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PM Modi wins 2018 Seoul Peace Prize
News:
- Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with the Seoul Peace Prize for 2018 for his contribution to international cooperation and fostering global economic growth.
Important Facts:
- The award committee lauded the demonetisation drive, anti-corruption measures and social integration efforts of the government.
- It also credited PM Modi for raising global economic growth and accelerating human development of the Indian people.
- The committee also praised PM Modi for the Act East Policy and Modi Doctrine’ that lays emphasis on initiatives for regional and global peace.
- PM Modi is the 14th recipient of this award.
- Other awardees include former UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and international relief organizations like Doctors Without Borders and Oxfam.
- About Seoul Peace Prize:
- The Seoul Peace Prize was established in 1990 to commemorate the success of the 24th Olympic Games held in Seoul.
- The Seoul Peace Prize is awarded biennially to individuals who have made significant contribution to the harmony of mankind, reconciliation between nations and to world peace.
Cell-sized robots can be used to detect diseases
News:
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the US have made cell-sized robots which behave like living biological cell.
Important Facts:
- These cell like robots are called “syncells” (short for synthetic cells).
- Syncells are made by controlling the natural fracturing process of atomically-thin, brittle materials, a study published in the journal Nature Materials revealed.
- The process, called “autoperforation”, directs the fracture lines so that they produce miniscule pockets of a predictable size and shape.
- Embedded inside these pockets are electronic circuits and materials that can collect data to behave like biological cell.
- The system to develop syncells uses a two-dimensional form of carbon called graphene, which forms the outer structure of the tiny syncells.
- Uses:
- Monitoring conditions inside an oil or gas pipeline, or to search out disease while floating through the bloodstream.
- The syncell stores the information as varying levels of electrical conductivity.
- This information can then be “read” using an electrical probe, showing that the material can function as a form of electronic memory into which data can be written, read, and erased at will.
- It can also retain the data without the need for power, allowing information to be collected at a later time.
- The researchers have demonstrated that the particles are stable over a period of months even when floating around in water, which is a harsh solvent for electronics.