, sensory
technology kits, Internet of Things etc. and
are designed to spur the spark of creativity
and go beyond regular curriculum and text
book learning.
Other Initiatives under ATLs
• Unbox Tinkering – It is a training workshop
for ATL In-charge to make them understand
the philosophy of the Labs and technically
equip them to guide the students.
• ATL School of the Month Challenge– These
were conducted to engage the ATLs.
• Atal Tinkering Marathon – They are a 2
month long events that align with national
mission and focus on clean energy, health,smart mobility, smart agriculture, waste
management and water resources. The top
performer in the event gets to participate at
multiple external events such as World
Robotics Olympiad and Maker Faire.
• Mentor India programme: It’s a strategic
nation building initiative to engage leaders
who can guide and mentor schools students
in over 900 Atal Tinkering Labs established by
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) in schools
across India.
Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
• It is government’s endeavour (including Selfemployment
and Talent Utilization) to promote a
culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
• Its objective is to serve as a platform of worldclass
Innovation Hubs, Grand Challenges, Start-up
businesses and other self-employment activities,
particularly in technology areas.
Two core functions of AIM:
• Entrepreneurship promotion through Self-
Employment and Talent Utilization (SETU) where
innovators will be supported and mentored.
• Innovation promotion – to provide a platform
where innovative ideas will be generated.
10.4. SCHEMES FOR BRAIN
GAIN
Department of Science and Technology (DST)-
• VAJRA (Visiting Advanced Joint Research)
faculty scheme
o It is being implemented by Science and
Engineering Research Board to enable
NRI and overseas scientists community to
participate and carry out R&D in the
country.
o International Faculty/ scientists/
technologists including Non-resident
Indians (NRI) and Persons of Indian Origin
(PIO) / Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) are
offered adjunct / visiting faculty
positions in Indian Institutions/
Universities for a period of 1-3 months
under this scheme.
o The faculty can also undertake the role of
teaching /mentoring apart from R&D.
o Public funded institutions and national
laboratories are allowed to host the
VAJRA faculty.
• Ramanujan Fellowship Program:
o for Indian scientists and engineers from
all over the world, especially those who
wish to return to India, to take up
scientific research positions at any of the
scientific institutions and universities
in India.
o All areas of science are covered under
this Fellowship and the Fellowship is
given for 5 years duration with financial
support.
o This along with other schemes were
referred by Indian delegation to the
Biotechnology Innovation Organization
(BIO) 2017 held in San Diego
• Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired
Research (INSPIRE) Faculty Scheme: offers a
contractual research positions to Indian
citizens and people of Indian origin including
NRI/PIO status with PhD (in science,
engineering, pharmacy, medicine, and
agriculture related subjects) from any
recognized university in the world.
Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
• Ramalingaswami Re-entry Fellowship for
Indian Nationals who are working overseas
in various fields of biotechnology and life
sciences and are interested in taking up
scientific research positions in India.
o It allows fellows to work in any of the
scientific institutions/ universities in the
country and would also be eligible for
regular research grant through
extramural and other research schemes
of various S&T agencies of the
Government of India.
• DBT also runs Welcome Trust Fellowship
Program (Indian scientists, physicians
researchers and bio-engineers), and Energy
Biosciences Overseas Fellowship (scientists
of Indian origin working outside India to
pursue R&D in an Indian scientific institute
/university in fields of energy related
biological sciences and bio-energy).
Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO)
BIO is the world’s largest trade association
representing biotechnology companies, academic
institutions, state biotechnology centers and related
organizations across the United States and in more
than 30 other nations. BIO members are involved in
the research and development of innovative
healthcare, agricultural, industrial and environmental
biotechnology products.
The BIO International Convention, hosted by BIO
since 1993, is the largest global event for the
biotechnology industry and attracts the biggest names
in biotech, offers key networking and partnering
opportunities, and provides insights and inspiration on
the major trends affecting the industry. The BIO
International Convention helps BIO fulfill its mission to
help grow the global biotech industry.
10.5. PT. DEEN DAYAL
UPADHAYAY VIGYAN GRAM
SANKUL PARIYOJANA
Why in news?
