Latest news with #DepartmentofScienceandTechnology
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Health
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa hails Steve Biko facility as the best in the world
Ramaphosa hails Steve Biko facility as the best in the world President Cyril Ramaphosa was beyond impressed during his visit on June 24 to the Steve Biko Academic Hospital's Nuclear Medicine Research Infrastructure (NuMeRI) centre. The R500-million facility was opened in March last year after it took two years to be completed. The centre is part of the Department of Science and Technology's SA research infrastructure roadmap. Rampahosa was accompanied by Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, Deputy Minister Dr Joe Phaahla, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, and Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko. The high-level delegation toured key facilities, including the recently refurbished cardio-thoracic ward, the advanced catheterisation laboratory alongside the centre. The visit also included engagements with healthcare professionals and a showcase of ongoing infrastructure upgrades and digital health initiatives. NuMeRI's main purpose is to facilitate research, innovation and value-generation in areas of country and region-specific health challenges. Some of the functions the centre will offer include a clinical unit, radiopharmacy, basic and translational research, preclinical imaging, node of infection imaging, as well as a medical physics and radiobiology unit. Ramaphosa said the Steve Biko facility was the best he had come across throughout his years in public service. 'The diversity I've seen here has been most impressive. One doesn't go to many places, particularly in the private sector and see this type of diversity. You don't often get it, and now I see it here in the public sector. Another factor that impressed me was the number of women in key positions as well,' he said. The president also acknowledged the youth running facilities, saying they are the future of the country, and the centre will help propel them forward. Ramaphosa hailed the facility for being the only centre in the continent with nuclear medical capabilities. He also hailed the security of the facility and the diversity in geography regarding personnel, as well as the cleanliness of the facility. 'I think you have more hospitals than any other province, and you do have good hospitals in Gauteng, and I applaud you, Premier [Panyaza Lesufi] and MEC [Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko], for allocating money to get all these technological applications. I thank you for being foresightful and being addicted to technology, because it drives medical care in this day and age,' he said. Ramaphosa added that the fact that Steve Biko receives so many referrals is why the facility stands as a model for what healthcare should look like going forward with National Health Insurance (NHI). 'I leave this place very impressed. I just saw world-class types of facilities that have been built. Even when one goes around the world, I haven't seen such, and I'm usually impressed by technology most of the time. So when we say we have the best on the continent and possibly in the world, that is what we've seen here,' Ramaphosa said. Lesufi expressed his appreciation for the level of technology the hospital boasts, saying it will turn the healthcare of the province and country around for the better. 'Mr President, we didn't talk about the future, we walked with you to the future. We showed you the best medical equipment that no private hospital has in our province. It's a proud moment indeed. As we reshape the public health system in Gauteng, we are addicted to new technologies. We are addicted to using innovative methods to turn around the public health in Gauteng. We remain the only province with this technology. One hospital at a time, we can build stronger, better healthcare facilities,' Lesufi said. Watch here: Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Time of India
3 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
Scientists in India turn sunlight into fuel - Green hydrogen tech could power homes, cars
New Delhi: In a development that could significantly advance India's green hydrogen ambitions, scientists at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, have designed and tested a next-generation device that produces green hydrogen by directly splitting water molecules using sunlight and earth-abundant materials. Unlike the conventional route—where solar panels generate electricity that powers an electrolyser to split water—this new system uses a direct photoelectrochemical (PEC) process. Here, sunlight itself triggers the water-splitting reaction, eliminating the need for an external power supply or fossil-fuel-based backup. This makes the process simpler, more efficient, and potentially cheaper. The research, led by Dr Ashutosh K. Singh and his team at CeNS—an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST)—focuses on building a sustainable and scalable system for green hydrogen generation. The work has been published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A by the Royal Society of Chemistry. The device and its design At the core of the innovation is a novel silicon-based photoanode featuring an n-i-p heterojunction architecture. This includes layers of n-type titanium dioxide (TiO₂), intrinsic silicon (Si), and p-type nickel oxide (NiO). The structure enhances light absorption, improves charge separation, and ensures efficient charge transport—critical for direct solar-to-hydrogen conversion. The materials were deposited using magnetron sputtering, a commercial-scale thin-film technique known for precision layering and structural stability. The device operated in alkaline electrolyte conditions and maintained structural integrity over extended hours of use. Key performance indicators The prototype achieved a surface photovoltage of 600 millivolts and a low onset potential of 0.11 volts versus the reversible hydrogen electrode (VRHE), indicating high photoelectrochemical efficiency and a low energy threshold. It ran continuously for over 10 hours under simulated solar irradiation with only a 4% drop in performance. 