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The Independent
30-07-2025
- Science
- The Independent
What happens right before lightning strikes? Scientists have solved the mystery
Scientists say they've finally solved the mystery behind what happens just before lightning strikes. While famous inventor and U.S. Founding Father Benjamin Franklin discovered the connection between lightning and electricity back in 1752, experts still had not fully understood the journey from the cloud to the ground more than 270 years later. 'Our findings provide the first precise, quantitative explanation for how lightning initiates in nature," Victor Pasko, a professor of electrical engineering in the Penn State School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, said in a statement announcing the findings. "It connects the dots between X-rays, electric fields and the physics of electron avalanches." So, what's the deal with the atmospheric processes that trigger the giant, explosive sparks of electricity that can heat the air to a temperature five times hotter than the surface of the sun? According to Pasko and his team, the powerful chain reaction works similarly to an invisible pinball machine. Inside the storm clouds, strong electric fields speed up electrons that crash into molecules, such as nitrogen and oxygen. The reactions produce electromagnetic radiation commonly known as X-rays, as well as even more electrons and high-energy photons. Photons are the fundamental particles that make up light. After this, the lightning bolts are born. Atmospheric scientists knew how charged particles react within clouds. Protons rise and electrons descend toward the ground, resulting in a positive electric charge building on the ground. When that positive charge 'reaches out' to the approaching negative charge and the channels connect, the electrical transfer is what we see as lightning, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. To reach these new conclusions, the international authors used mathematical modeling, simulating the physical conditions in which a lightning bolt is likely to originate. 'We explained how photoelectric events occur, what conditions need to be in thunderclouds to initiate the cascade of electrons, and what is causing the wide variety of radio signals that we observe in clouds all prior to a lightning strike,' Zaid Pervez, a doctoral student in electrical engineering, said. 'To confirm our explanation on lightning initiation, I compared our results to previous modeling, observation studies and my own work on a type of lightning called compact intercloud discharges, which usually occur in small, localized regions in thunderclouds.' They also sought to explain observations of what is known as 'dark lightning' or a terrestrial gamma-ray flash. The invisible X-ray bursts are comprised of the flashes, which are produced in our atmosphere. They're often produced without flashes of light and radio bursts, which are familiar hallmarks of lightning during stormy weather. The researchers wanted to know why. 'In our modeling, the high-energy X-rays produced by relativistic electron avalanches generate new seed electrons driven by the photoelectric effect in air, rapidly amplifying these avalanches,' Pasko said. 'In addition to being produced in very compact volumes, this runaway chain reaction can occur with highly variable strength, often leading to detectable levels of X-rays, while accompanied by very weak optical and radio emissions. This explains why these gamma-ray flashes can emerge from source regions that appear optically dim and radio silent.'
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Why colleges should add AI and ML to existing Engineering programs, not replace them
At many private Engineering Colleges, the number of batches for conventional B.E. or B. Tech programs such as Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, and Civil Engineering are being shut down. As an alternative, several batches in B.E in AI and Data Science, and B.E in AI and Machine learning programs are introduced. Private colleges could be closing these programmes due to reduced demand. New programs in AI are also meant to secure better capitation fees for these institutes. Instead of this approach of closing entire programs, students need to be encouraged to take three or four courses on AI, ML, natural language processing, and databases in every branch of conventional Engineering. The Computer Science and Engineering program should be strengthened by specialisation in AI, DS, and ML. (CSE). An honours degree can be offered with additional courses in AI, ML, and DS. Students should be well educated in AI fundamentals, going beyond merely using ML code. Some institutes that ran a single batch of the conventional Engineering courses have discontinued the programme. As a result, several faculty members from Electrical, Chemical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering departments at such institutes