India’s IISc, Japan’s Yaqumo Partner on Quantum Breakthroughs

The Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, and Japan-based Yaqumo Inc. signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) on May 28, 2026, to collaborate on quantum technologies, aligning with India’s National Quantum Mission and the broader India–Japan Digital Partnership 2.0. This partnership will focus on quantum hardware, photonics, systems engineering, software, and industrial applications.

Key Highlights of the Collaboration

• Date Signed: May 28, 2026
• Parties Involved: IISc (India’s premier research university) and Yaqumo Inc. (Japan-based quantum startup specializing in neutral atom technology)
• Strategic Context: Builds on the India–Japan Digital Partnership 2.0 and the May 4, 2026 LoI on Quantum Science, Technology, and Innovation

Areas of Cooperation

Domain	Focus	Impact
Quantum hardware	Neutral atom systems, scalable architectures	Industrial-grade quantum machines
Photonics & optical control	Precision control technologies	Improved stability & error correction
Quantum systems engineering	Hardware-software co-design	Practical error-tolerant computing
Quantum software & applications	Algorithms, simulation, AI integration	Use cases in pharma, defence, finance
Industrialization	Validation, demonstration, deployment	Ecosystem growth in India & Japan

Strategic Implications

• For India: IISc’s role in the National Quantum Mission (NQM) will be strengthened, accelerating R&D and industrial adoption of quantum systems
• For Japan: Yaqumo gains access to India’s growing quantum ecosystem, positioning itself as a key supplier of neutral atom quantum hardware
• For Bilateral Ties: Reinforces India–Japan cooperation in emerging technologies, complementing semiconductor and AI partnerships

Risks & Challenges

• Technology Dependence: India may rely heavily on Japanese hardware, slowing indigenous development
• Standardization: Aligning protocols between India and Japan could be complex
• Commercial Viability: Quantum systems remain experimental; scaling for industry use will take time

Takeaway

This LoI is a strategic milestone: IISc and Yaqumo will jointly advance quantum technologies, bridging India’s research strengths with Japan’s hardware expertise. It positions both nations to accelerate quantum R&D, industrialization, and societal deployment in the coming decade.

Schaeffler India, IISc Launch World-Class HPC Infrastructure Driving Sustainable Innovation

Schaeffler India, the motion technology company, has announced the opening of a computational research infrastructure at the Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID), Bengaluru. Part of Schaeffler India’s purposeful engagement with IISC, premium research academia, this supported facility strengthens research capabilities by enabling HPC (High- Performance Computing) large-scale simulations, data-intensive modelling and advanced analytics across materials, energy systems, and sustainable mobility. Additionally, these improvements will foster stronger industry collaborations, improved research quality and efficiency, and increased relevance of research in industry projects.

The initiative focuses on expanding FSID’s computational facilities through the acquisition of dedicated lab space, advanced in-rack cooling systems, power backup and high-performance hybrid computing workstations or clusters. These enhancements will significantly improve computational efficiency and support cutting-edge research.

The enhanced facility will benefit a wide range of stakeholders directly, including faculty members of the Indian Institute of Science (IISC), FSID-incubated startups, external startups and MSMEs accessing advanced digital infrastructure, industry partners engaged in R&D collaborations. Indirectly, the expanded infrastructure will support PhD scholars, postgraduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and the broader academic and industrial ecosystem.

Schaeffler India has also signed a Master Research Agreement (MRA) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISC), setting foundation for multiple future research projects and further strengthening its commitment to collaborative innovation and advanced research.

“At Schaeffler India, we are committed to building skills and manufacturing excellence rooted in India’s unique strengths, aligned with its needs, and geared towards creating lasting value. Such efforts depend on strong academia-industry collaboration, with institutions like Indian Institute of Science playing a critical role in equipping researchers with the right tools and expertise.

We’re proud to support its latest computational infrastructure through Schaeffler India’s CSR programme, HOPE. Beyond its immediate purpose, the facility will empower a wide spectrum of IISC research projects across diverse streams and teams, thereby amplifying the impact of collaborative research. Schaeffler India and IISC have a strong pipeline of joint projects, and our teams are fully aligned to move into execution. It reflects what's possible when two organizations come together with a shared purpose to strengthen research across multiple disciplines at IISC.” said Mr. Harsha Kadam, MD & CEO, Schaeffler India.

“The initiative of Schaeffler India to establish a high-performance computational facility for developing intelligent and sustainable systems at FSID, IISC, is highly commendable. With the long-term aim of creating a computational facility with a peak performance of around 32 PFLOPs, comprising a mixture of CPUs and GPUs, the facility will be highly beneficial for the research groups at IISC, startups incubated at FSID, and industries that collaborate with FSID/IISC. We look forward to the increasing digitalization, automation, and acceleration of research that this facility can create around the IISC ecosystem and the upcoming long-term collaborative activities with Schaeffler India.” said Sai Gautam Gopalakrishnan, Associate Professor of Materials Engineering, IISC.

Prof B. Gurumoorthy, Director- Foundation for Science Innovation and Development, said, “Being the interface for collaborative research with industry and deep science innovation at Indian Institute of Science, we are pleased to have this new infrastructure, which will significantly strengthen our ability to support faculty and other researchers pursuing interdisciplinary research across materials, energy systems, and sustainable mobility. This collaboration with Schaeffler India marks an important step in enhancing FSID’s capabilities in high-end simulations, data-intensive research, and next-generation technology development. We see this as a strong example of how industry-academia partnerships can accelerate research and innovation with real-world relevance".

By strengthening FSID's computational infrastructure, Schaeffler India aims to catalyze agile and impactful research engineering domains. This partnership will accelerate scientific deliverables, skill up the next-generation workforce, and drive industry-relevant solutions.

IISc Unveils Quantum-Safe Crypto Chip Powering IoT Security

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, have announced that they have developed the first compact, low-power quantum-safe crypto chip for IoT devices, using the SQIsign digital signature scheme. This breakthrough addresses the looming quantum threat while keeping energy consumption and hardware size suitable for constrained IoT systems.

Why This Matters

• Quantum threat: Future quantum computers could break widely used cryptographic systems like RSA and ECC.
• IoT vulnerability: Billions of IoT devices rely on lightweight cryptography, making them especially exposed.
• Quantum-safe solution: Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithms like SQIsign are designed to resist quantum attacks.

Key Features of the IISc Chip

• Custom ASIC design: First hardware-accelerated implementation of SQIsign signatures.
• Low power consumption: Optimized for IoT devices with limited battery and processing capacity.
• Compact size: Suitable for embedding in sensors, wearables, and industrial IoT nodes.
• Efficient signature verification: Hardware acceleration reduces computational overhead compared to software-only PQC.

SQIsign Digital Signature Scheme

• Isogeny-based cryptography: Relies on mathematical structures resistant to quantum algorithms.
• Candidate for PQC standards: Being evaluated by global cryptographic bodies for standardization.
• Advantages: Smaller key sizes compared to lattice-based PQC, making it more efficient for constrained devices.

