Ministry of Earth Sciences Hosts National Media Interaction on 'Mission Mausam' The Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) held a national-level media interaction on the ambitious Mission Mausam at Prithvi Bhavan, New Delhi. The session was led by Dr. M Ravichandran, Secretary of MoES, alongside Dr. Mritunjay Mohapatra, Director General of the India Meteorological Department (IMD), and Dr. V.S. Prasad, Head of the National Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting (NCMRWF). Approved by the Union Cabinet on September 11, 2024, with a budget of ₹2,000 crores over two years, Mission Mausam aims to transform India into a "Weather-Ready" and "Climate-Smart" nation. The mission focuses on advancing the country's weather and climate observation, modeling, and forecasting capabilities, to provide more accurate and timely services. Key Objectives of Mission Mausam: Develop Cutting-Edge Technologies: Introduce next-generation radars, satellites with advanced instr...
A groundbreaking development in nanotechnology could revolutionize pressure sensing and energy harvesting. Researchers from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS) and the National Chemical Laboratory (CSIR-NCL), Pune, have unveiled a cutting-edge piezoelectric polymer nanocomposite that promises significant advancements in these fields.
This innovative material is derived from a new class of piezoelectric polymer nanocomposites, created by integrating metal oxide nanomaterials with specific crystal structures into a polymer matrix. The team discovered that metal oxides with tailored crystal structures and surface properties greatly enhance the piezoelectric response of the composite. Their research led to the creation of a polymer nanocomposite capable of transforming mechanical energy into electrical energy with impressive efficiency.
In an age where harnessing energy from readily available sources is more crucial than ever, the ability to convert mechanical energy like footsteps into electricity is highly valuable. The researchers synthesized zirconia-based metal-organic frameworks (UiO-66 and UiO-67), which they then converted into zirconia nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were incorporated into poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF), a well-known piezoelectric polymer, to create a nanocomposite with exceptional performance.
The results were striking. The polymer nanocomposite containing monoclinic zirconia nanoparticles exhibited superior piezoelectric output compared to other variants, showcasing a significant leap in energy generation efficiency.
A practical application of this breakthrough was demonstrated with a wireless, Bluetooth-enabled security alert system. In a laboratory setup, a prototype piezoelectric pavement was installed. As footsteps generated voltage, the system detected unauthorized entries and activated the security alert, sending notifications via a Bluetooth module to an Android app. This prototype not only functions as a security alert system but also highlights the potential for generating electrical energy from mechanical inputs.
Published in the ACS Applied Nano Materials journal, this study underscores the promise of PVDF-monoclinic ZrO2 nanoparticle composites in enhancing flexible, durable energy generation and pressure-sensing technologies. This research, supported by the Department of Science and Technology under the Inspire Faculty Fellowship Programme, represents a significant stride towards advancing our understanding of piezoelectric materials and their applications.
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