FST - 1

18th Part

Q.  Why should a country develop its own technology?               

A.  A nation should develop its own technology because

i)  it should be self-reliant,

ii)  the basic needs of its citizens must be met,

iii)  this will lead to an increase in its national productivity,

The technology must utilize the country’s human resources to the maximum. It should utilise locally available natural resources thus not dependent on foreign raw materials. Moreover, the import of technology has several drawbacks. Therefore, we should not keep on importing technology. We must develop our own infrastructure so that, after a certain stage, we can be in a position to develop our own technology. We should also be in a position to improve the borrowed technology and adapt it to Indian conditions. This is the way to self-reliance. Thus, imported technology, to a limited extent, will help us to develop. But, if we always rely on imported technology, and don't develop our indigenous technology, 'we will never be self-reliant.

Q.  Give any two examples of materials that are used as semiconductors.   

A. Semiconductors include antimony, arsenic, boron, carbon, germanium, selenium, silicon, sulfur, and tellurium. Silicon is the best-known of these, forming the basis of most integrated circuits (ICs). Common semiconductor compounds include gallium arsenide, indium antimonide, and the oxides of most metals.

Q.  Draw a neat and labeled diagram of the basic units of a computer. No description is needed. 

A.  

Q.  Draw a neat and labeled schematic diagram of a Nuclear Reactor. How does it work? What are the risks associated with the use of Nuclear Fission Energy ? Give one example. 

A.  There are many risks associated with the use of nuclear fission energy. Accidents have happened in nuclear power plants everywhere in the world. There are also instances when radioactive material has leaked endangering the safety and security of the local population, flora, and fauna. These risks have caused world-. wide debate, controversy and at times fear. In 1986, there was a major nuclear accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in the then USSR.

Working - In a nuclear reactor, rod-like containers of Uranium-235 are inserted in holes made in a huge block of graphite. The graphite block slows down neutrons to enhance the chain reaction. Control rods of cadmium are also inserted into the graphite block. When pushed out, they absorb fewer neutrons and the reaction is speeded up. The problem, then, is to remove the heat and use it to generate electrical energy. This is achieved by circulating water, or liquid sodium to absorb the heat generated in the graphite block. This heat may generate steam, which can turn a turbine (a wheel with slanting blades) and the connected electrical generator.

Q.  What measures are being taken in India to encourage research in science and technology and their application in the industry?    

A. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has a chain of laboratories in almost all areas relating to the national development effort: fuels. Ceramics and glass, chemicals, metallurgical and electro-chemical products, etc. Silk & Art Silk Manufacturing Research Association (SASMIRA) in Bombay and Indian Jute Industries Research Association (IJIRA) in Calcutta. which are maintained jointly by the collaborative efforts of the Government and the industries concerned, are active in their fields. Regional research laboratories maintained by the CSIR at different places like Trivandrum, Jammu, Hyderabad; look after the regional research and development needs.

      It has been the policy of the Government of India, from the time of Independence, to achieve self-reliance by developing indigenous technology In as many areas of Industry as possible. The National Research and Development Corporation of India was set up In 1953 for facilitating the transfer of technology from the laboratories of national R & D institutes to the field.

     In recent years R & D efforts in the fields of pure and applied chemistry, mathematics and physics have helped a great deal in our progress from agro-based industries to the areas of heavy industries, chemicals, steels, textiles, sugar, pharmaceuticals, computers and electronics. To give a few examples, the developments in the field of metallurgy have depended on the applications of the principles of chemistry, physics and engineering. A large number of manufacturing operations in the chemicals, steel, textile, sugar and pharmaceutical industries depend on chemical conversions. The development of computers and electronics have been based on fundamental physics and mathematics with the help of electrical, mechanical and production engineering. Research in materials science has led to experiments with fibre glass. This can be used in making lighter aircraft and lighter luggage, among other things.