New technique enables nano self-assembly

Researchers with the U.S. Department of Energy's Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) have found a simple and yet powerfully robust way to induce nanoparticles to assemble themselves into complex arrays.

Small as they are, nanoparticles are essentially all surface; so any process that modifies the surface of a nanoparticle can profoundly change the properties of that particle.

Precisely arranging these nanoparticles is critical to tailoring the macroscopic properties during nanoparticle assembly.

Although DNA has been used to induce self-assembly of nanoparticles with a high degree of precision, this approach only works well for organized arrays that are limited in size; it is impractical for large-scale fabrication.

Ting Xu, a polymer scientist who led this project, believes that a better approach is to use block copolymers - long sequences or "blocks" of one type of monomer molecule bound to blocks of another type of monomer molecule.

"Block copolymers readily self-assemble into well-defined arrays of nanostructures over macroscopic distances," she said.

"They would be an ideal platform for directing the assembly of nanoparticles except that block copolymers and nanoparticles are not particularly compatible with one another from a chemistry standpoint. A mediator is required to bring them together," she added.

Xu and her group found such a "mediator" in the form of small molecules that will join with nanoparticles and then able attach themselves and their nanoparticle partners to the surface of a block copolymer.

For this study, Xu and her group used two different types of small molecules, surfactants (wetting agents) dubbed "PDP" and "OPAP."

These small molecules can be stimulated by light (PDP) or heat (OPAP) to sever their connection to the surface of a block copolymer and be repositioned to another location along the polymeric chain.

In this manner, the spatial distribution of the small molecule mediators and their nanoparticle partners can be precisely directed with no need to modify either the nanoparticles or the polymers.

"We've demonstrated a simple yet versatile approach to precisely controlling the spatial distribution of readily available nanoparticles over multiple length scales, ranging from the nano to the macro," said Ting Xu, a polymer scientist who led this project.

"Our technique can be used on a wide variety of nanoparticles and should open new routes to the fabrication of nanoparticle-based devices including highly efficient systems for the generation and storage of solar energy," he added. (ANI)

Kashmir's budding chefs learning to cook 'Hyderabadi Biryani'

A batch of Kashmiri hotel management students is mastering the techniques of cooking the famous 'Hyderabadi Biryani.'

Bram Lal Sharma, a master chef in Hyderabadi delicacies, is training nearly 30 students of Institute of Hotel Management in preparing the cuisine.

Kashmir is famous for 'wazwan' (a multi course meal).

Sharma expressed his happiness in helping Kashmiri students, who cook perfect 'wazwan (a multi course meal),' learn cooking the South Indian delicacy.

"People have a different eating habit here. They are good with their traditional preparation of 'wazwan'. But they were not well informed about 'Hyderabadi Biryani'. I am happy that the students are learning and enjoying the process. They are learning about different delicacies," he said.

Students said they want to want to cater to the changing eating pattern of Kashmir, as cuisine from all over the country is popularising in the region.

"Our purpose is to introduce a cuisine that people of Kashmir accept. We want that students of tourism should learn cooking 'Hyderabadi Biryani' and this dish should reach to all kitchens in Kashmir," said Imran Wani, a student of the institute of hotel management. (ANI)

Maoists gun down two rival activists in Jharkhand

Suspected Maoists abducted and killed two former activists of a rival outfit at Chando village in Palamau District of Jharkhand on Saturday.

This is the first incident of violence by Naxals after the announcement of polls to the state assembly.

According to police, about 20 red ultras abducted Pappu Singh and M Ansari from their houses late on Friday night and shot them on the outskirts of the village.

Their bodies were recovered on Saturday morning, police said,

The Naxals left behind a note accusing the duo of being police informers.

Police said Singh and Ansari were earlier members of the Tritiya Prastuti Committee (TPC) another naxal outfit.

The CPI (Maoist) is engaged in a turf war with the TPC in parts of Jharkhand. (ANI)

Walkathon in Coimbatore to fight obesity

Hundreds of enthusiasts participated in a walkathon in Coimbatore in a bid to increase the awareness level about obesity and its ill effects.

Wearing white t-shirts and orange caps, men and women walked through the busy streets of the city to urge people to fight obesity and lead a healthy life.

