Robotics And Computers Flashcards
What powers Fuel Cell Electric Vehicles (FCEVs)?
Hydrogen.
What are the only tailpipe emissions from FCEVs?
Water vapour and warm air.
What is the chemical reaction in an FCEV?
Hydrogen combines with oxygen to produce electricity and water vapour (2H₂ + O₂ → 2H₂O).
How are FCEVs more efficient than conventional internal combustion engines?
FCEVs have no moving parts in the fuel cell itself, leading to higher efficiency and reliability.
What material are hydrogen fuel tanks in FCEVs typically made from?
Highly durable carbon fibre; some have triple-layer woven carbon fibre tanks.
What is the Metaverse generally defined as?
A spatial computing platform offering digital experiences as an alternative or replica of the real world, built on blockchain technology.
Where did the term “Metaverse” first appear?
In Neal Stephenson’s 1992 science-fiction novel “Snow Crash”.
What are some key elements or components of the Metaverse?
Interconnected virtual worlds, AR/VR environments, online games, social media, virtual commerce, digital currency, avatars [cite: 12, 13, 14, 1.1].
What was the projected value of the India Metaverse market in 2023?
USD 3.2 billion, expected to grow significantly.
Name a recent application of the Metaverse in India mentioned in the search results.
A wedding reception in Tamil Nadu (Feb 2022), Tanishq launching a collection (Apr 2022), HSBC targeting diaspora.
What are Carbon Fibres primarily composed of?
Carbon atoms.
List three key properties of Carbon Fibres.
High tensile strength, low weight, resistance to temperature/chemical corrosion, high dimensional stability, electrical conductivity, biological inertness.
Can Carbon Fibre waste be recycled?
Yes, using methods like Pyrolysis, Solvolysis, Depolymerization, or Mechanical Recycling.
Name two industries where Carbon Fibres are widely used.
Aerospace, automotive, sporting goods, construction, manufacturing, medical (implants, surgery).
What is a biofilter used for in water treatment?
Treatment of contaminated water, using biomass on filter media.
What nitrogen compound do biofilters primarily oxidize from fish waste?
Ammonia (NH₃) is oxidized to nitrite (NO₂) by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB).
How effective can biofilters be in removing nutrients?
Can remove up to 70% for nitrogen and 85% for phosphorus; over 95% of suspended solids.
What does an accelerometer measure?
Vibration or the acceleration of motion of a structure.
What principle allows piezoelectric accelerometers to work?
Force from vibration/acceleration causes a mass to squeeze piezoelectric material, generating a proportional electrical charge.
How are accelerometers used in cars?
To detect sudden shock and trigger airbags.
How do accelerometers protect laptop hard drives?
By detecting a sudden free fall and turning off the hard drive immediately to prevent damage.
What function do accelerometers perform in smartphones and digital cameras regarding the display?
Rotating the display based on the device’s orientation.
What are Short Range Devices (SRDs)?
Radio devices with low transmitted power/range, offering a low risk of interference.
Give two examples of applications using SRDs.
Access control (door openers), alarms, CCTV, cordless audio/microphones, industrial control, medical implants, metering devices, remote controls.
What is the fundamental unit of information in quantum computing?
The qubit (quantum bit).
How does a qubit differ from a classical bit?
A classical bit is either 0 or 1, while a qubit can be 0, 1, or a quantum superposition of both states.
What is the name of India’s dedicated mission for quantum technology development?
The National Quantum Mission (NQM), launched in 2023.
What is the budget allocated to India’s National Quantum Mission for 2023-2031?
Approximately ₹6,000 crore.
What is one stated goal of India’s quantum computing efforts by 2026?
To develop a quantum computer with approximately 50 qubits.
What is Software as a Service (SaaS)?
A way of delivering software applications over the Internet as a service, without needing local installation or maintenance.
Who manages the application in a SaaS model?
The SaaS provider manages access, security, availability, and performance on their servers.
Can users customize SaaS applications?
Yes, typically users can customize the UI, modify data fields, and enable/disable certain features.
Give an example of a common SaaS application.
Web-based email services like Outlook, Hotmail, or Yahoo! Mail.
What is Web3 (or Web 3.0)?
A potential next phase of the internet, envisioned as decentralized and run on blockchain technology.
What is a key characteristic of Web3 regarding user data?
Users will have ownership and control over their own data.
How does Web3 aim to change online transactions?
