Latest news with #NationalInstituteofOceanTechnology
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Science
- New Indian Express
Crucial test: Samudrayaan inches closer to mission
BENGALURU: India's ambitious first-manned ocean mission Samudrayaan is inching closer to reality, with ISRO on Wednesday announcing that the testing of the personnel sphere of the Matsya-6000 submersible, along with the development of materials for realisation, were successfully carried out at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC). 'The first welding on the actual hardware and detailed evaluation has been completed. High-penetration welding of this scale, ie. of 80-mm weld thickness, over 7,100-mm length with 32 minutes of weld duration, was carried out for the first time in the country,' ISRO said. Matsya-6000 is a sphere comprising a diameter of 2,260-mm, made of Titanium, and is expected to withstand external pressure of up to 600bar under low temp situations of -3 degrees C. It is capable of carrying a three-member crew, up to 6 km deep into the ocean. The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) signed an MoU with VSSC for the development of the special human-occupied spherical vessel, as a part of Samudrayaan, under the Deep Ocean Mission. The scientists also said a major challenge in realising the spherical vessel was the development of reliable, high-penetration Electron Beam Welding process and the high-energy (7.5MeV) X-ray facility for the Non-Destructive Evaluation. This is essential for the certification of the human-rated product, the ISRO team said. The Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC) in Bengaluru developed the process and infrastructure for the welding process and NDE. ISRO said the LPSC has the facility and expertise to carry out welding up to 20-mm thickness. To meet the high-power demand, the EBW machine was augmented from 15kW to 40kW rating, along with additional facilities for chemical cleaning and handling equipment for the higher size and mass. For the NDE, the existing X-ray facility in kV range was augmented to 7.5MeV range. Multiple NDE techniques were employed, which complement each other in ascertaining weld quality, including Time of Flight Diffraction and Dual Linear Array Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing, the team concluded.
Time of India
17-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Hydrophone tested for Samudrayaan
Chennai: Just a few months before India's manned submersible Matsya 6000 undergoes integrated testing, city-based National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has successfully tested an underwater communication system, or 'underwater telephone', at Kerala's Idukki dam. The system, which works on acoustic sound waves, will enable real-time communication between researchers several kilometres deep in the ocean and those aboard the mothership. The submersible will undergo integrated testing in early 2026 as part of the Samudrayaan mission under the Deep Ocean Mission. In the Idukki test, hydrophones were suspended five metres below the surface from two separate boats stationed 5.5 km apart. One boat remained stationary, while the other moved away. Hydrophones were also tested at varying depths as researchers on board communicated through the acoustic transmitter and receiver. The location was chosen for its long, straight stretch, reservoir and logistical support from the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), which provided boats and assistance. The underwater telephone was initially developed and tested in laboratory conditions at NIOT. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Are Watching Tariffs - Few Are Watching What Nvidia Just Launched Seeking Alpha Read More Undo You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai "We are able to flawlessly communicate and hear between the boats," said NIOT director Balaji Ramakrishnan, confirming the clarity achieved over long horizontal distances. "We wanted to understand the device's maximum range by testing in a controlled environment like Idukki dam. The next step will be to test in actual ocean conditions." In the open sea, the system will be tested for vertical range at depths of 1,000m-2,000m, where changing temperature, conductivity, salinity, and pressure may affect sound wave propagation. Other critical subsystems are also undergoing independent testing. An underwater positioning system and a side-scan sonar were tested at Idukki. Life support systems were tested and optimised to reduce space inside the titanium spherical hull where researchers will be seated, leaving more room for scientific payloads. NIOT researchers are also in discussions with Norwegian certification agency Det Norske Veritas, whose team, including members from Norway, Germany, and India, is in the city to evaluate Matsya 6000's components and safety standards.
