Science and Technology (S&T) Digest (16-31 July 2023), Issue 18

Dr Saroj Bishoyi, Research Fellow, VIF

September 1 , 2023 Views: 568 Comments: 0

In this Issue

I. Defence and Security

Value of Defence Production Crossed the Figure of Rs One Lakh Crore

The value of defence production has crossed the figure of Rs one lakh crore for the first time ever during financial year 2022-23. The government has taken several policy initiatives in the past few years and brought in reforms to encourage indigenous design, development and manufacture of defence equipment by Indian Industry including MSMEs and start-ups, thereby promoting ease of doing business in defence manufacturing & technology in the country. It promotes participation of MSMEs/start-ups for development of defence technology under various schemes like Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX), Technology Development Fund (TDF), Make procedure under Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020. Click here to read...

First Barge of the Series LSAM 7 (Yard 75) Delivered to Indian Navy

First Barge of the series LSAM 7 (Yard 75) has been delivered to Indian Navy on 18 Jul 23. The Barge has been built under the classification rules of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS) with a service life of 30 years. With all major/ auxiliary equipment sourced from indigenous manufacturers, the Barge is proud flag bearer of “Make in India” initiative of Ministry of Defence. Induction of Missile Cum Ammunition (MCA) Barges will provide impetus to Operational commitments of IN by facilitating Transportation, Embarkation and Disembarkation of articles / ammunition to IN Ships both alongside jetties and at outer harbours. Click here to read...

Launch of Second ACTCM Barge, Yard 126 (LSAM 16)

Ammunition Cum Torpedo Cum Missile (ACTCM) Barge, Yard 126 (LSAM 16) was launched by Cmde Sunil Kaushik, Warship Production Superintendent (Mumbai) on 19 Jul 23 at M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane. With all major and auxiliary equipment/ systems sourced from indigenous manufacturers, this Barge is proud flag bearer of “Make in India” initiative of Ministry of Defence. This Barge is being built with a service life of 30 years. The availability of ACTCM Barges will provide impetus to Operational commitments of IN by facilitating Transportation, Embarkation and Disembarkation of articles / ammunition to IN Ships both alongside jetties and at outer harbours. Click here to read...

Indian Military Looking To Further Expand Cyber, Space Warfare Capabilities

With the government moving towards the creation of three new theatre commands, the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) is looking towards further expanding and upgrading its cyber and space warfare capabilities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had cleared the creation of two agencies including the Defence Cyber Agency and Defence Cyber Agency five years ago to deal with threats from these domains as well as prepare India’s offensive capabilities too in this sector. These agencies are headed by Major Gen-rank officers from the military. Click here to read...

II. STI in Space Sector

New Algorithm to Quantify Terrestrial RFI in Space

A new algorithm developed by scientists that is capable of estimating and mapping the unwanted Radio Frequency Interference (RFI) signals in space, can help design instruments that are capable of offering optimal operations in the presence of RFI and thereby, enriches the data obtained from the future space-based Astronomy missions. In order to study the early Universe and its evolution, astronomers tune their radio antennas within the 40 to 200 Mega Hertz (MHz) range in search of the 21-cm hydrogen line, believed to contain some of the unknown secrets about the cosmos. However, given their faint and weak strength, detecting these signals is extremely challenging. Click here to read...

Seven Singapore Satellites ¬Successfully Placed in Orbit

On 30 July 2023, ISRO Chairman S Somanath said that seven Singapore satellites ¬– primary satellite DS-SAR and 6 co-passenger satellites, which blasted off into space on launch vehicle PSLV-C56, were successfully placed in orbit. The launch vehicle with seven Singaporean satellites lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) SHAR in Sriharikota at 6.30 am on 30 July. This PSLV flight marks the 58th overall and the 17th using the Core Alone configuration. The upper stage of the rocket was placed in a lower orbit after injecting all the satellites to assure its shorter orbital life. Click here to read...

