IIT Bombay

Technologies
Credits:

IRCC:
Ann Vinod
Supriya Saraswati
Mehjabeen Abidi
V. Arumugam
Manjiri Marathe
Padma Satish
Nidhi D. Chadha

Designed by:
Yogesh Jahagirdar
Yogakshar Design Studio

Advisor:
Prof. Raja Mohanty
IDC, IIT Bombay

Cover design:
Yogesh Jahagirdar

Printing:
Omkar Arts Pvt. Ltd.

© IIT Bombay, December 2011

 IIT Bombay
Technologies
 Director's Message

IIT Bombay has been active in education and research in science, engineering and design
over the last 53 years. The campus community of 516 faculty members, 7800 students and
800 research staff are focusing their efforts on ensuring that their research makes a difference.
We are happy to present the second edition of this booklet that outlines some of the major
technologies developed at the Institute. Several of these technologies have been patented
and some have been licensed. We also have many technologies that have been licensed and
are being commercialised by startup companies initiated by our faculty and students and
supported by our Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE).

I hope this booklet is useful to companies who are looking to commercialize new technologies
and bring them to the market place as well as to attract researchers and students to the
vibrant research atmosphere at the Institute.

(Devang Khakhar)

IIT Bombay
December 20, 2011

ii
Deans' Message

In 2010 January, we compiled a list of IIT Bombay technologies and published the first edition
of the IITB Technologies brochure. During the last two years, we have intensified our efforts
to disseminate information related to technologies and intellectual property (IP) developed
by faculty and students. The objective is to ensure that the products of our research are
disseminated and useful to society. We have made efforts to pro-actively seek commercial
partners for licensing of our IP and knowhow by creating a licensing website and placing
advertisements in national newspapers. This has resulted in increased licensing activity.

We felt the need to bring out a revised edition of IITB Technologies since a number of new
technologies have been developed since the last edition. The brochure has been re-designed
and technologies have been classified into healthcare, energy and environment, information
and communications technology (ICT), manufacturing, special needs, design, transportation,
rural development and other technologies. We have included information about the status
of deployment and licensing of each technology. This brochure provides an outline of some
of the important technologies developed at the Institute. We profile 119 technologies, out of
which about 50% (61 technologies) have been licensed or deployed.

We have attempted to improve readability by focusing on the key features and applications for
each technology. We will be happy to provide additional technical details to companies and
researchers who may be interested in specific technologies. We welcome your feedback and
your involvement in working on these technologies.

Rangan Banerjee P. V. Balaji

Dean (R&D) Associate Dean (R&D)

iii
 Index
Healthcare 1
Biosensors for Health Monitoring 2
Biosensors for Monitoring Diabetes 3
Designing Nano-in-Micro Particles 4
Biomolecule Immobilisation on Epoxy Surfaces 5
Portable Lab-on-a-Chip Biosensor 6
Polymer-Based Sensor for Monitoring Water Quality 7
A Point-of-care System for Cardiac Diagnostics 8
Silicon Locket for Cardiac Monitoring 9
Orthopaedic Implants, Instruments and Surgery Planning 10
Carbogen Breathing Apparatus 11
Electrodiagnostics for the Neuromuscular System 12
Nanosurfactants for Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome 13
Surfactant Composition for Adult Respiratory Distress Syndrome 14
Multi-layer Nanocomposites 15
Subcritical CO2 for Nanoparticle Production 16
Extraction and Fractionation of Neem Oil 17
Hydrazinonitroalkenes: Novel Bioactive Molecules and Synthetic Building Blocks 18
Optical Support Device for the Visually Impaired 19
ParaDes (Paratope Design Software) 20
Novel Method for Ferrofluids 21
Improved Bioimplants 22
Ocular Drug Delivery Technology 23
Nanoparticulate Surfactants for Respiratory Diseases 24
Fibre-Optic Based Device for Surgery 25

Energy and Environment 27

Vermiculture Technology 28
Bio-reactor for Recycling of Waste Water 29
Tube-Tube Heat Exchanger 30
Multi-Utility Heat Pumps 31
Hybrid Cooling System 32
Device for Improved Mass Transfer 33
Compact Adsorption Module 34
V-Trough Solar Photovoltaic Modules 35
Porous Gas Diffusion for Fuel Cells 36
Process for Renewable Carbon Nanomaterials 37

(  Licensed Technologies)
iv
Solar Flat Plate Fluid Heating Device 38
Liquid Dessicant Air conditioning 39
Freeze Concentration System 40

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) 41

Indigenous Ultra-fast Carrier Ethernet Switch Router for Telecommunication Networks 42
Communication Networks 43
Speech Compression Method 44
Automatic Address Segmentation 45
Hindi Wordnet 46
Efficient Technologies for Broadband Access 47
Artificial Intelligence for Business Analytics 48
Ad Time 49
Mobile Social Networking Platform 50
An Eco-friendly Communication System 51
Emergency Communication System for Public Safety (ETHERHAWK) 52
Cellular Backhaul for Rural Access (CeBRA) 53

Manufacturing 55
Thermoelectrically Cooled Helmet 56
Creating Harder Cutting Edges 57
Planning Solutions for Pulp, Paper and Printing Industries 58
Supercritical Fluid Extraction Technology 59
OptiLOM Software 60
Electro Slag Remelting Technology 61
Improved Paint for Underwater Applications 62
WebNC: Machining through the Internet 63
E-Foundry: Improved Casting Design and Simulation 64
Novel Insert Assembly 65
Impeller Designs for Enhanced Material Mixing 66
Supercritical Process for Extraction of Fragrances 67
Supercritical Carbon dioxide-based Food Sterilisation 68
Supercritical Process to Extract Nutraceutical Concentrates 69
High Molecular Weight Crystalline Polylactic Acids 70
Synthesising Poly Lactic Acid Clay Nanocomposites 71
Novel Electric-Motor-Powered Drive System 72
Yarn Flyer Design 73
Compact Drive Mechanism 74
Stirling Cooler 75
Sheet Selection System 76
Automated Windshield Wiper 77

(  Licensed Technologies)
v
 Stirling Engine for 1.5 kW Electrical Output 78

Special Needs 79
Low Cost Motorised Arm 80
Communicator for Children with Cerebral Palsy 81
Vestibulator for Cerebral palsy 82
LPG Kitchen Stove for the Visually Challenged 83
Ascender: The Climbing Wheelchair 84
Light Weight Prosthesis for Polio-affected Children 85

Design 87
Design for Board Games 88
A New Letterbox for India Post 89
ATM Enclosure Design 90
K-Yan: The Compact Media Centre 91
Electro-mobility Product Designs 92
Modular Toilet Unit for trains 93
A Novel Game for Learning Fractions and Mathematical Operations 94
Key-Lekh: Computer Keyboard for Indian Languages 95
Remote Sensing Scanning Mirror Controller Design 96
NATARAJ : The Walking Robot 97
Tools and Technologies for Cane and Bamboo Craft 98

Transportation 99
Aerostats and Airships 100
SkyBus 101
Mumbai Navigator 102
Low Cost Engine Management Systems 103
Software for Railway Operations Management 104
Steer by Wire Technology 105
Novel Hybrid Electric Vehicle Transmission 106

Rural Development 107

GRAM++: A Geographic Information System 108
Extraction process for Herbal Oil 109
aAQUA: Online Farmer Knowledge Exchange 110
Bio-Char Unit for Low Cost Production of Charcoal 111
Biofuel Processor for Engines 112
Technologies for Rural Industrialisation 113
Riding Type Power Tiller 114

(  Licensed Technologies)
vi
Other Technologies 115
Core Holder for Oil Well Performance Evaluation 116
Tools for Computational Fluid Dynamics 117
FPGA-Based RTL Simulation Acceleration 118
Cantilever-based e-nose for Explosive Detection 119
Remotely Operated Vehicle for Handling IEDs 120
Novel Method for Creating a Fluid Separation Material 121
An Efficient Method for Cleaning Clothes 122
Vibration Protective Pendulum Isolators 123
Uncooled Coloured Imaging System 124
3D Microprinter 125
Track It 126
New Composite Layer to Help Make ICs Faster 127
Low Cost Deposition Method for Faster ICs 128
Improved Process to Make Fluoride Glass 129
Pulse Tube Cryocoolers 130
Mixed Refrigerant Cryocoolers 131

(  Licensed Technologies)
vii
viii
Healthcare

1
 Biosensors for Health Monitoring

Inventors: R. Srivastava, Biosensors for detecting and measuring biological analytes like
A. Joshi, Department lactate, pyruvate, oxygen and hydrogen peroxide which are
of Biosciences and indicative of the metabolic status of an individual.
Bioengineering
Features:
Patent application filed  biosensors can include nanoparticles, microparticles and nano-
(US patent application in-micro matrices
number: 12/837,218)  minimally invasive biosensors (injected or inserted in the
subject) can be used for continuous monitoring

Potential Applications:
 diagnosis and treatment of
diseases
 fitness and health
monitoring in sports
 space medicine
 food applications and the
food industry
 pharmaceutical
applications and the
pharmaceutical industry
 fermentation monitoring
 polymer manufacturing
applications

Schematic example of
production of a biosensing
assay using an industrially
feasible atomisation method,
which can include dye loaded
nanoparticles co-immobilised
and conjugated with lactate
oxidase enzyme in calcium
alginate microspheres

Status: Licensed to a US
Corporation
2
Biosensors for Monitoring Diabetes

Glucose sensors can be implanted transdermally (beneath the Inventors: R. Srivastava,

skin) for monitoring diabetes and related ailments. A. Chaudhary, R.D. Jayant,
Department of Biosciences
Implantable glucose sensors often elicit inflammatory responses and Bioengineering
in the body. To reduce these responses and maintain the
functionality and longevity of the sensors, the glucose sensors Patents applications filed
are coupled with an anti-inflammatory agent. (Indian Patent application
number: 1319/MUM/2010,
Features: US Patent application
 biosensors can include number: 12/819,868)
 alginate microspheres loaded with anti-inflammatory agents
 a population of uncoated and polyelectrolyte coated

alginate microspheres
 a population of microspheres incorporating fluorophore

–labeled glucose binding agents and fluorophore-labeled

glucose analogues
 the fluorophore-labeled binding agents and
analogues of glucose form a FRET pair (Fluorescence
Resonance Energy Transfer pair)
 FRET pair could be a visible dye FRET pair or a near-infra red F
RET pair

Method Used:
 detection of fluorescence emission
from an implanted glucose sensor
 a change in the intensity of
fluorescence emission compared to
reference fluorescence is correlated to
the blood glucose level of the subject

Image illustrating the

mechanism of layer-by-layer
Principle: assembly of microspheres for
In the absence of glucose, the donor fluorophore is bound controlled release as well as
to acceptor fluorophore, whereby the fluorescence of donor co-encapsulation of sensing
molecule is quenched. Glucose, when present, displaces the chemistry
labeled glucose analogues, resulting in an increase in the
donor fluorophore fluorescence. The change in fluorescence is
correlated to the variation in the glucose levels.
Status: Licensed to a US
Corporation
3
 Designing Nano-in-Micro Particles

Inventors: R. Srivastava, A simple and efficient way of preparing microspheres with one
A. Joshi, R.K. Prasad, or more entrapped nanoparticles.
Department of Biosciences
and Bioengineering Features:
 suspension comprising a polysachharide and one or more
Patent application filed (US nanoparticles is atomised into a solution containing cross-
Patent application number: linking agents
12/728,936)  nanoparticle could be a fluorescent or a therapeutic agent
 a chemical agent could further be added to the microsphere
to remove entrapped
nanoparticles and gel the
microsphere internally
 suitable routes of
administration include
oral, rectal, topical, nasal,
pulmonary, ocular,
intestinal and parenteral

Advantages:
 industrially more feasible
compared to the
conventional
emulsification method
 atomisation provides
advantages in scaling
Schematic representation of up including continuous
production of multifunctional processing, reduced instrumentation requirements, reduction
system using an industrially in number of steps, reduced time and cost
feasible method which
comprises of biosensing, drug
Potential applications:
delivery, protein delivery and
imaging assays entrapped in  imaging human or animal subjects or cells of an organism
alginate microspheres.  administering magnetic nanoparticles that would generate
heat on application of an alternating magnetic field, thus
killing cancerous cells
 delivery of therapeutic drugs
 diagnosis of analytes in biological samples
 tissue engineering - support tissue growth
 delivery of desired protein or gene
Status: Licensed to a US
Corporation
4
Biomolecule Immobilisation on Epoxy Surfaces

Microsystem devices used in biological applications require Inventors: S. Mukherji, R.

immobilisation of biological molecules within the device. Lal, V. R. Rao, R.O. Dusane,
Conventionally, the substrate materials used in these devices and M. Joshi, N. Kale
have been silicon and noble metals (e.g. gold); however, such Departments of Biosciences
materials have been found to have shortcomings related to their and Bioengineering,
high Young's modulus, biocompatibility and suitability for micro- Electrical Engineering and
fabrication. Metallurgical Engineering
and Materials Science
A rapid and simple process for activation of epoxy surfaces such
as SU-8 (glycidyl ether of bisphenol A) has been devised , to Patent granted (Application
enable surface immobilisation of molecules bearing carboxyl no. 1267/MUM/2004; grant
and/or amino functional groups. no. 213504)

Steps involved in the surface modification of SU-8 are:

 grafting of NH2+ groups onto the epoxy surface using hotwire-
induced pyrolytic decomposition of ammonia under vacuum
 antibody immobilisation on the treated SU-8 surface

The technology has applications in the following fields:

 surface modification
 bio-microelectromechanical systems
 bio-molecule immobilisation related assays
 bio-sensors
 membrane bio-reactors
 clinical diagnostics
 molecular biology
 agriculture
 environmental science
 chemical and biochemical industries
Micrographs of SU-8 cantilevers
with gold pads treated with
The process enables single or multiple-step tailor-made bio-
pyloritic dissociation of ammonia
molecule immobilisation (e.g., antigens, antibodies, proteins,
observed under (a) optical
DNA, RNA and enzymes) on the modified epoxy surfaces. microscope, (b) fluorescent
microscope

Status: Licensed to
Nanosniff Technologies
Pvt. Ltd., a company
incubated at IIT Bombay
5
 Portable Lab-on-a-Chip Biosensor

Inventors: A.Q. Contractor, An electrical conductance-based biosensor that can be used

Department of Chemistry to measure the concentration of biomolecules such as blood
sugar, haemoglobin, cholesterol, urine sugar levels, soil urea in
Patent granted (Application agriculture and fat levels in food.
number: 89/BOM/94, grant
number: 179848) Components of the unit:
 separated pair of electrodes located in an electrically inert
insulating matrix with an electronically conducting polymer
bridge deposited across the electrodes
 individual sensor set up with one enzyme/receptor (specific
to the biomolecule being measured) that is immobilised in the
array
 conductance measuring
circuit connected to the
electrode array

A reference sensor (that is, without the immobilised enzyme)

can also be attached which would help to compare biomolecule
levels among the samples to be tested. Biosensors constructed
in this manner can be integrated into one unit, but are able to
Schematic of biosensor
measurement system
sense multiple analytes and give accurate results.

Benefits:
 cost effective
 compact and portable (‘lab-on-a-chip’ devices)
 allow digitised inputs
 outputs are computer compatible for quantitative analysis
 enables on-the-spot sample testing
 products can be easily enhanced to simultaneously test for
several parameters (e.g. Polysense Aqua, a compact instrument
which can assess several aspects of water potability)
Biosensor magnified to show
details of electrodes

Status: Exclusively licensed

to Polymeric Sensors Pvt.
Ltd., a company incubated
at IIT Bombay
6
Polymer-Based Sensor for Monitoring Water Quality

A portable polysensor device to monitor the quality of water. Inventors: A. Q. Contractor

and team, Department of
Features: Chemistry
 includes a transducer and an electronic system for monitoring
the quality of drinking water
 based on a conducting polymer
 uses the potentiometric/conductometric technique for data
measurement.

In the sensor, a receptor is immobilised in a

polymer matrix. Interaction of the analyte
with the receptor changes the chemical state
of the polymer, which manifests as a change
in the potential/conductivity of the polymer.
This is monitored by applying an appropriate
measurement signal to the sensor.

