Thermal power plant engineering

The National Power Training Institute (NPTI) has invited online applications for its Common Entrance Test (CET) to be held on June 29 in Bangalore, Neyveli, Faridabad, Badarpur (New Delhi), Nagpur, Durgapur, Guwahati and Nangal for admissions to the Postgraduate Diploma Course (PGDC) in Thermal Power Plant Engineering offered by its regional institutes in Neyveli (Tamil Nadu), Badarpur (New Delhi), Nangal (Punjab), Guwahati (Assam), Nagpur (Maharashtra) and Durgapur (West Bengal) for the year 2014-15. This on-job one-year training course covers syllabus as per the Indian Electricity Rules. There are 510 seats. Those who have passed B.Tech./BE or equivalent in Mechanical, Electrical, Electrical and Electronics, and Power Engineering are eligible to apply. There is no age limit prescribed for the course. Apply online at www.nptinagpur.com or www.npti.in or www.npticet.com. Online registration facilities are provided up to April 30. Instructions for submitting online application are given on the website. Course fee for non-sponsored candidates is Rs.2,10,000 plus service tax. CET results will be published on the website on July 14. The course will commence on August 25. PG diploma The Central Board of Irrigation and Power, New Delhi, has invited online applications for admissions to a 26-week PG Diploma Course in Transmission & Distribution System. Last date for submitting online applications is April 27. Visit www.cbip.org for more details.

Thermal power plant engineering

The National Power Training Institute (NPTI) has invited online applications for its Common Entrance Test (CET) to be held on June 29 in Bangalore, Neyveli, Faridabad, Badarpur (New Delhi), Nagpur, Durgapur, Guwahati and Nangal for admissions to the Postgraduate Diploma Course (PGDC) in Thermal Power Plant Engineering offered by its regional institutes in Neyveli (Tamil Nadu), Badarpur (New Delhi), Nangal (Punjab), Guwahati (Assam), Nagpur (Maharashtra) and Durgapur (West Bengal) for the year 2014-15. This on-job one-year training course covers syllabus as per the Indian Electricity Rules. There are 510 seats. Those who have passed B.Tech./BE or equivalent in Mechanical, Electrical, Electrical and Electronics, and Power Engineering are eligible to apply. There is no age limit prescribed for the course. Apply online at www.nptinagpur.com or www.npti.in or www.npticet.com. Online registration facilities are provided up to April 30. Instructions for submitting online application are given on the website. Course fee for non-sponsored candidates is Rs.2,10,000 plus service tax. CET results will be published on the website on July 14. The course will commence on August 25. PG diploma The Central Board of Irrigation and Power, New Delhi, has invited online applications for admissions to a 26-week PG Diploma Course in Transmission & Distribution System. Last date for submitting online applications is April 27. Visit www.cbip.org for more details.

Woman arrested for killing seven babies

Tags: woman, held, kill, babies
NEW YORK: A US woman accused of killing seven babies she gave birth to over a decade was arrested on Sunday after police discovered the tiny bodies stuffed in cardboard boxes in the garage of her former home. Megan Huntsman (39) who lived in the Utah home until three years ago, had the infants between 1996 and 2006, investigators said. Officers responded to a call on Saturday from Huntsman’s estranged husband about a dead infant at the home, police Capt. Michael Roberts said. Officers then discovered the six other bodies. Roberts declined to comment on a motive and what Huntsman said during an interview with investigators. Neighbours in the middle-class neighbourhood said they were shocked by the accusations and perplexed that the woman’s older children still living in the home didn’t know their mother was pregnant or notice anything suspicious. The spokesman said police believe the estranged husband and Ms. Huntsman were together when the babies were born, but the estranged husband isn’t a person of interest at this time. The man’s name was not immediately released. “We don’t believe he had any knowledge of the situation,” Mr. Roberts told The Associated Press. Asked how the man could not have known, Roberts replied, “That’s the million-dollar question. Amazing.” The babies’ bodies were sent to the Utah medical examiner’s office for tests, including one to determine the cause of death. DNA samples taken from the suspect and her husband will determine definitively whether the two are the parents, as investigators believe. The house is owned by the husband’s parents, and the man was cleaning out the garage when he made the grisly discovery.