'The heterostructure was specifically designed to maximise PEC efficiency while maintaining long-term stability,' said Dr Singh. 'This brings us closer to building practical, fossil-fuel-free hydrogen systems.' Scalability and impact To demonstrate scalability, the team tested a 25 cm² photoanode, which performed effectively under solar water-splitting conditions. This scale-up shows promise for moving from lab to pilot applications and potentially to commercial hydrogen production. The device's design avoids rare-earth or high-cost catalysts, does not require high pressure or temperature, and is compatible with different lithium-ion battery chemistries for renewable storage integration—making it flexible and economically viable. National relevance The innovation supports India's clean energy goals under the National Green Hydrogen Mission and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. By producing green hydrogen directly from sunlight without relying on electricity or imported materials, the device contributes to energy self-reliance and carbon-neutral fuel alternatives for mobility, power generation, and industry. According to the DST, such breakthroughs can accelerate India's leadership in solar hydrogen technology and help build decentralised hydrogen hubs with localised energy ecosystems. Outlook The CeNS team is exploring further scale-up pathways, industry partnerships, and integration into existing hydrogen infrastructure. They also plan to test the device in varied climatic conditions to assess long-term field performance across India. If successful, the technology could help build round-the-clock renewable energy systems, especially in sectors where direct electrification is difficult—offering a new route to affordable and indigenous green hydrogen at scale. te long-term field applications.
Hans India
4 days ago
- Science
- Hans India
Scientists develop scalable device to produce green hydrogen efficiently
New Delhi: A team of Indian scientists from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), have developed a scalable next-generation device that produces green hydrogen by splitting water molecules. Green hydrogen is one of the cleanest fuels known, capable of decarbonising industries, powering vehicles, and storing renewable energy. Yet, until now, scalable and affordable production methods remained elusive. The CeNS team developed green hydrogen using only solar energy and earth-abundant materials, without relying on fossil fuels or expensive resources. 'By selecting smart materials and combining them into a heterostructure, we have created a device that not only boosts performance but can also be produced on a large scale,' said Dr. Ashutosh K. Singh from CeNS, who led the research. 'This brings us one step closer to affordable, large-scale solar-to-hydrogen energy systems,' he added. In the research, published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A, the team designed a state-of-the-art silicon-based photoanode using an innovative n-i-p heterojunction architecture, consisting of stacked n-type TiO2, intrinsic (undoped) Si, and p-type NiO semiconductor layers, which work together to enhance charge separation and transport efficiency. The materials were deposited using magnetron sputtering -- a scalable and industry-ready technique that ensures precision and efficiency. This thoughtful engineering approach allowed better light absorption, faster charge transport, and reduced recombination loss, key ingredients for efficient solar-to-hydrogen conversion. This is more than just a lab success. The device achieved an excellent surface photovoltage of 600 mV and a low onset potential of around 0.11 VRHE, making it highly effective at generating hydrogen under solar energy. Even more impressively, it showcased exceptional long-term stability, operating continuously for over 10 hours in alkaline conditions with only a 4 per cent performance drop, a rare feat in Si-based photoelectrochemical systems. This new device is attractive for several reasons, including high efficiency, low energy input, robust durability, and cost-effective materials, all in one package, the researchers said. It even demonstrated successful performance at a large scale, with a 25 cm2 photoanode delivering excellent solar water-splitting results. With further development, the technology could fuel hydrogen-based energy systems, from homes to factories, all powered by the sun, the team said.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Science
- Time of India
India achieves breakthrough in green hydrogen production using only solar energy
