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  • Ciia Innovation – Meet Prize Distribution

    Ciia Innovation Competition And Exhibition Is Inaugurated By Padma Vibhushan Prof M M Sharma At The Nehru Centre In Mumbai

    Ciia Is Organising The Innovation Summit For The Second Time And Purpose Of The Event Is To Promote The Spirit Of Innovation Among Students.

    Prof.M M Sharma In His Inaugural Speech Encouraged Students To Boldly Take The Challenge Of Innovation And Come Out With Solutions For The Benefit Of Our Country.

    The Event Has Participation Of Over 100 Students From Various Educational Institutions.

    The Award Presentation Will Be Held On Friday, 3rd Feb 2023 At 2.30 Pm At Nehru Centre Auditorium, Worli Mumbai.

    Following Innovations Are On Display

    Innovatiions

     

    Visit And Participate

    -Team Sciencenow

  • Latest – Innovation Exhibition

    CiiA Innovation Exhibition is organized with 100 Top Innovations on Display at Nehru Centre, Worli, Mumbai from 1st – 3rd Feb 2023

    As a collective Nation building responsibility, CiiA has launched an initiative to encourage innovations at grassroot level in schools, colleges, engineering, pharma & chemical technology institutions and involving incubation centres to get start-ups onboard.

    If you have an “IDEA” that can be translated into a working model or a prototype or gadget or an equipment or a demonstrable presentation-plan, which has a good functional, Industrial or a utility value.

    Then here is your lifetime opportunity, a career breakthrough, being provided by CiiA to showcase your IDEA in a popular and widely promoted CiiA – Innovations Exhibition & Competition

    Visit and Participate

    -Team ScienceNow

  • Greetings!

    In this Science Month Greetings on the occasion of the National Science Day! We Celebrate the Science Day in honour of the Nobel Discovery by great Scientist Sir C V Raman.

    As the culture of Innovation is setting in India, the world is looking to India for the Research and Development at Global Level…Aptly so, the theme of this year’s Science Day Celebrations is ‘Global Science for the Global Well being’… This is the time that India has an opportunity to showcase its talent at global level…

    In line with Innovation, some noteworthy developments are in the offing… To encourage and foster the innovation amongst the youth CIIA Foundation is organizing an Innovation Meet at Nehru Science Centre from 1st Feb… The event will feature an Exhibition of 100 selected Innovations and Start-ups.. the best projects will be rewarded with Prizes and guidance for Patenting and Funding…

    A similar event has been organized successfully by Bhanushali Chamber of Commerce in Mumbai in the last month.. It hosted an exhibition of 100 selected Innovations…12 best projects were awarded prizes and Funding assistance…

    This is indeed in tune with the spirit of National Science Day theme of putting Indian Science at the Global level, encouraging innovators and entrepreneurs to showcase their talent at the world level. In this issue, ScienceNow Digital is bringing out the Best Start-up Innovation from BCOC, which is a path-breaking technology of detecting water leakages using remote sensing technology from Space..

    This month is even more special as a new Celestial Visitor will be seen in the Night Sky… this comet is spectacular green in colour and above all it is so special that it visits sun once every 50000 years.. so this is the once in the lifetime opportunity to see the Celestial Wonder…

    As ScienceNow marches ahead, it is our commitment, with your support to bring out the best in Science…and that is the promise!

    Scientifically Yours

    Dr Siddhivinayak Barve 

  • The Comet Cometh…

    A bright green comet is set to pass by Earth’s outer space for the first time in 50,000 years…

    The celestial visitor was first spotted in March 2022 while it was inside the orbit of Jupiter.
    The comet will appear like a faint, greenish object in the sky and if it is viewed through the telescope the tail of the comet will be seen. This celestial object, according to NASA it is making its closest approach to earth on 2 February, just around 42 million Km

    Discovery

    On March 2, 2022 astronomers Frank Masci and Bryce Bolin using the Zwicky Transient Facility (ZTF) at the Palomar Observatory in Southern California, came across an object which they initially identified as an asteroid.

