Topic-1: DRDO Develops Indigenous Polymeric Membrane for Sea Water Desalination
GS-3: Science & Technology
The context: On 15th May 2025, DRDO announced the successful development of an indigenous high-pressure nanoporous polymeric membrane for seawater desalination, tailored for Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships.
Key Highlights:
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- The Defence Materials Stores and Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE), the Kanpur-based laboratory of DRDO, has developed the technology for desalination plant in Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships, based on their operational requirement to address the serious challenge of stability when exposed to chloride ions in saline water.
Features of the Polymeric Membrane:
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- Nanoporous multilayered design
- Designed for high-pressure desalination systems
- Resistant to chloride ions, ensuring stability in saline environments
Field Testing & Operational Trials:
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- Initial trials conducted on the Offshore Patrolling Vessel (OPV) of ICG
- Safety and performance trials were successful
- Undergoing 500-hour operational testing before final clearance
Significance:
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- Enhances self-reliance in critical water purification tech – aligned with Aatmanirbhar Bharat
- Can be adapted for coastal area desalination beyond defence use
- Reduces dependence on imported membranes
Source: PIB
Topic-2: India’s Space Biology Push under BioE3 Policy: first Sustainability of Human Life in Space
GS- 3: International Relations & Science Technology
The context: On 15th May 2025, the Union Minister announced that India will conduct its first-ever biological experiments in the International Space Station (ISS) as part of the AXIOM-4 mission, marking a significant milestone in India’s space and biotechnology collaboration.
Key Highlights of the study
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- It is the first experiment at the International Space Station will examine the impact of microgravity and space radiation on the growth of edible microalgae, a nutrient-rich potential food source for long-duration space missions.
- It aims to recycle carbon and nitrogen from human waste during prolonged space travel to achieve self-sustainability in spacecraft and future extraterrestrial colonies. Cyanobacteria, due to their fast growth and efficient photosynthesis, are ideal agents for such recycling systems.
- The experiment aims to explore Spirulina as a “superfood” due to its high protein and vitamin content, compare growth of cyanobacterial cells in urea versus nitrate environments, and study the effect of space conditions on their metabolic profiles.
- The experiments have been developed in association with scientists from the International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB), New Delhi, under the broader ISRO-DBT research collaboration.
- These developments newly inaugurated DBT-ICGEB Biofoundry, a state-of-the-art facility funded by the Department of Biotechnology and hosted at ICGEB, New Delhi.
- The Biofoundry supports microbial platforms such as bacteria and yeast and aims to develop biotech products for food, agriculture, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and energy sectors. With an in-house production capacity of up to 20 liters, the facility is equipped to scale innovations to industrial levels and enable technology transfer to startups and manufacturers.
- The significance of the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment & Employment) Policy, approved by the Union Cabinet in 2024, which aims to accelerate high-performance biomanufacturing.
- This national framework supports innovation and scale-up across six priority sectors, such as bio-based chemicals and enzymes, smart proteins and functional foods, precision therapeutics, climate-resilient agriculture, carbon capture and utilization, and marine and space research.
Source: PIB
Topic-3: India-EU Launch Joint Research Initiatives on Marine Plastic Litter & Waste-to-Hydrogen
GS- 3: Environment & Science & Technology and International Relations
The context: On 15th May 2025, India and the European Union (EU) jointly launched two major research initiatives under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) to address global environmental challenges through collaborative innovation.
Background:
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- India and the European Union (EU) have launched two primary research and innovation initiatives under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC).
- The Trade and Technology Council (TTC) was established in 2022 by the Prime Minister of India and the President of the EU. The India-EU TTC aims to deepen bilateral cooperation in trade and technology. With a joint investment of ₹391 crore (~ €41 million), the initiatives focus on two coordinated calls in the areas of Marine Plastic Litter (MPL) and Waste to Green Hydrogen (W2GH), co-funded by Horizon Europe—the EU’s research and innovation framework programme—and the Government of India.
Two Major Coordinated Research Calls:
1. Marine Plastic Litter (MPL) under the India-EU initiative:
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- It was launched on 6th May 2025, the initiative aims to produce new analytical technologies and policy insights, fostering strengthened India-EU cooperation for sustainable marine ecosystem protection.
- The MPL call, which focuses on tackling marine plastic pollution, has a total budget of ₹90 crore (~€9.3 million) from India’s Ministry of Earth Sciences and €12 million (~₹115 crore) from the European Union.
- The initiative targets the detection and assessment of pollutants such as micro/nano plastics, heavy metals, and persistent organic pollutants, which threaten global marine biodiversity and human health.
- It seeks to develop innovative tools to evaluate the bioaccumulation of plastics and toxins in the marine food chain, addressing risks to ecosystems and human consumers.
- The research supports international frameworks, including the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development and aligns with the EU’s Zero Pollution Action Plan and India’s National Marine Litter Policy.
2. Waste to Green Hydrogen (W2GH) under the India-EU initiative:
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- It was launched on 15th May 2025, and the research will enhance technology portfolios, promote knowledge sharing, and strengthen India-EU collaboration in advancing clean and affordable hydrogen energy solutions.
- The W2GH call has a total budget of ₹90 crore (~€9.3 million) from India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy and €10 million (~₹96 crore) from the European Union to develop sustainable hydrogen production technologies from biogenic wastes.
- The focus is on converting various biogenic waste streams into green hydrogen, such as agricultural residues, forestry waste, municipal solid waste, sewage sludge, and industrial waste.
- It includes advanced catalysts, process intensification, feedstock pre- and post-treatment, and biological, electrochemical, and catalytic methods to enhance hydrogen yield and reduce emissions.
- The initiative aims for high carbon-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency, significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions, cost reduction, and minimal environmental impact, supporting India’s National Green Hydrogen Mission and the EU’s Hydrogen Strategy.
Source: PIB
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