Hydroelectric Cell produces electricity from water without using chemicals

Countries around the world are continuously pursuing green and hygienic technology to generate power from available limited resources of nature. Power generation from renewable energy sources has reached equality with that from conventional forms. But the portability of energy derived from cleaner sources has always been a challenge.

Conventional batteries use elements such as lithium-ion and lead-acid, which are toxic, have a serious risk of explosion, are expensive and harmful to the environment.

Scientists at Delhi’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) have found a novel way of producing electricity from water at room temperature without using any power or chemicals. They invented a device called Hydroelectric Cell that can generate power using only a few drops of water. The device is able to generate about a quarter ampere current at less than 1V, which is sufficient to power a small plastic fan.[Readmore]

Google's security tools can shield you from cyber-attacks: Details here

Google has long been asking users to enable its security tools for shielding all its services - from Gmail to Google Photos - from hacking attempts.

The search giant has been pretty vocal about the importance of these features, but now, instead of urging users, it has released hard stats revealing how useful these capabilities can really be. [Readmore]

Reforms initiated by the United Front government have not got their due

As we move to the real possibility of some kind of strategic planning in June, the effectiveness of coalition regimes becomes an interesting question. The late T S R Subramanian, cabinet secretary in the Deve Gowda/ I K Gujral United Front ministry, wrote an interesting book setting out the contours of reform during his tenure in the ministry. It is an impressive chronicle by any standard.

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Planning in a strategic sense was revived and agriculture was accorded priority after the thoughtless WTO agreements signed by the Narasimha Rao government. A special programme was designed to revive water deliveries and public sector investment in agriculture was revived, inducing private on farm revival. [Readmore]

Separate ministry for water if NDA voted to power: PM Modi

This was announced by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi after realising the problem faced by womenfolk in rural areas due to the shortage of water.

PATNA: If all goes as per plan, India which is facing sharp depletion in underground water resources, will soon have a separate full-fledged ministry of water, if the NDA continues for a second consecutive term ar the Centre.

This was announced by none other than Prime Minister Narendra Modi after realising the problem faced by womenfolk in rural areas due to the shortage of water. [Readmore]

Polavaram project delay to cause Rs 28,000 crore burden to Andhra: Congress MP

 

The delay in execution of the Polavaram irrigation project being constructed on Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh is set to cause a burden of over Rs 28,000 crore on the state government exchequer, senior Congress MP K V P Ramachandra Rao said on Thursday.

The construction of main dam of the project which began in 2012 picked up pace only after the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh in June 2014 and was expected to be completed by December 2018. Chief minister N Chandrababu Naidu claimed before the elections that the project would be completed to a large extent by June 2019 and parts of the project ayacut would get water from the canals through gravity.

However, during the visit to project site on May 6 to review the progress of works, Naidu expressed helplessness in supplying water by gravity this year and revised the deadline for project completion to June 2020. [Readmore]