Science and Technology (S&T) Digest (16-31 August 2023), Issue 20

Dr Saroj Bishoyi, Research Fellow, VIF

September 6 , 2023 Views: 1073 Comments: 0

In this Issue

I. Defence and Security

LCA Tejas Test-Fires Indigenous ASTRA BVR Air-To-Air Missile

Tejas, Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) LSP-7 successfully fired the ASTRA indigenous Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air-to-air missile off the coast of Goa on 23 August 2023. The missile release was successfully carried out from the aircraft at an altitude of about 20,000 ft. All the objectives of the test were met and it was a perfect text book launch. The test launch was monitored by the Test Director and scientists of Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) along with officials from Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC) and Directorate General of Aeronautical Quality Assurance (DG-AQA). The aircraft was also monitored by a Chase Tejas twin seater aircraft. ASTRA, a state-of-the-art BVR air-to-air missile to engage and destroy highly maneuvering supersonic aerial targets, is designed and developed by Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Research Centre Imarat (RCI) and other laboratories of DRDO.Click here to read…

Vindhyagiri, the Sixth Stealth Frigate of Project 17A Launched

On 17 August 2023, Vindhyagiri, the sixth Stealth Frigate of Project 17A being built at GRSE, was launched at the shipyard by President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu. M/s GRSE has established itself as a reliable partner of the Indian Navy, with a record of multiple successful conventional launches in the past. Vindhyagiri’s launch is yet another milestone in the illustrious journey of the Shipyard, reflecting its commitment to deliver quality warships. Following the launch, ‘Vindhyagiri’ will join its two sister ships at the Outfitting Jetty at GRSE, to progress remaining activities and equipment trials, in the run up to their delivery and commissioning. Project 17A Frigates are the follow-on class of the Project 17 (Shivalik Class) Frigates, with improved stealth features, advanced weapons & sensors and platform management systems.Click here to read…

Second Missile Cum Ammunition (MCA) Barge, Yard 76 (LSAM 8) Launched

Second Missile Cum Ammunition (MCA) Barge, Yard 76 (LSAM 8) was launched on 18 August 2023 at Guttenadeevi, East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh (launch site of M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd). 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. Contract for construction of 08 x MCA Barge was concluded with M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd, Visakhapatnam, a MSME, in consonance with “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives of the Government of India. This Barge is being built with a service life of 30 years. The availability of 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…

Defence Secretary Lays Keel of Four Fast Patrol Vessels for ICG

Defence Secretary Giridhar Aramane laid the keel of four Coast Guard Fast Patrol vessels (FPVs) on 25th August, 2023 at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL). The FPV designed by GSL is a medium range weapon fitted surface vessel with length of 51.43 mtrs, and breadth 8 mtrs. The ship is propelled with twin engine and has maximum speed of 27 Knots. Displacement of the vessel is approx. 320 Tons, and it is capable of operating in rough sea conditions. These vessels for the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) are based on in-house design of GSL and will be fitted with most modern and technologically advanced machinery and computerized controls systems, making these the state of the art Fast Patrol Vessels of the Indian Coast Guard.Click here to read…

MoD Signs Contract with HSL for Five Fleet Support Ships for Indian Navy

On 25 August 2023, the Ministry of Defence signed a contract with Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam for acquisition of five Fleet Support Ships (FSS) for the Indian Navy at an overall cost of approx. Rs 19,000 crore. It would be a major boost towards achieving the goal of self-reliance in defence manufacturing as these ships will be indigenously designed and constructed by HSL, Visakhapatnam. The FSS will be employed for replenishing ships at sea with fuel, water, ammunition and stores, enabling the Indian Naval Fleet to operate for prolonged periods without returning to harbour. These ships would enhance the strategic reach and mobility of the Fleet. The induction of these ships will significantly enhance the blue water capability of the Indian Navy. The ships can also be deployed for evacuation of people and human assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.Click here to read…