    It appeared very dim nearly 25,000 times fainter than stars that the human eye can detect. Later it was revealed that this star-like object possessed a very tightly condensed coma, indicating that it was a comet. At the time, the comet was situated 643 million km from the Sun, just inside the orbit of the planet Jupiter.

    Structure

    Comets are composed primarily of frozen gases that are heated as they approach the sun and glow by the sun’s light, this cloud of gas is the head or coma of the comet. As the gases warm and expand, particles of dust that are released into space forming the tail of the Comet

    Comets generally throw off two types of tails; tails composed primarily of gas, and tails composed primarily of dust. Dust tails are far brighter and more spectacular to the eye than gas tails

    This comet is made of ice and dust and emits a greenish aura, with a kilometre-wide diameter will be visible to the naked eye, prior to this comet Neowise was spotted in March 2020 and the grand Hale-Bopp comet in 1997

    This comet is believed to have come from the Oort Cloud, a theorised vast sphere surrounding the solar system that is home to mysterious icy objects. The last time this comet passed Earth was during the Upper Paleolithic period, when Neanderthals still roamed Earth.

    Rare Opportunity

    The comet is estimated to have an orbital period of roughly 50,000 years. Its last passage through the inner solar system apparently came during the Upper Paleolithic or Old Stone Age. It means that if at all it was spotted by anybody from the earth, it would be the Neanderthals

    The special fact about this comet is that, it has a parabolic orbit which means that the chances of its return are very rare or never again… which makes it more significant to see this comet perhaps for the first and last time….

    The best opportunity to locate the comet in the sky will be on 9-10 Feb, when it passes close to Mars however will depend on a variety of factors including location and light pollution from both natural and artificial sources

    A close study of this rare visitor may give the information about our solar system well beyond most of the distant planets.

    -Dr Siddhivinayak Barve
    Editor, ScienceNow Digital

  • National Science Day

    National Science Day is Celebrated on 28th Feb every year. The day marks the announcement of the Discovery of Raman Effect by Sir C V Raman…

    In India National Science Day (NSD) is celebrated on February 28 every year. This day marks the

    discovery of the Raman effect phenomenon of the Scattering of light by the Indian Physicist Sir C.V

    Raman on 28 February, 1928. For the discovery of the Raman effect, he was awarded the Nobel Prize

    in 1930.

    Keeping this in mind, the National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC)

    decided that every year 28 February will be celebrated as National Science Day. The request was

    approved by the Government of India, and from 1936 onwards, this day is celebrated by the whole of India as the National Science Day.

    Theme of National Science Day

    Every year National Science Day is celebrated with a theme that spreads the message about the

    importance of science. This year Department of Science and Technology decided the theme of National Science Day 2023 as “Global Science for Global Well being”. The theme is dedicated to science, with the aim to highlight India’s role in Science and Technology globally.

    Objectives of celebrating National Science Day

    The main objective of celebrating National Science Day is to widely spread a message about the

    importance of science in the daily life of people. It is celebrated to discuss all the issues and implement new technologies for development in the field of science. Significantly it gives an opportunity for people in the science fraternity and scientific minded citizens in the country to encourage to come together and work towards promoting science.

    How is National Science Day celebrated?

    The National Science Day is celebrated across the country by organizing different science exhibitions,

    seminars, workshops, public speeches, science movies, exhibitions on the concept of themes, live

    projects, quiz competitions, and many more such activities.

    -Dr Siddhivinayak Barve

    Editor, ScienceNow Digital

  • Innovation

    Big Idea Summit

    The Big Idea Summit, A National Event to Promote Innovations, Start-ups and Entrepreneurs was organized by Bhanushali Chamber of Commerce on 14th and 15th of Jan 2023 in Ghatkopar, Mumbai

    In the Innovation Summit over 100 innovators presented their innovations in an exhibition.

    The Event provided an opportunity to exhibit the innovations to the visitors, corporates, mentors and investors.

    The innovators were given the opportunity to secure funding, mentorship and business alliance.

