1. ISRO Chairman Launches SFO Technologies' Carbon Reduction Initiative
Tags: Science and Technology
On May 11, 2024, Sreedhara Panicker Somanath, Chairman of ISRO and Secretary, Department of Space, GOI, inaugurated the carbon reduction initiative by SFO Technologies, Kochi-based flagship company of the NeST Group.
An Overview of the News
The initiative aligns with the UN's goal of achieving a 50% carbon reduction by 2035 and zero emissions by 2040.
A replica of Chandrayaan was unveiled during the event, symbolizing the collaboration between SFO Technologies and ISRO.
The Indian government envisions the space industry to grow to a USD 9 to 10 billion industry within the next 5 to 10 years, compared to its current valuation of USD 2 billion.
Previous collaborations between ISRO and SFO Technologies include providing RF sub-systems for missions like Chandrayaan and Aditya, as well as manufacturing antenna systems and cryogenic control systems for launch vehicles.
SFO Technologies:
Offers Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) and solutions across diverse industries including Aerospace and Defence, Communications, Energy and Industrial, Healthcare, and Transportation.
Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Manufacturing Business: Altaaf Jehangir.
Headquarters situated in Kochi, Kerala.
Established in the year 1990.
Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO):
Chairman: Sreedhara Panicker Somanath.
Headquarters located in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Established in the year 1969.
2. ICAR-CMFRI Unveils Two New Needlefish Species in Indian Waters
Tags: Science and Technology
Researchers at ICAR-CMFRI discovered two new needlefish species in Indian waters.
An Overview of the News
Previous identification of flat needlefish (Ablennes hians) revealed to be a complex of at least three distinct species.
New Species:
Named as Ablennes joseberchmansis and Ablennes gracalii.
Genetic and molecular analysis confirmed their unique characteristics.
The discovery was made by researchers at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI).
Characteristics and Commercial Value
Location: Specimens were collected from Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.
Commercial Value: These fishes are commercially valuable, known for their palatability and nutritional content.
Identification: They are identifiable by their green spines and elongated beaks with sharp teeth.
Market Price: They fetch around 400 rupees per kilogramme in the market.
Research Team and Publication
Contributors: The research team included Dr. Shijin Ameri, Badarul Sijad, and Dr. KK Sajikumar from CMFRI.
Publication: Their findings were published in the Journal of Regional Studies in Marine Science.
Institutional Background
ICAR-CMFRI: For over 75 years, ICAR-CMFRI has been a leading research institution in tropical marine fisheries globally.
Expansion: Over the years, CMFRI has expanded its research facilities and attracted skilled professionals, enhancing its scale and renown.
3. Kadet Defence Systems Introduces India's First Indigenous Loitering Aerial Munitions (LAM)
Tags: Science and Technology
Kadet Defence Systems (P) Limited (KDS) introduces India's first Loitering Aerial Munitions (LAM) for the Indian Armed Forces.
An Overview of the News
Developed under a unique Development cum Production Partner (DCPP) model with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
Reflects KDS commitment to fostering indigenous innovation and self-reliance in defence production.
Features of India's 1st LAM:
The indigenous LAMs are entirely designed and manufactured in India.
Over 90% of components domestically sourced.
Incorporates cutting-edge technologies, including Canister Aerial Loitering Munition (CALM), Combat Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with stand-off capabilities, and Tactical Vertical Takeoff & Landing (VTOL) UAVs.
Adaptability to various terrains and altitudes, from deserts to plains, and even high-altitude regions surpassing 5000 meters.
Capabilities include serving as combat UAVs capable of precision strikes and Kamikaze drones for targeted engagements, reminiscent of cruise missiles.
Additional Information:
Secured a contract to deliver 50 LAM systems by the end of 2024, meeting the operational requirements of the Indian armed forces.
Aims to increase LAMs production and deliver an estimated 5000 systems in the next 2 to 3 years.
About KDS:
It is a privately owned company specializing in the production of aerospace products, with a primary focus on Unmanned Systems.
Avdesh Khaitan serves as the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company.
The headquarters of KDS is located in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
The company was established in the year 2011.
4. Google Introduces Google Wallet for Android Users in India
Tags: Science and Technology
Google Wallet has been introduced by Google for Android users in India, providing a secure digital storage space.