By enabling peer-to-peer transactions, potentially eliminating intermediaries.
What is India’s projected status in the Web3 developer space by 2028?
Expected to become the world’s largest Web3 developer hub.
What is a significant challenge mentioned for India’s Web3/crypto ecosystem?
Taxation, including a 30% flat tax on Virtual Digital Asset transfers and 1% TDS.
What defines Open Source Software (OSS)?
Software released under a license granting users rights to use, study, change, and distribute the software and its source code freely.
Name two Indian government digital platforms mentioned as being open source (or made open source).
DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing), DigiLocker, COWIN, Aarogya Setu.
What is the primary purpose of the DIKSHA platform?
It serves as a national platform for school education, an initiative of NCERT.
What service does DigiLocker provide to Indian citizens?
A free platform to store and access important digital documents issued by various agencies or stored by users themselves.
What was the stated objective for launching the Aarogya Setu mobile app?
To help limit the spread of COVID-19 through Bluetooth-based contact tracing, hotspot mapping, and information dissemination.
Is the Aarogya Setu app open source?
Yes, due to popular demand, it was made open source.
What is Bisphenol A (BPA) primarily used for?
Production of polycarbonate plastics (e.g., baby bottles, reusable water bottles) and epoxy resins.
Where are epoxy resins containing BPA commonly used?
As linings inside metal products like food cans, bottle tops, and water supply pipes to prevent corrosion or reaction with food.
What is considered the main source of human exposure to BPA?
Ingestion from canned foods and liquids stored or heated in polycarbonate containers or epoxy-lined cans.
What is Triclosan, and where is it commonly found?
An antibacterial chemical added to consumer products like some antibacterial soaps, body washes, toothpaste, and cosmetics to reduce or prevent bacterial contamination.
What potential health concerns are associated with Triclosan exposure based on animal studies?
A decrease in thyroid hormone levels (at high doses) and potential contribution to the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.
How can Artificial Intelligence (AI) be applied in the energy sector?
To manage energy efficiency through detailed consumption analyses and predictions, and to anticipate problems for faster decision-making.
Can AI currently create meaningful short stories and songs?
Yes, examples like ChatGPT demonstrate this capability.
How is AI used in healthcare?
Assisting in patient care, disease diagnosis, drug discovery, and patient risk identification using techniques from machine learning to deep learning.
What is a common application of AI-powered text-to-speech software?
Converting text into audio for voice messages, audio for visually impaired users, audiobooks, and courses.
Which technologies are commonly used for wireless power transmission (excluding AI)?
Direct induction, resonant magnetic induction, electromagnetic radiation (microwaves), and laser beam technology.
What is Visible Light Communication (VLC)?
A short-range optical wireless communication technology using visible light (400-800 THz) to transmit data at high speeds.
What is a key advantage of VLC regarding interference?
It emits no electromagnetic interference, making it safe for use in environments like hospitals with sensitive medical instruments (e.g., MRI scanners).
How does VLC data transmission speed compare to Bluetooth?
VLC can transfer data at several MBps, which is much faster than Bluetooth.
What is the fundamental concept behind Blockchain technology?
It acts as a decentralized, distributed public ledger that records time-stamped transactions in a secure, peer-to-peer manner.
Can Blockchain technology only be used for cryptocurrencies?
No, it has potential applications in e-payment, legal contracting, electronic medical records, education credentials, and general secure information storage.
What types of Blockchain systems can be designed?
Private or public, permission-less or permissioned, or hybrid systems.
How is data integrity maintained in a Blockchain?
Information cannot be secretly altered without corrupting the entire ledger, and data is replicated across multiple machines for resilience.
What are Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs)?
Cylinder-shaped allotropic forms of carbon known for their exceptional chemical, electronic, mechanical, and optical properties.
Why are CNTs considered suitable for drug delivery systems?
Their structure is suitable for chemical modification, allowing them to be loaded with drugs and potentially functionalized with antibodies to target specific cells like cancer cells.
What is a significant challenge regarding the biocompatibility of non-functionalized CNTs in blood?
They can stimulate blood platelet activation, leading to potentially dangerous blood clotting, making them not blood-compatible.
How are CNTs utilized in biosensors?
They are used to create highly sensitive sensors for detecting specific biomarkers, monitoring the environment, analyzing medicines, and ensuring food safety.
Can Carbon Nanotubes be biodegraded in living systems?
