Subject: GS 3
Syllabus: Science and Technology - developments and their applications and effects in everyday life
Questions
- Nanotechnology is an evolving field of science and is quickly gathering pace due to a multitude of applications. Enumerate and discuss these applications. (150 Words, 10 Marks)
- Robotics technology can potentially enhance our lives by saving human effort and energy. Elaborate with examples. Also, list the challenges faced by India in the optimum utilisation of this technology. (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Model Structure
1. Nanotechnology is an evolving field of science and is quickly gathering pace due to a multitude of applications. Enumerate and discuss these applications. (150 Words, 10 Marks)
Model Structure
Introduction
- Nanotechnology is the branch of science involving the manipulation of matter at the nano level, which is on the scale of about 1 to 100 nanometres, and involves atoms and molecules.
Main Body
- It is an interdisciplinary branch involving engineering and science, and owes its development to the Atomic Force Microscope and the Scanning Tunnelling Microscope.
- Applications of nanotechnology
- Medicine- Nanomaterials like nanomicelles help in better drug delivery, early diagnosis of cancer and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Their targeting is so precise that nearby cells and tissues are left unharmed.
- Food- for improving quality and ensuring stale food is disposed of rather than consumed, nanobiosensors in food can help detect pathogens and disease-causing microbes. It can also help in food processing by improving mechanical resistance so that the original texture is not lost.
- Nanotubes and other nano composites help manufacture low-weight parts of windmills and solar panels, which reduces the cost of production and installation, thus promoting renewable energy.
- Currently, silicon is used widely for electronic devices and microchips, but nanotechnology has the potential to replace it and ensure the cost of production is reduced, thus improving affordability for manufacturers and consumers.
- Technical textile is a new concept in which nanotechnology is used to manufacture lightweight, wrinkle-free, affordable and durable clothes for work like firefighting, cleaning and other tough work.
Conclusion
- Nanotechnology is an evolving area, and government efforts like the Mission on Nano Science and Technology or Nano Mission, Indian Institute of Nano Sciences, and the Nanotechnology regulatory board need to be backed by a better research and development atmosphere and investments to make it a success.
2. Robotics technology can potentially enhance our lives by saving human effort and energy. Elaborate with examples. Also, list the challenges faced by India in the optimum utilisation of this technology. (250 Words, 15 Marks)
Model Structure
Introduction:
- Robotics is a branch of science and technology that deals with the design and manufacturing of robots using computer applications. It is an interdisciplinary field merging together at least mechanical, electronics and computer science engineering.
- A robot is a mechanical agent, usually an electromechanical machine that is guided by a computer program or electronic circuitry. Robots can be autonomous or semi-autonomous and range from humanoid to industrial robots, collectively programmed ‘swarm’ robots, and even microscopic nano robots.
Main Body:
Applications of robots:
- Automobile industry: Industrial robots are known for their speed, accuracy and reliability. They are used in assembling of parts, welding, spraying and material handling.
- Electronics: Robots used to fit chips in the motherboard of a machine. These chips are very small and difficult for humans to fit.
- Military applications: Telerobots used as UAVs to perform military operations at dangerous, faraway or inaccessible places.
- Health & medicine: Robotic surgery has been developed with technological development, and also nano-robots are used to deliver medicines to targeted organs, helping in the medical treatment of humans.
- Environment: Nanorobots can be used to clear oil spills & disassemble pollutants, especially nonbiodegradable ones, reducing pollution impact.
- Disaster Management: Robots can be used in nuclear plants for handling & disposal of nuclear waste material and also during the scenario of a Nuclear disaster.
- Other Fields: It is also used in Exploration, Farms, and Entertainment.
Robotics projects in India: Several institutions and universities are involved in Robotics and related fields.
- Indian Institute of Science (Bangalore), etc, have robotic laboratories.
- BARC uses robots in nuclear waste handling. So some of the robotic projects taken up by Indian government institutions are:
- Centre for Artificial Intelligence & Robotics (CAIR), Bangalore, has developed a robot named ‘CHATUR’. A CHATUR robot is developed with a vision sensor to pick up objects in the visual field.
- DRDO has initiated a project to make Robotics Soldiers Deployed in the LOC (Line of Control), but the challenge is to integrate cognitive skills under AI to differentiate between a threat and a friend.
- DRDO has developed a robot by the name ‘DAKSH’. It is a counter-terrorist remotely operated vehicle designed to handle hazardous materials and suspect objects in public places. It is provided with multiple cameras used for surveillance.
Challenges of robotics in India
- Procurement of hardware components: The cost of adopting Robotic technology is very high due to the cost of procuring imported hardware components as well as training personnel.
- Skilled Manpower: As Robotics is a multidisciplinary field, acquiring and retaining quality talent is a big issue. The capital-intensive nature of Robotics adoption, when compared to the low cost of human labour, clearly tips the scale in favour of the latter.
- Educational Institutions: As Robotics is multidisciplinary in nature, barring students in the top schools in India, the others lack the knowledge required in four to five engineering disciplines to become an expert in this field. Also, most of the students develop projects that already exist in the public domain.
- Scarcity of good faculty to teach the subject: Barring a few regions in India, Robotics as a subject is not taught well to engineering students.
Conclusion:
- Robotics' advancement sparks concerns over job displacement as they replace humans in various tasks. Manufacturing industries are increasingly adopting robots for higher efficiency, raising questions about the future of human employment.
- As the unemployment rate rises, the government must address concerns about job losses due to robotics. However, proponents argue that robots may also create opportunities and jobs in associated sectors, thanks to increased work efficiency and productivity.
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