Comparison: Traditional vs Quantum-Safe IoT Security

Feature	Traditional Crypto (RSA/ECC)	Quantum-Safe (SQIsign ASIC)
Security vs Quantum	Vulnerable	Resistant
Key Size	Small	Moderate (but optimized)
Power Consumption	Low	Low (hardware-accelerated)
Suitability for IoT	High (today)	High (future-proof)
Standardization Status	Mature	Under evaluation

Challenges & Risks

• Standardization pending: PQC algorithms are still under review; widespread adoption will take time.
• Integration hurdles: IoT manufacturers must redesign hardware/software stacks to support PQC.
• Performance trade-offs: Even with hardware acceleration, PQC can be heavier than legacy crypto.

Outlook

• Near-term: Pilot deployments in IoT devices, especially in critical infrastructure and healthcare.
• Medium-term (5–10 years): Gradual replacement of RSA/ECC in IoT ecosystems.
• Long-term: Quantum-safe chips become standard in all connected devices.

IISc-backed Morphing Machines Raises ₹38.36 Cr to Build India’s Next-Gen Semiconductor Accelerator

Morphing Machines, a Bengaluru-based fabless semiconductor IP company at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has raised ₹38.36 crore in a Series A funding round led by IAN Alpha Fund, with participation from Speciale Invest, IvyCap Ventures, and Navam Capital. Existing investors from the Seed round include Speciale Invest, IvyCap Ventures, Navam Capital, Golden Sparrow Ventures, IIMA Ventures, and DeVC.

Morphing Machines is part of India’s growing Deeptech ecosystem, developing breakthrough technologies that push the boundaries of computing. The company is building a many core processor that can handle diverse workloads with speed and efficiency, addressing the needs of industries such as data centers and artificial intelligence. These are sectors where demand is growing rapidly and existing hardware is struggling to keep pace.

After more than a decade of research, the company brings a combination of deep technical expertise and practical product focus. Unlike traditional approaches, the company is building semiconductor solutions that are not only powerful but also energy-efficient and scalable, making them relevant for high-performance computing, AI, and next-generation enterprise applications.

The company was founded by Deepak Shapeti (Co-Founder & CEO), Dr. Ranjani Narayan (Founder & CTO), and Prof. S. K. Nandy (Founder & Chief Scientific Advisor). The idea originated from a deep research foundation backed by IISc (Indian Institute of Science). The vision formalized from the work done on developed processors for DRDO and Safran Aerospace. These projects laid the foundation for Morphing Machines’ breakthrough innovation of creating software-defined hardware that can adapt to fast-changing needs.

Deepak Shapeti, Co-founder & CEO, Morphing Machines, said, “Data Centers today demand agility—REDEFINE uniquely adapts to any workload, from AI to analytics, delivering breakthrough efficiency and lower costs for the next era of cloud computing. Our Series A funding will accelerate deployment of REDEFINE into consumer cloud data centers, hyperscalers, and other such use cases where we can offer customers better performance, efficiency, and flexibility while dramatically lowering total cost of ownership.”

Rajnish Kapur, Managing Partner, IAN Alpha Fund, said, “We are delighted to partner with Morphing Machines, a deep-tech semiconductor startup built on nearly two decades of pioneering research at the Indian Institute of Science. Morphing Machines is developing REDEFINE™, a runtime reconfigurable manycore parallel compute processor that combines the flexibility of an FPGA with the performance of an ASIC. Like a Swiss knife, REDEFINE™ can dynamically switch between CPU and GPU capacity cores, making it ideal for the diverse, demanding and yet unpredictable workloads of modern applications that are increasingly AI-driven. The timing couldn’t be better: with the rising demands of high-performance computing, data centers, Generative AI, 6G, ADAS etc., the need for scalable AI acceleration is more urgent than ever. We are thrilled to work alongside Dr. Ranjani Narayan, Prof. S.K. Nandy, and Deepak Shapeti as they push the frontiers of India’s semiconductor mission.”

Vishesh Rajaram, Managing Partner, Speciale Invest, said, “At Speciale Invest, we are committed to backing founders who are building at the very edge of science and engineering. Morphing Machines exemplifies this — bringing together more than a decade of IISc-led research and transforming it into a commercially scalable semiconductor innovation. REDEFINE™ is a breakthrough architecture that addresses the growing demand for compute agility in data centers and AI workloads globally. We are excited to partner with Deepak, Dr. Ranjani, and Prof. Nandy as they push forward India’s semiconductor mission and build a globally competitive deeptech company.”

The new funding will be used to build and test its first chip, strengthen its product, and expand the team from 50 to more than 90 people. The company also plans to start demos with customers and secure early adoption in data centers. Over time, Morphing Machines will expand into global markets such as the US and Europe where Data center markets are already saturated and require for improved compute is paramount.

In the next 12 to 24 months, the company will focus on building its first proof-of-silicon chip, signing paid pilot projects with data center customers, and improving its software toolchain. They aim to become a global leader in semiconductor accelerators while contributing to India’s growing semiconductor ecosystem.

About Morphing Machines:

Morphing Machines is a Bengaluru-based fabless semiconductor IP company incubated at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). The company is developing REDEFINE™, the world’s most dynamic and flexible processor designed for demanding compute environments, starting with data centers and high-performance compute infrastructure. Unlike fixed ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) or power-hungry FPGAs, REDEFINE aims to deliver ASIC-like performance with FPGA-like flexibility. Backed by a decade of IISc-led research and patents, the company is supported by government initiatives like DLI (Design-Linked Incentive) and C2S (Chips2Startup).

About IAN Alpha Fund:

IAN Alpha Fund, a ₹1,000 crores (US$125 mn) SEBI-registered Category II AIF VC Fund, is the second fund in IAN Group’s series of funds. The Fund explores opportunities in diverse sectors such as healthtech, cleantech, deep tech, agritech, medtech, hardware and electronics, manufacturing, Web 3.0, Metaverse, Industry 4.0, SaaS, and other sectors where innovation is transformational. The Fund invests in innovative startups solving real problems for India and the world, with sustainable business models enabling scale by leveraging technology. With the IAN Alpha Fund, IAN Group continues its two-decade legacy of building a portfolio of technology-focused, innovative companies led by founders who not only understand customer needs but also have the leadership qualities to build large and valuable businesses.

About IAN Group:

IAN Group is the country’s single largest platform for seed and early-stage investment platform with IAN Angel Network, BioAngels and IAN Fund I and IAN Alpha Fund enabling entrepreneurs to raise from Rs. 50 lakhs to Rs. 50 crores. The platform brings money, mentoring from successful entrepreneurs and global market access. The platform is sector-agnostic and has funded innovative start-ups across 19 sectors in India and 7 other countries, thereby growing the global footprint of companies. IAN has been listed by Forbes as one of iconic business and economic events of Independent India, over 75 years along with LIC, NASSCOM, RBI, Naukri.com amongst others

India’s Angstrom Ambition: IISc Plots Atomic Leap in Post-Silicon Chip Race

Angstrom-scale semiconductor chips are the next frontier in miniaturizing electronics—pushing beyond the current 3-nanometer (nm) technology into the realm of angstroms, where 1 angstrom equals just 0.1 nm.

To put that in perspective: if today’s most advanced chips are like a grain of rice, angstrom-scale chips are like a single grain of salt. These chips aim to pack more transistors into a smaller space, dramatically boosting performance while reducing power consumption.