Polysensor used for determination

of water quality

Status: Licensed to
Polymeric Sensors Pvt. Ltd.,
a company incubated at IIT
Bombay
7
 A Point-of-care System for Cardiac Diagnostics

Inventors: V. R. Rao, A low-cost, diagnostic aid for assessing cardiac dysfunctions. It

S. Mukherji and team, is a piezo-resistive polymeric cantilever-based technology with
Departments of Electrical embedded electrical readout schemes and electrical sensitivities
Engineering, Biosciences in the range of a few parts per million per nanometre of
and Bioengineering, deflection.
Chemistry and Mechanical
Engineering Features:
 identifies molecular markers that detect cardiac attacks
especially incipient attacks that may go undetected before a
major or fatal attack
 uses cantilever-based and affinity biosensor-based arrays
(‘infarcSens’ or ‘iSens’) to detect a suite of molecular
markers

Currently, the data management software for detecting

molecular markers over time (data required for the creation of an
epidemiological database) is being developed and the system is
under hospital trials.
A highly sensitive piezo-resistive
polymeric cantilever platform for
low-cost lab-on-chip applications Use: provides an integrated system for point-of-care diagnostic
support for cardiovascular diseases

An integrated point- of- care

system that is currently under
hospital trials for detection of
acute myocardial infarction

Status: Licensed to
Nanosniff Technologies Pvt.
Ltd., a company incubated
at IIT Bombay
8
Silicon Locket for Cardiac Monitoring

A toffee-sized, low-cost, silicon locket that could be used to Inventors: D. K. Sharma

monitor ECG. and team, Departments
of Electrical Engineering,
Components: Biosciences and
 low-power microcomputer with an indigenously developed Bioengineering, Tata
operating system Consultancy Services
 custom-made analogue integrated circuit, designed and
tested for accurate data acquisition and signal conditioning
 rechargeable battery with a built-in charger
 USB, IrDA and RS232 ports for integration with public networks,
mobile phones and personal computers
 pluggable, ultra-small PSTN modem to transfer data to a
remote computer or medical database

Features:
 locket has been optimised to acquire a three-lead
simultaneous electrocardiogram (ECG)
 reconfigurable for up to 12-leads
 can correct for motion artefacts that may arise out
of the physical activity of the patient
 ECG data can be stored in a micro-sized secure
digital memory card or transmitted through a
phone modem or via a GPRS network
 automatically informs a medical practitioner
through an SMS in the event of an arrhythmia
 allows the practitioner to remotely login to
the locket to view a patient's ECG in real-time or
download the data Silicon locket for monitoring
of ECG
A 32-bit, system-on-chip base-station was developed as an
accessory for the silicon locket. The base station is a handheld
system with a high processing power and a colour TFT
LCD panel. The base unit contains advanced built-in data
management and analysis software for the locket-supplied ECG
analysis.

The locket is the smallest wearable ECG recorder, for its features,
in the world.
Status: Technology has
been transferred to industry
9
 Orthopaedic Implants, Instruments and Surgery
Planning

Inventors: B. Ravi, A computer-integrated approach to rapidly develop and test

Department of modular orthopaedic implants; employed for a high-quality
Mechanical Engineering, low-cost tumour knee mega-prosthesis for children affected by
in collaboration with osteosarcoma.
Manish Agarwal, TMH/
Hinduja Hospital, and K. Methodology used:
Balasubramanian, NFTDC  anatomical study to determine the range of shapes and sizes
Hyderabad of the bones (femur, tibia and knee joint)
 desired functionality achieved through a novel mechanism
Patent filed (Application which was computer-simulated to verify the range of motions
number: 2883/MUM/2010) and to ensure that the stresses are within safe limits
 plastic prototype fabrication on a rapid prototyping machine
and review of the same by surgeons to check for form, fit,
functionality and surgical suitability
 components manufactured with biocompatible materials
using casting, CNC machining and finishing to achieve the
desired mechanical properties and surface finish
 prosthesis testing on a UTM using custom-built fixtures to
ensure structural safety, followed by fatigue and wear
testing on specially developed simulator machines to
ensure long life
 novel surgical instruments (femur and tibia cutting jigs)
based on studies of knee surgeries and discussions with
surgeons, to make the procedure faster, easier and more
Tumour Knee Mega-Prosthesis
accurate

Surgery planning software (OrthoSYS):

 Main input: CT or MRI images of the patient’s anatomy,
and a database of 3D CAD models of prosthesis
components
 Features: identification of bone axes and anatomical
landmarks, analysis of bone stock thickness, selection of
prosthesis components and their positioning in the
Femoral Jig
excised bone
 Applications: Results can be used for guiding the actual
surgery; also useful for surgeon training and patient education

Status: Clinical trials

are underway
10
Carbogen Breathing Apparatus

The carbogen gas delivery system is for use by people who work Inventors: K. Munshi and
in high noise areas and experience noise-related stress. team, Industrial Design
Centre in association with
Features of carbogen gas: the Defence Institute for
 a mixture of oxygen (95%) and carbon dioxide (5%) Physiology and Allied
 plays a therapeutic role for those with impaired hearing Sciences, Delhi, a Defence
 relieves stress due to noise pollution Research & Development
 when inhaled for 5 minutes, two to three times a day, the ill Organisation laboratory
effects of noise-related stress from working in a severe noise
environment can be reduced or eliminated

Thus far, systems with three capacities of 10,

50 and 300 litres have been developed. The
300 litre unit provides 10 inhalation stations
and can accommodate up to 10 people for the
simultaneous inhalation of carbogen gas.

Possible locations for use of carbogen inhalation

stations:
 defence-related locations such as firing
ranges, aircraft hangars and ship engine
rooms
 civil locations such as traffic islands, fitness
centres, workshops and factories.

Carbogen gas inhalation

apparatus

Status: Design transferred

to Defense Establishment
for deployment. Prototypes
developed were tested
extensively by DRDO
with the Indian Navy and
has been approved by
the Indian Navy for use
by personnel working in
severe noise environments.
11
 Electrodiagnostics for the Neuromuscular System

Inventor: S. Devasahayam, An electro-diagnostic instrument for the measurement of

Department of Bioscience electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction which can also
and Bioengineering analyse the collected data.

Patent granted (Application Features:

number: 14/MUM/2001,  equipped with signal pickup and stimulator channels that are
grant number: 206022) connected through an audio jack to a PC multimedia card
 response-signal pickup channel electrodes are easily moveable
and hence may be placed on the part of the body where tests
are to be made
 electrodes are connected to a bio-potential amplifier, a
frequency filter and an isolator
 stimulatory system electrodes are connected to an input jack
and an isolator
 input from the response-signal pickup channels is processed
by an analogue signal generator
 includes software that controls the base values of the input
audio signals, collects stimulation and response signal data and
analyses the data

12
Nanosurfactants for Neonatal Respiratory Distress
Syndrome

Neonatal Respiratory Distress Syndrome (NRDS) is a condition Inventors: R. Banerjee,

in which infants do not produce natural surfactants and Rachana, J.Bellare,
consequently, breathing and the associated exchange of gases R.Puniyani, Department
becomes difficult due to the lung surfaces sticking together. of Biosciences and
Treating the condition with surfactants would aid in proper Bioengineering
alveolar function.
Patent granted (Application
A process and a formulation have been developed for the number: 1222/MUM/2005,
creation of a nanoparticulate exogenous micronutrient with an grant number: 241271)
added protein-free surfactant composition for use in treating
NRDS.

The formulation contains:

 nanovesicles of a phospholipid and a natural oil
(either clove or eucalyptus oil)
 micronutrients selected from ascorbic acid and
soluble calcium salts

Benefits:
 can be inhaled easily
 disperses uniformly
 delivers micronutrients
 easy to prepare
 does not contain any animal derived foreign
proteins
 superior surface activity as compared to existing Nanovesicles of the invented
surfactants surfactant which can be
 cost-effective aerosolised in NRDS

The main parameters for a surfactant to be effective in NRDS
are minimum surface tension on film compression (<5 mN/m),
low surface tension on adsorption (25–30 mN/m) and low
compressibility. These criteria were surpassed by the developed
formulation.

13
 Surfactant Composition for Adult Respiratory
Distress Syndrome

Inventors: R. Banerjee, An exogenous protein free pulmonary surfactant composition

Rachana, J. Bellare, that can be used for the treatment of Adult Respiratory Distress
R. Puniyani, Department Syndrome (ARDS).
of Biosciences and
Bioengineering ARDS is a condition where the lung surface surfactants function
poorly, due to interaction with inhibitory agents.
Patent granted (Application
number: 1223/MUM/2005, The formulation comprises of nanovesicles of phospholipids and
grant number: 241272) eucalyptus oil. It can be used to treat the inhibition of surfactants
related to haematological agents.

Features:
 prevents interaction between the surfactant and
the haematological agents
 functions well as natural surfactants in the
absence of inhibitors
 has higher efficacy than known artificial
surfactants

The surfactant developed is effective in the

presence of haematological inhibitors and will
be effective in ARDS therapy. This is an unmet
medical need and there are no effective surfactants
presently available for ARDS.
Image of surfactant showing
intact nanoparticles in the
presence of inhibitory agents

14
Multi-layer Nanocomposites

Multi-functional nanocomposites which include multiple layers Inventors: R. Srivastava,

of hydrophobic and hydrophilic polymers held together by a D. Bahadur, Department
surfactant material. of Biosciences and
Bioengineering,
The different layers of the nanocomposite developed can be Department of
loaded with separate drugs. Metallurgical Engineering
and Materials Science
Components of the nanocomposite:
 a negatively charged polymer layer comprising a first drug Patent filed (Application
 a positively charged polymer layer encapsulating the number: 811/MUM/2011)
negatively charged polymer layer and comprising a second
drug

Method of synthesising a nanocomposite:

 preparation of a first layer of a negatively charged
polymer
 emulsification of a first drug in the first layer
 preparation of a second layer of a positively
charged polymer
 emulsification of a second drug in the second
layer
 encapsulation of the first layer with the second
layer to form the nanocomposite, wherein the
first layer and the second layer are held together by
electrostatic forces

Applications of magnetic nanoparticles loaded on to the Schematic of nanocomposite

hydrophobic layer: including multiple layers

 cell labeling/cell separation

 magnetofection to facilitate gene delivery
 contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
 local hyperthermia in response to an external alternating
magnetic field to selectively destroy cancer cells
 as magnetically targeted carrier system in drug delivery

15
 Subcritical CO2 for Nanoparticle Production

Inventors: : M. A novel process for production of micronised drugs with narrow

Mukhopadhyay, S. Dalvi, particle size distribution (PSD). These ultra-fine/nano particles
Department of Chemical provide a prolonged level of bio-activity, allow an enhanced rate
Engineering of drug dissolution and eliminate repetitive or excessive dosage.

Patent granted (Application Conventional methods have several shortcomings like loss of
number: 544/MUM/2004, bioactivity, poor controllability of particle size and requirements
grant number: 213605) of relatively high-energy, high-pressure pumps and specially
designed nozzles. The new process provides solutions to each of
the above mentioned problems.

Features:
 utilisation of CO2 at sub-critical pressure so as to avoid the use
of high pressure pumps
 drastic and rapid lowering of temperature of the solution for
attaining extremely low equilibrium solid solubility in a very
short span of time
 very fast and easy removal of solvent for prevention of
subsequent growth and agglomeration of the submicron
particles formed
 extremely high, very rapid and uniform supersaturation
in the solution and leading to crystallisation of the solid into
nanoparticles with a narrow PSD

Method used:
 dissolution of the solid substance in an organic solvent
 pressurisation of the solution with CO2 to 25–70 bar
 removal of CO2 over the solution to produce a marked
lowering of the solution temperature from near ambient
temperature up to -400 C within 0.5 to 2.5 minutes
Scanning electron micrographs of
(a) unprocessed cholesterol and Benefits:
(b) cholesterol processed using  process removes the need for use of equipment to generate
subcritical carbon dioxide process high pressures and temperatures
 depressurisation of the solution is not required which
eliminates the need for specially designed nozzles
 relatively lower pressure requirements when compared to
methods using supercritical carbon dioxide
 targeted delivery and controlled release

16
Extraction and Fractionation of Neem Oil

A new process for the production of neem oil enriched with Inventor: M.
active ingredients, such as azadirachtin, from neem kernels and Mukhopadhyay,
leaves. Department of Chemical
Engineering
Method consists of:
 a sequence of static and dynamic extractions from neem Patent granted (Application
kernels using supercritical CO2 (SC CO2) number: 428/BOM/97,
 fractionation of neem oil enriched with azadirachtin, using SC grant number: 182587)
CO2
 collection of fractions at intervals by depressurisation of the
extract-laden SC CO2 for a predetermined time

The above sequence of static and

dynamic extractions followed by
depressurisation is repeated a
number of times. Subsequently, the
residual neem kernels in the extractor
are treated with an alcohol and the
sequence of static and dynamic
extractions and depressurisations
is repeated until the extraction is
complete.

Benefits: Experimental set up

 process produces neem oil that is enriched with azadirachtin

in varying concentrations and contains other active
components
 residual neem kernels are formed into a dry neem cake
byproduct that can be used as a fertilizer
 efficient and economical
 has high stability and shelf life

17
 Hydrazinonitroalkenes: Novel Bioactive
Molecules and Synthetic Building Blocks

Inventors: : I. N. N. A simple method for deriving C-N bond formation which

Namboothiri and M. offers access to natural and unnatural amino acids and other
Dadwal, Department of synthetically and biologically useful building blocks. This method
Chemistry is a single-pot process for the preparation of α-hydrazino-
α,β-unsaturated nitro compounds from α,β-unsaturated nitro
Patent granted (Application compounds in high yields.
no. 1410/MUM/2005;
Patent grant no. 226803) Method used:
 a conjugated nitroalkene is reacted with an azo
compound in the presence of a cyclic or acyclic
amine as the catalyst
 during a standard reaction procedure, a solution
of nitroalkene and azo compound is stirred at
room temperature until the reaction completes
 reaction mixture is then diluted with aqueous acid
and aqueous layer subsequently extracted with a
suitable organic solvent
 combined organic layers are concentrated to yield
a substantially pure α-hydrazino-α, β-unsaturated
nitro compound

This reaction may be carried out in the presence

or absence of solvents (e.g. methanol, chloroform,
Images showing the effect of benzene and acetone) that do not react with either
created compounds on cellular of the coupling partners.
microtubules
Several α-hydrazino-α,β-
unsaturated nitro compounds
have been prepared to
establish the validity of the
process.
Reaction used to produce
α-hydrazino α, β-unsaturated
nitro compounds This process has wide applications in the preparation of
compounds which have been found to inhibit cervical cancer
cell proliferation by binding to microtubules/tubulins.

18
Optical Support Device for the Visually Impaired

A camera-based device which provides verbal or text-based Inventors: S. Chaudhuri,

narrative descriptions of surroundings to visually impaired Rajashekhar, A. Prabhudesai,
people. Department of Electrical
Engineering
Features:
 reflectively coated cap with an image capturing device Patent granted (Application
mounted on the cap (non-calibrated digital camera or number: 133/MUM/2006,
omnidirectional camera) grant number: 225370)
 computing platform connected to the image capturing device
 stored feature data attachment to a computing module
 output module connected to the computer module

The computer extracts the colour components of the images

taken by the camera, compares them with the stored reference
features, and identifies the corresponding object in the image. A
stored narrative description that was previously associated with
the identified feature is fed either to the computer speakers or to
an attached Braille board display. As a result, the user is able to
obtain an idea of the surrounding objects.

Benefits:
 economical, light-weight, wearable (head-mounted)
 can be further expanded to allow application in a robotic
navigation system, in which a remote operator can obtain a
perception of the surroundings beings traversed by a robot
Camera-based device for visually
impaired people

19
 ParaDes (Paratope Design Software)

Inventors: R. R. Joshi, ParaDes is a user-friendly Linux-based software that has potential

Department of applications in protein function recognition, drug design and
Mathematics vaccine synthesis.

Copyright awarded The software has been tested on antigen-antibody complex data
(Application number: SW- available in the protein data bank and has been found to have
698/2002) high accuracy.

Applications:
 to find paratopes for the epitopes of the envelope
glycoprotein of the Japanese Encephalitis Virus

 to predict the immunogenic functions of

proteins such as HSPI and an EF-hand
Ca++ binding protein

An online graphics output of the

software

20
Novel Method for Ferrofluids

Ferrofluids are colloidal mixtures of nanoparticles suspended in a Inventors: D. Bahadur

fluid such as an organic solvent or water. and J. Giri, Department of
Metallurgical Engineering
A superior novel, two-stage method to prepare ferrofluids. and Materials Science

Steps involved: Patent granted (Application

 precipitation in the presence of surface modifying agents number: 475/MUM/2004,
which results in dried super-paramagnetic particles (SPP) that grant number: 210641)
can be safely stored and transported
 dispersal of the particles (depending on their application)
in a known volume of an appropriate carrier liquid to
obtain a tailor-made ferrofluid

Features:
 bypasses the typical dilution
process in the second stage of
the method that may destabilise
the fluid
 superior to conventional
methods due to the achievable
sizes of the super-paramagnetic
particles
 ferrofluids created exhibit a
range of magnetisation from
12 to 30 electromagnetic units
per cubic centimetre at room
temperature

Applications: Novel method for ferrofluids

 electronic devices
 mechanical, military and aerospace fields
 friction-reduction seals
 to decrease the electromagnetic signal of aircrafts and
spaceship controls
 medical instruments to assist doctors in detecting critical
cancers

21
 Improved Bioimplants

Inventors: M. Karanjay, B. An improved material for bio-implants, which could be used as a

P. Kashyap, T. R. R. Mohan, R. substitute for bone.
Sundaresan, Department of
Metallurgical Engineering Method used:
and Materials Science,  a variety of bio-active phases, such as calcium hydroxyapatite,
International Advanced octacalcium phosphate, tricalcium phosphate and calcium
Centre for Powder titanate were generated in-situ when calcium carbonate and
Metallurgy and New di-ammonium hydrogen orthophosphate were mixed with
Materials, Hyderabad bio-inert titanium or its alloys and compounds (preferably in
the form of titanium hydride)
Patent granted (Application
number: 2490/DEL/2005;  the powdered ingredients were mixed using ball and high-
grant number: 228353) energy milling which results in close contact of the
constituents

Benefits:
 resulting material had the desired
mechanical strength, a high resistance to
corrosion and was non-toxic

 the pore size of the material can be

controlled to allow for natural tissue
growth around and into the bio-implant

 raw materials are readily available and

inexpensive

 does not loosen from or fracture the

bone
Figure represents actual product
which can be developed using the  integrates with the undamaged portion of the bone and is not
method described in the patent
rejected by the human body

22
Ocular Drug Delivery Technology

A new method for drug delivery based on muco-adhesive Inventors: R. Banerjee

nanoparticles and nanoparticulate inserts. and team, Department
of Biosciences &
Benefits: Bioengineering
 nanoparticles and membrane inserts stick to the anterior
surface of the eye, thus resisting tear fluid washout
 biodegradable
 nanoscale diameters allow for superior penetration of drugs
into the posterior segments of the eye
 sustained release of a drug over a prolonged period
 can also be used to deliver growth factors or dual drugs
 serves as a platform technology for different drugs

Different materials can be used to design the nanoparticles

and membranes depending on the
nature of the drug to be delivered.

