1. Startup firm IG Drones develops India's first 5G-enabled drone
Tags: Science and Technology National News
Tech startup firm IG Drones has developed India's first 5G-enabled drone capable of vertical take-off and landing.
An overview of the news
This drone has been named Skyhawk.
It can be used in other areas apart from defence and medical applications.
The Skyhawk can fly for about five hours with a payload of 10 kg, as this drone is also equipped with capabilities like artificial intelligence and thermal imaging.
Due to the facility of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL), it does not require any special runway or track for take-off or landing, so it can be operated in any area.
The drone is IP67 rated and can be controlled through a combination of NavIC + GPS navigational satellites.
This drone can travel 100 km in 12 to 15 minutes at its maximum speed.
About IG Drones
IG Drones is an India-based tech company providing drone survey, mapping and inspection services.
It was established at Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology in Sambalpur, Odisha.
Its headquarter is located in New Delhi.
2. India to send three person to 6,000 metre below sea level under Samudrayaan Mission
Tags: Science and Technology National News
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India will send three men six thousand metres below sea level to search for mineral resources under the Samudrayaan mission.
An overview of the news
Earth Sciences Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said, a vehicle named MATSYA 6000 will carry three people and this mission is expected to be realized in the next three years.
The vehicle is being designed and developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology, Chennai.
It can bear 12 hours under normal operation and 96 hours under emergency for human safety.
PM Narendra Modi mentioned the Deep Ocean Mission in his Independence Day address for two consecutive years in 2021 and 2022.
About Samudrayaan Mission
It is a part of the Deep Ocean Mission.
It was announced by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) with ISRO's Gaganyaan mission.
It aims to develop a self-propelled manned submersible to carry 3 humans to a depth of 6000 meters in the ocean with scientific sensors and equipment for deep sea exploration.
Under this mission, a manned submersible vehicle named MATSYA 6000 will be sent for deep underwater studies.
What is the Deep Ocean Mission?
It was approved by the Ministry of Earth Sciences in June 2021.
It aims to explore deep sea marine resources, develop deep sea technology for sustainable utilization of ocean resources and support the blue economy initiatives of the Government of India.
The cost of the mission is about Rs 4,077 crore over a period of five years and will be implemented in phases.
3. CMPDIL Invents New Dust Control Technology
Tags: Environment Science and Technology
In order to minimize and control the fugitive dust in mining areas, Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL), Ranchi has invented a “System and Method for Controlling Generation and Movement of Fugitive Dust ''.
An overview of the news
CMPDIL, Ranchi is a consultancy subsidiary of Coal India Limited.
It has obtained a patent for the invention in December, 2022 (Patent No. 416055).
This system can be used in mines, thermal power plants, railway sidings, ports, construction sites where coal or other mineral/fugitive material is stored under open sky.
About invention
The invention relates to the synchronized application of windbreak (WB) and vertical greenery system (VGS) for reducing generation and dispersion of fugitive dust.
WB and VGS are positioned in the upwind and downwind directions with respect to the blown dust source, respectively.
WB reduces the speed of the oncoming wind towards the source and hence, reduces the intensity of the ambient air to pick up dust while it blows over the source.
The VGS acts as a filter and reduces the amount of residual dust moving towards the receptors in the downward direction along with the air.
Therefore, there is a significant reduction in the dust concentration in the ambient air at various receptors located in the down-wind direction.
What is Fugitive Dust?
Fugitive dust is a form of particulate matter that contributes to air pollution.
It refers to the dust particles which like to run in the air without a directed place.
It is produced from various sources that come in contact with the air.
4. Successful training launch of Prithvi-2 at Chandipur, Odisha
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
Prithvi-2 was successfully trained on 10 January 2023 from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur off the Odisha coast.
An overview of the news
Prithvi-II is an indigenously developed surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile (SRBM) with a range of approximately 250-350 km. and it can carry one ton payload.
