Science and Technology (S&T) Digest 16-31 December 2023, Issue 28

Dr Saroj Bishoyi, Research Fellow, VIF

February 1 , 2024 Views: 281 Comments: 0

In this Issue

I. Defence and Security

INS Imphal, Stealth Guided Missile Destroyer, Commissioned

INS Imphal, a Project 15B stealth guided missile destroyer, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in a ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard, Mumbai on 26 December 2023. The event marks the formal induction of the third of four indigenous ‘Visakhapatnam’ class destroyers, being designed by the Indian Navy’s Warship Design Bureau and constructed by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), Mumbai. The ship measures 163m in length, 17m in breadth with a displacement of 7,400 tonnes and is amongst the most potent warships built in India. Click here to read…

Induction of MCA Barge, LSAM 10 (Yard 78)

Missile Cum Ammunition Barge, LSAM 10, the fourth Barge of 08 x Missile Cum Ammunition Barge project, built by MSME Shipyard, M/s SECON Engineering Projects Pvt Ltd, Visakhapatnam for Indian Navy (IN), was inducted on 28 December 2023 at Naval Dockyards, Mumbai for NAD (Karanja). Induction of these Barges would 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…

Delivery of Seventh 250 Men Ferrycraft, ‘Manjula’ (Yard 786) to IN

Contract for construction and delivery of 07 x 250 Men Ferry Craft was concluded with M/s Shalimar Works Ltd, Kolkata, in consonance with “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” initiatives of the Government of India. Six out of Seven Ferrycraft have already been delivered to Indian Navy (IN). Seventh Ferrycraft, ‘Manjula’ (Yard 786) has been delivered to IN on 29 December. With a capacity to ferry 250 Men, Induction of ‘Manjula’ (Yard 786) would provide impetus to Operational Commitments of IN by facilitating Transportation of both Men and Material between Indian Naval Ports and Ships/Submarines at anchorage. Click here to read…

Inauguration of New Design & Test Facility at HAL’s Aero Engine R&D Centre

Defence Secretary Shri Giridhar Aramane inaugurated a new design and test facility at Aero Engine Research and Development Centre (AERDC) of Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in Bengaluru, Karnataka on 29 December 2023. The AERDC is currently involved in the design and development of several new engines including two strategic engines - Hindustan Turbo Fan Engine (HTFE) of 25 kN thrust for powering trainers, UAV’s, twin engine small fighter aircraft or regional jets and Hindustan Turbo Shaft Engine (HTSE) of 1200 kN thrust for powering light and medium weight helicopters (3.5 to 6.5 tonnes in single/ twin engine configuration). Click here to read…

MoU Signed for MTech Course in ‘Systems & Control Engineering’

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Indian Navy and IIT Bombay was signed on 18 December 2023 at New Delhi for MTech course in ‘Systems & Control Engineering’. The IN ships and submarines are being inducted with state of the art advanced control systems ranging from microprocessor based to VME architecture systems for automated operation of machinery. This MoU would enable Naval personnel to pursue post graduate course, from 2024 onwards, in the niche field to keep pace with increasing automation requirements onboard naval platforms and undertake research projects in marine application. Click here to read…

II. STI in Space Sector

AstroSat Detected Bright Sub-second X-ray Bursts

AstroSat, India’s first multi-wavelength space-based observatory, has detected bright sub-second X-ray bursts from a new and unique neutron star with ultrahigh magnetic field (magnetar), which can help understand the intriguing extreme astrophysical conditions of magnetars. Motivated to study the magnetar and explore its characteristics in broad-band X-ray energies with AstroSat, scientists from the Raman Research Institute (RRI) and University of Delhi performed the timing and spectral analysis of this magnetar using two instruments onboard AstroSat --- the Large Area X-Ray Proportional Counter (LAXPC) and Soft X-Ray telescope (SXT). Click here to read…

