A study by an Indian woman scientist has found that dust can reduce the effect of nuclear weapons, the Science and Technology Ministry said.
Dr Meera Chadha from Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology, New Delhi, states in her study that the deadly effects of nuclear weapons can be partially mitigated or reduced with the help of dust particles. The study was published in the ‘Proceedings of Royal Society A, London’.
The research work illustrates the reduction in energy released and damage radius from an intense explosion (nuclear explosion in particular) by introduction of dust particles. She has shown how the blast waves from the explosion decayed in the process, the ministry said in a release.
“During my Ph.D., I studied about shock waves and how dust particles contribute in reducing their strength. I came across a book titled 'Science towards Spirituality', in which Former President, Late Dr Abdul Kalam, was asked, ‘Can Science create a Cool Bomb that can defuse or deactivate the deadly atom bomb?’ This got me thinking,” Dr. Chadha said, explaining the trigger behind her research.
Dr Chadha returned to Science after a year break from her career and carried out the study under the Women Scientist Scheme (WOS A) fellowship of the Department of Science & Technology (DST). She utilised her break in career in studying about explosions and the possible effects of dust particles on them. The WOS scheme gave her the flexibility of time and enough resources in terms of equipment and funds to carry out her research and achieve her dream, the release added..