Applications: treatment of
inflammatory, infectious and
vasculopathic disorders of the
posterior chamber of the eye and
anterior segment diseases like
glaucoma

Sustained drug release using

nanoparticles: The green and
purple bars indicate different
nanoparticles that show
sustained release as compared
to the free drug denoted by the
red bar

23
 Nanoparticulate Surfactants for Respiratory
Diseases

Inventors: : R. Banerjee Pulmonary surfactant is a complex lipoprotein-based substance

and team, Department that lines our lungs and reduces the work of breathing.
of Biosciences and Dysfunction of the pulmonary surfactant is present in many
Bioengineering paediatric and adult respiratory diseases.

Nanoparticulate surfactants are artificial surfactants that can

function as lung surfactants.

Features:
 lipid-based
 has the desired level of surface activity
 superior reach in alveoli
 direct delivery of drugs in the lungs with low
systemic toxicity
 biodegradable and safe for in vivo
administration

Applications for :
 Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome
 asthma
 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
 drug induced respiratory distress
 occupationally related lung diseases

Atomic Force Microscopic Image

of nanostructured surfactant
The surface active vesicles can be administered as an aerosol
domains in presence of protein and can further be drug loaded for efficient treatment in many
inhibitors: The surfactant respiratory diseases.
overcomes inhibition and is useful
in vivo in lung injury models

24
Fibre-Optic Based Device for Surgery

A vertically integrated fibre-optic based device that is capable of Inventors: J. Bellare and
producing both light-guide and image-guide fibres. team, Department of
Chemical Engineering
Features:
 occlusion device for transcathetral surgery
 fibres are created in bundles which have the maximum
possible packing density
 bundles are fused at the ends into hexagonal, close-packed
arrangements
 optically polished using an in-house developed gantry polisher

Uses:
 the fibres that have been developed
can be used in a variety of end
products for light-guide applications
 micro-device designs that could be
used in operative procedures for the
artificial closure of the ductus arteriosus
(a communication between the aorta
and pulmonary artery which is
expected to close naturally at the time
of birth)

Fiber optic light guides and

adapting couplers for various
endoscopes

25
26
Energy and
Environment

27
 Vermiculture Technology

Inventors: H. S. Shankar, Vermiculture technology is an engineered ecosystem for the

B. R. Pattanaik and U. S. treatment of solid waste.
Bhawalkar, Department of
Chemical Engineering The technology developed provides a solution to the problem
of solid waste accumulation. It overcomes problems associated
Patent granted with conventional methods of solid waste treatment (solid waste
Indian patent application composting, activated sludge and extended aeration) in which
number: 384/MUM/2002, bio-energy becomes dissipated.
Patent grant number:
203425 Components:
US Patent granted,  soil
number: 7,604,742 B2  plants
 soil micro and macro-organisms including geophagous
earthworms

Applications:
 urban farming
 animal husbandry
 agriculture
 wasteland development
 agro-industrial waste
processing

The technology is able to

obtain a synergy between
photosynthesis and respiration,
so that the bio-energy of the
contained waste products is
fully utilised.

Vegetation based solid waste

processing facility

Status: Licensed to Vision

Earthcare Pvt. Ltd.
(a company incubated at IIT
Bombay) and Life Link Eco
Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
28
Bio-reactor for Recycling of Waste Water

Engineered ecosystems can be used for the treatment of liquid Inventors: H. S. Shankar,
wastes. A form of cultured soil filter technology developed B. R. Pattanaik and U. S.
for this purpose consists of an impervious containment area Bhawalkar, Department of
(typically 1.0–1.5 metres below ground) with soil, filtration media, Chemical Engineering
plants and organisms such as earthworms.
Patent granted
Features: Indian patent application
 a cost-effective 'green' technology, suitable for all solid and number: 383/MUM/2002,
liquid organic wastes grant number: 203744
 very low energy consumption US Patent granted, number:
 generates bio-mineral fertilisers and soil by-products 6,890,432 B2
 no sludge production
 fulfils a self-sustaining revenue model

Applications:
 treatment of water for irrigation, construction and
soil application purposes
 industrial effluent treatment
 non-chemical purification of swimming pool and
drinking water

A 3000 cu.m sewage treatment

plant set up at BMC, Worli, Mumbai

Status: Licensed to Vision

Earthcare Pvt. Ltd.
(a company incubated at IIT
Bombay) and Life Link Eco
Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
29
 Tube-Tube Heat Exchanger

Inventors: M. V. Rane, A vented, double-walled, tube-tube heat exchanger.

M. S. Tandale, Department
of Mechanical Engineering Features:
 uses a judicious combination of bent and straight tubes of
Patent granted (Application different tube shapes, diameters, tube materials and thermal
number: 1082/MUM/2002, bonding techniques
grant number: 205362)  enables compact and cost effective solutions to various heat
and/or mass transfer applications
 multi-stream, multi-phase heat and/or mass transfer can be
catered to using single Tube-Tube Heat Exchanger to
effectively encash benefits of Pinch Analysis
 reliable contamination free heat transfer is demonstrated in
various appplications in hospitality, dairy, automotive
industries.

Applications:
 methodology for minimising energy consumption in chemical
processes
 allows the design of low-cost heat exchangers having a low life
Installation of tube-tube heat cycle cost and effective heat exchange with fast response
exchanger with piping times
 suitable for chemical, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, food
processing and heating, ventilation and air conditioning
industries.

Status:
Various applications of
the patented technology
are being licensed to user
industry.
Applications licensed to
Mech World Eco, Nashik;
 Super Heat Recovery
Water Heaters
 Evaporator/Water Chillers
and Condensers in Multi- Tube-tube heat exchanger unit
Utility Heat Pumps
 Potable Water Instant
Prechillers
30
Multi-Utility Heat Pumps

A novel design that can incorporate air conditioning, water Inventors: M. V. Rane and
heating, water chilling and clothes drying in a single unit. A. Dasgupta, Department
of Mechanical Engineering
Features:
 integrated system and simple to operate Patent granted (Application
 high heat transfer coefficients through novel tubular number: 613/MUM/2003,
exchangers grant number: 212316)
 on-demand supply of
hot and cold water; no
storage required
 cools drinking water to
18°C and heats tap
water to 45°C
 low operating costs
 lower initial cost
compared to
purchases of a
conventional air Four-in-one multi-utility heat
conditioner, an electric water pump: air conditioning and
heater and a water cooler potable water cooling is possible
along with tap water heating and
 compact design with the same
low temperature drying of cloth/
footprint as that of a window or
agro produce
split air conditioner Multi-utility heat pump: heating
cleaning solution for an industrial
washing machine saving 66%
Applications:
electrical power while generating
 residential: simultaneous space cooling, water heating and bonus cold utilities like air
provision of cold water for drinking conditioning and potable chilled
 commercial: hotels, restaurants, hospitals, etc. water
 industrial: dairy, pharmaceutical, textile, chemical process, etc.

Status: Applications
licensed to Mech World
Eco, Nashik: Water To Water
and Air to Water Multi-
Utility Heat Pumps for 1 to
5 TR capacity
31
 Hybrid Cooling System

Inventors: M. V. Rane Energy efficient Hybrid Cooling System simultaneously controls

and S. V. Kota Reddy, air temperature and humidity using modular diabatic contacting
Department of Mechanical device.
Engineering
Features:
Patent granted (Application  cooling and dehumidification of air takes place in a
number: 153/MUM/2002, single compact unit
Grant number: 203949)  moisture from indoor air is absorbed by liquid
desiccant instead of cooling below dew point
 carryover of liquid desiccant to indoor/outdoor air
streams is eliminated
 low air side pressure drops
 reheating of air is not needed, thus reducing cooling
load and operational costs
 limits on minimum irrigation rate and flooding are
eliminated
 system can be Installed with greater flexibility; indoor
and outdoor units can be located at desired
elevations
 operation is silent, splashing or spraying noise are
absent

Benefits:
 better indoor air quality as particulate matter
suspended in the air and microbiological
contaminants are removed
Modular hybrid air conditioners:
 energy efficient cooling system
energy efficient air conditioning
 Coefficient of Performance increases by upto 45% due
with improved indoor air quality
a) Schematic of cooling system to lower pressure ratios
b) Actual unit  cooling capacity increases by upto 60% due to higher
evaporator pressure

Status: Application
licensed to Opel HVAC,
Mumbai, for Air
Conditioning in pharma
sector
32
Device for Improved Mass Transfer

An efficient modular diabatic mass transfer unit enables effective Inventors: M. V. Rane
mass transfer between liquid and gaseous streams. and S. V. Kota Reddy,
Department of Mechanical
The device provides very large contacting surface area for Engineering
effective mass transfer in a compact volume while ensuring very
low pressure drops for contact between two fluids. Patent granted (Application
number: 154/MUM/2002,
Applications: grant number: 221716)
 can be used to efficiently absorb or separate gases from liquid/
liquid desiccants
 used in distillation columns, rectification columns, absorption
refrigeration systems
 can be used in combination with appropriate devices in
applications such as humidifiers, dehumidifiers and air-
conditioners
 chemical process industries

Benefits:
 modular, scalable, efficient and economical
 compact and sturdy
 low pressure drop of 10 to 30 to 60 Pa per stage
 low power consumption for rotor and fan/blower Contacting device: liquid
 has no carryover of liquid in the stream of gas or air that flows desiccant based modular
industrial dryer for 120 kg/h
out
moisture removal system
Status: Applications
licensed to the following
industries:
 Mech World Eco, Nashik:
 Evaporative

Condenser and
Liquid Desiccant
based Solar Multi-
Utility Heat Pump for
3 TR fresh air
Schematic of device dehumidifier
 Vector Technologies:
 Direct and Indirect

Evaporative Cooling
for Telecom Shelters
33
 Compact Adsorption Module

Inventors: M. V. Rane and A unique adsorption module having a compact design.

Akhil Agarwal, Department
of Mechanical Engineering Features:
 can be integrated with condensers, evaporators and other
Patent granted (Application component systems with different cycles
number: 155/MUM/2002,  gives lower cycle time and hence gives higher coefficient of
grant number: 241263) performance, higher specific cooling power
 allows ease of fabrication and operation

The design has been developed and demonstrated for Solar

Refrigerator cum Water Heater and Adsorption Refrigeration
System using engine waste heat.

Advantages:
 enables high rate of heat transfer while keeping the thermal
mass of the module low
 shell wall of the module acts as a fin, eliminating use of
separate fins, thus reducing weight, complexity and cost of the
module
 overcomes the problem of low thermal conductivity of
absorption bed

Applications:
 purification and separation of gases
 removal of contaminants
Adsorption modules: solar  pressure swing adsorption
refrigeration cum water heating
 catalytic reactions
using adsorption modules
without moving parts which can
 removal and supply of heat to reaction chambers
be used for rural milk chilling and  storage of compressed biogas or natural gas
cold store applications

Status: Applications
licensed to Godrej/Lawkim,
Pune - Solar Refrigerator
cum Water Heater
34
V-Trough Solar Photovoltaic Modules

A novel method to increase the light intensity on the surface of Inventors: C.S. Solanki,
a solar cell in order to provide higher electrical output from the C.S. Sangani, Department
same solar cell area. of Energy Science and
Engineering
A prototype V-trough module of 40 Wp has been manufactured
and tested under various conditions. Patent filed (Application
number: 1051/MUM/2007)
Features:
 about 60% higher power output
 commercially available solar cells can be used
 simple concentrator optics, V-troughs, are used to
increase light intensity
 anodised aluminium, used for light concentration,
acts as a reflector and as a heat dissipating
material
 no regular sun tracking movements are required

The V-trough Photovoltaic modules can be

manufactured for power ratings of 5 Wp to 100
Wp, which makes them suitable for most typical
Photovoltaic applications, including home lighting, Photovoltaic cells assembled in
solar lanterns, and off-grid power generation. a V-trough format

The V-trough flat photovoltaic modules show a 20% to 30%

cost reduction per unit of power output, compared to that of
conventional silicon solar cell modules.

Status: Had been licensed

to Electricks Solutions Pvt.
Ltd.
35
 Porous Gas Diffusion for Fuel Cells

Inventors: A. K. Chatterjee, A process for metal dispersion on porous substrates using a

M. Sharon and R. Banerjee, novel carbon coated material.
Department of Energy
Science and Engineering Carbon nanotube based metal dispersed hydrogen (Ni-Pt, Ni-Sn)
and Department of and oxygen (Ag-Mg, Ag-Pt) electrodes developed with porous
Chemistry ceramic substrate as low cost electrodes for alkaline fuel cells
with performance equivalent to conventional electrodes.
Patent granted (Application
number: 959/MUM/2006, Method used:
grant number: 239103)  natural carbon precursors such as camphor, turpentine oil
and cashew nut shell are vaporised through Chemical Vapour
Deposition (CVD)
 CVD product is pyrolysed using different carrier gases
 pyrolysed carbon is deposited over selected porous ceramic
substrates
 different metal catalysts are electroplated over the carbon
coated porous substrate
 carbon nanoparticles are grown by a second stage CVD to
obtain the desired end product

Advantages:
 can be used for large surfaces
 offers longer life and durability to the coated device without
loss of performance
Carbon nanotube material (Ni-
Sn) used in hydrogen electrode
Applications:
 heterogeneous catalysts
 gas diffusion systems
 chromatographic applications
 fuel cell electrodes

Schematic of process

36
Process for Renewable Carbon Nanomaterials

A process for the synthesis of carbon nanomaterials using Inventors: A. Ganesh,

cashew nut shell pyrolysis vapours. S. M. Sabeena, P. Das,
Department of Energy
Method: Science and Engineering
Cracking the pyrolysis vapours at 7500C to 9000C over a
supported bi-metallic catalyst and purifying the nanocarbon Patent filed (Application
structures formed with an acid. number: 899/MUM/2008)

The combination of a
suitably chosen catalyst
and substrate has produced
the structures, including
nanotubes, nanofibres,
nanorings and rope-like
nanoplatelets. Each of
the developed structures
has different properties
and applications such
as reinforcement for
biocomposites.

Examples of nano-structures
created from cashew nut shells

37
 Solar Flat Plate Fluid Heating Device

Inventor: M. V. Rane Light weight plastic solar collectors can be used for space
Department of Mechanical heating and to generate hot air for low temperature drying of
Engineering vegetables, fruits, herbs and spices.

Patent granted (Application Features:

no: 986/MUM/2004, grant  low-cost, approximately ` 5000/m2 of aperture area
number: 234778)  light-weight, 5 to 7 kg/m2
 heating of ambient air between 50 to 75°C with efficiency in
the range of 40 to 60%
 low pressure drop
 air can be circulated using a photovoltaic operated fan

Benefits:
 suitable for space heating and low
temperature drying applications including ‘off-
grid’ applications
 grapes, tomatoes, onions or guavas can be
dried with the heated air without exposing to
direct sunlight
 low temperature drying usually provides
better quality products resulting in a higher
value realised from the dried product.

Solar flat plate fluid heating

device

38
Liquid Dessicant Air conditioning

A process for energy efficient Conditioning of Air Using a Liquid Inventors: M. V. Rane, S. V.
Desiccant. Kota Reddy and R. R. Easow,
Department of Mechanical
This is a liquid desiccant based air conditioning process Engineering
producing air with improved indoor air quality without any traces
of desiccant. This is achieved by dehumidification, direct and Patent granted (Application
indirect evaporative cooling, while regenerating liquid desiccant number: 272/MUM/2003,
in a two stage regeneration process. grant number: 206320)

Advantages:
 compact structure,
low-weight
 can be scaled up or
down to meet different
requirements
 economical
 outgoing air stream is
desiccant-free
 system can use high
and/or low grade
heat sources, including
engine exhaust heat,
solar, steam turbine
exhaust and engine
cooling water
 corrosion issues are Schematic of liquid desiccant
based air conditioning process
addressed by judicious selection of liquid
desiccant and low cost materials including plastics in some
components
 has the potential to recover water
 operates with lower pressure drops and lower desiccant flow
rates than those in conventional desiccant flow rates
 lower electrical power consumption compared to that of a
conventional vapour compression refrigeration system

39
 Freeze Concentration System

Patents granted An energy efficient, simple and inexpensive freeze concentration

1. Inventors: M. V. Rane system.
and S. Jabade, Department
of Mechanical Engineering Freeze concentration technique is used for reducing the volume
(Application number: 1000/ of products to be handled during storage, transportation and
MUM/2002, grant number: at the point of sale and has wide applications in the beverage
204956) industry.

