15 Nov 2023 CNA
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
A. GS 1 Related B. GS 2 Related C. GS 3 Related SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 1. How does an electric battery work? D. GS 4 Related E. Editorials INDIAN POLITY 1. Search and seizure F. Prelims Facts 1. Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Awards G. Tidbits 1. Mining Auction of Critical Minerals 2. ADMM & ADMM+ 3. Anti-Smog Guns H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
A. GS 1 Related
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B. GS 2 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
C. GS 3 Related
Category: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
1. How does an electric battery work?
Syllabus: Recent developments and their applications and effects in everyday life.
Mains: Electric batteries- Historical evolution, concepts and applications.
Prelims: About Electric Battery
Context
This article explores the historical evolution and types of electric batteries, from Luigi Galvani’s 1780 experiment to modern innovations like lithium-ion batteries and hydrogen fuel cells.
Historical Evolution
- Luigi Galvani’s 1780 experiment involving the contraction of a frog’s leg due to the touching of metal plates laid the groundwork for understanding electrochemical phenomena.
- Alessandro Volta’s voltaic pile in 1800, utilising copper and zinc plates with electrolyte-soaked paper, marked a significant advancement in producing a steady electric current.
- Michael Faraday’s work in the early 19th century contributed to the understanding of electrochemical cells, naming components like anode, cathode, and electrolyte.
Fundamental Concepts of Electric Batteries
- An electric battery is a collection of voltaic cells, where each cell comprises two half-cells with metal electrodes immersed in electrolytes.
- Redox reactions, involving the release and consumption of electrons, drive the flow of electrons from the anode to the cathode through an external circuit.
- Key components include the cathode (positively charged electrode), anode (negatively charged electrode), and electrolyte.
- The source voltage and terminal voltage are key concepts, with the former representing the energy imparted to electrons and the latter serving as the driving force pushing electrons from the anode to the cathode.
Types of Batteries
- Lithium-ion Batteries
- Nobel Prize-winning technology in 2019, it combines voltaic and electrolytic cell principles, enabling rechargeability.
- In Li-ion polymer cells, lithium metal oxide serves as the cathode, graphite as the anode, and a semisolid polymer gel as the electrolyte.
- Tesla’s Model S uses Li-ion batteries consisting of numerous cells, showcasing their application in EVs.
- Hydrogen Fuel Cells
- Utilising hydrogen as a fuel source, fuel cells generate electricity through the electrochemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen.
- Hydrogen fuel cells are considered vital components in the emerging hydrogen economy.
Challenges, Innovations and Future Prospects
- Corrosion, caused by factors like humidity and galvanic corrosion, poses challenges to battery performance.
- Ongoing research focuses on enhancing the efficiency, safety, and variety of lithium-ion batteries, addressing specific applications and requirements.
- Hydrogen fuel cells, another area of significant research, are considered a key component of the hydrogen economy, with applications in EVs and sustainable energy.
Current Developments
- The Indian government’s approval of the National Green Hydrogen Mission in January 2023 emphasises the country’s commitment to becoming a global hub for green hydrogen utilisation and export.
Nut Graf: Electric batteries, evolving from Galvani’s experiments to cutting-edge technologies like lithium-ion and hydrogen fuel cells, have reshaped convenience and sustainability, impacting various industries and fostering a green energy future.
D. GS 4 Related
Nothing here for today!!!
E. Editorials
Syllabus: Indian Constitution: Features, Significant Provisions and Basic Structure.
Prelims: ADM Jabalpur case, Justice K.S. Puttaswamy case, Article 20(3) of the Indian Constitution, World Press Freedom Index
Mains: Concerns on Freedom of the Press, Right to Privacy
Context
- The Supreme Court’s direction to the government to make rules to protect media professionals when their devices are taken is an important first step.
Impact
- Recent actions against journalists by taking their laptops and phones have implications for freedom of speech and expression and for whistleblowers who talk to journalists anonymously.
- If a journalist’s devices can be taken and searched based on weak accusations, it threatens their sources and stops them from doing their job.
- This limits press freedom and the right to livelihood of journalists since digital devices are essential tools for the profession.
Guidelines
- Warrants must be specific about the information being sought by law enforcement agencies.Â
- Journalists must not be forced to provide passwords or biometrics that would incriminate themselves or their sources.
- Protocols must safeguard devices and data from tampering, leaks, or sharing with third parties.
- Irrelevant data must be deleted in a timely manner after investigation.
- Exploring device cloning allows journalists to continue working while under investigation.
- Devices should be documented at seizure to prevent evidence tampering.
- Guidelines should be developed transparently with inputs from all stakeholders.
For more information, refer to this article: CNA dated Oct 10, 2023: The silence around the state’s seizure of India’s press
F. Prelims Facts
1. Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Awards
Syllabus: GS 3- Science and Technology
Prelims: About Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar Awards
Introduction
- The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (SSB) awards for 2022 were recently announced by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
- The awards came amid the government’s plans to revamp science and medicine awards, introducing the ‘Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar’ (RVP) system. RVP is to replace the old awards, providing recognition to scientists, technologists, innovators, and teams.
Structure of Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP)
- The RVP includes awards like Vigyan Shri, Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar, Vigyan Team, and Vigyan Ratna.
- Open to a diverse group, including those in government, private sector organisations, and individuals working outside any organisation.
