/target001.png)
/target002.png)
Technology Roundup
1
NADRA Joins Top Global Biometric Identification Technology Providers
NADRA has joined the ranks of premier biometric identification technology providers
worldwide with the launching of its cutting-edge Automated Finger Identification System
(AFIS) for civil purposes. Branded as “NADIR”, NADRA achieved a significant milestone
by indigenously developing and incorporating this state-of-the-art AFIS into its suite of
technology solutions. Indigenous development of AFIS is a groundbreaking development not
only in the field of civil identification but in the pursuit of nation building as well.
With its advanced technology, we can now accurately and quickly store fingerprints
and identify individuals for a wide range of purposes as a public good, from immigration to
border control to social services.
NADIR, as a pioneering achievement in the field of biometric identification
technology, underscores the organization's commitment to innovation and further solidifies
its position as a global leader in advanced identity management solutions. The indigenous
development of AFIS technology represents a major advancement in the field of biometrics,
utilizing the unique characteristics of fingerprints to establish a robust and reliable method of
identity verification.
The indigenous development of AFIS technology represents a major advancement in
the field of biometrics, utilizing the unique characteristics of fingerprints to establish a robust
and reliable method of identity verification.
Source:
https://www.thenews.com.pk/latest/1062147-nadra-launches-cutting-edge-
/target003.png)
Technology Roundup
2
Four Excellence Hubs of Renewable Energy to be Established in Punjab and KP
The provincial governments of Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will establish four
excellence hubs of renewable energy with the help of German grant of 9.8 million Euros. The
KfW Development Bank (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau), Germany has agreed to sanction a
grant amounting to 9.8 million Euros for establishment of four excellence hubs of renewable
energy out of which two hubs will be established in the PTEVTA institutions of Punjab while
two will be established in KP TEVTA. In Punjab province one excellence hub in Lahore and
one district Rawalpindi will be established at the cost of Rs 1117.403 million.
The share of foreign funding for the project is Rs 844.345 million, while Rs 273.058
million is being funded from the local ADP of Punjab, said the documents. This project is
aimed to introduce two excellence hubs of renewable energy for exploring new avenues in
view of the demand and supply issues in energy sector. The feasibility report was received
from KfW Development
Bank dated Jan 2022
wherein
renewable
energy hubs are proposed
to be established in the
premises of two TEVTA
Institutes
i-e
Govt.
College of Technology
(GCT), Taxila and Govt.
Apparenticship Training
Center
(GATC),
Township, Lahore as
service center similar to the already existing service centers in Punjab.
It is further highlighted in the feasibility study that expenses on the Civil & Revenue
Components of the scheme is the responsibility of kfw Development Bank while Hub-hosting
institutes construction upgrades and OPEX for Hubs are the responsibility of local
government of Punjab.
Source:
https://www.nation.com.pk/22-Apr-2023/punjab-kp-govts-to-establish-four-
excellence-hubs-of-renewable-energy
Image credit:
https://envirocivil.com/environment/renewable-energy-resources-pakistan/
/target004.png)
Technology Roundup
3
School Eye Health Screening Programme Initiated in GB
Sightsavers is initiating the project of ‘School Eye Health Screening’ in Gilgit
Baltistan to ensure eye health to and strengthen its commitment to the people of GB. For
this, a Letter of Understanding (LoU) has been signed between the Sightsavers and
Government of Gilgit Baltistan. School eye health screening programme initiated in GB. The
project will provide screening facilities to the school going children in Gilgit-Baltistan for
common eye problems, provide free glasses for the children with refractive error and also
surgical treatment in partnership with department of health. The project will also provide
ophthalmic screening equipment for the screening team. Furthermore, the project aims
commitment for the establishment of a Low Vision and IT Resource Centre in Special
Education Complex of GB.
Chief Secretary of Gilgit-Baltistan, Mohyuddin Ahmed Wani said that this project is
addressing one of the most pressing challenges of eye health of school going children and
unavailability of proper screening facilities. The project is materializing the Government’s
vision of making health facilities available for everyone at grassroot level. Munazza Gillani,
Country Director, Sightsavers said that they are working to eradicate avoidable blindness and
promote the rights of people with disabilities. This project will make a significant
contribution to the refractive services, effective scaling up of screening and eyeglasses
provision and will promote the integration of these approaches into government-led national
programs.
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1055068-school-eye-health-screening-
Image credit:
https://www.technologytimes.pk/2023/03/28/sightsavers-initiating-school-eye-
health-screening-program-in-gb/
/target005.png)
Technology Roundup
4
Establishment of a Training Center for the Usage of Drone Technology for
Precision Agriculture in Punjab
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between Onnuri
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Company South Korea and Pir Mehr Ali Shah-Arid Agriculture
University Rawalpindi (PMAS-AAUR) to establish a training center for the usage of drone
technology in precision agriculture and related fields.
Vice Chancellor PMAS-AAUR, Prof. Dr. Qamar-uz-Zaman termed it a milestone for
the country in popularizing the drone technology in agriculture and related fields. The center
would not only provide trained manpower for unmanned aerial vehicles locally but also
create job opportunities for Pakistani youth internationally. This important center would
strengthen industry academia ties to promote modern agricultural technology and resolve the
issues being faced by the farmers.
