Category: Innovation

In the Big Idea Summit organised by Bhanushali Chamber of Commerece, Ghatkopar, Mauktika Pearl Farming with innovator team comprising Mr Chinmaya Saboo from Odisha and Ms Pooja Mange from Nasik got the prestigious award of the Best Innovative Startup. The technique can be used to Cultivate Pearls, which can be a very lucrative enterprise….

Background

The world was standstill… in lockdown… Everything shut… this was the time when a bright idea was unfolding… Chinmaya Saboo from Odisha and Pooja Mange from Maharashtra started a venture.. very new… very innovative… The Pearl Farming…

Chinmay perceived the idea… got deeper. He started getting training to do the innovative venture of Cultivating Perals.. The idea is different… He started culturing the Mussels to induce Pearls in them… and as always the same happened as it happens with any new venture… Chinmay started with 20000 mussels.. but alas… most of the mussels died…

Plan

Without giving up the idea Chinmay started afresh… Now he followed the scientific path… Started reading a lot of research papers on Pearl Cultivation… read a lot of research papers and came up with a very innovative novel culturing method for mussels…Now he got the confidence of growing the Pearls… mortality subsided… here he introduced a very novel concept of Designing Pearls… he collaborated with Pooja Mange from Nashik… and started on his own…Mauktika Pearl Farming started… a New venture was born…

A powerful game-changing plan for doing pearl farm with new ways and using mother of pearl and beautiful shapes was conceptualized. The water zones were identified where those mussels for the Pearls were grown… The conducive parameters that comply the pearl growing were identified… Along with the natural sites the pearl farming was also attempted in artificial tanks.

Innovation

The exhaustive study was done on which species should be grown to give the best results.. The mussel species… Lamellidens marginalis collected from the hatcheries was found to be best suitable for Pearl Culture… mussels were subjected to selective breeding… proper medicines were administered… The mussels were maintained for seven days…

Lamellidens belongs to the class Pelecypoda phylum Mollusca. Fresh water mussels live in ponds, lakes, slow moving streams all over the world. The lamellidens are distributed throughout Indian subconti­nent. Pearls of small sizes have been re­ported from lamellidens

Methodology

The critical step of inducing the Pearl was done by initiating the surgery…  the process of surgery is performed by implanting the nucleus on both sides…the method of surgery that is followed in India is mostly the mantle cavity surgery which allows the mussels to handle the stress and get the best

pearls … the mortality is just around 10%… after the surgery the mussels are observed for a period of 7 days preventing bacterial infection and for healing the wound…

The mussels are kept in ponds of tanks… the nutritional sources like calcium and proteins are supplied to the culture… this helps in increasing the lustre and quality of the pearls formed…The mussels are now maintained for a period of 15 to 18 months to get the best pearls… The pearls are harvested with quality parameters like weight and lustre…

Big Idea

Chinmay Saboo and Pooja Mange has developed this Novel Technology…The Big Idea… The Pearl Farming and Cultivation is very lucrative as it fetches a very good return.. If the proper method is followed Pearl Culture is a prospective enterprise….

-Team ScienceNow

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 14^th and 15^th 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

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

Spirulina has caught the fancy of people! It has more beta Carotene than Carrots, more Chlorophyll than Wheatgrass, 50 times more Iron than Spinach, twice as much Protein as that of meat, not to mention large amounts of Calcium, Niacin, Potassium, B-vitamins and all essential Amino Acids. And what’s more interesting, it is easier to absorb all these nutrients from Spirulina than any other protein-rich food known to mankind, be it Meat, Soybeans, Sweet Peas and Chickpeas…

Welcome to the new world of micro-algae!

Is it a plant? Often mistaken for being a water plant, but technically speaking they aren’t. Instead, one could look at them as the evolutionary bridge between bacteria and green plants. As they are not plants, these organisms can virtually grow in all kinds of habitat and at a much faster rate – at times doubling their size within a day. Now at a time when the world appears to be struggling to come to terms with poverty and hunger, owing to its unique qualities and high nutrient values, micro-algae is being looked at as the ‘Super Food’ of the future – a sustainable alternate nutrition to plants and animal meat, which not only can feed the ever bulging population but also tackle rampant malnutrition in under-developed countries across the world.

Micro-algae and Sustainability

Considering the fact that the nutritional value of micro-algae like Spirulina is equivalent to 1,000 Kilograms of assorted Fruits and Vegetables, scientists reckon the fact that they have a bigger role to play in our food system. Moreover, these organisms can be grown in all types of water – brackish or alkaline using less than 1/3 the amount of water, and on a smaller area of land surface that doesn’t necessarily have to be fertile. So there is no more cutting of rain forest thus, taking the pressure off deforestation for land-based cultivation. In fact, it could be an alternative to Soya-based animal feed, which is used globally to feed livestock, poultry and aquaculture industries.

