Science and Technology Archives - Page 4 of 5

Artificial Intelligence

This article deals with ‘Artificial Intelligence .’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology’ which is important pillar of GS-3 syllabus . For more articles , you can click here

What is Artificial Intelligence?

Artificial intelligence is the branch of computer science concerned with making computers behave like humans
It is concerned with
- Learning from experience
- Recognising images
- SolveComplex Problems
- Understand Human Language
- Create perspectives

Side Topic : Machine Learning and Deep Learning

Machine Learning, a term coined by Artur Samuel in 1959, based on the idea that systems can learn from data, identify patterns and make decisions with minimal human intervention.

Deep Learning is a technique for implementing Machine Learning. It is inspired by the structure and function of the brain called artificial neural networks.

Examples

Driverless Cars
Games playing: AI intelligent games learn from their mistakes and are not monotonous.
Expert systems : programming computers to make decisions in real-life situations
Natural language : programming computers to understand natural human languages.
Robotics : programming computers to see and hear and react to other sensory stimuli (this is what we want to achieve ultimately)

Some problems

The problem of creating machines smarter than humans but lacking the ethical-moral impulses like compassion
Possibility of machines trying to dominate humans eg Terminator & I-Robot type of situation
Job Loss : Much of India’s advanced IT services industry might get replaced by AI
High levels of inequality : Society will have high levels of inequality because there will be jobs for high skilled persons only. Low skill jobs will be taken up by AI Machines
Ensuring data security, protection, privacy, and ethical use
Rigorous auditing to ensure non-contamination by human biases & prejudices

But new avenues too

Will create new jobs in high end technology
Many uses in Governance and public delivery
- Security : Any terrorist on wanted list can be recognised by AI Computer by stream of videos coming from CCTVs
- Analysis of Schemes and suggestions for better results
Personal Assistants : Companies like Google, Amazon(Alexa) etc are coming with personal assistants . They work on AI. Hence, now everybody can have personal assistant for free
Better Logistics : Uber, Google Maps suggesting best way etc use AI for logistic management.
Use for specially abled people

Indian Govt and AI

2018: Defence ministry set up a task for on AI for national security under N Chandrashekharan of Tata Sons.

2018-Budget gave ₹100 crore to Department of Science & Technology for a Mission on cyber physical systems.

2018 : NITI Ayog working on National Artificial Intelligence Mission (N-AIM).

2019-Interim-Budget announced a National Programme & Centre & webportal on ‘Artificial Intelligence‘.

Samarth Udyog Bharat 4.0 by Ministry of Heavy Industries to make manufacturing industry ready for Industry 4.0 by 2025.

NITI Aayog paper highlights the potential for India to become an AI ‘garage’, or solutions provider of the world.

What India can learn from other countries?

US, the global leader in AI has AI sector driven by the private sector.
China has ambition of becoming world leader in AI by 2030. The top 9 universities of China have received government funding to establish AI schools.

3D Printing

This article deals with ‘ 3D Printing – UPSC.’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology’ which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For the whole syllabus of Science and Technology, you can click here.

What is 3D Printing?

3D printing or additive manufacturing is a manufacturing technique. It involves

making three-dimensional objects
from a digital design
by adding one layer at a time.

Applications

Architecture and Construction: Countries around the world are using large 3D printers to construct multi-storied houses layer by layer. In 2021, IIT Madras has constructed India’s first house using 3D printing in just 5 days.
Medicine: Bioprinting of artificial organs like the Liver, Pancreas etc.
Manufacturing: Parts of cars and aeroplanes are being built using 3D printing.
Repairing Damaged Cultural Sites: Aleppo in Syria was re-created using 3D Printing after it was completely destroyed by ISIS.
Prototypes: Prototypes can be made very cheaply.

Any object can be made. Just make a digital design on PC, add material in the 3D Printer and it will make it.

Side Topic: Bio Ink

Advantages

No Wastage: It is an additive process, in which an object is manufactured by adding layers in contrast to present manufacturing techniques which are reduction processes. Hence, there will be no wastage of material and the cost of production will reduce dramatically.
Manufacturing Decentralisation: In contrast to centralisation i.e. making products in centralised manufacturing units, it will usher revolution of decentralised manufacturing, creating business opportunities.
Customised Products: Presently companies make standard products because the mould they use is the same. But using 3 D Printing, customised products according to the need of the person can be made without any increase in the cost of production.
Breaking manufacturing Boundaries: Using this technique, we can manufacture things that were impossible to manufacture using ordinary manufacturing techniques. Eg: Body Organs.
Saves Time: This technique does the job accurately and in less time.