Ionospheric Secrets Could Help Satellite-Based Navigation

The cold dark winters and the bright sunny summer of Antarctica holds a secret in the ionosphere that scientists have traced recently. The day-night ionospheric density varied regardless of 24 hours of sunlight in summer and complete darkness in winter. A team of Indian scientists observed that though there was no sunlight incidence throughout the day in winter months (polar nights) at Bharati station; a diurnal pattern was observed with peak ionospheric density near local noon. The day-night ionospheric density variations were observed regardless of 24 hours of sunlight in summer and complete darkness in winter. Click here to read…

Investment in Space Start-Ups increased to $ 124.7 Million in 2023

The investment in Indian Space Start-Ups has increased to $ 124.7 Million in 2023. The number of Space Start-Ups have gone up, from just 1 in 2014 to 189 in 2023 as per DPIIT Start-Up India Portal. The current size of the Indian Space Economy is estimated around $8.4 billion (around 2-3% of global space economy) and it is expected that with the implementation of the Indian Space Policy 2023, $44 billion Indian space economy can be achieved by the year 2033. The role of the private sector will be prime to achieve the expected economy figure. Click here to read…

India Launched 396 Foreign and 70 Domestic Satellites during 2014-23

The number of foreign and domestic satellites launched by India during period 2014-23 were 396 and 70 respectively, while the number of foreign and domestic satellites launched by India during period 2003-13 were 33 and 31 respectively. The revenue generated from satellite launches during decade 2014-23 is USD157 Million and 260 Million Euros. The corresponding figure during decade 2003-13 were USD15 Million and 32 Million Euros. Annual Budget allocated to Department of Space has grown from Rs. 6,792 Crores for FY 2013-14 to Rs. 12,544 Crores for FY 2023-24. Click here to read…

III. Nuclear Technology

Kakrapar Atomic Power Project Unit-4 Achieves First Criticality

The Unit 4 of Kakrapar Atomic Power Project (KAPP 4 – 700 MW) achieved the important milestone of Criticality (start of controlled fission chain reaction) for the first time on 17 December 2023. The criticality was achieved after meeting all the stipulations of the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB), which had issued clearance after a rigorous review of safety of the plant systems. KAPP-4 is the second in the series of sixteen indigenous Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) of 700 MW each being set up in the country. After the first criticality, several experiments/tests will be conducted in KAPP-4. Click here to read…

Steps to Increase the Nuclear Power Capacity

The Indian Government has initiated steps to increase the nuclear power capacity from 7480 MW to 22480 MW by 2031-32. The annual electricity generation from nuclear power plants has increased from 35334 Million Units (including infirm) in 2013-14 to 46982 Million Units (including infirm) in 2022-23. The installed nuclear power capacity in 2013-14 has also increased from 4780 MW to 7480 MW at present. The electricity generation from nuclear power plants in the current year 2023-24 (up to November 2023) is about 32017 Million Units against the aspirational MoU target of 52340 Million Units for the year. Click here to read…

AI and ML Based Research Undertaken by Department of Atomic Energy

In past 5 years, Department of Atomic Energy (DEA) collaborated with academic institutions for various Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) related research projects and programmes which are Robust Shape based Face Recognition System & Robust and Scalable Computer Vision Systems for Smart Multi Camera Video Surveillance. The details of the projects and programmes undertaken in collaboration with academic institutions in these domains include: Early detection of breast cancer using thermal/infrared imaging; Diabetic eye diseases detection and classification using Convolutional Neural Network (CNN); Unsupervised radiation field mapping inside cyclotron vault; and, Unsupervised area surveillance by drone. Click here to read…

IAEA Meeting Makes Headway on Accelerating SMRs Deployment

Representatives of the nuclear industry and regulators meeting at the IAEA welcomed the findings of a new IAEA publication, “Suitability Evaluation of Commercial Grade Products for Use in Nuclear Power Plant Safety Systems”, on how to use serially manufactured parts to speed up procurement and production of small modular reactors (SMRs)—and ensure safe and reliable supply chains for this emerging nuclear technology. The historic inclusion of nuclear energy at COP28 came after 22 countries pledged to work towards tripling nuclear power generating capacity by 2050. Click here to read…