An Overview of the News
Users can conveniently store cards, passes, tickets, keys, or IDs in one central location.
The platform is designed to integrate digital documents with QR codes for swift access.
Notably, Google Wallet in India will not facilitate payment functionalities.
Google Pay, the dedicated mobile payment application, will remain the primary solution for users' payment requirements in India.
Google Wallet:
The Google Wallet app debuted in 2011, but in 2015, it was supplanted by Android Pay.
Google unified Google Wallet and Android Pay in 2018, forming the new app called Google Pay.
The Google Wallet app can be downloaded from the Google Play Store.
Notably, Google Tez, renamed Google Pay, premiered in India on September 18, 2017.
Distinctions of Google Wallet in India
Version Discrepancy: The Indian iteration of the app diverges slightly from its international counterparts.
Android Exclusivity: Google Wallet functions solely on Android smartphones within India, lacking compatibility with smartwatches or wearables, unlike its global availability.
5. India's First Commercial System on Chip (SoC) Launched
Tags: Science and Technology
Mindgrove Technologies Private Limited, in collaboration with IITM Pravartak Technologies Foundation and IIT Madras Incubation Cell, introduced India's first commercial System on Chip (SoC) called Secure Internet of Things (IoT) on May 6, 2024.
An Overview of the News
It is anticipated to be 30% more cost-effective than existing chips in similar categories, targeting IoT devices.
Technical Specifications:
The Microcontroller Unit (MCU) chip has successfully undergone Multi-Project Wafer (MPW) tape-out at the 28 nanometer (nm) node.
Secure IoT boasts a high-performance micro-controller operating at 700 Megahertz (MHz).
Domestic Integration:
The chip is poised to enable Indian companies to incorporate a domestic SoC into their products, reducing costs while maintaining top-notch features.
Versatile Applications:
Its applications range from smartwatches to smart city devices like connected meters for electricity, water, and gas, as well as connected home gadgets like smart locks, fans, and speakers, along with Electric Vehicle (EV) battery management systems and control systems.
Secure IoT offers a wide array of features and is designed to be compatible with bare metal code or micro-controller Real-Time Operating System (RTOS), thus expanding its utility to domains such as traffic control systems, autonomous vehicles, medical equipment, etc.
Market Impact:
Notably, India consumes over a billion chips annually, and Secure IoT has the potential to replace between 10 to 50 million of them.
Supporting Ecosystem:
Mindgrove not only plans to sell the chip but also aims to provide design expertise to Indian firms, facilitating faster innovation and scaling up production in India.
6. NGEL and ITL sign MoU for Renewable Energy Ventures
Tags: Science and Technology
NTPC Green Energy Limited (NGEL) and Indus Towers Limited (ITL) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support green energy goals and India's carbon-neutral aspirations.
An Overview of the News
The collaboration aims to jointly develop grid-connected renewable energy projects, including solar, wind, and energy storage solutions.
Signatories to the MoU are Soumya Kanti Chowdhuri, Chief General Manager of NGEL, and Vikas Poddar, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of ITL.
NGEL operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of NTPC Limited, formerly known as the National Thermal Power Corporation.
About ITL
Indus Towers Limited, based in Gurugram, Haryana, is an Indian telecommunications infrastructure firm.
Established in November 2007 by Bharti Infratel, Vodafone Essar, and Idea Cellular.
It specializes in offering passive infrastructure services to mobile network operators and other wireless service providers.
The company's primary objective is to provide shared telecom infrastructure to operators without discrimination.
Headquarters - DLF Cyber City, Gurugram, Haryana
Chairman - N. Kumar
MD & CEO - Prachur Shah
7. Intel Unveils 'Hala Point': The World's Largest Neuromorphic System for Sustainable AI
Tags: Science and Technology
Intel Corporation, a leading semiconductor manufacturer, unveils 'Hala Point,' the world's largest neuromorphic system.
An Overview of the News
Codenamed 'Hala Point,' the system is designed to advance sustainable Artificial Intelligence (AI) initiatives.
Key Features of 'Hala Point':
Initial deployment: The system is deployed at Sandia National Laboratories, leveraging Intel's Loihi 2 processor.
