Lithium Ion Cell Technology: ISRO will transfer its own in-house lithium ion cell technology to successful Indian industries and start-ups on non-exclusive basis in automobiles for Rs. 1 crore. It will help in acceleration f electric vehicle industry and reduce dependence of imported lithium ion cell technology. The advantage of lithium ion batteries is that lithium is highly reactive element and a lot of energy can be stored in its atomic bonds. This is a clear advantage over a lead-acid battery or a nickel-metal hydride battery. It does not need prolonged charge when new. Lithium ion cells hold their charge longer than other alternatives. It has a relatively lower self discharge rate, less than half that of nickel based batteries. Lithium ion cells can handle several charge discharge cycles without any hassles. At present most of the Indian demand is met by batteries imported from China, South Korea and Taiwan. The Li ion cell production initiative is part of Central Government’s plan to achieve 100% EVs in the country by 2030.

PARAS (PRL Advance Radia-velocity Abu-sky Search) Spectrograph: PARAS Spectrograph is discovery method of Physical Research Laboratory to measure and confirm the mass of the new planet. PARAS is first of its kind spectrograph in the country which can measure the mass of planet going around star. It is integrated with 1.2-metre telescope located at PRL’s Gurushikhar Observatory in Mount Abu, Rajasthan. Very few such spectrographs exist around the world (mostly in US and in Europe) that can do such precise measurements. Scientists from Physical Research Laboratory (PRL), Ahmedabad have discovered for first time distant planet revolving around Sun-like star. Both the planet and the star have been named EPIC.

Dhanush Artillery Gun: Dhanush is a 155mm x 45mm calibre artillery gun. It has been developed by Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Kolkata based on requirements of Indian Army and manufactured by Jabalpur-based Gun Carriage Factory (GCF). It is upgraded version of Swedish 155-mm Bofors howitzers, which India procured in the mid-1980s, based on its original designs. So, it is also called desi Bofors. It has strike range of 40 kilometres (11 km more than the imported Bofors guns) with accuracy and precision.Its 81% components are indigenously sourced and it will be scaled up to 90% by 2019. India’s first indigenous, long-range artillery gun Dhanush has successfully passed its final test at Pokhran, Rajasthan. This paves its way for induction into Indian Army.