Author: Science India Bureau
BUDDING INNOVATOR / SINDHOORA RAJA Sindhoora Raja, a sixteen-year-old innovator and research enthusiast from Bengaluru, was awarded the Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar in New Delhi recently. She received the award for innovation from the President of India, Droupadi Murmu at the Rashtrapati Bhavan. She also had the opportunity to meet the Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi where he interacted with the winners. During their interaction, she explained her innovations in neurotechnology, and the Prime Minister encouraged her to continue her research. She recalls that receiving the Rashtriya Bal Puraskar was a moment of…
The work that had been initiated in 2012, came to fruition on 8 January 2024. On this day, at the Sidhu Kanu Birsa University in Purulia town, there was the virtual inauguration of an observatory stationed atop the Panchet Hill in the Garpanchakot area of Purulia district. Stationed at a height of 600 metres above the ground level, this will be a major observatory not only in eastern India, but also along the longitude of 86°E. The observatory has been set up by the S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata. Dr Tanusri Saha-Dasgupta, director of S N…
Image Courtesy: PIB Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 9 January announced the completion of the Genome India Project, describing it as an “important milestone in the biotechnology revolution” in the country, and unveiled the sequencing database of 10,000 Indians. In his video message, the PM congratulated the scientific community on the achievement and laid out a roadmap for India’s future in genomics. He praised the initiative as a testament to India’s scientific prowess and its vision for the future of healthcare and biotechnology. This initiative will also develop an ecosystem which would act as Knowledge Hub and Innovation Hub and…
YOUNG SCIENTIST/ Dr DIGENDRANATH SWAIN Dr Digendranath Swain, a senior researcher at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), Thiruvananthapuram, under the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has recently been conferred the prestigious Vigyan Yuva Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award. Presented by President Droupadi Murmu, the award recognises his remarkable contributions to the field of space science and technology. As a leading figure in structural engineering, Dr Swain has played a pivotal role in ensuring the reliability and success of India’s ambitious space missions. At the heart of Dr Swain’s work lies his expertise in structural engineering for rocket components, with a…
TECH TALK /TRIGLYCERIDES DETECTOR In a groundbreaking development, researchers at the MEMS, Microfluidics, and Nanoelectronics (MMNE) Lab at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad campus, have introduced an innovative electrochemical biosensor designed to rapidly and cost-effectively detect triglycerides (TGs). TGs are a critical marker for assessing the risk of heart disease, and this new device promises to transform how we monitor and manage heart health. POINT-OF-CARE DIAGNOSTICS The primary aim of this biosensor is to revolutionise point-of-care diagnostics, offering a faster, more accessible method for testing triglyceride levels. Elevated TG levels are closely linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and…
PHOTO FEATURE The tenth edition of the India International Science Festival 2024 (30 November – 3 December) concluded successfully at IIT Guwahati. The four-day festival saw enthusiastic participation by people from all age groups, especially young science enthusiasts, and by people from all walks of life. With a packed melange of workshops, demonstrations, lectures, discussions, deliberations, Moon museum in the open and more, peppered with a medley of cultural performances, the festival became an affair to remember. This edition of the IISF, held at the sprawling IIT campus, was the first in northeast India. The photographs from the festival provide…
TECH TALK / PEROVSKITE SOLAR CELLS Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, led by Prof Trilok Singh from the Department of Energy Science and Engineering, have made a significant leap forward in solar cell technology. Their groundbreaking development of Perovskite solar cells promises to reduce production costs and streamline manufacturing, paving the way for broader adoption of solar technology worldwide. Published in the journal SMALL, this work presents a transformative approach to fabricating Perovskite cells under standard air conditions, eliminating the need for complex and costly anti-solvent methods traditionally used in production. The Perovskite solar cells developed…
YOUNG SCIENTIST: PROF RADHAKRISHNA GANTI Prof Radhakrishna Ganti of IIT Madras has been honoured with the prestigious Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar: Vigyan Yuva Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award in Engineering Sciences for his significant contributions to wireless communication systems, particularly in the field of 5G technology. He was conferred the award in August this year. His work has not only put India on the global 5G map but also laid the foundation for indigenous technological development in wireless systems. 5G FOR RURAL CONNECTIVITY In the early stages of 5G development, rural broadband was not a priority on the global agenda. Prof Ganti,…
The India International Science Festival (IISF) is an annual event organised by the Government of India to celebrate and promote science, technology, and innovation. Its primary objective is to inspire young minds, encourage scientific curiosity, and foster a spirit of innovation among people, particularly students, researchers, and entrepreneurs. The IISF also seeks to provide a platform for scientific exchange and networking, bringing together scientists, industry leaders, policymakers, and citizens from across the country and abroad. IISF 2015 Date: 4-8 December 2015Venue: Indian Institute of Technology, New DelhiTheme: Science for All The first India International Science Festival (IISF), a joint event…
YOUNG SCIENTIST : Dr PRASHANT KUMAR Dr Prashant Kumar, a distinguished Scientist-SF at the Space Applications Centre (SAC), Ahmedabad, of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), has become a pivotal figure in advancing atmospheric science and weather forecasting in India. His research contributions in space applications and Earth system sciences have earned him the prestigious Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award, which was given to him on 22 August 2024 by President of India, Droupadi Murmu. In the category of space science, Kumar shared the award with Dr Digendranath Swain of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre of ISRO. Kumar’s expertise lies in…