Yes, they can be biodegraded by macrophages through enzymatic oxidation, although it is a complex process influenced by factors like cell types and immune recognition.
What are some applications of drones in agriculture?
Remote sensing for crop assessment/monitoring, precision distribution of chemicals/biological agents, livestock health monitoring, and remote sampling.
How are drones used in studying volcanoes?
To measure active or dangerous volcanoes from a safe distance and collect gas samples (like steam and CO2) for analysis.
How have drones been applied in marine biology research?
To collect breath samples (blow) from whales and dolphins to analyze microorganisms and assess health in relation to habitat quality.
What is Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) used for, as promoted by the RBI?
It provides a framework for digital security infrastructure, enabling secure exchange of data or money online using cryptographic key pairs.
What is ‘Cirrus cloud thinning’ proposed as a geo-engineering technique?
Injecting ice nuclei into high-altitude regions where cirrus clouds form to create clouds with larger ice crystals, shorter lifespans, and reduced optical depth, allowing more heat to radiate into space.
What is ‘Stratospheric aerosol injection’ proposed as a geo-engineering technique?
Spraying aerosols (like sulphates) into the stratosphere to block and reflect sunlight, thereby cooling the planet.
What is cloud seeding?
An artificial way to induce moisture in clouds to create rain.
What effect has global warming shown on tropical cyclones in atmospheric models?
A reduction in their frequency and intensity.
Name three proposed geo-engineering techniques to increase Earth’s reflectivity.
Whitening clouds, injecting particles (aerosols) into the stratosphere, and applying sunshades in space.
How can chlorophyll content in vegetation be measured using remote sensing?
Chlorophyll reflects more green and near-infrared light than other wavelengths, which satellites can detect.
Can satellite remote sensing provide information on greenhouse gas (GHG) soil emissions?
Yes, by estimating near-surface CO2 and CH4 concentrations based on reflected sunlight intensity in specific wavelengths.
Is it possible to measure land surface temperature globally using satellite data?
Yes, remote sensing from space allows measurement over the entire globe with sufficient resolution.
What is LTE (Long Term Evolution)?
A specific type of 4G technology providing higher network capacity and speed compared to 3G.
What is VoLTE (Voice over LTE)?
A digital packet technology using a 4G LTE network to route voice traffic and transmit data.
Which is generally considered a more sophisticated version, LTE or VoLTE?
VoLTE is considered an improved, more sophisticated version of LTE.
Does VoLTE support simultaneous voice calls and data services?
Yes.
What is Augmented Reality (AR)?
A combination of the real, physical world and computer-generated virtual elements projected onto it.
What is Virtual Reality (VR)?
A computer-generated simulation of an alternative world that immerses the user, shutting out the physical world.
How does the user experience differ between AR and VR?
AR enhances the real world with digital overlays, while VR transports the user into a completely simulated environment.
What is ‘Pokemon Go’ an example of?
Augmented Reality (AR).
What is a digital signature?
An electronic, encrypted stamp of authentication on digital information like documents or messages.
What primary functions does a digital signature serve?
It verifies that the information originated from the signer and confirms that it has not been altered (authenticity and integrity).
What are wearable technologies?
Electronic devices physically worn by individuals to track, analyze, and transmit personal data, often incorporated into clothing or accessories.
What are some capabilities of ‘smart’ wearable IoT devices?
Tracking biometric data (heart rate, sleep), identifying a person based on location, and assisting hearing-impaired individuals.
What is the purpose of the Belle II experiment?
It’s a particle physics experiment designed to study violations of the Standard Model.
Can data stored on a Blockchain be easily edited or deleted?
No, Blockchain is designed so that recorded information cannot be altered, deleted, or destroyed without detection.
What is CRISPR-Cas9?
A genome editing technology enabling researchers to remove, add, or alter sections of DNA sequence.
What is the Internet of Things (IoT)?
A network of physical objects (‘things’) embedded with sensors, software, etc., allowing them to connect and exchange data over the internet.
Provide examples of IoT devices.
Smart watches, smart TVs, smart LED bulbs.
What is GPS?
A US-owned, space-based navigation system consisting of over 30 satellites, available free of charge.
List some applications of GPS beyond personal navigation.
Farming, construction, mining, surveying, package delivery, precise time synchronization for communication networks, banking systems, and power grids.
What do WannaCry, Petya, and Eternal Blue refer to?