Time of India
12-07-2025
- Climate
- Time of India
Observatories to be deployed at sea to enhance forecasts
Chennai: Indian researchers will soon deploy observatories in the sea to collect continuous oceanographic and meteorological data to improve weather forecast accuracy and support climate studies. Work is already underway, with researchers from the city-based National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) conducting offshore geotechnical investigations for a coastal observatory. A 15-metre-tall platform was installed at a 10-metre water depth off their campus in Pamanji, Andhra Pradesh. The observatories will be installed under the Mission Mausam initiative to make India 'weather ready' and 'climate smart'. "Unlike buoys in the ocean, which provide only surface-level data, these observatories will have instruments to measure subsurface, surface, and atmospheric parameters and transmit data in real time. A lidar will be used as a probing device to penetrate a few kilometres into the atmosphere and provide a vertical profile, including cloud density and wind speed and direction," said M Ravichandran, secretary, ministry of earth sciences. He said the observatories will be deployed less than 60 km from the shoreline, starting along the east coast, with at least one observatory for every coastal state to complement land-based radars. You Can Also Check: Chennai AQI | Weather in Chennai | Bank Holidays in Chennai | Public Holidays in Chennai Experts said that while Doppler Weather Radars on land with a 100 km to 500 km radius capacity, detect and measure thunderstorm clouds, precipitation, winds, and cyclonic movement, no such observations exist over ocean. IMD also launches radiosondes or weather balloons daily to obtain vertical profiles over land, but not at sea. "We do not know how coastal currents are changing and what variabilities impact weather. Unlike on land, we don't have data on diurnal variation in the ocean. This is a challenge for forecasting in coastal regions," Ravichandran said. India currently relies on satellites, ship-based surveys, and argo floats for ocean observations. These provide mostly surface-level or snapshot data and lack the depth and continuity needed for detailed modelling. "Atmospheric data helps in nowcasting and short-term forecasts. But for 10–15-day, monthly, or seasonal forecasts, or long-term studies, the clue is ocean," Ravichandran added. The observatories will also help generate long-term time-series data critical for understanding ocean variability, monsoon behaviour, and climate change.
Time of India
03-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
NIOT seeks Rs 50 lakh for Pozhiyoor harbour cost reduction study
1 2 3 T'puram: The National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has demanded Rs 50.5 lakh from the harbour engineering department to carry out a study on the possible ways to reduce the cost of the proposed Pozhiyoor fishing harbour. NIOT wants Rs 10 lakh to be paid in advance, with the remaining amount payable after completing the study and submitting the report. The remaining amount need not be given if the study fails to find solutions. The project's estimated cost was Rs 343 crore, but the Union fisheries ministry termed the cost high and asked NIOT to explore ways to bring it below Rs 200 crore. Following this, there was a discussion between the officials of NIOT and the harbour engineering department. During the discussion, NIOT officials raised demands to proceed with the study. If a favourable decision is taken, the harbour engineering department will sign an MoU with NIOT on the rules and regulations to be followed. Once the pact is signed, a five-member team from NIOT will arrive in the district to carry out the study, which will last for three months. The harbour engineering department is yet to make a final decision. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo "Once we get the govt's consent, the pact will be signed. The expert team will focus on efficient planning, design and execution by considering innovative technologies, risk-based inspections and ways to reduce labour and material costs," informed an official. "The team is considering the possibility of using alternative materials instead of rocks for the breakwaters," the officer said. The department informed that the central ministry wants to bring the cost below Rs 200 crore and approval would be given only if the cost was reduced. Once the ministry approves the project, the state's second largest harbour will be constructed on a 60:40 cost-sharing ratio by the central and state govts, respectively. The project's DPR was already approved by the state fisheries department months ago. The project will benefit thousands of fishers residing in Pozhiyoor, Poovar, Karimkulam, Kochuthura, Puthiyathura, Pallam and Pulluvila. In addition to the construction of breakwaters, another 15 components, such as a fish landing facility, auction hall, roads, wharf, street lights, toilet complex, etc., were also included in the project. NIOT expert team will examine all components of the project independently for overall cost reduction, added the officer.