Woman arrested for killing seven babies

Tags: woman, held, kill, babies
NEW YORK: A US woman accused of killing seven babies she gave birth to over a decade was arrested on Sunday after police discovered the tiny bodies stuffed in cardboard boxes in the garage of her former home. Megan Huntsman (39) who lived in the Utah home until three years ago, had the infants between 1996 and 2006, investigators said. Officers responded to a call on Saturday from Huntsman’s estranged husband about a dead infant at the home, police Capt. Michael Roberts said. Officers then discovered the six other bodies. Roberts declined to comment on a motive and what Huntsman said during an interview with investigators. Neighbours in the middle-class neighbourhood said they were shocked by the accusations and perplexed that the woman’s older children still living in the home didn’t know their mother was pregnant or notice anything suspicious. The spokesman said police believe the estranged husband and Ms. Huntsman were together when the babies were born, but the estranged husband isn’t a person of interest at this time. The man’s name was not immediately released. “We don’t believe he had any knowledge of the situation,” Mr. Roberts told The Associated Press. Asked how the man could not have known, Roberts replied, “That’s the million-dollar question. Amazing.” The babies’ bodies were sent to the Utah medical examiner’s office for tests, including one to determine the cause of death. DNA samples taken from the suspect and her husband will determine definitively whether the two are the parents, as investigators believe. The house is owned by the husband’s parents, and the man was cleaning out the garage when he made the grisly discovery.

Bend it, charge it, dunk it: Graphene, the material of tomorrow

Tags: Graphene, electronics
NEW YORK:  I just want to say one word to you. Just one word. No, fans of "The Graduate," the word isn't "plastics." It's "graphene." Graphene is the strongest, thinnest material known to exist. A form of carbon, it can conduct electricity and heat better than anything else. And get ready for this: It is not only the hardest material in the world, but also one of the most pliable. Only a single atom thick, it has been called the wonder material. Graphene could change the electronics industry, ushering in flexible devices, supercharged quantum computers, electronic clothing and computers that can interface with the cells in your body. While the material was discovered a decade ago, it started to gain attention in 2010 when two physicists at the University of Manchester were awarded the Nobel Prize for their experiments with it. More recently, researchers have zeroed in on how to commercially produce graphene. The American Chemical Society said in 2012 that graphene was discovered to be 200 times stronger than steel and so thin that a single ounce of it could cover 28 football fields. Chinese scientists have created a graphene aerogel, an ultralight material derived from a gel, that is one-seventh the weight of air. A cubic inch of the material could balance on one blade of grass. "Graphene is one of the few materials in the world that is transparent, conductive and flexible — all at the same time," said Dr Aravind Vijayaraghavan, a lecturer in nanomaterials at the University of Manchester. "All of these properties together are extremely rare to find in one material." So what do you do with graphene? Physicists and researchers say that we will soon be able to make electronics that are thinner, faster and cheaper than anything based on silicon, with the option of making them clear and flexible. Long-lasting batteries that can be submerged in water are another possibility. In 2011, researchers at Northwestern University built a battery that incorporated graphene and silicon, which the university said could lead to a cellphone that "stayed charged for more than a week and recharged in just 15 minutes." In 2012, the American Chemical Society said that advancements in graphene were leading to touch-screen electronics that "could make cellphones as thin as a piece of paper and foldable enough to slip into a pocket." Vijayaraghavan is building an array of sensors out of graphene — including gas sensors, biosensors and light sensors — that are far smaller than what has come before. And last week, researchers at the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, working with Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea, said that Samsung had discovered how to create high-quality graphene on silicon wafers, which could be used for the production of graphene transistors. Samsung said in a statement that these advancements meant it could start making "flexible displays, wearables and other next-generation electronic devices." Sebastian Anthony, a reporter at Extreme Tech, said that Samsung's breakthrough could end up being the "holy grail of commercial graphene production." Samsung is not the only company working to develop graphene. Researchers at IBM, Nokia and SanDisk have been experimenting with the material to create sensors, transistors and memory storage. When these electronics finally hit store shelves, they could look and feel like nothing we've ever seen. James Hone, a professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University, said research in his lab led to the discovery that graphene could stretch by 20% while remaining able to conduct electricity. "You know what else you can stretch by 20%? Rubber," he said. "In comparison, silicon, which is in today's electronics, can only stretch by 1% before it cracks." He continued, "That's just one of the crazy things about this material — there's really nothing else quite like it." The real kicker? Graphene is inexpensive. If you think of something in today's electronics industry, it can most likely be made better, smaller and cheaper with graphene. Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley made graphene speakers last year that delivered sound at quality equal to or better than a pair of commercial Sennheiser earphones. And they were much smaller. Another fascinating aspect of graphene is its ability to be submerged in liquids without oxidizing, unlike other conductive materials. As a result, Vijayaraghavan said, graphene research is leading to experiments where electronics can integrate with biological systems. In other words, you could have a graphene gadget implanted in you that could read your nervous system or talk to your cells. But while researchers believe graphene will be used in next-generation devices, there are entire industries that build electronics using traditional silicon chips and transistors, and they could be slow to adopt graphene counterparts. If that is the case, graphene might end up being used in other industries before it becomes part of electronics. Last year, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation paid for the development of a graphene-based condom that is thin, light and impenetrable. Carmakers are exploring building electronic cars with bodies made of graphene that are not only protective, but act as solar panels that charge the car's battery. Aircraft makers also hope to build planes out of graphene. If all that isn't enough, an international team of researchers based at MIT has performed tests that could lead to the creation of quantum computers, which would be a big market of computing in the future. So forget plastics. There's a great future in graphene. Think about it.

