Perovskite
Scientists discovered that a nanoscale ink coating could improve stability enough to make next-generation perovskite solar cells suitable for mass production.
- It is a naturally occurring mineral of calcium titanate.
- Properties – Colossal magnetoresistance, lightweight, high optical conductivity and absorption, high efficiency, cheaper to produce compared to traditional silicon-based cells.
- Colossal magnetoresistance: Means their electrical resistance changes when they are put in a magnetic field.
- Applications – Solar Panels industry, Space technology etc.
- Limitations – can decompose when they react with moisture and oxygen, suffers from a drop in efficiency and energy output during the manufacturing process etc.
Pterygotrigla intermedica
Scientists of Zoological Survey of India have discovered a new species of marine fish from West Bengal.
- Commonly known as gurnards or sea-robins.
- A total 178 species of the family worldwide.
IEEE 1028 standard
Supreme Court declined a plea for independent audit (using IEEE 1028 standard) of source code governing EVM system.
- IEEE 1028 standard, a standard for software reviews and audits.
- Fixed by – Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) – World’s largest technical professional organisation
- A ‘source code’ is a set of written instructions to a machine’s hardware.
Maharashtra’s ephemerals
Researchers and environmental groups are documenting floral species in Maharashtra and educating people about their existence through nature walks.
- Ephemerals are certain plant species that wait throughout the year to bloom only during the monsoon because they love rain.
- Annual ephemerals form new individuals every year and are seen for a very short period.
- Perennial ephemerals have a source like a tuber or a bulb in the soil and the other parts (stem, flowers) are newly formed.