could be asked to resign. Department closures In the report submitted by AICTE on approved institutions with progressive closed courses for the academic year 2021-2022, 387 departments of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electronics, and Instrumentation have been closed for the admission of first-year students. Similarly, for 2020-2021, 639 departments closed, and for 2019-2020, 661 departments closed for the admission of first-year students. From 2016 to 2019, 950 departments were closed. From 2013 to 2016, 1003 departments were closed. Within the subsequent two years, all the faculty in these 3640 departments could be asked to resign. The impact The closures of such conventional Engineering programs can affect the industrial and human resource growth of our country. It will also be tough for these experienced faculty members to survive without jobs. If an Engineering program admits no students in the first year, it won't have students for the program in subsequent years till the final year. Hence, the department could be closed. Faculty could be asked to leave the college accordingly. This has already started. The faculty-to-student ratio is fixed. Hence, faculty members are asked to leave year-wise. The country requires capable Mechanical Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Civil Engineers, Chemical Engineers, and Computer Science Engineers for its industrial growth. Hence, it is not a good idea to discontinue these programmes. It is not necessary to introduce new and exclusive programmes on AI and Machine learning; they can be offered as modules in existing conventional programmes. One of the key components of the technical education system in India is that it comprises of large number of private Engineering institutions, about 6000 spread over various parts of the country, with around 20 lakhs students, and about six lakhs faculty members. It is to be noted that at IITs and NITs, the conventional Engineering programs are continued to be offered. Self-financing colleges can not decide to drop all the basic courses. They offer mainly basic Engineering courses that are needed for the growth of the country. It is requested that AICTE and the Ministry of Higher Education guarantee that the conventional Engineering programs will continue to be taught in the private engineering colleges.
Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Indian Express
Round 2 of BTech admissions at DU: What's filled, What's still up for grabs
With the second round of BTech admissions at Delhi University (DU) underway, while all 120 seats in the Computer Science and Engineering programme have been filled, several seats continue to remain vacant in the Electrical Engineering as well as Electronics and Communication Engineering courses. Of the 360 seats across the three programmes, 338 have been filled so far, The Indian Express has learnt. Each of the three BTech programmes at DU – Computer Science and Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Electronics and Communication Engineering – can accommodate 120 students. These were introduced in the 2023–24 academic session, and students are inducted on the basis of their performance in the JEE (Main) examination. After the minimum Common Rank List (CRL) cut-offs for the second round of seat allocation was issued by DU, while the Computer Science and Engineering programme has closed admissions for the year, Electrical Engineering has so far filled 76 seats while Electronics and Communication Engineering has admitted over 90 students, according to data reviewed by The Indian Express. As for the integrated law programme, which was also introduced in 2023-24 and offers 120 seats, the interest remains high. According to the admission data, over 3,425 students have registered or expressed interest in the course so far, and 1,785 of them have paid the registration fee. The university had to go up to the fifth admission list last year to fill all seats in this programme. The BTech and integrated law programmes are being offered by Delhi University's Faculty of Technology and Faculty of Law, respectively. These courses were introduced as part of the university's expansion under the National Education Policy. The admission process for both continues to run separately from the central undergraduate Common Seat Allocation System (CSAS) used for most undergraduate courses at DU. Students coming from families with an annual income of less than Rs 4 lakh are eligible for a fee waiver of up to 90% in the BTech and the five-year integrated law programmes. The university is now preparing to initiate the second phase of seat allocation across its UG courses early next week. This will be contingent on the declaration of the CUET-UG results, which are awaited. 'If the CUET results are announced this week, we expect to begin the second phase of admissions early next week. Students are advised to keep their college preferences ready,' said Haneet Gandhi, Dean of Admissions at DU.