Challenges

Job Losses: Single 3 D printer can make products that were earlier made by hundreds of workers.
Security challenge: Even weapons can be made at home.

Steps taken by Government

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology(MEITY) has released ‘National Strategy for Additive Manufacturing‘ to tap the potential of 3D printing in India.

Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

by admin

Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

This article deals with ‘ Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality – UPSC.’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology’ which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For the whole syllabus of Science and Technology, you can click here.

Virtual Reality

Virtual Reality (VR) is an artificial environment that is created with software and presented to the user in such a way that the user suspends belief and accepts it as a real environment.
The simplest form of VR is a 3-D image that can be explored interactively at a personal computer.
Virtual reality can be divided into:
- The simulation of a real environment for training and education.
- The development of an imagined environment for a game or interactive story.

Applications

1. Education

Virtual Reality can be used to make study more interactive in the classroom. It will help in understanding concepts and recreational activities.

2. Training

The usage of Virtual Reality from a training perspective is to allow professionals to conduct training in a virtual environment where they can improve upon their skills without the consequence of failing the operation.

3. Video Games

The use of graphics, sound and input technology in video games can be incorporated into Virtual Reality.

4. Culture & Heritage

Virtual reality enables heritage sites to be recreated extremely accurately. The original sites are often inaccessible to the public, or may even no longer exist.

5. Therapy

The primary use of Virtual Reality in a therapeutic role is its application to various forms of exposure therapy, including treating phobia patients.

6. Business Opportunities

Magic Bricks in their Mumbai Office have come up with VR technology where people will be shown and made to experience homes that Company is selling without taking clients to location.

Augmented Reality

Augmented Reality is the integration of digital information with the user’s environment in real-time. In simple terms, it means adding a layer of digital information on top of the physical world around us.

Application

Military	A transparent display is positioned directly in the fighter pilots view, showing the information about altitude, speed etc.
Museum	Audio Guide given in Museums is also a form of Augmented Reality as it adds a layer of sound.
Google Glasses	A person can get information on all the objects in his line of the site apart from many other things.
Medical	During surgery, a layer of information can be added which will help the medical practitioner in taking correct decisions.
Enhanced TV experience	Sports scores on TV during a match is an example of Augmented Reality.

Recently, it has been announced that India’s first augmented reality (AR) education and training institute will be set in Varanasi.

Extended Reality (XR)

XR is the mix of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) that combine the realms of the real and virtual.
The term came to the limelight during the Covid-19 pandemic as Extended Reality can fill the gaps in our work environment. XR can make employees feel that they are working by sitting next to their colleagues in the office, though they are spread to geographically distant places.

Cloud Computing

by admin

Cloud Computing

This article deals with ‘ Cloud Computing.’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology’ which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.

What is Cloud Computing?

Cloud Computing is a service whereby shared resources are provided to computers as metered service over a network (typically the internet). This allows consumers & businessmen to use the application without installation & access their personal files at any computer with internet access.

Benefits of Cloud Computing

Agility	Improves user’s ability to re-provision technological infrastructure.
Cost	Cost is claimed to be reduced since the infrastructure is typically provided by a third party & doesn’t need to be purchased for one time or infrequent intensive computing tasks.
Device & location independence	It enables users to access systems using a web browser regardless of their location or what they are using like PC or mobile.
Multi-tenancy	It enables sharing of resources & costs across a large pool of users thus allowing for infrastructure at lower cost & also proper utilisation of system that are often only 10-20% utilised.
Security	Security is often as good or even better than other traditional systems, in part because providers are able to devote resources to solving issues that many customers cant afford.

Service Models of Cloud Computing

Cloud Computing providers offer three fundamental services:-

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS)

It is the most basic cloud service model.
In this model, cloud providers offer equipment supporting the operations like raw storage, firewalls, balancers & networks.
The equipment is owned by the service provider, which is also responsible for housing, running and maintaining it. The client is typically charged on a per-user basis.
Example: Amazon Web Services which provides virtual server and storage.