Dubai Airshow 2023 to Drive Opportunities in Space Exploration

The 18th edition of Dubai Airshow, set to take place at Dubai World Central (DWC) from 13-17 November 2023, will be themed around space exploration as a key component of growth for individual countries and the aerospace industry. Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Dubai Airshow and the UAE Space Agency, the two parties are collaborating to enhance the event’s focus on space further, strengthening this year’s offering. With the global interest in space exploration growing, the industry is no longer the domain of government, aerospace or defence companies. The advancement of innovative space applications by private businesses and industries has led to a creation of a new space economy, one which the Space Foundation expects will grow beyond US$634 billion by 2026. Click here to read...

India-France Space Cooperation

India and France have agreed to enhance cooperation in strategic areas, space, science, sustainable development, and cooperation at the institutional level. In the area of strategic cooperation, an agreement was signed between Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Total Energies Gas and Power Ltd (Total Energies) to establish a long-term LNG Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA). To enhance cooperation in Space, the two countries made an agreement on Conjunction Analysis and Evaluation Service: Alerts and Recommendations (CAESAR) and the use of Exert Modules of JAVA for Assessment of Conjunction (JAC) software. A joint declaration was made between ISRO and CNES concerning joint developments in the field of launchers. Click here to read...

III. Nuclear Technology

Nuclear Power Capacity Set To Increase from 7480 MW to 22480 MW by 2031

The present installed nuclear power capacity in India is 7480 MW comprising of 23 nuclear power reactors. In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, Dr Jitendra Singh said that nuclear power reactors generated 46982 Million Units of electricity (including infirm generation) in the year 2022-23. The share of nuclear power in the total electricity generation in the country was about 2.8% in the year 2022-23. The present installed nuclear power capacity is set to increase from 7480 MW to 22480 MW by 2031 on progressive completion of projects under construction and accorded sanction. The government has also accorded ‘in principle’ approval for new sites to set up nuclear reactors in future. Click here to read...

Adequate and Sufficient Insurance Coverage Offered for Nuclear Incidents

There is adequate and sufficient insurance coverage offered for nuclear incidents in the country. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Dr Jitendra Singh said, India has enacted Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage (CLND) Act 2010 to provide for civil liability for nuclear damage and prompt compensation to the victims of a nuclear incident through a no-fault liability regime channelling liability to the operator. Under the Act, the operator has to maintain insurance or financial securities or a combination of both, for covering his liability in respect of the nuclear incident. The Act also limits the liability of the nuclear operator for each nuclear incident. The Minister informed that without any Insurance or financial securities, the nuclear operator cannot operate the nuclear facilities, and the operator is also mandated to renew the insurance policy or financial securities from time to time, before the expiry of the period of validity. Click here to read...

Highest Priority Accorded To Safety in All Aspects of Nuclear Power

Highest priority is accorded to safety in all aspects of nuclear power viz. siting, design, construction, commissioning, and operation. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Dr Jitendra Singh said, nuclear power plants are designed adopting safety principles of redundancy, diversity and provide fail-safe design features following a defence-in-depth approach. This ensures that there are multiple barriers between the source of radioactivity and the environment. The Minister said, the operations are performed adopting well laid out procedures by highly qualified, trained and licensed personnel. Appropriate Personal Protection Equipment and monitoring aids are provided to all the personnel working in the nuclear power plants. He also informed that there has been no such incident due to operation of Nuclear Power Plants in the last five years. Click here to read...

Potential of Research Reactors for Innovative Nuclear Energy Solutions

While research reactors are not used to generate electricity, some are contributing to the development of innovative nuclear energy solutions, such as research into nuclear fission and fusion materials. Two recent International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) missions highlighted the role and potential of research reactors, which provide a source of neutrons for a variety of scientific purposes including neutron imaging and irradiation. International teams of experts completed two IAEA Integrated Research Reactor Utilization Review (IRRUR) missions at research reactors in the United States of America last month. Click here to read...

