Need for industry-linked advanced research for national growth: Kakodkar

Indore: Advanced research cannot remain confined to laboratories but must reach industry and contribute to national development, said former chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission and ex-secretary of the Department of Atomic Energy, Dr Anil Kakodkar, on Thursday during the 43rd Foundation Day celebrations of the Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RRCAT).India has built credible strengths in specialised domains such as lasers and particle accelerators, Dr Kakodkar said. He stressed that the next phase must prioritise closer collaboration between academic institutions and industry to transform advanced scientific capabilities into technological solutions and manufacturing strength. He emphasised technology transfer from advanced R&D institutes like RRCAT to industrial partners, urging Indian academics and industries to collaborate in meeting technological challenges.
The event drew scientists, engineers and heads of institutions from the city. In his annual address, RRCAT director Viraj P Bhanage outlined the center's key accomplishments over the past year. He noted that the national synchrotron radiation facilities, Indus-1 and Indus-2, continued to be extensively used by researchers from universities and industrial units across the country.Bhanage also provided updates on major projects, including LIGO-India, IR-FEL, laser development programmes, functional materials research and advances in cryogenic systems. He highlighted the augmentation of computational capabilities and infrastructure on campus.A significant milestone came when Dr Kakodkar flagged off a batch of sterilised medical devices, marking the processing of two crore devices at RRCAT's electron beam radiation facility near Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Fruit and Vegetable Market. The facility stands as one of the practical applications of accelerator technology developed at the center.RRCAT also signed five agreements for technology transfer and collaborative incubation with industrial partners through the AIC RRCAT PI-HUB Foundation. The move underscores the center's increasing focus on extending laboratory research beyond campus boundaries into manufacturing, startups and real-world industrial applications.