The Prithvi-II class is a single-stage liquid-fueled missile with a payload of 500–1000 kg. has warhead mounting capability.
The missile system is capable of hitting targets with a very high degree of accuracy.
The state-of-the-art missile uses an advanced inertial guidance system with an efficient trajectory to hit its target.
It was initially developed for the Indian Air Force as the primary user and was later inducted into the Indian Army as well.
While the missile was first inducted into India's Strategic Forces Command in 2003, it was the first missile developed under the IGMDP.
Five missiles developed under IGMDP
The 5 missiles (P-A-T-N-A) developed under this program are:
Prithvi: Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
Agni: Surface-to-surface medium-range ballistic missile i.e. Agni (1,2,3,4,5).
Trishul: Short-range surface-to-air missile.
Nag: Third generation anti-tank missile.
Akash: Medium-range surface-to-air missile.
5. DRDO develops unmanned vehicle for operations in Himalayan regions
Tags: Science and Technology
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Research and Development Organization (DRDO) has developed an unmanned aerial vehicle with the aim of targeting logistics operations on the Himalayan border.
An overview of the news
This aircraft has been displayed by DRDO at the 108th Indian Science Congress held in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
This UAV can fly with a load of 5 to 25 kg. and is also capable of dropping bombs in enemy territory.
The aircraft can conduct autonomous missions within a radius of five kilometres and automatically return to the origin after delivering the cargo to the designated location.
This UAV is equipped with landing accuracy as well as ground vehicle follow mode and modular design, due to which this UAV can prove to be very useful during the war.
This multi-copter payload has been successfully tested by DRDO at an altitude of 14 thousand feet in Sikkim. After two more trials, this UAV will be inducted into the Armed Forces.
Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO)
It is a premier defence research and development agency under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India.
It aims to make India self-reliant in critical defence technology and systems.
It was established in 1958.
Headquarters - New Delhi
Chairman - Sameer V Kamath
6. World's first vaccine for honeybees approved for use by United States
Tags: Science and Technology International News
The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has approved the world's first insect vaccine, which has been developed to protect bees from a devastating bacterial disease.
An overview of the news
US researchers have developed a vaccine to target a disease called American foulbrood.
The disease is caused by Paenibacillus larval bacteria and once it reaches a bee population, it has the potential to completely destroy the colony.
Dalil Freitak of the University of Helsinki and his colleagues discovered an important egg yolk protein called vitellogenin.
This fundamental discovery laid the groundwork for a new type of insect vaccine, and the team's first target was honey bees.
Effectiveness of vaccine
The vaccine works by binding to the vitellogenin protein in inactivated bacterial cells so that when consumed by the queen bee it can be transferred directly to her larvae.
This vaccine is given to the queen bees in the form of royal jelly. She swallows it, and fragments of the vaccine get deposited in her ovaries.
After exposure to the vaccine, immunity develops in the developing larvae.
A successful clinical trial demonstrated that the vaccine is both safe and effective.
Progeny from a vaccinated queen bee are much less likely to contract bacterial disease.
7. All 37 CSIR Labs in India to turn into Global Centers of Research & Innovation
Tags: Science and Technology
Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology Dr. Jitendra Singh said all 37 CSIR Labs in India will be turned into Global Centers of Research and Innovation in their fields of specialisation.
An overview of the news
He was speaking at the launch of “One Week One Lab" campaign in New Delhi.
On this occasion, Dr. Jitendra Singh also released the logo of CSIR's One Week One Lab campaign.
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has 37 laboratories spread across the country dedicated to various specialised areas of work.
Each of the 37 CSIR laboratories is unique in itself and specialises in diverse areas such as genomes to geology, food to fuels, minerals to materials etc.
Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurates workshop and exhibition on "Innovation and Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies" organised by CSIR-Central Building Research Institute (CSIR-CBRI), Roorkee with the aim of moving towards Net Zero Emission and Zero Waste.