"Today, India is on of the ten countries, which have highest number of obese people. But in future it is going to be worse. That's why this walkathon is going to make a good impact on the common public," said Dr. Palanivelu, a medical practitioner and organiser of the Obesity Awareness Walk.

Cases of obesity are on rise in India, especially in the metro cities.

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), 300 million people are facing obesity across the world.

According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), the proportion of obesity is increasing at 33-51 percent in Indian cities.

Around 27 percent of urban population is overweight in comparison to 11 percent people in the rural areas.

More women than men are overweight. According to NFHS, 24 percent of women are overweight. (ANI)

Bhupinder Hooda takes oath as Haryana Chief Minister for second time

Bhupinder Singh Hooda was sworn in as Haryana's Chief Minister for a second consecutive term on Sunday.

Governor Jagannath Pahadia administered the oath of office and secrecy to Hooda in a ceremony held at the Haryana Raj Bhavan.

All the newly elected members of the assembly were also present during the oath-taking ceremony.

Earlier in the day, Hooda's name was decided by the Congress High Command in New Delhi, as Sonia Gandhi was authorized to decide the Haryana leadership issue.

Along with Hooda, names of Union Tourism Minister Kumari Selja and Congress MP from Ambala were also reportedly discussed by party's high command.

Previously, Hooda has been the Lok Sabha member for four terms in 1991, 1996, 1998, 2004 and the leader of opposition in Haryana's Legislative Assembly from 2001 to 2004.

He also served as the President of Haryana Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) from 1996 to 2001.

In March 2005, Hooda replaced Om Prakash Chautala as the Chief Minister of the State. (ANI)

Ex-servicemen return medals over pension equality

Protesting against the inequality in new and old pensions, hundreds of ex-servicemen on Sunday returned their medals to the government here.

These retired personnel from the three wings of defence forces - Army, Navy and Air Force, also staged a sit-in protest against the non-implementation of equality in pension, popularly known as 'One Rank-One Pension'.

"We are demanding just equality between the old and the new pension. If two pensioners are put in the same number of years of service, have undergone the same hardships, same risks, dangers, same separation, their services to the country have been same, then their pension also must be same," said Lieutenant General (retired) Raj Kadyan, Chairman of Indian Ex Servicemen Movement (IESM).

The 'One Rank-One Pension' was introduced in 2009-2010.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, in his speech at the Independence Day, had also stated that pensions of some ranked officers have been improved.

However, according to the ex-servicemen, the government hasn't issued the orders as yet.

The IESM has been protesting for the last one and half year against the injustice to the pensioners of defence forces.

"We tried our best initially to make representation to the Government, to meet the leaders and talk to them but nothing happened. Depositing of medal is the biggest hurt that a soldier can express to the government," Lt. Gen (retired) Kadyan said.

The ex-servicemen have already deposited 20000 medals with the President. (ANI)

India-China border dispute cannot be wished away: Manmohan Singh

Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Sunday said the border dispute between India and China is a complex and time consuming issue, which will be discussed by Foreign Ministers of both the countries in Bangalore from 27th October.

"Boundary problem is a complex issue and cannot be wished away...pending solution of the boundary question, both countries have an obligation to maintain peace and tranquillity along the borders," Dr. Singh said, addressing a press conference after attending the ASEAN Summit here.

The dispute should not have its reflection on bilateral trade between India and China, Dr. Singh added.

The prime minister said the 15th ASEAN summit has been landmark for India, as it has signed the trade in goods agreement.

The conclusion of the India -ASEAN trade in Goods Agreement is a concrete step, he added.

Singh expressed "deep satisfaction" over East Asian countries endorsing his Nalanda University project to make it a global institution of "excellence in education."

"The EAS leaders' endorsement of the Nalanda University project, which is to be located in Bihar is a matter of deep satisfaction. We intend to move forward with the next steps to establish the Nalanda University as a centre of excellence in education and international understanding," the prime minister said.

Dr. Singh also raised the issue of terrorism in India as well eastern countries in the ASEAN Summit.

He urged eastern countries to have common intelligence system so that terrorism activities could be curbed. (ANI)