Since traditional silicon struggles at such tiny scales, researchers are turning to 2D materials like graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). These materials are just one atom thick, yet they offer exceptional conductivity, flexibility, and thermal stability—perfect for building ultra-efficient chips.

India is quietly preparing to leapfrog into the future of semiconductors—and it’s not just chasing nanometers anymore. It’s going angstrom-deep.

In a bold proposal, a 30-member team from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has pitched a ₹500-crore, 5-year mission to craft angstrom-scale semiconductor chips, venturing where even 3nm technology begins to fade. These chips, which measure in tenths of a nanometer, are set to defy the limits of traditional silicon, aiming for devices that are faster, cooler, and up to 10x smaller.

It is to be noted that this angstrom-scale chip initiative echoes the momentum we saw back in April 2025, when India’s semiconductor ambitions were making headlines for multiple reasons. In that month, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that India’s first Made-in-India semiconductor chip would be ready by the end of 2025.

This proposal for angstrom-scale chip was first submitted to the Principal Scientific Adviser in 2022, revised in 2024, and now under active review by the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY).

India’s Angstrom-Scale Chip Initiative: A Timeline

Year	Milestone	Details
2021	Early Outreach Begins	Initial communication with MeitY, DRDO, DoS, and NITI Aayog regarding 2D semiconductor research.
April 2022	First Proposal Submitted	IISc submits Detailed Project Report to Principal Scientific Adviser focused on angstrom-scale chips.
September 2022	NITI Aayog Endorsement	NITI Aayog endorses the strategic value of the proposed project.
October 2024	Revised Proposal	IISc refines technical and funding roadmap and submits updated report to MeitY.
April 2025	Public Spotlight	Media reveals ₹500 crore proposal to develop chips 10x smaller than current 3nm tech.
June 2025	National Review	Proposal gains traction with MeitY and ANRF amid discussions on cross-sector deployment.

Backed by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), this angstrom-scale chip initiative aligns with the Indian government’s larger push toward next-gen R&D and self-reliance in critical technologies. If greenlit, it could signal India’s emergence as a serious player in the post-silicon era—joining a global race led by the U.S., South Korea, and Taiwan.

Imagine a future where India's edge isn’t just in software, but at the molecular level of hardware. That future might just be a few angstroms away.

India’s angstrom-scale chip initiative and its GPU-powered AI mission are two sides of the same silicon coin—one building the hardware of tomorrow, the other fueling the intelligence of today. Together, they could reshape India’s technological sovereignty across sectors.

How It Ties into IndiaAI’s GPU Push

The IndiaAI Mission has deployed 34,000+ high-performance GPUs to power foundational models, LLMs, and AI applications tailored to Indian languages and needs. But as AI models grow more complex, they demand denser, faster, and more energy-efficient chips—precisely what angstrom-scale semiconductors promise.

By investing in angstrom-scale R&D, India is laying the groundwork for next-gen AI accelerators that could outperform today’s GPUs in speed and efficiency. Imagine training a 120 Billion-parameter LLM not in weeks, but in days—with a fraction of the energy.

Angstrom-scale chips could power ultra-compact, secure edge devices for surveillance, autonomous drones, and encrypted battlefield communications. With DRDO already looped into the IISc proposal, the defense implications are clear: faster, stealthier, smarter systems.

From real-time climate modeling to smart grid optimization, these chips could enable low-power sensors and AI models that run in remote or harsh environments. Think satellite-based carbon tracking or AI-driven disaster prediction—all on chips smaller than a virus.

In diagnostics and wearables, angstrom-scale chips could lead to implantable biosensors, AI-assisted imaging, and personalized medicine. Their low heat and power footprint make them ideal for continuous health monitoring—even inside the body.

In essence, India isn’t just scaling up compute with GPUs—it’s redefining the substrate of intelligence itself. Want to explore how this could position India as a global chip design hub or how it compares to what the U.S. and South Korea are doing?

If successful, angstrom-scale chips could power everything from quantum computers to AI systems, wearables, and space tech, all while using less energy and generating less heat.

IISc Proposes ₹500 Crore Plan for World's Smallest Semiconductor Chip

Angstrom-scale chips are ultra-small semiconductor chips that go beyond the current nanometer-scale technology. These chips are designed using 2D materials like graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), allowing for extremely compact and efficient electronics.

For context, the smallest chips currently in production measure 3 nanometers, but angstrom-scale chips aim to be one-tenth that size. This breakthrough could lead to faster computing, energy-efficient devices, and next-generation Al systems.

India's Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has proposed a ₹500 crore project to develop these ultra-small chips, positioning the country as a leader in next-gen semiconductor technology, said a report by news agency PTI.

According to the report, India’s Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY) confirmed that the proposal has been under discussion.

The report also cites an official privy to the development and quotes the official saying, "MeitY is positive about the project. The Principal Scientific Adviser and Secretary, MeitY, have held meetings on it. MeitY is exploring the electronics applications where such technology can be deployed. This is a collaborative effort that requires due diligence at every step."

This comes within few days after IISc researchers recently announced that they have engineered a bacteria-based technique to repair bricks used in space habitats.

Scientists from IISc have proposed developing angstrom-scale chips using 2D materials like graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs). These chips would be far smaller than the smallest chips currently in production, potentially revolutionizing semiconductor technology. The proposal, submitted to the government, aims to position India as a leader in next-generation semiconductor research.

The project seeks ₹500 crore over five years to develop indigenous technology, contrasting with India's 91,000 crore semiconductor project led by Tata Electronics in partnership with Taiwan's PSMC.

Globally, Europe, South Korea, China, and Japan have already invested heavily in 2D material-based semiconductor research.

To recall, last year in January a team of researchers at Georgia Tech and Tianjin University has claimed to have created the world’s first functional semiconductor made from graphene.

Angstrom-scale chips could unlock groundbreaking advancements across multiple industries. With significantly higher transistor density, these chips could enable Al models to process vast amounts of data faster and more efficiently, revolutionizing fields like quantum computing and Al-driven automation.

India’s push toward 2D semiconductor materials like graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) could position it as a leader in this post-silicon era.

Besides, it may also be recalled that Digital University of Kerala (DUK), along with Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET) in Thrissur, launched India's first Graphene Innovation Centre, in January 2022.

Indian Scientists Use Bacteria to Repair Space Bricks—Set for Gaganyaan Mission

Transporting construction materials from Earth to space is one of the biggest challenges in space exploration due to high costs, logistical constraints, and extreme environmental conditions. According to NASA, launching materials into space can cost in range from $10,000 to $15,000 per kg.

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have engineered a bacteria-based technique to repair bricks used in space habitats. The bacterium, Sporosarcina pasteurii, produces calcium carbonate, which helps fill cracks in bricks exposed to the Moon’s extreme conditions.

These bricks, made from lunar soil simulants, can suffer damage due to temperature swings from 121°C to -133°C, solar radiation, and meteorite impacts. To counter this, IISc scientists introduced artificial defects in sintered bricks and injected a slurry containing the bacteria, guar gum, and lunar soil simulant. Over time, the bacteria solidified the slurry and reinforced the bricks, making them more resilient.

