Perspective
Avenues for Research
21st Century is the knowledge driven society. The Scientific Knowledge has many avenues for conducting and implementing Research. This article explores the different avenues for Research…
Knowledge is the product of processed information analysed, digested and enriched with experiences. Mere knowledge is of no value as it needs to be utilized for a useful purpose for the benefit of the society at large
Integration
As Physics teaches universal principles. Engineering methods are used to convert these principles into technology resulting into products which are created and utilised by the society.
Similarly, you know elements and their properties by learning Chemistry. The conversion of this knowledge into chemical products gives us almost everything what you see around us which are very much needed for our daily routine.
By learning Botany we know about the plants, know the classification, identification and properties applying this knowledge, using agriculture techniques, we know how to plant them, utilize as a crop and convert them into food for all . Same thing applies in Zoology or Microbiology as well in every other basic science subjects.
Comprehensive Approach
When a scientist or researcher starts his work he doesn’t segregate the above subjects as separate entities. He utilises integration of the Knowledge from various branches which leads to developing technologies for the benefit of Society
Let us take an example of solar energy.
Solar panels are needed to absorb sunlight. Here all types of expertise is needed. Physics, Chemistry with the help of Mechanical, Metallurgical, Electrical as well as Electronics principles are integrated. For the installation of these heavy panels at a place where maximum sunlight will be available is to be selected and erected by a Civil engineer but design is provided by an architect.
Integration
Scientists integrates all these ideas on paper keeping in mind their merits and demerits. When such a model is conceptualised on paper and tested, or replicated the cost effectivity is also calculated to make the technology viable.
When you are dealing with environmental or ecological science, interdisciplinary information and its analysis is a must. More in-depth analysis is needed in astronomy, astrophysics, oceanography and meteorological science. Fields like atomic energy, rocket science and advance computer technology need very complicated research. Here teamwork, collaboration is needed to establish or to achieve any reasonable success .
Agricultural needs
In past many need based agricultural products have been developed by the farming community. The major resources needed for agriculture, along with soil is the manpower.. the availability of the agricultural labour is in shortage in the country.. To overcome this, The mechanization is the answer… The development of the advanced technologies used in agriculture such as tractors, tillers need the integration of various technologies other than pure agriculture.
In the agricultural sector various small instruments are operated using electricity or diesel. Availability of power is becoming crucial; however, the Problem arises from load shedding or non availability of the diesel. The solution to overcome the problem could be to make the power available or by creating small novel devices to help farmers .
Waste Disposal
All over the world the major problem is disposal of various type of waste products. Composting or utilising that waste for power generation is practiced. Though in small scale in different areas of the city it is now a model used in various countries. Discarded electronic material waste is incising beyond proportion. Recycling them and procuring the rare metals poses a challenge …
Recycling the polluted water in the rivers is a very big issue in India. At the same time how to stop evaporation of water from the dams is also an age old issue.
,Thus to discover the various research avenues in modern times the integration of the different subjects is needed…The approach should be interdisciplinary… While solving the different problems and to help the society, you must focus on any such area of your interest with interdisciplinary approach then you can discover or even invent something.
-Dr Shreeram Geet
Career Counsellor