By substituting micro-algae as animal feed, the vast tracts of lands presently used to grow Soybean crop could be instead used to grow grains, fruits and vegetables for human consumption without any adverse impact on ecosystem, wildlife, soil quality and climate.

Impact on Environment

While growing one Kg of Micro-Algae, 1.8 kg of Carbon Dioxide gets converted into Biomass and Oxygen. It absorbs CO2 directly from the atmosphere, reducing greenhouse gases and improving quality of air without adding any added pressure on the environment. As these organisms have the ability to grow almost anywhere, including wastewater, greywater and sea water, they could be used for recycling of industrial wastewater. Interestingly, substances such as Nitrates and Phosphates which are considered harmful to humans and environment, and which eventually end up into the sea are a source of nutrients for micro-algae.

In an increasingly urbanised habitat, micro-algae could help reduce the harmful environmental impact and also strip greenhouse gases from the atmosphere so as to improve the quality of water and air.

Future Unlimited

Micro-algae are tiny factories and renewable, sustainable and economical sources of biofuels, bioactive medicinal products and food ingredients. If scientists are convinced that micro-algae are going to be ultimate source of nutrition to mankind and answer several environmental problems, then why isn’t it grown everywhere when the requisite technology and knowhow is available? Popularly, micro-algae are grown in either a Raceway Pond or Photo-Bioreactor. In the first case, the cost of production is more economical but the chances of contamination are very high, whereas in the second the production cost is comparatively high as it requires huge land parcel and controlled environment. But, the good news is, scientists across the globe are working dedicatedly to make the plantation and harvesting process more cost-effective. They are working on the associated challenges and limitations, so as to overcome them and make it feasible and viable for commercial production on a larger scale. The pursuit for finding solutions to severe social and environmental concerns is on, and it is just a matter of time when the final breakthrough could be achieved.

Team ScienceNow

The Fishery Science

If you have love for marine life and the sea, then Fishery Science is one of the most rewarding

careers for you…

Fishery Sciences is quite an exciting career choice in India. Our country is blessed with more

than 8000 km of coastline, and is among the seventh largest exporter of fishes. Moreover, the cuisines and cultures in this country are heavily based on fish and seafood. Though fishery science is not so popular in India, it is quite exciting and rewarding, especially for those who have interest in marine life.

Role of a Fishery Scientist

As a fishery scientist, your job is not limited to just experimenting in a research laboratory, but also

having to work in fish farms and seas. Assessing the impact of change in habitat on fishes and

developing new modules for their sustainability is also your job as a fishery scientist. You will have to

study fish and fauna and work on various projects mainly focusing on the effects of human activities on aquatic life. In addition, you will have to create hatcheries and breed fishes in ponds and make sure it reaches marketable size. But the biggest challenge as a fishery scientist is to develop innovative ideas and technologies for use in aquaculture like aerators, pumps, feeding equipment etc.

Job Opportunities

As a fishery scientist, you can find openings in government organisations, State Departments of

Agriculture and agencies such as the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI). A number

of commercial entities have also entered the area of fish food processing and marketing, for which

individuals specialised in Fish Processing Technology or Fisheries Resources and Management are

desired.

Apart from this, as a fishery scientist, you can work in various institutions across the country that

conducts courses in Fisheries and Aquatic Resource research. And if you have good research skills,

you can find employment in institutes like the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology (CIFT), the

National Fisheries Development Board etc. Your expertise will also be sought in creating Oceanarium

or a public aquarium. Self-employment is another option as you can set up your own private hatchery, given that the population of fish and water animals is fast depleting with industrial and urban wastes polluting seawater. You can also find opportunities in various associated fields such as aquaculture, fish nutrition, fish pathology, fish genetics and biotechnology.

Qualifications Required

There are various undergraduate and postgraduate courses available in the field of Fisheries. After

completing 10+2 with Biological Science as one of the subjects, Fishery Science can be studied at the

BSc level. You can also do your MSc in Fishery Science after completing your BSc in Zoology. Your

knowledge of Biology, Chemistry and Physics will regularly be drawn upon in your study of Fishery

Science. Selection process for admission in various universities/colleges is either through university

level exam (CUSAT) or state level entrance examination.

Skills Needed

The first thing you will need before you jump into this exciting career is a love for marine life and the

sea. Preferably sea sickness should not be your weakness as it can be a gamechanger. Importantly

you should have a scientific temperament for research as most of the work will be research-based.

Managerial skills can be of great benefit as the industry is directly related to money.

In broad terms Fisheries is a vibrant sector that has many facets including aquaculture, gears,

navigation, oceanography, aquarium management, fish breeding, processing, export and import of

seafood, special products and by-products, research and related activities. Also, with India being the

fourth largest producer of fish in the world, a career in Fishery Science offers great opportunities.

