Science and Technology

ASACUSA experiment produces first beam of antihydrogen atoms at CERN

: Science and Technology : Written by NitinMishra : 01-26-2014

The ASACUSA experiment at CERN has succeeded for the first time in producing a beam of antihydrogen atoms. In a paper published in Nature Communications, the ASACUSA collaboration reports the unambiguous detection of 80 antihydrogen atoms 2.7 meters downstream of their production, where the influence of the magnetic fields used initially to produce the antiatoms is small. This result is a significant step towards precise hyperfine spectroscopy of antihydrogen atoms. The feat will help them test whether these atoms differ from their matter counterparts, which could give scientists clues about how our universe formed. Primordial antimatter has so far never …continue reading

Beware NETRA is looking

: Science and Technology : Written by NitinMishra : 01-04-2014

Not many know that India’s ambitious National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID) has discreetly commenced operations. The idea of setting up an integrated cyber warfare command was mulled post 26/11. One of the findings from review commission cited lack of an integrated command which was exploited by David Headley. Work on NATGRID commenced about 2 years back. The effort was being led by Center for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Bangalore and CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team, India). Several scientists from CERT-In, CAIR and technical consultants from private sector have worked on the project for two years to set up the Indian Cyber …continue reading

GSLV-D5 – Riding India’s own cryogenic engine

: Science and Technology : Written by NitinMishra : 01-01-2014

GSLV-D5, India’s work horse rocket is set to fly again on January 5th at 16:18 hrs IST. This time using the indigenous cryogenic engine. It took two decades of developmental efforts and 7 launches to reach this stage. GSLV (Geosynchronous satellite launch vehicle) has a chequered past. Of the 7 launches 2 were successful, 2 were claimed partially successful and 3 were failure. GSLV is a vital technology that India needs to master, in order to attain indigenous heavy lift capacity. With a successful launch India will achieve the capability to launch satellites in 1-5 ton weight range. Most of …continue reading

Sting for hire !

: Science and Technology : Written by NitinMishra : 12-02-2013

Last week an interesting sting titled #operationbluevirus was presented before Indian media by an investigative portal named cobrapost in an elaborate press conference covered live by few channels. The sting through a series of secretly filmed discussions tried to build up a case that social media in India was being controlled and manipulated by select IT firms and it wasn’t really as independent as it seemed. From fake followers, fake likes to running online propaganda in favor of or against political parties or their candidates, IT firms seem to do all that for a fixed sum as per the sting. …continue reading