Electrochemical energy storage device for securing future renewable energy

An electrochemical cell comprising molten sodium and molten sulphur as the anode and cathode, respectively, with beta alumina electrolyte has never found extensive use. An approach to develop large energy storage device based on aqueous sodium electrolyte at low temperature is described. An electrochemical cell with low cost, safe and utilizing sustainable manganese dioxide (MnO2) cathode coupled with zinc (Zn) anode in aqueous sodium hydroxide (NaOH) electrolyte is reported. The cyclic voltammetric (CV) profiles are found to be quite different in terms of peak position and current response depending on concentration of NaOH electrolyte. Among the concentrations of NaOH studied (2, 5, 7 and 10 M) the best performance was found to be between 5 and 7 M. The CV curves exhibits a pair of reversible redox peaks (within 1e- region) corresponding to sodium ion insertion and extraction but while extending the potential window to second electron reduction resulted in irreversible nature. This is explained to the formation of inhomogeneous reduction reaction due to slow electron diffusion. CV experiments at various scan rates revealed that the MnO2 material may not be suitable enough for higher scan rates indicating a sluggish kinetics occurring in the bulk material. Our study highlights the MnO2 cathode in NaOH electrolyte features a flat discharge voltage of 1.3 V vs. Zn with discharge capacity of 220 mAh/g

Unleashing The Growth Potential Of Indian MSME Sector

The MSME sector occupies a position of strategic significance in the Indian economic structure. This sector contributes nearly eight per cent to country’s GDP, employing over 80 million people in nearly 36 million widely-dispersed enterprises across the country; accounting for 45 per cent of manufactured output, 40 per cent of the country’s total export, and producing more than 8000 valueadded products ranging from traditional to high-tech. Furthermore, these enterprises are the nurseries for innovation and entrepreneurship, which will be key to the future growth of India. It is also an acknowledged fact that this sector can help realise the target of the proposed National Manufacturing Policy to enhance the share of manufacturing in GDP to 25 per cent and to create 100 million jobs by the end of 2022, as well as to foster growth and take India from its present two trillion dollar economy to a 20 trillion dollar economy. Despite the sector’s high enthusiasm and inherent capabilities to grow, its growth story still faces a number of challenges. In this light, the present paper examines the role of Indian MSMEs in India’s economic growth and explores various problems faced by the sector. The paper also attempts to discuss various policy measures undertaken by the Government to strengthen Indian MSMEs. Finally, the paper proposes strategies aimed at strengthening the sector to enable it to unleash its growth potential and help make India a 20 trillion dollar economy

Global bioethics and governance : views from FAO and India on the ethics of biotechnology in agriculture and medicine

The overall objective of this research was to analyse the role of ethics in the global governance of biotechnology. How do people apply biological knowledge in the service of humankind and the environment? The present thesis contains two major case studies related to governance of biotechnology and ethics. ...Thesis (Ph. D. in Science)--University of Tsukuba, (A), no. 3069, 2003.3.25Includes bibliographical referencesTitle Page,Content list -- Abstract -- List of Tables, List of Figures,Abbreviations -- 1. Introduction -- 2. Methodology for FAO Studies -- 3. Results of FAO study -- 4. Studies in India -- 5. Discussion -- 6. Conclusions -- 7. Acknowledgements -- 8. Reference

Reviewing India’s protection of children from sexual offences act three years on

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act (POCSO Act) was enacted in 2012. Srishti Agnihotri and Minakshi Das offer a three pronged analysis of the progress of the POCSO Act so far from the legislative, judicial and administrative perspective. In doing so, they assess the effectiveness of the Act, identify the implementation gaps, and suggest policy recommendations to plug these gaps

Guaranteeing children with disabilities the right to be heard

Following their analysis of the 2012 Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act Srishti Agnihotri and Minakshi Das consider the specific challenges associated with ending the sexual abuse of children with disabilities. They write that more needs to be done to ensure abuse is reported and addressed, as well as to guarantee their right to be heard

Comparative Analysis of Bioethanol Production from Whey by different strains of Immobilized Thermotolerant Yeast

Abstract- In the present context of increasing demand for energy and biofuel, the microbial synthesis of ethanol using industry waste materials has gained recent importance. The present study deals with the ethanol production from whey-a dairy waste by using potential thermotolerant immobilized yeasts isolates in free and immobilized state. Two species of thermotolerant yeasts strains, Candida inconspicua W16, Candida xylopsoci W23 and standard culture of K. marxianus NCDC 39 were used for bioethanol production. Of the selected thermotolerant yeast species, Candida inconspicua W16 exhibited the maximum production of ethanol (3.03±0.02 v/v) on immobilization as well as in free State (1.92±0.08 % v/v) within 72 h using whey as a substrate. The experiment revealed that the thermotolerant yeast Candida inconspicua W16 is efficient in bioethanol production from whey, when it is immobilized. Index Terms- bioethanol, whey, thermotolerant, immobilization, lactos