Precision agriculture is a key to increase per-acre production, eliminate poverty and
ensure food security. The VC said that PMAS-AAUR had established a smart IoT Farm with
an aim to promote digital and precision agriculture in the country which would enable
Pakistan to not only become self-sufficient in agricultural production but also realize the
dream of exporting agricultural products.
Source:
https://dailybalochistantimes.com/rawalpindia-memorandum-of-understanding-mou-
Image credit:
https://dailytimes.com.pk/879163/na-body-recommends-policy-for-use-of-
/target006.png)
Technology Roundup
5
Pakistani Computer Operator Uses AI Technology to Visualize Civilization of
Mohenjo Daro
A computer operator, from a remote village in Pakistan’s southern Sindh province,
has used Artificial Intelligence (AI) to re-imagine life in Mohenjo Daro which is one of the
most striking archaeological sites. Rehmatullah Mirbahar, 34 years old, computer operator at
Thatta District Health Department, used websites and YouTube tutorials to teach himself how
to create art using AI tools. Mirbahar, who invested almost three months learning AI, said the
inspiration was to show the world how people lived in the ancient city of Mohenjo Daro and
what kind of lifestyle they had.
Artificial intelligence was an ideal choice for his objectives because it could produce
results based on available online data about a place or its people, and where it didn’t match
reality, a human mind could intervene. And he had to intervene on numerous occasions by
drawing from his knowledge and the photography he had done in the ruins of Mohenjo Daro
and other ancient sites in Sindh to learn more about the area’s ancient architecture and
culture. It gives fifty or sixty percent results based on the data it has and hence it needs
modification. For examples, how the faces of people appear, we have to fix their faces, have
to change their colors, and the rest of the modifications are done with the help of AI.
While on the other hand, some people criticized that there should be a river that
flowed here, likewise, there should be greenery. In future, an update to “Mohenjo Daro
version two” is expected by Mirbahar.
Image credit and source:
https://www.arabnews.pk/node/2282191/pakistan
/target007.png)
Technology Roundup
6
Fully Automatic Fumigation and Disinfection Device Invented by a Pakistani
Engineer
Recently, a Pakistani Engineer, Mr. Mubeen Fareed claimed to invent a machine that
performs disinfection and fumigation automatically. According to Fareed, this invention is
first of its kind in the world as the previously made machines for the purpose of disinfection
and fumigation operate manually. In the same way, fog produced through conventional
thermal fogger, for killing mosquitoes and other insects creates too much noise, cannot be
used every where (indoor) and consumes fuel for working. On the other hand, newly
designed machine by Fareed is fully electric, can be used indoor as well and has a sound
equal to the sound of a mobile phone ring tone. Both, disinfection and fumigation jobs can be
done by this machine automatically. The conventional one works only when a trained
professional operates it and changes the chemicals manually each time.
Once this newly designed machine is refilled, it can perform 22 fumigation and 25
disinfection rounds. The operator only has to select any one of the task, either fumigation or
disinfection, the machine automatically selects and mixes the chemicals to perform the
respective task. Furthermore, fog/droplets rate can also be increased or decreased as needed.
Usually, this machine covers an area of 5,000 cubic feet in just a minute which is enough for
most of the tasks to be performed. The device is also equipped with a timer of 2, 5 and 10
minutes to fumigate large areas (for examples garages). Several security features are also
mounted on this machine to make it fail-safe. Mr. Fareed has designed two models before this
final form of the product and invested a long time in it. The machine can be utilized in
schools, colleges, hospitals, government organizations, banks, bakeries, kitchens, restaurants
and for domestic & commercial purposes.
Image credit and source:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/PakistanStartups/permalink/5912496542132795/
/target008.png)
Technology Roundup
7
Aeroponic Technology Started by NARC for Potato Seed Production
Pakistan’s dependence on imported potato seed is now set to substantially reduce with
the application of aeroponics technology introduced in the country with the assistance of
South Korea, as the second crop of potato seed is now ready to be harvested at the National
Agricultural Research Centre (NARC) in Islamabad.
The Aeroponic potato seed production system will result in farm level processing,
higher productivity, post-harvest losses reduction, human resource development along with
immense job opportunities.
Over 30 percent of the seed requirements can be met from tissue culture labs of
NARC. According to Dr. Ghulam Muhammad Ali, Chairman Pakistan Agricultural Research
Council, Aeroponic technology offers the potential to improve production and reduce costs
compared to conventional methods or other soilless methods. In Pakistan, potato seed is
mostly imported from Holland which is not only costly but also the above fifth generation
which negatively affects potato productivity. Through this technique, Pakistan can not only
improve the productivity but it can also be proved cost effective.
Source:
https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1053967-parc-uses-aeroponics-technology-to-
Image credit:
https://ruralmarketing.in/stories/aeroponic-technology-revolutionising-potato-
/target009.png)
Technology Roundup
8
Pakistan and China Established a Joint Wheat Breeding Research Lab in
Islamabad
Pakistan and China established the project of Pakistan-China Wheat Molecular
Breeding International Lab to work jointly.
The Science and Technology Partnership Program, Ministry of Science and
Technology of China has funded the project with the joint support from China's Ministry of
Agriculture and Rural Affairs, the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center
(CIMMYT) and National Agriculture Research Center of Pakistan.