‘DSC A 20’ (Yard 325) Launched at Titagarh, Kolkata

‘DSC A 20’ (Yard 325), the first ship of Five Diving Support Craft (DSC) project being built by M/s Titagarh Rail Systems Ltd (TRSL), Kolkata for Indian Navy, was launched on 31 August 2023 at Titagarh, Kolkata (WB) onto Hooghly River. Contract for building five DSC was signed between MoD and M/s Titagarh Wagons Ltd (TWL), Kolkata on 12 February 2021. These ships are designed to undertake operational/ training diving operations in harbours and coastal waters. They are 30m long catamaran hull ships, with a displacement of approx 300 tons. All five DSC are anticipated to be delivered to Indian Navy in FY 2024-25. DSC are being fitted with state of the art diving equipment and tools for performing diving operations. These ships are indigenously designed and built under relevant Naval Rules and Regulation of Indian Register of Shipping (IRS).Click here to read…

Proposals Approved to Enhance Operational Capabilities of the Armed Forces

A Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) meeting has accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital acquisition proposals worth approximately Rs 7,800 crore on 24 August 2023. To enhance the efficiency of the Indian Air Force, the DAC has granted AoN for procurement and installation of Electronic Warfare (EW) Suite on Mi-17 V5 Helicopters under Buy (Indian-IDDM) category which will enhance better survivability of Helicopters. The EW Suite will be procured from Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL). The DAC has also accorded AoN for procurement of Ground-Based Autonomous System for mechanised infantry and armoured regiments. Proposals for procurement of 7.62x51 mm Light Machine Gun (LMG) and Bridge Laying Tank (BLT) have also been given go ahead by the DAC. To enhance the operational capability of the MH-60R Helicopters of the Indian Navy, the DAC has accorded AoN for procurement of weapons for the same.Click here to read…

II. STI in Space Sector

Successful Landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s Surface

Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) team via Video Conferencing to witness the landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s surface on 23 August 2023. Immediately after the successful landing, the Prime Minister addressed the team and congratulated them for the historic achievement. The Prime Minister said that such historic events become the eternal consciousness of a nation. He said, “This moment is unforgettable, unprecedented… This is a moment of the capability of the 140 crore heartbeats and the confidence of the new energy of India.” “India has reached the South Pole of the Moon where no country in the world could reach to date with the dedication and talent of our scientists”. He further said, “India’s successful moon mission is not India’s alone.” “Our moon mission is also based on the same human-centric approach. Therefore, this success belongs to all of humanity.”Click here to read…

MSME Sector Played an Important Role in the Success of Chandrayaan-3

Congratulating countrymen and the entire ISRO team on the successful landing of Chandrayaan-3, Union Minister for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Narayan Rane said that along with the scientists of the country, the Ministry of MSME has also contributed significantly in realizing the dream of Chandrayaan-3. The Minister said that the Bhubaneswar Tool Room under the Ministry of MSME manufactured about 54,000 aero-space components of 437 types for the mission. Also, IDEMI Mumbai, another institute under the Ministry, played an important role in manufacturing of parts for Chandrayan-3. The Minister said that the success of this mission will prove beneficial for India as well as for the whole world.Click here to read…

ISRO Set to Launch India’s First Sun Mission “Aditya-L1”

India is ready with the first Sun Mission “Aditya-L1”, which ISRO is all set to launch, most likely on 2nd of September. Addressing a public programme in Mainpuri, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said, with the entire world celebrating India’s Chandrayaan mission, the popular interest in the Sun Mission has also increased manifold. The Sun Space Mission Aditya-L1, explained the Minister, shall use the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) with seven payloads (Instruments on Board). The spacecraft shall be based in a halo orbit around Lagrange point-1(L1) of the Sun-Earth system, which is about 1.5 million Kilometre from the Earth, while a satellite placed in the halo orbit will have the major advantage of continuously viewing the Sun without any eclipses.Click here to read…