Lithuania’s Siting Plans for Deep Geological Disposal for Radioactive Waste

An IAEA mission said that Lithuania’s process to select a site for the country’s first deep geological repository (DGR) for spent nuclear fuel and long-lived radioactive waste is in line with international safety standards. The review identified specific areas for additional efforts including for the government to establish intermediate milestones and assign appropriate decision making responsibilities as it progresses with the site selection. In its Development Programme for Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Facilities and Radioactive Waste Management for 2021–2030, Lithuania established that the only sustainable final method of disposal of spent nuclear fuel and other long-lived radioactive waste that can be considered at the moment is its placement in a DGR. Click here to read...

IV. Emerging Technologies and Applications

Mapping of Crops through Satellite

The government is implementing various projects related to Crop Production Forecasting and Drought Assessment which involves use of satellite images such as Forecasting Agricultural output using Space, Agro-meteorology and Land based observations (FASAL) project for crop production, forecasting of field crops, National Agricultural Drought Assessment and Monitoring System (NADAMS) for Agricultural drought assessment. At present, nine crops namely rice, wheat, rabi pulses, rapeseed & mustard, rabi, jowar, cotton, jute, tur and sugarcane are covered under FASAL project. Satellite images are used in technological support to Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and also for various operational applications under PMFBY, such as Smart Sampling for Crop Cutting Experiments (CCEs) and Yield & Area dispute resolution. MNCFC has been working with ISRO and Industry on developing and upscaling various geo-spatial solutions and services. Click here to read...

Encouragement to Agri-Startups in Rural Areas

Start-ups are trained and incubated at various Knowledge Partners (KPs) and Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) Agribusiness Incubators (R-ABIs) appointed under the programme across the country. Technical and financial assistance is provided to startups to launch their products, services, business platforms, etc. into the market and facilitate them to scale up their products and operations to attain business viability. Under the programme, a financial support up to Rs. 5.00 lakh is provided at the idea/pre seed stage and up to Rs. 25 lakh at the seed stage. So far, a total of 1176 agri startups have been supported under the programme with financial assistance of Rs. 75.25 crores. Besides, the government has approved a proposal to set up an “Accelerator Fund” of Rs. 500 crore for five years commencing from 2023-24 to encourage the young entrepreneurs to setup agri-startups. Click here to read...

Public Charging Stations Operational in the Country Increasing

As per data available with Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Ministry of Power, a total of 8,738 Public Charging Stations (PCS) are operational in the country as on 30th June 2023. Under Phase-II of FAME-India Scheme, incentives are provided to buyers of electric vehicles in the form of an upfront reduction in the purchase price of electric vehicles. The incentive is linked to battery capacity i.e. Rs. 10,000/KWh for e-3W and e-4W with a cap 20 % of the cost of vehicle. Further, the incentive/ subsidies for e-2W has been fixed @10,000/- per kWh with cap 15% of the cost of vehicle w.e.f. 01st June, 2023. Click here to read...

Industries Forge Alliance for Increasing Demand of Electric Freight Vehicles

Prominent manufacturing companies and logistics service providers in India have come together to express a demand for 7,750 electric freight vehicles by 2030. This announcement marks a beginning with 16 companies. Freight electrification is set to increase as more companies are expected to join. This announcement was made during NITI Aayog’s e-FAST India side event at the 14th Clean Energy Ministerial. The ambition was also presented at NITI Aayog’s G20 event – ‘Policy Support & Enablers to Accelerate India’s Electric Mobility’ on the sidelines of the Energy Transition Working Group (ETWG) meeting organized under India's G20 Presidency 2023 in Goa. Click here to read...

Continuous Journey towards Digital Transformation of India

National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) celebrated its 20th Foundation Day, reaffirming its unwavering dedication towards building India’s internet infrastructure. This momentous occasion marked two decades of NIXI’s exceptional contributions to create a robust and inclusive digital ecosystem in the country via its business divisions towards Internet Exchange, .IN Registry, IRINN and NIXI-CSC Data Services Ltd. Set up on 19 June 2003, NIXI is a not-for-profit (Section 8) company under the aegis of MeitY and is tasked to increase internet penetration and adoption in India by facilitating the various infrastructure aspects to enable the internet ecosystem to be managed and used by the masses. Click here to read...

