Space & Physics
India’s quantum leap: The future of computing and research
Quantum computers, with their ability to process complex calculations at speeds unattainable by classical computers, are expected to unlock new realms of possibility in artificial intelligence, cryptography, and material sciences

On September 26, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated three indigenously developed PARAM (Parallel Machine) Rudra Supercomputers to the nation, marking a significant stride in India’s scientific capabilities. Priced at approximately Rs 130 crore, these supercomputers are now operational in India’s major cities-Pune, Delhi, and Kolkata, enhancing the nation’s research capabilities across diverse fields including physics, earth sciences, and cosmology.
While the new move is a testament to India’s growing technological prowess, it is the country’s ambition in quantum computing that promises to revolutionize the landscape of scientific research. The Prime Minister underscored this ambition during his address, emphasizing that the future of technology lies in harnessing quantum computing’s unparalleled potential.
The National Quantum Mission, launched to propel India to the forefront of this cutting-edge field, reflects a grand vision of transforming traditional computing paradigms. Quantum computers, with their ability to process complex calculations at speeds unattainable by classical computers, are expected to unlock new realms of possibility in artificial intelligence, cryptography, and material sciences. As the Prime Minister stated, “This emerging technology is expected to transform the world, bringing unprecedented changes to the IT sector, manufacturing, small enterprises, and startups.”
This focus on quantum technology aligns seamlessly with the establishment of the PARAM Rudra Supercomputers. These machines will serve not only as a backbone for advanced scientific research but also as critical infrastructure for developing quantum algorithms and applications. The interdependence of supercomputers and quantum computing signifies a dual pathway for India’s technological advancement, where both realms can enhance one another.
As India aspires to lead globally in these high-tech domains, the implications extend beyond academic circles. The integration of supercomputers with quantum computing capabilities is poised to catalyse innovative solutions that can address pressing societal challenges, from climate change predictions to optimizing agricultural practices. The recently inaugurated High-Performance Computing system, tailored for weather and climate research, exemplifies this potential. With its advanced predictive models, it is set to empower farmers and fishermen, ensuring they have access to critical data that can enhance their livelihoods.
India’s focus on youth and education—through initiatives like the establishment of Atal Tinkering Labs and increased scholarships for STEM education—demonstrates a concerted effort to nurture the next generation of scientists and engineers who will drive the nation’s ambitions in both supercomputing and quantum technology.
As India continues to make remarkable strides in various sectors, including space and semiconductor technologies, the integration of supercomputing and quantum capabilities is poised to redefine the country’s position on the global stage. The Prime Minister’s optimism about India’s future in these domains reflects a broader narrative of a nation ready to leverage its scientific advancements for both national development and global leadership.
While the PARAM Rudra Supercomputers represent a monumental step forward, it is the path toward quantum computing that holds the promise of transformative change. With the right investments and a robust scientific community, India is not just aiming to keep pace with global advancements but is setting the stage to lead in the realms of technology that will shape the future.
Space & Physics
MIT unveils an ultra-efficient 5G receiver that may supercharge future smart devices
A key innovation lies in the chip’s clever use of a phenomenon called the Miller effect, which allows small capacitors to perform like larger ones

A team of MIT researchers has developed a groundbreaking wireless receiver that could transform the future of Internet of Things (IoT) devices by dramatically improving energy efficiency and resilience to signal interference.
Designed for use in compact, battery-powered smart gadgets—like health monitors, environmental sensors, and industrial trackers—the new chip consumes less than a milliwatt of power and is roughly 30 times more resistant to certain types of interference than conventional receivers.
“This receiver could help expand the capabilities of IoT gadgets,” said Soroush Araei, an electrical engineering graduate student at MIT and lead author of the study, in a media statement. “Devices could become smaller, last longer on a battery, and work more reliably in crowded wireless environments like factory floors or smart cities.”
The chip, recently unveiled at the IEEE Radio Frequency Integrated Circuits Symposium, stands out for its novel use of passive filtering and ultra-small capacitors controlled by tiny switches. These switches require far less power than those typically found in existing IoT receivers.
A key innovation lies in the chip’s clever use of a phenomenon called the Miller effect, which allows small capacitors to perform like larger ones. This means the receiver achieves necessary filtering without relying on bulky components, keeping the circuit size under 0.05 square millimeters.