Colleges/ Institutes offering courses in Fishery Science

• Central Institute of Fisheries Education, Mumbai
• Central Inland Capture Fisheries Research Institute, Barrackpore
• Post Graduate College of Fisheries, Hyderabad
• National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources, Lucknow
• College of Fishery Science, Nagpur
• College of Fishery Science, Tuticorin, TN
• Gujarat Agriculture University, College of Fisheries, Krushinagar

-Team ScienceNow

The Science of Foot Care

PODIATRY

Though the carvings on entrance of Ankmahor’s tomb dated about 2400 BC happen to be the first known depiction of hands and feet care, more recently we have records of the King of France appointing a personal podiatrist. So also, we know of a dedicated podiatrist being appointed by the President of United States, Abraham Lincoln, to care for his feet. By the 20th Century, Podiatry gained significant popularity as an independent stream of healthcare in the West….

The first society of Podiatrists were established in New York in 1895, and the same continues to operate even today as NYSPMA. In an era of health specialty and super-specialty, Podiatry as a profession has been gaining wider attention and acceptance by healthcare givers and seekers, alike. Here let’s try and understand as to what makes this trade so popular?

Who is a Podiatrist ?

A Podiatrist is a Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), a physician/surgeon who treats the foot, ankle, and related structures of the leg. A Podiatrist doesn’t go to the conventional medical school, instead they have an independent professional association and schools that provide foot related medical training.

What does a Podiatrist do ?

As medical specialists, Podiatrists work on problems that affect our feet or lower legs. They can do surgery, reset broken bones, prescribe drugs, and order lab tests or X-rays…They can treat injuries as well as complications affecting the health of one’s feet or lower legs.

Why is Podiatry growing in popularity ?

Feet are complex anatomical structures, all-in-one stabilizers, shock absorbers, and propulsion engines that are instrumental to overall health and well-being. Undoubtedly, they require expert care, and this awareness is gaining greater acceptance with the GenNext. Moreover, as some podiatrist also specialise in different areas of foot medicine – wound care, sports medicine, diabetes, paediatric, sprains, arthritis, ulcers, foot prosthetics… the profession is gaining in popularity.

When should one visit a Podiatrist ?

-Dr Shobha Tawde

Earth is the only planet to sustain several technologies innovated by humans. Many of these technologies have been either treating the environment positively or impacting it with negative impacts. Environmental technology has by far been the prime tool to deal with the altering environment….

What is Environmental Technology?

Often referred to as green technology, Environmental technology is basically the application of environmental sciences for the betterment of environment. These sciences help in the development of new technologies that observe, protect or reduce the harm caused due to the excessive use of natural resources. Environmental technology aims for development that benefits the environment and slows down the depletion of natural resources and reduce the amount of pollution.

How can it be pursued as a career?

Environmental technology is a broad field. It includes anything and everything related to technology that would benefit the environment. In short, it is technology that would help sustain the environment in its natural form.  The field has multiple aspects that can be termed as specializations or individual careers. Each of these aspects of the field brings in various ways and methods to conserve the environment. Let’s learn about a few careers that the field offers –

Environmental technician

These technologists inspect and maintain tools, manage waste and look after waste operations by collecting samples and studying them in testing laboratories. They monitor the environment to find the sources of pollution that affect human health and often work under the guidance of an environmental scientist.

Environmental scientist

A scientist collects data from air, soil, water, food samples and perform detailed research. On the basis of their findings, they develop plans to prevent, control or fix environmental problems. They prepare technical reports and presentations to explain their findings.

Environmental engineer

An engineer designs systems or tools and implements measures to prevent, control or fix environmental dangers. They often work on recycling and treating all kinds of waste after studying the data collected by technicians and researched by scientists.

Environmental manager

A manager often supervises environmental activities in private and public organisations. He/she work on plans and observes various strategies to promote environment sustainability. A manager also sees to it that the necessary changes are applied.

Environmental Consultant

A consultant conducts desk-based research. He/she understands data collected by field surveys to check the pollution levels or contamination caused in an area. Through the interpretation, he/she writes reports with the help of software to share the survey findings.

What educational requirements do careers in Environmental Technology offer?

A career in environmental technology usually needs formal education with a bachelor’s degree for entry-level work. To pursue a career in Environmental technology, one needs to hold a bachelor’s degree from science stream. One can enrol for B.Sc. in Environmental sciences or enrol for a B.E. in Environmental technology. He/she would need a study of chemistry, biology, geology and hydrology. To study environmental technology on a post-graduate level, one can enrol for M.Sc or M.Tech. Students can also enrol for two-year skill based degree programs which enable them on-the-job training. Many institutes also offer certificate programmes for undergraduate or post-graduate candidates.

What personal attributes does one need to opt a career in environmental technology?

