Bliss.

Bliss.

Tuesday, June 19, 2012

Huff. Puff.

I Can Run!

Today

Keerthana spoke in the assembly today. She read the synopsis of her book. And urged us all to pursue writing. When she came forward to speak, I wanted to go jump in a well (yeah, dumb I know), I remembered having a conversation with her months ago. I'd told her I write short stories and I hoped to do something about it in the near future.
And surprisingly, she ended her speech by mentioning this fact (not my name, certainly). 


Its a commendable achievement.


I read the article about Dr.Sarpeshkar in BM. A few days ago, they'd mentioned about the Glucose based cell also. I went around telling everybody about it in college.


I'm not a loner. I'm not a recluse. I am shy though.
It shouldn't matter right? Because every other person at MIT is on the quieter side.


And I nearly died again. Tongue-tied? Aargh.

Bio-energy Cell!

The team of MIT researchers, led by Rahul Sarpeshkar and Jakub Kedzierski, reporteddeveloping a Si-based fuel cell that can break down glucose and harvest its energy. The device operates by collecting the electrons liberated during electrooxidation of glucose at the anode, while the liberated protons travel to the cathode through the solution. The subsequent reduction of protons and electrons, catalyzed at the cathode, restores the net charge neutrality in the solution (or tissue). Since glucose is present in the brain and spinal cord, including the cerebrospinal fluid, the fuel cell can operate autonomously at the implantation site, without the need for supplying the fuel. Moreover, the catalyzing agent for the anodic reaction can be produced by a bacterial biofilm, which has a self-regenerating capability (although this approach might not be suitable for humans due to the biosafety concerns). Researchers calculate that a very small fraction of available glucose will be used, therefore not impacting normal brain consumption of glucose. The prototype device was able to harvest the energy at the power density up to 100 µW/cm2, which is sufficient for operation of the ultra-low-power analog electronics that is also being developed by Dr. Sarpeshkar. Harvesting the biological energy is important for removing the batteries or inductive coils from the implanted neuroprosthetic device, and consequently shrinking its size and reducing the number of feedthoughs and leads from the device. Harvesting the energy of organic compounds, such as glucose, it just one possible method of collecting the energy from biological environment, while other groups are evaluating the absorption of light, heat and mechanical vibration.




(Dr.Sarpeshkar is, incidentally a Bangalorean. There was an article about him in BM. He got IIT rank 7 in'86 :))

Sunday, June 17, 2012

I Miss My Grandpa.

All that he needed was peace and harmony in his twilight years. After years of drudgery and working for his children, all he asked for was beyond material wealth. He desired nothing more than good company, love and affection from his children.


For years, he had worked to bring up his four children. He started as a mere assistant in the bank, but worked his way up the corporate ladder. And he retired as the General Manager in SBM. 


His daily routine was one that would impress any youngster. He rose early and set out on a walk all the way to Vidhan Soudha. It was a pattern that he followed for more than a decade. He met the same people at the same time everyday. He sat at the same bench overlooking the Red-stone library and meditated for exactly fifteen minutes. He jogged a set distance everyday, exercised with vigour and returned home at a slower pace. All this despite age and poor vision that threatened to encumber his zest for life.


With equal exactness and precision he performed the duties in the house. Soon after his bath, the chants of Hindu Prayers would echo across the house while he offered home grown hibiscus flowers to the Lord. After cooking, he sat down for breakfast with the newspaper which he scanned from end to end...


The rest of the day would be spent over bank work, some television, shopping and talking to his daughters. His ambition was to witness the weddings of his granddaughters, to live long and to see his brood happy.


But there came a time, when his own children fought over the money and property he had struggled to earn. A time when he was hounded and harangued by his kith and kin. When the harsh words cut through him, sharper than a knife, more poisonous than venom. When he lost all reasons to live. When the stress manifested itself in the form of health issues. When one day, his weary heart could take it no longer and called it a day.


At last, he was in peace.






(Its true. I cry)

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Its Been A While



Its been really long. Since I used a laptop. Lenovo is not bad, but Acer will always be my fav.
Dear Life,
I know you're unfair. I know its pointless to expect that. But is there really a silver lining?
I'm SUFFERING from writer's block and believe me, it Sucks.


I've been reading up on UniMUNQ (Unicef, MUN and Qatar) and its all So interesting! :)
College is fun these days. Qatar gave more opportunity for some comic relief.
But I've been ill-tempered for the last two days. Its irritating when you know it and yet you're still a grouchy git.


Elite classes going on. Class seemed different for the first few days. Now, we've just gotten used to who we really are.


I'm filled with apprehension, guilt and also sadness.
It's hard to cope.
I wish I could rant.
The thing that haunts my life.
That hasn't skipped a single generation.
Something I want to change.
Something that may take away the most precious things of my life.
The people I love.
That has changed the people I loved into people I don't recognize.
That has irrevocably changed me.
That threatens to loom over the sunny landscape of my life. (it already has.)
That has no permanent solution.
I've just got to live with it?
I can't.
I need to change things.
Can I?
Can I face the consequences?
What's the priority?
Happiness.
Pursuit of Happiness.
Its within myself.
Peace.




You don't need an axe to cut a tree. In one corner of the world, they curse the tree until it withers to its death.
Similarly you don't need to physically kill someone. Sharp words can be slow death. I'm watching one.
Honestly, how long can Any Individual endure? What's left within you then? You've nothing to live for.
I need a miracle.
Or maybe I need to do some Math.

Tuesday, June 5, 2012

Medha's Freaky Guess

No, let's not get into that, but I'll just say that Medha's guessing skills are commendable.
Anyway, it's still the same. But I believe its slightly better. Marginally.
So I heard about the Harvard MUN in Hyderabad and Deeksha College will take part!
I've never been part of a MUN (Because it was never a part of my school CCA and I didnt think we could do it otherwise), so I'm considering this prospect! :) But I need to sort out the realities with Daddy.

That apart, life has been topsy-turvy but I know now that somethings will never be the same again.

Ammensalism
Team A -1
Team B 0

Commensalism
Team A 1
Team B 0

Competition
Team A -1
Team B -1

Mutualism
Team A 1
Team B 1

That's Ecology for you. Lol. No really.
Capacitors +2
Ray Optics +1
Electrostatics 0
Hah.