Science and Technology (S&T) Digest (1-15 September 2024), Issue 45

Dr Saroj Bishoyi, Research Fellow, VIF

September 24 , 2024 Views: 400 Comments: 0

In this Issue

I. Defence and Security

CCS Approves Procurement of 240 Aero-Engines for IAF’s Su-30 MKI Aircraft

On 2 September 2024, Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the proposal for procurement of 240 aero-engines (AL-31FP) for Su-30 MKI aircraft of the Indian Air Force (IAF) under Buy (Indian) category from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at a cost of over Rs 26,000 crore inclusive of all taxes and duties. The delivery of these aero-engines would start after one year and complete over a period of eight years. The engines will have indigenous content over 54%, enhanced due to indigenisation of some key components of aero-engines. These would be manufactured at Koraput division of HAL. Click here to read…

DAC Approves 10 Capital Acquisition Proposals

On 3 September 2024, the Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for 10 capital acquisition proposals amounting to Rs 1,44,716 crore. Of the total cost of AoNs, 99% is from indigenous sources under Buy (Indian) and Buy (lndian-Indigenously Designed Developed and Manufactured) categories. For modernisation of the tank fleet of the Indian Army, the proposal for procurement of Future Ready Combat Vehicles (FRCVs) has been cleared. The FRCV will be a futuristic Main Battle Tank with superior mobility, all terrain ability, multilayered protections, precision & lethal fires over and real-time situational awareness. Click here to read…

MoD Signs Contract with HAL for 240 AL-31FP Aero Engines

In a major boost to Aatmanirbhar Bharat, Ministry of Defence (MoD) has signed a contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for 240 AL-31FP Aero Engines for Su-30MKI aircraft at a cost of over Rs 26,000 crore. These aeroengines will be manufactured by the Koraput Division of HAL and are expected to fulfil the need of the Indian Air Force to sustain the operational capability of the Su-30 fleet for the defence preparedness of the country. HAL would supply 30 aero-engines per annum as per the contractual delivery schedule. The supply of all 240 engines would be completed over the period of next eight years. Click here to read…

KRR Heavy Engineering Expands into Aerospace Industry

KRR Aerospace, the specialized aerospace, defence, and space division of KRR Heavy Engineering, announces the acquisition of cutting-edge drone and UAV technology from the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research - National Aerospace Laboratories (CSIR-NAL), Bengaluru. This strategic acquisition aligns with KRR Aerospace's commitment to advancing aerospace innovation and enhancing capabilities in unmanned aerial systems beyond the autoclave technologies in which KRR is already a market leader. The technology transfer agreement, was formalized on 4 September 2024 and handed over to KRR Aerospace. It marks a significant enhancement of KRR Aerospace's technological portfolio. Click here to read…

Indian Army & Air Force Sign MoU with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya

To enhance the skills and capability building of their personnel, Indian Army and Indian Air Force signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, Vadodara in New Delhi on 9 September 2024. The MoU will enable the two Services to acquire higher expertise on logistics. It will ensure development of in-house expertise on various facets of logistics operations and contribute effectively towards the national development plans - PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan 2021 and National Logistics Policy 2022. Click here to read…

II. STI in Space Sector

NASA Astronauts Stay in the ISS Extended till February 2025

NASA Astronauts Sunita Williams and Butch Willmore expressed their desire to vote in the upcoming US presidential elections in November 2024, from the International Space Station (ISS), as their stay in the space has got extended at least till February 2025. Williams and Wilmore participated in a press conference above 250 miles above Earth from the ISS, where the two astronauts had been since June 2024, reported the New York Post. The press conference came a week after the Starliner returned to earth. The pair had launched aboard Boeing's Starliner spacecraft on 5 June for its first crewed flight, arriving at the space station on 6 June. Click here to read…

SpaceX to Launch Its First Uncrewed Starships to Mars in Two Years

SpaceX will launch its first uncrewed Starships to Mars in two years when the next Earth-Mars transfer window opens, Chief Executive Officer Elon Musk has announced. Taking to X, Elon Musk stated that these will be uncrewed to test the reliability of landing intact on Mars. He added that if those landings go well, then the first crewed flights to Mars will be in four years. In another post on X, Musk stated that SpaceX created the first fully reusable rocket stage and made the reuse economically viable. In June this year, SpaceX's Starship, the most powerful launch vehicle ever made, launched and achieved key objectives planned for its fourth test flight that showcased the vehicle's reusability. Click here to read…