The joint lab will conduct collaborative research on molecular breeding, test select
Chinese germplasm in Pakistan, train scientists and organize workshops. The lab is aimed to
develop new varieties having high yield and being disease resistant and enhancing the
capacity of breeders and technical staff so as to increase the breeding capacity and production
of wheat in Pakistan. The Joint Lab will become a wheat breeding platform between Pakistan
and China to provide scientific and technological support for Pakistan’s food security.
The launching event was held online and offline at the Institute of Crop Sciences,
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) and Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU)
Islamabad in Pakistan. More than 30 scientists and researchers from both sides attended the
launching ceremony.
Dr. Sarwat Jahan, the dean of Biological Sciences, welcomed this initiative at the
inauguration ceremony and emphasized that QAU will support the lab’s joint activities.
According to Dr. Zhouhua Cao, First Secretary of the Chinese Embassy in Pakistan, China
has consistently offered cooperation to Pakistani scientists and engineers, and the new joint
lab will receive all the support required from the Chinese Embassy.
http://en.ce.cn/Insight/202303/07/t20230307_38429266.shtml
Image credit:
/target010.png)
Technology Roundup
9
COMSATS Signs LoI for Cooperation in Science and Technology
The Commission on Science and Technology for Sustainable Development in the
South (COMSATS) signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with the World Business Angels
Investment Forum (WBAF) to initiate a process towards formalizing cooperation in science
and technology through a subsequent MoU. The MoU, would be a framework aimed at
supporting academics, R&D institutions, research scholars, start-ups, innovators and
entrepreneurs in COMSATS member states.
The LoI was signed by Ambassador Dr. Mohammad Nafees Zakaria, Executive
Director COMSATS, and Mr. Baybars Altuntas, Chair WBAF, on behalf of their respective
organizations. Federal Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Mr. Ghulam
Muhammad Memon, was the Chief Guest on the occasion. He along with Ambassador
Shahid Kamal, a seasoned diplomat, who has served as Advisor to the COMSATS, witnessed
the signing ceremony.
COMSATS is an intergovernmental organization of 27 developing countries with its
Secretariat hosted in Islamabad by the Government of Pakistan. Founded in 1994, with the
objective of bridging the knowledge and technological gap between the global North and
South, an idea propounded by Pakistani Nobel Laureate and Theoretical Physicist Prof. Dr.
Abdus Salam, COMSATS has embarked on a journey with greater thrust on promoting
innovations, R&D, entrepreneurship and aligning research with the industry.
Image credit and source:
https://leadpakistan.com.pk/news/comsats-and-world-business-
angels-investment-forum-to-cooperate-and-collaborate-in-st-sign-loi/
/target011.png)
Technology Roundup
10
A Body Heat Powered Flashlight Developed by Citizen of Lodhran, Punjab
Mohammad Wasim, a citizen of Lodhran, Punjab, has made a magnificent
achievement in the field of technology. The young man has invented a flashlight that works
through the human body temperature.
According to Wasim, this innovative flashlight lights up when we hold and bring it in
contact with a body part, for example, forehead. The idea of this flashlight hit Wasim’s mind
when he realized the significance of a flashlight when battery-powered or charging flashlights
were not available or fail to work as in load shedding situation.
He said, in the future, this technology can be used by our security forces in remote
areas. This new invention is not only practical but also eco-friendly as it eliminates the need
for batteries, charging or solar panels.
Wasim’s creativity and resourcefulness has proved impressive and resulted in
overwhelmingly positive response for creation of this human heat powered flashlight. This
innovation is supposed to bring appreciation and recognition for his city also.
Depending upon the environment and activity, the human body gives off about 290
and 3800 kilojoules of thermal energy per hour as a waste product of our body using the food
we eat. That means human body gives off enough heat energy to power a light bulb all of the
time.
Image credit and source:
https://www.samaaenglish.tv/news/40026648
https://mithras.tech/2019/04/17/can-human-body-heat-provide-the-world-with-
/target012.png)
Technology Roundup
11
Energy-Efficient, Low-Cost Food Appliances Developed by Karachi University
Students
During a recent food equipment expo, hosted on campus by University of Karachi,
students from the Food Science & Technology Department displayed a wide range of
inexpensive and energy-efficient appliances meant to cook and preserve food.
Haris Kamran’s air fryer, which distributes hot air around meals with barely a drop of
oil, was a notable creation. Kamran stated that he created the machine with a cost of only Rs.
9,000 and that it has a maximum temperature of 160 degrees, making it a healthier substitute
to regular fryers. By circulating hot air around the food, the air fryer can cook food quickly
and evenly, without the need for large amount of oil. This can significantly reduce the
amount of fat and calories in the food, making it a healthier option for those who love fried
foods.
Sohaib Malik’s mini refrigerator was also an excellent product since he designed it
with an eco-friendly thermoelectric microchip that utilizes less harmful gas than standard
refrigerators. The mini refrigerator, as per Malik, can achieve temperature as low as -12
degrees Celsius.
Another important creation was Ariba Khan’s dough kneading machine, which can
knead more than 5 kg of flour in just a few minutes through its 250-volt gear motor. Khan
revealed that she spent Rs. 10,000 on the prototype. This can save time and effort for those
who work with large amounts of dough, such as bakers and chefs. The use of a motor also
makes the device more energy-efficient, as it requires less physical effort to knead the dough.