Cyber-attacks, specifically types of ransomware that occurred in 2017.
What is ransomware?
Malware that denies access to a computer or encrypts files until a ransom is paid.
What is 3D printing?
A method of creating three-dimensional objects layer by layer based on a digital 3D model.
Mention some diverse application areas for 3D printing.
Automotive industry, reconstructive surgeries, medical/healthcare, art, food, construction, rapid prototyping.
What is an API (Application Programming Interface)?
A software intermediary that enables different applications to communicate, exchange data, and interact with each other.
How does Aadhaar utilize APIs?
Aadhaar provides open APIs that can be integrated into devices to enable online authentication using biometrics like fingerprint or iris.
What platform is the BHIM (Bharat Interface for Money) app based on?
UPI (Unified Payments Interface).
How many factors of authentication does the BHIM app use?
Three-factor authentication (Device ID/Phone number binding + UPI PIN).
Is a UPI PIN required for every transaction made through the BHIM app?
Yes, no user can perform transactions without the UPI PIN.
What is the Digital Single Market strategy?
A strategy adopted by the European Union in 2015 aiming to remove barriers to online trade and services across member states.
What are the three policy pillars of the EU’s Digital Single Market strategy?
- Improving access to digital goods and services. 2. Creating an environment where digital networks and services can prosper. 3. Promoting digital technology as a driver for economic growth.
What does OLED stand for?
Organic Light Emitting Diode.
What are OLED pixels composed of, and how do they emit light?
Organic chemical compounds that emit light when an electric current is applied between the anode and cathode, similar to standard LEDs.
Can OLED displays be made flexible?
Yes, using plastic substrates allows them to be ultrathin, light, and flexible.
Can OLED technology be incorporated into clothing?
Yes, OLED displays can be modeled into items like dresses, using plastic electronics technology.
What is a key advantage of plastic electronics technology?
It allows circuits to be printed onto various surfaces over large areas and is seen as a low-cost alternative to conventional silicon-based electronics.
How can OLED technology be used for lighting?
To create thin, area-lit, efficient lighting panels that can be made transparent and embedded in surfaces like windows.
Who is required to report cyber incidents to CERT-In (Indian Computer Emergency Response Team) in India?
All service providers, intermediaries, data centres, body corporates, and Government organisations must mandatorily report incidents under Sec 70b of the IT Act.
What is the primary aim of the Digital Locker initiative under Digital India?
To eliminate the use of physical documents and enable secure sharing and online verification of e-documents across government agencies.
What is Li-Fi (Light-Fidelity)?
A wireless communication technology that uses light waves (introduced by Harold Hass) instead of radio waves for high-speed data transmission.
How does Li-Fi’s potential speed compare to Wi-Fi?
It can be about 100 times faster than Wi-Fi.
What was Project Loon?
A research project by Alphabet Inc. (Google’s parent company) aimed at providing internet access using high-altitude balloons in the stratosphere.
What was the operational status of Project Loon as of January 2021?
It was announced that the company would be shut down due to lack of profitability.
How do Bitcoin transactions occur?
Directly between users (peer-to-peer) without an intermediary.
Are Bitcoin transactions tracked by central banks?
No.
Can Bitcoin payments be made anonymously?
Yes, online payments can be sent without either side knowing the identity of the other.
What is NFC (Near-field communication)?
A short-range (typically 4 cm or less) contactless communication technology using electromagnetic radio fields.
How does NFC ensure secure data exchange?
By using encryption and a special processor; only an authorized device can decode the information.
Where is the IceCube Neutrino Observatory located?
At the geographic South Pole, buried in Antarctic ice near the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.
What are the main scientific goals of the IceCube Observatory?
To search for dark matter and understand the physical processes behind the origin of the highest energy particles (neutrinos) in nature.
What is the National Innovation Foundation India (NIF)?
An autonomous body under India’s Department of Science and Technology, established in 2000 to strengthen grassroots innovations and traditional knowledge.
What is the objective of the VAJRA (Visiting Advanced Joint Research) initiative?
To strengthen highly advanced scientific research in India’s premier institutions through collaboration with advanced foreign scientific institutions.
Which organization conceptualized the bio-toilets (Composting Toilets) used in India?
DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation).
What kind of bacteria are used in DRDO bio-toilets?
An inoculum containing four types of anaerobic bacteria processes the human waste in a bio-digester tank.