 

Bricks with artificially created flaws, alongside bricks repaired using the bacteria-filled slurry (Photo: IISc/ Amogh Jadhav)

Now, a sample of this bacteria is set to be sent into space aboard India’s Gaganyaan mission to study its behavior in microgravity.

What problem does this solves?

This bacteria-based method solves multiple challenges in space habitat construction, making structures stronger, self-healing, and more sustainable. Here's what it tackles:

Problems Solved by Bacteria-Modified Bricks

1. Cracking & Structural Weakness
• Space bricks suffer from cracks due to extreme temperature shifts, radiation, and micrometeorite impacts.
• Traditional bricks require frequent repairs, which is difficult in space.
• The bacteria self-heal cracks, restoring up to 54% of strength.
2. Costly Transport of Materials from Earth
• Carrying construction materials from Earth is prohibitively expensive.
• These bricks form on-site using lunar soil simulants, reducing payload costs.
3. Fragility of Traditional Sintered Bricks
• Sintering bricks makes them brittle and prone to damage.
• Bacteria-modified bricks reinforce weak spots, making them stronger and durable.
4. Challenges of Long-Term Space Habitats
• Current materials need replacements over time, increasing dependency on Earth.
• This method could lead to self-sustaining lunar and Martian habitats, reducing maintenance.

Big Picture Impact

• Enables self-repairing structures, reducing astronaut workload.
• Improves the feasibility of permanent settlements on the Moon & Mars.
• India's Gaganyaan mission will test how bacteria behave in microgravity, potentially paving the way for off-world construction.

Infibeam Avenues and IISc Join Together to Develop Real-time Deepfake Detection Systems for Government, Corporates, Organisations to Combat AI-related threats; sign MoU

Infibeam Avenues Ltd, a leading fintech company, has announced signing of a strategic MoU for Research and Development (R&D) with the Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc) Bangalore, one of the world’s top-ranking universities known for its research excellence. This collaboration aims to research and develop advanced real-time deepfake detection systems designed to enhance digital security for government entities, corporations, and organizations, effectively combating the rising threat of AI-generated deception.

As deepfake technology continues to evolve, it poses significant risks to personal and corporate integrity. These sophisticated AI-generated media can create hyper-realistic but false representations of individuals and events, leading to misinformation, cyberbullying, harassment, financial fraud, and identity theft. Such threats have far-reaching implications for businesses, government institutions, and the general public.

A notable incident highlighting the urgency of this issue occurred in January 2024, when a Hong Kong-based multinational company lost approximately $25 million (around Rs 207 crore) due to a deepfake scam. Scammers executed a convincing live video call using deepfake technology to impersonate company executives, leading to a severe financial loss before the deception was uncovered. (Source: South China Morning Post and Business Insider).

“Digital communications and a digital India will thrive only as long as there is trust,” said Mr. Rajesh Kumar SA, CEO of Phronetic.AI, an AI unit of Infibeam Avenues Ltd. “This partnership is a pivotal step in restoring trust in digital communications. Together, we will equip users with the necessary tools to differentiate between truth and fabrication in an increasingly complex digital landscape, thereby mitigating fraud risks and enhancing digital trust.”

Under the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Infibeam Avenues Ltd’s AI business unit, Phronetic.AI, and the IISc team will collaboratively develop anti-deepfake technology specifically tailored for real-time video communication. The partnership will focus on selecting the most effective detection models for various scenarios, ensuring that real-time deepfake detection operates efficiently and cost-effectively at scale.

“We are committed to staying ahead of malicious actors by developing innovative AI solutions that ensure digital authenticity,” said Mr. Vishal Mehta, Chairman and Managing Director of Infibeam Avenues Ltd. “This partnership is a crucial step toward enhancing cybersecurity and preventing the misuse of deepfake technology for fraudulent activities.”

Despite the availability of various deepfake detection tools in the market, only a limited number possess the capability for real-time operation. In a pioneering effort, Infibeam’s Phronetic.AI team has developed an advanced video AI agent that can detect deepfakes in real-time through a novel interventional technique. This agent actively engages in live video conversations, alerting users when the other participant is identified as a deepfake. Infibeam has already filed a patent for its innovative real-time deepfake detection algorithm.

Recognizing the increasing sophistication of deepfakes and the necessity for detection algorithms to evolve continuously to address this growing threat, the company has collaborated with Vision and AI Lab (VAL) of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), where it aims to improve these algorithms further, ensuring robust defenses against the challenges posed by increasingly realistic deepfake technology.

“As Generative AI continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, the rise of deepfakes poses a significant challenge. Without proactive measures, the spread of AI-generated misinformation could become a major concern. Addressing this requires ongoing efforts from AI researchers to monitor emerging generative models and develop robust techniques to detect deepfakes effectively.” said Prof. Venkatesh Babu, Professor and Chair of the Dept. of Computational and Data Sciences (CDS) IISc.

Additionally, the research will prioritize the development of a user-friendly interface, enabling easy access for non-experts to verify the authenticity of live visuals and audio. This scalable detection system will be adaptable across various sectors, including banking, healthcare, insurance, finance, fintech, HR recruitment, government organizations, police, armed forces, and personal communications, addressing the diverse needs of industries particularly vulnerable to deepfake technology.

This research initiative aims to offer Real-Time Deepfake detection AI Agent that enhances public confidence and protect the reputations of its users whether it’s a government institutions, organizations, or a corporations.

About Infibeam Avenues Limited:

Infibeam Avenues Ltd. is one of the leading global financial technology (fintech) company offering comprehensive digital payment solutions and enterprise software platforms to businesses and governments across industry verticals. The company's payment infrastructure solution includes acquiring and issuing solutions and offering infrastructure for banks. The core Payment Gateway (PG) business provides over 200 plus payment options to the merchants allowing them to accept payments through website and mobile devices in 27 international currencies. Infibeam Avenues' enterprise software platform hosts India's largest online marketplace for government procurement. The company processed transaction worth INR 7 trillion (US$ 86 billion) in FY24. Company currently has over 10 million plus clients across digital payments and enterprise software platforms. The company's vast clientele includes merchants, enterprises, corporations, governments, and financial institutions in both domestic (India) as well as international markets. Infibeam Avenues' international operations are based in the United Arab Emirates, Australia, and the United States of America. We also have business presence in Oman working with three of the largest banks in the country.

Tata Group and IISc Partner to Establish Medical School

The Tata Group today announced a partnership with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to establish the Tata IISc Medical School in the IISc Bengaluru campus.

Under an MoU signed today, the Tata Group will make a contribution of Rs 500 crore to support the establishment of the medical school.

The Tata IISc Medical School will be a centre of excellence that seeks to catalyse a unique model of clinical research and medical education in India, by bringing basic science and engineering to bear on clinical science and practice. It will focus on a variety of specialities including oncology, cardiology, neurology, nephrology, diabetes and metabolic disorders, infectious diseases, integrative medicine, and public health.

The Tata IISc Medical School will offer integrated MD-PhD and other dual degree programmes to create a new cadre of physician-scientists and medical technologists. These students will be trained simultaneously in the medical school as well as science and engineering labs at IISc, combining cutting-edge clinical practice with scientific research. The medical school seeks to establish a unique model of clinical research and training that can be emulated nationwide. It will also collaborate with renowned medical schools from across the world to enable students to acquire global expertise, knowledge and practices.