Japan's ispace To Launch Second Moon Lander in December

Japan's ispace is back with another Moon mission. The Tokyo-based private firm has announced that it will launch a lander to the lunar surface in December 2024. In a post on X, ispace said that the Hakuto-R lander named Resilience will soon be shipped to Florida, U.S. to be launched by SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral. The 1,000 kg lander will be carrying a tiny rover named Tenacious and testing of both the components is nearly complete. ispace also revealed the landing site of the lander. It will touch down near the center of Mare Frigoris, an expansive basaltic plain situated in the Moon’s northern hemisphere. Click here to read…

NASA Postpones Mars Mission To 2025

NASA is no longer launching the ESCAPADE mission to Mars in 2024. The agency announced that it is letting go of the launch opportunity in October as Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket might not be ready to take off in its inaugural flight. The Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers or ESCAPADE is a twin-spacecraft mission to explore the Martian atmosphere and magnetosphere. With October is not an option anymore, the next opportunity is Spring 2025. In a statement, NASA said that the decision was made to avoid challenges and cost associated with draining fuel from the two orbiters in case the mission was delayed in October. Click here to read…

China Reveals Plan to Build Permanent Base Near Moon's South Pole

China has unveiled the plan for building the International Lunar Research Station (ILRS) near the Moon's South Pole which it plans to get ready by 2035. The ILRS is basically a permanent human base which China wants to build with international cooperation. Wu Weiren, chief designer of the Sino lunar programme, revealed during an event that the construction will take place in two phases. The 'basic version' of the base will reportedly be completed through missions launched between 2030 and 2035. Missions like Chang'e-7 and 8 along with three international launches starting later this decade will help lay foundation of the base. The Chang'e-7 mission is expected to lift off in 2026. Click here to read…

III. Nuclear Technology

India to be Part of 'Groundbreaking' Lunar Nuclear Plant

A "groundbreaking" nuclear power plant is being developed by Russia and China which is expected to support human settlements on the Moon in future. A new report published by Russian news agency TASS, however, has suggested that India is also likely to become a part of this ambitious project in future. The project, which has been led by Russia's state nuclear corporation Rosatom, is aimed at establishing a small nuclear reactor on the Moon which is expected to generate nearly half a megawatt of energy. Rosatom chief Alexey Likhachev has been quoted by TASS as saying that India and China have been interested in becoming a part of this groundbreaking lunar energy solution. Click here to read…

Boosting Crops Using Nuclear-Derived Climate-Smart Agricultural Practices

Farmers in six Asian countries have successfully increased their rice yields using nuclear-derived climate-smart agricultural practices, with the support of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations. Rice, a staple food for 60 per cent of the Asian population, is predominantly grown and consumed in the region, accounting for about 90 per cent of the global rice crop. The cultivation of rice across Asia spans over 135 million hectares and employs more than 300 million people. However, water shortages and the impacts of climate change have led to a deficit in rice production. Click here to read…

Nepal Improved its National Radiation Safety Infrastructure

In 2023, the IAEA facilitated the update of Nepal’s information in the IAEA’s Radiation Safety Information Management (RASIMS) system to enhance its national infrastructure for radiation safety. Information in RASIMS is reviewed by the IAEA during the development, approval and implementation of its technical cooperation projects. This ensures that technical assistance is provided where it is most needed, and that the national radiation safety infrastructure is in line with IAEA Safety Standards. With this safety infrastructure now in place, the IAEA has procured radiation medicine equipment for Nepal, including a SPECT/CT system. Click here to read…

China Conducting Secret Underground Nuclear Tests

The East Turkistan Government in Exile claims that the Chinese government conducted 47 nuclear tests in the East Turkistan region from 1964 to 1996 and have left a major portion of the Turkic population suffering from fatal diseases, and caused a major massacre resulting in thousands of deaths. Further, it has also added that "reports indicate that China may still be conducting secret underground Nuclear Tests in East Turkistan even in 2024." The statement from the ETGE came alongside the International Day against Nuclear Tests. Previously, a report published by Nikkei Asia in 2022 had also claimed that China has been expanding its nuclear test facilities in the region. Click here to read…

Thailand Established Framework for Nuclear Security Arrangements

The IAEA completed an advisory service mission to Thailand focused on assessing the country's nuclear security regime for nuclear and other radioactive material out of regulatory control (MORC). The International Nuclear Security Advisory Service (INSServ) team said the country has established a robust framework to manage MORC and provided recommendations and suggestions on how specific aspects of the national nuclear security regime implementation, such as a risk-informed national detection strategy, coordination among stakeholders and the nuclear security culture, could be more effectively addressed. Click here to read…