2. Inventors: M. V. Advantages:
Rane and Y. S. Padiya,  simple, energy-efficient and economical: reduced number of
Department of Mechanical components, conduits, pumps and controls scraped surface
Engineering (Application heat exchanger, recrystalliser and wash column are not
number: 1915/MUM/2010) required
 water removal at freezing temperatures; ensures superior
product quality
 simple operation: liquid can be introduced at the inlet and
the concentrate can be collected at the outlet of the system
without the need to re-circulate the solution

Schematic of freeze
concentration system

40
Information and
Communication
Technology (ICT)

41
 Indigenous Ultra-fast Carrier Ethernet Switch
Router for Telecommunication Networks

Inventors: A. Gumaste and Single unified networking medium encompassing the lower
team, Gigabit Networking three layers of the Internet – the physical, the data-link and the
Laboratory, Department network layer. The current technology provides an excellent
of Computer Science and backward compatibility with existing systems using the common
Engineering denominator of Ethernet while supporting carrier-class features
and offering an ultra-fast routing fabric.
Patent pending
Features:
 Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM) fabric support to
facilitate excellent fibre utilisation
 Optical Transport Network support for up to 1000km reach
without regeneration of the optical signal, suitable for
connecting metropolitan cities in India
 Carrier Ethernet support for between 1 Gbps and 10 Gbps
traffic of Carrier Ethernet services. Scalable to provide a multi-
100Gbps switch/router fabric
 each interface supports a multitude of services with each
Indigenous router for metro and
service supporting granularity from 1Mbps to 10 Gbps
data-center environments
 routing support: offers routing in domains
 low-cost, energy efficiency, very low latency, small foot-print
and indigenous technology

Uses:
 in the data-center: fast interconnection between the
computational servers and the rest of the network
 creation of data-centers of various sizes to support cloud
networks – disparate data-centers connected across a
metropolitan transport network
Indigenous router for core and  in the metropolitan area as a WAN technology: supports carrier
regional transport environments class managed routing and optical interfaces with WDM;
reduces total cost as well as makes provider networks scale to
meet emerging demands of the end-user
 as a broadband enabler: intended for the Indian market: uses
broadband proliferation as a driver
 in the enterprise: replaces existing Ethernet switches and IP
routers at lower cost-points while giving better functionality
and ability to provision critical services
 potential to transform enterprises to very smart units with
Status: Licensed to ECIL, thick connection pipes and secure computation
India
42
Communication Networks

An innovative routing technology for traffic engineering and Inventor: G. Saraph,

optimisation in communication networks. Department of Electrical
Engineering
Applications:
 delivery of the desired quality for various services while Patent granted (US patent
optimising utilisation of the available network resources application number:
 applications in optimising multi-commodity flow or logistic 10/739, 655, grant number:
problems 7, 231, 459B2)

Features:
 technology enables selection of optimal route(s) in the
network (also known as traffic engineering) to satisfy quality
constraints and ensure efficient resource utilisation
 uses multi-dimensional virtual space representation of the
network to select multiple optimal
routes for an arbitrary source-destination
pair within the network
 the solution broadly falls in the category
of solution for Multi-commodity-flow
optimisation or K-shortest-paths-first
type of problems
 technology potentially has wide
applications besides communication
networks

Method of modeling and

optimising a network

Status: Exclusively licensed

to Vegayan Systems Pvt.
Ltd., a company incubated
at IIT Bombay
43
 Speech Compression Method

Inventor: Preeti Rao, A novel method to reduce voice data bit rate to a very low
Department of Electrical range (under 2 kbps as opposed to standard communications
engineering technology which uses between 4 and 64 kbps) without
compromising speech quality.
Patent granted (Application
number: 273/MUM/2003, The lower the bit rate, the higher is the compression. In the low
grant number: 205439) (below 8 kbps) to very low (below 2 kbps) bit rate region, there is
usually a distinct compromise of speech quality for a reduction
in bit rate. However there are a number of applications where
voice compression at very low bit rates is essential such as digital
transmission, and voice storage and reproduction.

The technology developed combines predictive quantization

with spectral interpolation in a multiband excitation framework
to achieve intelligible and natural sounding speech with high
compression.

Features:
 can be used for end-to-end voice communication over
bandwidth-limited links
 can be used in combination with encryption in order to
Data reduction achieved achieve secure voice transmission
by the new speech compression  can be used for low-capacity call storage and retrieval
system over a standard system  can be used in text-to-speech systems with low overhead
storage, and facilitating natural prosody synthesis

Speech quality with bit rate for

various codecs

44
Automatic Address Segmentation

A software tool that can 'learn' to segment unseen addresses Inventor: Sunita Sarawagi,
once trained with examples of already segmented addresses. Department of Computer
Address segmentation involves extracting from the full address Science and Engineering
string, individual structured fields such as landmark, house
number and state. This process finds use in large organisations
which are required to handle massive postal address databases.

Features:
 handles new data robustly
 computationally efficient
 easy interpretation
 adjusts to rectify unexpected address segmentation problems
 high levels of accuracy obtained using nationwide,
heterogeneous collections of actual addresses

An example segmentation of the

address string:"36/307 S. V. Road
Goregaon (W) Bombay 400079"

Status: Software licensed

to a data cleaning company
in India for commercial
deployment
45
 Hindi Wordnet

Inventors: P. Bhattacharyya A rich, complex, large and widely used electronic resource along
and team, Department with associated tools for an Indian language developed for the
of Computer Science and first time.
Engineering
Features:
 lexical structures composed of sets of synonyms (synsets) and
semantic relations
 crucial resources within the field of natural language
processing (NLP)
 important during translation of and word searching among
Indian languages

The Hindi Wordnet resource and its application programming

interfaces (APIs) are freely downloadable for research purposes
from http://www.cfilt.iitb.ac.in/wordnet/webhwn. The resource
has been downloaded by more than 5000 researchers around
the world.
Construction of wordnets for a
number of Indian languages is
currently underway.

Wordnet sub-graph: Hindi

Status: Licensed to a
multinational search engine
company; a US based
linguistic data consortium
has procured Hindi wordnet
and made it available
through their catalogue
(http://www.ldc.upenn.edu)
46
Efficient Technologies for Broadband Access

An innovative, ethernet-based architecture called EisoAccess, for Inventors: Abhay

broadband access technology in the converged telecom sector. Karandikar and team,
Department of Electrical
Features: Engineering
 a novel architecture that leverages the potential of the
ethernet to provide Quality of Service (QoS) based triple-play
services
 innovative method of transporting voice over packet-switched
networks
 unique algorithms for enhancing
the performance of packet voice
communications using the
Ethernet Adaptation Layer (EAL)

Benefits:
 considerable superiority in Capex
as well in Opex costs, while at the Typical deployment block
diagram
same time it is able to offer new value-added services

Status: Exclusively licensed

to Eisodus Networks, a
company incubated at IIT
Bombay
47
 Artificial Intelligence for Business Analytics

Inventor: R. M. Sonar, Business intelligence and analytics framework (Mooga) has been
Shailesh J. Mehta School of developed using the hybrid Artificial Intelligence approach.
Management
Features:
 facilitates integrated, automated and operational intelligence
using conventional intelligent systems and relational database
management systems
 implements four basic filtering techniques and their hybrids:
collaborative, content, demographic and knowledge-based. It
offers personalisation and recommendation in various domains

Mooga has been successfully implemented,

tested and deployed in telecom and
internet domains.

Integrated and Operational

Intelligence

Status: Licensed to iKen

Solutions, a company
incubated at IIT Bombay.
48
Ad Time

A device and method for advertising through video display Inventors: S. Chaudhuri
systems and Hitesh Shah,
Department of Electrical
Features: Engineering
Image Analyser
 extracts characteristic features from the frames of the Patent granted (Application
video sequence of a recorded scene, creates projective 3D number: 1338/MUM/2006,
reconstruction grant number: 241268)
 locates the planar regions in projective 3D
reconstruction of the scene
 identifies areas within the planar regions in
which the advertisement can be inserted

Parameter Evaluator
 locates the largest planar regions of the video
sequence for insertion of the advertisements
 identifies the start and end times of the largest
planar regions in each frame with metadata

Image Synthesiser
 augments the identified largest planar region
in each frame of the video sequence with the
advertisement from a database
Schematic of Ad time
 calculates the virtual space occupied by the
representations in the video sequence
 determines the duration of the advertisement selected in the
video sequence for billing

49
 Mobile Social Networking Platform

Inventors: A. Karandikar, An effective framework that enables telecom operators to

P. Kapadia, A. Kumar, S. develop personalised applications and send targeted promotions
Kumar, S. Sharma, D. Parakh, to users within the network.
Department of Electrical
Engineering The algorithm mines the call detail records available with the
service provider to search for patterns in interaction between
Patents granted users. These patterns along with the information about a set of
(Indian patent application applications that a user is currently using, and what his friends
number: 411/MUM/2010, like /dislike are analysed to narrow down on a specific set of
US patent application users with similar interests. Anything that is popular in a user’s
number: 12/906,057) “cluster” has a high probability of being liked by the users of that
cluster and can be recommended to them.

Features:
 no need to download
any additional software on
mobile
 does not require users to
have a 3G phone and ensures
wider
penetration into the Indian
market
 intelligence obtained can
be used to give a better user
experience
 can host SMS based
applications
 can support 3G
Mobile Social Networking applications
Platform recommender engine
Applications currently running on the platform are:

Status: Pilot has been

deployed at TATA
Teleservices Ltd.
50
An Eco-friendly Communication System

A cost-effective, wired communication system that uses a Inventors: N. K. Khosla,

scalable intelligent multiple bit addressable bus (SIMBA). H. Ramamurthy, A. John,
V. Shah, R. Aggarwal, P.
Features: Sahni, Departments of
 can be used for inter-device, low speed (1-3Kb typical) serial Metallurgical Engineering
communications related to industrial monitoring, control and and Materials Science and
automation Electrical Engineering
 ideally suited for monitoring and control of devices and
equipment spread over large geographical terrain such as Patent granted (Application
manufacturing businesses, road/railroad monitoring, pipeline number: 386/MUM/2004,
monitoring and similar applications grant number: 212327)
 flexible networking topology of SIMBA
 financially attractive option for low budget applications
 can be interfaced with standard wide area
networks

The self-powering capability of the device makes

this invention particularly eco-friendly.

Flexible network topology

51
 Emergency Communication System for Public
Safety (ETHERHAWK)

Inventors: A. Karandikar An emergency communication system for public safety and

and team, Department of disaster recovery.
Electrical Engineering
Features:
 two-part system comprising of wearable/mountable clients
and a portable base station
 system uses a 4G system as its base to provide for real-time
video and audio communication
 enables group communication with high-resolution video
sharing and video-calling
 traditional data services such as text messaging and optional
internet access

Use case scenario, deployment

of the system in an emergency
The 4G Emergency Communications System uses a high capacity
response situation and secure radio communications link operating in the sub-
GHz band. The lower frequency band offers better propagation
characteristics and hence improved coverage in near line-of-
sight conditions. This is a very important requirement for link
reliability in dense urban topologies.

The radio system consists of a field

swappable battery that can provide
Benefits:
a talk time of 7h. This wearable  applications in defense, maritime operations, fire and rescue
system weighs less than 1.2 kgs operations and telemedicine
 reliable, portable and secure way of deploying high-speed
wireless networks
 can enable emergency response teams on the ground to send
and receive high quality video, voice and data transmissions to
A micro camera is integrated and from a distant command and control centre
with the ballistic goggles which
 advanced systems using broadband, high speed, packet
provides the commander with an
un-obstructed view
switched technology
 cost effective
 customised interface
 can easily be extended to meet the needs of different security
The unit is mounted on the systems that are deployed across the country
upper back of the commando
supporting on the bullet proof
vest
Status: Field trials have
been conducted with the
Maharashtra Police
52
Cellular Backhaul for Rural Access (CeBRA)

A novel mechanism for cellular deployment in rural areas. Inventors: A. Karandikar

and team Departments of
Main challenges in a rural deployment: (a) Cost of deployment, Electrical Engineering
(b) Absence of infrastructure, (c) Low population density, (d)
Longer distances from central offices, (e) High maintenance cost.

Cellular Backhaul for Rural Access (CeBRA) solves this problem by:
 enabling access beyond the twisted pair limitation of 1.5 kms
 using modified and efficient Wi-Fi (TDMA based)
 circuit emulation over optimised TDMA Wi-Fi
 enabling reach to rural areas

CeBRA has been developed for Ethernet and TDM Backhaul

in mobile cellular networks over long distances. It is a cost
effective and flexible solution. Two parts of the solution are:
 FRACTEL: Solution for efficient long distance wireless in
unlicensed band;
 TDMoIP: Solution for carrying TDM data over Ethernet and
thereby over the long distance wireless link.
Antenna + ODU – All weather
Hardware/software (systems) solutions for the above have been equipment, optimally placed with
designed and developed to address service providers’ technical the antenna
and commercial requirements.

The technology will pave way for significant reduction in

capital expenditure making rural deployment a cost effective
proposition.

53
54
Manufacturing

55
 Thermoelectrically Cooled Helmet

Inventors: M.V. Rane and A self-cooling two-wheeler helmet which complies with current
George Koshy, Department quality standards in terms of dimension, weight and safety
of Mechanical Engineering, parameters.
Latent Tech Pvt. Ltd.
Features:
Patent filed (Application  includes thermoelectric modules, a heat dissipation medium
number: 1377/MUM/2007) and a flexible cooling medium
 provides cooling of 8 to 10 degrees below ambient
temperature
 requires no maintenance and is aesthetically pleasing
 provides both cooling and heating in the interior of the helmet

Helmet with heating and cooling abilities

Status: Licensed to Latent

Tech Pvt. Ltd
56
Creating Harder Cutting Edges

A novel diamond coating method that improves the adhesive Inventors: D.S. Misra and
and hardness qualities of diamond-coated steel components. A. K. Sikder, Department of
Physics
Method:
 steel surface is cleaned by washing the components with Patent granted (Application
detergent followed by washing with deionised water number: 377/MUM/2000,
 components are washed with an aqueous alkali solution and grant number: 200842)
again by deionised water
 electro-cleaning or anodic cleaning is performed on the outer
layer of the washed steel, in a sulphuric acid bath to remove
oxides
 the cleaned component is then electroplated with a nickel
layer, a nickel-diamond composite layer and a chromium
layer followed by Chemical Vapour Deposition (CVD) coating of
diamonds

Features:
The three pre-CVD layers are thermally stable. The
nickel layer enhances the second nickel-diamond
layer and the chromium layer improves adherence
of the diamonds. These three layers solve the
problem of poor adhesion since carbon does not
diffuse into the three-layer coated steel.

SEM image of diamond coated

steel

Status: Licensed to an
individual entrepreneur
57
 Planning Solutions for Pulp, Paper and Printing
Industries

Inventors: S. Patwardhan An approach for enterprise-wide planning and scheduling

and team, Department of problems in paper, pulp and printing industries.
Chemical Engineering
Method:
 problems are decomposed into an interconnected smaller set
of sub-problems in space and time
 sub-problems can be solved with existing capabilities of
available solvers and personal computers

Features:
 hierarchical structure
 algorithmic approach
with minimal
use of heuristics
 permits systematic
analysis of the
problem at various
levels
 rolling horizon
concept to handle
changing future
demands and
possible disruptions
 resultant sub-
problems solved
using an ILOG CPLEX
7.1 Solver

Process flow of approach

Efficacy has been evaluated on a large industrial problem

(3200 orders, 5 paper machines and a 3 month horizon, i.e.,
approximately 300,000 variables). Satisfactory solutions have
been obtained over multiple scenarios in a reasonable time
frame.

Applications:
 large-dimension enterprise-wide order allocation
Status: Technology  inventory allocation
transferred to Honeywell  run formation
Technology Solution Ltd.  trimming and pattern sequencing problems
58
Supercritical Fluid Extraction Technology

A superior and economical Supercritical Fluid Extraction Inventors: M.

Technology (SCFE). Mukhopadhyay and
team, Departments of
The current global trends show a growing preference for Chemical Engineering and
products from natural sources that use safe, eco-friendly and Mechanical Engineering
pollution-free manufacturing processes. SCFE technology can
provide a total solution to these challenges.

