G Selvi

GSLV is what I wanted to call it. Today Indian Rocket scientists have added another feather in their caps by successfully launching INSAT 4R using GSLV . Congratulations . ISRO can now call itself the cheapest and one of the most efficient Satellite launchers. Europeans and Americans , Are you listening, Now come on start launching satellites using our Selvis ...
Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle is as the name suggests a launch vehicle which is helpful in putting the payload INSAT into its orbit . These satellites are the real objects which are revolve around the earth and are helpful in communication , DTH etc. GSLV is a three stage vehicle meaning , the propellant (which pushes the rocket up ) is of three types. A solid propellant in the first, liquid in the second and the third stage consists of liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen. These all help in pushing the satellites to be in the orbit . Its actually a really complicated setup as is generally know is Rocket science .
As a child each one of us would have played with paper rockets . Havent we wanted to fly in to the space , moon ..These Indian Scientists of ISRO I am sure would make our dreams come true by the chandrayan mission . All the best guys .
I am looking forward for the Diwali , in which I would burst the Rockets ( crackers) and dream of becoming a rocket scientist if not in this Janma but atleast in next .

Madhu
Rocketeer.

Plucking the String ....

Classical Physics was insufficient to explain all the natural laws , which gave birth to quantum physics. Is this insufficient too ? Most of us would be aware that all forces of nature are a form of any of the 4 fundamental forces gravitational force , strong force, weak force and the electromagnetic force. Partially this work has been done by the laureates Sheldon Lee Glashow,Abdus Salam, Steven Weinberg.

They in a sense had come up with a model or a framework which could bring in symmetries between the 3 of the four mentioned forces. G force was left behind. Theoretical physicists are working to come up with the Grand Unification of theory.
While quantum theory works for point like particles whihc operate on zero gravity , the g force is close to the classical model .The big bangs, the massive objects follow the classical model.
As scientists were pondering how to bridge the gap, they came up with a new model "String theory". The first time I heard of this was in 1998 when I was doing my research program at TIFR as a part of VSRP. OK Let me tell you in very basic terms how this is modelled . All particls are not point like objects. They are like small strings ( about 10⁻³⁵ m) yeah..very tiny strings . They vibrate like normal strings of a violin or guitar and appear in multiple states depending on the energy acted upon them . Sri Lalgudi G Jayaram , would be very happy to know this .
Physicsts are still working on experimental proofs based on this theory to prove the all the forces of the nature are unique , its still a far away truth .One thing we know for sure is alls s one with the nature . Just that one is a form of another . Like God which is One .

Madhu
- Stringer ?

Con "Fusion"

We must be aware of the recent G8 summits, the nuke deals, world environment days . Instead of planning and discussing on what we shdnt be doing to pollute , we can think constructively. Why don't we think of alternate sources of energy instead of the age old petrol , diesel oil sources. There are a lot of benefits if we could find such sources .
Have you ever thought how Sun gives us so much of energy ? The process of energy production in Sun is Nuclear Fusion . This is the sister of the very well known nuclear fission which is used in Atom bombs and nuclear reactors . As the name suggests, Fusion is just combining a few lightweight isotopes into a heavier atom . Scientists have identified that Deuterium , Tritium ( H2 and H3 isotopes of Hydrogen) combine to form Helium and a neutron. In this process of combining a lot of energy .

"So trivial isnt it ". Why are scientists not doing this then ? The catch here is this whole process of this combination can be achieved only at very high temperatures at the order of 100 million degrees . Sustenance of these high temperatures is just not easy . There are special designed devices/machines for these called Tokamaks. Recent developments have been able to sustain this state of plasma only for a few 1000 seconds . But for fusion to become viable and a source of energy we need to sustain these temperatures for long periods of time. Hope scientists come out with a path breaking discovery as soon as possible.
Now FYI , 30 mg of deuterium produces about energy equivalent to 300 liters of Oil. Come on guys we need to achieve this process of fusion as soon as possible.
Having said all these, I was just thinking on a lighter note , construction on any day is a tougher task than destruction as is fission which is much more easily achievable than Fusion . What say ?

Madhu
- Fishing the fusion .

Nobel Prizes

Its nobel prize time. All nobels have been awarded. If you are a scientist then you want to have the coveted prize for sure. The prize winners in various categories are

Physics
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John C. Mather
George F. Smoot
for their discovery of the blackbody form and anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background radiation .
From what I understand their discovery has supported the big bang . Bozz why do only big bang supporters get Nobels .. There are other theories... Come on profs work on them and get the nobels .

Medicine
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Andrew Z. Fire
Craig C. Mello for their discovery of RNA interference - gene silencing by double-stranded RNA

I need to read through their lecture to understand what exactly have they done . Onnum puriliya ..Didnt understand head or tail of the work . Only the key words could i understand .

Chemistry
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Roger D. Kornberg
for his studies of the molecular basis of eukaryotic transcription.
FYI , Eukaryotes are multicellular organisms like us and prokaryotes are single cellular organisms.
Chemistry and Eukaryotes ....mmhmm must be a biochemical discovery .

Economics
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Edmund S. Phelps for his work on macroeconomic policies . Seems his work is on tradeoffs between inflation and employment .
If only his work aids in reducing inflation and increasing emplyment it shd be great...God knows the other way arnd could happen too ..Coz I dont believe economists .

Literature
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Orhan Pamuk has discovered new symbols for the clash and interlacing of cultures ..
What ? discovered symbols and got the Nobel .. I too can do this right .

Peace prize
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Muhammad Yunus
Grameen bank ( Strated by Mohammed Yunus )
Mohammed Yunus started the Grameen bank which works on microcredit to female population of Bangladesh . We in India too should follow this to eradicate poverty . Not that bangladesh is a rich country, But seems this is a good process for the development of the economy .
Agreed but should he not be given a nobel for economics and not for peace .
The logic is Peace can be attained only if poverty is gone. and mr yunus has worked towards the social economic development of the poor .

Source

Last but not least , if at all therz a nobel for Bug fixing.. We SW developers should get it . Aint it ?

Madhu
Nobel prize winner in 2030 ( thinking which category would i get a nobel in ) ..Vote or it and let me know which i best suit for.