About CSIR
CSIR was established on 26 September 1942 and was registered as the CSIR Society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
The first meeting of the Governing Body was held on 09 March 1942 in which the bye-laws for the Council were framed.
It is the largest public funded R&D organisation in India.
Started with 5 laboratories in 1942, CSIR in its journey of eight decades has grown into an organisation consisting of 3521 scientists with 37 laboratories supported by 4162 technical staff.
8. India’s ‘2023 Science Vision’
Tags: Science and Technology National News
Briefing the media about the '2023 Science Vision', Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said, "The future belongs to those who have innovative ideas and out-of-the-box goals, and the conviction and courage to achieve them." He said this on the occasion of the Indian Science Congress.
108th Indian Science Congress
The 108th Indian Science Congress is being held on January 3-7, 2023 at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj (RTM) Nagpur University in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated the Indian Science Congress on January 3.
He talked about the achievements India has acquired in Science and Tech.
The theme of this year’s Indian Science Congress is “Science and Technology for Sustainable Development with Women Empowerment.”
2023 Science Vision
The development of science, technology and innovation is the only way for sustainable development.
The Prime Minister said in ISC 2023, in 2015 India was ranked 81st in the Global Innovation Index of 130 countries, but has reached 40th position in 2022.
Most of the major S&T companies around the world are being headed by people from India.
India has been a staunch supporter of promoting scientific temper in daily life. "Science, technology and innovation will define India@100 in 2047.
9. The first-ever “National Genome Editing & Training Centre” inaugurated at Mohali
Tags: Science and Technology State News
Union Minister of State for Science and TechnologyDr Jitendra Singh on 5 January inaugurated “National Genome Editing and Training Centre (NGETC)” at National Agri-food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) Mohali in Punjab.
An overview of the news
He also inaugurated the 4-day International Conference on Food and Nutrition Security 2023.
He said that Agri-tech start-ups have a unique potential in India and more awareness is needed to make it successful.
National Genome Editing and Training Centre (NGETC)
It is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and is a suitable platform for adoption of various genome editing methods including genome modification and to meet regional needs.
The center will also help in improving crops in present climate scenarios and making them more tolerant to changing environmental conditions.
NGETC will cater to the regional needs for adoption of various genome editing methods.
It will also empower young researchers by providing them training and guidance regarding its application in crops.
What is Genome Editing?
Genome editing, also known as gene editing, is a group of different technologies that provide scientists with the ability to alter the deoxy-ribonucleic acid (DNA) of an organism.
These technologies allow genetic material to be added, removed, or changed at particular locations in the genome.
10. Hydrogen blended PNG project starts operation at NTPC Kawas ,Gujarat
Tags: place in news National Science and Technology State News
India’s largest power company NTPC Ltd has commissioned India’s first green hydrogen blending project at Kawas, Gujarat. The piped natural gas (PNG) blended with green hydrogen gas is being supplied through the Gujarat Gas limited piped natural gas (PNG) network in the NTPC Kawas township, Surat.
In April 2022 the NTPC signed an agreement with Gujarat Gas for blending of green hydrogen in the piped natural gas (PNG) to be supplied to the NTPC Kawas Township.
Green Hydrogen refers to the breaking down of the water molecule into hydrogen and oxygen using renewable sources of energy.
The Central government owned NTPC provides the green hydrogen produced at its 1 megawatt (MW) floating solar project of NTPC Kawas in the Surat district of Gujarat for blending purposes.
Initially, the percentage of hydrogen blending in the PNG shall be around 5% and after successful completion, it will be increased. The Hydrogen blended PNG will be used for cooking purposes.
This is the first project of its kind in the country .This is seen as a first step toward the decarbonization of the cooking sector and self-sufficiency for the energy requirements of the nation.
Gujarat Gas Limited (GGL) is India's largest City Gas Distribution (CGD) Company in terms of sales volume, with operation across 43 districts in 6 states and 1 Union territory in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh and Union Territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli.
It is owned by Gujarat government owned Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation.
Headquarters: Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