This can reduce the amount of energy required to make large batches of bread or other baked
goods, making it a more sustainable and cost-effective option for commercial kitchens and
bakeries.
The expo featured 13 projects, and different organizations expressed interest in
working with the participants to advance their innovations.
Image credit and source:
https://propakistani.pk/2023/03/02/karachi-university-students-
/target013.png)
Technology Roundup
12
Eyeglasses Capable of Reading Silent Speech through AI
Eyeglasses called, EchoSpeech, use acoustic sensing and artificial intelligence to
continuously recognize up to 31 unvocalized commands, based on lip and mouth movements.
Developed by Cornell University’s Smart Computer Interfaces for Future Interactions (SciFi)
Lab, wearable, low-power, interface works by just a few minutes of user training data to
recognize commands and can be run on a smartphone.
For people who cannot vocalize sound, this silent speech technology could be an
excellent input for a voice synthesizer. It could give patients their voices back.
In its present form, EchoSpeech could be used to communicate with others via
smartphone in places where speech is inconvenient or inappropriate, like a noisy restaurant or
quiet library. The silent speech interface can also be paired with a stylus and used with design
software like CAD, all but eliminating the need for a keyboard and a mouse.
Outfitted with a pair of microphones and speakers smaller than pencil erasers, the
EchoSpeech glasses become a wearable AI-powered sonar system, sending and receiving
soundwaves across the face and
sensing mouth movements. A deep
learning algorithm, also developed
by SciFi Lab researchers, and then
analyzes these echo profiles in real
time, with about 95% accuracy.
According to the developers of
EchoSpeech, the device moves sonar
onto the body. It’s small, low-power
and privacy-sensitive, which are all
important features for deploying
new, wearable technologies in the
real world.
Acoustic-sensing technology like EchoSpeech removes the need for wearable video
cameras. And because audio data is much smaller than image or video data, it requires less
bandwidth to process and can be relayed to a smartphone via Bluetooth in real time.
Image credit and source:
https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2023/04/ai-equipped-eyeglasses-
/target014.png)
Technology Roundup
13
Robotic Hand can Identify Objects with Just a Grasp
The three-fingered robotic gripper can feel with great sensitivity not just at the tips but
along the full length of each finger. Inspired by the human finger, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT) researchers have developed a robotic hand that uses high-resolution touch
sensing to accurately identify an object after grasping it just one time.
Many robotic hands pack all their powerful sensors into the fingertips, so an object
must be in full contact with those fingertips to be identified, which can take multiple grasps.
Other designs use lower-resolution sensors spread along the entire finger, but these don’t
capture as much detail, so multiple re-grasps are often required.
Instead, the MIT team built a robotic finger with a rigid skeleton encased in a soft
outer layer that has multiple high-resolution sensors incorporated under its transparent “skin.”
The sensors, which use a camera and LEDs to gather visual information about an object’s
shape, provide continuous sensing along the finger’s entire length. Each finger captures rich
data on many parts of an object simultaneously.
Using this design, the researchers built a three-fingered robotic hand that could
identify objects after only one grasp, with about 85 percent accuracy. The rigid skeleton
makes the fingers strong enough to pick up a heavy item, such as a drill, while the soft skin
enables them to securely grasp a pliable item, like an empty plastic water bottle, without
crushing it.
Image credit and source:
https://news.mit.edu/2023/robotic-hand-can-identify-objects-just-
/target015.png)
Technology Roundup
14
Colorful Films could Help Buildings and Cars to Keep Cool
The cold blast of an air conditioner (AC) can be a relief when temperature rises, but
AC units leak potent greenhouse gases and require large amounts of energy. According to a
new research, scientists have reported an eco-friendly alternative, plant-based film that on
exposure to sunlight gets cooler and comes in a variety of textures and bright, iridescent
colors. The material could someday keep cars, buildings and other structures cool without
external power. According to the principal investigator of the research, Dr Silvia Vignolini,
making materials that remain cooler than the air around them during the day, we need
something that reflects a lot of solar light and doesn’t absorb it, which would transform
energy from the light into heat. There are only a few materials that have this property, and
adding color pigments would typically undo their cooling effects.
Passive daytime radiative
cooling (PDRC) is the ability of
a surface to emit its own heat
into space without it being
absorbed
by
the
air
or
atmosphere. The result is a
surface that, without using any
electrical power, can become
several degrees colder than the
air around it. When used on
buildings or other structures,
materials that promote this effect can help limit the use of air conditioning and other power-
intensive cooling methods. Part of this research focuses on identifying the causes behind
different types of structural colors in nature. In one case, researchers found that cellulose
nanocrystals (CNCs), which are derived from the cellulose found in plants, could be made
into iridescent, colorful films without any added pigment. In recent work, scientists layered
colorful CNC materials with a white-colored material made from ethyl cellulose, producing a
colorful bi-layered PDRC film. They made films with vibrant blue, green and red colors that,
when placed under sunlight, were an average of nearly 7 F cooler than the surrounding air.
