Latest news with #IITAlumniCouncil
Business Standard
30-07-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
IIT Alumni Council Invites Industry Partners to Build India's First Electric Aircraft Ecosystem
PNN Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], July 30: In a landmark step towards positioning India at the forefront of clean aviation globally, the IIT Alumni Council today unveiled plans to create a fully indigenous ecosystem for the manufacturing of electric aircraft and high-endurance drones under its GO Mobility initiative. The proposed consortium will bring together manufacturers of advanced materials, components, sub-assemblies, and complete systems, alongside service providers for airline operations, drone services, terminal infrastructure, and maintenance and repair. The project seeks to establish India as a global leader in sustainable, autonomous air mobility. A PUSH FOR INDIGENOUS ELECTRIC AVIATION The GO AERO platform marks one of the most ambitious aviation projects ever attempted in India. It aims to overcome long-standing barriers in electric aviation by creating a domestic supply chain and technology base capable of delivering large-scale, zero-emission flying vehicles for both civilian and strategic applications. "Technology takes time and perseverance. Our national objective now is to get ready for global roll out with advance planning. This requires a careful analysis of the PERT chart to identify and work on the critical path activities. To make it to the finish line quickly, all activities have to go on in parallel. The challenge is cost reduction, electrification and safety enhancement. The key technology challenge was availability of suitable battery technologies which has now been solved by the GO Power Technology platform. The project will require cutting edge technology, patient risk capital and viability gap funding. That is why social impact funding from a technology savvy investor group is critical to the plan. This is not an area where government grants alone will deliver global winners. Else it would have happened decades ago," said Dr Girish Deodhare, alumnus of IIT Bombay, former DG of the Aeronautical Development Authority and a firm believer in the need for locally manufactured aircraft based on indigenous technologies. Dr Deodhare spent thirty-three years as part of the core team behind the Tejas light combat aircraft. "These projects require significant capital investments--possibly exceeding ₹10,000 crores just for the 72-seater Regional Transport Aircraft," said Ravi Sharma, President and Chief Volunteer, IIT Alumni Council. "It is a chicken and egg situation. Till the airplane has a track record, it would be difficult to get customers and till there are customers, it would be difficult to fund the development. The only way out is an integrated approach which crosses the chasm by working backward from the domestic market need, especially in sectors like rural air transportation where existing global options don't exist." TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM AND USE CASES The GO AERO platform will use an indigenous serial hybrid electric propulsion system from Ionique Research, customisable for diverse applications such as rural air connectivity, emergency medical services, disaster response, mapping, cargo transport, and long-range surveillance. All aircraft will be fully autonomous, feature multi-fuel micro turbines for range extension, and high-density fireproof MegaCell energy storage integrated into the wings. Runway requirements will not exceed 1,000 metres, with vertical take-off versions for select models. GO A6: SIX-SEATER FOR RURAL AND EMERGENCY OPERATIONS Designed for military reconnaissance, rural connectivity, air ambulance and cargo applications, the GO A6 will be priced under ₹8 crore. It will offer a 300 km/h cruise speed, up to 1,500 km range, and rapid stretcher transfer from ambulance to aircraft in under 120 seconds. Test flights and regulatory filings are planned for January 2026. GO A18: AMPHIBIAN AIRCRAFT FOR REMOTE AND HIGH ALTITUDE REGIONS The GO A18, an 18-seater with land and water take-off options, will have a two-ton payload, 1,500 km range, and is priced under ₹18 crore. Test flights are expected in January 2027. GO A72: 72-SEATER REGIONAL TRANSPORT AIRCRAFT A pressurised regional aircraft designed for passenger and cargo use, the GO A72 will offer a 4,000 km range, 10-ton payload, and cruise speed of 800 km/h. Unit prices are projected at ₹250 crore, with test flights targeted for January 2028. GO D20K: HIGH-ENDURANCE PSEUDO-SATELLITE DRONE The fully autonomous drone will support highway safety, communications, hyperspectral imaging, disaster management, forestry monitoring, and other applications. It will be capable of 1,000-day flight endurance with solar propulsion and backup batteries. Test flights are planned for 2028. BREAKTHROUGH TECHNOLOGY AND APPLICATIONS All aircraft under the GO AERO platform will be powered by Ionique's indigenous serial hybrid electric propulsion system, with sustainable multi-fuel micro turbines for extended range. Ultra-high-density, fireproof MegaCell energy storage systems from Go Power will be integrated into the wings. The aircraft are designed to offer advanced solid wall LCD windows with adjustable zoom screens in place of windows. All versions will feature large transparent cockpits for enhanced visibility. Potential use cases range from emergency services, air ambulances and disaster relief, to remote area connectivity, surveillance, mapping, cargo operations, and rural air mobility. This ecosystem is expected to create new market segments where no comparable global solutions currently exist. CALL FOR INDUSTRY PARTNERS Interested organisations may write to applications@ on or before August 15, 2025. Access to the project's data room and related materials will be provided only to patron members of the IIT Alumni Council. This invitation is not open to the public. ABOUT IIT ALUMNI COUNCIL The IIT Alumni Council is the largest global body of alumni across all 23 IITs, aggregating the technological and philanthropic resources of over 50,000 members in 100 city chapters worldwide. Its mission is to catalyse India's technological renaissance through initiatives funded by the IIT Alumni Social Fund and supported by incubators, project management forums, and research institutes.