Bend it, charge it, dunk it: Graphene, the material of tomorrow

Tags: Graphene, electronics
NEW YORK:  I just want to say one word to you. Just one word. No, fans of "The Graduate," the word isn't "plastics." It's "graphene." Graphene is the strongest, thinnest material known to exist. A form of carbon, it can conduct electricity and heat better than anything else. And get ready for this: It is not only the hardest material in the world, but also one of the most pliable. Only a single atom thick, it has been called the wonder material. Graphene could change the electronics industry, ushering in flexible devices, supercharged quantum computers, electronic clothing and computers that can interface with the cells in your body. While the material was discovered a decade ago, it started to gain attention in 2010 when two physicists at the University of Manchester were awarded the Nobel Prize for their experiments with it. More recently, researchers have zeroed in on how to commercially produce graphene. The American Chemical Society said in 2012 that graphene was discovered to be 200 times stronger than steel and so thin that a single ounce of it could cover 28 football fields. Chinese scientists have created a graphene aerogel, an ultralight material derived from a gel, that is one-seventh the weight of air. A cubic inch of the material could balance on one blade of grass. "Graphene is one of the few materials in the world that is transparent, conductive and flexible — all at the same time," said Dr Aravind Vijayaraghavan, a lecturer in nanomaterials at the University of Manchester. "All of these properties together are extremely rare to find in one material." So what do you do with graphene? Physicists and researchers say that we will soon be able to make electronics that are thinner, faster and cheaper than anything based on silicon, with the option of making them clear and flexible. Long-lasting batteries that can be submerged in water are another possibility. In 2011, researchers at Northwestern University built a battery that incorporated graphene and silicon, which the university said could lead to a cellphone that "stayed charged for more than a week and recharged in just 15 minutes." In 2012, the American Chemical Society said that advancements in graphene were leading to touch-screen electronics that "could make cellphones as thin as a piece of paper and foldable enough to slip into a pocket." Vijayaraghavan is building an array of sensors out of graphene — including gas sensors, biosensors and light sensors — that are far smaller than what has come before. And last week, researchers at the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology, working with Sungkyunkwan University in South Korea, said that Samsung had discovered how to create high-quality graphene on silicon wafers, which could be used for the production of graphene transistors. Samsung said in a statement that these advancements meant it could start making "flexible displays, wearables and other next-generation electronic devices." Sebastian Anthony, a reporter at Extreme Tech, said that Samsung's breakthrough could end up being the "holy grail of commercial graphene production." Samsung is not the only company working to develop graphene. Researchers at IBM, Nokia and SanDisk have been experimenting with the material to create sensors, transistors and memory storage. When these electronics finally hit store shelves, they could look and feel like nothing we've ever seen. James Hone, a professor of mechanical engineering at Columbia University, said research in his lab led to the discovery that graphene could stretch by 20% while remaining able to conduct electricity. "You know what else you can stretch by 20%? Rubber," he said. "In comparison, silicon, which is in today's electronics, can only stretch by 1% before it cracks." He continued, "That's just one of the crazy things about this material — there's really nothing else quite like it." The real kicker? Graphene is inexpensive. If you think of something in today's electronics industry, it can most likely be made better, smaller and cheaper with graphene. Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley made graphene speakers last year that delivered sound at quality equal to or better than a pair of commercial Sennheiser earphones. And they were much smaller. Another fascinating aspect of graphene is its ability to be submerged in liquids without oxidizing, unlike other conductive materials. As a result, Vijayaraghavan said, graphene research is leading to experiments where electronics can integrate with biological systems. In other words, you could have a graphene gadget implanted in you that could read your nervous system or talk to your cells. But while researchers believe graphene will be used in next-generation devices, there are entire industries that build electronics using traditional silicon chips and transistors, and they could be slow to adopt graphene counterparts. If that is the case, graphene might end up being used in other industries before it becomes part of electronics. Last year, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation paid for the development of a graphene-based condom that is thin, light and impenetrable. Carmakers are exploring building electronic cars with bodies made of graphene that are not only protective, but act as solar panels that charge the car's battery. Aircraft makers also hope to build planes out of graphene. If all that isn't enough, an international team of researchers based at MIT has performed tests that could lead to the creation of quantum computers, which would be a big market of computing in the future. So forget plastics. There's a great future in graphene. Think about it.