Image credit and source:
https://www.acs.org/pressroom/newsreleases/2023/march/colorful-
/target016.png)
Technology Roundup
15
AI Based Technology Monitors the Health of Elderly Residents at Homes
The AI based system can effectively monitor activities of elderly persons such as
eating, sleeping and frequency of bathroom use. Engineers are using artificial intelligence
(AI) and wireless technology to monitor elderly people in their living spaces and provide
early detection of emerging health problems.
The new system, built by researchers at the University of Waterloo, follows an
individual’s activities accurately and continuously by gathering vital information without
using any wearable device and alerts medical experts to step in for help.
After more than five years of working, scientists have demonstrated that very low-
power, millimetre-wave radio systems enabled by machine learning and artificial intelligence
can be reliably used in, hospitals, homes and long-term care facilities. The system can also
alert healthcare workers in case of sudden falls. This technology woks without the need of
camera which is considered to be a privacy-intrusive device.
The new system represents a major step forward and works by first, sending low-
power waveforms through wireless transmitter across an interior space, such as apartment,
home, or a long-term care room. As the waveforms bounce off different objects and the
people being monitored, they’re captured and processed by a receiver. That information goes
into an AI engine which deciphers the processed waves for detection and monitoring
applications. The system, which employs extremely low-power radar technology, can be
mounted simply on a ceiling or by a wall and doesn’t suffer the drawbacks of wearable
monitoring devices, which can be uncomfortable and require frequent battery charging.
Image credit and source:
https://uwaterloo.ca/news/media/new-home-ai-tool-monitors-health-
/target017.png)
Technology Roundup
16
A Solar Hydrogen System that Co-generates Heat and Oxygen
Researchers from EPFL (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne) have
constructed a pilot-scale solar reactor that produces hydrogen with a size-unprecedented level
of efficiency while also producing useable heat and oxygen. The EPFL campus has a unique
parabolic dish that functions like an artificial tree. A reactor above the dish uses sunlight
concentrated approximately 1,000 times to transform water into useful and renewable
hydrogen, oxygen, and heat.
This is the first system-level demonstration of solar hydrogen generation. Unlike
typical lab-scale demonstrations, it includes all auxiliary devices and components, so it gives
us a better idea of the energy efficiency you can expect once you consider the complete
system, and not just the device itself.
Hydrogen production from water using solar energy is referred to as artificial
photosynthesis, but the LRESE system is unique for its ability to also produce heat and
oxygen at scale. After the dish concentrates the sun’s rays, water is pumped into its focus
spot, where an integrated photoelectrochemical reactor is housed. Within this reactor,
photoelectrochemical
cells use solar energy to
electrolyze, or split water
molecules into hydrogen
and oxygen. Heat is also
generated, but instead of
being released as a
system loss, this heat is
passed through a heat
exchanger so that it can
be harnessed. In addition to the system’s primary outputs of hydrogen and heat, the oxygen
molecules released by the photo-electrolysis reaction are also recovered and used.
The system could be used to provide residential and commercial central heating and
hot water, and to power hydrogen fuel cells. At an output level of about half a kilogram of
solar hydrogen per day, the EPFL campus system could power around 1.5 hydrogen fuel cell
vehicles.
Image credit and source:
/target018.png)
Technology Roundup
17
Thread-Like Pumps Can Be Woven Into Clothes
EPFL researchers have developed fiber-like pumps that allow high-pressure fluidic
circuits to be woven into textiles without an external pump. Soft supportive exoskeletons,
thermoregulatory clothing, and immersive haptics can therefore be powered from pumps
sewn into the fabric of the devices themselves.
Many fluid-based wearable assistive technologies today require a large and noisy
pump that is impractical – if not impossible – to integrate into clothing. This leads to a
contradiction: wearable devices are routinely tethered to un-wearable pumps. Now,
researchers at the Soft Transducers Laboratory (LMTS) in the School of Engineering have
developed an elegantly simple solution to this dilemma. We present the world’s first pump in
the form of a fiber; in essence, tubing that generates its own pressure and flow rate. Now, we
can sew our fiber pumps directly into textiles and clothing, leaving conventional pumps
behind. The fiber format allows us to make lighter, more powerful pumps that are inherently
more compatible with wearable technology. To achieve the pump’s unique structure, the
researchers developed a novel fabrication technique that involves twisting copper wires and
polyurethane threads together around a steel rod, and then fusing them with heat. After the
rod is removed, the 2 mm fibers can be integrated into textiles using standard weaving and
sewing techniques.
Image credit and source:
https://actu.epfl.ch/news/thread-like-pumps-can-be-woven-into-
/target019.png)
Technology Roundup
18
Tiny Bio-battery with 100-Year Shelf Life Runs on Bacteria
A tiny biobattery that could still work after 100 years has been developed by
researchers at Binghamton University, State University of New York. The study shares the
results from using spore-forming bacteria similar to the ingestible version to create a device
that potentially would still work after 100 years.
The dime-sized fuel cell was sealed with a piece of Kapton tape, a material that can
withstand temperatures from -500 to 750 degrees Fahrenheit. When the tape was removed
and moisture allowed in, the bacteria mixed with a chemical germinant that encouraged the
microbes to produce spores. The energy from that reaction produced enough to power an
LED, a digital thermometer or a small clock.
