In the realm of scientific advancements, researchers and technologists are persistently making strides in diverse domains. Here are several recent instances showcasing these efforts:
Pioneer Nanomechanical Testing Technology
Indian researcher Dr. Sudharshan Phani has introduced a breakthrough methodology for precise nanomechanical testing of materials at minuscule scales. The new technique augments the exactitude and reliability of nanoindentation testing, permitting high throughput testing at accelerated speeds.
Nanoindentation is extensively employed in various applications, including quantifying the strength of semiconductor devices and investigating material properties in diverse sectors such as cancer cell research and meteorite formation.
Dr. Phani’s approach incorporated intricate modeling and simulation to comprehend material responses during indentation tests. This led to customized enhancements in precision and accuracy, facilitating quick nanoindentation measurements. For further insights, you can refer to articles on Nanotechnology and Health.
Chandrayaan-3 Moon Lander Detaches from Propulsion Module
After 34 days aboard Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft, the propulsion module and the lander module have separated and embarked on their distinct journeys. The ISRO’s Chandrayaan-3 mission constitutes a lander module (LM), a propulsion module (PM), and a rover designed for lunar exploration.
On the 17th of August, LM was successfully detached from PM and is slated to descend to a lower orbit through planned deboosting maneuvers. The critical role of PM is to transport the lander from the launch vehicle injection until it reaches a 100-km orbit around the moon. The primary function of LM is conducting a soft landing and deploying the rover for in-situ chemical analysis of the lunar surface.
The Baghjan Oil Spill Incident
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has instructed the Assam Government to endow interim compensation to victims of Baghjan oil and gas leak. This site is under the purview of OIL India Ltd and is situated near Dibru Saikhowa National Park.
An NGT-constituted committee led by Justice BP Katakey discovered environmental infringements, denouncing the Baghjan oil and gas field as unlawful. For more details on the incident, you can refer to articles on the Assam Gas Leak.
National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS) Gains Recognition
The National Automated Fingerprint Identification System (NAFIS), maintained by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), has bagged the Gold Award. NAFIS secured this honor under the Excellence in Government Process Reengineering for Digital Transformation Category-1 of the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG).
NAFIS is a nationwide database that swiftly stores crime-related fingerprints and allocates a unique 10-digit National Fingerprint Number (NFN) to captured criminals within 24 hours. This NFN stays with the culprit for life, linking various crimes under different FIRs to the same individual. The ID comprises a state code and sequential number, specific to states.
The core function of NAFIS is to promptly identify persons of interest, associating their names to warrants, warnings, and pertinent criminal data in police reference systems. Currently operating from Central Fingerprint Bureau in New Delhi, NAFIS envisions to collect the fingerprint data of criminals across all Indian states and Union Territories, providing a web-based platform for real-time uploading, tracking, and retrieval of information.
