The Department of Science and Technology
(DST) is all set to launch five technology missions to prepare the country to meet scientific
and technological challenges of the future. The new missions would cover aspects ranging
from electric mobility to quantum science and technology.
The mission on electric mobility has been formulated in the wake of growing importance of
electric vehicles particularly due to climate change concerns. It seeks to promote long-term
research and development in all aspects of related technologies. For instance, the current
batteries based on lithium ion are expected to start fading by 2025 globally leading to the
need for development of newer materials.
The mission would, among other things, focus on developing hydrogen fuel cells and come
out with batteries that would have higher specific energy and energy densities, motors that
would do away with the need for permanent magnets and systems to provide for two-way
power transfer between the grid and the electric vehicle chargers. A new model of
collaboration that would bring together academic institutions, private manufacturing and
R&D laboratories would be put in place for the mission.
Under the mission methanol, centres of excellence would be established for production and
utilisation of methanol and dimethyl ether using various solid fuels and natural gas and
develop knowledge base and trained manpower in the area. Countries across the world are
working on developing what is called `methanol economy’ as a replacement for fossil fuels
as a means of energy storage, ground transportation fuel, and raw material for synthetic
hydrocarbons and their products.
The aim is to ensure a cleaner environment and at the same time reduce dependence on
fossil fuels, which are a non-renewable source of energy. Methanol can be produced from a
wide variety of sources including agricultural products and municipal waste, and wood and
other biomass. It can also be made from chemical recycling of carbon dioxide.
Announcing the missions at a press conference here DST Secretary Ashutosh Sharma said
the government was working continuously shape a seamless science, technology and
innovation system, which was cutting edge, collaborative, inclusive, relevant and aligned to
national priorities.
The new package of technological initiatives also includes a mission on promoting research
and development in quantum technology and related areas of quantum computing,
quantum cryptography, quantum communication, quantum metrology and sensing, and
quantum enhanced imaging. Quantum technology is an emerging field of physics and
engineering based on the properties of quantum mechanics.
The fourth mission in the package seeks to promote developments in the area of cyber
physical systems, which includes artificial intelligence, robotics, sensors, big data analytics,
geographical information systems and advanced materials. The aim is to give a fillip to the
manufacturing sector through development of new products and services, creation of skilled
human resources at different levels, from technician to researchers and entrepreneurs. The
mission outlines time-bound strategies for implementation of cyber physical systems in
various sectors such as agriculture, transport, energy, water, and health.
The fifth mission envisages the production of digital maps across the country to a scale of
1:500 with the help of satellites and drones. The entire country would be mapped within the
next two years. (India Science Wire)
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