IV. Emerging Technologies and Applications

Government Approves One More Semiconductor Unit under ISM

With the objective to develop a vibrant semiconductor ecosystem, the government approved the proposal of Kaynes Semicon Pvt Ltd to setup a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat. The proposed unit will be setup with an investment of Rs 3,300 crore. The capacity of this unit will be 60 Lakh chips per day. The chips produced in this unit will cater to a wide variety of applications which include segments such as industrial, automotive, electric vehicles, consumer electronics, telecom, mobile phones, etc. Construction of all 4 semiconductor units is progressing at a rapid pace and a robust semiconductor ecosystem is emerging near the units. Click here to read…

Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack to offer Blockchain-as-a-Service

In a programme organized at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, Secretary, MeitY, S. Krishnan launched the Vishvasya-Blockchain Technology Stack to offer Blockchain-as-a-Service with a geographically distributed infrastructure designed to support various permissioned Blockchain based applications. Additionally, the Secretary, MeitY also unveiled the NBFLite-Lightweight Blockchain Platform, Praamaanik - an innovative blockchain-enabled solution for verifying mobile app origin and National Blockchain Portal. MeitY, with the vision to create trusted digital platforms, initiated National Blockchain Framework (NBF) for promoting research and application development; facilitating state of the art, transparent, secure and trusted digital service delivery to citizens. Click here to read…

A Major Step towards Unification of Classical & Quantum Gravity

In a step forward to unify the classical theory of gravitation and quantum mechanics researchers, through their calculations have obtained an uncertainty relation induced from the noise of gravitons—the hypothetical quantum of gravity, an elementary particle that mediates the force of gravitational interaction. While classical physics is a set of laws and equations that describe how ordinary objects behave, quantum physics describes the world of atoms and smaller objects. Scientist have been engaged in finding signatures of quantum gravity in terrestrial systems which would lead towards a better understanding of a complete quantum theory of gravity, a fundamental problem which is unsolved from the time of Albert Einstein. Click here to read…

AI-Driven Solutions That Can Improve Healthcare

Medical professionals, engineers, scientists and other stakeholders discussed on ways to develop AI-driven solutions that will enhance patient care, optimize clinical processes, and ultimately improve healthcare outcomes at a day-long conference organised at the iHub Anubhuti IIITD Foundation of Indraprastha Institute of Information Technology Delhi (IIIT Delhi) on 5 September 2024. The event also had interactive panel discussions like “Perspective of AI in Healthcare from Medical Community” & “Perspective of AI in Healthcare from Engineering Community”, and a visit to the Medical Cobotics Center (MCC), offering attendees a comprehensive understanding of AI’s potential in healthcare. Click here to read…

Precise Air Quality Monitoring Systems in Urban and Industrial Areas

A novel nanostructure developed by scientists can detect oxides of nitrogen at very low concentrations at room temperature, addressing the urgent need for precise air quality monitoring systems in urban and industrial areas. Gas sensors play a pivotal role in modern technology, facilitating environmental monitoring, industrial safety, and healthcare diagnostics. The field of gas sensors is continuously evolving through innovative research in materials and technology, aiming to enhance key parameters such as sensitivity, selectivity, response and recovery times, stability, and operating temperature. Click here to read…

V. International Cooperation

India-Brunei Defence and Space Cooperation

India and Brunei have agreed to enhance cooperation in the field of defence, space and people-to-people ties, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the South-East Asian nation, which is expected to further strengthen and cement bilateral ties. The two nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on cooperation in the operation of Telemetry, Tracking and Telecommand Station for Satellite and Launch Vehicles, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. PM Modi expressed deep appreciation to Brunei Darussalam for continuing to host ISRO's Telemetry Tracking and Telecommand (TTC) Station, which has contributed towards India's ongoing efforts in the field of space. Click here to read…

India-Singapore Digital Technology Cooperation

At the invitation of Prime Minister of the Republic of Singapore Mr Lawrence Wong, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid an Official Visit to Singapore on 04-05 September 2024. In the Joint Statement, both Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the MoU on cooperation in the field of Digital Technologies and affirmed common interests in data, AI and cybersecurity. Building on this, both Prime Ministers agreed to deepen collaboration in the digital space, including in facilitating trusted cross-border data flows, cybersecurity, and the interoperability of digital systems. They commended the success of UPI-PayNow Linkage and other digital collaboration initiatives. Click here to read…

