Novel Battery Technology Emerges from Bengaluru
Indian scientists have made a significant stride in energy storage with the development of a novel battery technology that could offer a viable alternative to conventional lithium-ion batteries. Researchers from the Centre for Nano and Soft Matter Sciences (CeNS), in collaboration with IISc's Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) in Bengaluru, have created a battery utilizing aluminum and a water-based solution. According to the Department of Science and Technology, this new design promises enhanced safety, reduced cost, and greater environmental friendliness. The innovation aims to mitigate risks such as battery explosions and environmental hazards, while also potentially lowering the power requirements of devices. Advanced microscopic tools were employed to ensure optimal performance, and rigorous testing confirmed its efficiency, durability, and flexibility. This breakthrough holds promising implications for future applications, including flexible smartphones, safer electric vehicles, and integrated wearable devices.
AI Revolutionizes Weather Prediction for Indian Farmers
Artificial intelligence is transforming agricultural practices in India through advanced weather prediction. An AI-based weather model, co-developed by UC Berkeley's William Boos and India's Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer Welfare, provided up to four weeks' advance notice of the 2025 summer monsoon season's onset to approximately 38 million farmers across northeastern India. This unprecedented lead time allowed farmers to better plan their planting schedules, with many adjusting their crop choices based on the forecasts. A notable success was the model's accurate prediction of a 20-day stall in the monsoon over southern India, a phenomenon not foreseen by other available forecasts. This project, the largest targeted dissemination of AI weather forecasts to date, involved a collaborative effort between atmospheric scientists, AI experts, and government bodies, demonstrating the practical utility of long lead-time precipitation forecasts in tropical regions.
India Inaugurates First Quantum Research Center in Chennai
In a major boost to advanced research and higher education, the Rajalakshmi Institute of Technology (RIT) in Chennai inaugurated one of India's first Quantum Research Centers. This milestone event, part of the Initiation Day 2025, underscores India's growing commitment to cutting-edge scientific exploration. Dr. Venkata Subramaniam, Quantum India Lead at IBM, highlighted quantum computing as being at a similar transformative juncture as personal computers and the internet once were. He commended RIT for establishing a dedicated Quantum Research Center, a rarity even among premier global institutions, and emphasized India's leadership in producing AI and quantum engineers. The center is expected to provide significant opportunities for students to engage with and advance quantum technology.
APACMed MedTech Forum Positions India as Global Innovation Hub
New Delhi hosted the 11th APACMed MedTech Forum (MTF), Asia's most influential gathering of MedTech leaders, from September 16 to 17, 2025. The forum's primary objective was to advance India's role as a global hub for MedTech innovation, manufacturing, and regulatory excellence. With the theme "Swastha Bharat ā A Healthier India, Together," the event aligned with India's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and Healthcare Vision 2030, attracting over 500 participants including senior government officials, global CEOs, and regulators. Discussions at the forum emphasized how regulatory agility can drive innovation in emerging technologies such as AI, digital health, and personalized medicine, highlighting MedTech's potential to make healthcare more accessible, efficient, and affordable for all citizens.