Research

Indian Astronomers have found a new method to understand the atmosphere of extra solar planets. They have shown that planets going around stars other than the Sun can be studied by observing the polarisation of light and studying polarisation signatures. These polarisation signatures or variations in scattering intensity of light can be observed with existing instruments and expanding the study of planets beyond the solar system using existing instruments.

India is all set to build its first deep sea, hi-tech research vessel at a cost of about ₹ 1,200 crore for purposes including exploration and it would also be used for efforts aimed at securing for the nation its rightful additional continental shelf, a top official said today.

Researchers at the Bengaluru-based Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a low-cost and effective method to detect adulterants in milk, by merely analysing the deposition patterns after evaporation. The team used the method to test for the presence of urea and water, the most common adulterants, and suggest that the technique can be extended to other adulterants also.

A process developed by Dr. Amol A. Kulkarni from CSIR-National Chemical Laboratory, Pune, can produce silver nanowires at the scale of 500 grams per day at the cost of 20$/gm when compared to 250$/gm to 400$/gm of market price.

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.