The overall objective was to develop a microbial fuel cell that can be stored for a
relatively long period without degradation of biocatalytic activity and also can be rapidly
activated by absorbing moisture from the air.
Heat activation of the bacterial spores cut the time to full power from 1 hour to 20
minutes and increasing the humidity led to higher electrical output. After a week of storage at
room temperature, there was only a 2% drop in power generation.
Binghamton University Professor Seokheun Sean Choi
Image credit and source:
https://www.newswise.com/articles/tiny-biobattery-with-100-year-
/target020.png)
Technology Roundup
19
Jellyfish-Inspired Robots to Clean Ocean Beds
Jellyfish and octopus have frequently served as an inspiration for soft robotics,
especially when it comes to designing appendages that can delicately handle fragile objects.
Now, the experts over at Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) have designed
a jellyfish-inspired robot that can collect objects from the waterbed without physically
touching them. Called "Jellyfish-Bots," the robot only needs 100mW of electricity, which
means it doesn't pose any harm to humans or aquatic life, even if the insulating layer around
the body wears off.
"Jellyfish-Bot interacts gently with its environment without disturbing it says the team
behind this unique robot. The robot, which is nearly the size of a hand and almost noise free,
relies on electrohydraulic actuators, which maintain electrical flow and also serve as the
muscles that regulate movement. These muscles, also known as HASELs, are surrounded by
air cushions for stabilization towards underwater movement, and also serve as a layer of
protection for the internal circuitry.
The artificial muscles contract and relax through periodic electric currents flowing
through the wires, allowing the robot to swim through the water. As the Jellyfish Bot moves,
it also circulates the water around, which makes it easier to agitate everything from plastic
waste to fragile marine samples above the sea bed, and lift them up to the surface.
Image credit and source:
https://www.slashgear.com/1268118/jellyfish-inspired-robots-may-
clean-ocean-beds-without-touching-trash/
/target021.png)
Technology Roundup
20
Fast and Cheap Method for Detecting Antimicrobial Resistance Could Improve
Infectious Disease Care
Researchers have developed a fast, cheap, and simple method for detecting
antimicrobial resistance that could prove particularly attractive in lower-income countries.
Conventional antibiotic sensitivity testing (AST) requires scientists to culture
microorganisms and then expose them to antibiotics. The culture step means the process can
take 24 hours or more, depending on how quickly the bacteria grow. Emerging approaches
such as metagenomic sequencing accelerate the process but require specialized and, in some
cases, expensive equipment not routinely found in labs. Researchers at Ecole Polytechnique
Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFLP) in Switzerland discuss their work to develop a method for
quickly determining if a pathogen is sensitive to antibiotic using basic equipment.
Researchers have developed a technique in our laboratories that allows us to obtain an
antibiogram within two to four hours, instead of the current 24 hours for the most common
germs and one month for tuberculosis. The method requires a very basic microfluidic analysis
chamber, an optical microscope equipped with a camera or a mobile phone, and dedicated
data analysis software. The approach relies on the fact that nanoscale vibrations indicate
whether a bacterium is alive. When the bacterium dies, the vibrations stop. Using the
equipment, the researchers detected the cessation of vibration upon exposure to antibiotics.
The technique is rapid, extremely simple to set up, possesses single-cell sensitivity,
attachments
and
label
free
and
significantly faster
and cheaper than
other existing fast
AST
methods.
Importantly, it is
independent of the
bacterial replication
rate, the structure of their cell wall, or motility. Its simplicity opens novel avenues to fast
AST, specifically in developing countries.
Image
credit
and
source:
https://www.labpulse.com/diseases/infectious/antibiotic-
resistance/article/15383607/fast-cheap-method-for-detecting-antimicrobial-resistance-could-
/target022.png)
Technology Roundup
21
Cheaper Method for Making Woven Displays and Smart Fabrics of Any Size or
Shape
Researchers have developed next generation smart textiles, comprising LEDs,
sensors, energy harvesting, and storage that can be produced inexpensively, in any shape or
size, using the same machines used to make the clothing we wear every day. Despite recent
progress in the development of smart textiles, their functionality, dimensions and shapes have
been limited by current manufacturing processes.
the researchers have shown that smart textiles can be made using automated
processes, with no limits on their size or shape. Multiple types of fibre devices, including
energy storage devices, light-emitting diodes, and transistors were fabricated, encapsulated,
and mixed with conventional fibres, either synthetic or natural, to build smart textiles by
automated weaving. The fibre devices were interconnected by an automated laser welding
method with electrically conductive adhesive. The processes were all optimised to minimise
damage to the electronic
components, which in turn
made the smart textiles
durable enough to withstand
the stretching of an industrial
weaving
machine.
The
encapsulation method was
developed to consider the
functionality of the fibre
devices, and the mechanical
force and thermal energy were
investigated systematically to
achieve automated weaving
and laser-based interconnection, respectively.
The research team, working in partnership with textile manufacturers, was able to
produce test patches of smart textiles of roughly 50x50 centimeters, although this can be
scaled up to larger dimensions and produced in large volumes.
