NLC, B’lore IISc ink deal to create innovation hub

Cuddalore: NLC India Limited (NLCIL) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, signed a memorandum of understanding on Wednesday to set up an innovation and incubation centre at a cost of Rs 3.97 crore to encourage young innovators in developing projects related to the core business interests of NLCIL.
NLCIL’s centre for applied research and development (CARD) chief general manager V Manoharan, IISc registrar V Rajarajan and IISc’s Society for innovation and development (SID) chief executive B Gurumoorthy signed the MoU in the presence of NLCIL chairman and managing director Rakesh Kumar and directors R Vikraman, N N M Rao and Shaji John.
CARD and SID will set up an incubation centre to encourage youngsters to focus on inventing new techniques to convert lignite/coal to clean fuel, reduce the emission of carbon-di-oxide while using fossil fuel to generate electricity, reduce moisture content in lignite/coal, and develop storage batteries and value-added products.
IISc will provide a 2,000sqft space in its campus and guide innovators in their projects for three years. NLCIL will provide a seed fund of Rs 3.97 crore. The centre will invite innovators with proposals to develop concepts and prototypes on the focus areas of NLCIL. Atal Incubation Mission has recognized IISc as one the world-class centres for excellence.