SCFE is a highly versatile

technology with a varied range
of applications:
 extraction of natural
products such as essential
oils and oleoresins, flavours,
fragrances, food colours,
preservatives, pesticides and
herbal medicines
 production of ultrafine/
nanoparticles, used for
enhanced dissolution,
controlled release or targeted
drug delivery
 processing and preservation
of food products Commercial SCFE plant’
 de-cholesterolisation of food, de-caffeination of tea/coffee,
de-nicotisation and removal of tar from tobacco and extraction
of hops
 precision cleaning of electronic and optical components
 removal of residual solvent from solvent-extracted products

Improvements that have been incorporated in the conventional

SCFE technology include pre-processing of natural materials
prior to extraction, a sequential scheme of static and dynamic
extractions and selective fractionations, intermittent processing
of feed material for complete extraction, and also design of
internals.

Status: Had been licensed

to alumni entrepreneur for
deployment
59
 OptiLOM Software

Inventors: K.P. Karunakaran Laminated object manufacturing (LOM) is a rapid prototyping

and team, Department of process used to produce less expensive and stronger prototypes.
Mechanical Engineering The main barrier to the use of this process is that it requires grid
and Daimler Chrysler AG, cutting and de-cubing, which requires extended time and skilled
Germany manpower.

The OptiLOM software alleviates the need for grid-cutting and

de-cubing in Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM).

Features of OptiLOM:
 allows pre-processing of the prototype geometry before using
it on the LOM machine
 eliminates the need for grid cutting and de-cubing
 does not require any change in the hardware
of the LOM machine and hence is readily
adoptable
 additional geometries can be calculated

Bracket made on an LOM

machine after pre-processing
Output of a bracket processed by using OptiLOM
OptiLOM

Status: Launched during

EuroMOLD 2002, Germany.
Licensed to Materialise,
Belgium, and sold as an
optional module for its
‘Magics’ RP software
60
Electro Slag Remelting Technology

Electro slag remelting (ESR) plant design and ESR technology for Inventors: N. B. Ballal
high speed and other specialised steels. and team, Department of
Metallurgical Engineering
Applications/Activities: and Materials Science
 new ultra-high strength steel for rocket motor casing
 turn-key supply of an ESR facility to the Vikram Sarabhai Space
Centre
 complete automatic control system for an ESR pilot plant
developed and installed
 inoculation of ESR steel to further improve the material’s
properties
 iron-aluminides use for high temperature applications

National award for ESR ESR Plant

technology transfer

Status: Licensed to M/s

A.V Alloys, Hyderabad;
high speed steel for tool
manufacture design,
commissioning and
knowhow licensed to
industries
61
 Improved Paint for Underwater Applications

Inventors: A. S. A fast-curing, corrosion resistant paint developed for underwater

Khanna, Department of applications.
Metallurgical Engineering
and Materials Science Features:
 two pack epoxy-amine chemistry applied
 bis-phenol-A epoxy resin was cured with cycloaliphatic amine
hardeners in combination with tertiary amine accelerators
 various pigments and fillers were optimised along with
dispersing, wetting and defoaming additives to solve the
problem of achieving good hydrophobicity of paint to prevent
its loss during underwater application
 glass flakes and various fibrous fillers used to overcome
problems faced in achieving good flexibility and reinforcement
 power brush, a suitable underwater application tool
 developed coating had surface dry time of about 2 hours with
thickness of around 300 microns
 excellent hydrophobicity, flexibility, strength and corrosion
resistance properties observed in the coating

Applications:
 value in repair and maintenance of piers, swimming pools,
and containment tanks
 can be used in areas exposed to dampness and water
saturation like loading docks, marine vessels and sweating
pipes, works well in locations with high humidity levels
Underwater coatings

Status: Licensed to EWAC

Alloys Ltd., Mumbai
62
WebNC: Machining through the Internet

An internet-based software for intelligent product modelling and Inventors: S. S. Pande

process planning. and team, Department of
Mechanical Engineering
Features:
 distributed environment provides 'anywhere
anytime' connectivity
 virtual design environment for synthesis,
validation and visualisation of parts
 intelligent process planning for 3-axis CNC
machining centres
 CNC program generation and graphical
simulation
 collaboration with remote site CNC machines
for tele-manufacturing

Applications:
 manufacturing of parts on three-axis
computer numerical control (CNC) machines
 can be applied to prismatic part shapes which
are common in the automobile, aerospace
and electric parts manufacturing industries
and in consumer goods

Due to its client server-based architecture, WebNC

enables integration of globally distributed product
designers, process planners and remote CNC machines
during collaborative product development and tele-
manufacturing. In addition, it is an excellent didactic
tool for training and virtual product development.
Web interface of WebNC
software
To use WebNC, a personal computer with an Internet connection
is sufficient and there is no need for the user to have any
proprietary CAD or CAM software.

Status: Had been licensed

to HyTech Pvt. Ltd.
63
 E-Foundry: Improved Casting Design and
Simulation

Inventors: B. Ravi Fast and reliable algorithms for 3D casting design, simulation and
and E-Foundry team, optimisations.
Department of Mechanical
Engineering Metal casting is the most economical process for producing
intricate parts with internal features. These are used in transport,
energy, sanitary, machine tools, defense and other sectors. Most
foundries, however, suffer from poor yield (as low as 50%) and
quality (over 10% rejections). This can be significantly improved
by computer simulation of casting process.

The E-Foundry Lab at IIT Bombay has developed advanced and

intelligent algorithms for automatic methods design, simulation
and optimisation of castings. This includes:
 part shape complexity analysis
 wall thickness visualisation
 reference radiograph
 hole feature recognition
 part-process compatibility evaluation
 mold parting line selection
 core print (support) design
 mold size and cavity layout
 metal-mold ratio optimisation
 feeder location, design, 3D model
 sleeve, chill design and model
 feed metal path simulation
 shrinkage defect prediction
 automatic feeder size optimisation
 3D layout of sprue, gate, runner
 gating channel design and model
 mold filling simulation
 automatic gating optimisation
 tooling cost estimation

The algorithms have been implemented in the following

software programmes:
Status: Licensed to 3D  3DHotSpot: for students and teachers
Foundry Tech Pvt. Ltd., a  AutoCAST-X: for foundry engineers
company incubated at IIT  LessMetal: for product designers
Bombay, for development
and marketing
64
Novel Insert Assembly

Unique insert assemblies with high specific strengths to reduce Inventors: N. K. Naik and
stress concentration at locations where multidirectional stresses N. Rao, Department of
act on sandwich structures. Aerospace Engineering

A novel method of reliably mapping the distribution of the Patent granted (Application
stresses, which helps predict failure initiation in sandwich number: 496/MUM/2004,
structures with diverse geometrical configurations. grant number: 211354)

Light weight sandwich structures are used in a variety of

applications such as vehicles, the aerospace industry and
structural frameworks. Inserts are used to strengthen the
sandwich structures so as to enable
them to withstand localised loads.
Inserts permit an interconnection
between honeycomb sandwich
structures and other structural parts.

The use of polymer matrix composite

materials as inserts ensures high
specific strength of the insert
assesmbly.

Design and development of an

array of 3D woven-composite insert
assemblies with special geometrical Types of inserts
and material characteristics for honeycomb sandwich structures
have been carried out. The stress distribution in sandwich
structures with new insert assemblies showed favourable results.
The developed assemblies consist of through-the-thickness,
fully-potted and partially potted geometrical configurations.

65
 Impeller Designs for Enhanced Material Mixing

Inventors: D.V. Khakhar Specially designed impellers for use on the central shaft of the
and S. Hajra Department of rotating drums used in industrial mixers.
Chemical Engineering
Features:
Patent granted (Application  'inverse S' shape
number: 809/MUM/2003,  capable of actively churning the material that is near the drum
grant number: 213856) axis
 able to disperse the heavy materials that tend to accumulate
near the central axis

The efficiency of the design was demonstrated through an

experiment in which glass beads of two different sizes and
colours (red and colourless) were loaded into horizontal drums,
one with the novel impeller and one without. After rotation, the
drum with the new impeller showed superior mixing in both the
axial (along the length of the drum) and radial (across the circular
cross section of the drum) directions, in comparison to the
mixing obtained in the non-impeller based drum.

Advantages:
Schematic of impeller design  high mixing index
 low segregation
 even mixing at the core
 no segregation into clumps

Transverse mixing of red colour

glass beads within colourless
glass beads in a cylinder with
a rotating reverse 'S' shaped
impeller at the centre

66
Supercritical Process for Extraction of Fragrances

A process for cyclic supercritical fluid (SCF) CO2 extraction of Inventor: M.

fragrances from jasmine flowers. Mukhopadhyay,
Department of Chemical
The single step process results in higher and more efficient Engineering
recovery of fragrances than recoveries from conventional
processes. Patent granted (Application
number: 72/BOM/96, grant
Method: number: 183454)
 the fluid is charged into an extractor loaded with jasmine
flowers and kept for equilibration
 process strips the fragrances from the flowers by holding the
SCF CO2 in the extractor for a predetermined period of time
 a cycle of static and dynamic extractions from flowers using
SCF CO2
 dynamic collection of the fragrances by depressurisation
 optional pre- processing of flowers with a water soluble
organic co-solvent for more efficient, better and higher
recovery of fragrances
 simultaneous extraction with SCF CO2 and fractionation of
extracts for separation of “concrete” and “absolute” in a single
step

Process flow for extraction of

fragrances

67
 Supercritical Carbon dioxide-based Food
Sterilisation

Inventors: M. A novel process for sterilising and enhancing the shelf-life of

Mukhopadhyay and A. biological materials.
Chakraborty, Department
of Chemical Engineering Features:
 process uses sequential pressurisation-depressurisation
Patent granted (Application treatments with supercritical fluids
number: 543/MUM/2004,  sequences occur at specified pressures and treatment times
grant number: 211305) that are based on the nature of the biological material being
sterilised
 product specific characteristics can be
maintained while sterilisation is achieved
 allows shelf-life enhancement of at least 90
days without any chemical preservatives
 can sterilise liquid food such as milk, fruits
and vegetable juices, coconut water

Advantage:
 retains natural flavours, aroma, colour,
freshness and texture

Comparison of shelf
lives of SC CO2 treated, untreated,
and commercially available
tomato puree samples

A) Untreated tomato puree kept at room temperature showing

fungal growth on 5th day. B) SC CO2 treated tomato puree kept at
room temperature without any growth on 90th day

68
Supercritical Process to Extract Nutraceutical
Concentrates

A process for the extraction of nutraceutical concentrates Inventors: M.

enriched with bio-active ingredients through the use of Mukhopadhyay and H.
supercritical fluid carbon dioxide. Karamta, Department of
Chemical Engineering
Features
 pretreatment of the plant source by first washing with an Patent granted (Application
organic solvent in which the desired active ingredient is number: 545/MUM/2004,
insoluble grant number: 213518)
 selective leaching of the pretreated plant source to remove
the undesired components
 supercritical fluid extraction of the prepared plant source ,
followed by fractionation
 recovery of nutraceutical concentrates enriched with the
active ingredients, by collecting the fractions under ambient
pressure using a single separator, with varying times

Advantage:
 allows easy and superior extraction of nutraceutical
concentrates enriched with active ingredients

Experimental methodology

69
 High Molecular Weight Crystalline Polylactic Acids

Inventors: H. Nanavati and A method to make high crystalline lactic acid polymers of high
Vimal Katiyar, Department molecular weight.
of Chemical Engineering
Method:
Patents granted (Indian  melt polymerisation of a lactide in the presence of a catalyst to
patent application number: form prepolymers having active end groups
678/MUM/2007, grant  residual lactide after the melt polymerisation is removed by
number: 242801, Equivalent heating the reaction mixture in the temperature range of 98 °C
World patent number:  solid state polymerisation of prepolymers
WO2009007989A3)
Yields of polylactic acid with molecular weight in the
range of 100000 to around 200000 and crystallinity as
high as 98% are achieved. The use of a metal complex
catalyst system comprising a lactide, a metal octoate
and a lactic acid oligomer gives rise to a highly
crystalline high molecular weight polylactic acid.

Applications:
 textiles
 packaging purposes, medical
applications, surgical sutures
 sustained-release capsules
 drug delivery systems
 reinforcing materials for bone fractures
Proposed Reaction Pathway
for Pre-PLLA synthesis: (STEP I)
Synthesis of L-lactide-stannous
octoate-OLLA coinitiator complex
(STEP II) ROP of L-lactide, using
the Complex. This Pre-PLLA can
now undergo step-growth SSP
and yields highly crystalline high
molecular weight polylactic acid.

70
Synthesising Poly Lactic Acid Clay Nanocomposites

A process for preparing polylactic acid-clay nanocomposites by Inventors: H. Nanavati and

monomer intercalation, followed by polymerisation of lactide in V. Katiyar, Department of
clay. Chemical Engineering

In case of lactic acid monomer, the process yields effective Patents granted (Application
dispersion of polylactic acid prepolymer and clay, via numbers: 677/MUM/2007,
intercalation and exfoliation of the clay with an oligomer and 679/MUM/2007, grant
metal based catalyst followed by melt polymerization of lactic numbers: 245297, 242277)
acid oligomer in clay.

Features:
 biodegradable
 superior mechanical properties
 high molecular weight and crystallinity
 superior permeability
 suitable for automotive, electronic, film, fiber, biocompatible
and biomedical applications

Method:
 lactic acid oligomer is utilized to prepare a dispersion of clay in
medium Molecular weight (MW) lactic acid prepolymer by
melt polymerization
 either intercalated or exfoliated medium MW lactic acid
prepolymer will then undergo Solid State Polymerisation
(SSP) to yield high molecular weight polylactic acid-clay
nanocomposites
SSP-synthesized Poly Lactic acid
Clay Nanocomposites (PLACN).
Pre-PLACN formed by in situ Ring
Opening Polymerisation (ROP) of
L-lactide, in presence of catalyst.
Comparing the d-spacings
from SAXS patterns (a) and (b),
indicates lactide has intercalated
within the modified clay galleries.
*PLLA: Poly L-lactic acid

71
 Novel Electric-Motor-Powered Drive System

Inventors: B. G. Fernandes An electric-motor-powered, in-wheel drive system using an

and D. P. Mahajan, inverted switched reluctance motor drive to provide improved
Department of Electrical efficiency, greater compactness and maintenance free vehicle
Engineering operation system.

Patent granted (Application Components:

number: 365/MUM/2007,  stator of the electric motor comprises a stack of ferromagnetic
grant number: 241923) material laminations and includes outwardly extending poles
 coils are wound about the stator poles in such a way that for
every stator pole of one polarity, there is a corresponding pole
with an opposite polarity
 motor consists of several projecting poles
and does not include coils or an energy
source, such as permanent magnets
 converter-controller system

Mechanism:
 motor has three phases (A, B and C) which
are selectively and sequentially energised
 reluctance by the flux from the excited
phase is a function of rotor position and the
motor phase with the position of maximum
reluctance must be energised first; instant
of energising is determined by a position
sensor and a controller
 during operation, the windings of the
three phases are energised and de-
energised in sequence and in response, the
rotor experiences continuous unidirectional
torque

Advantage:
 design ensures reliable, maintenance free
Schematic of electric-motor- operation and low cost
powered drive system

72
Yarn Flyer Design

A novel yarn flyer designed for jute spinning machines to reduce Inventors: H. Hirani and
operator risks. S.S. Dani, Department of
Mechanical Engineering
Jute fibre is spun into yarn on a spinning machine that also
collects the yarn using bobbins. The bobbins are placed within Patent granted (Application
flyers, which facilitate the yarn winding process. In addition to number: 661/MUM/2006,
winding the yarn, flyers are used to maintain the required tension grant number: 234653)
to the yarn.

The new design uses a new geometry in the flyer’s lateral

extension.

Features:
 due to the spinning movement and tension created, the yarn
automatically slides towards the inner section of the flyer
 allows higher operating speeds, increasing the strength of the
yarn
 provides economic advantages as deformation of the flyer
during spinning is reduced

Benefits:
 increased usable life span
 lesser problems associated with the hairiness of jute yarn
 produces a lower noise level during operation thus reducing
the health risks to the workers Schematic of yarn flyer
 can increase economic productivity

73
 Compact Drive Mechanism

Inventor: S. L. Bapat, A compact drive mechanism for reciprocating machines.

