The Blockchain technology has become a regular news item with the emergence of cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin. Now, this technology is disrupting almost all markets, changing the way we do our day to day business. Yes, the blockchain technology is changing our world. Let’s decode the latest buzz word – The Blockchain …
Who orders vegetables for your home? You or your parents do that, right? But what if tomorrow, your refrigerator directly orders for vegetables after analysing the shortage in stock? Yes, that is possible with the emergence of a new concept called the Internet of Things (IoT). What is the “Internet …
Gene editing or genome editing is a way of making specific changes to the DNA of a cell or organism. An enzyme cuts the DNA at a specific sequence, and when this is repaired by the cell a change or ‘edit’ is made to the sequence. Enzymes which cut DNA …
GSLV Mk III-D1 launched GSAT-19 on June 05, 2017 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre SHAR (SDSC SHAR), Sriharikota. The first developmental flight of GSLV Mk III (the GSLV-Mk III-D1) successfully placed GSAT-19 satellite to a Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO). Know more about GSLV Mk III GSLV Mk III is …
Almost everyone is familiar with the term computer virus, but only a few might have heard about the term malware. A computer virus is a type of malware. Malware includes computer viruses, worms, Trojan horses, spyware, ransomware and many others. In this post, we analyse the different types of malware including the Wannacry, …
You might have heard about Superbugs which are resistant to all medicines. This is known as Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR). Studies by WHO has found that in many developing countries including India, the careless use of antibiotics is very prevalent. In this post, we shall discuss the dangers of Anti-Microbial resistance (AMR). We …
Enterprises currently spend over $1.5 billion to incorporate automation into their projects. Robotic automation is growing at a whopping rate of 60%. Fears that automation will kill more jobs continues to grow. Now, the world is dealing not only with robots that do physical labor but with Artificial Intelligence that does …
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a hot word these days. In this post, we cover artificial intelligence in detail – its meaning, scope, risks, ethics etc. What is Artificial Intelligence (AI)? To make it simple – Artificial Intelligence is intelligence exhibited by machines. It is a branch of computer science which …
Rare Earth Elements (REE) are metals having many similar properties. The global demand for rare earth elements has increased significantly in line with their expansion into high-end technology, environment, and economic areas. In this post, we see the importance of Rare Earth Elements and their strategic significance. What is a …
Supercomputers have a high level of computing performance compared to a general purpose computer. In this post, we cover all details of supercomputers like history, performance, application etc. We will also see top 3 supercomputers and the National Supercomputing Mission. What is a supercomputer? A computer with a high level …
The Indian Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) Programme is an attempt to develop and to use a multi-layered ballistic missile defence system to protect from ballistic missile attacks. The India’s decision to develop Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) was introduced in the light of the ballistic missile threat mainly from Pakistan, especially …
ISRO on February 15, 2017, created history and world record by successfully launching 104 satellites on a single mission. India overtook the previous record of 37 satellites launched (by Russia in 2014). The satellites were launched using launch vehicle of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) – PSLV C37. ISRO’s PSLV C37 Launch: …
Scramjet Engine is making headlines these days. The successful testing of Scramjet engine designed by ISRO represents a major milestone in India’s future space programs. But what is a Scramjet Engine? What is a Scramjet Engine? To make it simple, a scramjet is a supersonic combusting ramjet). This is a variant …
India successfully tested the launched of indigenously made Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV), capable of launching satellites into orbit around earth and then re-enter the atmosphere, from Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. RLV is dubbed as India’s own space shuttle. (The ‘Space Shuttle’ was a partially reusable low Earth orbital spacecraft system operated …
Einstein was right! Albert Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves a century ago. Now, scientists confirmed the detection of gravitational waves. This is one of the biggest discoveries of modern science. What are Gravitational Waves? In simple terms, gravitational waves are ripples in the fabric of space-time created by the …
Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans. The Ebola virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission.The Ebola virus causes an acute, serious illness which is often fatal if untreated. There are …
Genetically modified crops (GM crops) are plants used in agriculture, the DNA of which has been modified using genetic engineering techniques. More than 10% of the world’s crop lands are planted with GM crops. In most cases, the aim is to introduce a new trait to the plant which does not occur …
The standard model of particle physics hypothesized about Higgs Boson in 1964. The discovery of Higgs particle was announced at CERN on 4 July 2012. The discovery has been called monumental because it appears to confirm the existence of the Higgs field, which is pivotal to the Standard Model and other …
Matter is anything that has mass and takes space. But apart from the ‘normal’ matter, there are different other forms of hypothesized matter. A few examples include Dark Matter, Anti Matter and Negative Matter. You by now know that matter and energy are inter convertible; so there are Dark Energy, …
The Four Fundamental Forces of Nature are Gravitational force, Weak Nuclear force, Electromagnetic force and Strong Nuclear force. The weak and strong forces are effective only over a very short range and dominate only at the level of subatomic particles. Gravity and Electromagnetic force have infinite range. Let’s see each of them …
There are possibly only two classes of ‘particles’ in the universe – Fermions and Bosons. All elementary particles (Quarks, Leptons, Guage Bosons, Static Bosons etc.) will fall under either of these two. Not only elementary particles, but also composite particles like Baryons (Eg: Protons, Neutrons etc.) will also fall under …
Standard Particle Model of Quantum Mechanics is a mathematical model which explains the particle-wave nature of sub-atomic particles. This model proposed two major groups of elementary particles of matter, ie. Quarks and Leptons. The model also proposed elementary force carriers known as Gauge Bosons (responsible for the forces in nature) …
In this universe there are huge objects like planets and stars. There are also sub-atomic particles like protons and neutrons. You may note that at sub-atomic sizes, the wave nature of particles cannot be neglected and that the particles move at very high speeds. Which theory of Physics explains satisfactorily …
Big Bang Theory is about the origin of Universe. It suggests that about 1370 crore (13.7 billion) years ago, all matter and energy in the universe was concentrated into an area smaller than an atom. At this instant, matter, energy, space and time were not existent. Then suddenly with a …
Do you know who has his fingers on nuclear button in India? Prime Minister? Army Chief? Again, what is the role of Nuclear Command Authority (NCA)? What is Strategic Forces Command or Strategic Nuclear Command? We hope this post to clear your doubts related to India’s external security as we …
Another article under our guest contributor program; this time covering the basics of nuclear chemistry. Those who have missed the last article covering basics of chemistry, you may read it here. Now let’s us focus on Nuclear Chemistry which is an area given stress in most of the UPSC Preliminary question …
Chemistry is the study of the composition, structure, properties and change of matter [matter is defined as anything that has rest mass and volume (it takes up space) and is made up of particles]. Chemistry is chiefly concerned with atoms (a basic unit in chemistry) and their interactions with other atoms. Atoms An atom is a basic unit of matter that consists of a …
The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) achieved another milestone as it successfully launched the Geo-synchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV-D5) from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh. GSLV launch is a great achievement as it used indigenous developed cryogenic engine. Let’s discuss in this post certain keywords …
Fibre-reinforced plastic (FRP) (also known as fibre-reinforced polymer) is a composite material made of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibres. Composites are established as an alternative material system to traditional materials such as steel, wood, aluminium and concrete. Bakelite was the first fibre-reinforced plastic. Materials used as Fibres in FRP composites Glass, …
Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STI) 2013 seeks to send a signal to the Indian scientific community, both in the private and public domain, that science, technology and innovation should focus on faster, sustainable and inclusive development of the people. The policy seeks to focus on both STI for people and people for …
Questions from Science and Technology is asked in UPSC Civil Services Prelims General Studies Paper 1 as well as in Mains General Studies Paper 3 (GS3). Science part deals with subjects like Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Technology part deals with application of various sciences. Questions can come from all latest technologies …