    ScienceNow Digital is showcasing the top business idea which won the Best Start-up Award…

    -Team ScienceNow

  • Innovation

    Pipeline Leak Detection from Space

    In the Big Idea Summit ‘Pipeline Leak Detection from Space’ won the Best Start-up Award for AUMSAT Technologies with a team comprising Riddhesh Soni, Divyang Soni, Karan Behar and Anurag Wasnik. The start-up has given a cost effective high tech solution for combating the leakage problem.

    Background

    One of the biggest questions that were heavily debated by mankind in the 1990s was whether or not there was water on the moon. Many space missions went to unfold this mystery but were unable to find substantial evidence for the presence of water signatures on the surface.

    Technology

    Accidentally in 1994, one of the US military’s spy satellites named Clementine was about to complete its earth observation mission. So, NASA proposed a plan to send the satellite to the moon with the remaining fuel and power left on board. The specialty of this satellite was it was equipped with a radar sensor that could penetrate the soil, view in day and night conditions, and effectively map the entire surface of the moon. So after a few revolutions, the radar on board the satellite started to show water signals near the south pole regions which are considered to be permanently shadowed regions. This discovery was the first use of radar technology to find water signatures.

    Innovation

    In 2009, Chandrayaan 1 satellite of India finally proved successfully the presence of water on the moon. Using the same technology used to detect water on the moon, we developed a technology to locate water leakage in underground pipeline networks.

    Problem of Leakage

    In India, the central government funds various utilities to manage water distribution infrastructures. Unlike foreign countries, our utilities use conventional survey methods and ground sensors to monitor water leakages in drinking water pipelines. Despite these efforts, these methods are unable to predict water leakages and in 72 percent of cases, they are unable to detect live water leakages resulting in loss of potable water in the form of Non-Revenue Water. India loses 39 litres out of every 100 litres of potable processed water due to pipeline leakages.

    Remote Sensing

    Aumsat has developed remote water leak prediction technology, focused on reducing water pipeline losses of water utilities along with optimizing their energy, water use efficiency, and economic losses associated with it. Aumsat provides precision-driven, satellite-based, AI-enabled hydro analytics for detecting and predicting water leakage in pipeline networks. Unlike traditional survey-based companies and SCADA-based systems, Aumsat provides services remotely with higher precision and at a 75% lower cost.

    Effective Solution

    In pipeline networks, Aumsat can detect early markers of aging, corrosion, pressure transient, demand cycles, and anthropogenic stress for early detection, condition monitoring, and prediction of failure events in pipelines. The Technology is interoperable with any existing SCADA systems

    Projects

    In the year 2019, 330 leakages occurred in Singapore, out of which 197 leakages were predicted to save 6,300 Gallons of water every month and 3.7 million Dollars annually. Aumsat technology has been deployed for PUB Singapore, SETOM France, HMWSSB Hyderabad, Udaipur Nagar Nigam, PHED Mumbai, and BWSSB Bangalore.

    Benefits

    • No external expertise is required for interpretation.
    • Synoptic view of the entire city in one single screening.
    • Proprietary algorithm for multi-satellite data assimilation and data analysis.
    • No installation or capital cost required. No changes in existing infrastructure required.
    • Reduced NRW both economically and logistically.
    • Information interoperable with existing GIS layers.
    • Detection of underground leakages up to 10m depth

    AUMSAT team comprises specialized engineers, scientists, and big thinkers passionate about making information accessible and actionable having been part of India’s Chandrayaan 2 lunar mission and trained by NASA, UNOOSA, ISRO, Google, and Harvard School of Design.

    The foundations are built on Precision, Innovation, and Trust. Whenever there is a leak, there is an increase in power consumption, loss of life and property, depletion of water quality, and creation of an artificial drought in a city.

    This innovative solution into the existing ecosystem would improve basic socio-economic & water demand & supply & ensure equitable distribution of pipeline water resources.

    The project is a boon for sustainable use of resources of which water is most precious

    ScienceNow Digital congratulates the wonderful innovation!

