- SCIENTISTS FROM INDIA, CHINA, U.K DEVLOP CATALYST TO PRODUCE CHEAPER BIODIESEL
- A team of scientists from India, China, and the U.K. has developed an innovative catalyst that significantly reduces the cost of producing environmentally friendly biodiesel. Here are the key points about this new technology:
- Superhydrophobic Catalyst: Definition: The catalyst is described as “spherical superhydrophobic activated carbon,” meaning it repels water, similar to surfaces like lotus leaves.
- Importance: The water-repellent properties prevent the poisoning of active sites by water during biodiesel production, ensuring the catalyst’s effectiveness and longevity.
- Cost Reduction: Current Costs: The current cost of biodiesel in India is around ₹100 ($1.2) per liter.
- Projected Costs: Using this new catalyst can reduce the cost to about ₹30 (37 cents) per liter, making biodiesel more affordable and competitive with fossil fuels.
- Production Efficiency: Robustness: The catalyst can withstand the water by-product during biodiesel production, maintaining its activity and reusability over multiple cycles.
- Efficiency: This robustness and reusability make the biodiesel production process more efficient and cost-effective.
- Environmental Impact: Eco-Friendly: The catalyst is derived from biomass (cellulose), making it ecologically benign and abundant.
- Sustainable Energy: By lowering the production costs of biodiesel, the technology promotes the broader adoption of sustainable energy solutions.
- Research and Development: Publication: The research has been published in the peer-reviewed journal “Advanced Functional Materials,” highlighting its significance in the scientific community.
- Collaborators: The team includes scientists from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) in India, the University of Cambridge in the U.K., and Guizhou University in China.
2. FOREST FIRE
- Himachal Pradesh (H.P.) has experienced1,684 forest firessince April 15.
- These fires have affected 17,471 hectares of forest land, causing significant loss to wildlife.
- From 2001 to 2023, H.P. lost 957 hectares of tree coverand 4.37 thousand hectares of other drivers of loss.
- Causes of Forest Fires: Seasonal Factors: Fires occur during the pre-monsoon summer due to the depletion of snowmelt water.
- Human Activities: Unattended campfires, discarded cigarettes, etc., are common causes.
- Environmental Impact: These fires release pollutants like black carbon, contributing to glacier melt and affecting the regional climate.
- The primary causes of forest fires are faulty forestry practicesand neglecting community participation
- Historical Transformation: Forest Exploitation: The construction of 80,000 km of railway tracks between 1853-1910 led to deforestation.
- Chir Pine Expansion: The area for Chir pines expanded for timber and resin, resulting in the loss of traditional forest rights and biodiversity. Current Forest
- Management Challenges: Forest Rights: The rights of local communities to extract resources have been historically curtailed.
- Utilitarian Perspective: Forests are treated primarily for their commercial value, excluding community participation.
3. CASTE BASED ELIMINATION IN SCHOOLS : JUSTICE CHANDRU PANEL
- Formation and Purpose: The one-man committee, headed by retired Madras High Court judge K. Chandru, was constitutedby the Tamil Nadu government in response to a caste-based violence incident in Nanguneri, Tirunelveli district, in August 2023.
- The committee’s primary objective was to investigate and recommend measures to eliminate caste-based discrimination in schools. Key Recommendations:
- Prohibition of Caste Indicators: Students should be prohibited from wearing colored wristbands, rings, or forehead marksthat indicate their caste.
- Bicycles painted with caste referencesshould not be allowed.
- Caste appellations in the names of schoolsshould be removed.
- Administrative Changes: The students’ attendance register should not contain any column or details relating to their caste.
- Teachers should refrain from calling out students by their casteor making derogatory remarks related to caste.
- Seating Arrangements: Seating arrangementsin schools and colleges should be strictly based on the alphabetical orderof students’ names.
- Legislative Amendments: Amendments to the Tamil Nadu Societies Registration Act, 1975, to ensure that societies intending to start educational institutions do not include caste appellations in their names.
- Parental and Guardian Involvement: Appropriate action should be taken against students who fail to comply with these rules, and their parents or guardians should be advised accordingly.
4. KAVACH SYSTEM
- Kavachis an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) systemby Indian Railways aimed at enhancing safety by preventing train collisions.
- It is designed to ensure that trains automatically stop when they encounter any signal irregularities or if they are on a collision course.
- Key features and functionalities of the Kavach system: Automatic Braking: Kavach can automatically apply brakes if the train passes a signal at danger (red signal) or if it detects another train on the same track.
- Speed Regulation: It regulates the speed of the train according to the permissible limits.
- Collision Avoidance: The system can prevent head-on collisions between trains by maintaining a safe distance.
- Signal Overrun Prevention: It prevents trains from overshooting signals.
- Emergency Communication: Kavach facilitates communication between the train driver and the control center in case of emergencies.
5. NSAs OF INDIA AND THE US ASSURE INDUSTRY TO RESOLVE ANY BARRIERS THAT HOLD BACK RELATIONS
- Enhanced Bilateral Collaboration: Both nations emphasized the importance of staying at the forefront of technology to protect and defend their value systems.
- The roundtable facilitated discussions on how to overcome barriers to deeper India-U.S. ties, particularly in the technology and defense sectors.
- Progress in Defense Innovation and Start-ups: Significant advancements were made in the defense innovation roadmap.
- There was a particular emphasis on the semiconductor industry, which is crucial for both nations’ technological aspirations.
- Industry Engagement: The industry representatives shared their experiences and visions for future collaboration.
- Specific areas where government facilitation could help address barriers were discussed, aiming to unshackle further collaboration.
- Policy Framework and Expectations: The U.S. side emphasized the need for India to strengthen its export controls and improve the ease of doing business.
- India was urged to expedite two major defense deals: the purchase of 31 MQ-9B unmanned aerial vehicles and the local license manufacture of GE-414 jet engines.
- Liberalization and R&D Funding: India pressed for the liberalization of licensing requirements for high-tech areas.
- There was a call for increased funding for research and development to foster innovation and technological advancements.
ONE LINER
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