Department of Mechanical
Engineering Components:
 two horizontal circular discs parallel to each other, both having
Patent granted (Application a coinciding circumferential groove of the same size and
number: 480/MUM/2000, shape. One of these discs is stationary while the other (the
grant number: 200858) driving disc) is rotated using a prime mover
 a vertical disc with an external surface matching the curvature
of the grooves is placed between two horizontal plates. The
vertical disc rotates in the grooves about the central axis of the
mechanism and also about its own horizontal axis, which
results in a planetary motion

Operation of the drive mechanism:

 horizontal stationary disc has a number of holes, designed to
hold tubes that act as cylinders. The driven disc also has the
same number of holes to hold the guiding sleeves and on the
same P.C.D.
 circular rods are coupled to each other at right angles to
obtain L-shaped members. The vertical limbs act as pistons and
Alpha Stirling cryo-cooler they reciprocate (and simultaneously rotate) in the respective
developed using the drive cylinders mounted on the horizontal stationary disc. Horizontal
mechanism
limbs are inserted through the guide sleeve mounted in the
vertical disc. These act as load bearing limbs while undergoing
rotating and reciprocating motion.
 one rotation of the vertical disc
is equivalent to two strokes (one
upward and one downward) of
each piston

Advantages:
 large stroke to diameter ratio
 orientation of the drive
mechanism has no effect on the
performance of the application
Position of piston after half Position of piston initially for which it was used
revolution

74
Stirling Cooler

A unique Stirling cooler employing the Stirling cycle. Inventor: S. L. Bapat,

Department of Mechanical
In Stirling cycle, a working fluid, such as helium or hydrogen, Engineering
is compressed and then allowed to cool to the desired
temperature while passing through a regenerator (a porous Patent granted (Application
matrix). It is then expanded in order to cool further. The resultant number: 299/MUM/2006,
cooling or refrigeration effect is used for cooling applications. grant number: 225128)
The cold gas picks up heat from the regenerator while returning
to the compression space again.

Components:
 compressor which has a piston disposed in the compressor
cylinder
 expander with a rotating piston that is reciprocally disposed in
the expander cylinder
 regenerator placed within a cavity formed in an extension at
the top of the expander piston
 circumferential groove formed on the extension adjoining the
bottom wall of the cavity and the top end of the expander
piston
 a pair of helical grooves along the length of the expander
piston with their ends meeting each other

Benefits:
 allows a cooler to be very compact and effective in cooling Schematic of sterling cooler
 developed coolers will have long life, due to the use of non-
contact running surfaces
 expected to maintain high performance over a wide range of
temperature conditions
 uses an environmentally safe helium gas , as the working fluid
 performs well in harsh temperature environments, under high
ambient temperatures that are limited only by the materials
used to manufacture the cooler

75
 Sheet Selection System

Inventors: P. P. Date and A system and a process of forming sheets to generate products
S. G. Desai, Department of of desired shapes conforming to user defined acceptance
Mechanical Engineering criteria.

Patent granted (Application Features:

number: 808 / MUM / 2006,  sheet metal selected based on parameters to avoid rejection
grant number: 241812)  helps avoid sheet being “mis-applied” when the ‘demand’ for
sheet ductility is far too high
 the sheets can be tested quickly without the need for use of
written standards

Components:
 sheet deforming means comprising punch,
blank holder and die
 strain measuring means provided on the sheet
deforming means
 data acquisition
 processing means provided with Artificial
Neural network (ANN) capabilities
 output device configured with the said sheet
deforming and strain measuring mean

Formation of cup using ANN Strain data from the strain measuring means is fed into the
suggested material specification
data acquisition and processing means. The ANN architecture is
developed and trained in the processing means to arrive at the
sheet material specification to produce sheet products of desired
shapes / geometries meeting user defined quality parameters.
Changes in tool parameters and processing conditions on quality
of the product irrespective of the material and shape of the
product are possible.

Benefits:
 uses simulations and helps metal engineers choose the right
sheet and helps predict the outcome by using the ANN
enabled system
 reduction of wastage of time and material

76
Automated Windshield Wiper

An improved automated windshield wiper. Inventors: A. Lohokare,

Department of Mechanical
Features: Engineering
 user-friendly
 reliable Patent granted (Application
 cost effective number: 1152/MUM/2001,
 can be adapted for use in a variety of vehicles grant number: 198020)
 available with a manual option that permits a change from
intermittent to continuous wiper operation, as and when
required
 available with a suitable combination of dwell time
variations between two wiping cycles of the wiper
and speed control of the wiper motor, allowing
intermittent or continuous operation, with speed
control, depending on the intensity and
frequency of rainfall

Components:
 A rain sensor
 A detector selection control circuit
 A wiper operation circuit

Components of the automated

The rain sensor consists of a calibrated collection vessel with windshield wiper system
perforations at specific heights that enable the outflow of water
collected in the collection vessel at a specific rate but at amounts
that vary with the intensity of rainfall.

The detector selection circuit intermediates between the rain

sensor and the wiper motor. According to the signal it receives
from the rain sensor, it activates or deactivates the wiper motor
directly or through the wiper operation circuit.

The wiper operation circuit consists of a comparator, an

intermittent wiper control circuit and a continuous wiper control
circuit.

77
 Stirling Engine for 1.5 kW Electrical Output

Inventors: S.L. Bapat and A distributed power generation system for economical supply
S. B. Kedare, Departments of electricity to rural areas and other locations where large
of Mechanical Engineering distances are involved.
and Energy Science and
Engineering Features:
 has a rhombic drive mechanism which avoids the side thrusts
on the cylinder
 provides a larger pressure ratio with the same piston and
displacer diameters
 uses the second order of cyclic analysis for
design of miniature as well as large capacity
Stirling coolers
 weights are attached to the gears to reduce
torque variation from the system and from the
point of balancing, using a novel technique to
provide the arrangement
 incorporates an annular regenerator and cooler
using the axial slits for gas and circumferential
passages for coolant

The assembled engine has been tested for

a short duration of five minutes and further
Stirling Engine (Flame Heating
modifications are being carried out (for the
not shown) heating section).

Cylinder Head heat input tubes as

modified

78
Special Needs

79
 Low Cost Motorised Arm

Inventors: S. Devasahayam First successful, low-cost, indigenous, motorised artificial hand

and team, Department
of Biosciences and Features:
Bioengineering and  myoelectric and whistle-based controllers
Christian Medical College  a motor for co-ordinated movements of the fingers and
(CMC), Vellore thumb, another motor to turn the hand at the forearm
 motors operated by switches placed in the socket of the
artificial hand
 amputee able to control switches by slight movements in the
residual limb

Advantages:
 works better in a high-humidity climate
 sizes available for both children and adults

An amputee working with his

motorised arm

Status: Fabricated by
WORTH and subjected to
clinical trials
80
Communicator for Children with Cerebral Palsy

A special type of foot operated communicating tool based on a Inventors: G. G. Ray and
personal computer team, Industrial Design
Centre and Department of
Features: Electrical Engineering
 foot operated switches and associated software
 special sequence of keywords like 'Do', 'Go' and 'Drink'
presented as images of the respective situation
 special type of support furniture to allow appropriate
positioning of the monitor and the foot operated switches

Toe operated communicator

81
 Vestibulator for Cerebral palsy

Inventors: G.G. Ray and A new concept vestibulator for neuromuscular coordination and
S.A. Hosseini, Industrial improved balance mechanisms in cerebral palsy children
Design Centre
 vestibular therapy is intended at helping the brain to quickly
compensate for lost balance
 device highly effective; reduces the existing duration of
vestibular therapy from six months to one and half months

82
LPG Kitchen Stove for the Visually Challenged

Novel LPG stoves based on conceptual designs, for the visually Inventors: G. G. Ray and
impaired team, Industrial Design
Centre
Features:
 low cost two-burner stainless steel gas stove with separate
automatic igniters
 automatic flame failure detectors for each burner with different
audible tones
 flame guard rings for each burner with five-prong pan
supports
 drip disc around each burner and drip tray
underneath the stove
 easily operated burner control knobs with
three control positions
 two-step body for easy location of burner
and control areas
 reference ridge along the body for easy
location of burners and easy repositioning
of pan supports and flame guards
 central groove on the front surface for
keeping vessels
 uses replaceable battery
 aesthetically pleasing product form; safe
and easily serviceable

LPG stove for the visually impaired

Status: 30 stove units

have been developed in
association with M/s. P.K.
Limited, Hyderabad, and
distributed to the visually
impaired for field trials.
83
 Ascender: The Climbing Wheelchair

Inventors: V.P. Bapat and An innovative design of wheelchair for increased comfort, ease of
team, Industrial Design operation and navigation of stairs.
Centre
Features:
 works on the principle of a ratchet attached to a traction belt
 user can navigate a flight of stairs by pulling the levers
attached to the arm rest
 traction belt locks the wheels preventing slipping
 Dupont structural net on the back and seat reduces body sores
 higher level of operational freedom
 self-reliance to the user
 transfer of persons to and from the wheelchair easier
 public spaces made more accessible to the user
 greater operational independence
 mechanism eliminates intensive use of hands
 easy transportation and assembly of the parts
 approximate cost – ` 10,000 – 15,000

Ascender – a climbing
wheelchair

84
Light Weight Prosthesis for Polio-affected Children

A lightweight prosthesis, employing novel materials Inventors: S. C. Lakkad,

Department of Aerospace
 clinical trials on over 1000 patients with lower limb paralysis Engineering and team at
have confirmed the superiority and acceptability of the SDM Hospital, Jaipur
product

Child wearing lightweight

prosthesis

85
86
Design

87
 Design for Board Games

Inventors: U. A. Athavankar Board games for children aged 6+ and 8+ years.

and team, Industrial Design
Centre Features:
 designed using education and creativity principles
 based on the use of spatial intelligence and mental imagery
 designed to instill a problem solving approach, such as the use
of foresight and planning
 short games for entertainment purposes
 long games to teach children how to develop strategies

Design registrations for the board games:

Game Design Registration No.
Bi-Pass 222968
Over the Top 222973
Brick Burst 222969
Delta Attack 222972
Pugploy 222974

Board games

Status: Licensed to
Funskool (India) Ltd. and
products are in the market.
88
A New Letterbox for India Post

The old rusty red letterbox, popularly known as ’Lal Dabba’ in Inventors: B. K.
India has got a new look. Chakravarthy and team,
Industrial Design Centre
Features:
 stainless steel body mounted on a smaller base, making it easy Design registered in
to collect letters because of the overhang of the body September 2005; No.
 keeps the letters from being soiled during rains 201789
 red composite-plastic top with a beak-like aperture for posting
letters
 rust free, does not require painting
 has a maintenance-free life expectancy of 20 years
 cap covers the top of the stainless steel body on all sides,
preventing seepage of rainwater into the letterbox
 the slopes on the top fully drain water away from the box
 the wide opening accommodates large envelopes and has an
easily moved sliding closer
 the flat top surface can be used for writing
 a common key can open all letterboxes in one region
 easy to install

As a strategic marketing initiative, the new letterbox has large

spaces for advertisements on its sides and the revenue from such
advertisements can pay for the cost of the box over a period of
approximately 2 years—later becoming a revenue generating
initiative. The new letterbox was launched on 18th October 2005
in New Delhi.

Deployed letter box

Status: Deployed by
Department of Post, Govt.
of India
89
 ATM Enclosure Design

Inventors: U. A. Athavankar ASAN, a low cost, automated teller machine (ATM).

and team, Industrial Design
Centre The design is based on surveys of current and potential users of
ATMs.

ASAN has several advantageous features compared to currently

deployed ATMs. These features have been incorporated to suit
the desires of Indian customers and the needs of Indian ATM
locations.

Features:
 attractive design incorporating elements from traditional
Indian architecture (banks may further customise it based on
their needs)
 small size makes it suitable for deployment in places with
space constraints
 ergonomic design suits the typical Indian body dimensions
with respect to the height of the keypad and the inclination
angle of the screen
 has a provision for placing one's personal belongings and has
protruding wings for ensuring privacy during transactions
 has a multi-coloured card reader and status indicator which
guides unfamiliar users
 has intelligent, power-saving hardware and software
 an integrated pedestal accommodates an uninterrupted
power supply, providing maximum availability during power
outages
 trouble-free operation in hot, humid and dusty environments
 unique airflow system allows deployment at non-air
ASAN – a new ATM conditioned sites
 40-column, graphic thermal receipt printer

The ATM enclosure design obtained the Consultancy

Development Centre National Award for Excellence in
Consultancy Services in 2004.

Status: Licensed to NCR for

installation in various banks
90
K-Yan: The Compact Media Centre

A compact media product for community use which combines Inventor: Kirti Trivedi,
the functions of a multimedia and Internet-enabled PC, a large Industrial Design Centre
format television, a DVD/VCD/CD player and CD writer, a video-
conference device, an LCD data projector and an audio system
that facilitates shared viewing and participation by users.

K-Yan has since been demonstrated to several senior state and

central government officials and ministers. K-Yan has evoked
enthusiastic response and is on the way to becoming a major
commercial success.

Features:
 easy to use
 has multilingual facilities
 eliminates the need for investing in other
media hardware
 a single unit can cater to the teaching needs
of an entire class and can substantially reduce
the cost of computerising schools
 useful in group learning or information
dissemination programs, such as healthcare,
family planning, agricultural practices and civic
awareness drives
 equipped with a solar energy portable
power supply to enable its use in areas with no K-Yan
electricity
 can also function as a mobile communication centre for
deployment to remote locations when mounted in a van
 with an Internet connection and a web-camera, it allows low-
cost Web-conferencing from any location, making it useful in
disaster management or when monitoring project progress
 useful in facilitating e-governance, as it will facilitate
direct communication between various agencies and the
administration’s headquarters Status: Licensed to
Infrastructure Leasing &
Financial Services Ltd.; has
been deployed at more than
250 schools, educational
institutions, NGOs and rural
communities
91
 Electro-mobility Product Designs

Inventors: K. Munshi and Light-weight, micro-electric vehicles.

team, Industrial Design
Centre Features:
 light-weight structural material - glass reinforced plastics
 shape optimised to yield maximum strength to weight ratio
 battery capacity can be reduced due to reduction in weight of
the structure
 the body is made as an integrated structure (monocoque)
(obviates the need for steel structural members)
 driven by a hub-motor which is mounted on the wheel
 motors are controlled by electronic systems
 single seat two-wheeler and single seat three-wheeler with
towing capabilities
 have a range of 25-30 km on one full charge
 speed restricted to 20km/hr
 battery pack is lead acid, but can be changed to NiMH or Li Ion
 designs can be taken up for batch or mass production in the
shortest possible lead time

The structure of the vehicle has been developed

with the help of digital modeling and FE analysis,
and appropriate integration of aesthetics /
styling and ergonomics. These two-wheeled
/ three-wheeled vehicles are meant for niche
applications – airport interior transport, industrial
parks and campuses, large malls, where range,
speed, changing infrastructure is not an issue.

Single-seat 2-wheeler micro- Advantages:

electric vehicle  lightweight
 efficient
 reliable
 does not require a mechanical transmission system

Status: Exclusively licensed

to CTech Labs Pvt. Ltd., a
company incubated at IIT
Bombay
92
Modular Toilet Unit for trains

Improved modular toilets designed for Indian Railways. Inventors: K. Munshi and
team, Industrial Design
Features and advantages: Centre, Department of
 factory built, prefabricated product, ‘ready to assemble’ in A/C Aerospace Engineering
coaches
 unit consists of five modules
 can be erected in three to four hours
 three variations made to suit requirements of different types of
coaches: includes three
Oriental type WCs, one Western
type WC and two units of
Outside Panel with wash basin
 indian style WC special
designed with ergonomic
features for maximum comfort
 all plumbing and electrical
wiring concealed
 visual clutter due to leakage,
visible plumbing, loose wiring
and rusting elements avoided
to make the unit a clean and
hygienic place for use
 modern efficient image given
by choosing the right materials
including colour and finish Modular toilet units

 innovative designs incorporated to enhance aesthetics,

convenience and safety

The prototypes were created by Hindustan Fibre Glass Works,

Vadodara and the project was supported by the Advance
Composite Mission of TIFAC, Department of Science and
Technology, Government of India.

93
 A Novel Game for Learning Fractions and
Mathematical Operations

Inventors: U. A. Athavankar An educational and entertainment device to assist in the

and A. Agrahari, Industrial learning of concepts related to fractions, addition, subtraction
Design Centre and equivalence for children, through games and other types of
play.
Patent granted (Application
number: 1167/MUM/2003, Features:
grant number: 210463)  interactive
 increases learning through multiple challenge levels
 encourages creativity and strategic thinking
 requires 2-4 players
 self-packaged and therefore easy to carry from place to place

The game is in the form of a chequered board with areas

demarked for the placement of playing tiles of various shapes.
The tile pieces must be combined with one another to make
a complete shape. A specially designed die is thrown during a
person’s turn to determine which fraction tile is to be used to
complete the shape. The person who completes the final shape
with the minimum number of fraction pieces and minimum
throws of the dice wins.

Every time the dice is thrown, players pick up a new tile piece
from the pack. The challenge level, learning process and
sequence can be varied by using a variety of dice with different
numbers, thereby producing diverse options for learning.
Schematic of game developed

The device allows for presentation of flexible approaches

to promote understanding of the basic concepts related to
fractions and mathematics. Learning is accomplished through
internalisation of an idea while playing a game.

94
Key-Lekh: Computer Keyboard for Indian Languages

A computer keyboard developed with the goal of enabling Inventors: A. Joshi and A.
people familiar with Devnagiri to use it without instruction. Rathod, Industrial Design
Centre
Features:
 underlying concept is based on the ‘Varnamala’ - a well Patent granted (Application
structured Indian alphabetic system number: 720/MUM/2003,
 an efficient walk-up-and-use keyboard grant number: 213525)
 can also be used as a desktop keyboard

The prototype was subjected to extensive tests by users in

various age-groups through road shows and campus-based
competitions. The feedback indicates that the
Key-Lekh is the easiest-to-learn keyboard that
has been developed for Indian scripts.

