Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Science and Technology
In News:
Recently, a DST INSPIRE Faculty, at IIT (Varanasi), along with his team has developed nanomaterials which have energy storage application & optical sensors for water pollution control.
They have also developed Surface-Enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) that can help detect harmful molecules present in water at ultra-low concentrations.
Key takeaways:
These nanomaterials are based on supercapacitors to achieve high energy density.
Constant current can be withdrawn for longer duration without recharging due to such density.
Automobiles will be able to run longer distances by using supercapacitors.
The team has also developed a novel green approach for synthesis of Iron-based nanocatalyst, which can be used for large scale production of Cabon Nanotubes.
These findings shall help in producing materials which can be used as advanced photo detectors that may help in water pollution control.
Important value additions:
Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research (INSPIRE)
It is an innovative programme.
It is sponsored and managed by the Department of Science & Technology for attraction of talent to Science.
Objective:
To communicate to the youth the excitements of creative pursuit of science
To attract talent to the study of science at an early age
To build the required critical human resource pool for strengthening and expanding the Science & Technology system and Research & Development base.
No competitive exams are conducted for identification of talent at any level.
The programme relies on the efficiency of the existing educational structure
Carbon nanotubes (CNTs)
These are tubes made of carbon with diameters measured in nanometers.
Bulk carbon nanotubes are used as composite fibers to improve the mechanical, thermal and electrical properties of the bulk polymer product.
They can act as antennas for radios and other electromagnetic devices.
They are used in brushes for commercial electric motors.
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Infrastructure (Energy)
In News:
The Union Minister of Power has released a Report on “Impact of energy efficiency measures for the year 2018-19” recently.
Key takeaways from the report:
India has reduced the energy intensity of economy by 20% compared to 2005 levels.
Total electricity savings is up to 9.39% of the net electricity consumption (113.16 Billion Units) in 2018-19.
The total energy savings in 2018-19 is 2.69% of the total primary energy supply (23.73 million Tonne of Oil Equivalent). This includesboth supply side and demand side sectors of the economy.
151.74 Million Tonnes of Carbon Dioxide (MTCO2) emissions have been reduced. Last year it was 108 MTCO2.
Important value additions:
Impact of energy efficiency measures for the year 2018-19 report
It was prepared by an Expert agency PWC Ltd, which was engaged by Bureau of Energy efficiency (BEE) for an independentverification to assess the resultant annual savings in energy as well as CO2 emissions through various initiatives in India.
Objective: To evaluate the performance and impact of all the key energy efficiency programmes in India, in terms of total energy saved and the related reduction in the CO2 emissions.
It assesses the resultant impact of current schemes at national and state level for the FY 2018-19.
It then compares the result with a situation where the same schemes were not implemented.
The Bureau of Energy Efficiency
It is an agency of the Government of India, under the Ministry of Power created in March 2002 under the provisions of Energy Conservation Act, 2001.
Function: To develop such programs which will increase the conservation and efficient use of energy in India.
Part of: GS Prelims and GS-III – Environment & Biodiversity
In News:
Scientists at the Agharkar Research Institute (ARI), Pune have published a plant data of the Northern Western Ghats.
The institute is an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology.
As per their data, the plateaus and the cliffs harbour most of the endemic species in these areas.
The plateaus along with forests should be prioritized for conservation of the Northern Western Ghats.
The study suggested that the Northern Western Ghats is the region of rapid diversification of specific herbaceous endemic genera like Ceropegia, Glyphochloa, etc.
Important value additions:
Northern Western Ghats
The Indian Western Ghats is one of the global biodiversity hotspots due to the endemism of various flora and fauna.
The northern part of the Ghats receives more precipitation than southern and central parts.
Plateaus and cliffs display maximum endemic species.
Forests harbour many non-endemic species.
Miscellaneous
Vande Bharat Mission
It is one of the largest evacuation exercises.
The government will operate 64 flights to bring home nearly 14,800 Indian nationals stranded abroad due to the Corona virus lockdown.
NSafe
It is an antimicrobial and washable face mask launched by an IIT Delhi startup ‘Nanosafe Solutions’.
It is reusable up to 50 launderings, thus greatly cutting down the cost of use.
Long March 5B
It is a rocket launched by China in a major test of its ambitions to operate a permanent space station and send astronauts to the Moon.
African Swine Fever (ASF)
Since February 2020, over 2,900 pigs have died in Assam due to African Swine Fever (ASF).
The outbreak is reported for the first time in India.
It is a highly infectious viral disease that affects pigs, warthogs, bush pigs,
Cause: African swine fever virus, member of the Asfarviridae family.
Transmission: Either directly through sick animals or indirectly through contaminated feed.
Symptoms: High haemorrhagic fever, lose of appetite, diarrhoea, reddening of the skin.
No effective vaccine is available.
Culling (slaughtering) is often the only effective way.
The ASF virus doesn’t infect humans.
(MAINS FOCUS)
GOVERNANCE/ HEALTH
Topic: General Studies 2 & 3:
Government policies and interventions for development in Health sectors
