IIT Guwahati’s Technology Innovation Hub Hosts Milestone Review Meeting on Underwater Technologies

Guwahati: The Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) at IIT Guwahati recently held a landmark Review Meeting, organized by the Department of Science & Technology (DST), to spotlight advancements in underwater technology. This event underscored TIH’s contributions to India’s marine capabilities, drawing leaders from science, technology, and maritime industries.

The meeting brought together an esteemed panel of experts, including Sanjay Nayak, Co-founder of Tejas Networks; Prof. Pankaj Jalote, Founding Director of IIIT Delhi; Asokendu Samanta, Senior Vice President of the Indian Register of Shipping; Amar Kumar, Scientist B at DST; and Gilbert V. A., Founder of Neel Diving School. Their participation emphasized the importance of TIH’s role in underwater R&D.

                                             Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati, hosting the meeting

Hosting the gathering were Devendra Jalihal, Director of IIT Guwahati; S.K. Dwivedy, Project Director at TIH; Sajan Kapil, Assistant Project Director at TIH; N. N. Dutta, CEO of TIH; and N. R. Mandal, Chair Professor at TIH, who expressed gratitude to attendees for their support in advancing underwater technologies.

A highlight of the event was the certification ceremony for two divers completing TIH’s Underwater Welding Course, a joint initiative with the Indian Register of Shipping and Neel Diving Institute. This program equips divers with essential skills for underwater maintenance, enhancing India's self-sufficiency in marine infrastructure.

TIH’s initiatives in underwater technology research focus on key areas, including:

1. Underwater Repair and Maintenance: Collaborating with industry partners to set standards in underwater welding for robust maritime infrastructure.
2. Remotely Operated Underwater Vehicles (ROVs): Developing ROVs for critical underwater tasks like data collection and environmental monitoring.
3. Underwater Vision for Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUVs): Enhancing AUV capabilities for high-resolution imaging and navigation.
4. Communication, Monitoring, Surveillance, Intelligence, and Tracking (CMSIT): CMSIT solutions contribute to national security with real-time underwater monitoring and communication.

The meeting showcased TIH’s commitment to addressing India’s marine needs, aligning with national goals for coastal protection, marine resource management, and advanced marine research. Guests toured TIH’s laboratories, featuring technologies like biomimetic underwater robots, corrosion-resistant materials, and environmental monitoring systems.

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Discussions with Project Investigators highlighted TIH’s efforts to foster community impact and explore commercial applications. This focus on entrepreneurship aims to drive growth in underwater technology and support India’s blue economy.

The DST Review Meeting reaffirmed TIH’s role in positioning India as a global leader in underwater technology, with ongoing support from DST and industry partners in advancing underwater exploration, environmental sustainability, and coastal security.