News in Shorts: 05 December 2024

SheSTEM 2024

Context: The SheSTEM 2024 competition was recently organised in  the Embassy of Sweden.

About the SheSTEM 2024

• It is an annual initiative that celebrates the contributions of women in STEM.
• Organised By: Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), under the NITI Aayog and the Office of Science & Innovation in partnership with Nordic collaborators i.e. Innovation Norway, Innovation Centre Denmark, and Business Finland.
• Aim: To provide a platform for students to engage with critical STEM topics and contribute to global sustainability efforts.
• Theme 2024: The SheSTEM 2024 challenge invited students from grades 6–12 across India to submit innovative ideas focused on Battery Technology and Energy Storage (BEST) systems.
  • It is part of the India-Nordic BEST project, the challenge aims to foster sustainability by advancing energy solutions. 

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Nano Bubble Technology

Context: Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change launched ‘Nano Bubble Technology’ for cleaning and purifying water of National Zoological Park, Delhi to promote the health of aquatic animals.

About Nano bubble technology

• Nano bubble technology is a method of using tiny bubbles to improve water quality.
• Nanobubbles are ultra-fine bubbles (less than 200 nanometers in diameter) that are nearly invisible to the eye. 
• Nanobubbles can be generated using a variety of methods, including centrifugal force, ultrasound, Electrolysis etc. 
• How It Works:
  • Suspension and Stability: Nanobubbles are stable due to their small size and high surface energy, allowing them to stay suspended in the water for long durations.
  • Surface Charge: They possess a strong negative charge, attracting and breaking down impurities like algae, organic waste, oil, and grease.
  • Oxygen Enrichment: Nanobubbles increase the dissolved oxygen levels in water. This enhanced oxygenation promotes the breakdown of organic matter and improves water quality.
  • Oxidative Effects: Upon collapsing, nanobubbles generate hydroxyl radicals, which are powerful oxidizing agents capable of degrading pollutants and killing pathogens.
• Advantages: 
• • They can remove pollutants like algae, organic waste, oil, and grease. 
  • Nanobubbles are also more energy-efficient than traditional methods and are chemical-free, making them environmentally friendly.

Other applications

• Plant growth: Can improve oxygen delivery to plant roots, which can increase nutrient uptake and enhance plant growth. 
• Drug delivery: Used to deliver drugs and are functionalized with biocompatible surfaces. 
• Medical imaging: Used as imaging agents due to the echogenic properties of their gas core. 
• Anaerobic digestion: Improve the anaerobic digestion process by reducing sulfide and volatile fatty acid levels. 
• Textile industry: The Indian Institute of Technology, Ropar developed an air nano-bubble technology that can reduce water use in the textile sector by up to 90%.