What is IndARC?
India’s first underwater multi-sensor moored observatory deployed in the Kongsfjorden fjord of the Arctic in 2014.
What data does IndARC collect?
Real-time data on seawater temperature, salinity, current, and other vital parameters using sensors at various depths.
Can Neem oil be used as a pesticide?
Yes, it can control the proliferation of some species of insects and mites.
Besides pesticides, what are other uses of Neem mentioned?
Neem seeds are used in biofuel production, and Neem has applications in the pharmaceutical industry, including as a natural insecticide.
What fundamental concept does the discovery of the Higgs boson help explain?
It helps explain why elementary particles (like electrons) have mass.
What are potential implications of creating anti-matter?
It could help probe the possibility of anti-matter stars/galaxies and help understand the evolution of the universe.
What is bio-asphalt?
An alternative to traditional asphalt made from non-petroleum-based renewable resources like organic waste materials (sugar, starches, plant oils, lignin, etc.).
Is bio-asphalt biodegradable?
Yes, it is considered eco-friendly and biodegradable as it’s made from renewable resources.
What is DSL (Digital Subscriber Line)?
A modem technology using existing telephone lines to transport high-bandwidth data like multimedia and video.
What type of network access does DSL typically provide?
Dedicated, point-to-point, public network access.
What does GSM stand for?
Global System for Mobile communication.
Which multiple access technique does GSM use a variation of?
TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access).
What is the CyberKnife System primarily used for?
Non-invasive radiation therapy for cancerous and non-cancerous tumors and other conditions where radiation therapy is indicated.
What key capability allows CyberKnife to treat tumors effectively even when they move?
Advanced tracking technologies and a unique robotic design that verifies exact tumor position and adjusts radiation delivery accordingly.
What level of accuracy can the CyberKnife System achieve?
Sub-millimeter accuracy.
What does WiMAX stand for?
Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access.
What is the primary purpose of WiMAX technology?
Providing wireless data over long distances, from point-to-point links to mobile cellular type access.
WiMAX is considered part of which generation of wireless communication technology?
4G (Fourth Generation).
What is the LHC (Large Hadron Collider)?
The world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator, located at CERN.
What is a UPC (Universal Product Code)?
A 12-digit barcode assigned to consumer products for identification of the item and its manufacturer, typically used at Point of Sale (POS).
What are Dolby B and Dolby C?
Noise reduction circuits developed by Dolby Laboratories, primarily used to reduce tape noise in audio recordings, especially cassettes.
What approximate level of noise reduction does Dolby C provide compared to Dolby B?
Dolby C provides about 15 dB (A-weighted), while Dolby B provides about 9 dB (A-weighted).
What is a smart card?
A physical card (plastic or metal, typically credit card sized) with an embedded integrated chip that functions as a security token.
What is the function of a modem in digital communications over analog phone lines?
It converts digital information from a computer to analog signals for the phone line, and converts incoming analog phone signals back to digital information for the computer.
What is a digital library?
A collection of documents in organized electronic form, accessible via the Internet or CD-ROM, containing items like articles, books, images, sound files, and videos.
Who introduced the first portable computer, the Osborne 1?
Adam Osborne, in 1981.
What was the significance of Dolly the sheep?
Dolly, announced in 1997 by Dr. Ian Wilmut, was the first mammal (a sheep) to be cloned from an adult somatic cell.
Which organization in India developed the PARAM series of supercomputers?
C-DAC (Centre for Development of Advanced Computing).
What was the significance of PARAM Padma in 2002/2003?
It was a 1 Teraflop supercomputer and India’s first supercomputer to enter the Top500 list of world supercomputers (ranked 171st in June 2003).
For what discovery did Werner Arber, Daniel Nathans, and Hamilton Smith win the 1978 Nobel Prize?
For the discovery of restriction enzymes and their application to problems of molecular genetics.
Who invented the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) process in 1985?
Kary Mullis.
What does PCR allow researchers to do?
To copy a small amount of DNA in large quantities over a short period.
What did Temin and Baltimore discover related to RNA tumor viruses?
The enzyme responsible for reverse transcription (reverse transcriptase).
What is hybridoma technology commonly used for?
To produce monoclonal antibodies.
How are hybridoma cells created?
By fusing antibody-producing B lymphocytes (from an immunized mouse) with immortal myeloma (cancer) cell lines.