On this occasion, Mr N Chandrasekaran, Chairman, Tata Sons said:

Healthcare is one of India's biggest challenges and also one of its greatest opportunities, given the scale at which technology will be able to transform everything from diagnosis to care and community health. We are pleased to announce the establishment of the Tata IISc Medical School. In time, the institute’s emphasis on cutting-edge research and global collaboration will create a highly qualified cadre of physician-scientists trained in the latest approaches to modern medicine. Their effect will be felt across the spectrum of healthcare, and will help individuals access quality treatment. I believe that the Tata IISC Medical School will play a significant role in keeping our communities healthy and positioning India at the forefront of the global healthcare revolution.

“We are very grateful to the Tata Group for their generosity,” said Prof G Rangarajan, Director, IISc.

After a century of contributions to science and engineering, we now have a unique opportunity to create new frontiers in medicine. The Tatas and IISc have a century-old legacy of commitment to excellence. The Institute owes its existence to the munificence and far-sighted vision of Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata, who was unparalleled in his philanthropy towards education in India. We are firmly committed to carrying forward this legacy and breaking new ground in creating affordable healthcare solutions for India and the rest of the world.

IISc Researchers Develop Brain-inspired Computing Platform That Can Store and Process Data

Researchers at the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE) of the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a groundbreaking brain-inspired analog computing platform. This platform can store and process data in an impressive 16,500 conductance states within a molecular film. This innovation mimics the human brain's neural networks, allowing for more efficient and powerful data processing.

Supported by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the Ministry of Education and the Department of Science and Technology., the team at IISc tapped into tiny molecular movements to design a highly precise and efficient neuromorphic accelerator, which can be seamlessly integrated with silicon circuits to boost their performance and energy efficiency.

Key Features:

High Efficiency: The platform integrates data storage and processing, reducing the need for data transfer and significantly improving energy efficiency.

Advanced AI Capabilities: It can handle complex AI tasks, such as training large language models, on personal devices like laptops and smartphones.

Neuromorphic Design: By using molecular movements to create a "molecular diary," it can access a vast number of memory states, far beyond the binary states of traditional digital computers.

This development could revolutionize AI hardware, making advanced AI tools more accessible and energy-efficient. It's a significant step forward in neuromorphic computing and positions India as a potential leader in global tech innovation.

Published in the journal Nature, this breakthrough represents a huge step forward over traditional digital computers in which data storage and processing are limited to just two states.

Neuromorphic computing differs significantly from traditional computing architectures in several key ways. For an instance, Traditional Computing uses the von Neumann architecture, where the CPU and memory are separate entities. Data is shuttled back and forth between them, which can create bottlenecks. While, Neuromorphic Computing mimics the brain’s neural networks, integrating processing and memory storage in a more interconnected manner, reducing data transfer bottlenecks.

Neuromorphic computing holds great promise for the future, especially in areas requiring high efficiency and adaptability.

Such a platform could potentially bring complex Al tasks, like training LLMs, to personal devices like laptops and smartphones, taking us closer to democratising the development of Al tools.

Neuromorphic computing is a fascinating area. It aims to mimic the neural structure and functioning of the human brain to create more efficient and powerful computing systems. This approach can potentially revolutionize various fields by significantly improving computing efficiency and reducing energy consumption.

Recent advancements in neuromorphic platforms have shown promising results. For instance, these platforms can process information in a way that is more akin to how the human brain works, enabling faster and more efficient data processing. This can be particularly beneficial for applications in artificial intelligence, robotics, and real-time data analysis.

IISc-incubated Startup SpaceFields Hot-Tests India's 1st AeroSpike Rocket Engine

The Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc) -incubated startup, SpaceFields, has successfully conducted a hot-fire test of India's first AeroSpike Rocket Engine. This test took place at their Propulsion Test Facility in Challakere, Karnataka.

The AeroSpike Rocket Engine has several advantages over traditional bell-shaped rocket engines. This design can potentially reduce fuel consumption, making launches more cost-effective.

Notably, AeroSpike engines are well-suited for reusable launch vehicles and missions that require multiple stages.

AeroSpike engines maintain efficiency across a wide range of altitudes by adjusting the exhaust flow, unlike traditional engines which are optimized for a specific altitude.

Overall, AeroSpike engines offer significant advantages in terms of efficiency and performance, they also come with challenges related to complexity and initial cost. The successful test by SpaceFields is a promising step towards overcoming these challenges and making AeroSpike engines a viable option for future space missions.

@Space_Fields, an @iiscbangalore-incubated startup has successfully fired India's first aerospike rocket engine.

Aerospike engines are unique because they adjust to different altitudes, maintaining efficiency regardless of atmospheric pressure 🚀 pic.twitter.com/Uz4SUHuYT6

— Sibu Tripathi 🪂 (@imsktripathi) September 11, 2024

Here are some key highlights:

Peak Thrust: The engine achieved a peak thrust of 2000 Newtons.

Material: The engine is made from Titanium grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V), known for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio.

Thermal Insulation: A patent-pending GFRP-based ablative thermal insulation was used to protect the aerospike’s surface, capable of withstanding temperatures up to 3000K. 

Altitude Compensation: The AeroSpike design offers altitude compensation, making it more efficient across various pressure regimes.

This development marks a significant milestone in India's space technology, potentially leading to more efficient and cost-effective space launch systems in the future.

About SpaceFields, it is a spacetech startup based in Bengaluru, India, founded in 2021 by Apurwa Masook, Sudarshan Samal, and Rounak Agrawal. The company focuses on developing dual-use rocket propulsion systems for both commercial spaceflight and national security applications.

Incubated at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, and supported by the governments of India, Karnataka, and Odisha, SpaceFields has also filed six patents on in-house developed technologies.

The Space Technology startup has raised $800,000 in a seed round led by HVB 88 Angels and O2 Angels Network.

SpaceFields aims to minimize barriers to entry for emerging small satellites and enable broader access to space. They have also collaborated with organizations like the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).

India Creates 6 Large Nano Centres, Including At IISc, to Train Tribal Students in Semiconductor Tech

The project —"Semiconductor Fabrication & Characterization Training for Students from Tribal Community" is a significant part of the initiative by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). This training will be conducted at the six large nano centres, including the one at IISc.

Under this project, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bengaluru, will train 2,100 tribal students in semiconductor technology over the next three years. This initiative includes basic training for 1,500 students and advanced training for 600 students. The goal is to empower tribal students with skills in this cutting-edge field, contributing to India's growing semiconductor industry.

The project, which was given to IISc under the central sector scheme Tribal Research Information, Education, Communication and Events (TRI-ECE) during the financial year 2023-24, aims to deliver 2,100 NSQF-certified. level 6.0 and 6.5 training in semiconductor technology to tribal students over three year.

All tribal students who possess a degree in one of the engineering subjects, are eligible to apply for the program.

Notably, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has established six large nano centres, including one at the IISc in Bengaluru. These centres are designed to deliver comprehensive training in semiconductor technology.

The degree programs at these nano centers have representation from tribal community, as per the reservation policies. Other than degree programs the nano centers also run short term training programs under INUP program.

The initiative aims to provide both degree programs and short-term training courses, with a focus on including tribal communities as per reservation policies.