Key-lekh keyboard

95
 Remote Sensing Scanning Mirror Controller Design

Inventors: H.B. Hablani and A design for the control of scan motion of a thematic mapper
K. Sunil Kumar, Department used for remote sensing of the earth.
of Aerospace Engineering
Features:
 cross-track and in-track angle profiles to scan successive
rectangular strips of the ground, compensating for the forward
motion of the satellite
 controllers designed to impart the desired scan motion to the
thematic mapper
 controllers satisfy the specification of turn-around and settling
of the instrument in 11 ms on a coasting rate with a tracking
accuracy better than 1 millidegree
 a proportional-derivative (PD), a proportional-integral-
derivative (PID), a PID with a rate estimate, and a lead-lag
compensator are designed to meet performance specifications
 time-domain and the frequency-domain simulation developed
 sensor noise modeled as white noise with a standard deviation
of 0.6 millidegree
 to achieve the specified scanning accuracy, the mapper scan
angle is measured with a frequency of 5 kHz in cross-track and
10 kHz in in-track
 optical sensors, resolvers and Hall-Effect sensors provide the
high frequency measurements

Matlab and Simulink softwares are used to simulate the scan

motions and controllers.

In-track versus cross-track angular Rectangular strips of lat-lon scans

motion of the mirror on the ground, performed by the
controllers

96
NATARAJ : The Walking Robot

NATARAJ – a six-legged walking robot Inventors: C. Amarnath

and team, Department of
Features: Mechanical Engineering
 can negotiate uneven terrain
 can undertake monitoring and maintenance activities in
hazardous radioactive environments
 can climb steps and ramps, step across small obstacles and can
manoeuvre in narrow spaces
 can lift up to 500 kg, with all of its legs on the ground

The innovative leg mechanism design has one Printed Circuit

Board (PCB) along 6 PWM amplifiers for each leg. The robot can
work on battery power for 20 minutes.

NATARAJ – a six-legged robot

97
 Tools and Technologies for Cane and Bamboo Craft

Inventors: A. G. Rao and Technologies to bolster the unorganised craft sector by helping
team, Industrial Design artisans produce value-added, contemporary bamboo products
Centre that can successfully compete with other materials in urban and
international markets.

Technologies include:
 a tool-kit with nearly 100 product-specific hand tools needed
to process bamboo
 small hand-operated machines for bamboo-processing,
suitable for use in a remote area with an unreliable power
supply
 jigs, fixtures and moulds to help control product sizes, shapes
and produce better finishes
 a variety of treatments, such as the use of smoke and alum, to
prevent fungal and insect attack of products
 various surface finishes using natural dyes
 new weaves and product designs for ergonomically,
functionally and aesthetically improved products

These forms of technology assistance are disseminated to

artisans by organising workshops at regular intervals.

Tools for cane and bamboo craft

98
Transportation

99
 Aerostats and Airships

Inventor: R. S. Pant, Aerial platforms or vehicles that use the buoyancy of a Lighter-
Department of Aerospace Than-Air gas (e.g., Helium) generate the vertical force to
Engineering overcome gravity and hence can be deployed even at zero
forward speeds.

Aerostats are aerial platforms that consist of

an aerodynamically shaped envelope which is
tethered to the ground; while Airships are free
flying aerial vehicles with a power-plant and a
six-axis control system. They are most suitable to
meet the requirement of long endurance with
very little fuel consumption, noise and vibration
levels.

Aerostat
R and D activities in Aerostats
 design of a high altitude aerostat for snow cover
evaluation and data gathering
 design and fabrication of an aerostat based relocatable
wireless communication system in remote/inaccessible
areas
 design of a device for safe recovery of payload in case of
accidental breakage of tether
 shape optimisation of aerostat envelopes

Airship
R and D activities in Airships
 design and fabrication of remotely controlled airships
 design of manned airships for aerial transportation of cargo
and passengers to remote and far-flung areas
 design of environment friendly “Green” airships
 configuration design for high altitude – stratospheric airships

100
SkyBus

An elevated rail system positioned on a set of pillars and Inventors: S. C. Lakkad,

longitudinal members. Department of Aerospace
Engineering, and team
Features: from Konkan Railway
 innovative Corporation Ltd.
 eco-friendly
 cost-effective
 provides a solution to the transportation
problems of metropolitan cities

A regular bogie moves on the rail track and the

coaches are suspended from bogies.

The concept of the SkyBus was initiated from the

Konkan Railway Corporation Ltd. The structural design
developed at IIT Bombay was fabricated by Kineco,
Goa. The project was partly funded by Technology
Information Forecasting and Assessment Council
(TIFAC), Government of India.

The SkyBus

Status: Deployed to user

agency
101
 Mumbai Navigator

Inventors: A. Ranade Mumbai Navigator is a software which helps commuters plan

and team, Department public bus and local train travel within Mumbai.
of Computer Science and
Engineering Features:
 the software takes as input, the starting point and desired
destination of the journey and generates a description of
which buses and/or trains to take and where to change
transport modes
 the expected travel time, including the waiting time required
for buses and trains, is also provided
 the generated plans are adaptive, i.e., they can prescribe a
different set of transit selections depending upon which bus
arrives first while waiting at a stop
 the plans generated by the program have been shown to
provide minimum travel time solutions

A page from the Mumbai

Navigator website

Status: Available at www.

cse.iitb.ac.in/navigator
102
Low Cost Engine Management Systems

A fully-functional, low-cost Engine Management System (EMS) Inventors:

prototype that supports petrol-powered engines with port fuel- S. Suryanarayanan and
injection. team, Department of
Mechanical Engineering
Engine Management Systems perform a variety of functions
such as real-time engine control, enhancement of fuel economy,
reduction of tailpipe emissions and improvement of overall
durability. The EMS developed is the least expensive sensing
configuration possible for small vehicle applications.

Features:
 minimal sensing architecture comprising
three inexpensive sensors for fuel-injection
EMS operation in petrol-powered, single-
cylinder small vehicles
 economical
 lesser hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide and
nitrogen oxide emission levels compared to
that from a production-quality carburettor-
based vehicle
 potential to improve the fuel economy
of a production-quality carburetion solution by Engine management system
5-10% fitted on a two-wheeler vehicle
 novel control algorithms that exploit the small sizes of engine
system components
 meets emission, fuel economy, and drivability performance
specifications

103
 Software for Railway Operations Management

Inventors: N. Rangaraj and Line Capacity Simulator software for the Indian Railways Institute
team, Industrial Engineering of Signal Engineering and Telecommunications - represents the
and Operations Research, operational features of trains in selected track areas.
Departments of Computer
Science and Engineering Features:
and Chemical Engineering  estimates the capacities of long-distance track segments
within the railway network under complex traffic conditions
 analyses the effect of adding scheduled trains in a track section
 combines priority-based scheduling of trains with the
operating constraints of track section and platform availability
 allows realistic analyses by reproducing the operational logic
of railway movement and its related engineering details
 records train speeds that are dependent on track signal
conditions, which in turn may depend on the status of several
trains ahead of the signal
 displays train movements on a distance versus time graph and
provide details on individual trains

Rake Management System (RMS)

is another set of utilities and tools
designed for analysis and decision-
making on the overall use of rakes as it
relates to their deployment, operation
and maintenance cycles for suburban
train services.

Overview of features in railway

operations management

104
Steer by Wire Technology

A next generation automobile steering technology characterised Inventors:

by the absence of mechanical linkages between the hand wheel S. Suryanarayanan and
(or any other user interface) and the road wheels. team, Department of
Mechanical Engineering
Motion is communicated to the steered-wheels through
electronically-controlled actuators. The driver may be provided
with an arbitrary steering feel through a force feedback interface.

Benefits:
For the driver:
 Passive Safety: In the absence of a steering column, the driver
is less susceptible to grievous injury in the event of a front-end
collision
 Better drivability: The steering "feel" can be arbitrarily tuned,
hence guaranteeing concerns of high assist, good returnability
and good on-centre handling performance of the steering
system
 Better vehicle handling: SBW allows for independent steering
of wheels which can be exploited to provide handling benefits
such as roll stiffening on curves and better maneuverability in
hazardous situations
For the steering system manufacturer:
 Ease of manufacture: No separate manufacturing lines are
required for left/right hand drives
 Better steering product features: Provides added benefits that
can feed into vehicle design
Tie rod actuator
For the vehicle manufacturer:
 Space saving: The absence of mechanical interconnections
provides more freedom to address under-the-hood packaging
concerns
 Possible weight/fuel saving: due to lighter weights than
conventional systems

A Mahindra Scorpio has been designed, built and retrofitted with

a steer-by-wire system and is the first SBW vehicle to be built in
India.

Status: Licensed to Sona

Koyo Steering Systems Ltd
105
 Novel Hybrid Electric Vehicle Transmission

Inventors: B. Seth A compact Planetary Gear Train (PGT) which combines the
and Deepak Chachra, power of electric and internal combustion (IC) engines.
Department of Mechanical
Engineering Features:
 compound PGT with two interconnected PGTs
Patent granted (US patent  compact gearbox
application number:  recirculating power never increases to disastrous levels
11/576,689, grant number:
7753816) Advantages:
 simple control architecture
 operates in real-time
 decisions are based on measurable items
such as battery state of charge, vehicle speed
and throttle movement
 may be adapted to two-motor architecture
fuel-cell vehicles

The engine is connected to the transmission

via an auxiliary gear set that has scalability for
Schematic of Compound Gear
use in various types of engines (gasoline, diesel,
HEV Transmission etc.) and for various categories of vehicles (hatchbacks, SUVs etc.).
Additionally, the auxiliary gear set ensures characteristics that are
extremely important for current and future lean-burn SI Engines
and common rail diesel engines.

Block diagram of the overall

system

106
Rural Development

107
 GRAM++: A Geographic Information System

Inventors: P. GRAM++ is a geographic information system (GIS) software.

Venkatachalam and
team, Centre of Studies in Features:
Resources Engineering  rich functionality
 supports spatial database preparation by importing data in
Copyright registration popular GIS formats
granted: Gram++ SW-  supports specific editing and onscreen digitisation of scanned
2629/2006 and SW- documents
983/2002  provides analyses using tools such as vector analysis, TIN,
network analysis enabling map displays, queries, statistical
chart generation, distance calculations, thematic
map generation, terrain modelling and contour
generation, and shortest path and spatial allocation
problems
 rich raster analysis which includes map algebra
along with map overlay, buffering and regrouping
that is useful during watershed analysis
 profile plotting and visualisation of slopes, aspects
and relief based on building of digital elevation
models from contours or spot heights from zonal/
focal/local analysis terrain modelling
 Image processing including image enhancement
and filtering, principal component transformation,
band arithmetic, a neural networking for analysis of
remotely sensed images
 basic statistics utility that can derive several
common statistical parameters- mean, median,
mode, skewness and curtosis
 powerful map composition tools for composing
cartographic quality maps of both raster and vector
3D display (Perspective
View) of a hilly terrain using
types
GRAM++  software is designed to work on commonly available computer
systems, making it accessible to a large number of users
 over 1000 licenses sold across the country

Status: Exclusively licensed

to Bhugol GIS Pvt. Ltd., a
company incubated at IIT
Bombay
108
Extraction process for Herbal Oil

A low-cost extraction process for the production of herbal oil Inventors: N. G. Shah
from leaf extracts of Nirgundi (Vitex negundo) and team, Centre for
Technology Alternatives
Features: for Rural Areas (CTARA) and
 herbal oil prepared under vacuum in a water-jacketed Department of Chemical
extractor, fuelled by liquefied petroleum gas Engineering
 this reduces extraction time to about 8 hours, as compared to
about 120 hours using conventional methods

Uses:
 relief from joint and muscle pain, inflammation

Extraction unit for production of

herbal oil

Status: A commercial-
scale extractor has been
designed, fabricated and
commissioned at the
Yusuf Meherally Centre,
Tara village, Raigad district,
Maharashtra.
109
 aAQUA: Online Farmer Knowledge Exchange

Inventors: Krithi aAQUA, (almost All QUestions Answered), is an online question

Ramamritham and team, answering website providing farm and veterinary advisory
Department of Computer services to farmers over phone or internet.
Science and Engineering
Goals of aAQUA:
 to provide fast access to reliable agri
information (both through artificial agents and
human experts from all over the world)
 to support voice over phones, video over
tablets and any affordable devices that can
diffuse to the largest number of farmers
 to provide a searchable agri knowledge
database
 to support all Indian languages
 to accommodate new users

Features:
A panel of experts assess the problem through a set
of images or text posted by the affected farmer, work
out feasible solutions and send back recommended
Web interface of aAqua website solutions through the online forum. Phone help-lines
augment the online service.

 SMS tips and alerts pertaining to crop diseases,

tips on pest management, expanding dairy or
poultry units, new forms of livelihood, livestock
related tips and some general news on farmer-
oriented schemes among other things.
 Voice aAQUA was initiated to reach farmers
on their phones via voice calls. Short one
minute voice clips with information tips on
crop management are played out to the
Sample image posted by farmers farmer on his cell phone or fixed line phone (land
on aAQUA Q&A lines).

Status: Exclusively licensed aAQUA has been operational since Dec 2003 and has seen over
to Agrocom Software 37000 postings in about 14000 questions. It has about 20,000
Technologies Pvt. Ltd. a registered members from across 450 districts in India.
company incubated at IIT
Bombay
110
Bio-Char Unit for Low Cost Production of Charcoal

A simple to operate, non-polluting Bio-char Unit (BCU) to obtain Inventors: A. Ganesh

charcoal from bamboo waste and other non-powdery biomass. and team, Department
of Energy Science and
Features: Engineering
 biomass is partially combusted such that the heat evolved
during combustion of the top layer is just enough to pyrolyse
the layers of biomass below
 volatiles upon pyrolysis are all collected from one outlet
instead of letting them diffuse into the atmosphere and
pollute
 easy to operate; one person can operate the unit
 uniform quality and yield of charcoal (25%)
 eco-friendly

Applications:
 use of thermal energy from the burning of
gases by retrofitting
 production of charcoal by households for
supply to manufacturing industries

BCU is unique in using otherwise polluting gases

as its thermal energy source. The devise is aimed at
ensuring village energy security. Bio-char unit

Status: Several units have

been deployed at various
rural locations through the
National Mission on Bamboo
Applications, TIFAC, Govt. of
India
111
 Biofuel Processor for Engines

Inventors: A. Ganesh A processor for compression-ignition engines to use straight

and team, Department vegetable oil (Karanj, Mahua, etc.) as fuel.
of Energy Sciences and
Engineering Features:
 viscosity of oil reduces upon heating thereby improving
atomisation and reducing pumping power
 fuel processor heats the oil and also maintains the
appropriate temperature at all loads
 engine performs at an optimum level even when
load variations are very high

Advantages:
 sustainable technology
 does not depend on petroleum-based products
 does not require conversion to biodiesel
 emissions from the engine conform to the diesel
engine emission standards

Applications:
 rural electrification of remote villages (where oil
bearing seeds are available) as a business model
 providing electricity for water pumping, irrigation
and local small scale industries like rice mills and
flour mills
 powering the telecom towers at remote areas and
improving the communication system
 standby power generation where waste vegetable
oil is available such as hotels and hostels.

The fuel processor with engine

set at Kohla village, Orissa for rural
electrification

Status: Technology
has been retrofitted to
Cummins engines of the
range of 15kVa
112
Technologies for Rural Industrialisation

Technologies particularly in the areas of agro-product and food Inventors: N. G. Shah

processing, rural engineering and related to organic and natural and team, Centre for
products. Technology Alternatives for
Rural Areas (CTARA)
Major activities:
 development of simple pedal powered devices that can
operate water pumps, battery charging units, potter's wheels,
paddy threshers and flour/masala grinding units
 a process for making and storing chemical-free cane jaggery
 a simple, easy to operate and cost effective solar air heater
unit for maintaining honey storage
 development of a potato puffing unit that employs a
fluidised bed technique for oil-free ready to eat snacks

Pedal-based power unit

Potato puffing unit

113
 Riding Type Power Tiller

Inventors: N. Shah and A 10 HP riding type power tiller, well-suited for use by small land
team from Centre for holders.
Technology Alternatives for
Rural Areas (CTARA) Features:
 a low-cost traction and haulage vehicle with easy, comfortable
steering and a small turning radius
 two chain and sprocket drives, for agriculture and
transportation purposes
 light-weight diesel engine
 easy maintenance and repair

Applications
 ploughing and harrowing
operations
 intercultural operations in
field
 running irrigation pump,
thresher, and other machinery
 transportation of goods of up to 1 ton

Riding-type power tiller in

operation

114
Other Technologies

115
 Core Holder for Oil Well Performance Evaluation

Inventors: S. K. Mitra, M. A novel three-dimensional core holder, used in determining oil

Vinjamur, R. Singh, C. R. recovery strategies, which allows placement of horizontal and
Maurya, Departments of vertical well configurations within the core.
Mechanical Engineering
and Chemical Engineering Features of the holder:
and Oil and Natural Gas  enables saturation of the core sample
Corporation Ltd. (ONGC)  allows for multi-point pressure measurement
 permits fluid flow in a core under different well-configurations;
Patent granted (Application thus enabling multiple performance evaluations and
number: 1463/MUM/2005, measurement of pressures at various locations on all faces of
grant number: 225118) the core
 can be used for loose material (e.g., sand) and packed material
(e.g., rock)
 injector and producer
wells can be put at different
locations in the core to
enable oil recovery
assessment using different
well lengths
 can be positioned at any
angle relative to the vertical
axis to allow studies to be
conducted on dip effects and
multi-lateral wells

Core holder

Status: Licensed to Oil and

Natural Gas Corporation
Ltd. (ONGC)
116
Tools for Computational Fluid Dynamics

Software products for Computational Fluid Dynamics: CFDTutor Inventors: G. R. Shevare

and CFDExpert. and team, Department of
Aerospace Engineering
The software can be used for simulating flows of compressible
and incompressible fluids.