Platform as a Service (PaaS)

In this model, the cloud provider delivers a computing platform or solution stacks like operating system, programming language execution environment and the web server.
Application developers can develop & run their software solutions on a cloud platform without the cost & complexity of buying & managing the underlying hardware & software layers.

Software as a Service (SaaS)

In this model, the cloud provider installs and operate application software in the cloud & cloud users access the software from cloud clients. This eliminates the need to install & run the application on the cloud user’s own computer simplifying maintenance & support.

Government of India’s Initiatives in Cloud Computing

1 . Meghraj (Government of India’s Cloud)

To harness the benefits of cloud technology, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has initiated a project named ‘MeghRaj’ for creating a Government of India cloud (GoI Cloud) computing environment at the national level.
The GI Cloud is envisaged to provide the following outcomes:
1. Optional utilisation of ICT infrastructure. A software availed by any department in the government of India can be made available to other departments with no additional costs;
2. Speedy development and deployment of e-Gov applications;
3. Quick replication of successful applications;
4. e-Governance
5. App Store hosting certified applications.

2. DigiLocker

It is part of the government’s Digital India Initiative, to enable Indian citizens to store certain official documents like PAN, driving licence, passport, mark sheets etc. on the cloud.
It is linked to a person’s Aadhar number.
It is based on the IaaS model as storage (infrastructure) is provided as a service.
Driving License and Registration Certificates have also been linked with the Digilocker. People will no longer need to carry around physical copies of their RCs and Driving Licences. They can instead access digital copies of the same on their mobile phones via the DigiLocker mobile app.
Digital locker minimizes the usage of physical documents.

Internet of Things

by admin

Internet of Things

This article deals with ‘Internet of Things- UPSC.’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For more articles on S, you can click here.

What is Internet of Things?

The internet of things (IoT) is the network of physical devices, vehicles and other items embedded with network connectivity that enables these objects to collect and exchange data with each other.

Earlier	Internet of People i.e. (only) people used the internet to communicate with each other.
Present	Internet of Things i.e. things will (also) use the internet to communicate with each other.

Economic Survey (2019) mentioned that the Government is considering the rollout of a 13-digit Machine to Machine (M2M) Numbering Plan for M2M communication.

Example of IoT in our life

How is IoT achieved ?

This is achieved by

Finely fabricated micro-controllers which are small computers themselves. They are used internally by various single-board computers.
Sensors to collect information.

Applications of Internet of Things

Healthcare Sector: IoT based devices can be used in combination with the cardiac monitor to raise an alarm to the doctor in case of abnormality.
Agriculture Sector: IoT can be used to gather live pedological data that can be used by scientists to improve the yield of the land. It can also help in implementing precision agriculture.
Transportation Sector: IoT can help in the early detection of wear and tear to prevent accidents. Apart from that, Self Driving Cars will use it for taking real-time decision.
Energy Management: IoT will help in managing temperatures in Nuclear Power Plants using sensors.
IoT will help in providing virtual personal assistant to every person on the earth.

Issues related to Internet of Things

Privacy Intrusion: There is a danger that these smart devices can be used to intrude into the privacy of common people. An example of this came in Amazon Echo / Victor Collin case (2017 in the US) . Hence, IoT devices can be used by State Agencies opening up avenues for Orwellian levels of surveillance.
The high initial cost of setup and technology will not be equitable thus increasing the gap between the haves and have nots.

India and IoT

Smart City Project and Digital India Program are going to lead to a rapid growth of IoT industry in India.
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MEITY) has also drafted India’s Internet of Things Policy with provisions like (1) funding of various IoT projects, (2) promote Venture Funds that support IoT related projects, (3) 100% duty waiver on import of raw material for manufacturing of IoT devices, (4) develop workforce with required skillset to work in IoT industry etc.
Indian IoT company Smartron has developed ‘tronX‘ – an artificially intelligent IoT platform.

Big Data

by admin

Big Data

This article deals with ‘ Big Data .’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here

What is Big Data?

Big data is a catchphrase used to denote a set of data, both structured and unstructured, so large that it is not possible to analyse and process it by using conventional database management systems. Such a huge surge in data has occurred due to a burgeoning number of information capturing devices like mobiles, cameras, sensors, etc. and a less increase in our storage capacity despite the latter being digital now.
It is characterised by 4Vs
- Volume – Volume is huge
- Velocity – It is being created at a huge speed.
- Variety – It is of a large variety.
- Veracity – There is uncertainty about their truth.