Traditional IoT receivers rely on fixed-frequency filters to block interference, but next-generation 5G-compatible devices need to operate across wider frequency ranges. The MIT design meets this demand using an innovative on-chip switch-capacitor network that blocks unwanted harmonic interference early in the signal chain—before it gets amplified and digitized.
Another critical breakthrough is a technique called bootstrap clocking, which ensures the miniature switches operate correctly even at a low power supply of just 0.6 volts. This helps maintain reliability without adding complex circuitry or draining battery life.
The chip’s minimalist design—using fewer and smaller components—also reduces signal leakage and manufacturing costs, making it well-suited for mass production.
Looking ahead, the MIT team is exploring ways to run the receiver without any dedicated power source—possibly by harvesting ambient energy from nearby Wi-Fi or Bluetooth signals.
The research was conducted by Araei alongside Mohammad Barzgari, Haibo Yang, and senior author Professor Negar Reiskarimian of MIT’s Microsystems Technology Laboratories.
Society
Ahmedabad Plane Crash: The Science Behind Aircraft Take-Off -Understanding the Physics of Flight
Take-off is one of the most critical phases of flight, relying on the precise orchestration of aerodynamics, propulsion, and control systems. Here’s how it works:

On June 12, 2025, a tragic aviation accident struck Ahmedabad, India when a regional passenger aircraft, Air India flight A1-171, crashed during take-off at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. According to preliminary reports, the incident resulted in over 200 confirmed casualties, including both passengers and crew members, and several others are critically injured. The aviation community and scientific world now turn their eyes not just toward the cause but also toward understanding the complex science behind what should have been a routine take-off.
How Do Aircraft Take Off?
Take-off is one of the most critical phases of flight, relying on the precise orchestration of aerodynamics, propulsion, and control systems. Here’s how it works:
1. Lift and Thrust
To leave the ground, an aircraft must generate lift, a force that counters gravity. This is achieved through the unique shape of the wing, called an airfoil, which creates a pressure difference — higher pressure under the wing and lower pressure above — according to Bernoulli’s Principle and Newton’s Third Law.
Simultaneously, engines provide thrust, propelling the aircraft forward. Most commercial jets use turbofan engines, which accelerate air through turbines to generate power.
2. Critical Speeds
Before takeoff, pilots calculate critical speeds:
- V1 (Decision Speed): The last moment a takeoff can be safely aborted.
- Vr (Rotation Speed): The speed at which the pilot begins to lift the nose.
- V2 (Takeoff Safety Speed): The speed needed to climb safely even if one engine fails.
If anything disrupts this process — like bird strikes, engine failure, or runway obstructions — the results can be catastrophic.

Environmental and Mechanical Challenges
Factors like wind shear, runway surface condition, mechanical integrity, or pilot error can interfere with safe take-off. Investigators will be analyzing these very aspects in the Ahmedabad case.
The Bigger Picture
Take-off accounts for a small fraction of total flight time but is disproportionately associated with accidents — approximately 14% of all aviation accidents occur during take-off or initial climb.
Space & Physics
MIT claims breakthrough in simulating physics of squishy, elastic materials
In a series of experiments, the new solver demonstrated its ability to simulate a diverse array of elastic behaviors, ranging from bouncing geometric shapes to soft, squishy characters

Researchers at MIT claim to have unveiled a novel physics-based simulation method that significantly improves stability and accuracy when modeling elastic materials — a key development for industries spanning animation, engineering, and digital fabrication.
In a series of experiments, the new solver demonstrated its ability to simulate a diverse array of elastic behaviors, ranging from bouncing geometric shapes to soft, squishy characters. Crucially, it maintained important physical properties and remained stable over long periods of time — an area where many existing methods falter.
Other simulation techniques frequently struggled in tests: some became unstable and caused erratic behavior, while others introduced excessive damping that distorted the motion. In contrast, the new method preserved elasticity without compromising reliability.
“Because our method demonstrates more stability, it can give animators more reliability and confidence when simulating anything elastic, whether it’s something from the real world or even something completely imaginary,” Leticia Mattos Da Silva, a graduate student at MIT’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, said in a media statement.
Their study, though not yet peer-reviewed or published, will be presented at the August proceedings of the SIGGRAPH conference in Vancouver, Canada.
While the solver does not prioritize speed as aggressively as some tools, it avoids the accuracy and robustness trade-offs often associated with faster methods. It also sidesteps the complexity of nonlinear solvers, which are commonly used in physics-based approaches but are often sensitive and prone to failure.
Looking ahead, the research team aims to reduce computational costs and broaden the solver’s applications. One promising direction is in engineering and fabrication, where accurate elastic simulations could enhance the design of real-world products such as garments, medical devices, and toys.
“We were able to revive an old class of integrators in our work. My guess is there are other examples where researchers can revisit a problem to find a hidden convexity structure that could offer a lot of advantages,” Mattos Da Silva added.
The study opens new possibilities not only for digital content creation but also for practical design fields that rely on predictive simulations of flexible materials.
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