The laser imaging system developed by Dr Yogeshwar Nath Mishra and his colleagues is 1000 times faster than existing imaging technology for combustion. Young scientist Yogeshwar Nath Mishra, the journey from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh to California was not easy one.
His father, a farmer, made a lot of sacrifices to let him achieve his dreams.
The struggle bore fruit as Dr Yogeshwar Nath Mishra is now part of a team at NASA, Caltech that has invent the world’s fastest laser sheet imaging technology that can help in the study of nanoparticles in flames.
Dr Yogeshwar Nath Mishra, a scientist at NASA-Jet Propulsion Laboratory at Caltech Said :
“Right from a young age, I was fascinated by the world of science. The late aerospace scientist and former Indian President APJ Abdul Kalam deeply inspired me,”.
Scientific innovations over the years have help in addressing critical issues that have impacting humanity and the planet.
Dr. Yogeshwar Nath Mishra has achieve something that can make a significant change in the understanding of combustion.
Dr. Yogeshwar Nath Mishra, in journal Nature Light Science & Application Said :
“Regular cameras have 30 frames per second when it comes to capturing images. We have achieved 12.5 billion frames per second. Unlike existing systems that only throw images that come in the line of sight via a laser beam limiting the area, we work on laser sheet imaging. It essentially gives two-dimensional information of a plane,”
The team use a light sheet to cut through a three-dimensional object, to give information about a specific segment of the object.
The invention, as per Dr. Yogeshwar Nath Mishra, is the fastest camera for planar imaging.
The modern ultra-fast cameras that are use for similar imaging are limit to million frames per second.
In the latest innovation, the team has combine compress sensing with streak camera technology.
Dr. Yogeshwar Nath Mishra Said :
“One can only see the light’s origin and where it goes, however, its movement in real-time is impossible to trace. But this camera lets you see light in action. Essentially how light travels in a material or a medium. And all this is possible, because of the 12.5 billion frames per second capability,”
Yogeshwar Nath Mishra adding that they combine compress sensing algorithm and streak technology to make this camera single-shot and two-dimensional.
Dr. Yogeshwar Nath Mishra, whose research interests include laser spectroscopy, light-matter interaction, and sustainable technologies, believes that the new imaging system can give significant leverage to studies on combustion.
As per Dr. Yogeshwar Nath Mishra, combustion leads to the formation of many chemical species from hydrocarbons.
Same, flying an aeroplane or launching a rocket leads to the burning of hydrocarbons, making it imperative to understand the phenomenon.
The team use a light sheet to cut through a three dimensional object, to give information about a specific segment of the object.
Dr. Yogeshwar Nath Mishra Said :
“It is a very complex process with a lot of fluid mechanics, chemistry and physics involved. So it is important to understand it better as it may help us in improving engine performance,”.
He also said that the burning of fuel leads to soot formation.
Soot form in nanoparticles can contribute to numerous health hazards after they get into the bloodstream.
It is also a catalyst to global warming.
This soot, as per Dr. Yogeshwar Nath Mishra, gets transport to glaciers and other surfaces with ice forming a layer on them.
Since they trap sunlight, soot increases the temperature resulting in the melting of glaciers.
Dr. Yogeshwar Nath Mishra Said :
“The soot formation process starts from the Poly Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) which are nano-sized particles that are formed just before soot. So this new technology with its ultra-fast imaging will let us track how PAH is responsible for the formation of soot particles. Ultra-fast imaging is needed as the formation lasts within nanoseconds and sub-nanoseconds,”
Dr. Yogeshwar Nath Mishra adds that the ultra-fast imaging could prove to be a boon to other areas such as biomedical imaging, or tracking any process which is induced by light.
Speaking about the cost of technology, Dr. Yogeshwar Nath Mishra said that the latest system came at a considerably lower cost than existing imaging systems enabling effortless adoption across labs and research facilities.
Although beaming with pride over his achievements, Dr. Yogeshwar Nath Mishra think about the dearth of acknowledgement back in India.
While India has produce some of the brightest scientists, as of today, science as a career seems to be fast losing a foothold among youths.
During his stint at Lund University in Sweden, Dr. Yogeshwar Nath Mishra said that there were 10 research fellows from China, while he was the only Indian scientist.
Dr. Yogeshwar Nath Mishra Said :
“When it comes to fostering scientists, in India the biggest thing that we lack today is adequate funding.”
When ask what is stopping Indian youth from pursuing science, Dr. Yogeshwar Nath Mishra believes that it has more to do with the mindset.
There are brilliant students who ace in math and physics, but at the end of the day, they will be persuaded by their parents to settle for high-paying IT jobs.
In science, from masters to PhD, it is a long-winding route and there are no shortcuts.
Most parents in India bear heavy education costs, hence it is only plausible for youths to gravitate towards high-paying jobs.
Dr. Yogeshwar Nath Mishra Said :
“My father is a farmer and he managed to give me a good education for which I am truly grateful. From selling lands to many other sacrifices, my family supported my vision and ensured that my academic pursuits were smooth,”.
As Dr. Yogeshwar Nath Mishra is greatly inspire by APJ Abdul Kalam, Kalpana Chawla, and CV Raman.
Dr. Yogeshwar Nath Mishra Said :
“Walking into the Kalpana Chawla Hall at the University of Texas was an emotional moment for me.”
For him, getting to study at the University of Texas Arlington, where late astronaut Kalpana Chawla also studied, was a moment of pride.
