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X-ray imaging of materials and need for alternative imaging techniques

Advanced manufacturing, especially of functional materials, requires careful mapping of properties to the underlying microstructure. In technologies such as microfluidics,composites and electronics the features are either too small or too complex to be imaged using optical microscopes. Alternative imaging techniques are necessary so that the relation between material structure and materials properties can be understood.  X rays are an indispensable tool to look at micro and nano structure of materials both functional like electronics and structural like composites. Historically Xrays, since their discovery in 1895, have provided many breakthroughs in imaging that have enabled scientists to advance both material and medical fields. Bone imaging is the most well known application of X rays but the application of X ray diffraction also led to the confirmation of atomic structure in materials and the invention of x ray crystallography. This new technique was later used to i...
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Two sides of the same power structure — the state and big tech

Durán is on to something when he talks about the big tech authoritarian movement. The argument that big tech is replacing the government at local,national and international levels is compelling and definitely backed by evidence. However I don't agree with the conclusion he draws.  He seems to suggest that there is a government elected by people and a class of private corporations that are usurping them. That's not what's happening. The history of America has always been private. From its foundation to the present day.  But what's happening right now is something more sinister where state entities work with private corporations to create systems of control where they can't legislate. Private corps and government institutions are not two separate things.  They are part of the same ugly,twisted nightmare of the deep state. Unelected officials at the FBI,CIA and the Pentagon control the technological and political agenda. During America's founding there...
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The Interdisciplinary Nature of Water Purification: Where Materials Science, Chemistry and Thermodynamics Meet

For something as common as water filtration ,the modern technology that enables it, is built upon some serious materials engineering.  Polymer fibers,the active components of any filtration process, are spun using special coaxial extrusion techniques into what are known as hollow fiber membranes.  These membranes are then submerged inside the semi-treated water tank or wound around a plastic core for a more compact arrangement as water is drawn through these hollow sections the tiny pores on the surface trap impurities —suspended solids,bacteria,viruses,protein molecules depending upon the pore size.  Achieving this pore size tuning is in itself a quite complex process that relies on phase inversion where polymer solvent is replaced by non solvent on the solution, dissolved polymer coagulates but is diluted by a non solvent that evaporates leaving behind pores in the main structure.  Ceramic membranes offer a different class of materials that are more rob...
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Power grid evolution in the AI age

Power transmission plays a defining role in the energy security of a region but because the industry is more operationally intensive it rarely makes headlines, often working silently in the background to ensure critical services are kept running at all times.  Fluctuations in demand directly affects the rotation of generators leading to more or less watts on the line as required. Power systems engineering controls that.  Behind the scenes there is a complex system of tools from transformers and switchgears to HVDC converters and actual power lines to make this transmission happen.  These tools require highly standardized conductors and insulators to operate and their manufacturing is specialised.   At events in New Delhi I was fortunate enough to connect with engineers who specialise at component level engineering whether its automated systems that close the power line on towers ,the so called isolators, to manufacturing of electrical grade insulators whe...
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Institutional constraints on disruptive innovation

Recently I had a chance to engage with representatives from IIT Kanpur and University of Waterloo during events organised by Society for Information Display and IHFC, IIT Delhi.  In the decade and half that has passed since I graduated, an unmistakable change can be noticed in the way educational institutions view post graduation employment opportunities for their students. While campus placements remain a key focus point entrepreneurship is now increasingly being viewed as a viable , though risky,career opportunity.  This shift is, of course, a welcome change as it rightly views entrepreneurship as a path to wealth and job creation that has the potential to transform the prevailing economic realities and create new opportunities where none existed before.  The inclusion of many of these entrepreneurial programs is also because of pioneering VC and incubator firms like Ycombinator[1] and the immense success of silicon valley startups who have proven beyond an...
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A talk on travelling double layer in unipolar vacuum arcs by Dr André Anders

Last month,July 22, I attended Dr André Anders' conference on the physics of vacuum arcs[1] organised by the American institute of physics. VA are fascinating because of the complex phenomenon that leads to the ignition of plasma in vacuum.  Starting as an initial field emission the current through metallic imperfections increases with voltage leading to rapid resistive heating which causes evaporation of tiny sections of metal in the vicinity. The high energy electrons ionise these vapors leading to formation of plasma between electrodes and establishment of a vacuum arc.  The number density for these evaporated sections is extremely high causing a massive pressure spike in regions close to the negative electrode and it's this pressure spike that drives the ions towards the positive electrode overpowering the electric force between them.  This high pressure phenomenon itself is quite fascinating as the temp in these tiny vapor spots can reach 20000K. This leads to rapid ...
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Thoughts on the upcoming India Display Conference 2026

Last September at the Display Conference I had the good fortune to learn about polariser films used in LCD TVs from Mr Vasu Kulkarni. These films provide the critical function of blocking or allowing light from a pixel leading to the formation of images on the display screen.  His talk gave me the opportunity to understand the complexities involved in the manufacturing of an LCD display unit. From functional polymers doped with iodine to thin film transistors on the backplate that control the liquid crystals polarizing the light moving through the output film — every single pixel on the screen goes through this complex filtration mechanism 60-120 times a second.  Mr Vasu’s talk went beyond technical details. He underscored a critical distinction that separated incumbent technology from upstarts : performance. New polariser films and lcd formulations are being explored. Graphene oxide is a critical platform that can meet the strenuous demands of both liquid crystal...
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