99notes - In-Science Reporter August 2023
99notes - In-Science Reporter August 2023
99notes.in/current-affairs-upsc/science-reporter-upsc/science-reporter-august-2023/
NEWS IN BRIEF:
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The newly developed dressing will be beneficial in the healing process. The study was
published in the Journal Colloids and Interfacial Science.
2/16
4) Researchers Develop New Superconducting Diode
The University of Minnesota Twin Cities-led team has developed a new
superconducting diode, a key component in electronic devices, that could help scale up
quantum computers for industry use and improve the performance of Artificial
Intelligence systems. The paper was published in Nature Communications.
Compared to other superconducting diodes, the researchers’ device is more energy
efficient, can process multiple electrical signals at a time, and contains a series of gates
to control the flow of energy, a feature that has never before been integrated into a
superconducting diode.
3/16
Rao has been selected for the honour for his contribution to the world of statistics that
has a profound influence on science.
4/16
The newly discovered exoplanet TOI 4603b is one of the most massive and densest
giant planets that orbit very close to its host star at a distance less than 1/10th the
distance between our Sun and Earth.
The figure on the left shows an artistic impression comparing the distances between
the TOI-4603 star-planet system and the Sun-Mercury and Sun-Jupiter systems. It is
noteworthy that the TOI-4603b planet, which has the same size as Jupiter, is situated
more than fifty times closer to its star than Jupiter is to the Sun. On the right is a
comparison between the TOI-4603b planet and Jupiter,which is 13 times more massive
than Jupiter.
This discovery marks the third exoplanet discovery by India, and by the PRL
scientists using the PARAS spectrograph and the PRL 1.2 m telescope, following the
discoveries in 2018 (K2-236b) and 2021 (TOI-1789b).
Past expeditions:
Chandrayaan-1
Chandrayaan-2
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India’s second mission to the Moon, Chandrayaan-2 was launched on board GSLV Mk
III (Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle, now renamed now as LVM III) rocket on
22 July 2019.
While Chandrayaan-1 was designed for remote sensing observations of the Moon
surface, Chandrayaan-2 is a composite module consisting of three components:
a lunar orbiter, Vikram-Lander and Pragyan-Rover.
Chandrayaan-3
Mission Objectives:
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To achieve the above mission objectives, several advanced technologies have
been introduced in Chandrayaan-3 including instrumentation redundancy,
structural rigidity and multiple contingencies.
The primary objectives of Chandrayaan-3 are to demonstrate the capability of the
Vikram-Lander’s soft landing on the south polar region of the Moon where no
country has attempted to reach so far and to conduct the Pragyan rover on the
lunar surface.
The PM will be used as a relay satellite; it will remain in lunar orbit to enable
communications with Earth.
The main function of PM is to carry the Lander Module (Lander + Rover configuration)
from launch injection (170 x 36,500 km Earth orbit) to 100 km circular polar Lunar orbit.
Thereafter it will get separated from the Lander Module.
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As a value addition, the Propulsion Module also includes one scientific payload,
Spectro-polarimetry of HAbitable Planet Earth (SHAPE), which will be operated
post-separation of the Lander Module.
SHAPE payload is designed to study the spectral and Polari metric measurements
of Earth from lunar orbit.
The reflected light would enable us to probe a variety of Exo-planets that would
qualify for habitability (or for the presence of life).
Lander-Vikram Module:
The Lander (Vikram named after Indian space programme pioneer Vikram Sarabhai) is
box shaped (200 x 200 x 116.6 cm) with four landing legs.
It is responsible for the precise soft landing on the lunar surface.
The four legs of the Lander will absorb energy while touching down on the Moon and
provide stability to it for further operations.
After the Lander lands on the Moon, the ramp opens and the Rover descends to the
lunar surface.
The Lander carries the Rover inside a compartment. It has a ramp for deployment onto the
lunar surface. Similar to Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3 Lander has four scientific payloads
to perform experiments on the lunar surface.
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Chandra’s Surface Thermo-Physical Experiment (CHaSTE): ChaSTE consists of a
thermal probe with sensors and a heater and measures the vertical temperature
gradient and thermal conductivity into the lunar regolith down to a depth of ~10 cm near
the polar region.
Instrument for Lunar Seismic Activity (ILSA): ILSA is a triple axis, MEMS-based
seismometer that can detect minute ground displacement, velocity, or acceleration
caused by lunar quakes. Its primary objective is to characterise the seismicity around
the landing site.
Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA): LRA provided by NASA’s Goddard Space Flight
Centre is employed as a passive experiment to understand the dynamics of Earth’s
Moon system. It will take precise measurements of the distance between the reflector
on the lunar surface and satellites in lunar orbit.
Conclusion:
The successful landing of Chandrayaan-3 Lander would make India only the fourth
nation to accomplish landing and roving on the Moon’s surface after Russia, United
States and China.
Further, India is poised to reach the harshest but more resourceful south pole terrain of
Moon that no one has ever been able to succeed.
9/16
What is field study?
Field study is an essential and integral part of the learning about living organisms
including plants, animals and the teeming microbes that outnumber all plants and
animals taken together.
Learning biology in field settings is a real time experience which helps in the
development of creativity, environmental awareness and a sense of accountability
towards nature among students.
However, during the last two decades, there has been considerable decline in the
interest for field-studies among both students and teachers in the area of botany.
This loss of interest has amplified further during recent times leading to a total
disconnect between learning botany in laboratory and in nature.
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Importance of Field Botany:
The importance of field study is immense as it provides opportunities to create not only
better science but also better scientists, citizens, and people thereby substantially
affecting the human-nature relationship that forms the basis for sustainability.