Big Data in itself is not of use unless it is structured and analysed.

Use of Big Data Analytics

Business

Customisation of services: Companies use Big Data to analyse their customers’ preferences like likes and dislikes and tailor their products accordingly. This brings more satisfaction to the customer.
Big Data helps business in cost reductions, time reductions, new product development and optimised offerings. Instead of focusing only on profit and loss, it integrates a wide range of insights, taking into account each and every factor that could possibly influence the business.

Science and Technology

Using Big Data, research data can be captured in more depth & analysed in a better way. Eg: data at the Large Hadron Collider for atomic research.

Security

Big Data can be used to analyse fund transfer, emails, web accounts etc. to enhance our preparedness to tackle terrorism (by creating cyber trials).
Intelligence Bureau of India is also using Big Data analyses in its Operation Chakravyuh.

Governance

Big data can be analysed for targeted delivery of schemes, maintain a record of beneficiaries, analyse the response of the electorate to policies, predict future trends and demands of population etc.

Health

Big Data can be used in developing the treatment of various complicated diseases. Eg: canSAR Project (the canSAR project is the biggest database of cancer response to various drugs).

Charitable sector

Some social organisations are using open government data to improve advocacy and fundraising.

Sports

Big Data is used to analyse and improve the performance of individuals (at sports, at home or work) where data from sensors in equipment and wearable devices can be combined with video analytics to get insights that traditionally were impossible to observe.

Big Data in India

With a population of 1.2 billion, the relevance of Big Data Analysis becomes all the more pronounced for India.
It is not only being used by private players but also by government agencies for policymaking.

Big Data & Government

Big Data Management Policy, 2016: It was launched by CAG and led to the foundation of Data Analytics. Along with that National Informatics Centre (NIC) launched a website to share the data of various ministries with citizens.
NITI Aayog has also echoed the idea of evidence-based policymaking guided by Big Data.
Internal Security: NATGRID is an example of Big Data Analytics. Apart from that, the Intelligence Bureau of India is also using Big Data analyses in its Operation Chakravyuh.
The government is using large data from the Goods And Services Tax Network (GSTN) to understand the patterns of trade.
Project Insight used Big Data to identify tax evaders.
The government of India is also working towards an Open Data Policy, to encourage sharing of information between departments and across ministries.
Aarogyashri Healthcare Trust by the Telangana government uses data analytics to identify disease trends.
Justice BN Srikrishna Committee recommended that personal data can be processed for purposes that are lawful. An individual has the right to withdraw consent to process his data.

Issues (wrt India)

Absence of good quality of datasets as the dataset is found to be
1. Outdated and incomplete.
2. Lacking in semantic interoperability.
Lack of competent professionals/ data scientists: According to NASSCOM, there is a deficit of 1.4 lakh data scientists.
Privacy Concern: There are concerns about the misuse of Big Data by intruding into the personal sphere of individuals.
Data Sovereignty Issue: Indian data collected for Data processing is taken abroad and stored in servers situated outside India.
Lack of coordination and cooperation between different ministries as well as between public and private sector.
Ethics of big data: It comes into role as a huge amount of private data is available and how and where it should be put to use raises the question.

Generations of Wireless Communication

by admin

Generations of Wireless Communication

This article deals with ‘Generations of Wireless Communication .’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology’ which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here

Introduction

Mobile Generations is a system used by cellular telephone manufacturers and service providers to classify wireless communication into several generations; each generation is characterized by new frequency bands, higher data rates and non–backwards-compatible transmission technology. In the recent past, mobile wireless technologies have undergone technology evolution from 0G TO 5G.

0G

It is also known as Mobile Radio Telephone or Pre-Cellular.
It was usually mounted in cars & trucks although briefcase models were also available.
Motorola in conjugation with Mobile Telephone System (MTS) introduced it in the US in 1946.