- Covers 13 scientific domains with a commitment to ensuring gender parity.
Key Differences from Older Awards
- Inclusivity: Open to innovators, technologists, and those in the industry with diverse affiliations.
- Expanded Eligibility: Includes technology-led innovations or products alongside discovery-based research.
- Team Awards: Acknowledges the collaborative and interdisciplinary nature of scientific research.
- No Age Limit: Except for the Vigyan Yuva-SSB award, eliminating age barriers and ensuring gender representation.
- Global Recognition: Open to Persons of Indian Origin abroad, recognizing the global footprint of modern science.
- Elimination of Cash Prizes: Awards focus on certificates and medals.
Intent and Processes
- Notable Contributions: Emphasise that recognized contributions go beyond standard job descriptions.
- Comprehensive Citations: Include dedicated citations for teaching, mentoring, science communication, public engagement, leadership, and administration.
- Age Limit Considerations: Reconsider age limits for the Vigyan Yuva-SSB award to ensure gender parity and consider personal circumstances.
- Transparent Selection Process: Adhere to predetermined timelines, publicise shortlisted applicants, and ensure diverse selection committees.
- Diversity and Inclusivity: Pledge to ensure socioeconomic and demographic representation among awardees.
- Continuous Evaluation: Regularly assess the impact of the new award system on scientific work, diversity, and inclusivity.
G. Tidbits
1. Mining Auction of Critical Minerals
- The government is to invite bids for 20 critical mineral blocks, including lithium and graphite mines, in the next two weeks.
- The blocks include minerals like lithium and graphite, with 10-12 players in the country having the technology for production and processing.
- After the auction notice, stakeholders will collaborate to develop a national-level strategy for mining and processing critical minerals.
- In October 2023, the Central government sanctioned royalty rates of 3% for lithium and niobium, and 1% for Rare Earth Elements (REEs).
- Critical minerals, especially lithium and REEs, are vital for India’s energy transition and commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2070.
2. ADMM & ADMM+
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is set to participate in the 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ MeetingÂPlus (ADMMÂPlus) in Jakarta, where discussions will focus on matters related to regional and global security.
- ADMM is the highest defence consultative and cooperative mechanism in ASEAN.
- ADMM-Plus comprises ASEAN member nations and dialogue partners, including India, the United States, China, Russia, Australia, South Korea, Japan and New Zealand.
- India became an ASEAN dialogue partner in 1992, and the inaugural ADMMÂPlus was in 2010.
- The annual meetings aim to enhance cooperation among ASEAN and the Plus countries in security and defence.
- Delhi government launches 50 mobile ‘anti-smog guns’ to address the city’s severe air quality.
- An anti-smog gun is a device designed to spray atomized water into the atmosphere, effectively absorbing dust and contaminants from the air in order to mitigate air pollution.
- Mounted on a vehicle and linked to a water tank, the apparatus can be transported throughout the city to spray water and settle dust and other suspended particles.
H. UPSC Prelims Practice Questions
Q1. Consider the following countries:
- Armenia
- Georgia
- Iran
- Kyrgyzstan
- Russia
- Uzbekistan
How many of the above-mentioned countries are part of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO)?
- Only two
- Only three
- Only four
- Only five
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation: CSTO is an intergovernmental military alliance in Eurasia consisting of six post-Soviet states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, and Tajikistan, formed in 2002.
Q2. Catalonia, a semi-autonomous region, is located in which of the following Peninsula?
- Scandinavian Peninsula
- Iberian Peninsula
- Balkan Peninsula
- Crimean Peninsula
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: b
Explanation: Iberian Peninsula. Catalonia is situated in the northeastern part of the Iberian Peninsula in Spain.
Q3. With reference to the anti-smog gun, consider the following statements:
- It spews nebulized water droplets into the atmosphere to absorb the smallest dust and polluted particles.
- It reduces air pollution by binding dust, PM2.5, and PM10, carrying them down along with water.
- The water tank connected to the gun is mounted on a vehicle.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Only one
- Only twoÂ
- All three
- NoneÂ
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: c
Explanation: All three statements are correct.
Q4. With reference to ADMM-Plus, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- The ADMM-Plus includes ASEAN member-states and their dialogue partners, focusing on security and defence cooperation.
- India became a dialogue partner of ASEAN in 2010 during the inaugural ADMM-Plus meeting.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- 1 only Â
- 2 only Â
- Both 1 and 2Â Â
- Neither 1 nor 2Â Â
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation: India became an ASEAN dialogue partner in 1992.
Q5. With reference to Lithium, consider the following statements:
- It has wide applications in fields such as batteries, nuclear, and photovoltaic industries.
- India’s first-ever Lithium deposit was found in Karnataka.
- Australia is home to the world’s largest lithium reserves.
How many of the statements given above are incorrect?
- Only one
- Only twoÂ
- All three
- NoneÂ
CHECK ANSWERS:-
Answer: a
Explanation: Bolivia is home to the world’s biggest lithium reserves, followed by Argentina and Chile.
I. UPSC Mains Practice Questions
- Unfettered powers of law enforcement agencies to seize electronic devices threaten freedom of speech and press. Critically evaluate. (250 words, 15 marks) (General Studies – II, Polity)​
- How do electric batteries work? Discuss the various types of modern electrical batteries and their applications. (250 words, 15 marks) (General Studies – III, Science & Technology)​
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