IV. Emerging Technologies and Applications

Use of AI and ML in the Field of Meteorological Research

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques are being used to improve the prediction skill of weather, climate, and ocean forecasts at various institutes under the ministry. Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) has established a dedicated AI and ML virtual center tasked with developing and testing various AI and ML techniques and capacity building activities by conducting workshops and conferences. A computing environment and virtual workspace for training and deploying AI models has been established on Graphical processor-based server in India Meteorological Department (IMD). Click here to read…

Perovskite Self-Powered Broadband Photo detector

Indian scientists have indigenously developed organic-inorganic halide perovskite self-powered broadband photo detector with partial substitution of lead by magnesium which can be useful for solar energy generation. In a significant study, researchers from the International Advanced Research Centre for Powder Metallurgy & New Materials (ARCI), Hyderabad, an autonomous institute of Department of Science and Technology (DST) have addressed these challenges by introducing an eco-friendly alternative to replace toxic Lead (Pb). The team turned to Mg, an alkaline earth metal known for its non-toxic nature and abundance, as a substitute to lead. Click here to read…

Drones to the Women Self Help Groups

The Indian Government has recently launched Central Sector Scheme for providing drones to the Women Self Help Groups (WSHGs). The scheme aims to provide drones to 15,000 selected Women SHGs for providing rental services to farmers for agriculture purpose (application of fertilizers and pesticides). WSHG with "A" grade as per the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY-NRLM) guidelines will be selected for providing drones. A budget of ₹1,261 crores has been allocated for the project aiming to distribute one Drone to each of the 15,000 identified WSHGs over a three-year period from 2023-24 to 2025-26. Click here to read…

Digital Payment Transactions Volume Increased to 13,462 crore

Digital payments have significantly increased in recent years, as a result of coordinated efforts of the Government with all stakeholders. The total digital payment transactions volume increased from 2,071 crore in FY 2017-18 to 13,462 crore in FY 2022-23 at a CAGR of 45 per cent. During current FY 2023-24, digital payments transactions have reached 11,660 crore till 11.12.2023. The Government in coordination with RBI continuously aims to make digital payments user friendly while ensuring payment security. Click here to read…

Adoption of Modern and Smart Farming Technologies

The adoption of modern and smart farming technologies by the farmers depends on various factors such as socioeconomic conditions, geographical conditions, crop grown, irrigation facilities, etc. However, the Government supports and facilitates the State Governments to promote agriculture throughout the country and infusing modern and smart farming technologies into the agriculture sector. The use of modern machines including kisan drones is promoted under Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization. Click here to read…

V. International Cooperation

Foxconn Invests Rs 461 crore in Bengaluru Unit

Foxconn has infused $55.29 million (about Rs 461 crore) in Bengaluru-based Foxconn Precision Engineering Private Limited. Foxconn Precision Engineering was incorporated around six months ago. The company has made the investment through its Singapore-based subsidiary Foxconn Singapore Pte Limited. It is expected that Foxconn will invest Rs 3,000 crore in Phase 1 (2023-2024), followed by Rs 4,000 crore in Phase 2 (2025-2026), and Rs 1,000 crore in Phase 3 (2026-2027). The manufacturing targets include one lakh units of iPhones by December 2025, 50 lakh units by December 2026, and one crore by December 2027. Click here to read…

Synaptics Open to Packaging its Chips in India

Synaptics, a fabless semiconductor company that pioneered the development of touch-sensitive pads for laptops and computers, is betting on India’s semiconductor capabilities. Michael Hurlston, CEO at Synaptics, during his visit to Synaptics’ base in Bengaluru, said that “If you look at the semiconductor companies like Qualcomm, AMD or Intel, which have a footprint in India, what they typically do is they do a piece of the solution here and they do a piece of the solution in the US and they do a piece of the solution in Europe”. But in Synaptics’ case, everything from design and testing to implementation is seamlessly managed by its extensive team based here in India. Click here to read…