1G

1G technology was Analog Telecommunication standard.
It was introduced in the 1980s.
Main Use: Voice Calls.
Limitations: Limited capacity, not secure and background interference.
Speed: 2 Kbps

2G

It was commercially launched as GSM standard in Finland in 1991.
It uses Digital Technology (Main difference between 1G & 2G is 1G was analog and 2G was digital).
2G has two technologies i.e. TDMA (GSM) & CDMA.
Main Uses: Voice calls, short messages and browsing .
Limitations: Low network range and slow data rates due to which it can’t handle complex data such as videos .
Speed: 64 Kbps

2.5G

2G cellular technology with GPRS (General Packet Data Service) is called 2.5G.
It provides the usage of e-mails, MMS, web browsing and camera facilities.
Speed: 144 Kbps

EDGE or 2.75G

EDGE = Enhanced Data Rule for GSM Evolution
It has the same network design, but the data speed was increased noticeably (3 times that of GPRS) .
It had the added advantage that there was no need to install additional hardware by the telecom companies.

3G

3G was introduced in 2000.
Improvements over 2G: Clarity in Voice calls, digital broadband and increment in speed.
Main Uses: Text and high speed internet.
Limitations: High power consumption, Low network coverage and High cost of spectrum licence.
Speed: 2 Mbps
Introduction of 3G technology gave rise to applications not previously available like
1. Mobile TV
2. Telemedicine
3. Video on Demand
1. Videoconferencing
1. Location based services

4G

Benefits over 3G : Very high speeds at lower price than 3G.
Main Uses: High speed applications, IP Telephony , Video Calling , gaming services, HD Tv, 3D TV and Wearable devices.
Limitations: LTE supported mobiles and complicated hardware required to use 4G mobile technologies.
Speed: 1 Gbps

LTE (Long Term Evolution)

4th Generation Network is called LTE (Long Term Evolution).
LTE was designed only as data network.
LTE has brought very high bandwidth to mobile devices and data transfer has become very fast.

VoLTE (Voice Over LTE)

VoLTE is a voice technology that works over the LTE data connection.
It has extremely high voice quality. It also includes the ability to make video calls.

5G

5G technology has ultra High Speeds and presents a big leap forward from the present 4G technology.
Main Use :
1. Internet of Things (5G System will be intelligent enough to allocate resources. Eg: Driverless car which needs to take a decision in a fraction of seconds will be given greater bandwidth than ordinary user).
2. Hologram TV
3. Augmented reality
Limitations: It is not Net Neutral and involves high costs.
It will use drones and balloons to provide internet everywhere.
Speed: more than 20 Gbps.

Advantages of 5G Technology

Faster data speed of more than 20 Gbps.
Ultra-low latency: Latency refers to the time it takes for one device to send a packet of data to another device. In 4G the latency rate is around 50 milliseconds but 5G will reduce that to about 1 millisecond. Hence, it can be used in driverless cars where such things are required.
5G has 30 GHz of available spectrum in comparison to lesser 3 GHz for 4G.
5G antennae consume very little power compared to existing technology. Hence, it will make 5G handsets energy efficient.
With higher speed, 5G will improve the quality of remote learning by allowing real-time interactivity and transporting students to virtual classrooms.
As per the OECD Committee on Digital Economic Policy, 5G technologies rollout will help in increasing GDP, creating employment and digitizing the economy.
It will help to incorporate technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) & Artificial Intelligence in our lives. It is said that 5G is the foundation for realising the full potential of IoT.
Agriculture: 5G can enable improvement in the entire value chain, from precision farming, smart irrigation, improved soil and crop monitoring, to livestock management.

Challenges in rolling out 5G

5G will not be net neutral.
Integration of various standards of 5G: There are already multiple groups working to come up with standards around interoperability, backward compatibility with older technologies etc. Thus standardisation becomes a major challenge
Building Infrastructure: It is a huge task, with issues around spectrum and installing new antennas.
Expensive Spectrum in India than other countries.
Lack of skilled professionals who can advance 5G technology.
The reluctance of people to adopt and support the technology due to unaddressed rumours related to possible health hazards posed by 5G radiations.
Obstacles like buildings, trees and even bad weather can cause interruptions which would require more base stations to be built to ensure better connections.

Other information

South Korea has become the world’s first country to launch 5th-Generation (5G) networks.
Shanghai has become the World’s First City With 5G Network Coverage.

