From Lab to Space: IGCAR event boosts nuclear tech transfer to startups

The Atal Incubation Centre of the Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), Kalpakkam, known as AIC IGCAR FAST Foundation, held an event on Friday with the theme 'Translation of IGCAR Technologies: From Lab to Land... and to Space'. The event focused on bridging the gap between research innovations and commercial applications, including the space sector.

According to a press release, the chief guest, Mylswamy Annadurai, former Director of the U.R. Rao Satellite Centre at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), Bengaluru, emphasised the need for synergy between India's deep-tech startup ecosystem and premier research and development centres like IGCAR. He highlighted the role of deep-tech incubation centres such as AIC FAST in catalysing this collaboration.

Daniel Babu P., Head of the Technology Transfer and Collaboration Division at the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Mumbai, was the Guest of Honour and also addressed the gathering.

During the event, technology transfer licenses for two IGCAR innovations were formally handed over to startups. Additionally, two scientific products based on licenses issued earlier by IGCAR were launched. These steps mark progress in moving research outcomes from laboratories to the marketplace and potentially to space applications.

IGCAR is a premier nuclear research centre under the Department of Atomic Energy, and its incubation centre AIC FAST aims to support startups in developing technologies derived from nuclear research. The event underscores the government's push to foster innovation and entrepreneurship in deep-tech fields.