.

Congratulations to the Ignite Winners

Science International Forum (SIF) Kuwait takes this opportunity to congratulate the winners and outstand-

ing performers of the first edition of IGNITE-science writing competition. Hundreds of students from 16

Indian Schools in Kuwait enthusiastically participated in the contest with vivid scientific perception and

imagination. The theme given for the year was “A Journey to Mars”. 5 winners from each category were

selected by the expert panel of judges. Outstanding Performers were also declared in different categories.

The winners and outstanding performers of this competition will be felicitated at a grand function organized

on Oct 2, Friday, 6.30 PM at the Indian Embassy Auditorium.

September, 2015

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2

Indian scientists discover plant species of

dinosaur age

Indian scientists claim to have discovered two

new Cycads species of plants in Odisha which

were dominant some 201 million to 145 million

years ago, popularly known as the Jurassic period.

The discovery by Indian cycadologists Rita Singh of Delhi`s Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University and

her two students - P. Radha of Osmania University, Hyderabad and J.S. Khuraijam (NBRI, Lucknow) - is the

result of eight years of research in the state. Cycads are considered to be an ancient group of seed plants

which have crown of large compound leaves and a stout trunk. They are regarded as living fossils. Cycas is

the type genus and the only genus recognised in the family Cycadaceae.

"The world over there are 111 species of Cycas and only nine species were reported from India. With the

addition of these two new species, there are now 11 species of Cycas in India," lead researcher Rita Singh

told. P. Radha said although Cycads species are now a minor component of the flora in tropical and

subtropical regions, they were a common sight in many parts of the world during the Jurassic period.

Khuraijam said: "The unique and endemic species we discovered in Odisha are Cycas orixensis and Cycas

nayagarhensis. While Cycas nayagarhensis is endemic to Nayagarh district, Cycas orixensis is distributed

from Mayurbanj, Kendujhar, Denkanal, Angul, Boudh and Ganjam districts."

"These two species are unique among all the Cycas species worldwide in having forked tip of the microsporo-

phylls, the male reproductive structure," he added.

The two species can easily be differentiated from each other by comparing the size of their trunk, male cone

and female reproductive structures. They are locally known as Aruguna, Oranga, Oruguna and Odissimari.

Both the species are under severe threat due to clearing of forests, over-harvesting of ovules or seeds, trunks

for religious and cultural practices. Khuraijam said these species need urgent conservation.

The discovery of the two new species was published in July issue of Asian Journal of Conservation Biology.

.

3

Goan wins acclaim at Asian Science Writing Prize

A Goan entrepreneur, Jason Fernandes, received an honorable mention at the Asian Scientist Writing Prize

2015, after competing with 300 writers from 16 different countries in Asia, including China, Japan and Thai-

land, recently. The 32-year old founder of SmartKlock Inc - a startup involved in builds tools and applications

that allow for better coordination between devices - won acclaim for his piece entitled 'Moore's Law and Evo-

lution: How non biological evolution made Charles Darwin irrelevant'. Fernandes' paper focused on how evo-

lution has been far outpaced by non-biological evolution and the age of the cyborg.

The contest was organized by the Asian Scientist Magazine and the Science Centre of Singapore with the pur-

pose of showcasing the best science writing talent in Asia. Backed by the Singapore-MIT Alliance for Re-

search and Technology and Singapore University of Technology and Design, the award was presented by the

country's education minister, Heng Swee Keat.

India's Mars Orbiter Captures Striking View of Red Planet's Canyons

India's Mars Orbiter, which arrived at the Red Planet late last year, has just sent back a beautiful shot of the

Ophir Chasma, a system of deep valleys and scalloped terrain in the Valles Marineris region. Areas with

major geological features like this tend to show off the various layers of materials making up the surface.

The picture above was taken July 19 from 1,857 kilometers (1,154 miles), but the scientists at the Indian

Space Research Organization also reconstructed what it might look like from nearby.

.

4

A Journey to Mars (Winning Story from Adults Category)

By: Sibin Mathew

The scorching solar rays refracted through my cracked visor literally waking me up to live another day

amongst a pile of crimson rocks. It took a moment to gather my senses and figure out that Marstrooper Garud

III had crashed with nine onboard, following a booster malfunction. The final frame imprinted in my memory

before mayday was the great smoldering Olympus volcano. With my backpack and headgear brutally ruptured

it was more of a miracle that I was still alive on the emergency oxygen canister feed. For the first time after

days of unreckoning exploration and research inhaled the asphyxiating Martian air, which kept diffusing into

the oxyfeed. I had to keep on breathing vigorously in order to keep my blood saturated.

The whole body was hurting like hell and I realized that my legs were trapped underneath something heavy.

Deliberately raising my dizzy head noticed that it was the bay door of the ship that might have got ripped off

during the crash. The party got interrupted when I spotted a pack of the vicious Bedyon guard dogs which

were being transported to the Indian Genetic Facility, quarreling over a chunk of flesh. The wind could shift

its course any moment and I would become an easy picking for the pooches.

Terrified I began pulling out myself with all strength to avoid that gruesome end. A broken metal handle

which I found beside me helped to scrape away some stiff gravel which would provide added mobility. Even-

tually after much labour snuggled

myself free, tragically realizing

that one of my legs was fractured

and blue. A few clicks east, I

sighted a huge boulder of rock

which could grant me some cov-

er. With an eye on the dogs and

crawling in pain ducked myself

behind it to web an escape plan.

The survival classes kept consol-

ing me that there was still a door

of hope to reach base. Gripping upon crevices in the rock, I managed to stand upright to get a better view of

the landscape. The dusty wind had buried almost everything in the vast sea of rocky terrain.

.

5

continued...

Sparkling pebbles in the sand seemed to contain flint which I needed for some fireworks. As soon I emerged

out from low profile the pack charged towards me. I dislodged my oxycanister and held it firmly between my

jaws sparking some flints together instantly to mimic a flamethrower burning their whiskers and scaring them

hero into the cockpit to transmit my location co-ordinates if the communicators were still conditional. Alt-

hough the main console was impaired, I managed to assemble a simple radio to send an SOS code.

The ferrite dust settled and darkness enveloped the vicinity as the sun plunged into the hills deploying a mil-

lion twinkling stars to glorify the night. Back in time as a kid, I was frequently struck by the feeling of anxiety

to travel beyond the reach of my eyes and explore the unknown worlds. Remarkably after all these years of

rigorous experiments, trials and errors humans have made these unscaled distances shorter inventing ultra-

hypersonic carriers. My childhood passed over with reminiscence of the applause of scientists overriding suc-

cess after success from all over the world, contributing to space and extra-terrestrial research which is still

prominent in all the modern control centers. It was high time when my personal favorite ISRO made its glori-

ous maiden attempt into the Martian orbit years ago leaving astonished many a brilliant brains to think over

the possibilities of similar robust, economic and efficient alternatives.

As I grew older the era of space travel had become more flexible to tourists with rapid innovations in com-

mercial Space Travel Projects and nuclear physics. The Joint Space Research Program also contributed seam-

lessly to the development of sophisticated equipments, making Mars exploration a walk in the park for all ad-

venture junkies. Even though I was in a state of frenzy after being shortlisted at the ISRO screening tests, the

Initial Simulation Exercises and Artificial Environment Lab Training rocketed my confidence in stepping foot

to reality which I had craved long since childhood. The trip comprised of 3 vehicle changeovers as a direct

travel would require more complex machines and the Trans-Sleep state process, which is undergoing final

tests.

Reviving the voyage trails from its onset, the Aryabhatta Mk-VII Advanced Re-usable Launch Vehicle de-

signed and built indigenously by ISRO which is a modern engineering marvel, carried us to the International

Space Station Earth (ISS E1). Moments after liftoff I recall having the most magnificent views of mother

Earth through the sight window. On approaching ISS E1 the main thrusters calmed down and the vehicle en-

ergized its micro thrusters firing perpendicularly to align parallel to the docking port. Limit and proximity

sensors in accordance with giant electromagnets clamped the vehicle in position. The station crew gave us a

warm welcome and guided us to light refreshment in order to get rid of the nausea.

.

6

continued...

Moments after we were guided towards the Kepler Inter-Station Spaceship dock. Its huge hydraulic doors

latched open leading us in where Capt. Vijay gave us a brief note on the ship. After ignition it shot off like a

comet furthermore revealing splendid sights of alien worlds outside. Approximately after 1100.15 hours of

cruise the red sphere got dominant in view and with all success we docked at ISS M1 over Martian

atmosphere, a replica of ISS E1. The access bridge led us to the station interior where health checkups and

briefings were redone. 19.05 hours after the crew guided us to the Marsail Aerobus Prime a one of its kind

heavy shuttle.

The vehicle tore its way through the delicate skin of mars like a raptor descending to its nesting ground. Miss

Tina’s smile gave me a mood lift throughout although I could feel a pinch of nervousness on her eyebrows. It

was a moment of pride when the lander stowed upon the LZ and I saw the tri-colour fluttering over base.

Since touchdown a series of restless field explorations, excavations & studies were carried out by the team

until the disaster struck abruptly. I couldn’t control my emotions for the lives lost in the mishap and tears

rolled of my cheeks when suddenly the radio responded back confirming an evac team of Indian Aerospace

Defense Wing en-route to the crash zone.

Don’t know when I will be travelling back to Earth after all and would wish to stay here longer to accomplish

the pending missions as a tribute to the team and nation. Man has even started cultivating crops and

harnessing energy from Martian resources for his epic future migration. Substantial archeological evidences

prove that life once existed here which could still be preserved in the remote deeps that are yet to be explored.

With a great sigh of determination finally closed my eyes to wake up mightier.

Hello Kiddies, Here is your Answers!!!

1. Red

2. 2

3. A Double Helix

4. Singapore

5. True

.

7

Young Indians in Class Now With 15 Nobel Laureates

Nobel Prize winners are spending six days in Jerusalem mentoring 400 students from 70 differ-

ent countries, including India. The students are 18 to 25 years in age. The concepts they're pitch-

ing include how modern physics and mathematics can be used to understand signaling and

memory within the brain; something you and I might find a little easier to understand - how to

develop a new light-weight plastic battery for capturing and storing solar energy. The Nobel lau-

reates offer brief feedback on whether the premises and projects are worth pursuing.

But the real prize is in listening to them explain their award-winning work as well as the ac-

counts of how they often struggled while making it to the top. Israel's invite to delegates is also

seen as a diplomatic and PR exercise at a time when it's being heavily criticized for the conflict

in Gaza last year and for attacking Iran's new nuclear deal. India has sent a delegation of 13

young thinkers who excitedly described the conference as "a Kumbh Mela of scientists."

"It is a dream come true to interact with the Nobel laureates, who are really human like you and

me, but have worked hard and long in their fields," said

Aayush, 20, who goes only by her first name and be-

longs to Mohali.The last time India won a Nobel Prize

for Science was in 1930 when CV Raman was hon-

oured for his work in Physics.

The Nobel Laureates who are teaching this conference

gracefully declare it's a learning experience for them as

well. "These are really very bright minds and can be-

come leaders of science in times to come," said Dr.

Zhores I Alferov, who won the Nobel for Physics in

2000.

News Courtesy; NDTV

Hey, You Know Me?

I am a In Vitro !!!

Studies that are in vitro are performed

with cells or biological molecules

studied outside their normal biologi-

cal context; for example proteins are

examined in solution, or cells in arti-

ficial culture medium. Colloquially

called "test tube experiments", these

studies in biology and its sub-

disciplines are traditionally done in

test-tubes, flasks, petri dishes etc.

Learn More in Coming Editions!

.

8

Indian scientists' DNA device generates power from

touch

Indian researchers have designed a new flexible, biode-

gradable nano generator made with DNA that can harvest

energy from everyday motion and turn it into electrical pow-

er. The movements we often take for granted - such as walk-

ing and tapping on our keyboards - release energy that large-

ly dissipates, unused, researchers said. Several years ago, scientists figured out how to capture some of that

energy and convert it into electricity so we might one day use it to power our mobile.

"Achieving this would not only untether us from wall outlets, but it would also reduce our demand on fossil

-fuel-based power sources," according to researchers at the Organic Nano-Piezoelectric Device Laboratory

(ONPDL), Department of Physics, Jadavpur University, Kolkata. The first prototypes of these nanogenera-

tors are currently being developed in laboratories around the world. And now, scientists want to add anoth-

er feature to this technology: biodegradability. The researchers, who published their findings in the journal

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, built a nanogenerator using a flexible, biocompatible polymer film

made out of polyvinylidene fluoride, or PVDF. To improve the material's energy-harvesting ability, they

added DNA, which has good electrical properties and is biocompatible and biodegradable.

In experiments, the device was powered with gentle tapping, and it lit up 22 to 55 light-emitting diodes,

said researchers. Most of the work was performed at Jadavpur University, such as sample preparation, de-

vice fabrication and also device performance analysis. "We collaborated with German team to get access

to NEXAFS facility, because we don't have facility here in India," Dr Dipankar Mandal, Assistant Profes-

sor at ONPDL, told PTI.

"We have national facility for getting this access at INDUS synchrotron Centre here in India but the con-

cerning beam line does not cover this energy (C-K edge) range," he said. The German team provided the

researchers the opportunity to measure for sample analysis in very conclusive way. The device can help

avoid the use of traditional batteries as power source for our everyday used portable electronic gadgets, re-

searchers said.

"It might also help to develop smart sensors for self-power health monitoring system, that means once day

our initial health check up can be recorded by ourselves by such self-powered devices and that can be also

monitored in wireless mode," he said.

News Courtesy: Economic Times

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9

Science and Innovation Gallery Opens for

Public at Rashtrapati Bhavan

You can now click a selfie with a 3D image of the

Rashtrapati Bhavan in the backdrop or see

'Clumsy', a robotic dog perform Yoga, at a Science

and Innovation Gallery inaugurated by President

Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday. The Science and

Innovation Gallery 'Navachara Kaksh' (room of

new ideas) is part of the President's favourite project of promoting new talent and innovators in the country

and, after today's inauguration, it will be part of the Rashtrapati Bhavan's guided tour.