Indian readiness to adopt 5G

In India, Steering Committee, headed by AJ Paulraj has submitted a report titled ‘Making India 5G Ready’.
Jan 2021: Bharti Airtel successfully demonstrated its live 5G service in Hyderabad, the first in India showcasing its readiness for the 5G technology.
Department of Telecommunication (DoT) has given permission to 4 Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) i.e. Jio, Airtel, Vi and MTNL for conducting trials for the use of and applications of 5G technology (May 2021).
D10 Club: “D10″ club is the group of 10 Democratic countries– UK, US, Italy, Germany, France, Japan and Canada plus Australia, South Korea and India with aim of creating alternative suppliers of 5G equipment and other technologies to avoid relying on China.

2019 Huawei Issue

Chinese company Huawei is the frontrunner in 5 G Technology. But the US is against the operations of Huawei because of the following reasons:-

Huawei’s founder is an ex-PLA Officer & Huawei indulge in cyber espionage & leaking data to the Chinese government.
Other Reason – The US doesn’t want that monopoly of its tech giants like IBM, Google etc is threatened. Until now, rules of the game were written by US firms but Huawei is challenging it (whoever writes the rules will have inherent benefit in future).

Super Computers

by admin

This article deals with ‘Super Computers .’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For more articles on Science and Technology, you can click here

Super Computers

Super-Computers are computers with gigaflop capabilities.
Currently, American “Summit” is the fastest Computer. But China has the most number of Supercomputers in the Top 500.
Uses: Super Computers are used where large processing power is required. Their uses include
- Weather forecasting (eg: timely warning of cyclones)
- Codebreaking
- Genetic analysis
- Scientific research (like at CERN)
- Data Mining & Big Data Analysis

National Supercomputing Mission

It was launched in 2015.
It is the joint mission of the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MEITY) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and implemented by C-DAC & IISc (Bangalore).
The mission envisages empowering academic and R&D institutions by installing a supercomputing grid comprising more than 70 high-performance computing (HPC) facilities.
PARAM Shivay is the first supercomputer built under this project and installed at IIT-BHU. Later, Param Shakti was installed in IIT-Kharagpur and Param Brahma was installed in IISER-Pune.
Under the mission, India has also signed an agreement with French company Atos to design and instal a supercomputer named BullsSequana.

Supercomputers of India

Pratyush
Mihir
Sahastra T
TIFR Colour Boson
Param
Saga 220

Pratyush and Mihir

Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has set up a high-performance computing (HPC) system consisting of two supercomputers Mihir and Pratyush (which can be connected with each other to solve high-level computations).
- Pratyush installed at the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune having a capacity of 4 petaflops.
- Mihir installed at National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting, Noida having a capacity of 2.8 petaflops
- (=> giving a total capacity of 6.8 petaflops.)

It is India’s first multi-petaflop supercomputer and is the fourth fastest supercomputer in the world which is dedicated to weather and climate research after Japan, U.S.A. and United Kingdom.
It has also taken India up from the earlier 365th position to top 30 in the infrastructural ranking of Top 500 HPC facilities in the world.

Saga 220

SAGA = Supercomputer for Aerospace with GPU Architecture
SAGA 220 is a supercomputer built by ISRO in 2011 with 220 Teraflops peak performance. It can be scaled up to Petaflop (i.e. 1000 Teraflop) capability.
Use: Space scientists use it to solve complex aerospace problems.
The project is worth (just) 14 crore and it consumes a power of only 150 kilowatts (=> It is presented as a Model of cheap and environmentally green Super-computer).

Quantum Computer

Quantum Computer is the computer design that uses the principle of quantum physics to increase computational power beyond what is attainable by a traditional computer.
Normal computer functions by using 1s and 0s retained in electronic components such as transistors. But Quantum Computer would store information as either 1,0 or a quantum superposition of two states enhancing computational capabilities.
The basic unit of quantum computing the qubit (quantum + bit). While the bit in conventional computers is either a digital “1″ or “0”, the qubit can contain “1″, “0” or ‘or a quantum superposition of two states”.

Applications of Quantum Computers

High-level R&D with the help of simulations.
Quantum communications are very secure and fast.
Quantum Cryptography
Big Data Analysis
Deep Learning
Quantum computing can bring down the space needed to store data.

Steps taken by India to promote Quantum Computing

Budget 2020 announced that the Government of India will start the National Mission on Quantum Technologies for a period of 5 years.
Department of Science and Technology started Mission Mode Project called QuST (Quantum Science and Technology) aimed at making Quantum Computer.
Quantum Communication based Satellite named QuEST (Quantum Experiments Using Satellite Technology) is being built by ISRO.
Niti Aayog has pitched for using Quantum Computing for Big Data Analysis.