In a landmark scientific advancement, Indian researchers have developed a scalable, next-generation device capable of producing green hydrogen by splitting water molecules using only solar energy —without the need for fossil fuels or costly breakthrough comes from scientists at the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS) in Bengaluru, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The innovation marks a major step forward in India's clean energy mission and the global transition to sustainable fuels , the Ministry of Science & Technology said in a statement on Friday. Green hydrogen, considered one of the cleanest fuels, has the potential to decarbonize heavy industries, power vehicles, and store renewable energy . However, large-scale and cost-effective production of green hydrogen has long been a technological challenge - until now. Smart design for a solar-powered future The research team, led by Dr. Ashutosh K. Singh, has engineered a state-of-the-art silicon-based photoanode using an n-i-p heterojunction architecture, which integrates: n-type TiO₂Undoped (intrinsic) siliconp-type NiO This multi-layered configuration enhances light absorption, charge separation, and transport efficiency—key for converting sunlight into hydrogen fuel. The materials were deposited using magnetron sputtering, a scalable, industry-ready fabrication technique. High performance and durability The device recorded impressive performance metrics: Surface photovoltage of 600 mVLow onset potential of ~0.11 VRHEContinuous operation for over 10 hours in alkaline conditions with just a 4% drop in efficiency The team also scaled the device successfully, with a 25 cm² photoanode demonstrating consistent and effective solar water-splitting results. 'This device combines high efficiency, durability, and scalability,' said Dr. Singh. 'It's a significant step toward affordable, solar-driven hydrogen production that could transform our energy landscape.' Published and peer-recognised The research has been published in the Journal of Materials Chemistry A by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Scientists believe this innovation could pave the way for decentralized hydrogen energy systems , powering homes, factories, and even entire cities using sunlight. National and global implications This breakthrough aligns with India's broader mission to lead in green energy technologies under the National Green Hydrogen Mission , aiming for carbon neutrality and energy independence. With further development and support, this indigenous innovation may soon play a vital role in shaping a cleaner, greener, and self-reliant energy future.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Scientists split water molecules for green hydrogen using only solar energy
Green hydrogen is one of the cleanest fuels known, and it has the capacity to decarbonize industries, power vehicles, and more for a sustainable future. Scientists have now announced the development of a scalable next-generation device that can produce green hydrogen by splitting water molecules. The system completely relies on solar energy, doing away with the need for other fossil fuel or energy-dependent methods. The development has been announced by scientists from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), Bengaluru, India. It is an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST). The method solely relies on solar energy and earth-abundant materials, without relying on fossil fuels or expensive resources. The Indian research team has designed a silicon-based photoanode using an innovative n-i-p heterojunction architecture, consisting of stacked n-type TiO2, intrinsic (undoped) Si, and p-type NiO semiconductor layers, which work together to enhance charge separation and transport efficiency. The materials were deposited using magnetron sputtering, a scalable and industry-ready technique that ensures precision and efficiency. This approach allowed better light absorption, faster charge transport, and reduced recombination loss, key ingredients for efficient solar-to-hydrogen conversion, according to a release by the Indian Ministry of Science and Technology. The Ministry said that the device achieved an excellent surface photovoltage of 600 mV and a low onset potential of around 0.11 VRHE, making it highly effective at generating hydrogen under solar energy. It further showcased long-term stability, operating continuously for over 10 hours in alkaline conditions with only a 4 percent performance drop. The press release describes it as a rare feat in Si-based photoelectrochemical systems. The new device promises high efficiency, low energy input, robust durability, and cost-effective materials. Even at a bigger scale, the photoanode delivered excellent water-splitting results. 'By selecting smart materials and combining them into a heterostructure, we have created a device that not only boosts performance but can also be produced on a large scale,' said Dr. Ashutosh K. Singh, the leader of the research team. 'This brings us one step closer to affordable, large-scale solar-to-hydrogen energy systems.' The team states that with further development, the solar-powered technology could fuel hydrogen-based energy systems from homes to factories. There have been several developments from across the world in the green hydrogen sector. Automobile, energy companies have been trying to come up with better and more efficient ways to utilize green hydrogen to cut down greenhouse gas emissions, and also costs. Further, there have been multiple research projects ongoing for better ways to make green hydrogen at scale. Earlier this month, a research team from Hanyang University ERICA campus in South Korea had also announced a new type of technology for green hydrogen production. The Korean team developed cobalt phosphides-based nanomaterials by adjusting boron doping and phosphorus content using metal-organic frameworks. These materials had better performance and lower cost than conventional electrocatalysts, making them suitable for large-scale hydrogen production.
