Hey There, This is me!
Hi, I'm Balakrishna. I'm a passionate explorer of the world of science and technology. These explorations have led me to tinker with lots of DIY projects and explore physics and computer science, constantly motivating me to learn new things. Currently, I am working as a Research Assistant at the Institute of Bioinformatics and Applied Biotechnology in Bangalore.
Apart from academics, I love coding and exploring new ideas. I enjoy constructive debates and discussions on a wide array of topics. I'm also passionate about teaching and mentoring. I believe that we can improve ourselves and the world by sharing our knowledge. I always strive to inspire people to be passionate and pursue their interests rather than being a part of the rat race.
One of my long-term goals is to build a community of like-minded people where each motivates others to learn and grow together. As humans, we're limited in many abilities, especially the ability to utilize time. There are only 24 hours in a day for any given person, but when people come together, time multiplies, and we can achieve much more than we could alone.
In line with these thoughts, I strongly advocate open-source software and Creative Commons. I believe that knowledge should be freely accessible to everyone, and no one should be denied access to it. I've benefited a lot from the open-source community, and I am a result of the work built upon the foundations laid by many others. And as Newton once said, "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants."
In short, I'm a physics lover, tech enthusiast, lifelong learner, reliable mentor, an advocate of open knowledge, and a believer in collaboration. I look forward to finding and connecting with others who share these beliefs and make the world a better place.
My Research Projects
I have always been fascinated by the remarkable advancements that humans have achieved throughout the ages. These achievements stem from our innate ability to question the unknown and venture boldly into uncharted territories in search of answers. I consider myself an adventurer in this ongoing exploration.
Research holds a special place in my heart, representing a realm where my passion thrives. Through various projects, I've gained profound insights into the intricacies of our world and its workings.
Here, I present a glimpse of some projects that have not only inspired me but have also been instrumental in providing valuable lessons. These are just a few among many, and I invite you to delve deeper if your curiosity is piqued.
LIBS for All
Lasers, a marvel of scientific discovery, have proven invaluable in solving innumerable challenges.
Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS), a branch of laser physics, involves directing laser pulses onto materials, studying the resulting plasma to gain insights into the sample.
Introducing OpenLIBS: an open-source Python package designed for the computational analysis of LIBS spectra. It empowers users to conduct qualitative analysis based on LIBS data.
How Intelligent are Ants?
Ants are simple creatures, and often seem to be stupid when looked at individually.
As a colony though, it's a different story. They have amazing mechanisms through which they collaborate and solve problems to figure out how to survive and forage food.
Understanding Complex Behaviours in Multi-Agent systems using Reinforcement Learning, is a project which aims to gain insights on the emergent phenomena that can be observed in the physical world using Reinforcement Learning and Physics
Deciphering Chaos
The allure of chaos captivates us all, evoking notions of freedom and possibility. Terms like the butterfly effect have become common even for teenagers, yet chaos remains a misunderstood enigma.
Contrary to popular portrayal, delving into chaos theory offers insights that underpin our world.
"Chaos - Interpreting the Physical Pendulum and the Chaotic Ratchet", is a project that aims to explore the field of dynamical systems such and study the counterintuitive workings of the physical pendulum and the Chaotic Ratchet.
Ready to Explore More?
While I've showcased a selection of my favorite projects here, there are much more in my quiver, completed and ongoing.
Step into my world of research—I'd love to share my work and delve deeper into what I've been exploring.
If you're curious, let me take you on this journey.
Click to explore further!
My Hobby Projects
We've all heard the phrase "All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." It's been a sanctuary for me when the stress of research and academics looms large. In these moments, I escape into my own world, tinkering with electronics, building simulations, creating games, and diving into various other pursuits.
Among the many things I enjoy during my downtime, I have a special corner reserved for what I call my hobby projects. These are my time investments, hours poured into learning and experimenting until, finally, that "Eureka!" moment arrives, and I'm bouncing around like a kid on a trampoline.
Here, I present a glimpse of these geeky and nerdy pleasures of mine. While these projects reflect part of my creative journey, there's still an abundance waiting to be uncovered.
Sudoku Solver
Sudoku, for some, is a brain-busting puzzle; for others, it's a relaxing pastime.
When faced with an unsolvable puzzle online, I opted to build my own solver rather than seek an answer elsewhere.
Through this project, I explored perfect sudokus, backtracking, and other intriguing concepts and algorithms.
Now, it's a handy tool that swiftly solves puzzles, but only when we are fed up with solving it ourselves.
Firefly Synchronization
Fireflies are mesmerizing with their bioluminescence, captivating both young and old.
Inspired by their synchronized blinking in nature, I simulated this emergent behavior in a swarm of fireflies.
