IIT Madras develops materials, micro device processing technologies for underwater acoustic sensors

The indigenous development of this technology enables the nation to fabricate the devices at a relatively lower cost than the internationally available foundries where the cost of fabrication is high and the number of foundries is also limited.  

OR Nandagopan (extreme right), Director, DIA-RCoE, with the ‘Piezoelectric MEMS Devices’ indigenously developed by IIT Madras.

Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras researchers have partnered with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) scientists to develop cutting-edge sensor technology for underwater communications, which will be advantageous to defence applications, especially in the Navy.  

The indigenous development of this technology enables the nation to fabricate the devices at a relatively lower cost than the internationally available foundries where the cost of fabrication is high and the number of foundries is also limited.  

This is a major development on the eve of National Technology Day (May 11, 2023) that has attained a high Technology Readiness Level (TRL), a measurement used to assess the maturity level of a particular technology. The National Technology Day is celebrated on 11th May annually to celebrate the achievements of scientists, engineers and researchers. 

The ‘Piezoelectric MEMS technology’ is required to develop high-performance thin films and convert ‘piezo thin film’ into state-of-the-art futuristic naval sensors and devices for underwater applications.  The Piezo Thin Films are one of the vital components of piezo MEMS devices and are considered for acoustics and vibration-sensing applications. 

IIT Madras researchers led by Prof Amitava Das Gupta and Prof Boby George along with E Varadarajan, scientist, and V Natarajan, senior scientist of DRDO at the DRDO Industry Academia – Ramanujan Centre of Excellence (DIA-RCoE), IIT Madras, worked for the indigenous development of a piezo MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical System) process technology to make ‘Thin film membrane based Piezo MEMS Acoustic sensors.’ 

Prof Manu Santhanam, Dean (Industrial Consultancy and Sponsored Research), IIT Madras, said, “The outcome of the DRDO and Academia collaboration has resulted in the development of this novel technology which will be vital for the Indian Navy.” 

OR Nandagopan, Director, DRDO Industry Academia-Ramanujan Centre of Excellence’ (DIA-RCoE), IIT Madras, said, “This technology is matured enough to convert it as a system with the support of Indian Industry.  This technology will be a disruptive technology in this domain and our country achieved ‘Aatma Nirbhar Bharat’ in underwater materials and micro device processing technology.” 

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