DST Institutes Key Drivers in India’s Aditya-L1 Mission

India’s Aditya-L1, a space observatory with 7 payloads heading for a vantage point to study the Sun, has started countdown for its journey. It had its beginnings in preliminary/initial discussions between the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA) and ISRO about possible observations of the solar corona using indigenous space based telescopes. IIA, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), had initially proposed a ‘suitable coronagraph’ payload to be mounted on a small satellite offered by ISRO. This ‘suitable coronagraph’ later graduated to the Visible Emission Line Coronagraph (VELC) and still prevails as the primary payload, even as India’s Solar study ambitions expanded, making it a national initiative with multi-institutional collaboration.Click here to read…

Four Astronauts from US, Denmark, Japan and Russia Rocketed toward ISS

On 26 August 2023, four astronauts from four countries rocketed toward the International Space Station (ISS). They should reach the orbiting lab in their SpaceX capsule on 27 August, replacing four astronauts who have been living up there since March. A NASA astronaut was joined on the predawn liftoff from Kennedy Space Center by fliers from Denmark, Japan and Russia. They clasped one another's gloved hands upon reaching orbit. It was the first U.S. launch in which every spacecraft seat was occupied by a different country — until now, NASA had always included two or three of its own on its SpaceX taxi flights. A fluke in timing led to the assignments, officials said. “We're a united team with a common mission,” NASA's Jasmin Moghbeli radioed from orbit. “To explore space, we need to do it together,” the European Space Agency's director general, Josef Aschbacher, said minutes before liftoff. “Space is really global, and international cooperation is key.”Click here to read…

III. Nuclear Technology

Japan’s TEPCO Started Discharging of Fukushima Daiichi ALPS Treated Water

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) experts present at the site confirmed that Japan’s Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) on 24 August 2023 started discharging ALPS treated water stored at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station into the sea. As part of the IAEA’s multiyear safety review of the discharge, the IAEA team is present to monitor the discharge and assess Japan’s application of all relevant international safety standards for the water discharge. IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi in a statement said that “IAEA experts are there on the ground to serve as the eyes of the international community and ensure that the discharge is being carried out as planned consistent with IAEA safety standards”.Click here to read…

Sustained and Coordinated Investment Required in Nuclear Supply Chain

The expansion of the nuclear power sector at the speed and scale required to meet net-zero, energy security and sustainable development targets will necessitate sustained and coordinated investment in the global nuclear supply chain. This is one of the lead conclusions of The World Nuclear Supply Chain 2023, which has just been released. The report makes a number of recommendations to optimize the supply chain, including: Lowering the cost of the procurement process by strengthening the relationship with suppliers, and employing new business and financing models; and Lowering the cost of components by using strategic procurement methods, optimizing the use of commercial off-the-shelf components and commercial grade dedication, and using innovative manufacturing and construction techniques in nuclear plant deployment;Click here to read…

Applying Nuclear Safeguards throughout the Process of Decommissioning

The IAEA helps deter the spread of nuclear weapons through a set of technical measures known as safeguards, which work by verifying that countries are honouring their international legal obligations not to misuse nuclear material and technology. These obligations extend to decommissioning projects. As of March 2023, a total of over 200 nuclear facilities had permanently ceased to operate, either because they had reached the end of their natural life cycle or due to national policy decisions. Countries remain legally obligated to fulfill safeguards agreements throughout the process of decommissioning, and, in some cases, afterwards too. Since decommissioning is a variable and lengthy process, the IAEA has established guidelines to ensure that safeguards continue to be applied until the facility has been determined to be decommissioned for safeguards purposes.Click here to read…

