Science & Technology Current Affairs May 2016

Science & Technology Current Affairs 

Scientists Built World’s Smallest Nano-engine

• The researchers of University of Cambridge built the world’s smallest working engine on May, 4, 2016. It is powered by light, billionths of a meter in size. It is made of tiny charged particles of gold, bound together with temperature-responsive polymers in the form of a gel.
• When the ‘nano-engine’ is heated to a certain temperature with a laser, it stores large amounts of elastic energy in a fraction of a second, as the polymer coatings expel all the water from the gel and collapse.
• This has the effect of forcing the gold nanoparticles to bind together into tight clusters. But, when the device is cooled, the polymers take on water and expand, and the gold nanoparticles are strongly and quickly pushed apart, like a spring.

Union Government Launched NMA’s Online Web Portal ‘NOAPS’

• Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State of Culture and Tourism (I/C) and Minister of State for Civil Aviation launched the National Monuments Authority (NMA)’s Web Portal called No objection certificate Online Application and Processing System (NOAPS) on April 26, 2016.
• The portal used the technology and expertise of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). It developed a mobile app through which applicant fill the single form and then this form is sent to the concerned department.
• In the initial phase, the web portal of NMA has integrated with the online portal of local bodies of Delhi and Mumbai NDMC, Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) and MCDs (South MCD, North MCD, East MCD) to facilitate single window clearance for construction on a common application form.

China Unveiled First Security Robot

• China unveiled its first security robot AnBot on April 25, 2016. The robot is jointly developed by the National University of Defence Technology and a robotics company in central China’s Hunan Province.
• AnBot is an electrical anti’-riot device that can be activated through remote control in case of a threat. Shouting for help in the patrol area or pushing the robot’s emergency button will alert the police immediately.
• It is 1.49-metre-tall and having maximum speed of 18 km/h.

ISRO Scientists Developed World’s Lightest Material Silica Aerogel

• On April 20, 2016 ISRO scientists indigenously developed world’s lightest synthetic material called ‘silica aerogel’ or ‘blue air’ which is the lightest synthetic material ever made by man.
• This material has excellent thermal resistance. It has applications for thermal jacket, foot insoles, as well as for window glazing. It is extremely useful for people working in very cold environments.
• The matrix of aerogel is made up of 99% air. The material is likely to be used on India’s moon rover in Chandryaan-2 mission.

Intel India Inaugurated ‘Unnati Kendras’ in Telangana

• Intel India has inaugurated ‘UnnatiKendras’ across 10 towns in Telangana to create a blueprint for the digitisation of non-urban India on April 21, 2016.
• Eachcentre will be equipped with Intel-powered devices, local language content, and relevant training modules for non-urban citizens, creating opportunities for skill development and digital empowerment.
• Intel India is team up with Acer, Asus, Dell, Hewlett-Packard, and Lenovo, and with leading content providers including Dailyhunt, Dgflick and Skilltrain for this initiative. The company to set-up the first Unnati Kendra at Nadimpalli village.