Discuss the applications of quantum dots for the discovery of synthesis of quantum dots.

Quantum dots are zero-dimensional systems that exist at quantum scale and exhibit immense beautiful effects. Quantum dots: (1) Size less than nanometer scale by size of electrons & other elementary particles (2) Properties at quantum scale are different @ quantum superposition, entanglement etc. (3) Exploit dual nature of matter - particle nature & wave nature (e.g electron at quantum scale is both particle as well as wave [De Broglie hypothesis])

Applications of quantum dots: (1) Efficiency enhancement - Use of quantum dots to enhance solar cell efficiency [can enhance by 73%] (2) Efficient drug delivery and medical applications (3) Quantum Communications & quantum computer - Superposition principle and qubits (4) Encryption and secured communication (5) Semiconductor technology - Vacuum displays, organic LEDs, mobiles, 3D printing etc (6) Space exploration - efficient launch vehicles & satellite modules.

Energy security and food security: (1) Energy storage and batteries (2) Water transportation - enhancing efficiency of engines (3) Advanced & cutting edge technologies. Challenges: (1) Very small scale (2) Quantum decoherence & difficulty in measurement (3) Heisenberg uncertainty principle imposed restriction on measurement scale. Way forward: (1) R&D in quantum dots (2) Adoption of technology at faster pace. India can leverage this technology to cure semiconductor race and secure its digital sovereignty.

Protected areas refer to biodiversity conservation areas which are protected by legislations like Paskal Conservation Act 1980. Role of protected areas in biodiversity conservation: (1) Species conservation and protection @ Wildlife sanctuaries like Blackbuck sanctuary Gujrat (2) Conservation of forest and restriction on forest land diversion @ g. N. Godavaram case (Supreme Court) (3) Prohibition of human activities like killing, hunting, etc. (4) On-situ biodiversity conservation (5) Preventing species extinction @ extra protection to scheduled species of Wildlife Protection Act.

Effectiveness of: (1) National parks - Protected areas under Wildlife Protection Act. Habitat to wild animals eg Raji National Park (2) Biosphere reserves - Protected areas under Biodiversity Act 2002. Fulfills UNESCO Man & Biosphere Programme (3) Sustainable living and conservation simultaneously @ Rajasthan Biosphere Reserve, Nilgiri Biosphere reserve. (4) Wildlife sanctuaries - more freedom to human activities. Species specific conservation programmes @ secret Sugars WLS to protect Sugars. Challenges of protected areas: (1) Wildlife & human conflict in nearby areas (2) Insufficient effort - species status commonly degrading in Red data Red books (3) Lack of conservation @ few Tiger reserves don't have a single tiger (Tiger census) (4) Efforts in silos - need to recognize linkage of biodiversity.

Way forward: (1) Community involvement @ Bishnoi Community (2) Indigenous measures @ sacred grove protection (3) Adopt best practices. Biodiversity conservation is intricately linked with human survival. Hence sustained efforts to achieve SDG(14) - life below water & SDG-15 (life above land) shall be taken.

High PM concentration and ozone pollution is contaminating atmosphere and degrading air quality in many parts of world. Cause of high level of PM 2.5 and PM10 & ozone: (1) Anthropogenic causes - Vehicular emissions - NO2, CO2 emitted react with sunlight to produce ozone photochemical (2) Industrial smote and effluents in environment - polluting industries like leather, rubber etc contributes most (3) Fossil fuel use - coal [45-55%] combustion needs.

— Komal Punia