Joha Rice Effective Nutraceutical of Choice in Diabetes Management

Joha rice, aromatic rice cultivated in the Northeastern region of India is effective in lowering the blood glucose and preventing diabetes onset and hence is an effective nutraceutical of choice in diabetes management. Joha is a short-grain winter paddy known for its significant aroma and noteworthy taste. The traditional claims are that the consumers of Joha rice have low incidence of diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, but these needed scientific validation. Towards that direction, scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST), an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology explored the nutraceutical properties of aromatic Joha rice. Rajlakshmi Devi along with Paramita Choudhury in their research explored the nutraceutical properties of aromatic Joha rice. Click here to read...

Creating National Digital Health Ecosystem

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM) has been launched with a vision to create national digital health ecosystem that supports universal health coverage in an efficient, accessible, inclusive, affordable, timely and safe manner. The mission aims to develop the backbone necessary to support the integrated digital health infrastructure of the country to bridge the digital divide. It provides for assisted & offline mode for creation of Ayushman Bharat Health Account (ABHA) for areas with limited internet connectivity or hardware or both. Various application such as ABHA app, Aarogya Setu app are multi-lingual and intuitive to use, with a view to address the lack of digital literacy. Health-tech startups have the potential to revolutionize the healthcare sector by supporting innovations. Click here to read...

Scientific Management of Forests and Evolving New Approaches

The government has released the “National Working Plan Code-2023” for scientific management of forests and evolving new approaches. India is one of the few countries in the world that has a scientific system of forest management. The working plan is the main instrument through which the scientific management of Forests is being achieved in India. National Working Plan Code which was first adopted in 2004 with a subsequent amendment in 2014 brought uniformity and acted as the guiding principle for the preparation of the working plan for scientific management of different forest divisions of the country. Click here to read...

V. International Cooperation

India and Argentina Cooperation in S&T and Biotechnology

India and Argentina have agreed for a bilateral exchange of young researchers and Startups, particularly in the field of Biotechnology and Agriculture. The two countries also decided to hold comprehensive talks between delegations comprising academia, R&D Institutes and Industry in the field of Science & Technology and Biotechnology. Dr Jitendra Singh mentioned that a new Indo-Argentina call for joint proposals was launched on 7 February 2023 in the research areas of Energy Transition and Biotechnology jointly during his meeting with Argentina's Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, Mr Daniel Filmus in New Delhi. A total of 82 joint proposals were received under the said call, which are under the evaluation process. Click here to read...

India-US Quantum Technologies and Artificial Intelligence Cooperation

India and the United States jointly launched a call for proposals on Critical and Emerging Technology: Quantum Technologies and Artificial Intelligence for Transforming Lives. The Indo-U.S. Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) and the Secretariat for USISTEF have designed the programme. Through this competitive grant programme, the USISTEF selects and supports promising joint U.S.-India technology innovation and entrepreneurial initiatives that are commercially viable and socially relevant. These joint initiatives can originate from U.S. and Indian entities including Startups, government, academic, or commercial endeavours, and any combination thereof provided they focus on applied R&D, incorporate a business plan and proof of commercial concept, and have significant sustainable commercial potential. Click here to read...

‘India AI’ and Meta, India sign MoU to foster advancements in Emerging Techs

In order to foster collaboration in the field of AI and Emerging Technologies, ‘India AI’ – an IBD under Digital India Corporation and Meta, India have signed a MoU on 26 July 2023. The objective of the MoU is to establish a framework for collaboration and cooperation between ‘India AI’ and Meta in the field of Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies including to make Meta’s open-source AI models available for use by Indian AI ecosystem. ‘India AI’ and Meta have entered into a collaboration aimed at advancing research and development in AI & Emerging Technologies, seeking breakthroughs in AI technology and its applications. Click here to read...

