Science & Technology – Page 11

KARNATAKA: AI in HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES / OPTHALMOLOGY: AI can Predict Severity of Conjunctivitis, says Dr. Rohit Shetty, Narayana Nethralaya, Bengaluru

Addressing reporters on Thursday, the doctor said that using imaging and molecular diagnostics has enabled them to use AI and bio-markers in conjunctivitis to predict severity.

In an effort to identify and treat severe conjunctivitis cases early, Narayana Nethralaya has managed to predict the severity of such cases using Artificial Intelligence (AI). “We are using AI to predict the severity of conjunctivitis. This can help clinicians provide the right treatment that helps in better recovery. This bio-marker work in tears is probably one of the first in the country, and could also be one of the first conjunctivitis-related tear bio-marker research in the world,” said Dr Rohit Shetty, chairman, Narayana Nethralaya explained.

Addressing reporters on Thursday, the doctor said that using imaging and molecular diagnostics has enabled them to use AI and bio-markers in conjunctivitis to predict severity. This AI-driven research has highlighted that people who are more prone to allergies or asthma and have low Vitamin D levels are getting severely affected. The AI model has demonstrated 97 per cent accuracy, affirming its successful interpretation.

Cases of conjunctivitis, commonly known as ‘pink eye’, are on the rise in Bengaluru in the past few weeks. Doctors at Narayana see over 100 patients daily, with 30% of them being children. Most cases are caused due to adenovirus, and is not just a summer infection, but occurs in all seasons.

“This research is of paramount importance to patients and doctors, as the disease has been addressed with a blanket approach that may not be suitable for all. Depending on the severity, we can decide what medications would be suitable, and starting topical steroids early can be beneficial,” said Dr Gairik, consultant of cornea and refractive surgery, Narayana Nethralaya.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: ENGINEERING: Mangaluru’s Rajendra Kalbavi Elected Secretary General of Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (India)

Consulting civil engineer from Mangaluru and executive director of Dakshina Kannada Nirmiti Kendra was elected the secretary general of the Association of Consulting Civil Engineers (India) for two years.

Association president Vijay Kishan Sanap installed Mr. Kalbavi as the secretary general during the annual general body meeting on July 17 at Hyderabad, said a release.

Chief Returning Officer M.U. Ashwath had announced the results of the annual central committee elections held on April 26 at Nagpur and issued the certificate of election to Mr. Kalbavi for 2023-25.

Over 700 members attended the AGM at Hyderabad.

Mr. Kalbavi was conferred with the “Eminent Engineer Award” by the association in recognition of his achievement in the field of civil engineering during the Association’s Foundation Day at Nagpur recently.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: BUSINESS & ECONOMY / TEXTILES: G.I tagged Udupi Sari dyed with Arecanut ‘chogaru’ Natural Dyes to be launched tomorrow

In addition, the GI tag enjoying Udupi sari has been made using natural dyes from leaf of wild almond, root of ‘manjistha’.

The Udupi handloom sari, which enjoys Geographical Indication (GI) tag, dyed using natural arecanut ‘chogaru’ is set to be launched on Monday.

The ‘chogaru’ is a reddish-brown liquid obtained during the processing of arecanut. After harvesting the unripened arecanut, farmers boil the kernel or tender nuts and later dry the nuts for selling. The water thus boiled is called ‘chogaru’ in Kannada. Farmers discard or throw away this liquid.

Now Talipady Primary Weavers Service Cooperative Society Ltd., Kinnigoli, Dakshina Kannada, under the guidance of Kadike Trust, a non-government organisation based at Karkala in Udupi district, promoter of Udupi sari, has used the ‘chogaru’ for colouring the Udupi saris woven by it. The society is among the five weavers’ cooperative societies which has obtained the authorisation certificate to use the GI tag for Udupi sari.

