Zeroing In

Chemical Sciences is a primeval forest full of the most intriguing phenomena that gets one thinking hard and deep about what they observed. From our kitchen shelves to prodigious laboratories, from our own bodies to the interstellar medium, chemistry takes parts in all frames. (Organic Chemistry helps us resolve Alkynes of problems we have been Diene to figure out.)

There is something unique about chemical sciences that has always puzzled modern society. 2+2 shouldn’t necessarily be a 4 — it can also be an 8 or perhaps a hundred, depending on where and how the twos are summed. Understanding these combinations takes a lot more than what meets the eye — from the tiny bonds to humongous chains, chemistry tackles it all!

Our next guest, Dr. Sreejaleskhmi K.G., currently an associate professor at IIST, discussed with us the research field of combinatorial chemistry and her work on drug discovery, taking us very inspiringly through the complexities of the discipline. She talks about how to deal with the inconsequential hurdles in both, life and in organic chemistry (wait, aren’t they the same?).  

Stay tuned for the full episode coming soon! 

Cover art by Akshita Arora. Background score— ‘Motions’ by Rafael Krux.

Building things from scratch, creating revolutions from ideas, and evolving continually throughout — our guest for this episode, a physicist and currently an associate professor at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, has done it all!

Having lived and outgrown the Moore’s law, Dr. Jinesh K.B. in our conversation with him, elaborated on the evolution of science in the the field of Semiconductor physics,  building devices for space applications, the fundamental idea behind the futuristic Neuromorphic memories, and its revolutionary effect on the current computing system. 

Tag along to trace his journey through the struggles of choosing between passions, to getting two doctorates, and having twelve patents to his credit till date. Listen about his fascinating research works, what it takes to uncover pathbreaking ideas, and his ideologies of understanding science at its core. 

The team of Zeroing In for the season includes — Shreya Mishra, Fenil Shah, Manish Chauhan, Prajwal Patnaik, KVNG Vikram, and Naman Jain. Episode cover art courtesy of Akshita Arora. Zeroing In season’s theme song featured herewith, ‘Longing’, created by Ethan Phangcho.

As we are trying to expand our horizons in science, we are also moving closer and inwards, into the intricate, invisibly tiny details. Leaps in physics have led to marvels in technology. Computers have shifted from humongous rooms on to Petri dishes, and while it may all seem like magic to us, our next guest creates this magic on a daily basis. 

Hear on for the excerpts from our conversation with Dr. Jinesh KB Pillai, currently an associate professor at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology, about his journey into science, establishing new laboratories from scratch, discovering groundbreaking ideas in physics, and his elaborate research exploring the frontiers of semiconductor physics.  

Stay tuned for the full episode coming soon! 

Cover art by Akshita Arora. Background score by Naman Jain.

In the grand — the grandest— scheme of things, expanding our reaches out in space has perhaps been the most astonishing and awe inspiring feat in human history. In conversation with Dr. R. V. Ramanan, an eminent scientist from the Indian Space Research Organisation, who has made pivotal contributions to the Indian Space Program since 1984, most notably, on planning the mission to Mars, and as the Deputy Project Leader of the Moon Impact Probe of Chandrayaan-1, India’s first Moon mission, which led to the paradigm shifting discovery of water on the Moon! 

The crucial brilliance behind the fundamental concept of multi-satellite launch and separation, which also led to ISRO’s world record milestone of launching 104 satellites in a single launch in 2017, Dr. R.V. Ramanan’s striking ingenuity is strongly complement by his warmth and humility. In our conversation with him, he talked about his journey, fascinating anecdotes, and quintessential insights from the exceedingly challenging field of Spaceflight Mechanics and Astrodynamics—  and what it takes to literally shoot for the stars and beyond!

The team for Zeroing In for the episode included Garima Aggarwal, Varshith Reddy, KVNG Vikram, Fenil Shah, Manish Chauhan, Shreya Mishra, Prajwal Patnaik and Naman Jain. Featured artwork for the episode cover courtesy of Akshita Arora. Zeroing In season’s theme song featured herewith, 'Longing', created by Ethan Phangcho.

It's wondrous just imagining about space and the infinite bounds of our existence! Making things worth sending out there designed to explore the unknown, precise every bit in an immeasurable infinity, is a pursuit far from any trivialities. Have you wondered about the questions, ideas and inspiration, it takes to scale a leap up to these marvels in space?

Hear on for the excerpts from the conversation with Dr. R.V. Ramanan, an eminent scientist from the Indian Space Research Organization, wherein he shared his personal journey, understandings of the field, and stories about the challenges faced while accomplishing some of the most impossible-looking space missions!

Stay tuned for the full episode coming soon.

Cover art by Akshita Arora. Background score by Naman Jain.

In an era where computers and networks are inseparable parts of our lives, would you dare to imagine what these ideas might have looked like a few decades ago when they were nothing but idealistic concepts? 

We discussed the realities and challenges of that world further with Prof. B.S. Manoj who experienced this revolution first hand from a scientific perspective, and continues to create and engage deeply with the futuristic ideas at present. From the Internet and wireless networks, through cellular data networks, to the internet of things and even quantum computing — his ideas of research and expertise span vast and wide.

Dive in to hear about his fascinating journey into science and the pioneering research work that he undertakes in the exciting field of networking and communication!

The team for Zeroing In for this episode included Ansuman Palo, Fenil Shah, Shreya Mishra, Manish Chauhan, Prajwal Patnaik, KVNG Vikram and Naman Jain. Featured artwork for the episode cover courtesy of Akshita Arora. Zeroing In season’s theme song featured herewith, 'Longing', created by Ethan Phangcho.

Do you wonder about a world before computers and networks, and what the scientific field of a revolutionary technology looks like during its most humble beginnings?

Hear on for the excerpts from the conversation where Prof. B.S. Manoj shared insightful ideas from his journey and his research addressing the extremely exciting and revolutionary field of networking and communications!

Cover art by Akshita Arora. Background score by Fenil Shah.

The universe is vast and filled with fascinating mysteries through and through. What does it take to work every day on unraveling the puzzles that lie far beyond our reach, and yet within the sight?

We discussed this further with Dr. Anand Narayanan on his journey in astronomy and astrophysics, his ideas, and the research work that keeps him on his toes, looking forward to each day. Delve in to discover more about his insightful take on the subject and more!

The team for Zeroing In for the season includes Shreya Mishra, Fenil Shah, Manish Chauhan, Naman Jain,  Prajwal Patnaik and KVNG Vikram. Featured artwork for the episode cover courtesy of Rashi Jain. Zeroing in season’s theme song featured herewith, 'Longing', created by Ethan Phangcho. Background music credits for 'Postcards' to Scott Holmes from FMA.

Our place in this vast unknown as humans, has long been a source of constant questioning. What does it take to tackle these questions head-on on a daily basis, and what lies at the scientific perspective of it all?

In conversation with Dr. Anand Narayanan, an astrophysicist from Asia's first space institute, the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology. Stay tuned to listen to the whole conversation wherein we explore his ideas, life experiences, and his current research addressing the distribution of Baryonic matter in the intergalactic medium, and beyond.

Cover art courtesy of Rashi Jain. Theme song courtesy of Ethan Phangcho.