Business Standard
09-06-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
IIT Alumni Council Calls for Industry Collaboration to Manufacture Advanced Sustainable Materials at Global Scale
PNN New Delhi [India], June 9: The IIT Alumni Council has invited leading industrial players to collaborate on the mass production of next-generation materials, designed using principles from the semiconductor industry and accelerated by AI-driven platforms. At the heart of this initiative lies the AMAT AI Platform--a foundational large material model under development. Its goal: to replace scarce, expensive elements like lithium, cobalt, molybdenum, nickel, and indium with earth-abundant alternatives such as coal, thorium, silica, and iron ore. "These projects require significant capital investments--often exceeding Rs10,000 crores," said Ravi Sharma, President and Chief Volunteer, IIT Alumni Council. "They include the design and fabrication of high-throughput process equipment and large-scale manufacturing plants. Our role is to act as a knowledge partner and incubate research startups via our Social Impact Fund. These startups are critical in adapting and refining the core technologies for industrial-scale deployment." Reimagining Materials, Redefining Possibilities: "Materials like carbon and silicon are extremely versatile," explained Mr. Jitendra Singh, Distinguished Fellow, IIT Alumni Council. "Carbon ranges from diamonds to coal, graphene superconductors to carbon insulators--depending on its structure. Silicon, when doped, transforms into a semiconductor. Together, carbon and silicon form silicon carbide, a key candidate for low-cost inverters and devices. We are also exploring zero-gap semiconductors, which could disrupt industries like energy storage, HVAC, and turbine manufacturing through new architectures like high-efficiency thermoelectric generators (TEGs) and Peltier-based cooling systems." A Turning Point in Green Chemistry: "AI's most visible early contribution to materials science is here," added Mr. Shashi Shekhar, environmentalist and former Secretary, Ministry of Water & Ganga Rejuvenation. "When combined with additive manufacturing and Industry 4.0, this opens the door to safe, sustainable, and high-performance materials. These can even replace corroding materials like ToR steel or expensive ones like food-grade stainless steel." Shashi Shekhar, who now serves as Vice Chairman of Acme Group, noted that the Government of India's Green Hydrogen Mission is pushing for decarbonization of the steel industry. "By aligning with the IIT Alumni Council, we plan to develop green steel alloys that are cost-effective, sustainable, and suitable for high-performance applications like additive manufacturing and specialized equipment." Industry Progress and Global Partnerships: Recently, Outokumpu delivered its first batch of specialty powdered stainless steel for 3D printing applications such as heat exchangers and aerospace components. "It's remarkable that the IIT Alumni Council foresaw this trend and began building the ecosystem early--spanning AI-driven material innovation to carbon-free green steel production," said Mr. Y.P.S. Suri, former MD of Outokumpu India and IIT Kharagpur alumnus. "We are entering a new paradigm. I look forward to seeing the world's first process plant built entirely through additive manufacturing." Gratitude to Visionary Contributors: "The development of the AMAT AI Platform wouldn't be possible without the unwavering support of India's top corporations and visionary leaders," said Satish Mehta, Convenor of the IIT Alumni Social Fund. He acknowledged contributions from: Tata Group, Birla Group, Jindal Group, L & T, Reliance, Adani, ArcelorMittal, Ocior, Acme, Coal India, HPCL, among others. He also thanked key members of the National Solar Task Force, including: Padma Shri Prof. Ashok Jhunjhunwala, Prof. Juzer Vasi, Prof. Dinesh Kabra, and Prof. Anil Kottanthayil, for their guidance in the context of photovoltaics. A special mention was made for the Distinguished Fellows of the IIT Alumni Council, including: AI Chief Mentor Prof. Jyoti Joglekar and Silicon Valley collaborators Dr. Rohinton Dehmubed and Dr. Milind Kulkarni "Their thousands of hours of effort and deep domain expertise have been instrumental. We thank each one of them." Interested industry partners may write to applications@ on or before June 30, 2025 About IIT Alumni Council IIT Alumni Council is the largest global body of alumni across all the twenty-three IITs. The Council aggregates the technological and philanthropic resources of over 50,000 alumni spread across one hundred city chapters. The IIT Alumni Council aspires to catalyse India's technological renaissance. The Council supported initiatives are funded through the IIT Alumni Social Fund. Council members are aligned with the various mission organisations (social fund, alumni outreach and longevity missions) and mission facilitators (startup incubator, project management & advisory forum and research institute) About IIT Alumni Research Institute IIT Alumni Research Institute is a mission organisation of the IIT Alumni Council. With over 500 distinguished fellows, over 250 industry partners and close to 100 academic partners - the Alumni Research Institute is establishing centres of excellence across twenty identified target industries, covering all the 64 advanced critical technologies.