MoU to Support the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM)

Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) announced the exchange of signing of MoU between the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru and Lam Research India at the ongoing SemiconIndia in Gandhinagar on 29 July 2023. The SEMI announced its intent to support the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) in creating a vibrant semiconductor manufacturing and design ecosystem in India. The collaboration would build on the successful execution of ISM’s SemiconIndia’s two editions and continue SEMI’s tradition of bringing stakeholders in the end-to-end semiconductor ecosystem together. Click here to read...

Exchange of MoU between CeNSE, IISc and LAM Research

The collaboration, initiated by this Ministry, brings together the academic excellence of IISc’s CeNSE and the global expertise of Lam Research, a renowned supplier of innovative wafer fabrication equipment. Lam Research’s ambitious goal is to utilise Semiverse Solutions to develop a 60,000 strong workforce in nano-fabrication in India over the next 10 years. The core objective of this collaboration is to jointly develop a customised course offering for Indian universities, dedicated to teaching semiconductor fabrication technology. This will utilise Lam Research’s cutting-edge Semiverse Solutions virtual fabrication software, SEMulator3D. The IISc and Lam Research will collaboratively develop the framework for the Pilot Course syllabus. The first stage is expected to be completed by December 2023, with the second stage is anticipated to be concluded by June 2024. Click here to read...

VI. Regional and Global Trends

Intel Increasing its Business Ties in China with a New Innovation Hub

US chip giant Intel is increasing its business ties in China with a new innovation hub in Shenzhen meant to help domestic start-ups, even as Washington puts increasing pressure on semiconductor firms to reduce trade with the country. The Santa Clara-based chip giant and the Nanshan district government in Shenzhen, a technology hub in southern China, launched the Intel Greater Bay Area Innovation Centre on Saturday. The centre will focus on artificial intelligence (AI), chip applications and edge computing, among other technologies. Click here to read...

Taiwan’s Chipmaker, TSMC, to Delay Production in Arizona, US

The Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) will delay production at a factory in Arizona amid a shortage of skilled workers, the company’s chairman said. TSMC now plans to start producing 5-nanometer chips at the Phoenix plant in 2025, a year later than previously anticipated, Chairman Mark Liu said on the company’s second quarter earnings call. Liu said that “We are encountering certain challenges, as there is an insufficient amount of skilled workers with those specialized expertise required for equipment installation in a semiconductor-grade facility”. Liu did not mention any impact on the timeline of a second facility that TSMC plans to build in Arizona, which is expected to begin producing 3-nanometer chips by 2026. Taiwanese chipmaker delays by a year massive Arizona project touted by Biden | The HillClick here to read...

US Sanctioned Chip Maker Jingjia Micro to Develop GPUs in Wuxi

Chinese chip maker Jingjia Microelectronics, which is under US sanctions since December 2021, is planning to develop graphic processing units (GPUs) in the eastern city of Wuxi. According to a statement issued by the Wuxi High-Tech District, which will host the project, an initial agreement was reached between the Shenzhen-listed company and the district. While the detailed investment size was not disclosed, the project is expected to generate 5 billion yuan (US$699 million) worth of output per year. The company earlier this year said that it would raise 4.2 billion yuan in private placement for GPU research and development. Click here to read...

China’s Chip Manufacturing Equipment Imports from Japan Increased

China’s imports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment from Japan increased more than 40 per cent in June from a month earlier, as local chip makers rushed to stock up ahead of Tokyo’s new export restrictions that came into effect. Among the equipment with the highest value, imports of photolithography steppers for printing chip designs on wafers grew by 137.1 per cent to US$62.4 million, while the value of etching and stripping machines brought into Japan increased 370.1 per cent to US$44.4 million. In June, imports of Japanese chip-making gear reached US$804 million, up 41.6 per cent from May despite being 10.5 per cent down from the same period last year. Click here to read...