Known to be a rebel in the field of particle physics and cosmology, Dr. B.G. Sidharth, the director of B.M. Birla Science Centre, has not shied away from contradicting some of the biggest names in modern science. He talks to ROHIT P.S. about the latest developments on Higgs Boson, black holes, the Centre and all things science.
A new study claims Higgs Boson was not found at CERN Large Hadron Collider in 2012. Stephen Hawking has reportedly stated that black holes don’t have event horizons, the black hole’s boundary beyond which even light cannot escape. What is your take?
Higgs Boson is a particle meant to give mass to other particles. Through my research I have always maintained that the Higgs particle is not necessary to explain the mass problem. Regarding black holes, if they exist, they are super massive and exist only at the heart of galaxies. Again, observed phenomenon can be explained alternatively. Given the orthodoxy in science, even venturing out to contradict icons or proposing alternatives is discouraged. So I have become an iconoclast of sorts!
Some of your work on graphene (a pure form of carbon) has been pub-lished internationally. How far along has it come?
I am working on determining whether and how graphene can be used like a wind-tunnel for particle simulations, which today require massive equipment and investment. Following simulations in graphene, the results could be scaled up to real events or other simulations like collisions in colliders.
What is in the offing at the centre in the coming months?
We are contemplating installing digital equipment in the planetarium, which would greatly enhance presentation and add other capabilities. We are waiting to test the equipment. Should we find it satisfactory, it could be installed later next year. We are also going to simulate complex phenomenon like nanotechnology and the physiological functioning of human eye.
Based on your observations, how science-enthusiastic is Hyderabad?
People are interested in science. Not surprisingly, the interest among schoolchildren has increased tremendously in the last few years. However, the interest levels dip drastically as children move beyond school. By the time they are in college or university, interest in pure sciences has declined, as most students opt for applied science studies. Most students only contemplate medicine or engineering after high school. While applied sciences are essential, pure sciences too are important.
A new study claims Higgs Boson was not found at CERN Large Hadron Collider in 2012. Stephen Hawking has reportedly stated that black holes don’t have event horizons, the black hole’s boundary beyond which even light cannot escape. What is your take?
Higgs Boson is a particle meant to give mass to other particles. Through my research I have always maintained that the Higgs particle is not necessary to explain the mass problem. Regarding black holes, if they exist, they are super massive and exist only at the heart of galaxies. Again, observed phenomenon can be explained alternatively. Given the orthodoxy in science, even venturing out to contradict icons or proposing alternatives is discouraged. So I have become an iconoclast of sorts!
Some of your work on graphene (a pure form of carbon) has been pub-lished internationally. How far along has it come?
I am working on determining whether and how graphene can be used like a wind-tunnel for particle simulations, which today require massive equipment and investment. Following simulations in graphene, the results could be scaled up to real events or other simulations like collisions in colliders.
What is in the offing at the centre in the coming months?
We are contemplating installing digital equipment in the planetarium, which would greatly enhance presentation and add other capabilities. We are waiting to test the equipment. Should we find it satisfactory, it could be installed later next year. We are also going to simulate complex phenomenon like nanotechnology and the physiological functioning of human eye.
Based on your observations, how science-enthusiastic is Hyderabad?
People are interested in science. Not surprisingly, the interest among schoolchildren has increased tremendously in the last few years. However, the interest levels dip drastically as children move beyond school. By the time they are in college or university, interest in pure sciences has declined, as most students opt for applied science studies. Most students only contemplate medicine or engineering after high school. While applied sciences are essential, pure sciences too are important.
Interest levels in science dip drastically as children move beyond school. By the time they are in college or university, interest in pure sciences declines, as most students opt for applied science studies
- B.G. Sidharth
Director, B.M. Birla Science Centre
hyderabaddesk@thehindu.co.in
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