Recently, Ministry of Science and technology has
launched Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhayay Vigyan
Gram Sankul Pariyojana in Uttarakhand.
74
About Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhayay Vigyan Gram
Sankul Pariyojana.
• Under the scheme Department of Science
and Technology will adopt and develop a
cluster of villages into self-sustainable in time
bound manner.
• In this the local resources and manpower will
be utilised which will be further imparted
value addition in local produce and services.
• At present four clusters have been identified
namely - Gaindikhata, Bazeera, Bhigun (in
Garhwal) and Kausani (in Kumaon) which will
be expanded further after validation of these
clusters.
• Areas of intervention would include –
o Processing and value addition in milk,
honey, mushrooms, herbal tea
horticulture, forest produce etc.
o Traditional handicraft of Uttarakhand
o Post-harvest processing of Kiwi,
strawberry, cherry, tulsi etc. through
solar drying
o Extraction of apricot through cold press
technology
o Stringent intervention in product and
process control will also be maintained
for energy and water conservation.
- AWARDS
11.1. INDIRA GANDHI PRIZE
FOR PEACE, DISARMAMENT
AND DEVELOPMENT, 2014
• The Indian Space Research Organization
(ISRO).
• Amul and ISRO have signed a MoU for fodder
assessment through satellite technology.
• The main objective is
identification/discrimination between food
crops and fodder crops and identifying
suitable areas of current fallows and
cultivable wastelands at the village level
11.2. NOBEL IN CHEMISTRY
Why in News?
• Nobel Prize for Chemistry has been awarded
to Jacques Dubochet, Joachim Frank and
Richard Henderson for the development of
high-resolution cryo-electron microscopy.
More on News
• Cryo-electron microscopy is a method for
imaging frozen-hydrated specimens at
cryogenic temperatures by electron
microscopy.
• Specimens that are to be analysed would
remain in their native state without the need
for dyes or fixatives, which would allow the
study of fine cellular structures, viruses and
protein complexes at molecular resolution.
• Contrary to earlier electron micro-scoping,
cryo-electron miscroscopy can view solutions
(as water would not evaporate under
microscope’s vacuum).
• It helps researchers to freeze biomolecules
mid-movement and visualise the processes
they have never previously seen.
• It has been used to image the elusive Zika
virus and its medicine associated research.
11.3. NOBEL PRIZE IN PHYSICS
Why in News?
• Nobel Prize for Physics has been awarded to
Scientists Rainer Weiss, Barry Barish and Kip
Thorne for contributions to the LIGO
detector and the observation of
gravitational waves.
What are Gravitational Waves and LIGOs?
• Gravitational waves are distortions or
‘ripples’ in the fabric of space-time caused by
some of the most violent and energetic
processes in the Universe (star explodes
asymmetrically (called a supernova), when
two big stars orbit each other, when two
black holes orbit each other and merge).
• These ripples travel at the speed of light
through the Universe, carrying with them
information about their cataclysmic origins,
as well as invaluable clues to the nature of
gravity itself.
• Albert Einstein predicted the existence of
gravitational waves in 1916 in his general
theory of relativity
• To detect these waves scientists developed
the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave
Observatory or LIGO.
Significance
• It offers a new way to observe the cosmos,
helping scientists explore the nature of
mysterious objects including black holes and
neutron star.
• It helps in solving some big mysteries in
astrophysics – including the cause of bright
flashes of light known as “gamma ray bursts”
and even the origins of heavy elements such
as gold.
• Indian contribution played a major role,
especially in extracting signal from noise, in
detecting the gravitational waves with the
engagement of 40 scientists from 13 Indian
institutions.
Gravitational wave detector in India: INDIGO
• India-LIGO project will be a replica of the two
LIGO detectors and would be stationed at a
perpendicular direction to the detectors in
USA.
• It is piloted by Department of Atomic Energy
(DAE) & Department of Science and
Technology (DST).
• It will be jointly coordinated and executed by
three Indian research institutions: the Inter-
University Centre for Astronomy and
Astrophysics (IUCAA), Pune and Department
of Atomic Energy organisations: Institute for
Plasma Research (IPR), Gandhinagar and the
Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced
Technology (RRCAT), Indore.
