Microbots
Category: Sc & tech
- Microbots are on their way to practical applications.
- These devices are about the size of a cell.
- They can be useful in fields as diverse as neurobiology and phone communications.
- Thousands of microbots fit side by side on a single silicon wafer similar to those used for computer chips.
- They pull themselves free and start crawling.
- They could crawl into cellphone batteries and clean and rejuvenate them.
- They might be a boon to neural scientists, burrowing into the brain to measure nerve signals.
- Millions of them in a petri dish could be used to test ideas in networking and communications.
- These robots take advantage of the same basic technology as computer chips.
- These robots run on a fraction of a volt and consume only 10 billionths of a watt.
- For robots injected into the brain, lasers would not work as the power source. Magnetic fields might be an alternative. He wants to make other robots swim rather than crawl.
- For these tiny machines, swimming can be arduous as water becomes viscous, like honey.
Naming Cyclones
Category: Geography
- The newest cyclone to emerge out of the Bay of Bengal has been named Fani.
- Before that, there were cyclones Hudhud in 2014, Ockhi in 2017 and Titli and Gaja in 2018.
- Each Tropical Cyclone basin in the world has its own rotating list of names.
- For cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, the naming system was agreed by eight member countries of a group called WMO/ESCAP and took effect in 2004.
- These countries submitted eight names each, which are arranged in an 8×8 table
- The first cyclone after the list was adopted was given the name in the first row of the first column — Onil, proposed by Bangladesh.
- Subsequent cyclones are being named sequentially, column-wise, with each cyclone given the name immediately below that of the previous cyclone.
- Once the bottom of the column is reached, the sequence moves to the top of the next column.
- So far, the first seven columns have been exhausted, and Fani (again proposed by Bangladesh) is the top name in the last column.
- The next cyclone will be named Vayu.
- The lists will wind up with Cyclone Amphan, whenever it comes.
- When the lists end After the 64 names are exhausted, the eight countries will propose fresh lists of names.
- For cyclones from the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, these lists are not rotated every few years.
- The lists for storms in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific basins are, however, rotated.
- Exception are, however, made in certain cases — if a storm causes excessive death and destruction, its name is considered for retirement and is not repeated; it is replaced with another name.
- Giving names to cyclones makes it easier for the media to report on these cyclones, heightens interest in warnings, and increases community preparedness. Names are presumed to be easier to remember than numbers and technical terms.
- If public wants to suggest the name of a cyclone to be included in the list, the proposed name must meet some fundamental criteria.The name should be short and readily understood when broadcast. Further, the names must not be culturally sensitive and should not convey any unintended and potentially inflammatory meaning.
GSP
Category: International
- The U.S. may not terminate the GSP programme with India after the expiry of the 60-day notice period.
- If terminated, companies seeking to expand their exports to India could be hit.
- The Generalized System of Preference (GSP) is the largest and oldest U.S. trade preference programme designed to promote economic development by allowing duty-free entry for thousands of products from designated beneficiary countries.
- On March 4, US announced that IT intended to terminate India’s designations as a beneficiary developing country under the GSP programme.
- The 60-day notice period ended on May 3.
Manufacturing PMI
Category: Economy
- Manufacturing activity expanded at a slower rate in April compared to its levels in March.
- The Nikkei India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index registered a reading of 51.8 in April, lower than the 52.6 in March.
- A reading over 50 indicates an expansion while one below 50 denotes a contraction.
- Losing of growth momentum makes it increasingly likely that the Reserve Bank of India may cut interest rates for the third consecutive time in June.
