Content
- Indian scientists develop flexible, safe, and eco-friendly battery: A big step towards sustainable energy
- Nation gears up for Swachhata Hi Seva 2025, Launching 17 September
Indian scientists develop flexible, safe, and eco-friendly battery: A big step towards sustainable energy
Basics
- Event: Development of a flexible, safe, and eco-friendly aluminum-ion battery by Indian scientists.
- Context: Lithium-ion batteries dominate today’s devices but face risks like overheating, fire, cost, and environmental hazards.
- Fact: The new battery maintained 96.77% capacity after 150 charge–discharge cycles and remained functional when bent or folded.
Relevance : GS Paper 3 – Science & Technology, Economy, Environment
- Science & Tech: Next-gen energy storage, indigenous R&D, multivalent ion battery research.
- Environment: Eco-friendly, recyclable, reduces e-waste & carbon footprint.
- Energy Security: Strategic for EVs, wearables, flexible electronics; supports National Electric Mobility Mission.
Why in News
- On 15 Sept 2025, CeNS (DST autonomous body) and CeNSE (IISc Bengaluru) announced the successful development of this flexible aqueous aluminum-ion battery, showcasing its safety, flexibility, and sustainable potential.
Significance
- Energy Security: Reduces dependence on imported lithium (India imports ~70% of Li-ion batteries).
- Sustainability: Uses abundant aluminum + water-based electrolyte → eco-friendly, recyclable.
- Innovation: Boosts India’s leadership in next-gen energy storage under Make in India & Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Overview
- Polity/Legal
- Backed by Department of Science & Technology (DST).
- Aligns with India’s commitments under Paris Agreement and SDG 7 (Affordable & Clean Energy).
- Can be integrated into national missions like National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP).
- Governance/Administrative
- Strengthens government’s focus on self-reliant technology ecosystem.
- Potential role in flagship programs like PLI for Advanced Chemistry Cells.
- Boosts India’s R&D credibility globally.
- Economy
- Aluminum-based batteries cheaper than lithium (India has large aluminum reserves).
- Reduces import dependence → positive for current account.
- Opens new industries in flexible electronics, EVs, and wearables.
- Society
- Safer batteries → reduced risks of accidents/explosions in consumer devices.
- Wearable and flexible applications → improved healthcare devices, education tech, and mobility aids.
- Environment/Science & Tech
- Non-toxic, recyclable materials → lowers e-waste burden.
- Energy-efficient and eco-friendly → reduces carbon footprint of energy storage.
- Promotes frontier research in multivalent ion batteries.
- International
- Enhances India’s position in the global battery supply chain, reducing reliance on Chinese lithium dominance.
- Opens export potential in green technology markets.
Challenges
- Commercial scalability not yet proven.
- Lower energy density compared to lithium-ion.
- Infrastructure for large-scale production missing.
- Global competition from Li-ion + emerging solid-state battery tech.
- Need for IP protection and strong industry-academia linkages.
Way Forward
- Policy Support: Integrate aluminum-ion R&D in National Energy Storage Mission.
- Scaling Up: Establish pilot projects with industry (similar to ISRO’s transfer of Li-ion tech).
- Innovation Ecosystem: Follow Kirit Parikh Committee and NITI Aayog’s battery storage roadmap.
- Best Practices: Learn from Japan/Korea’s academia-industry collaboration in battery tech.
- Global Partnerships: Engage in clean-tech coalitions like Mission Innovation for funding and knowledge sharing.
Conclusion
The aluminum-ion flexible battery innovation represents a breakthrough for India’s sustainable technology landscape. While commercialization challenges remain, with strategic policy support and industry collaboration, it can position India as a global leader in safe, affordable, and eco-friendly energy storage solutions.
Nation gears up for Swachhata Hi Seva 2025, Launching 17 September
Basics
- Event: Launch of 9th edition of Swachhata Hi Seva (SHS) campaign (17 Sept–2 Oct 2025) under Swachh Bharat Mission.
- Context: Flagship mass movement for sanitation, mobilising communities nationwide for high-impact cleanliness drives.
- Fact: Over 12 crore toilets constructed since 2014, raising household toilet coverage from 37% to nearly 100%.
Relevance : GS Paper 2 – Governance, Social Justice | GS Paper 3 – Environment, Economy
- Governance: Inter-ministerial coordination (MoHUA + DDWS), Jan Andolan approach, citizen participation.
- Social Justice: Women’s dignity, health impacts, SafaiMitra welfare (occupational safety, fund support).
- Environment: Focus on ODF+, plastic-free villages, solid waste management, CTUs transformation.
Why in News
- SHS 2025 launched jointly by Ministry of Jal Shakti (DDWS) and Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
- Major highlight: Nationwide one-hour shramdaan on 25 Sept 2025 (“Ek Din Ek Ghanta Ek Saath”) to mark Deendayal Upadhyay’s birth anniversary.
- Announcement of ₹8–10 crore SafaiMitra Suraksha Fund for Surat & Navsari.
Significance
- Reinforces PM’s vision of Jan Andolan for cleanliness.
- Links sanitation to public health, dignity of women, and environmental sustainability.
- Contributes to India’s progress in SDG 6 (Clean Water & Sanitation) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities).
- Strengthens behavioural change and community ownership beyond infrastructure creation.
Overview
- Polity/Legal
- Anchored in Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-U, SBM-G).
- Contributes to compliance with Plastic Waste Management Rules and ODF+ / ODF++ protocols.
- Governance/Administrative
- Inter-ministerial coordination (MoHUA + DDWS + States/UTs).
- Focus on Cleanliness Target Units (CTUs) – transforming neglected public spaces.
- SafaiMitra welfare reflects inclusive governance for frontline workers.
- Economy
- Clean environments improve tourism, investment climate, and urban liveability rankings.
- Reduces economic burden of sanitation-related diseases (WHO estimated 3 lakh child lives saved).
- Society
- Enhances dignity, particularly for women (privacy & safety with toilets).
- Builds community participation through shramdaan and festive-linked campaigns.
- Social inclusion via targeted support to SafaiMitras.
- Environment/Science & Tech
- Push for plastic-free villages and single-use plastic ban.
- Transformation of garbage dumps and polluted rivers into usable spaces → ecological restoration.
- International
- India’s model of mass sanitation campaign showcased at UN forums (e.g., World Toilet Summit).
- Positions India as a global example of people’s movement for SDG sanitation targets.
Challenges
- Sustaining behavioural change post-campaign.
- Segregation at source and solid waste management gaps.
- Occupational safety & mechanisation for SafaiMitras still limited.
- Plastic waste menace continues despite bans.
- Urban-rural sanitation quality disparity.
Way Forward
- Behavioural Nudges: Adopt nudge theory (like UK’s Behavioural Insights Team) for sustained adoption.
- Institutionalisation: Follow 2nd ARC recommendations on Citizen Centric Administration.
- Technology Use: Scale waste-to-energy and decentralised composting models.
- Worker Welfare: Implement recommendations of Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers Act effectively.
- Best Practices: Replicate Indore’s zero-waste model and Japan’s 3R strategy (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).
Conclusion
Swachhata Hi Seva 2025 reflects India’s resolve to move beyond infrastructure to sustained community-led cleanliness and dignity for all. With stronger behavioural interventions and worker-centric reforms, the campaign can ensure lasting transformation towards a cleaner, healthier, and more inclusive India.