It has been set up with the assistance of global chip maker Intel. Clumsy, designed by 17-year Arsh Shah

Dilbagi from Panipat, resembles a real dog and has 16 Servo Motors in its innards that enable it to perform

motor actions like walking and squatting. Clumsy also has sensors that allow it to see, touch, hear and see

through its micro-controller board, which takes inputs from these sensors and controls the robotic dog's

movements.

Arsh Shah has won awards at an international science competition.Also on display are virtual tabla,

key-less piano, 3D printer, a 'talking wall' and a 'planet wall'. "Visitors can also click selfies 3D-style with

the President's House as a backdrop and email it," Intel India President Kumud Srinivasan said. Navachara

Kaksh will be open for visitors on weekends (Friday-Sunday) as part of the Rashtrapati Bhavan tour. "Most

of these displays have been developed by youngsters in India. It is Intel's endevour to promote skill

development and innovation among youngsters across the globe and India. For us it is an important part of

that effort," she said.

While Intel will initially manage the operations, the museum will eventually be handed over to the

Rashtrapati Bhavan.This is the first such museum that Intel has set up apart from the one at its headquarters

in the US. It has innovation corners across locations, including India.With the 'Virtual Tabla', one can play

the drums and hear its rhythmic sound without touching the instrument at all. Created by a school student

at a makeathon, the virtual tabla has integrated sensors that detect hand movements and play a correspond

ding sound with the help of microprocessors. Similarly, the 'Key-less Piano' is a sensor-activated device

that creates music seemingly out of thin air. The '3D printer', developed by a Bangalore-based firm, has

also been put on display. The device enables making a three dimensional solid object from a digital file by

laying out successive layers of material until the entire object is created.

.

10

The 'Talking Wall' and 'Planet Wall' are programmed to inform and encourage students towards innovation

using an interactive audio-visual display. These give information about national science fairs where stu-

dents can showcase their talent and also features "young geniuses" who have earned international recogni-

tion through their ground-breaking research. Meanwhile, President Pranab Mukherjee expressed delight at

the opening of the gallery, which he said will encourage experiential learning among children. "I am de-

lighted that 'Navachara', a Science and Innovation Gallery, will now be open for visitors to Rashtrapati

Bhavan. I am sure this will go a long way in encouraging experiential learning among children and inspire

them to innovate. The 'smart' devices on display in the Gallery will help kindle the spirit of exploration

and inculcate a scientific temper in in tomorrow's innovators," he said.

Coincidentally, this was Fernandes' first attempt at science writing. "I'm glad I had the opportunity to look

into an interesting subject and perhaps contribute to the conversation somewhat," the Candolim-based man

- who regularly writes on technology-related subjects for GlobeAsia-Indonesia, Chip Magazine and Man's

World - said. SmartKlock Inc's flagship device, SmartKlock One will be launched soon. "The platform we

have built can be used to keep track of any metric. While there certainly is a market in connecting consum-

ers with their social media and other information, SmartKlock is useful to any industry that involves moni-

toring multiple metrics of information simultaneously, such as the finance, medical or even fitness indus-

tries," Fernandes said.

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11

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12

Events National Engineers Day & Ignite Science Writing Awards -2015

Date: October 2nd, 2015

Venue: Indian Embassy Hall

Chief guest: Prof Dr. D.Chandra Shakher, Instrument Design

Development Center, IIT Delhi

Fellow, International society of optics and photonics

Fellow, Indian National Academy of Engineering

International Communion of Optics, Gallilio award winner 2014

Institute Outstanding Faculty Award holder

NRDC Independence Day Award holder

International Patent Holder

He will be delivering a lecture on ‘ Engineers Role in Tomorrows

India’ along with an interaction session on How to get into IIT?

With the Audience Section. The first edition of the Ignite Science

Writing Awards will be distributed during the function

"We owe a lot to the Indians, who

taught us how to count, without

which no worthwhile scientific

discovery could have been made."”

Albert Einstein

Discover

VOLUME 01

ISSUE 05 SEPTEMBER, 2015

Compiled & Edited By

Prasanth Nair

Reshmy Krishnakumar

Science International Forum, Kuwait

facebook.com/sifkuwait

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Do You Know!!!

1. What is the name of the largest ocean on earth?

2. What are the two main metals in the earth’s core?

3. Which is hotter, the center of the earth or surface of the sun?

4. What do you call a person who studies rocks?

5. What is the second most common gas found in the air?

You have time till next edition