India-Oman Technology Cooperation

A Joint Vision document titled ‘A Partnership For the Future’ was adopted during the state visit of the Sultan of Oman, which identifies a range of areas such as maritime cooperation and connectivity, energy security and green energy, space, technologies, and applications, digital payments and financial cooperation, trade and Investment, health, tourism and hospitality, IT & innovation. A MoU between the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology of the Sultanate of Oman and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of the Republic of India also signed in the field of Information Technology. Click here to read…

India-South Korea Strategic Technological Cooperation

Strategic technological cooperation spanning space, 5G networks and green energy holds the key to advancing the future of bilateral relations between South Korea and India. Korea and India signed a Science and Technology Agreement in 1976, marking the beginning of technological cooperation. Over time, the two countries' ties focused on economic cooperation, with investment and trade being key drivers. “Technology will increasingly play a very important role in our partnership," Indian Ambassador to Korea Amit Kumar told The Korea Herald in an interview held in Seoul, marking the 50th anniversary of establishing bilateral diplomatic ties. He added, "We should explore a technology partnership from a strategic perspective for the people.” Click here to read…

VI. Regional and Global Trends

South Korean Chip Production and Shipments Gains in Years

South Korea’s semiconductor industry recorded the largest gains in years in both production and shipments, underscoring a revival of technology momentum that bodes well for the nation’s economic outlook in 2024 and for the global tech sector. According to data released from the national statistical office, Chip production jumped 42% in November from a year earlier, the most since early 2017, while shipments soared 80%, the biggest gain since late 2002. Inventories expanded by 36% in the smallest rise since February. Click here to read…

US Lawmakers Warn Science Agency over AI Grant to RAND Corp

Key members of the US House Science Committee are sounding the alarm over a planned research partnership on AI between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the RAND Corp. — an influential think tank tied to tech billionaires, the AI industry and the controversial “effective altruism” movement. On 14 December, lawmakers from both parties sent a letter to NIST that chastised the agency for a lack of transparency and for failing to announce a competitive process for planned research grants related to the new U.S. AI Safety Institute. Click here to read…

China’s Academic of Science Warns of a Potential “Middle-Technology Trap”

The Chinese Academy of Sciences has warned of a potential “middle-technology trap”, with the leading analyst who published the concept calling for the country to “open its doors” to avoid becoming stuck at a key stage needed to fuel sustainable economic growth through innovation. The Chinese Academy of Sciences report in early December came at a delicate time when the United States has stepped up technology curbs, while Chinese manufacturers are finding it increasingly difficult to move up value chains. According to the report, China’s manufacturing added value accounted for nearly 30 per cent globally, close to the combined total of the United States, Japan, Germany, South Korea and India. Click here to read…

Chinese Firms Look To Malaysia for Assembly of High-End Chips

A growing number of Chinese semiconductor design companies are tapping Malaysian firms to assemble a portion of their high-end chips, keen to hedge risks in case the U.S. expands sanctions on China's chip industry. The companies are asking Malaysian chip packaging firms to assemble a type of chip known as graphics processing units (GPUs). Seeking to limit China's access to high-end GPUs that could fuel artificial intelligence breakthroughs or power supercomputers and military applications, Washington has increasingly placed restrictions on their sales as well as on sophisticated chip-making equipment. Click here to read…

China’s Imports of Lithography Systems from the Netherlands Surged

China’s imports of critical chip-making lithography systems from the Netherlands surged 1,050 per cent by value in November 2023, in a sign that domestic semiconductor firms are not yet cut off from receiving orders on certain advanced equipment in the wake of tightened US export rules. China imported 16 of the Dutch projection systems valued at US$762.7 million last month, a tenfold year-on-year increase. That compares with 21 lithography systems imported from the country for US$672.5 million in October. The 46 per cent spread in average price per unit suggests Chinese firms are continuing to get their hands on more advanced systems even as Washington has tried to thwart such efforts. Click here to read…