Mamatha Rai, president, Kadike Trust, told The Hindu that arecanut ‘chogaru’ dyed saris with brown and pink shades will be launched at a function on the premises of the society at Kinnigoli on July 31. “It is for the first time arecanut ‘chogaru’ has been used for colouring Udupi sari,” she said.

In multiple shades

In addition, she said, Udupi sari naturally dyed after processing leaf of wild almond tree has been woven in yellow and black shades. The weavers of the same society have produced sari dyed using the root of ‘manjistha’ (Indian Madder), which is a climbing or scrambling herb. These saris are in orange, pink and red shades. “All the three (arecanut ‘chogaru’, leaf of wild almond tree and ‘manjistha’ root) are new natural dyes used in making of Udupi sari,” Ms. Rai said adding that the latter two will also be launched on Monday.

She said that these initiatives are expected to boost the recognition for Udupi sari further. The Udupi sari received GI tag first in 2016. The Talipady Society was the first authorised user of the GI tag for the sari. The trust arranged training programmes for weavers with the help of the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

At Charaka earlier

Earlier, Charaka Women’s Multipurpose Cooperative Society, Heggodu, in Sagar taluk of Shivamogga district and some other garment makers have used arecanut ‘chogaru’ as the natural dye in their garment products.

According to the trust, the Udupi sari is woven using the best quality single ply combed cotton yarns for both warp and weft. Artificial zari or cotton yarns are used to create design in body, border and pallu portion using extra weft technique. The sari has plain or checked design in the body and dobby or plain design in the border. Light shades are used for the body, bright and contrast colours for the border and pallu.

Ms. Rai said that SELCO India has arranged solar equipment to the Talipady Society. They include dryer, pulveriser, winding device, water heater and lighting system.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: ENERGY / OIL & GAS: Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals (MRPL) Becomes Largest Single Location PSU-Refinery of India

Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL), a mini Ratna CPSE PSU refinery based in coastal Karnataka and a subsidiary of ONGC, has become the single largest PSU-refinery (single location) in the nation for the year 2022-23. The MRPL achieved this feat by processing 17.14 million metric tons of crude oil during the past financial year. This is also the highest-ever throughput processed by any single-location PSU refinery in India’s Petroleum refining history. The MRPL processes 10% of the total crude oil refined by the PSU petroleum refineries of the nation.

Set up as a joint venture refinery in 1988 with a 3.69 MMTPA capacity, the MRPL later underwent a second and third-phase expansion to raise its capacity to 15.00 MMTPA. The refinery configuration has a Nelson Complexity Index of 11.3, one of the highly complex PSU refineries. The MRPL Petchem intensity is currently at 9.5%, aiming to reach 15% in the medium term.

The MRPL can process more than 250 different types of crude from around the world. Crudes from the Middle East, South Asia, Europe, Russia, Africa, South America and the US are the major ones processed in the MRPL. The MRPL is capable of producing almost a full range of petroleum products like Naphtha, LPG, Motor Spirit, High-Speed Diesel, Kerosene, Aviation Turbine Fuel, Sulphur, Xylene, Bitumen, along with Pet Coke and Polypropylene.

In recent times, the MRPL has taken significant steps to build its petrochemical profile. Its 440 KTA Novolen gas-phase polypropylene plant can produce a complete range of homopolymer grades. Its Aromatic Complex can produce 0.905 MMTPA of Para Xylene and 0.273 MMTPA of Benzene. This Aromatic Complex is in the Mangalore Special Economic Zone (MSEZ) and fully integrated with the MRPL. The MRPL has ambitious plans for the Retail business shortly. It has initiated to expand its coveted RO brand HiQ in 1000 locations in South India in the near future.