Image credit and source:
https://www.cam.ac.uk/stories/smart-textiles
/target023.png)
Technology Roundup
22
New Tool Facilitates Clinical Interpretation of Genetic Information
Researchers develop new method to help interpret mutations in disease genes and
improve clinical decision-making. Current predictive models are useful for interpreting
mutations, but they are prone to misclassify those that do not cause diseases, contributing to
false positives. Researchers from the Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and
Genetics in Dresden, the Center for Systems Biology Dresden in Germany, and the Harvard
Medical School in Boston, USA, have developed a tool called DeMAG. DeMAG provides
medical professionals with a tool that allows them to more accurately assess the effect of
mutations in those genes by reducing the false positive rate, which means that less benign
mutations are predicted as pathogenic.
The researchers developed a statistical model and web server DeMAG that reaches
high accuracy in the interpretation of genetic mutations in disease genes. To do this, the
researchers carefully selected known pathogenic and benign mutations for training the model.
The researchers used clinical and various population databases and selected only mutations
whose clinical interpretation is agreed upon among multiple submitters such as medical
doctors and genetics laboratories. The researchers also included data from ancestries that are
underrepresented in the current population databases, such as Korean or Japanese, to make it
even more representative and accurate. DeMAG includes a novel feature, the “partners
score”, that identifies clusters of amino acids in a protein that share the same clinical effect.
With the partners score, DeMAG takes advantage of the amino acid relationships based on
evolutionary information from the genomes of many organisms and the recent AI (Artificial
Intelligence) revolution of predicting the 3D shapes of proteins using the AlphaFold
algorithm developed by Google DeepMind.
Image credit and source:
https://www.mpg.de/20214308/new-tool-facilitates-clinical-
/target024.png)
Technology Roundup
23
Tabletop Vaccine Printer can help More People to get Vaccinated
The printer generates vaccine-filled microneedle patches that can be stored long-term
at room temperature and applied to the skin. Getting vaccines to people who need them isn’t
always easy. Many vaccines require cold storage, making it difficult to ship them to remote
areas that don’t have the necessary infrastructure.
MIT researchers have come up with a possible solution to this problem: a mobile
vaccine printer that could be scaled up to produce hundreds of vaccine doses in a day. This
kind of printer, which can fit on a tabletop, could be deployed anywhere vaccines are needed.
The printer produces patches with hundreds of microneedles containing vaccine. The
patch can be attached to the skin, allowing the vaccine to dissolve without the need for a
traditional injection. Once printed, the vaccine patches can be stored for months at room
temperature.
Instead of producing traditional injectable vaccines, the researchers decided to work
with a novel type of vaccine delivery based on patches about the size of a thumbnail, which
contain hundreds of microneedles. Such vaccines are now in development for many diseases,
including polio, measles, and rubella. When the patch is applied to the skin, the tips of the
needles dissolve under the skin,
releasing the vaccine.
The “ink” that the
researchers use to print the
vaccine-containing
microneedles includes RNA
vaccine molecules that are
encapsulated
in
lipid
nanoparticles, which help them
to remain stable for long periods of time.
Inside the printer, a robotic arm injects ink into microneedle molds, and a vacuum
chamber below the mold sucks the ink down to the bottom, making sure that ink reaches all
the way to the tips of the needles. Once the molds are filled, they take a day or two to dry.
The current prototype can produce 100 patches in 48 hours, but the researchers anticipate that
future versions could be designed to have higher capacity.
Image credit and source:
https://news.mit.edu/2023/vaccine-printer-could-help-vaccines-
/target025.png)
Technology Roundup
24
FORTHCOMING TECH EVENTS
PAKISTAN
➢
1
st
National Symposium on Quantum Information Science And Technology
May 3
rd
, 2023, National Institute of Lasers and Optronics (NILOP), Islamabad
http://www.pieas.edu.pk/proclaim-detail.cshtml?ProclaimId=142
➢
1
st
International Multidisciplinary Conference on Emerging Trends in Engineering Technology
May 9 – 11, 2023, Benazir Bhutto Shaheed University of Technology & Skill Development,
Khairpur Mirs, Khairpur
➢
1
st
International Conference on Modern Technologies in Mechanical & Material Engineering
May 6
th
, 2023, GIK Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, Topi, Swabi
➢
International Conference on Computing Technologies, Tools and Applications (ICTAPP-23)
May 9 – 11, 2023, The University of Agriculture, Peshawar
➢
3
rd
National Conference on Engineering and Computing Technologies (NCECT)
May 9
th
, 2023, National University of Modern Languages, Islamabad
https://www.numl.edu.pk/event/476
➢
3
rd
International Conference on Pakistan in 21
st
Century: Challenges, Responses and
Opportunities
May 10 – 12, 2023, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi
➢
International Building Energy Efficiency Symposium
May 12 – 13, 2023, NED University of Engineering & Technology, Karachi