India-Singapore Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership

Prime Minister of Singapore Mr Lawrence Wong and Indian Prime Minister Modi visited AEM, a leading Singaporean company in semiconductor and electronics sector. Prime Minister Modi had an interaction with CEOs of leading Singaporean companies. In the Joint Statement, the two Prime Ministers agreed that advanced manufacturing, particularly in developing resilient semiconductor supply chains, can be a new pillar of bilateral cooperation. Both Prime Ministers welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on India-Singapore Semiconductor Ecosystem Partnership. Click here to read…

India-UAE Civil Nuclear Energy Cooperation

Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation (ENEC) and Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) have signed an agreement to exchange expertise and enhance potential cooperation in various fields such as supply chain development, human resource development, provision of nuclear consultancy services, and future investment. This agreement marks the first of its kind between the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Republic of India in the nuclear sector. It represents a significant step towards strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries and their efforts to reduce the carbon footprint of the energy sector. Click here to read…

VI. Regional and Global Trends

US-Sanctioned Chinese AI Chip Startup, Biren Technology, Plans IPO

Artificial intelligence (AI) chip start-up Biren Technology, one of China’s best hopes for challenging Nvidia, has hired an investment bank to commence the required “tutoring” process, a precursor to an initial public offering (IPO) in the country. The Shanghai-based unicorn – valued at US$2.19 billion last November, according to venture deal tracker Pitchbook – has hired the city’s largest brokerage, Guotai Junan Securities, to coach company executives on IPO-related issues, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) said. The tutoring process, which is mandatory for all IPO applicants in China before filing a listing plan, usually takes between three to 12 months. Click here to read…

Tech Leaders and US Senior Officials Discuss AI Infrastructure

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Nvidia Corp CEO Jensen Huang met with senior US administration officials and other industry leaders at the White House, where they discussed steps to address massive infrastructure needs for artificial intelligence (AI) projects. Following the talks, the White House announced an interagency task force to help promote data center development in the US and initiatives to support accelerated permitting for those facilities. The steps are aimed at ensuring that the US retains its leadership in AI, where rapid advances require significant investments in data centers and energy supply. Click here to read…

ASML Needs License for Some Services in China

The Dutch government said that ASML Holding NV needs a license to provide spare parts and software updates for computer chipmaking equipment it previously sold to Chinese customers that now fall under export restrictions. That includes the two additional tools that the Dutch government added to its national control list recently in a move to coordinate policy with the US, the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. The clarification follows confusion over whether the Dutch government is planning additional servicing restrictions on ASML, Europe’s largest technology firm, which the ministry indicated is not the case. Click here to read…

Chips to Add US $78 billion to Japan Economy

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) and other related companies would add ￥11.2 trillion (US$78.31 billion) to Japan’s chipmaking hot spot Kumamoto Prefecture over the next decade, Kyushu Financial Group, a local bank’s analysis said. Kyushu Financial Group, a lender based in Kumamoto’s capital, almost doubled its projection for the economic impact that the chip sector would bring to the region compared to its estimate a year earlier. The bank said that 171 firms had made new investments since November 2021, up from 90 in an earlier analysis. Click here to read…

Former Samsung Executives Arrested for Allegedly Stealing Tech for China

South Korean police have arrested two former Samsung Electronics officials on suspicion of stealing technologies worth more than 4.3 trillion won (US$3.2 billion) to build a copycat chip-making plant in China. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency described how the pair had collaborated with local Chinese officials to build a semiconductor facility. One of the two, identified as a 66-year-old surnamed Choi, recruited South Korean chip experts and leaked Samsung memory technologies via a joint venture, the police said in a statement. South Korea, as the world’s foremost producer of memory chips, is a key ally of Washington in efforts to contain Beijing’s technological ambitions. Click here to read…

Eight Mainland Chinese Firms Accused of Poaching Talent, Stealing Secrets

Taiwanese authorities have accused eight mainland Chinese tech companies, including chip equipment giant Naura Technology Group, of illegally poaching talent from the island, underscoring growing cross-strait tensions as Beijing doubles down on its semiconductor self-sufficiency drive. The Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau in Taiwan said in a statement published on its website that it raided 30 locations and questioned 65 individuals in four cities, including Taipei and Hsinchu. The agency found that eight mainland companies were suspected of poaching talent and stealing trade secrets in Taiwan, which “seriously affects the competitiveness of Taiwan’s hi-tech industry”. Click here to read…