Classroom teaching of botany needs to be supplemented with field-trips. In fact,
teachers too need to acquire field knowledge and also to be trained to take students to
field excursions.
Organisations like the Botanical Survey of India (BSI), State Forest Departments,
and Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE) can play a pivotal
role in this direction by introducing and conducting regular refresher courses involving
‘field-based studies’.
It can be made mandatory for colleges and university to send at least one faculty
member of botany for such refreshers courses on regular basis.
To strengthen our base of experts in field-botany, governments could consider creating
additional positions in universities.
Context:
Traditional materials, such as metals and plastics, have been widely used in various
engineering applications, but their properties and performance characteristics are often
limited, making them unsuitable for modern engineering requirements.
As a result, there has been a growing interest in developing new materials, such as
composite materials, that can offer enhanced properties and performance.
Composites are a distinctive type of materials that are created by blending two or
more dissimilar materials to form a novel material with superior properties
compared to its constituent parts.
The resulting composite material can be designed to possess specific characteristics
such as high strength, stiffness, toughness, and corrosion resistance, among
others.
Main Components:
Reinforcement
Matrix
The reinforcement provides the composite with its strength and stiffness.
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The matrix holds the reinforcement in place and transfers the load between the
reinforcement.
Uses:
Composite materials have been used in a variety of engineering applications,
ranging from aerospace to biomedical engineering.
The use of composite materials has also led to significant advancements in the design
and manufacture of various engineering components, such as aircraft parts, automotive
components, and medical implants.
Advantages:
One of the most significant advantages of composite materials is their high strength-
to weight ratio, which makes them particularly attractive for applications where weight
reduction is critical.
Additionally, composite materials can exhibit excellent fatigue resistance, corrosion
resistance, and impact resistance, making them ideal for applications where
durability and reliability are essential.
Advantages:
biodegradability,
renewability,
reduced environmental impact.
Applications:
Biocomposites Manufacturing:
The fibers can be processed and modified in various ways, such as chemical
treatments and mechanical processing, to improve their properties and compatibility
with the biopolymer matrix.
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Matrix materials: Some commonly used biopolymers for Biocomposites include:
Starch
Cellulose
Lignin
Proteins
Polylactic Acid (PLA)
One common method involves blending the natural fibers with a biopolymer
matrix, such as starch or Polylactic Acid (PLA).
Another method involves impregnating the natural fibers with the biopolymer
matrix using techniques such as solution casting or hot pressing.
In some cases, Biocomposites can also be prepared using 3D printing techniques, in
which the natural fibers and biopolymer matrix are printed layer-by-layer to form a
composite structure.
Biodegradability
Reduced Environmental Impact
Renewability
Lightweight and high strength
Customizability
Bioplastics:
Bioplastics are a type of plastic that are made from renewable biomass sources, such
as vegetable fats and oils, corn starch, pea starch, or microbiota, instead of
traditional petrochemicals.
This is in contrast to Biocomposites which are made by combining natural fibers with a
biopolymer matrix, resulting in a material that is both strong and lightweight.
Conclusion:
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Despite the challenges like high production costs, limited processing and disposal
options, and limited availability of raw materials, the development and adoption of
Biocomposites have the potential to significantly reduce the impact of human
activities on the environment.
By using renewable materials and reducing waste generation, Biocomposites can
contribute to a more sustainable future.
The use of Biocomposites in various applications such as construction, automotive,
aerospace and packaging is increasing, and research is ongoing to further improve
their properties and reduce their costs thus making them contribute to a more
sustainable future.
Context:
White rice obsessed people often have an emotional attachment with numerous
avatars of bhat, or rice.
It is more than a basic that serves as a suitable canvas for the traditional regional side
dishes. Its distinctive taste, flavour, texture and white colour also feeds the spirit.
Miracle Starch:
The primary ingredient of rice is starch, a naturally occurring polymeric
carbohydrate consisting of amylose and amylopectin.
Carbohydrate especially starch is often maligned since they are digested rapidly giving
a high glucose spike.
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However, not all the starch we consume is broken down. There is a hidden magical
starch which is non-digestible.
Starch that is resistant to digestion by the small intestine is known as resistant
starch.
In the colon, it feeds the beneficial gut microbiota, resulting in essential metabolites
such as propionate, acetate, butyrate (2 to 4 carbon chain length FAs) and
acetoacetate, β-hydroxybutyrate (ketone bodies) and assists in reducing the
occurrence of colon cancer.
Benefits:
This kind of resistant starch acts as soluble, fermentable fibre and is lower in calories
than conventional starch thus reducing appetite and supporting weight
management.
Moderate-level resistant starch consumption can increase insulin (peptide hormone secreted
by pancreas) sensitivity and hence manage blood glucose levels (glycemia), lowering
the incidence of type II diabetes.
Context:
There are over 700 recognised species of cone snails, making them one of the most
diverse groups of venomous animals on Earth.
Cone snails are known for their strikingly beautiful shells. The shells come in a variety
of colours, patterns, and shapes, making them popular among shell collectors.
These cone snails are highly venomous and hunt by instantly killing their prey.
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Despite their potent venom, cone snails are generally slow-moving creatures.
They rely on their camouflage and stealth to surprise their prey.
They extend a proboscis to consume their prey once they immobilise the prey with their
venom.
While most species prey on other mollusks, they also feed on fish, worms, and even
cone snails.
Some cone snails are specialised hunters, targeting specific prey species, while
others have a more generalist diet.
Conclusion:
Cone snail venom contains diverse bioactive compounds, offering potential medical
applications and contributing to our understanding of molecular biology and
pharmacology.
Breakthrough in this research could prove wonders for mankind.
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