On 29 July 2019, the students of science stream from classes 11 and 12 visited the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore.

Upon arrival, we were shown presentations on the contribution of JNCASR scientists to the field of science and technology. We visited the CNR Archives, where a collection of Prof. CNR Rao's accolades and the books he authored are exhibited. We were in awe at his contribution to the scientific community and the role being duly acknowledged by various universities, governments in India and abroad..

A beautiful campus with plethora of fields of studies! Nanotechnology is the latest addition to the world of science. In the biology labs we witnessed dissection of rat, HIV/ AIDS virus in a medium and extraction of protein from DNA..

The scientists are working on alternatives to silicon solar cells where research in organic photovoltaic cells is going on in full swing. They are flexible, cost-effective and environment friendly when compared to silicon solar cells.

The scientists are working to extract energies from “non-useful” processes such as the friction produced by working machines. As the heart pumps blood, the movement of the heart generates electricity that would be supplied to the pacemaker in the valves of the heart. This pacemaker is piezoelectric, biocompatible, and self-sufficient.

A misconception that was debunked is that, the glow- in- the- dark- stickers is not made of radium, but phosphorescent and fluorescent materials like phosphors. These materials absorb light energy and then emit them after some time.

We had the opportunity to witness molecular beam epitaxy where the size of the chips matter. The process involves growing a thin film on the substrate to arrange the atoms in an orderly fashion, layer by layer on the substrate.

In conclusion, all of us found the sessions motivating and enriching and JNCASR is definitely a 'Haven of Science'.

This trip will be one where we had immense learning and we thank our Principal, Ms. Shubha Achaiah for this wonderful opportunity, and the teachers who accompanied us and organized this educational trip.