This effort is part of a broader strategy to enhance India’s capabilities in semiconductor technology and ensure inclusive growth by empowering underrepresented communities.

Earlier, in August 2022 Ministry of Tribal Affairs partnered Meta (formerly Facebook) for training tribal youth in digital skills and technology.

QS World University Rankings 2025: IIT Delhi and IIT Bombay in Top-150

The QS World University Rankings for 2025 have been released. As of the rankings, no Indian universities have been listed in the top 100. The highest-ranking Indian institutions are IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi, both of which have made significant improvements but are positioned within the top 150. IIT Bombay is ranked 118th and IIT Delhi is at 150th globally.

However Indian universities have shown significant improvement in the QS World University Rankings 2025. Here are some highlights:

• IIT Bombay has climbed from 149th to 118th globally, leading among Indian institutions.
• IIT Delhi has made a remarkable jump of 47 ranks, moving from 197th to 150th.
• IISc Bangalore has improved from 225th to 211th.
• IIT Kharagpur has risen from 271st to 222nd
• IIT Madras has leaped from 285th to 227th
• The University of Delhi has made one of the most significant advancements, rising 79 ranks from 407th to 328th

Overall, 61% of Indian universities have risen in rank, reflecting the country's growing influence in the global higher education landscape. The improvements are attributed to advancements in research, but challenges remain in internationalization and faculty-student ratios. 

In the Global scenario, here are the top ten universities in the world, according to the rankings :

1. Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), US

2. Imperial College London, UK

3. University of Oxford, UK

4. Harvard University, US

5. University of Cambridge, UK

6. Stanford University, US

7. ETH Zürich – Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Switzerland

8. National University of Singapore (NUS), Singapore

9. University College London, UK

10. California Institute of Technology (Caltech), US

Notably, Imperial College London has made a significant leap, moving up four places, largely due to their improvements in the 'Sustainability' category and various research metrics

For the thirteenth consecutive year, MIT has retained its position at the top of the list. The rankings this year are the largest to date, featuring 1,500 universities from 106 countries and territories. They also incorporate both employability and sustainability factors into their methodology for the first time.

Full List – Here

Wipro Collab with IISc's Centre for Brain Research for AI/ML -powered R&D on Health and Wellbeing

Wipro Limited has announced a collaboration with the Centre for Brain Research (CBR) at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to pioneer AI-driven health behavior innovations. This partnership aims to leverage artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and big data analytics to develop new technologies for precision support in the prevention and management of long-term health disorders.

The R&D team at Wipro, part of Lab45, will design and develop a personal care engine. This AI system will consider an individual's health history, desired health state, and other behavioral responses to promote healthy aging, positive lifestyle changes, and psycho-social wellbeing. The focus is on reducing and managing the risk of cardiovascular disease and correlated neurodegenerative disorders by personalizing interaction with users, optimizing for their long-term health and wellbeing.

Wipro will conduct a digital app-based trial in collaboration with CBR at IISc to test the engine's effectiveness for contexts deeply relevant for long-term health outcomes. The technological expertise of Wipro combined with the leading brain science research at CBR is expected to unlock new possibilities for patient care and cognitive and overall health. The joint R&D efforts will aim to develop systems that deliver better health outcomes at a population scale.

The personal care engine developed by Wipro in collaboration with the Centre for Brain Research at IISc is an AI-driven system designed to promote long-term health and psycho-social wellbeing. Below is how it works:

• Data Integration: The engine integrates various data points, including an individual's health history, behavioral responses, and their desired health state.
• AI and ML Algorithms: Using advanced AI and ML algorithms, the engine analyzes this data to identify patterns and make predictions.
• Personalization: It then personalizes its interaction with users, tailoring recommendations and support to encourage healthy aging and positive lifestyle changes.
• Health Management: The focus is on reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and related neurodegenerative disorders by optimizing for the user's long-term health and wellbeing.
• App-Based Trial: Wipro will conduct a digital app-based trial to assess the engine's effectiveness in real-world scenarios, ensuring that the technology is beneficial for long-term health outcomes.

This personal care engine represents a significant step towards precision health, leveraging technology to deliver individualized care and support for managing chronic health conditions.

Dr. Ajay Chander, Head of Research and Development, Wipro Limited, said, “Our collaboration with CBR will pioneer solutions at the intersection of computing and cognitive sciences, bringing scalable personalized care support for some of the most chronic health challenges globally. Cardiovascular conditions are a particular focus for us, because of their strong association with long-term cognitive issues and the potential for broad health and wellbeing benefits at lower costs.”

Further emphasizing the importance of this partnership, Professor K.V.S. Hari, Director, Centre for Brain Research, said, “Working with Wipro allows us to amplify our scientific expertise through large-scale digital applications. This partnership will accelerate the path from research to real-world solutions in cognitive and overall health.”

Walmart and IISc Launches Center for Tech Excellence to Boost India's Research Ecosystem

Walmart Global Tech has recently announced a partnership with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) to establish the Walmart Centre for Tech Excellence. This initiative is aimed at strengthening the research ecosystem in India, particularly in the field of Computer Science.

The center will operate within IISc's Department of Computer Science and Automation and will focus on solving foundational problems in Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML), Computer Systems, and Theoretical Computer Science. It's designed to inspire top researchers in India by offering fellowships to highly skilled pre-doc, PhD, and post-doc candidates.

Moreover, the center plans to mentor students from tier 2 and tier 3 institutes through internships, workshops, and pre-doc opportunities, as well as collaborate with leading international universities.

This collaboration is part of Walmart's vision of leveraging technology to benefit communities and follows the launch of a similar Centre.

To recall, in February 2024, Walmart launched a Center for Tech Excellence at IIT Madras as well. Walmart’s partnerships with academia reinforce its commitment towards serving communities and helping them live better.

Wipro Ties with IISc To Offer Eligible Employees a Higher Education Program in AI, ML and Data Analytics

Wipro Limited, a leading technology services and consulting company, has recently announced a collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc). This collaboration aims to offer eligible Wipro employees a higher education program in Artificial Intelligence (AI). The online Master’s in Technology (MTech) course will focus on key areas such as AI, Foundations of Machine Learning (ML)/AI, Data Science, and Business Analytics, addressing the growing demand for skilled professionals in these domains.

As part of this collaboration, selected Wipro employees will have full access to IISc faculty members, online lectures, libraries, and alumni networks. They will also benefit from mentorship by seasoned professionals from the Data, Analytics, and AI practice at Wipro.

The acceptance to the program will be subject to rigorous entrance tests and evaluations designed by IISc.

This initiative underscores Wipro's commitment to cultivating a future-ready workforce and advancing its leadership position in the dynamic realm of AI. It's exciting to see companies like Wipro investing in skill-building and up-skilling by engaging with premier universities like IISc.

As part of this collaboration, selected Wipro employees will have full access to IISc faculty members, online lectures, libraries, and alumni networks. They will also benefit from mentorship by seasoned professionals from the Data, Analytics, and AI practice at Wipro.The acceptance to the program will be subject to rigorous entrance tests and evaluations designed by IISc.