➢
2
nd
International Conference on Trends and Research in Chemistry (TRIC-2023)- Hybrid
May 16 – 18, 2023, University of Education, Lahore
➢
International Brain and Biomedicines Conference-2023 (IBBC-2023)
May 18 – 19, 2023, Government College University, Faisalabad
https://www.tpspak.org/ibbc-2023
➢
RCCI 3
rd
Build Expo 2023
May 19 – 21, 2023, Ayub Park, Rawalpindi
➢
International Workshop on Nanomaterials And Catalysis (IWNMC-23)
July 4
th
, 2023, PIEAS, Islamabad
http://www.pieas.edu.pk/proclaim-detail.cshtml?ProclaimId=143
➢
13
th
National Media Workshop (13
th
NMW)
July 10 – 15, 2023, National Defense University, Islamabad
https://www.ndu.edu.pk/temp/issra/NMW/NMW-13.jpg
INTERNATIONAL
➢
Space Tech Expo USA Conference
May 2 – 4, 2023, Long Beach, California, USA
/target026.png)
Technology Roundup
25
➢
World Hydrogen 2023 Summit & Exhibition
May 9 – 11, 2023, Rotterdam Ahoy, Netherlands
➢
https://www.world-hydrogen-summit.com/
➢
23
rd
International Conference on Web Engineering in the Age of Artificial Intelligence
June 06 – 09, 2023, Alicante, Spain
https://icwe2023.webengineering.org/
➢
18
th
International Conference on Chemistry and the Environment
June 11 – 15, 2023, Venice, Italy
➢
11
th
International Conference on Recent Challenges In Engineering And Technology
June 16 – 17, 2023, Jakarta, Indonesia
➢
Science And Technology Conference 2023 (Snt2023)
June 19 – 23, 2023, Vienna, Austria
https://www.ctbto.org/news-and-events/events/snt2023
➢
International Conference on Symmetry (Symmetry 2023)
June 21 – 23, 2023, Barcelona, Spain
https://www.mdpi.com/journal/biology/events/15139
➢
International Conference on Advances in Computer Science and Engineering Technology
(ACSE2023)
June 24 – 25, 2023, Guangzhou, China
➢
Charting Pathways for a Sustainable Asia
June 26 – 28, 2023, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
https://www.officialenergyasia.com/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=sem&utm_camp
aign
➢
12
th
Annual Energy Science & Technology Conference 2023
July 05 – 09, 2023, Spokane, Washington
https://energyscienceconference.com/
➢
16
th
International Conference on Computer Science and Information Technology
July 6 – 8, 2023, Paris, France
➢
45
th
Annual International Conference of the IEEE Engineering in Medicine and Biology
Society
July 24 – 27, 2023, Sydney, Australia
https://embc.embs.org/2023/program/
➢
38
th
International Conference on Solution Chemistry
July 9 – 14, 2023, Belgrade, Serbia
https://iupac.org/event/38icsc/
➢
2
nd
International Conference on Physics and its Applications
July 17 – 19, 2023, Los Angeles, CA
https://physics.unitedscientificgroup.org/
➢
9
th
Annual International Conference on Biology
July 17 – 20, 2023, Athens, Greece
➢
24
th
International Conference on Engineering Design
July 24 – 28, 2023, Bordeaux, France
https://iced.designsociety.org/
➢
26
th
International Conference on Chemical Thermodynamics (ICCT-2023)
July 30
th
– August 4
th
/target027.png)
Technology Roundup
26
TECH AND TRADE OFFERS
NEXOS Pvt. Ltd.
About NEXOS
Nexos private limited is a Pakistan
based company that manufactures and
assembles the best fast charging USB
cables.
In Pakistan, Nexos is recognized
because of our premium quality products.
Our company never compromises on
quality and all the products are produced
with state-of-the-art machinery.
Along with its manufacturing line,
Nexos also invests a lot of capital and toil
in its research and development centre as
well. We are committed to establish Nexos
as a leader in manufacturing and research
hub in Pakistan. All the USB cables are
built with supreme quality and the
finishing of each product speaks for itself.
Our Products
• USB C to Lightning Cable
• USB A to Lightning Cable
• USB C to USB C
• USB A to USB C
• USB A to Micro Cable
• HDMI Cables
Contact us
Office: Aoun Muhammad Road, Khawaja
Chowk, Langra Phatak, Near Kahna Fly
Over, Lahore
Email:
Cell: +92326664555
https://nexos-technologies.com/
/target028.png)
Technology Roundup
27
TAIBA CREATIONS
About TAIBA CREATIONS
TAIBA Creations is one of the
largest Website Design and Mobile App
Development Firms in Pakistan, providing
global companies with website strategy,
design, programming, e-commerce and
mobile development.
We work closely with CEOs,
marketing managers and advertising
agencies to achieve marketing and brand
goals.
Our Services
• Website Design
• WordPress Development
• eCommerce Development
• Mobile App Development
• SEO Marketing
• Digital Marketing
• PPC Marketing
Contact us:
Address: New Shah Shams Colony Main
Blvd, New Shah Shams Colony, Multan,
Pakistan.
Phone: +92 334 1100088
Email:
Web:
Please give us your feedback and address
queries to
PASTIC serves as a gateway for
Scientific & Technological
Information for R&D by catering
to the information needs of
researchers, entrepreneurs,
industrialists, educationists, policy
makers and planners through
anticipatory and responsive
information services.
Technology Information Section
works exclusively for support and
promotion of technological
information on trade and industry
in the country.
“Technology Roundup” is a news
bulletin that provides latest and
innovative technology news, and
forthcoming events. It also
promotes products, technologies
and services globally in sectors
such as Agro Industry, Bio-
Technology, Building Material,
Business, Chemicals, Electronics,
Energy, Fisheries, Food
Processing, Machinery,
Packaging, Mining,
Pharmaceuticals and Textiles.
About PASTIC