Deepika Pallikal loses in Texas Open final

Houston: Deepika Pallikal stumbled on the final hurdle against Egyptian teenager Nour El Sherbini in the title clash of the Women’s Champion Fiberglass Texas Open on Monday.

Eyeing maiden major title of her career, world No 12 Deepika faltered against the 18-year-old qualifier 7-11, 11-5, 7-11 to lose in 48 minutes.

The 22-year-old Deepika was celebrating the biggest Tour final of her career - while world junior champion El Sherbini was continuing the form of her life which had seen the youngster reach last month’s WSA World Championship final after upsetting world No 1 Nicol David.

The Chennai girl had earlier packed off eighth-ranked Madeline Perry in the semifinal but failed against the 13th-ranked Egyptian.

The match brought to a climax a sensational week for El Sherbini of Alexandria, who removed three seeds -- including Malaysia’s event favourite and world No7 Low Wee Wern – en-route to the final of the WSA Gold 50 event at The Downtown Club at the Met.

El Sherbini was quick share her joy with her Facebook fans.

“So happy to win my 4th and my biggest title in my career in the Texas Open -- it’s been an amazing week here started from the first round of the qualification,” she posted on her facebook page.

Deepika Pallikal loses in Texas Open final

Houston: Deepika Pallikal stumbled on the final hurdle against Egyptian teenager Nour El Sherbini in the title clash of the Women’s Champion Fiberglass Texas Open on Monday.

Eyeing maiden major title of her career, world No 12 Deepika faltered against the 18-year-old qualifier 7-11, 11-5, 7-11 to lose in 48 minutes.

The 22-year-old Deepika was celebrating the biggest Tour final of her career - while world junior champion El Sherbini was continuing the form of her life which had seen the youngster reach last month’s WSA World Championship final after upsetting world No 1 Nicol David.

The Chennai girl had earlier packed off eighth-ranked Madeline Perry in the semifinal but failed against the 13th-ranked Egyptian.

The match brought to a climax a sensational week for El Sherbini of Alexandria, who removed three seeds -- including Malaysia’s event favourite and world No7 Low Wee Wern – en-route to the final of the WSA Gold 50 event at The Downtown Club at the Met.

El Sherbini was quick share her joy with her Facebook fans.

“So happy to win my 4th and my biggest title in my career in the Texas Open -- it’s been an amazing week here started from the first round of the qualification,” she posted on her facebook page.

Bachchan to begin shooting for R Balki’s next film with Dhanush

New Delhi: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan is all set to start shooting for director R Balki’s next film this coming week. 

The 71-year-old actor has previously worked with Balki in ‘Cheeni Kum’ in which he played the role of a chef based in London and donned the role of a child suffering from progeria in ‘Paa’.

“…Rushed to meet with people from distant worlds, admirers that have long been desiring a personal interaction.. switched soon thereafter to a make-up room for the look test for Balki’s film, which I start shooting within a week,” Amitabh Bachchan posted on his blog.

The untitled film will also mark the debut of Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan’s younger daughter Akshara and southern actor Dhanush, who made his presence felt in Bollywood last year in the much acclaimed movie ‘Raanjhanaa’.

PTI

Bachchan to begin shooting for R Balki’s next film with Dhanush

New Delhi: Megastar Amitabh Bachchan is all set to start shooting for director R Balki’s next film this coming week. 

The 71-year-old actor has previously worked with Balki in ‘Cheeni Kum’ in which he played the role of a chef based in London and donned the role of a child suffering from progeria in ‘Paa’.

“…Rushed to meet with people from distant worlds, admirers that have long been desiring a personal interaction.. switched soon thereafter to a make-up room for the look test for Balki’s film, which I start shooting within a week,” Amitabh Bachchan posted on his blog.

The untitled film will also mark the debut of Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan’s younger daughter Akshara and southern actor Dhanush, who made his presence felt in Bollywood last year in the much acclaimed movie ‘Raanjhanaa’.

PTI