    -Team ScienceNow

  • Mysteries – Great Pyramids

    The Great Pyramid of Giza is not only the oldest monument on the list of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, but also the only one still standing. The building of these extraordinary structures created in Egypt some 4,500 years ago are a source of speculation and debate. Let us decode the making of the Pyramid…

    HOW WERE THE PYRAMIDS ALIGNED?

    The Egyptians used astronomy to guide construction of the pyramids. According to a British Egyptologist, the stars were a guiding force in how the pyramids were aligned. Another research published in 2000 demonstrates how the Big Dipper and Little Dipper were used to align the pyramids in a north-south direction. So accurate were their measurements that they only have a margin of error of up to 0.05 degrees!

    WHAT WERE THE MATERIALS USED TO BUILD THE PYRAMIDS?

    When the pyramids were originally finished, they were plated in an outer layer of white “casing stones”. These casing stones were cut with astounding precision to give a smooth slope to the pyramids.

     Why limestones?

    The original casing stones were made of highly polished Tura limestone that fitted together so perfectly, giving the pyramid, smooth, flawless sides. This would have made the giant structures brightly reflect the sun’s rays like a mirror. It also would have made the inside of the structure perfectly insulated.

    Why dolomite?

    The material dolomite was used on the inner surfaces of the pyramid. Dolomite is known to increase electrical conductivity, directly relative to the amount of pressure on it, which means high pressure creates more electrical current.

     Why granite?

    Lining the passageways and underground tunnels of the pyramid is granite, which is slightly radioactive. Granite contains high amounts of quartz crystal with metal, and it’s a well-known conductor of piezo electricity (the ability of certain materials like quartz to generate electricity when subjected to mechanical stress or vibration).

    How were the pyramids used to generate electricity?

    Piezo electricity occurs as a result of stress or pressure on the quartz. The granite in the pyramids actually ionises the air inside the pyramid, creating a chemical reaction, which again, increases the conductivity of electricity. When such electrons are given the chance to bypass sections of rock via metal wire, quite large currents can flow.

     Geographically located

    An energy generator requires a catalyst from another source. And so the pyramids are geographically located over a powerful natural generator: underground rivers and aquifers. Piezo electricity could be harnessed from the power of the current as the water flows, and it has been proven that thousands of years ago, the Nile River ran straight past the pyramids.

    From water to electricity

    With water as the source of power, it would have travelled up the limestone based on the principle of capillary action, which happens when a small area of a substance that gets wet, absorbs into the entire area of that substance. The tunnel leading down from the bottom of the pyramid, could’ve tapped into an aquifer, channelling the water up into the pyramid, through a series of tunnels. So, water flowing near or underneath the pyramid could have been absorbed as it passed over the limestone, even travelling upward to the top of the structure. The quartz and the tunnels of the pyramids would be subject to the stress or vibration creating piezo electricity.

    -Noel Farnades

    Team ScienceNow

     

  • The Flight of Death..

    In mysterious circumstances, hundreds of birds die at the Sambhar lake, which is a famous breeding ground for migratory birds…

    Sambhar lake, located 80 km southwest of Jaipur city in the state of Rajasthan record the mysterious phenomenon that birds were just falling dead from the sky. The officials were in action to ascertain the cause of sudden death of these flighted animals. They were foxed by the investigations as it was the Avian Botulism – a paralytic and frequently fatal disease caused by the ingestion of toxins that led to the death of hundreds of migratory birds… About Sambhar lake The lake receives water from five rivers – Medtha, Samaod, Mantha, Rupangarh, Khari and Khandela.

    The lake is an extensive saline wetland with water depth fluctuating from as few as 60 centimetres during the dry season to about 3 meters (10 feet) at the end of the monsoon season. It occupies an area of 190 to 230 square kilometers based on the season. The lake is elliptically shaped with a length of approximately 35.5 km and a breadth varying between 3 km and 11 km. The circumference of the lake is 96 km, and it is surrounded by the by the Aravali hills on all sides

    Birds that were found dead

    Every year, thousands of migratory birds flock to the Sambhar lake. According to official records, more than 83 species of water birds are found nesting in this enchanting lake. Among these, the most common ones are little grebe, great crested grebe, great white pelican, little cormorant, black stork, and darter, apart from various species of plovers, egrets, herons, and geese.