Speaking on this momentous occasion, managing director Sanjay Varma said, “The MRPL has made a strong bounce back after effectively countering the challenges posed by the pandemic. With the strong support of MOPNG and our parent organisation ONGC and through the dedicated efforts of all stakeholders, the MRPL is now poised to reach greater heights in the days to come. Our focus will be on meeting Atmanirbharata through producing precious petrochemicals while effectively focusing on environmental protection by concentrating on renewable energy solutions.”

source/content: daijiworld.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: KARNATAKA: Bengaluru-based Drone Startup ‘Squadrone Infra & Mining’ Deployed in Indonesia’s Islands to Explore Critical Minerals

Its advanced system enables the mapping of shallow and deep-seated virgin mineral deposits, reaching depths of up to 1,500 metres below the ground.

City-based drone startup Squadrone Infra and Mining Pvt. Ltd. has deployed drone-based geophysical surveys for prospecting and exploration of nickel, gold, bauxite, coal and other critical minerals at Indonesia’s Kalimantan and Sulawesi Islands.

The startup has deployed MagArrow and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) technologies, a UAV-enabled drone-based solution equipped with a non-radioactive laser-pumped cesium vapor total field scalar magnetometer.

This advanced system enables the mapping of shallow and deep-seated virgin mineral deposits, reaching depths of up to 1,000 to 1,500 m below ground level.

Geologists, geophysicists, and researchers can now conduct comprehensive studies of the earth’s strata for new and greenfield mineral discoveries in previously inaccessible areas, significantly enhancing efficiency and accuracy. The GPR adds great value to nickel, gold, bauxite and coal prospecting, with high precision.

Kalimantan Island, known for its unique and diverse ecosystems, poses significant challenges to traditional mining surveys due to its remote and difficult-to-access terrain.

With the introduction of MagArrow and GPR, Squadrone offers a revolutionary solution that allows for geophysical surveying without adversely affecting the ecology of the region and minimising the need for human intervention. This technology marks a significant milestone in the field of mineral exploration in such environmentally sensitive areas.

Squadrone Infra and Mining with its expansion into Indonesia and plans to enter other regions of Southeast Asia and Africa, is set to contribute significantly to Net Zero operations and the sustainable development of the global mining industry.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL & KARNATAKA: HEALTH & MEDICAL SERVICES /INNOVATION: Patent Won for Medicinal Patch by Scientists of BLDE University

A team of scientists from BLDE Deemed University has won a patent for an innovative method of administering drugs to patients.

The Patent Office, Union government, has granted patent for 20 years, under the Patents Act.

The patent has been granted for the development of “pharmaceutical formulations of electro-responsive smart hydrogel for transdermal drug delivery”.

The patent applicant is Raghavendra V. Kulkarni, Registrar of the university and pharmaceutical scientist.

His team from the Sri Sanganabasava Mahaswami College of Pharmacy includes Sudha B. Patil, Krishnacharya Akkamanchi and Kushal K. Das.

The patented method involves reaching medicine to targeted organs through the skin, at regulated timings, through a patch applied on the skin. The method is expected to ensure painless drug delivery at affordable prices. It is scalable, said a release.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: LOW-COST TELESCOPE BUILDER: 29-year-old Astronomy Enthusiast Bharat BR Builds low-cost Telescope in Chamarajanagar

A 29-year-old astronomy enthusiast in Chamarajanagar has built a low-cost telescope using books, the internet, and advice from others.

The telescope, which would cost ?70,000-80,000 in the market, was constructed for an estimated cost of ?20,000 using locally available materials. The inventor, Bharath BR, has used the telescope to observe planets, lunar eclipses, and has shown it to others.

He also obtained a ham radio licence for non-commercial purposes.

Bharath BR, a diploma graduate from Chamarajanagar city, said he made the telescope since he didn’t have the finances to buy an expensive telescope.

Since he was interested in observing astronomy, Bharath said he read the book ‘How to Build a Telescope’ by scientist PN Shankar and took advice from many people through phone calls, and succeeded in making the telescope on the first attempt.

The telescope he manufactured has an 8-inch diameter mirror with an 8.1 focal ratio of 1,660 mm. The same kind of telescope would cost at least ₹70,000-80,000 in the market.

