Various units of DAE are engaged in research in frontier areas of science and technology with the objective of generating knowledge and techniques for nuclear power production, advancement of nuclear science, laser, accelerator and plasma technologies, use of radioisotopes in industry, health and agriculture. Due to restrictions on acquiring certain technologies, DAE has successfully developed many of the technologies needed for its program indigenously. In the process, a lot of know-how spin-offs have been evolved, which are available for transfer to industry.
The aim of technology sharing is to make India self-reliant in technology and transform these technologies into deployable products and processes for both industry and society. The strength and confidence gained by developing its own technologies also facilitates access to international technology with greater autonomy.
DAE has been licensing know-how of these spin-off technologies for the past forty years and currently has over 250 technologies listed for Transfer of Technologies (ToT). Over 800 licenses have been issued to about 600 different transferees in the industrial and rural sector. Many products have been commercialized and added value to Indian industries.
Recently, four Atal Incubation Centres (AICs) have been established at various DAE units (BARC Mumbai, IGCAR Kalpakkam, RRCAT Indore, and IPR Gandhinagar) to translate DAE technologies, expertise, and know-how into market-driven products and processes through collaborations with industries, with a special focus on startups.
Here’s a more detailed look at the technology translation activities at various DAE units:
