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Year-End Review -2022: CSIR (Ministry of Science & Technology)

Why in the News?

Recently, the year-end-review of the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) under the Ministry of Science & Technology was released.

What are the Key Achievements of CSIR?

• First-Ever Biofuel-Powered Flight:
  • The first biofuel-powered flight in India, which took off from Dehradun to Delhi, was made possible by CSIR, paving the door for sustainable and alternative fuels.
  • The CSIR-Indian Institute of Petroleum (IIP) manufactured the bio-aviation fuel domestically from Jatropha oil using the institute’s unique method.
• Aroma Mission:
  • In order to drive the expansion of the fragrance business and increase rural employment, CSIR created the CSIR-Aroma Mission in 2016. This initiative aims to alter the aroma sector through interventions in cultivation, processing, and product development.
• Indigenous Autoclave Technology:
  • Modern Indigenous Autoclave Technology has been successfully developed by CSIR-National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) for processing innovative lightweight composites that are essential to contemporary civil and military airframes.
• Conversion of Plastic into Diesel:
  • A method created by CSIR-IIP and GAIL (Petroleum Business Company) can turn 1 tonne of plastic trash and other polyolefin products into 850 litres of the purest type of fuel.
• Anaerobic Gas Lift Reactor (AGR):
  • The Organic Fraction of Municipal Solid Waste (OFMSW), sewage sludge, press mud, poultry litter, food waste, and other organic solid waste can be converted into biogas and bio manure using a high-rate biomethanation technology known as AGR, which was created and patented by the CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT).
• RENEU Technology:
  • This technology was created by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), a division of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). As a part of the National Mission to maintain the Ganges clean for the pilgrims during the holy festival, Restoration of Nallah with Ecological Units (RENEU) was successfully implemented.
• Drishti Transmissometer:
  • CSIR-NAL has developed and transferred the technology of Drishti Transmissometer that has been deployed in many airports in India. The transmissometer is a visibility measuring system, useful for safe airport operations and landings.
• Head-Up Display:
  • The CSIR-Central Scientific Instruments Organization (CSIO), Chandigarh, and Bharat Electronics Limited have inked a transfer agreement for the manufacturing of a new model of Head-Up Display (HUD) for the Tejas Fighter Aircraft for commercial production (BEL).
• Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya:
  • India’s first domestically produced high purity gold reference standard, Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya (BND 420), was created via cooperation between the India Government Mint (IGM), Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), CSIR-NPL, and National Centre for Compositional Characterisation of Materials.
• Shale Gas: In two locations in the Godavari basin and Gondwana basin in Central India, CSIR-CIMFR has found shale gas. About 63 trillion Cubic Feet of shale gas have been discovered in these two basins together thus far in the nation (TCF).
  • It is regarded as one of the top non-conventional natural gas sources.
  • By reading the text aloud, the CSIR-Portable CSIO’s Reading Machine (PRM) aids the visually impaired. The “Divya Nayan” advanced reading machine is a standalone PRM.
• Dimethyl Ether: CSIR-NCL has developed a homegrown method for producing Dimethyl Ether (DME) from methanol.
  • DME is a clean fuel that could eventually replace diesel and be added to LPG as a non-fossil fuel. By lowering LPG imports, this will also benefit the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana programme.
• Earthquake Warning System: CSIR-CSIO has created a groundbreaking earthquake warning system. The system has the ability to detect tremors, record them, and immediately send an SMS to the appropriate action points.
• The first indigenously built research vessel, Sindhu Sadhana, was used to collect samples for the Indian Ocean’s microbial genome mapping project.
• to comprehend the biology of the ocean and its reaction to pollution, nutritional stress, and climate change.
• Green Crackers: In an effort to reduce air pollution, CSIR-NEERI created Green Crackers. Additionally, a green logo and QR tagging system were introduced to track the production and distribution of fake crackers.
• Asafoetida (Heeng) cultivation was originally established in the Indian Himalayan region by the CSIR-Institute of Himalayan Bioresource Technology (IHBT).
  • To link farmers to the supply chain and freight transportation management system, the CSIR-Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) developed the Kisan Sabha App.
  • For farmers, transporters, and other organisations involved in the agriculture industry, this portal serves as a one-stop shop.
• Ksheer Scanner: The CSIR has created a low-cost, portable milk adulteration detection system called the Ksheer Scanner.
• Rice Type: In partnership with the Indian Institute of Rice Research in Hyderabad, the CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) has introduced a novel variety of pest- and diabetes-friendly rice.
  • The newly developed ISM (Improved Samba Masuri) rice variety resists bacterial blight (BB).
• JIGYASA:
  • By establishing connections between school students and scientists at CSIR, it is one of the key initiatives undertaken by CSIR at the national level to broaden and deepen CSIR’s Scientific Social Responsibility (SSR).
• Purple Revolution: By establishing lavender cultivation in J&K, which benefited farming families, CSIR contributed to the renown Purple Revolution. A few years ago, India was one of the major importers of Lemongrass essential oil, but today it is one of the top exporters.
  • The Floriculture mission’s indigenous development of tulip bulb output contributed to a decrease in the importation of planting supplies.
• Gaon Ka Pani Gaon Mein: The CSIR has been in charge of a Mission-mode project for creating Village Level Water Management (VLWM) Plans to increase water resources in certain areas.
  • The Jal Jeevan Mission also includes the launch and implementation of the Mission on High-Resolution Aquifer Mapping & Management in Arid Regions of North-Western India in collaboration with the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• The first hydrogen fuel cell bus to be developed entirely in India:
  • The bus can travel 600 kilometres without stopping thanks to its usage of air and hydrogen fuel cells to produce electricity. The bus is the most environmentally friendly means of transportation because it only emits water.
• Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL): The Cabinet recently approved granting users other than patent offices access to the TKDL database. The TKDL database’s openness to users will encourage research, development, and innovation based on India’s cherished legacy in a variety of sectors.
• Steel Slag Roads: To transform leftover steel slag into road-building aggregates, CSIR developed the steel slag valorisation method. The first steel slag road in India was built in Surat using processed steel slag aggregates that were created from scrap steel slag.
• First Flight of the HANSA NG: The Hansa NG is an all-composite, two-seat light trainer aircraft that CSIR-NAL designed and developed with major modifications to the Hansa 3 to make it more useful as a trainer aircraft. It will be used as an ab-initio flying training aircraft for the flying clubs in India.
• The HANSA-NG is an improved model of the original HANSA, which made its first flight in 1993 and received certification in 2000.
• 3D-printed patient-specific medical implants were created by CSIR-CSIO using a technology that allows for the production of implants for various human body parts that are patient-specific. The technology has been handed to industry in preparation for the product’s commercial manufacture and commercialization.
• CSIR has created a virtual platform called PRABHASS (Pravasi Bharatiya Academic and Scientific Sampark) Portal to communicate with the international Indian S&T Diaspora in order to collaboratively address societal challenges and problems.
• Through exposure to CSIR labs, the “Skill India Initiative” of the CSIR seeks to provide young brains with the requisite technological skills. Under the scheme, more than 2 lakh people have received training.