• The LIGO lab in India will be built in
Maharashtra’s Hingoli District.
• Neutron stars are created when giant stars die in
supernovas and their cores collapse, with the
protons and electrons essentially melting into
each other to form neutrons.
• Black holes: It is a place in space where gravity
pulls so much that even light can not get out. The
gravity is so strong because matter has been
squeezed into a tiny space. This can happen when
a star is dying.
11.4. NOBEL PRIZE IN
MEDICINE
Why in News?
• Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2017
was awarded to Jeffrey C. Hall, Michael
Rosbash and Michael W. Young for their
discoveries of molecular mechanisms
controlling the circadian rhythm.
More on News
• The discoveries explain how plants, animals
and humans adapt their biological rhythm so
that it is synchronised with the Earth’s
revolutions.
• The scientist used fruit flies to isolate a gene
that controls the normal daily biological
rhythm and showed how this gene encoded a
protein that accumulates in the cell during
the night and degrades during the day.
Circadian rhythm
• It is a pattern that guides our bodies when to
sleep, rise, eat and regulating many physiological
processes.
• Biological clocks produce circadian rhythms and
regulate their timing.
• It is affected by environmental cues, like sunlight
and temperature.
• It regulates the periods of tiredness and
wakefulness during the 24-hour cycle.
• The biological clock is generated by a structure of
neurons, which is found in the hypothalamus in
the brain.
• Biological clock associated factors include High
alertness, Fastest increase in blood pressure.
Deep Sleep, Fastest reaction times etc.
- RECENT DEVELOPMENT IN S&T
12.1. XFEL GENERATES FIRST
X-RAY LASER LIGHT
Why in news
• European XFEL, the world’s biggest X-ray
laser has generated its first beam of light.
About XFEL
• The European XFEL is the largest and most
powerful of the five X-ray lasers worldwide,
with the ability to generate the short pulses
of hard X-ray light.
• It is 3.4-kilometre-long and most of it is
located in underground tunnels in Germany
and kept at a temperature of just 2 degrees
above absolute zero.
• The X-ray light has a wavelength of 0.8
nanometre – about 500 times shorter than
that of visible light.
LASER: Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of
Radiation
• It is device that generates an intense beam of
coherent monochromatic light (or other
electromagnetic radiation).
• It means unlike the conventional light, LASER has
radiation of only one wavelength
(Monochromatic) and they are always in same
phase in space and time (Coherent).
Free-electron lasers
They create coherent light by constantly accelerating a
beam of electrons. Free-electron lasers can produce
radiation with a very short-wavelength, down to just a
few tenths of a nanometre i.e. to the level of an atom
12.2. SOHUM-HEARING
SCREENING DEVICE LAUNCHED
Why in News?
SOHUM, an indigenously developed newborn
hearing screening device has been launched by
the Union Ministry of Science and Technology.
More about Sohum
• It has been developed by School of
International Biodesign (SIB).
• It measures auditory brain waves via three
electrodes placed on the baby’s head. When
stimulated, electrodes detect electrical
responses generated by the brain’s auditory
system. If there is no response, it indicates
child cannot hear.
• If detected at early age, other problems such
as impaired communication skills and even
possible mental illness can be prevented.
School of International Biodesign
• SIB is a flagship Program of the Department of
Biotechnology (DBT) aimed to develop innovative
and affordable medical devices as per India’s
unmet clinical needs and to train the next
generation of medical technology innovators in
India.
• It is implemented jointly at AIIMS and IIT Delhi in
collaboration with International partners.
• Under this programme, Department has
authorized Biotech Consortium India Limited for
management of its Intellectual Property and other
techno-legal activities.
Noxeno (Developed under SIB)
• It is the first dedicated tool for anterior nasal
foreign body (NFB) removal that allows doctors in
any setting to quickly and safely remove objects
that people (mostly children aged 2-10) put into
their noses.
• Noxeno has been 100% invented, designed,
engineered and manufactured in India.
12.3. NEW MATTER
‘EXCITONIUM’ DISCOVERED
Why in news?