However, with the help of a telescope kit, Bharath used locally available materials to construct it at an estimated cost of ₹20,000.

Bharat said he observes all the planets, sub-planets and lunar eclipses of the solar system through his telescope. In addition, he has shown the planets to the children in the neighbourhood, family members and friends.

‘’I read the book ‘How to Build a Telescope’ and got the advice of some experts on the Facebook page called ‘Amateur Telescope Makers’ and got guidance over the phone and built this telescope,” Bharath told HT.

He said he was happy that the telescope worked properly on the first attempt.

His mother, Nirmala, is happy about Bharat’s work and said in marriage halls, it is a custom to show Arundhathi star to newlywed couples.

“But my son showed me that Nakshatra. If all the children played other games, my son Bharat played games through science activities, and he was blessed that he would achieve more,” she said.

According to the mother, Bharath’s house is a laboratory for astronomical observation of Jupiter, the largest planet in the solar system, Saturn’s ring, stars, and moon, among others.

“When Bharath was studying in class 8, he made a small telescope and made a demonstration during the visit of the former President of India Dr A P J Abdul Kalam to Suttur,” Nirmala said.

“Bharat has made good use of his time during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic and made this telescope through patience and perseverance. The primary mirror glass, an important part of the television, has to be polished and prepared, and Bharat himself has diligently done the work like an expert,” she added.

In addition, Bharat gained attention by obtaining a ham radio licence for non-commercial purposes, wireless experiments, and to transmit messages in case of emergency.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headline edited)

SOUTH INDIA: KARNATAKA: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI): Meet Soundarya, South India’s First AI News Presenter by Kannada News Channel ‘Power TV’

The channel will also experiment with various news shows, featuring the new AI presenter, Soundarya.

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) news presenters started entering into the Indian TV news industry, Kannada channel Power TV launched south India’s first AI news presenter. The management named the AI presenter Soundarya and on Tuesday, the first news show was rolled out, featuring her.

In the first show, Soundarya introduced self by saying, “Hello everyone. AI is leaving its footprint in every industry, and it has entered the TV news industry as well. A few of me colleagues (AI news presenters) started presenting news in some of the channels in north India. I am Soundarya, south India’s first robotic anchor by Power TV.” The channel will also experiment with various news shows, featuring the new AI presenter, Soundarya.

A few other channels in the country too have come up with their own AI powered news presenters.

Recently, an Odia channel called OTV launched state’s first AI news presenter Lisa. Lisa took the internet by storm after the flawless news presentation in both English and Odia impressed many people.

In March, India Today group launched country’s first AI news presenter Sana for their Hindi channel Aaj Tak.

Though there is a long way to go for the seamless AI news presenters to take over the human news presenters, the AI enthusiasts are calling it an interesting development in Indian TV journalism.

source/content: hindustantimes.com (headlines edited)

INDIA & KARNATAKA: SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY / RESEARCH: IISc. Scientists Develop Composite Semiconductor for Next-Gen Foldable Phones and Wearable Devices

Traditional semiconductor devices – such as transistors – are either made of amorphous silicon or amorphous oxides, both of which are not flexible and strain tolerant.

Scientists in the Department of Materials Engineering at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) have developed a super flexible, composite semiconductor material that can have possible applications in next-generation flexible or curved display and foldable phones, and in wearable electronics.

Traditional semiconductor devices – such as transistors, the building blocks of most electronic circuits – used in display units are either made of amorphous silicon or amorphous oxides, both of which are not flexible and strain tolerant.

According to IISc, adding polymers to the oxide semiconductors may increase their flexibility, but there is a limit to how much can be added without compromising the semiconductor’s performance.

In the current study, published in Advanced Materials Technologies, researchers have found a way to fabricate a composite containing a significant amount of polymer – up to 40% of the material weight – using a solution-process technique, specifically inkjet printing.