Challenges of Quantum Computers

Quantum Computers have the potential to decode and crack the world’s encrypted data by breaching security measures easily, thus posing threat to data as well as internal security.
Hardware difficulties in developing a system such as qubits which are made from silicon atoms and work at a very low temperature, near-zero degree kelvin.
Funding issues as huge funds are required to set up labs.
Issues in building Public-Private and Academia-Industry Partnership.

Grid Computing

Grid Computing is the cheapest model to make supercomputer using unused power of computers that are on the same network.
It is the emerging computing model which provides the ability to perform higher throughput by taking advantage of many networked computers.
It is the parallel division of labour between processes. It uses the resources of many separate computers connected by a network usually the internet to solve large scale computational problems.
A large problem is solved by breaking it into smaller parts.

Common features of Grid Computing

It is the model for solving the massive computational problem by making use of unused resources of a large number of computers.
It has the design goal of solving problems too big for any single supercomputer.

Applications of Grid Computing

Climate Modelling	It can solve the massive computational problem by means of combining unutilised power in thousands of personal computers worldwide.
Educational institutions	It provides a cheaper option for educational institutions using a cluster of standard computers that can achieve teraflop performance. Usually, such educational institutions can’t afford the cost of the supercomputer.
Government agencies	Grid Computing can be used to combine geographically spread high-performance computing resources to tackle national tasks like electoral rolls or tax databases.

Other Developments in Grid Computing

Garuda	It is an Indian Grid Computing initiative connecting 17 cities across India & 45 participating institutions.
World Community Grid (WCG)	– Supported by IBM which has donated hardware, software & technical services. – One can join WCG by downloading software application from the internet. – When the computer is idling, this software programme will use its power to work on the grid’s project & when it is in normal use, the software will stop working for the grid.

Memcomputer

Memcomputer is a new type of computer that works by mimicking the human brain.
In conventional computers, processing & memory occur at separate places. Hence, it consumes time & energy putting limitations on computations. But in Memcomputers, processing & storage occur at the same place (just like our brain) leading to fast processing.
The processing capability of the order of Quantum Computers which operate at extremely low temperature can be achieved in memcomputers operating at normal temperature.

Radio Isotopes and their Uses

by admin

Last Update: May 2023 (Radio Isotopes and their Uses)

Radio Isotopes and their Uses

This article deals with ‘Radio Isotopes and their Uses .’ This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology’ which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.

Introduction

Isotopes of some elements are unstable and hence radioactive. E.g.: Iodine-131, Indium-92, Molybdenum-99, Chromium-51, Phosphorous-32 etc.

Applications of Radio Isotopes

1. Energy

Energy can be produced by using nuclear fission and fusion in a controlled way using nuclear reactors.

2. Agriculture

To develop mutant crops: Radioisotopes is used to develop high yield, disease-resistant varieties
BARC has produced green manure crop Sesbania Rostrata using this
Food irradiation: Food irradiation is used for food preservation, in which radiation is used to break chemical bonds of enzymes needed for chemical reactions. It increases the shelf life of perishable food. CODEX & HACCP accept food irradiation. Prevention of Food Adulteration Act has provisions regarding food irradiation.

3. Medicine and Healthcare

Nuclear medicine is a medical speciality that uses trace amounts of radioactive substances (called radio-pharmaceuticals) to diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases and conditions safely and painlessly.
1. Thyroid cancer is treated using I-131 (iodine)
2. Bhabhatron, designed by BARC, is used to treat Breast Cancer, Bowel Cancer, Head and Neck Cancer and Lung Cancer using radioactive Co-60 (Cobalt).
3. Brachytherapy is done by placing sealed radioactive sources at or near the target area. It is used for treating Prostate Cancer using Iridium-192
Radio Immunoassay to measure Hormones, Enzymes and Serum Proteins.
Radiation Sterilization is used to sterilize medical products such as syringes, cotton wool etc.

4. Dating / Archaeology

C-14 Dating: Radioactivity of a particular isotope of Carbon, i.e. C-14, is used by archaeologists to ascertain the age of dead organisms.
Uranium Dating: Uranium dating is used to date the rocks formed 1 million to 4.5 billion years ago.

5. Sludge Hygenization

Radiation Technology is used to hygienize the sludge and manufacture manure from it. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) is using this technique.