Researchers have proven the existence of the
new form of matter ‘excitonium’ which exhibits
microscopic quantum phenomenon like a super
conductor and is formed of excitons
Excitons
• When an electron which is seated at the edge of
the crowded electron valence band gets excited
and jumps over the energy gap into an empty
conduction band, its leaves behind a hole in the
valence band.
• The hole in the valence band acts as a positively
charged particle and attracts the escaped
electron.
• When the escaped electron with negative charge
pairs with the hole, a composite bosonic particle –
exciton is formed.
12.4. WORLD’S THINNEST
HOLOGRAM
Why in news?
• Australian scientists have created the world’s
thinnest hologram that can be seen without
3D goggles.
Applications of Holographic Technology
• In medicine – Holographic imaging is used in
the field of medicine to create a 3D image of
a certain interior part of a patient’s body
(such as the heart) and project it in real time.
• Tradeshows – It is highly useful in
tradeshows as a holographic display can help
launch and present a product without
bearing transporting costs.
• Holographic Telepresence – Prominent
personalities have used it to address people
at different places simultaneously keeping
the personal connect intact through
telepresence.
• Engineering and Architecture – Displaying 3D
holographic models of buildings and
engineering designs
12.5. RAMAN EFFECT
Why in News?
Recently, National Science Day was celebrated on
February 28, to commemorate the invention of
the Raman Effect by the Indian physicist Sir
Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman on February 28,
1928. He has been honored with Bharat Ratna
and the Lenin Peace Prize.
What is Raman Effect
• For molecules, two types of scattering can
occur
o Rayleigh scattering, an elastic scattering
process in which a photon emerges with
the same energy as it entered.
o Raman scattering, an inelastic scattering
process in which the light scattered by a
molecule emerges having an energy that
is slightly different (more or less) than the
incident light. This energy difference is
generally dependent on the chemical
structure of the molecules involved in the
scattering process.
• When light is scattered by matter, almost all
of the scattering is an elastic process. Only a
very small percentage of scattering is an
inelastic process
• Raman Effect tendency is shown strongest in
solid material and weakest in gaseos
molecule.
Application of Raman Effect: As it helps in
understanding molecular properties better it has
applications in:
• Studying catalysts, monitoring chemical
purity etc. in chemical industry
• Studying nanoparticle and developing
microelectronic devices
• Conducting Invivo studies of the skin,
identification of cancer, bone studies etc. in
medical field
• detecting narcotics and explosives such as
TNT, RDX
• It can be used to create a database of every
substance for easy identification.
Achievements of Indians in the Field of Modern S&T
Physics
• S Chandrashekhar: He was awarded the 1983
Nobel Prize for Physics for his mathematical
theory of black holes and on the basis of this
Chandrashekhar Limit was defined.
• Tessy Thomas: She is also called the missile
woman of India who spearheaded the programme
on the Agni IV missile.
• Jagdish Chandra Bose: He is a noted scientist who
invented microwave components like waveguides,
horn antennas etc.
CHEMISTRY
• Praffula Chandra Ray - He was a noted chemist
who set up the first chemical factory of India -
Bengal Chemical and Pharmaceutical Works Ltd.in
1901
• Har Gobind Khurana - He was an Indian American
who shared the Nobel Prize of Medicine of 1968
for the research on cell’s synthesis of proteins.
MATHS
• S. Ramanujam: He was the second Indian to
become Fellow of Royal Society of London.
December 22 is celebrated as National
Mathematics Day after him.
12.6. TRIBOELECTRIC
NANOGENERATOR
Why in news?
For the first time, wireless transmission of
electrical energy has been achieved using
triboelectric nanogenrator
79
About Triboelectric nanogenerator
• It is based on organic material to convert
mechanical energy into electricity. It is a
sensor that directly converts a mechanical
triggering into a self-generated electric signal
for detection of motion, vibration,
mechanical stimuli, physical touching, and
biological movement.
• It can be applied to harvest all kinds of
mechanical energy available in our daily life,
like motion, walking, rotation, wind,
automobile, flowing water, etc.