Aim: 'Hala Point' aims to facilitate research into future brain-inspired AI while addressing current AI's efficiency and sustainability challenges.
Evolution: Building upon Intel's first-generation large-scale research system, Pohoiki Springs, 'Hala Point' introduces architectural enhancements.
Performance: The system boasts over 10 times more neuron capacity and up to 12 times higher performance compared to its predecessor.
Operational Capabilities:
Processing Power: 'Hala Point' supports up to 20 quadrillion operations per second.
Efficiency: Remarkably, the system achieves an efficiency exceeding 15 trillion 8-bit operations per second per watt (TOPS/W) when executing conventional deep neural networks.
8. DRDO Successfully Tests Indigenous Cruise Missile at Odisha
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
On April 18, 2024, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) conducted a successful flight-test of the Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM) from the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Chandipur, Odisha.
An Overview of the News
Features of Indigenous Technology Cruise Missile (ITCM):
Advanced Avionics: Equipped with advanced avionics and software to ensure enhanced and reliable performance.
Development: Developed by DRDO's Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) in Bengaluru, Karnataka, with contributions from other Indian laboratories and industries.
Propulsion System: The missile features an indigenous propulsion system developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Key Observations during the Test:
Range Sensors: Various Range Sensors including Radar, Electro Optical Tracking System (ETOS), and Telemetry deployed by ITR at different locations to ensure comprehensive coverage of the flight path.
Monitoring from Aircraft: The flight of the missile was monitored from the Su-30-Mk-I aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF).
About ADE:
Responsibility: A laboratory of DRDO entrusted with conducting research and development in military aviation.
Director: Y Dilip
Headquarters: Located in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
9. India Sends Inaugural BrahMos Missile Shipment to Philippines in Defense Pact Fulfillment
Tags: Defence Science and Technology
India delivered its first BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles to the Philippines under a $375 million deal signed in January 2022.
An Overview of the News
The deal involves supplying three export versions of the BrahMos missile system along with integrated logistics support and training for operators and maintainers.
The first batch of munitions has arrived in the Philippines after two years since the pact was signed.
Components and Support Package:
Each system delivered includes two missile launchers, a radar unit, and a command-and-control center.
Additionally, an integrated logistics support package and training for operators and maintainers were part of the deal.
Arrival of First Batch:
Two years after the agreement, the first batch of BrahMos missiles reached the Philippines.
The system enables firing two missiles within 10 seconds, adaptable to various platforms like submarines, ships, aircraft, or land-based installations.
Export Process:
The BrahMos missiles were transported from India to the Philippines via an Indian Air Force C-17 Globemaster jet.
This marks India's inaugural export of BrahMos missiles.
Global Interest and Capabilities:
Several nations, including Argentina, have shown interest in procuring BrahMos missiles from India.
BrahMos missiles boast a speed of 2.8 Mach, nearly three times the speed of sound.
10. Government forms panel to promote scientific mining of critical minerals
Tags: Science and Technology National News
A seven-member panelhas been set up by the government under the leadership of NITI Aayog member Vijay Kumar Saraswat to promote scientific mining of critical minerals.
An Overview of the News
The panel's primary goal is to propose legislative measures for the cost-effective and scientific extraction of critical minerals such as copper, gold, and diamond.
These minerals are often found in deeply embedded deposits, requiring underground mining for extraction.
Strategies will be devised by the panel to raise awareness among states about the implications of mining reforms.
In 2023, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) discovered approximately 5.9 million tonnes of lithium deposits in the Salal-Haimana area of Jammu & Kashmir, crucial for electric vehicle manufacturing.
About Critical Minerals
Critical minerals are vital for both economic development and national security.
India's government has identified a list of 30 critical minerals.
These minerals include Antimony, Beryllium, Bismuth, Cobalt, Copper, Gallium, Germanium, Graphite, Hafnium, Indium, Lithium, Molybdenum, Niobium, Nickel, platinum group elements (PGE), Phosphorous, Potash, Rare Earth Elements (REE), Rhenium, Silicon, Strontium, Tantalum, Tellurium, Tin, Titanium, Tungsten, Vanadium, Zirconium, Selenium, and Cadmium.