Time Business News
24-06-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
Technological Advancements and Transition to Renewable Energy in Marine Mining Market
Marine mining involves the extraction of valuable minerals and natural resources from oceanic environments. This practice ranges from near-shore operations, where materials like sand, gravel, and salt are harvested, to deeper waters that hold oil, natural gas, and strategically important metals such as manganese and cobalt. As the demand for construction materials, energy resources, and strategic metals grows, marine mining market is gaining attention. However, environmental concerns and regulatory challenges accompany these advancements. Key Growth Drivers and Opportunities Increasing Demand for Minerals and Metals: Cobalt, nickel, and manganese, crucial for EV batteries and renewable energy technologies, are abundant in deep-sea nodules. Rising demand for metals and minerals, especially those needed for renewable energy and technological innovations such as electric vehicles. As land-based mineral reserves run out, the ocean floor offers a huge, unexplored supply of these vital resources, which forces industries to look into marine mining as a possible way to meet the rising demand. Growing Investment in Offshore Mining Technologies: Enhanced investment in offshore mining technology will transform the livelihoods of those affected by ocean degradation. Seabed mapping, AI-controlled navigation, and pressure-resistant robotic arm innovations allow for accurate resource extraction while minimizing environmental hazards at the same time. The surge in R& D and capital investments not only speeds up commercialization time planning but also generates interest in the clean energy, defense, and telecommunications industries. Challenges Deep-sea mining requires specialized vessels, submersibles, pumps, and AI-driven navigation all extremely expensive. Environmental concerns such as sediment plumes, disruption of biodiversity, and noise pollution affecting marine life this factors hamper the growth of marine mining market growth. Innovation and Expansion India's Deep Sea Mining Trials On October4, 2024, The Deep Sea Mining Group of the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) has successfully conducted exploratory mining trials for polymetallic nodules in the Andaman Sea, utilizing a specially designed seabed mining machine named Varaha-3. The locations for these trials were previously surveyed and identified by the Geological Survey of India, highlighting the potential for valuable mineral resources beneath the ocean floor. The Government of India Submits Two Applications for Approval of Plans of Work for Seabed Exploration in the Indian Ocean On 18 January 2024, the Government of India submitted two applications to the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for approval of two plans of work for exploration in the international seabed area (the Area) of the Indian Ocean. One application has been submitted for the exploration for polymetallic sulphides in the Indian Ocean Ridge (Carlsberg Ridge). The second application was submitted for the exploration for cobalt-rich ferromanganese crusts of the Afanasy-Nikitin Seamount in the Central Indian Ocean. IAI unveils BlueWhale Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle (AUV) In May 2023, Israeli Aerospace Industries (IAI), announced expansion of its maritime capabilities and presenting its BlueWhale Large Autonomous Underwater Vehicle for the first time. This has successfully undergone thousands of autonomous operation hours, including intelligence-gathering for both maritime and coastal targets, acoustic intelligence, and identifying the presence of naval mines. The autonomous submarine can perform a significant portion of the operations of a manned submarine, for periods of several weeks, at minimal cost and maintenance, without the need for operators on board. India Launches Deep-Sea Mining Project to Develop 'Blue Economy' In January 2023, India launched a deep-sea mining project which was a type of marine mining to fulfill the need for rare minerals. With a budget of more than USD 460 million over five years, the initiative would develop deep-sea mining technologies and resource exploration, study marine biodiversity, purchase a research vessel for ocean exploration and conduct research on ocean climate change. The Metals Company Acquires Third Seabed Contract Area to Explore For Polymetallic Nodules In April 2020, The Metals Company, announced that it has acquired Tonga Offshore Mining Limited (TOML), giving the company exploration rights to a 74,713 km2 block of CCZ seabed that contains an inferred resource of 756 million wet tonnes of polymetallic nodules. The acquisition expands The Metals Company's extensive library of CCZ deep-sea data, with 10,450 preserved biological samples, 3,153 line-kilometers of seabed images and 115,591 square kilometers of high-resolution bathymetric data About Author: Prophecy is a specialized market research, analytics, marketing and business strategy, and solutions company that offer strategic and tactical support to clients for making well-informed business decisions and to identify and achieve high value opportunities in the target business area. Also, we help our client to address business challenges and provide best possible solutions to overcome them and transform their business. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
