In the first ever initiative of its kind, Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has provided its patented Copper-Titanium (CuTi) alloy technology for commercial exploitation to a start-up company.DRDO developed this material for non-sparking tools, which is one of the several applications of this material.
How CuTi Technology developed:
DRDO works on products containing explosives and other inflammable material which cannot be worked upon with conventional tools. The heat produced by the last torque of the conventional spanner, and the slip of the tool creates an arc which renders these tools unsafe. DRDO was importing tools made of Copper-Beryllium (CuBe) alloy from abroad which needed to be replaced. But Beryllium is highly toxic and it is also not available in India. This led to development of CuTi alloy by DMRL which filed for a patent in 1999.
Issues in existing CuBe Alloy technology:
CuBe is strongest known alloy of Copper and finds uses in many applications across industry sectors. Beryllium is a rare-earth material, hazardous to produce and causes fatal human disease called Chronic Beryllium Disease, when the exposure exceeds a certain limit. Many countries are restricting or banning use of alloys containing beryllium. Because of its rare earth nature and strategic use in high-end defence products, Beryllium is also prohibitively expensive.
Properties & use of CuTi Technology:
Of the many alternatives developed globally, DRDO’s CuTi comes closest to CuBe, in which Copper provides malleability and Titanium provides strength. The resulting alloy has high conductivity and thus produces no spark. Besides non-sparking hand tools, the start-up also intends to use the alloy for resistance welding products, MIG welding, electrical contacts, plunger tips, dies and moulds products, engine valve seats and for other special applications.
Pune-based start-up has been granted an exclusive license to manufacture CuTi products in India and sell them globally. DRDO will charge an upfront Transfer of Technology fee and a royalty that will be paid over 10 years.
Accelerated Technologies Assessment and Commercialization programme:
The ATAC programme has been conceived to identify ‘hidden treasures’ in various DRDO labs and bring them to the market. Most of these products and technologies were closed activities but they have now been brought back to life under ‘Make in India’.
The DRDO – FICCI ATAC programme aims to create a commercial pathway to deliver technologies developed by DRDO for appropriate commercial markets for use in civilian products and services.
This programme is 1ST of its kind to be undertaken by DRDO in association with FICCI to actively spinout several of DRDO’s technologies for appropriate commercial markets both nationally and internationally. In the very 1ST year of operation of the programme as many as 26 DRDO labs across India are participating and over 300 technologies are being assessed under this programme by FICCI. The technologies that are currently assessed are from sectors as diverse as electronics, robotics, advanced computing and simulation, Avionics, optronics, precision engineering, special materials, engineering systems, instrumentation, acoustic technologies, life sciences, disaster management technologies, information systems, etc. This will enable the participation of private sector & diversification.
The programme process comprises the following steps:
Technology Assessment:-
• High Level Quantitative and Qualitative Evaluations
• Extensive Interviews and Analysis
• Quick Look Scan
Business Development:-
• Business Development Plan
• Identifying Business Partners
• Industry Interface via Visits, Calls and Follow-ups
• Licensing Agreement
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