Business Standard
22-05-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
IIT Alumni Council to Co-Create India's first Global Shipbuilding Research Institute
PNN New Delhi [India], May 22: IIT Alumni Council to act as sponsor and knowledge partner to co-create a green-shipping-focused research institute and university. The institute would be a part of the shipbuilding megacity being created on the Indian coast. This greenfield facility will cater to the emerging global market for cryogenic liquid hydrogen carriers, ammonia-fueled ultra-large crude carriers, nuclear-powered container ships and other next-generation vehicles required for the transition to sustainable shipping. Ravi Sharma, President and Chief Volunteer of IIT Alumni Council, added, "Pollution caused by ships already exceeds that caused by all private cars in India. Shipbuilding is an area where India can directly lead in the latest technologies - just like it has done in mobile telecom or digital banking. Import substitution is the immediate goal, but global leadership - in this service, people and technology-intensive industry - is the end objective." "Korea's global success has been a direct result of significant R & D investments - both in industry and in academia. This collaborative approach is the key to success in shipbuilding. For Korea, shipbuilding has been one of the pillars on which the country's global success in technology was built. I have been a great believer in the potential of India. I was fortunate to attend the first edition of vibrant Gujarat in September 2003. Since then, I have been very impressed with the progress catalysed by the leadership of Mr Narendra Modi, " said 92 year legendary shipbuilder and celebrated naval architect, Dr Dong Shik Shin of Korea who is revered as the "Father of modern shipbuilding" and widely credited with the creation and success of Asia's shipping industry outside of Japan. Dr Shin was appointed by the late President Park Chung Hee to serve as an Advisor and Chairman of the Special Maritime Advisory Committee, Senior Economic Secretary and Secretary General of the Presidential Board in the fields of Economy and Science. Dr Shin has played a pivotal role in planning the national economic development and overseeing Korea's economic advancement, especially in the fields of heavy industry, maritime affairs, science and technology and basic infrastructure. Dr Shin has been awarded as the Distinguished Fellow in Shipbuilding by the IIT Alumni Council and is being nominated as a Professor Emeritus and Member of the Senate of the Shipbuilding University. "For close to two years now, I have been travelling with the IIT Alumni teams to study existing shipyards as well as explore zero carbon options for next gen ships. India is more cost-effective than any other country for bespoke, high technology manufacturing because of its deep pool of engineering talent and ERS (engineering and research service) providers. What is currently missing is the required infrastructure to build such massive ships and the supporting ecosystem. We also have a lot of catching up to do on large sized steel plates, design automation data bases and advanced electronics which are now all standard in the industry," added Commodore R. Balasubramaniam, a highly respected naval R & D veteran who has been involved with the conceptualisation, design, construction and maintenance of some of the Indian Navy's most prized assets, including the naval ships and design of shipyards. Commodore R. Balasubramaniam is an awarded Distinguished Fellow of the IIT Alumni Council in the area of Nuclear Powered Vehicles and is being nominated as a Professor of Practice and Member of the Senate of the new Institute. "There are only a handful of global players who have the capability to design and build a VLCC or ULCC. It doesn't make sense to reinvent the wheel. Thus, the immediate plan is to acquire proven Korean designs for India's first very large crude carrier (VLCC) from Komag - the world leader in this space. This will help India to catch up and enter the closed club of countries capable of building VLCCs. Dedicated test facilities can validate systems prior to hull integration. Digital Twin technologies could radically reduce the time for construction. Future technologies have to be invented, not imported. The Shipbuilding University is thus a timely step in the right direction by the IIT Alumni Council," added Mr Kiran Jadhav, Distinguished Fellow of the IIT Alumni Council for Defence Vehicles. He is also the cofounder of Kanoji Shipyard which is designing and building India's first VLCC with green fuel and nuclear options. About IIT Alumni Council IIT Alumni Council is the largest global body of alumni across all the twenty-three IITs. The Council aggregates the technological and philanthropic resources of over 50,000 alumni spread across one hundred city chapters. The IIT Alumni Council aspires to catalyse India's technological renaissance. The Council supported initiatives are funded through the IIT Alumni Social Fund. Council members are aligned with the various mission organisations (social fund, alumni outreach and longevity missions) and mission facilitators (startup incubator, project management & advisory forum and research institute) About IIT Alumni Research Institute IIT Alumni Research Institute is a mission organisation of the IIT Alumni Council. With over 500 distinguished fellows, over 250 industry partners and close to 100 academic partners - the Alumni Research Institute is establishing centres of excellence across twenty identified target industries, covering all the 64 advanced critical technologies. To Know More: To interact with IIT Alumni Council, write to: media@ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