News18
13-06-2025
- Health
- News18
UP Students Build Portable Ventilator For Just Rs 15,000, Call It 'Lesson From Covid-19'
Last Updated: One of the developers said the project was born out of the Covid-19 pandemic when the scarcity of ventilators and oxygen cylinders turned hospitals into battlegrounds In a remarkable display of ingenuity and social commitment, four final-year engineering students from the Kamla Nehru Institute of Technology (KNIT) in Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, have developed a portable, battery-powered ventilator that could revolutionise emergency care in underserved regions of the country. At a time when the price of medical devices continues to soar beyond the reach of the average household, this team of Electrical Engineering students – Yash Mishra, Siddhant Mohan Ojha, Vaibhav Yadav, and Aditya Rauniyar – has created a low-cost, lightweight ventilator aimed at delivering immediate oxygen support to patients with respiratory distress. The compact ventilator is specifically designed to be used in emergency situations, especially in places where medical infrastructure is either minimal or non-existent. The prototype, assembled for just Rs 15,000, can monitor oxygen saturation and air pressure in real time using components like the Arduino Uno microcontroller, a SpO₂ sensor, and air pressure sensors. Speaking to Local18, Vaibhav Yadav, one of the developers, said the project was born out of the harrowing memories of the Covid-19 pandemic, when the scarcity of ventilators and oxygen cylinders turned hospitals into battlegrounds. 'We wanted to build something accessible, affordable, and effective; a device that could be used even in rural areas or during patient transport," Yadav explained. The team received crucial technical guidance from their project mentor Er Dilip Kumar Patel and Head of Department Dr Saurabh Mani Tripathi, who lauded the innovation as a potential game-changer in rural and mobile healthcare delivery. Dr Tripathi emphasised that the ventilator's portability and battery-operated design make it highly suitable for ambulances, village clinics, mobile medical units, and even home care. What sets this project apart is not only the cost – which could drop to Rs 8,000 with mass production – but also the depth of research behind it. The students referred to international research journals, including those published by the IEEE, to inform the device's functionality and safety mechanisms. The team is now hoping for support from government agencies or startups to take their innovation forward. 'India faces huge disparities in healthcare access," said Siddhant Ojha, adding that if their ventilator can be manufactured and distributed widely, it could save countless lives, especially in areas where help often comes too late. First Published: June 13, 2025, 18:38 IST
News18
13-06-2025
- General
- News18
Karnataka SSLC 2 Result 2025: 10th Supply Results Out At karresults.nic.in, Direct Link Here
Last Updated: Karnataka SSLC 2 Result 2025: KSEAB 10th supply results has been declared on the official website at Karnataka SSLC 2 Result 2025 Declared: The Karnataka School Examination and Assessment Board (KSEAB) has announced the Karnataka SSLC 2 Result 2025 on June 13, 2025. Students can check their Class 10 supplementary exam results directly at Karnataka SSLC 2 Result 2025 Direct Link This year, the Karnataka SSLC Exam 2 was conducted from May 26 to June 2, 2025. The examinations began with the first language paper and concluded with subjects such as Elements of Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, Programming in ANSI 'C', and Economics. The exams were held in a single shift from 10:00 AM to 1:15 PM. Steps To Check Karnataka SSLC 2 Result 2025: Step 1: Visit the official website: Step 2: Click on the link for KSEAB 10th SSLC Exam 2 Results 2025 on the homepage. Step 3: Enter your login credentials and submit. Step 4: Your result will be displayed on the screen. Step 5: Download and take a printout for future reference. The Karnataka SSLC Exam 1 result was announced on April 30, 2025. A total of 8,42,173 candidates appeared for the exam, out of which 5,24,984 students successfully passed. This resulted in an overall pass percentage of 62.34%. Girls once again outperformed boys, recording a higher pass percentage of 74%. Among the 3,90,311 boys who took the exam, 2,26,637 passed, resulting in a pass percentage of 58.07%. In comparison, 2,96,438 out of 4,00,579 girls cleared the exam. Notably, 22 students achieved a perfect score of 625 out of 625 marks, including two students from government schools. To qualify in the KSEAB SSLC exam, candidates are required to secure at least 35 percent marks in each subject. The board has implemented a grading system to categorize the performance of students. Those who score 90 percent or above are categorized as excellent and awarded Grade A+. Students scoring between 80 to 89 percent receive Grade A, while those obtaining 70 to 79 percent are given Grade B+. Candidates scoring between 60 to 69 percent are awarded Grade B, those with 50 to 59 percent receive Grade C+, and students scoring between 35 to 49 percent are given Grade C. Additionally, grace marks are provided to candidates who narrowly miss the minimum passing marks, ensuring deserving students are not penalized for minor shortfalls.