“We are thrilled that Wipro stands among the pioneers in the industry, offering a Master’s degree program to our top-performing employees, under our WILP (Work Integrated Learning Programs),” said Sanjeev Jain, Senior Vice President and Global Head, Business Operations, Wipro Limited. “GenAI is evolving at a rapid pace, and we are confident that selected employees will gain immensely from the knowledge at IISc and develop capabilities for the opportunities ahead delivering strong business outcomes.”

“We are happy to support Wipro in providing higher education opportunities for their employees, especially in emerging areas like data science, GenAI and next-gen communications, through the highly successful MTech (Online) program offered by IISc for the past few years,” said Prof Rajesh Sundaresan, Dean, Division of EECS, IISc. “The program curriculum for working professionals has been designed with the same high standards as our full-time programs, with our faculty members delivering content online to train students on foundational concepts and real-world applications.”

NPCI Joins Hands With IISc Bangalore for Joint Research on Blockchain and AI Technology

National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has announced the signing of a multi-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, for conducting joint research on Blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. The association will also propel further innovation through the establishment of the “NPCI–IISc Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Deep Tech Research & Development”.

The partnership will focus on scalable blockchain platforms and multi-modal analytics over fintech data. Faculty members from five departments at IISc will work with NPCI researchers on practical challenges related to these areas.

IISc is one of the oldest and premier institutes for pioneering advanced technological research in science, engineering, design and management in India. NPCI’s collaboration with the reputed institute is aimed at solving complex technological and engineering problem statements in the areas of scalability, privacy preserving designs, neural networks, Graph AI, Large Language Models (LLM), etc.

Speaking on the path-defining association, Vishal Kanvaty, Chief Technology Officer, NPCI, "At NPCI, we continuously explore new possibilities to augment the consumer experience by leveraging emerging technologies. This latest development marks an important step towards achieving that goal, and we take immense pride in collaborating with IISc. As our nation progresses towards digital sustainability, we recognize the significant potential for research in deep technologies such as blockchain and AI to further enhance the payment landscape, and we are grateful to have the bright minds assist us in this ambitious endeavour."

Prof Navakanta Bhat, Dean, Division of Interdisciplinary Sciences, IISc, said, "We are delighted to partner with NPCI in the emerging areas of deep tech and fintech analytics. This partnership will not only foster cutting-edge research and the development of models and software prototypes, but also nurture professional development through workshops and training programmes. We look forward to the exciting outcomes that will emerge from this new Centre of Excellence."

“The joint research envisioned between NPCI researchers and IISc faculty members working on distributed systems, cryptography and machine learning provides a unique opportunity for translational research that can enhance the scalability and effectiveness of the billion-scale platforms managed by NPCI,” said Prof Yogesh Simmhan, Associate Professor at the Department of Computational and Data Sciences, IISc.

IISc and ICMR Collab To Build Gold-Standard Medical Datasets of the Indian Population

IISc and Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have collaborated to form 'India-MIDAS'

IISc-ICMR-ARTPARK collaboration seeks to build gold-standard medical datasets representative of the Indian population.

IISc (Indian Institute of Sciences, Bengaluru) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) have entered into a collaboration to form — India-MIDAS (Medical Imaging Data Sets), which aims to establish institutional mechanisms for collecting, managing, and facilitating the use of medical imaging data from across India.

Fifteen years ago, a scientific commentary highlighted the shortage of imaging experts in India. Fast forward to years 2023, the situation remains the same. India still has very few radiologists, resulting into longer wait times, and delayed diagnoses and treatments.

While Al has been under a skewed spotlight, its use in medicine is promising. To train Al to diagnose diseases, there is a need for collecting good medical imaging data (X-ray, ultrasound and MRI) . For this reason, IISc and ICMR have collaborated to form 'India-MIDAS'.

To train all these AI models to diagnose diseases, there's a need for data. Not just data, ‘good’ data, explains Debnath Pal, Professor at the Department of Computational and Data Sciences, IISc.

“Good data is that set of data that helps answer your [research or medical] question with minimal failure,” says Debnath Pal. According to Debnath, biology is a complex field, and the data required to answer a question of interest – such as diagnosing a specific disease – should be carefully collected.

There is a need for collecting good medical imaging data, such as CT and MRI scans, and X-ray images, especially from the Indian population.

It is for this reason that IISc and ICMR have come up with the idea of creating India-MIDAS (Medical Imaging Data Sets).

The project is funded by ICMR and will work through a hubs-and-spokes model where IISc is the nodal centre.

Debnath points out that the closest match to this kind of data bank elsewhere is the UK Biobank, a large-scale platform in which carefully curated and anonymised biomedical data from 500,000 participants is made available for researchers studying a variety of diseases and treatments. This includes full body MRI scans, whole genome sequences, dozens of blood biomarkers, data from physical activity monitors, and more. About 10,000 different variables have been collected for each participant, creating a gold mine of data to tap into for research.

The AI and Robotics Technology Park (ARTPARK) at IISc has also been roped in as a technology partner to oversee the building of the platform.

The ICMR-IISc team hopes that their collaboration will bypass existing problems of collecting and preserving good data. More importantly, it will also take steps to ensure patients’ privacy, according to Raghu and Debnath.

Each scan or dataset that will be fed into the database will be anonymised by removing any information that can be used to identify a patient. This is done by assigning coded information to each image, called labelling. Labelling is also important for training AI models that can help scan such images for medical applications.

As a first step in this collaboration, researchers at AIIMS Delhi have already begun collecting images of oral cancer and precancer cases, and labelling them.

The goal is that once all the data is collected and organised, any authorised institution or researcher can put in a request to access the data that they need, whether it is for a study testing the effects of a new treatment for a disease, or a startup trying to build an AI model for diagnosis.

Efforts like these can greatly help the research community at large. For instance, in 2021, the UK Biobank released the whole genome sequences of 200,000 participants, to help researchers uncover links between DNA and disease. In a similar vein, datasets available through MIDAS can accelerate medical research in India using data that represents the Indian population.

More at – IISc.ac.in

IISc and Blockchain For Impact (BFI) Collaborate to Translate Research Findings Into Actionable Healthcare Solutions

Indian Institute of Science (IISc) and Blockchain For Impact (BFI) have announced a collaboration under the BFI-Biome Virtual Network Programme, which will see BFI support various research projects at the Institute. The collaboration was formally launched at an event at IISc on Thursday, 8 February 2024.

Under this collaboration, BFI has committed a significant $1 million over the next three years to the BFI-Biome Virtual Network Program for collaborative research projects aimed at turning innovative ideas into real-world healthcare solutions.

BFI-Biome will support selected research projects in life sciences from IISc faculty. It is expected that two to three projects will be supported every year.

Founded by Sandeep Nailwal, co-founder of Polygon (aka Matic), Blockchain for Impact was set up during the 2nd wave of COVID pandemic in India. It was created to help support those in need of help. As the world’s most transparent healthcare fund, BFI initially worked towards strengthening the Indian healthcare system through a sustained supply of medical equipment, vaccines, and relief kits. However, after the COVID wave, the focus transitioned towards early identification and prevention activities which sufficed in capacity building, genome sequencing, adding hospital beds, vaccination, and awareness campaigns.

The announcement of the partnership between IISc and BFI lays the foundation of a series of collaborations that will add to the future of biomedical research and innovation in India. Through this partnership, BFI aims to establish itself as a key player in the Indian translational research ecosystem, driving positive change in healthcare ecosystem.