Exploring the complexities of emergent behavior, I employed mathematical rules to orchestrate synchronization among individual fireflies, observing them eventually blink in unison.
ASCII Art
Have you ever thought about the concept of images being built with tiny building blocks called pixels?
Digital images, when observed closely, are formed by varying pixel intensities. I delved into the realm of digital art, exploring how these pixels don't have to be rigid blocks.
I discovered a unique approach of using keyboard characters in place of pixels. Although this concept isn't entirely novel, my inspiration from various creators led me to create my own spinoff of this work.
Curious for More Fun Projects?
While I've showcased a handful of my favorite projects here, there are more of my creative endeavors behind the doors.
There is nothing more exciting for a hobbyist than sharing their passions and getting others excited about them
If you'd honor me, I'd be thrilled to guide you through my collection of hobby projects.
Click to embark on the journey!
Let's Get Personal
Art and literature grant us liberation from the rigid confines of rules, offering a canvas where we can freely bend, break, and recreate without limitations. Its artistic freedom that lets us redefine grammar, painting palettes, writing conventions, or even the placement of a camera—where every rule is an invitation to break them.
There are moments when experiences or emotions drive me to pen down my thoughts. Sometimes, words fall short in capturing what I feel, leading me to express through photos, videos, or mixing them into a singular creation. I've even on Occasion, let my hand sketch whatever springs to mind, and while I wouldn't call myself an artist in the traditional sense, these ventures open a window into my inner self.
But in any case, perfection has never been the aim, instead, It is the imperfections that render these creations valuable and genuine.
My Poems
Join me in my world that's grey,
where there are no rules or limits.
where what I do, just like clay,
is bend to raise my spirits.
Join me in a world that's mine,
where no one has a say.
to where I go when im not fine,
or when I just want to sway.
My Blogs
Its not always that I venture onto an adventure thinking I want to share that experience with people. Most of my adventures are very private and are kept to myself.
But sometimes, I like to be the host of an adventure, take people along with me on my journey.
If you'd like walk in my shoes on such a journey, Let me guide you through some amazing adventures I've had.
My Articles
Life often offers moments of realization, emerging unexpectedly from what we consider trivial. These random thoughts contribute significantly to our growth and influence how we navigate life's challenges.
One such thought that stuck was that, Learning from the mistake of others is sometimes more important than making those mistakes ourselves to learn from them.
This certainly helps me have an open view and empathise with others, and maybe my mistakes and experiences would help you well.
And hence, I now write whatever comes to my mind to engage with other like-minded individuals.
The Doubt Factory
Questioning things has been a significant part of my life, bringing me immense pleasure and satisfaction. Since childhood, I've been known as the kid who asks the most questions, Despite becoming the subject of jokes and teasing, I could never stop asking doubts. I'm certain I'm not alone in this experience. However, I've noticed many people give up on their curiosity and cease to ask questions. What most fail to see is the sheer joy of questioning, being curious, and ultimately finding the solutions.
The current state of the world often portrays learning as uncool and tedious, but in truth, it's far from it. This misconception stems from years of misrepresentation of science, technology, and various aspects of the world. While I don't imply that the current system is entirely flawed, my own encounters with such issues reveal the extensive room for improvement.
I consider myself part of a privileged group with access to excellent education and unwavering support from my family to nurture curiosity and choose my paths. I acknowledge that not everyone shares the same fortune. I strongly believe that those bestowed with privilege should strive to extend similar benefits to others.
In essence, I aim to provide similar privileges to as many individuals as possible. This is the essence of my concept, The Doubt Factory. To all those inquisitive minds, to the child within everyone who dared to ask 'silly' questions, experiment, try new things, and innocently pestered their parents and others with their curiosity - to you, I'd like to say this:
I know I cannot change the system, at least not right now. So I Embark upon a journey to let you know that you are not alone, that asking questions is not wrong, that the universe is ready with the answers, just waiting for us to ask the right questions.We may have to confront hundreds or even thousands of seemingly trivial and silly questions before we uncover the right problems. Who knows, our doubts might just change the world.
And for that I give you "The Doubt Factory"
Support My Work
My projects are dedicated to open-source ideals, striving to give back to the community. I try to organize workshops, seminars, and other events aimed at empowering communities and providing support to those who might not have the same opportunities as many of us do.
If you believe in the power of open-source, education, and societal progress, your contributions, no matter how big or small, make a significant impact. They help sustain and expand the quality and frequency of these initiatives.
Whether you're interested in contributing or seeking collaboration opportunities, I welcome your involvement. Your support, in any form, is greatly appreciated. Please feel free to reach out to explore how you can be a part of this journey. Thank you sincerely for your consideration.