Careers in environmental technology need technical skills and abilities. One needs to possess excellent reading skills to understand data and survey. He/she also needs to have critical thinking skills. Often one needs to possess good communication skills as one may need to be working as a team member. One thus needs to have strong listening, speaking and writing skills. One must also have good social skills in order to convey facts correctly and clearly. Above everything, one needs to have very good observational skills. He/she must be able to recognise and identify possible environmental issues and try to find appropriate solutions.  Candidates should also have excellent maths, science and computing skills so as to plan and design systems and understand the data. He/she should also have a passion for working towards a better environment and conserve natural resources. One should be able to learn new techniques and adapt to newer technologies.

Noel Fernandes

ScienceNow Digital

How to select a Business Idea?

Identifying a successful business idea for a start-up venture may require budding entrepreneurs to harness their creative energies, leverage their hands-on experiences/skills and turn their passion into a profession. Here’s how you can do it?….    

Call it an after-effect of the ‘Make in India’ and ‘Start-up India’ campaigns or the rise of a new breed of app-based techpreneur teens who have easy access to digital online tools, entrepreneurship seems to have caught the fancy of many-a-school and college going youth. Setting breaks on the post-colonial euphoria of chasing government and high-profile corporate jobs, youth look to be at home discussing entrepreneurial issues, market dynamics, business opportunities and the challenges accompanying it. So also, B-schools and engineering colleges across the country are witnessing rising incidents of students opting out of the placement routines, at times even turning down hi-profile/high-paying job offers, only to pursue their deep inner entrepreneurial calling. In schools and colleges, ‘entrepreneurship’ is the new buzzword!

Now for all those youngsters who have already decided to be an entrepreneur and are guessing as to what goes on to make businesses successful, whether it’s a right product, a smart business plan, adequate finances, a team of sharp and committed staff, world-wide digital footprints…, don’t be surprised if you ever hear management gurus emphasise on selection of a ‘right business idea’. It may set the alarm bells ringing for most people who are seriously considering to start a business based on one of the two personal biases:

• • It’s a business I am already aware of: “I love food and know all about it, so I should start a restaurant,” if you feel so, better think again. Just because you are a foodie or a good chef doesn’t necessarily mean that you would successfully run a restaurant. Choosing to do so, could be a huge mistake!

 

• • It’s a product/service I am in love with: Again, just because you like the product or services, doesn’t necessarily make it profitable. Especially, first-time entrepreneurs ought to be conscious of the fact that running a business is a tough ask, and that things could become all the more difficult if one gets passionately attached with the product/service.

 

So how does one really go about selecting a business idea that in the long-run would not only be profitable, but also yield rich dividends on scaling it up? Here’s a step-by-step approach to do so:

1. 1. Picking up an idea: Look for something business that fits your passion, life goals, personal strengths, real-life experiences… While you do so, look at it as a possible business idea, and don’t fall in love with it just yet.

 

1. 1. Think 360⁰: Evaluate the business idea as an investor would otherwise do. How big is the opportunity? Is the timing right? What will it take to execute it? Do you have adequate finances? What are the risks involved? Is the product/service marketable? How long would it take to make the venture profitable?

 

1. 1. Get Feedback: Always be conscious of the fact that the selected business idea is your baby, and it’s your gut feeling that it will work fine. Playing it safe, look for people who know the market, who understands the business model, competition, market dynamics… and try getting first-hand feedback on your business idea. Also try talking to some of the probable customers as to: whether they would buy it? If so, at what cost? What value additions they would like? How much would they be ready to pay for it? and so on.

 

1. 1. Business Plan: You should have a well thought out ‘Business Plan’ in hand prior to launch of the business. Try incorporating all your recent learnings, opinions of business experts, feedback of probable customers, learnings from market research, financial plan, marketing tools and their usage… Importantly, the business plan ought to be implementable, and it should have clearly set goals and target month-wise and year-wise.

 

1. 1. Develop a prototype: its high-time you have a market-ready product/service in place. Thereafter, consider a soft launch or pilot run of the product/service to plan to launch, just prior to the final business launch. Keep the ultimate vision and business goals in mind, and look out for feelers during the trial runs as to how you can achieve it.

 

1. 1. Test the waters: During this phase try to engage with your future customers and suppliers to figure out how to match your offerings with customer needs. To do that, test elements like pricing, branding, product/service features, customer experience, marketing strategy, etc. Measure the results and draw conclusions.

 

1. 1. Make necessary adjustments: Once you have gathered wealth of information on your product/service, market challenges, customers, competition, etc., try figuring out as to what things you got wrong and promptly fix them. The process may warrant making small or significant changes to your proposed product/service or business plan, ensure that necessary corrective steps are taken to prevent any future eventualities.

 

1. 1. Market ready: Having undergone the above mentioned process, you can be rest assured that your selected business idea is ready for a formal market launch.

 

-Noel Fernandes