Improving Computer Security Anomaly Detection Techniques

Identifying anomalies in the operations of computer systems that control critical safety and security functions calls for extensive expertise, and the actions required need to be tested, analysed and amended in order to be robust. “Anomaly detection plays an important part in early assessment of possible threats targeting the computer-based systems at nuclear and radiological facilities,” said Scott Purvis, Head of the Information Management Section in the IAEA’s Division of Nuclear Security. “Usually, the anomaly detection techniques are based on artificial intelligence applications such as machine learning, statistics-based, knowledge-based methods or other technologies,” he said. These technologies are important because a highly capable malicious actor may introduce malware that compromises the safety or security functions of a digital system while falsifying data from sensors and indicators sent to an operator.Click here to read…

IV. Emerging Technologies and Applications

CSIR-CMERI Developed Compact Electric Tractor, CSIR PRIMA ET11

CSIR-CMERI has indigenously designed and developed compact 100% Pure Electric Tractor named CSIR PRIMA ET11 mainly to cater small and marginal farmers of India. Salient features of the developed CSIR PRIMA ET11 include: i) The first very important point that entire tractor has been designed and manufactured with indigenous components and technologies. Ii) It has been designed in such a way that its dynamics, weight distribution, transmission engagements, then lever and pedal position everything has been well designed and considered. iii) Another USP of the developed technology is that it Women friendly. iv) The farmers can charge the tractor using conventional home charging socket in 7 to 8 hours and operate the tractor for more than 4 hours at field. v) The design helps to achieve the desired efficiency in min cost. It is expected that this tractor CSIR PRIMA ET11 will create a breakthrough in sustainable agriculture while meeting the demands of small and marginal farmers in India.Click here to read…

New Technology Developed To Transport of RF through Optical Methods

A newly designed prototypes in the Next-Generation Photonic Analog-to-Digital Converters (NG-PADC) project which can carry out instantaneous frequency measurement, generation and transport of Radio Frequency (RF) through optical methods could revolutionize various sectors, enabling faster digital communication, improved satellite communication, better medical imaging, and Photonic radars. Analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) are critical components for developing the next generation of advanced digital receivers. The limitation of electronic ADCs (EADCs) is that their vertical resolution is compromised at high bandwidths.Click here to read…

Lithium-ion Batteries Help India to Achieve Its Greenhouse Mitigation Targets

The energy storage based on lithium-ion batteries will help India to achieve its greenhouse mitigation targets since the basic raw material for production of electric vehicles is lithium and other critical materials. At present, investments in manufacturing and overall value addition for Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACCs) are negligible in India and almost entire domestic demand of ACCs is still being met through imports. In order to reduce dependency of imported ACC battery for electric vehicles, the Government on 12th May, 2021 approved a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for manufacturing of Advance Chemistry Cell (ACC) in the country. The total outlay of the scheme is Rs. 18,100 Crore for a period of 5 years.Click here to read…

Demand in Inventions of Battery Storage and Battery Recycling Technology

Battery operated vehicles pose a major demand in inventions of battery storage technology and battery recycling technology. In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, Dr Jitendra Singh informed that all Electric Vehicles (EVs) have energy storage systems, typically batteries to power the vehicle, which requires advancement in storage technologies to make it affordable and attractive in market adoption. He said, in order to balance the supply of raw materials for batteries and keeping in view the thrust on sustainability & circular economy, inventions in battery recycling technologies are also important. The Minister informed that the Government is supporting research to develop indigenous capabilities in the area of Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery electrode materials, cells and battery packs for EVs.Click here to read…

Use of AI and ML for Checking Frauds under AB-PMJAY

The Government of India uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) technologies to detect suspicious transactions / potential frauds under Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY). These technologies are used for prevention, detection and deterrence of healthcare frauds in the scheme implementation and are helpful in ensuring appropriate treatment to the eligible beneficiaries. Technology partners are engaged for development & deployment of anti-fraud measures using AI/ML. As on 01st August 2023, a total number of 24.33 crore Ayushman cards have been created under the scheme.Click here to read…

