(Current Affairs) Science & Technology, Defence, Environment | January: 2014

Science & Technology, Defense, Environment

KINECT Developed by Microsoft

US software company Microsoft recently developed a new costeffective sign language translator that converts signs into spoken and written language - and vice versa. In collaboration with researchers in China, Microsoft created the Kinect Sign Language Trans lator, a prototype system that understands the gestures of sign language and converts them to spoken and written languageand vice versa. The translator uses a computer and a
Kinect camera that recognises signing gestures, then gives a spoken and written translation of languages for people who can hear.

The system captures a conversation both sides: the deaf person is shown signing, with a written and spoken translation being rendered in real-time, while the system takes the hearing person’s spoken words and turns them into accurate, understandable signs. The system takes a person’s spoken words and translate them into accurate signs carried out by an onscreen avatar. The Kinect’s sensors read a user’s body position and movements and, with the help of a computer, translate them into commands. The project was collaboration between the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing Union University, and Microsoft Research Asia.

In Mars Findings Mangalyaan & Maven will Complement Each Other

ISRO and NASA will coordinate functions of their Mars Orbiters- Mangalyaan and MAVEN once both get into orbit of the Mars planet in September 2014. This was announced by ISRO scientists. ISRO scientists also stated that the findings of ISRO’ Mars Orbiter mission and NASA’s Maven would complement each other. NASA’s Mars-bound spacecraft, the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutionN (MAVEN) was launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V 401 rocket from Cape Canaveral in Florida, US on 18 November 2013. MAVEN is the second mission for NASAs Mars Scout Program and is likely to obtain critical measurements of the Martian upper atmosphere to help understand the climate change over the red planet- Mar’s history. MAVEN carries eight instruments Neutral Gas and Ion Mass Spectrometer, Imaging Ultraviolet
Spectrograph, Magnetometer, Solar Wind Electron Analyzer, SupraThermal And Thermal Ion Composition, Langmuir Probe and Waves antenna, Solar Energetic Particles and Solar Wind Ion Analyzer. After having successfully completed five orbit raising manoeuvres on its Mars Orbiter, ISRO is expected to perform the crucial event of trans Martian injection of the spacecraft in the early hours of 1 December 2013. The spacecraft will reach the red planet’s orbit by 24 September 2014 after an over 10 month voyage. ISRO’s PSLV-C25 successfully injected 1350-kg Mangalyaan Orbiter (Mars craft) into orbit around Earth some 44 minutes after launch at 2.38 PM from Satish Dhawan Space Centre at Sriharikota on 5 November 2013 marking the successful completion of the first stage of the 450 crore Rupees mission.

IICT Received Samples from OPCW

The Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, recently received over 50 samples for detection of chemical weapons from the Organisation for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The samples in the form of soil, water and organic solvents were sent twice a year since 2008 when IICT attained the status of designated laboratory for off-site analysis of weapons. OPCW had been sending to IICT for analysis only blank samples collected from different parts of the world. Six samples which were coded to hide the identity of the substance and the originating country were sent by courier every six months as part of continuous evaluation of the lab. The report of the institute should be cent per cent accurate to be eligible to get three ‘A’ grades in succession and pass the proficiency test every year. The institute has already got the proficiency certificate for this year (2013), but it was yet to enter into a technical agreement with OPCW to get authentic on-site samples.It had the technique to identify chemicals at parts per million (PPM) levels. A dedicated centre for analysis of chemical toxins was set up at the institute to attend to OPCW.

The IICT was one of the 21 labs in 17 countries that were designated by OPCW for off-site analysis of chemical weapons. Apart from IICT, the Defence Research and Development Establishment (DRDE), Gwalior,
under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is also one of the ‘designated laboratories’ of the OPCW. A ‘designated laboratory’ has to participate every year in the OPCW proficiency test and consistently attain the ‘A’ grade benchmark to retain its status. From 2008, IICT has retained its status though it has been associated with OPCW since 1998. The Organi sat ion for the Prohibi t ion of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) on 11 October 2013 won the Nobel Peace Prize for the year 2013 for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.

About Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT)

Indian Institute of Chemical Technology, (established in 1989) is a national-level research center located in Hyderabad, India under the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Government of India. IICT conducts research in basic and applied chemistry, biochemistry, bioinformatics, chemical engineering and provides science and technology inputs to the industrial and economic development of the country.

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