GOA
Mechanised farming to get major boost
With a view to promote mechanised farming, the state government has prepared an action plan setting out short, middle and long-term goals.
Among the short term goals to be achieved by 2021 are creation of five farm machinery banks in addition to 110 available in the state, and subsidising three harvesters to the targeted group of registered farmers, agriculture societies and NGOs with the objective of accentuating paddy cultivation.
Increasing farm machinery banks and Custom Hiring Centres by 12 by 2023, and promoting mechanised transplanting of paddy by creating two service providers equipped with all infrastructural facilities, in addition to seven service providers available in the state, constitute the middle term goals.
The objectives of the action plan are stated to be as follows: Promotion of mechanization to overcome shortage and high cost of labour, reducing cost of cultivation of crops and increasing net return to farmers, reducing drudgery of farmers, especially farm women, and bringing mechanization within reach of the common farmer.
INTERNATIONAL
Scientists Have Discovered Artificial Photosynthesis
Artificial Photosynthesis (AP) provides solutions for carbon capture and conversion. Highlights:
Scientists have discovered a way to imitate nature’s own process of reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, i.e, photosynthesis, to capture excess carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
The Artificial Photosynthesis (AP) uses solar energy and converts the captured carbon dioxide into carbon monoxide, which can be used as a fuel for internal combustion engines.
In Artificial Photosynthesis, scientists basically perform the same basic process in natural photosynthesis, but with a simpler nanostructure. However, to successfully implement Artificial Photosynthesis, there are many obstacles to overcome.
A team of scientists from JNCASR designed and manufactured an integrated catalytic system based on a metal organic framework (MOF-808), which includes a photosensitizer (a molecule that absorbs light and transfers electrons from incident light to another molecule nearby). The molecule can use solar energy and catalytic centers, and ultimately reduce carbon dioxide.
The developed catalyst shows excellent visible light-driven reduction of CO2 to CO selectivity, and the selectivity exceeds 99%
Launch of US India Artificial Intelligence
US-India Artificial Intelligence (USIAI) program launched About USIAI:
USIAI is an initiative of IUSSTF.
The Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) established in accordance with the agreement reached between the Indian and United States governments in 2000 is an autonomous bilateral organization funded by the two governments to promote science, technology, engineering and innovation and aims to achieve substantial interaction between the government and academia and industry.
The nodal organization of GOI is the Department of Science & Technology.
The USIAI plan focuses on AI cooperation in key areas that are prioritized by both countries.
USIAI will become a platform to discuss the opportunities, challenges and obstacles of bilateral AI R&D cooperation, realize AI innovation, help share ideas for the development of AI workforce, and recommend models and mechanisms to promote partnerships.
NATIONAL
Indian Scientists Developed High Electron Mobility Transistors
The New technology of High Electron Mobility Transistor will enable India to become self-reliant in power transistor technology. Highlights:
Indian scientists have developed highly reliable HEMTs using gallium nitride (GaN).
This is the first indigenous HEMT equipment ever that can be used in electric vehicles, locomotives, power transmission and other areas that require high-voltage and high-frequency switching.
This will reduce the cost of stable and efficient transistors needed to import power electronics.
This advanced technology is still the first. It uses a chemical substance called a ternary oxide (composed of two different metal ions combined in an oxide matrix or Al, Ti and O), which behaves like a material with a large positive charge concentration (p-type material).
Eliminates the inherent reliability and performance problems of industrial technology in the use of electronic mode HEMTs, so that efficient power switching systems can be developed. Scientists come from the Department of Electrical Engineering and the Nanoscience and Engineering Center of the Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore. About HEMTs:
The High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT) is a normally-off device that can switch currents up to 4A and work at 600 V.
HEMT is used as a digital on-off switch in integrated circuits.
HEMT transistors can work at higher frequencies (up to millimeter wave frequencies) than ordinary transistors and are used in high-frequency products such as mobile phones, satellite TV receivers, voltage converters, and radar equipment.
Proposal for Vehicle Scrapping Policy
The Minister of Road Transport and Highways issued a Suo Moto Statement in Parliament on the proposal for a ” Vehicle Scrapping Policy “. About Vehicle Scrapping Policy:
In order to protect the environment and the safety of drivers and pedestrians, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways is introducing a Voluntary Vehicle-Fleet Modernization Program or “Vehicle Scrapping Policy” to establish an ecosystem that eliminates substandard and polluting vehicles. .
The objectives of the policy are:
Reduce the number of old and defective vehicles.
Reduce car air pollutants to fulfill India’s climate commitments.
Improve road and vehicle safety.
Improve fuel efficiency.
Formalize the current informal scrapped automobile industry.
Increase the supply of low-cost raw materials in the automotive, steel and electronics industries.
The ecosystem is expected to attract additional investment of approximately Rs. 10,000 Crore and 35,000 job opportunities.
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