6. Insect and Pest Control

7. Detecting Leakage

Radioactivity can be used to detect the point of leakage in underground pipelines. The point of leakage has high levels of radiation.

8. Other uses

Water Management: BARC has developed desalination technologies for providing potable water in rural areas & on ships using radioactive materials.
Industry: Radioisotopes are used in the quality control of industrial products.

IRNSS / NAVIC

by admin

Last Updated: May 2023 (IRNSS / NAVIC)

IRNSS / NAVIC

This article deals with ‘IRNSS / NAVIC‘. This is part of our series on ‘Science and Technology which is an important pillar of the GS-3 syllabus. For more articles, you can click here.

How Global Positioning System (GPS) works?

GPS is the network of 24 Satellites that orbits the Earth transmitting signals back to Earth. GPS triangulates the position by comparing the time when the signal was transmitted by the satellite with the time it was received. With the help of 3 satellites locked by the receiver, the 2D position (latitude & longitude) can be determined, and with 4 satellites, the 3D position can be determined (latitude, longitude & altitude).
GPS receiver is only a receiver, without any transmitting capability. The satellites contain highly precise atomic clocks, generating some code that keeps transmitting to the Earth.

IRNSS / NAVIC

At present, only a few countries have fully functional global navigation systems. These include

USA	NAVSTAR
Russia	GLONASS
China	Beidou Compass
Japan	Quasi-Zenith
Europe	Galileo

American GPS has 24 satellites covering all parts of the world. Indian GPS (named NAVIC) has just 7 satellites covering India and 1,500 km beyond its borders.
7 satellites of NAVIC or IRNCC has the following composition
- 3 Geostationary Satellites
- 4 Geosynchronous Satellites with an inclination of 29 degrees
Area of Service of IRNSS includes
- Primary Service Area: up to 1,500 km from India’s boundary.
- Extended Service Area: rectangle imagined by 30° S and 50° N and 30° E and 130° E.
NAVIC has an accuracy of 20 m (compared to 15 m of American GPS).

Timeline

1979	The first satellite of GPS (USA) was launched.
1982	The first satellite of GLONASS was launched.
2006	The Indian government approved this project.
2016 April	All 7 satellites were placed in orbit & Modi named this system NAVIC, i.e. Navigation with Indian Constellation.

Applications of IRNSS

Terrestrial, aerial and marine navigation.
Disaster management
vehicle tracking and fleet management.
Integration with mobile.
Precise timing
Terrestrial navigation aid for hikers and travellers.
Geotagging of all the assets created under schemes like MNREGA, RKVY etc.

Why should the Indian Government waste money on IRNSS/NAVIC? Why not simply use American GPS at a fraction of that cost?

Access to a foreign GPS is not guaranteed during a hostile situation. During Indo-Pakistan War (Kargil War) in 1999, the rumour circulated that the US was denying India access to the most precise level of its GPS. Although this rumour was never substantiated, this scenario presented the advantage of having such a system fully under Indian Control.
Americans sent wrong GPS signals to Iraqi planes during the Iraq war, and the same can happen with India as well.
It also bolsters the ability of India to serve as a net security provider in the neighbourhood and Indian Ocean Region.
It will increase the technical prowess of India and help it in becoming a knowledge-based economy.
It can play a role in relief efforts post disasters such as the tsunami in the Indian Ocean region in 2004.

Use in Diplomacy

As a goodwill gesture, Modi said that our SAARC neighbours could use it who depend on foreign GPS services.

New developments wrt NAVIC

December 2020: International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has recognized NavIC as a World-Wide Radio Navigation System (WWRNS) component. It will enable NAVIC’s utilization in maritime navigation, surveying and others.
Jan 2020: Qualcomm Technologies has unveiled mobile chipsets supporting the IRNSS/ NAVIC. Now Mobile manufacturers can release NAVIC enabled phones in India.

GAGAN

GAGAN = GPS Aided Geo Augmented Navigation System
GAGAN is intended to meet civil aviation requirements, and ISRO has worked with the Airports Authority of India to establish GAGAN.
It is a satellite-based augmentation system for Civil Aviation purposes.
It depends on GPS (American navigation system) and Indian satellites like GSAT 8, 10 & 15.
GAGAN provides position to aeroplanes in the Indian airspace with an accuracy of 3 m.