Research

The black tigers have been a matter of mystery. A number of questions remain unanswered about the animal such as what makes them the way they are? Is their presence unique to Similipal? Or are they present anywhere other than Similipal also but it is just that they haven’t been photographed outside of Similipal? A new study by a team of scientists drawn from several institutions both within and outside the country has now found some answers.

Indian Scientists have designed a cost-effective metal-free catalyst to convert carbon dioxide to methane by absorption of visible light. Ongoing research is making a significant effort to reduce CO2 into value-added products, methane (CH4) could be one of the value-added products with significant uses as the cleanest burning fossil fuel and can directly be used in fuel cells as a hydrogen carrier.  It is also the main component of natural gas and has the potential to replace coal for electricity generation and furnishing flexible supply to reinforce intermittent renewable generators.

Indian Scientist has developed a highly stable and non-toxic security ink from nano-materials that spontaneously emit light (luminescent) due to its unique chemical properties to combat the counterfeiting of branded goods, bank-notes, medicine, certificates, currency.

Researchers at the CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute (CMERI), Durgapur, have developed a machine that could be useful in maintaining good cleanliness and hygienic standards of Indian roads/streets. This machine sucks out the wastewater from drain/manhole using slurry pump. The drain water passes through multiple chambers and screened by different mesh size sieves, before it is finally treated with chemical disinfectant. The treated water is stored in a separate chamber that is used in jetting operation. The water intake capacity of the machine from one manhole is more than 1000 litres. The machine can utilize the water to clean the road up to next available manhole within 50-70 meters.

The approach, described in the journal Environmental Research Letters, uses satellite imageries, landslide and debris flow models, and flood prediction models to predict the geographical locations that have a high susceptibility of damages after heavy rainfall episodes. It also provides the occurrence time and magnitude of infrastructure disruptions as a consequence of landslides, debris flows, and floods, the researchers said. This hazard model can help authorities identify the ‘hotspots’ which should be reinforced and protected to solve highway-flooding issues and minimise the societal and economic disruptions, they said.

With the birth of first IVF calf of a Buffalo breed namely Banni in the country, India’s OPU – IVF work has reached to next level. This first IVF Banni calf is born out of 6 Banni IVF pregnancies established at the doorsteps of a farmer, Vinay . L. Wala of Sushila Agro farms, located at Dhanej in Somnath district of Gujarat.

From how kidney stones are formed in fruit flies to study of gene markers, from heat sink functioning in microgravity to crystallisation, an expert committee set up by the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) has shortlisted five out of the 28 proposals it received from various institutions to send as payloads to conduct experiments in space, as part of the Gaganyaan uncrewed missions.

The medicine called Mastirak Gel, developed by National Innovation Foundation (NIF) has been commercialized through the industry partner Rakesh Pharmaceuticals. It can be purchased at medical stores supplying veterinary medicines in various parts of the country.

Researchers at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras have successfully developed a white light emitter for use in LEDs. The development of energy-efficient Light Emitting Diodes or LEDs replaced the energy-inefficient incandescent lamps in lighting and display applications. While LEDs have been available in almost all colours, white LEDs are a more recent development.