    Out of the total, about 25-30 species of birds have been found dead. It all began when tourists found a large number of dead birds on November 10, 2019. The trend continued over the next few days, until the Rajasthan government swung into action and buried almost 18,422 bird carcasses to prevent the spread of infection. The officials also rescued about 748 birds, of which around 400 were up and flying.

    The cause of death

    Finally, it was confirmed by the Indian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI) of Bareilly that Avian botulism (bacteria which is commonly found in the soil, rivers, and seawater when consumed by birds affects their nervous system, leading to paralysis in their legs and wings) was the cause. The avian botulism that caused the mass die-off at Sambhar was caused by the climate.

    Heavy rains reduced the salinity of the lake. However, when the water evaporated, it increased the salinity around the edges of the lake bed. The low-levels of warm, saline water in the lake is further estimated by ecologists to have provided an ideal location for the manifestation of botulism.

    Why is it a cause for concern?

    Mass deaths among migratory birds are not uncommon and it is definitely a grave matter as each bird is a contributor to maintain the ecological balance. In the US, thousands of blackbirds were found dead on roads. In Gujarat, hundreds of migratory seagulls turned up dead in Jamnagar in 2005. In the case of the Sambhar Lake, it is the high mortality rate that has sparked concern. It ranks on par with the death of an estimated 750,000 migrating

    Lapland Longspurs in Worthington, Minnesota, US in 1904.

    The Need of the Hour

    While the IVRI, Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun, Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History (SACON) in Coimbatore and Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) in Mumbai assessed the situation to understand and contain the outbreak. There is need for a long-term, sustainable solution that needs to be arrived at to safeguard not only avian but also human health.

    In the era of climate change it is more important to preserve and prevent the loss of avian wealth

    Manoj Mahanta
    Team ScienceNow

  • Sci & Tech – Sound of Music

    Listening to music while walking down the street, travelling on long distance trains, camping on a hilltop/forest… wireless technology has dramatically changed the way we record and consume music.

    With Wi-Fi acoustic technology continuously evolving – Bluetooth, noise-cancellation, surround sound… we are witnessing a paradigm shift from the earlier ‘rich and clear’ audio experience to a ‘high-quality and blissful’ one whereby consumers are demanding high sound quality in their headphones and speakers.

    So here are some technologies to look forward to:

     Bone Conduction

    This technology makes it possible for one to enjoy music privately while keeping an ear on the world around them at the same time. A headphone like band goes around the back of the head and ends rest on the bones of the skull, thus freeing your ear.

    This technology uses transducers that emit sound waves at a frequency that helps it travel through the bones of the skull and onto the inner ear. So you can hear high quality sound without using the outer ear.

    3D Soundscape

    While the eyes can only see up to 200 degrees at a time, the ears listen in 3D, and it can distinguish sounds from different angles. This technology allows sound designers and composers to create a fully immersive 3D audio environment by placing and moving sound anywhere. It tries to replicate the way our brain perceives sounds in space as it allows one to program distance, height and orientation. So the volume of an audio piece between the left and right ears will change depending on movement of sound track.

    Nuraphone

    Each one of us is different, our construction of body and sense organs are unique – we hear differently. So instead of using the ‘one size fits all’ earphones, Nuraphone uses its self-learning technology to measure a person’s hearing and fine-tunes the audio to optimise it to a person’s ear. It splits the melodic sounds to an in-ear speaker and the bass sounds to an over-ear tactile speaker that delivers the sound through the person’s skin as if he was hearing it live.

    Mindset – Smart Headphones These headphones can read your mind while playing the music of choice. The small EEG electrode on the headphone continuously measure electrical signals emitted by the head and learns from the emotions. They can track your interest, concentration and reactions and likewise adjust the sound quality.

    Moreover, as one wears them regularly, they get to know more about the peaks and troughs, adapting likewise to enhance the ultimate experience

    -Manoj Mahanta

    Team ScienceNow