Research Park to Promote S&T and Augment Research Ecosystem

The Indian government had sanctioned establishment of Research Parks at IIT Madras, IIT Bombay, IIT Kharagpur, IIT Kanpur, IIT Delhi, IIT Guwahati, IIT Hyderabad, IIT Gandhinagar and IISc Bangalore to augment the research ecosystem in the country. The research parks at IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur and IIT Delhi are functional and others are in advanced stages of completion. The main objectives of these Research Park are to have research collaboration with top-rated industries, to enable entrepreneurship and incubation of students and building strong academic linkages for the same, to increase outreach of academic content to industry and enabling industry to add value to academic programme through close collaborations etc. To achieve the various objectives of Research Parks, these are normally established at Higher Educational Institutions of the country.Click here to read…

V. International Cooperation

Apple Supplier Foxconn Begins iPhone 15 Production in India

Apple Inc.’s next-generation iPhone 15 is beginning production in Tamil Nadu, in an effort to further narrow the gap between its India operations and main manufacturing base in China. A Foxconn Technology Group plant in Sriperumbudur is preparing to deliver the newest devices only weeks after they start shipping from factories in China, as the company seeks to swiftly increase the volume of new iPhones coming from India. The Cupertino, California-based firm is on a multiyear project to diversify its manufacturing away from China, de-risking the supply chain for its most important products as tensions between Washington and Beijing make trade less predictable. Before the iPhone 14, Apple had only a sliver of its iPhone assembly in India, which lagged China output by six to nine months. That delay was drastically reduced last year, and Apple produced 7% of its iPhones in India at the end of March.Click here to read…

India Signs MoU with Trinidad and Tobago on Sharing INDIA STACK

India and Trinidad and Tobago have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on sharing of INDIA STACK – a collection of open APIs and digital public goods that aim to facilitate identity, data, and payment services on a large scale. Both sides agreed to cooperate in the areas of digital transformation by means of capacity building, training programmes, exchange of best practices, exchange of public officials and experts, development of pilot or demo solutions, etc. This collaboration comes after Union Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & IT, Rajeev Chandrasekhar met recently with Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Digital Transformation, Senator Mr Hassel Bacchus. During the meeting, they discussed mutual cooperation in the fields of IT, emerging technologies, and the India stack.Click here to read…

India-Mauritius Agree to Expand Scope of ISRO’s Ground Station in Mauritius

A high-level Mauritius delegation led by Minister for Information Technology, Communication and Innovation (MITCI), Mr. Darsanand Deepak Balgobin called on Dr Jitendra Singh in New Delhi on 22 August to discuss the proposal for a Joint India-Mauritius Satellite. India and Mauritius have agreed to utilize ISRO’s ground station in Mauritius to offer support to third party missions. Mr. Balgobin earlier visited ISRO facilities in Bengaluru on 17 August 2023. ISRO presented technical details and application potentials of the proposed India – Mauritius joint satellite to the Minister. The two ministers agreed on expanding the scope of ISRO’s Ground Station set up in Mauritius to include third party missions including the European Space Agency and an amendment to the existing MoU is planned to be signed to facilitate such collaboration.Click here to read…

India-USA Announce 1st Joint Call for Research Collaboration

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) announced its 1st Joint Call for proposals under the MeitY- National Science Foundation (NSF) research collaboration. MeitY-NSF have signed an Implementation Arrangement (IA) on Research Collaboration in May 2023. This MeitY – NSF collaborative research opportunity focuses specifically upon discoveries and innovations in areas of mutual interest. In the 1st Joint Call, proposals in the areas of semiconductor research, next generation communication technologies/networks/systems, cyber-security, sustainability and green technologies and Intelligent Transportation Systems will be considered. Technology development may be in terms of development of prototypes, pilot scale demonstrations, field deployment and acceleration of technology transfer through this joint initiative.Click here to read…