In contrast, previous studies have reported only up to 1-2% polymer addition. Interestingly, the approach enabled the semiconducting properties of the oxide semiconductor to remain unaltered with the polymer addition. The large quantity of polymer made the composite semiconductor highly flexible and foldable without deteriorating its performance.

The composite semiconductor is made up of two materials – a water-insoluble polymer, such as ethyl cellulose that provides flexibility, and indium oxide, a semiconductor which brings in excellent electronic transport properties.

How researchers came up with the new material

To design the material, researchers mixed the polymer with the oxide precursor in such a way that interconnected oxide nanoparticle channels are formed (around phase-separated polymer islands) through which electrons can move from one end of a transistor (source) to the other (drain), ensuring a steady flow of current. The key to form these connected pathways, the researchers found, was the choice of the right kind of water-insoluble polymer that does not mix with the oxide lattice when the oxide semiconductor is being fabricated.

“This phase separation and the formation of polymer-rich islands helps in crack arrest, making it super flexible,” said Subho Dasgupta, Associate Professor in the Department of Materials Engineering, and corresponding author of the study.

Semiconductor materials are usually fabricated using deposition techniques, such as sputtering. Instead, Prof. Dasgupta’s team uses inkjet printing to deposit their material onto various flexible substrates ranging from plastic to paper. In the present study, a polymer called Kapton was used.

Potential use scenarios

Prof. Dasgupta adds that, in the future, such printed semiconductors can be used to fabricate fully printed and flexible television screens, wearables, and large electronic billboards alongside printed organic light emitting diode (OLED) display front-ends. These printed semiconductors will be low cost and easy to manufacture, which could potentially revolutionise the display industry.

The team has obtained a patent for their material, and plans to test its shelf life and quality control from device to device before it can be scaled up for mass production.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL & INDIA / KARNATAKA: SPACE TECHNOLOGY: 4th edition ‘G20 Space Economy Leaders’ Meeting (SELM) in Bengaluru: ‘Space technology has entered every household in one way or the other’

G20 Space Economy Leaders’ Meeting begins in Bengaluru.

The 4th edition of G20 Space Economy Leaders’ Meeting (SELM) commenced in Bengaluru on Thursday July 6.

This is the first face-to-face meeting under the G20 umbrella, with the previous meetings organised in virtual and hybrid formats. Heads of national space agencies from 18 of the G20 countries and nine of the 11 invited members are participating in the two-day meet whose theme is ‘Towards a New Space ERA (Economy, Responsibility, Alliance)’.

Senior representatives from 32 global industries, and 53 local industries, are also participating in the meet.

During the inauguration, Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State, PMO; MoES; S&T; Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievance & Pensions; Dep. Of Space; Dept. of Atomic Energy, said that this gathering (G20 countries along with partner countries) represents nearly two-thirds of the world’s population, the best brains across the world in the space sector, 85% of the global GDP, and 75% of the world trade.

“You are not only spearheaders, torchbearers but also opinion-makers, and I am glad that India is in a position to share its inputs with other member countries as well. The new chapter of public-private participation is going to make it a value for all of us to learn the virtues of an integrated approach. An era of partnership is in the offing. Our concerns are common and our efforts have to be common. Therefore, the time has come to carry forward the collaboration to discover wider horizons in the times to come,” Dr Singh said.

“I hardly need to reiterate the importance that space technology has gained of late across the world. Rather, I would put it in a single sentence saying that space technology has virtually entered every household in one way or the other.”

He added that every aspect of human life, be it disaster management, agriculture, education, health, navigation, defence, is connected to space technology.

G20 Sherpa, Amitabh Kant, said the space economy is experiencing rapid growth with increasing revenues and more commercial actors entering the industry. “Studies project that space could become a trillion dollar sector in the coming decades. This exponential growth necessitates support from governments worldwide. That is why, we are discussing space as a formal element in the G20,” Mr Kanth said.

Round-table meetings for the heads of space agencies, panel discussions, bilateral meetings and a plenary session are a part of the first day of the event.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)