CFDTutor can be used to train novice users in understanding

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) process.

CFDExpert can be used as a full-fledged

three-dimensional CFD software capable of
meshing, simulation and visualisation of real life
problems.

Meshes created in CFDExpert

for simulating flow in radial
compressor

Status: Exclusively licensed

to Zeus Numerix Pvt Ltd., a
company incubated at IIT
Bombay
117
 FPGA-Based RTL Simulation Acceleration

Inventors: M. P. Desai An FPGA based RTL simulation accelerator speeds up certain

and team, Department of kinds of logic simulation by mapping parts of the system being
Electrical Engineering simulated onto programmable hardware.

Given an RTL description of a system (in Verilog, VHDL or a

mixture of the two), this technology
has the following components:
 analysis of the RTL
description to build a netlist
of process statements
 based on user-input,
identification of the portion
of the instance hierarchy to
be mapped to hardware
(called the device under test,
or the DUT)
 partitioning of the netlist to
be mapped to hardware
across several boards, and
within a board, across several
FPGA’s
FPGA based simulation  mapping of the DUT to the FPGA
accelerator boards by taking care of timing constraints and by scheduling
the evaluation of the netlist using the available routing
resources
 provision of a seamless interface between the testbench
simulator running on the host and the netlist simulation
running on the FPGA hardware

Typical acceleration ranges from 10X - 1000X depending on the

level of detail in the original RTL.

Status: Licensed to Powai

Labs which currently sells
a simulation accelerator
(IMAGE 2.5) using this
technology
118
Cantilever-based e-nose for Explosive Detection

A detection device that uses an extremely sensitive and low-cost Inventors: V. R. Rao,
piezo-resistive polymer cantilever structure. S. Mukherji and team,
Departments of Electrical
Features: Engineering, Biosciences
 RDX and TNT explosive detection at a parts-per-billion level of and Bioengineering and
sensitivity Chemistry
 vapour phase detection of explosive molecules
 designed with an integrated wireless transmission capability
 low cost of production

Method:
 selective chemical reaction on the surface
of the cantilever on exposure to the explosive
material
 creates surface stress resulting in the
deflection of the cantilever
 cantilever surface can be regenerated after
detection for use in obtaining subsequent
measurements

A hand held explosive for Nitro

based explosive compounds. The
system is currently under field
trials.

Status: Exclusively licensed

to Nanosniff Technologies
Pvt. Ltd., a company
incubated at IIT Bombay
119
 Remotely Operated Vehicle for Handling IEDs

Inventors: C. Amarnath The remotely operated vehicle RoVer carries a manipulator arm
and team, Department of and is meant to handle and dispose off Improvised Explosive
Mechanical Engineering, Devices (IEDs).
Sponsors: Army Technology
Board (ATB), CME Pune, Features:
and Engineering by CIM  can raise objects weighing up to 20 kilograms at a distance
Technologies, Hyderabad of about three meters ahead of the vehicle and raise them to a
height of three meters
 can inspect below culverts
 capable of negotiating all terrains including built-up areas with
stairs and obstacles
 has a maximum speed of 2 kmph per hour
 three hour operation for single recharge
 controlled remotely with the
assistance of four on-board cameras
 can be easily operated and maintained

RoVer

120
Novel Method for Creating a Fluid Separation
Material

A novel method for making fluid separation material using a Inventors: J. Bellare, A. Q.
membrane with a nanopore structure. Contractor and S. N. Dutta,
Departments of Chemical
The material consists of a conducting porous polymer film that Engineering and Chemistry
has a porosity of 0.01 to 50% in nanopore sizes of 0.05 to 17
nanometres, showing wide permeability and selectivity ranges. Patent granted (Application
number: 12/MUM/2001,
Two methods have been developed: grant number: 197754
Method I:
 chemical synthesis of a free standing
conducting polymer membrane of 50µm to
10mm thickness
 nano-engineering of the pore structure to
obtain the said porosity and size
Method II:
 casting a conducting polymer membrane
of 0.01 to 100 micron thickness on a porous
substrate of 10 to 70% porosity with an
appropriate polymer solution
 nano-engineering of the pore structure

Advantages:
 simple, easy to carry out
 can be used for the separation of both liquids
and gases

Structure of a membrane made

by the patented process

121
 An Efficient Method for Cleaning Clothes

Inventors: M. Sharon, An environment and user-friendly, efficient method for cleaning

Department of Chemistry cotton and synthetic clothes.

Patent Granted Features:

Patent application no. 24/  eliminates the use of polluting and allergic non-soap
MUM/2001 (Patent grant detergents and bleaching compounds
no. 206020)  effective in the removal of so-called fast stains

Method:
 treatment with a mixture of soap and ceramic oxide of nano-
sized particles
 irradiation of the clothes with a UV light

Ceramic oxides are biocompatible and include titanium dioxide

(TiO2) zinc oxide (ZnO), iron oxide (Fe2O3) and tungsten oxide
(WO3).

Process:
 nano-sized particles of ceramic oxides form
electrically charged particles at the interface between the
stained cloth and the detergent solution
 upon irradiating the stained cloth with UV light, photo-
generated electrons and holes are formed at the interface,
which convert the stains into gases (CO2) and water soluble
mineral acid salts (hydrochloric acid salts) which may be easily
rinsed out. The gases escape into the atmosphere and need no
separation.
 UV light may be from sunlight or from a UV light source; the
duration of irradiation depends on the nature of the light and
the nature and surface area of the stain. Typically for a 15 Watt
UV light, an irradiation period of 20–30 minutes is required. If
the cleaning is carried out in a washing machine, the UV light
source may be fitted into the washing machine and operated
by a control panel.

Benefit:
 environment and user-friendly

122
Vibration Protective Pendulum Isolators

Pendulum isolators which help in reducing severe vibrations due Inventors: R. Sinha and
to earthquakes, heavy wind or machinery in buildings, bridges, M. Pranesh, Department of
industrial structures and other subsystems. Civil Engineering

Constant, long-period, vibration-protective pendulum Patents granted

isolator: (Application number: 15/
 for structures having constant fundamental periods of 0.3 -10 s MUM/2001, grant number:
 dissipates energy through friction and transmits a reduced 197756; Application
energy level into the structure number: 867/MUM/2001,
 can also be used as a constant, long-period, tuned mass grant number: 197850)
damper

Variable period, vibration-protective pendulum

isolator:
 for structures having fundamental time periods from
0.2 - 6.0 s
 dissipates energy through friction at the sliding
surface and transmits reduced energy into the
structure
 provides periods that vary in a pre-determined way as
the sliding takes place
 limits the restoring force so that the force
transmitted to the structure is restricted, irrespective Schematic of pendulum isolator
of the magnitude of the isolator’s sliding displacement or the
magnitude of the earthquake

Applications:
 reduction of vibrations in life-safety structures such as hospitals
and communication facilities and in bridges, pipelines and
museums

123
 Uncooled Coloured Imaging System

Inventors: P. Apte, B. An opto-thermo-mechanical integrated, uncooled imaging

Seth, O. Karhade and S. system that captures thermal images and allows for their direct
Chiluveru, Departments of coloured display.
Electrical Engineering and
Mechanical Engineering Features:
 IR sensing and coloured image display capabilities
Patent granted (Application  room temperature operation sensing
number: 541/MUM/2005,  has inherent room temperature compensation
grant number: 236126)
Benefits:
 simple and robust
 has a minimal number of parts
 no processing devices, intervening electronics or electrical
connections required
 no thermal cross-talk between neighbouring
pixels
 no internal heat is generated due to the
absence of electrical currents
 no cryogenic cooling equipment is required
 no further image processing of the captured
IR image needed

Applications:
 night vision
 environmental monitoring
 astronomy
 biomedical diagnostics
 thermal probing of microelectronic devices

Working of coloured infrared

imaging system

124
3D Microprinter

Microsteriolithography (MSL) - a technology to achieve 3D Inventors: P. S. Gandhi and

microdevices by using layer-by-layer photopolymerisation of T. Kundu, Departments of
liquid resin. Mechanical Engineering
and Physics
Method:
 3D CAD model of the microcomponent is sliced into a number Patent filed (Application
of 2D layers number: 1847/MUM/2007)
 each of the 2D layers is cured by scanning focused laser light
on the free surface of the resin
 the cured layer is dipped into the tank to allow the resin to
flow over to enable curing and stacking of the next layer

Performance features:
 uniform spot characteristics (spot size and intensity profile)
over entire range of scan (spot size 6 μm)
 resolution of spot positioning (50 nm)
 speed of scanning (maximum speed 10 mm/s)
 range of scanning (8 x 8mm)
Photographic view of scanning
MSL system
Components:
 laser scanning system
 resin system
 optical shutter (Acousto-Optical Modulator)
 optical system
 mechanical XY scanning stage
 layer preparation system i.e., Z-stage
 computer and interfacing electronics

Applications:
 accelerometers
 pressure sensors
 micromirrors
 microcantilevers SEM images of the high
 microfluidic devices resolution, high range and aspect
ratio microstructures developed
 biosensors
using scanning MSL system
 biomimetic microstructures

125
 Track It

Inventors: B. Seth, A. A method that uses markers to track planar movement of

C.Acharya, R. Raj and K. multiple objects from a sequence of digital images.
Moharir, Department of
Mechanical Engineering Tracking of objects from a sequence of images requires
automatic identification of the objects of interest as well as
Patent granted (Application accurate location and orientation information on the tracked
number: 1278/MUM/2003, objects in each image frame. The approach used to meet these
grant number: 206126) requirements includes item recognition based on the radiation
characteristics and reflective properties of the object or of a tag
or marker that is attached to the object. Use of such markers,
when permissible, assists in tracking by facilitating the automatic
recognition of the objects.

Features:
 markers are fixed to the parts of interest and
the method accurately tracks the motion of
the selected parts
 during motion, even though the markers may
get occluded, tracking of their position and
orientation information can resume when the
marker returns to the camera’s view

Advantages:
 robust marker detection
 no increase in analysis complexity when more
markers are used
 a single marker yields both position and orientation
information
 identification problem of a marker is eliminated by
the use of a unique tag
 re-tracking of an occluded marker starts
immediately after the marker returns to the camera’s
view again

Schematic from patent document

Application:
 videographic study of motion in machines

126
New Composite Layer to Help Make ICs Faster

A novel method of depositing an amorphous SiC:H barrier layer Inventors: R. O. Dusane,

on a low dielectric material layer which speeds up the process of A.A. Kumbhar and S.K.
manufacturing Integrated Circuits (IC). Singh, Department of
Metallurgical Engineering
The barrier layer is deposited by exposing the low dielectric and Materials Science
material layer to hot wire chemical vapour deposition (HWCVD)
using a mixture of silane and acetylene gases at temperatures of Patent granted (Application
200 to 300°C and at pressures of 100–200 mTorr. number: 4/MUM/2006,
grant number: 223221)
Features:
 simple, easy to carry out
 cost effective
 layer has a reduced thickness compared to
those created by traditional methods,
contributing to lower manufacturing costs
 eliminates the use of radio frequency generators
and impedance matching circuits
 process does not damage the dielectric layer
 composite barrier material and low dielectric
constant material layer is able to reduce current
leakage HWCVD barrier layer deposited
 lesser time required to charge capacitor and an over low k film to avoid Cu
improved frequency/speed of operation diffusion

127
 Low Cost Deposition Method for Faster ICs

Inventors: R. O. Dusane, A simple, cost effective and easy to perform method to make
A. A. Kumbhar and S. K. the low-Κ dielectric material layer coated on a silicon substrate
Singh, Department of robust against the degradation during ashing process and
Metallurgical Engineering moisture uptake.
and Materials Science
The speed with which integrated circuits (ICs) work depend on
Patent granted (Application the RC time constant (i.e., the time taken to process information).
number: 5/MUM/2006, It is essential to use a material that has a low dielectric constant
grant number: 232216) so that the RC time constant is also low. Hydrogen silsesquioxane
(HSQ), with a dielectric constant of approximately 2.95, has
been developed as a material to be deposited during the IC
fabrication. However, HSQ is a porous material and is thus
susceptible to the presence of moisture.

Features:
 does not damage the dielectric layer
 renders the dielectric layer very effective against the
adverse effects of oxygen plasma treatment
 improves the hydrophobicity by reducing moisture
adsorption
 current leakage is lowered, improving performance of the
treated IC
 enhances the deposition of the low dielectric material layer
on the silicon substrate
Hot wire processing chamber for  helps retain the low dielectric properties of the deposited
treating low k films layer

128
Improved Process to Make Fluoride Glass

Fluoride glasses are known for Infra Red (IR) transmitting Inventors: Ajit R. Kulkarni
applications and have improved chemical durability as against and team, Department of
oxide glasses, also used for transmitting applications. Metallurgical Engineering
and Materials Science
Features:
 modified composition consisting of Yttrium fluoride, Cadmium Patent granted (Application
fluoride, Aluminium fluoride and Lead fluoride used number: 1035/DEL/96,
 Teflon powder added to remove moisture content there by grant number: 193981)
preventing loss of metal fluorides
 produced glass shows improved stability against crystallisation
 process confers enhanced chemical durability upon produced
glass, corrodes only at the surface which is removable by
polishing
 higher percent IR transmission observed in the glass
 tackles the problem of formation of crystallites
 higher mechanical strength
 lower thermal expansion coefficient, thus making it suitable for
application in extreme thermal conditions
 nearly 80 % transmission with extended IR cutoff upto 9.5µm
 process is energy efficient, requires heating at temperatures
of 1150 to 1170 °C for 2-5 minutes and 1200°C for 1-2 minutes
as compared to the existing process of 1200°C for 2 hours
 better quality of fluoride glasses

Operating system including

mould bars, furnace and hot press

Specimens of fluoride glasses’

129
 Pulse Tube Cryocoolers

Inventors: M.D. Atrey A vibration and maintenance free Pulse Tube Cryocooler
and team, Department of (PTC) has been developed, which can attain and maintain
Mechanical Engineering temperatures below 80 Kelvin. It is available in various
configurations such as In-line, U-type and Co-axial.

Features:
 minimum temperature of 55 K can be attained in 30 - 40
minutes using helium as working fluid at 16 bar charge
pressure
In-line, U-type and Co-axial
 cooling effect of 5 - 8 W can be obtained at 80 K with a
configurations
power input of 350 W
 chilled water is not required
 can be customised for the end user

Applications:
 basic research in low temperature Physics, superconductivity,
High TC experiments
 military - infrared thermal imaging equipment for night
vision and heat seeking missile guidance
Experimental set up for single
 space vehicles - to cool sensors
stage cryocoolers

In addition to single stage cryocoolers, two stage

cryocoolers of different configurations have also been
developed to achieve minimum temperature 20 K. They
have applications in the cooling of electronic devices,
infrared sensors and superconductivity.

Experimental set up for two stage

cryocoolers

130
Mixed Refrigerant Cryocoolers

Mixed Refrigerant Joule–Thomson (J-T) cryocoolers use mixed Inventors: M.D. Atrey
refrigerants (5-8 components) instead of pure substances such and team, Department of
as nitrogen and argon as working fluids in order to improve Mechanical Engineering
performance.

Features:
 driven by an oil-lubricated commercial
compressor with moderate delivery pressure
(20-25 bar)
 low-cost, efficient and highly reliable for a wide
range of flammable and non flammable mixed
refrigerants to produce cryogenic temperatures
in the range of 70 - 200 K
 required cool down time to achieve 100 K is
about 60 minutes
 a temperature of 65 K can be achieved using
specific Ne-Nitrogen-hydrocarbon mixture
 cooling capacity of 5 W at 80 K with a
compressor power input of 868 W can be Heat exchanger

obtained for the specific mixture

 vibrations at the cold end can be minimised
significantly because the cold end does not
contain any moving parts
 can be customised based on the required
temperature to be obtained by selecting the
optimised mixture

Applications
 preservation of stem cells, in cryo banks
 gas chiller or liquefaction
 water vapour cryo-trapping

Experimental Setup

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Address for Correspondence:
Dean (Research & Development),
Industrial Research & Consultancy Centre (IRCC)
IIT Bombay, Powai, Mumbai 400076
Tel.: +91 22 2576 7039
Fax: +91 22 2572 3702 / 3480
www.ircc.iitb.ac.in