VI. Regional and Global Trends

US Expanded Restriction of Exports of Sophisticated AI Chips

The US expanded the restriction of exports of sophisticated Nvidia artificial-intelligence (AI) chips beyond China to other regions including some countries in the Middle East. Nvidia said that the curbs, which affect its A100 and H100 chips designed to speed up machine-learning tasks, would not have an “immediate material impact” on its results. In a separate statement, the company said the new licensing requirement “doesn’t affect a meaningful portion of our revenue. We are working with the US government to address this matter.” US officials impose export controls for national security reasons. A similar move announced last year signalled an escalation of the US crackdown on China’s technological capabilities, but it was not immediately clear what risks were posed by exports to the Middle East, The South China Morning Post reported.Click here to read…

Generative AI Technology Boosting the Tech Industry after Growth Slowed

The recent surge in generative AI technology is boosting the tech industry after growth slowed across the sector earlier this year. As federal interest rates rose and the tech industry was coming off a pandemic-induced high, the once-vibrant sector suffered through lower earnings and layoffs throughout the year. But now, the boom in generative AI may be turning the tides for Silicon Valley as startups and industry giants compete to stay on the cutting edge. The buzz around generative AI, especially since the public launch of OpenAI’s ChatGPT tool in November, is leading to an influx of venture capital money in the industry. There have been $14.6 billion in venture capital deals in generative AI in the U.S. so far this year. There was just $11 billion investments in all of 2021 and 2022 combined, according to data from PitchBook.Click here to read…

Chinese Chip Design Firms Formed a Patent Protection Alliance for RISC-V

A group of leading Chinese chip design firms have formed a patent protection alliance for RISC-V, as the country bets on the open-source architecture to help achieve its long-sought goal of semiconductor self-sufficiency. At a RISC-V industry forum held in Shanghai’s Lingang New Area, nine chip companies – including Alibaba Group Holding’s chip unit T-Head and Shanghai-listed VeriSilicon Holdings – agreed to form the alliance that includes a condition for members to not sue each other over patent infringement, according to local media The Paper, under the state-run Shanghai United Media Group. Alibaba owns the South China Morning Post. Members of the alliance will share patents with each other and license them to third parties in the name of the alliance, according to Dai Weimin, chairman of VeriSilicon and head of the China RISC-V Industry Alliance, formed in 2018. The new alliance aims to contribute to a “healthy” open-source chip ecosystem and promote the rapid development of RISC-V technologies.Click here to read…

China Looks to Make Its Own AI Memory Chips

China is exploring ways to produce its own high-bandwidth memory (HBM), the next-generation of memory chips tailored for AI processors, as it pushes ahead with a semiconductor self-sufficiency drive amid US sanctions, industry sources said. While it will be an uphill battle to catch up with global leaders like SK Hynix, Samsung Electronics and Micron Technology given the impact of Washington’s sanctions, the Chinese government has determined that the country must become self-sufficient in HBMs even though it may take years, they added. Industry sources, who are familiar with the matter but declined to be named due to the sensitivity of the subject, said China’s top dynamic random access memory (DRAM) maker, ChangXin Memory Technologies (CXMT), is the country’s best hope for HBMs, but it may take up to four years to bring products to the market.Click here to read…

Chinese Imports of ASML Lithography Machines Reached US$2.58 Billion

China’s imports of Dutch lithography machines have surged this year, with the first seven months already surpassing ASML Holding’s previous forecast for 2023 sales to China, according to a new report, as Chinese firms stock up on the equipment ahead of new export curbs. From January to July, Chinese imports of Dutch-made lithography machines, nearly all from chip equipment giant ASML, grew 64.8 per cent year on year to US$2.58 billion, Chinese semiconductor industry consultancy JW Insights said in a report, citing China customs data. In January, ASML projected that its sales to China this year would remain steady at about 2.2 billion euros (US$2.36 billion), or 14 per cent of its total annual revenue. In July, China imported US$626 million worth of lithography machines from the Netherlands, nearly eight times larger than the same month last year, according to the report. ASML has a near monopoly on the world’s most advanced lithography machines, which are required for the production of cutting-edge chips.Click here to read…