Current Affairs - Technology

Scientists at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) created a groundbreaking non-invasive, real-time microscope that captures molecular movement at the angstrom scale. This advanced microscope uses ultrafast laser pulses and a digital micromirror device (DMD), enabling it to film at hundreds of billions of frames per second. The innovation allows researchers to observe rapid molecular interactions with unprecedented clarity. While MIT, Stanford, and Harvard are leading research institutions, this specific breakthrough was achieved at Caltech. The development highlights Caltech’s contributions to cutting-edge scientific instrumentation and ultrafast imaging technologies.

Iran successfully launched the Nahid-2 satellite as part of a multi-payload mission aboard a Russian Soyuz rocket. This marks another milestone in Iran’s growing space program, which has previously included launches of other satellites like Khayyam, Pars-1, Kosar, and Hodhod. The collaboration with Russia for launching satellites highlights Iran’s strategy to develop its space technology capabilities despite international limitations. The successful deployment of Nahid-2 showcases Iran’s ongoing efforts to enhance its telecommunications infrastructure and research capabilities through space-based assets.

Latam-GPT is the name of the large language model being developed by 12 Latin American countries as a culturally inclusive, open-source AI initiative. Scheduled for launch in September 2025, it is led by Chile’s National Centre for Artificial Intelligence (CENIA) with contributions from over 30 institutions. Built on Llama 3 technology and trained using regional computing resources and AWS cloud systems, Latam-GPT aims to support regional innovation, preserve Indigenous languages, and provide AI solutions for public services such as education and healthcare. The project addresses key challenges like linguistic diversity and digital inclusion, making it a major regional tech milestone.

3I/ATLAS is the third confirmed interstellar object, following 1I/ʻOumuamua (2017) and 2I/Borisov (2019). Detected by the NASA-funded ATLAS telescope in Chile, it travels on a hyperbolic trajectory at speeds between 57 and 68 km/s, confirming its origin from outside the Solar System. Unlike its predecessors, 3I/ATLAS is likely from the Milky Way’s thick disk, a region populated by ancient stars, suggesting it could be over 7 billion years old—predating the Solar System. With spectral evidence of water ice and complex organics, it offers a unique opportunity to study primordial material, planetary formation processes, and possibly the origins of life.

India’s first hydrogen-powered train coach was successfully tested at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai on July 25, 2025. This pioneering effort is a key milestone in India's transition to green transportation under its “Hydrogen for Heritage” initiative. The hydrogen-powered coach represents a cleaner alternative to diesel engines, producing zero tailpipe emissions and only releasing water vapour. ICF’s role in developing this coach reflects the nation's growing capabilities in clean energy technology and its commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2070. The project aligns with global trends and enhances India’s standing in sustainable rail innovation.