Mr Sandeep Nailwal, founder and visionary behind Blockchain For Impact expressed his delight on the launch of the BFI Biome Virtual Network partnership with IISc. With a USD 15 million programme dedicated to advancing Biomedical Research and Innovation in India, the BFI Biome initiative transcends traditional boundaries by integrating both upstream and deep science, creating an environment that drives innovation leading to transformative health solutions. This programme aims to bring together leading researchers, technologists, and innovators to collaborate and innovate to drive the next generation of intervention for improved healthcare. By partnering with eminent research institutes in India, BFI Biome seeks to support initiatives that have the potential to revolutionise healthcare delivery in India and the global south.

Dr Gaurav Singh, CEO of BFI, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “This collaboration with IISc is a matter of great pride and exemplifies our commitment to advancing biomedical research and innovation in India. We aim to act as catalysts, collaborating with partners to forge multi-sectoral alliances that deliver long-term, equitable medical preparedness mechanisms. And while funding is one key aspect, our commitment to the cause goes beyond financial support. Through our biomedical research and innovation arm, district-level full-stack partnerships, and process-driven innovation funding and support, we are working towards addressing critical gaps in India’s healthcare infrastructure. The BFI-Biome Virtual Network Programme is a significant first step in this direction.”

Dr Pooja Agrawal, Program Director, BFI, highlighted the potential impact of the collaboration, stating, “The partnership between BFI and IISc represents a milestone moment in our efforts to advance biomedical research and innovation in India. By leveraging the strengths of eminent Indian institutes, we aim to support cutting-edge translational research projects that have the potential to strengthen healthcare in the country. Through the BFI-Biome Virtual Network Programme, we are committed to supporting collaborative initiatives that address key healthcare challenges and drive positive change.”

Prof Govindan Rangarajan, IISc Director, emphasised the importance of collaboration in driving innovation, stating, “IISc is delighted to partner with BFI in this endeavour. By harnessing the expertise of our researchers and leveraging the funding support provided by BFI, we aim to accelerate the translation of scientific discoveries into impactful healthcare solutions. This collaboration is an important step in ‘bench-to bedside’ innovation. It also exemplifies our continued commitment to advancing knowledge and driving positive societal impact.”

Dr Satya Prakash Dash, Senior Advisor, BFI, reflected upon the achievements of IISc since its inception, stating, “IISc has been led by distinguished leaders & the institution has played a pioneering role throughout its history in moving the frontiers of science & nation building. It has nurtured several deep science platform initiatives for greater societal benefit. Our collaboration intends to strengthen innovation through bringing multidisciplinary teams that is akin to an ecological ecotone with the potential to develop transformative biomedical solutions through nurturing exciting translatable ideas.”

Prof Navakanta Bhat, Dean of Interdisciplinary Sciences, IISc, appreciated the BFI-Biome Virtual Network Programme, stating, “The BFI vision aligns with the efforts of IISc to develop scientific solutions for the current healthcare challenges. With the IISc Medical School, IISc will create the next generation of physician-scientists in India by fostering interdisciplinary research, to address the healthcare needs of the world. Access to funding is a precursor towards the achievements of these goals.”

IISc Researcher Develops Zero-Electricity based Sustainable Water Pumping System

An Indian Institute of Sciences (IISc) researcher has developed a sustainable water pumping system that requires zero electricity.

Punit Singh, Associate Professor at the Centre for Sustainable Technologies (CST), Indian Institute of Science (IISc), has been working on a solution to address the problem of irrigation scarcity for the past 10 years in Chhattisgarh.

Prof. Singh developed this zero-electricity water pumping solution using low-head check dams and cascades of such dams along rivers, with turbine pumps installed to pump water without any electricity.

The novelty lies in the precise design of the system.

Chhattisgarh receives river water supply from the Ganga, Godavari, and Mahanadi basins. While canal networks have been developed to cover a substantial portion of the region north of Raipur, a large part of the tribal-majority areas in southern Chhattisgarh lack reservoir-based irrigation. Many farmers in the region primarily rely on Kharif-based (monsoon) crop yields. Alternative methods like pipe-based irrigation have been explored but have not gained popularity or acceptance.

Prof. Singh’s efforts started with a field survey to understand the soil and terrain of Taipadar village in Bastar district. Due to his efforts, Taipadar has now been equipped with this zero-elecricity water pumping system.

 

The turbine uses about 90% of the river water flow at low head (which is then recycled back to the river) to generate power, specifically torque and speed, which is then used to drive standard submersible multi-stage pumps. The novelty lies in the precise design of the system. Depending on specific site conditions, where the water head ranges from 2-4 metres, the objective is to lift and transport water to different elevations, usually between 15 and 25 metres, or even up to 30 metres as required.

Prof. Singh started working on developing turbine pumps for electricity generation during his PhD at the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany. When he returned to India in 2009, he started exploring the deployment of ram pumps in Chhattisgarh, starting with Taipadar. “Two turbine pumps with power generation capabilities were generously sponsored by the KSB Pumps Trust in Germany. I invested about Rs 50 lakh in the ram pump sourced from Rife, USA, and in the construction work which spanned three years,” Singh says. Apart from Taipadar, similar systems were also set up in Girdalpara in the Sukma district and Karhani in the Gourella-Pendra-Marwahi (GPM) district, the impact of which is visible in the field, adds Prof. Singh.

In December 2022, the Foundation for Science Innovation and Development (FSID) at IISc joined hands with the Chhattisgarh Water Resources Department (WRD) to scale up the water resource management and irrigation infrastructure in Chhattisgarh. The areas covered under this collaboration include Karhani, Neelawaram (Sukma district), and Pongro (Jashpur district).

“This collaboration supports the project at large. For instance, the responsibility of site work, civil works, and delegating logistical implementation of the turbine will be handled by the state. So, IISc can focus on designing the turbine, and ensuring the proper working of the turbine at the site. The other support is that now we can procure funds and allocate that to vendors,” adds Prof. Singh.

Under the collaboration, IISc will test the quality of turbines manufactured by various vendors at a designated simulation facility.

Vikram Jayaram, Professor at the Department of Materials Engineering, IISc, says, “This partnership [with the government officials] eases the administrative process behind irrigation projects. As we get the funds from the government, we can distribute the funds to our partners providing the services. Moreover, IISc’s role includes inviting the irrigation engineers to witness the tests and providing essential training. These engineers will further train a local resource person at the specific project site.”

The other people involved in this project include B Gurumoorthy (Chief Executive, FSID) as well as officials from Chhattisgarh, including Anbalagan P, Water Resources Secretary (IAS); Richa Prakash Choudhary, Collector (IAS); Ajay Somawar, Chief Engineer; and Madhuchandra, Executive Engineer.

Over the next few years, the collaboration will focus on installing one or two pumps on each dam, along with piping, storage, and canal networks. “Building 25 per year is the first target and then based on the success, it could be scaled up to all the 400 or more dams,” Prof. Singh says. Each project will irrigate about 100-150 acres for rabi and summer crops depending on the conditions and design of the turbine and pumps. “The greatest benefit is that this will free the farmers near the banks from using groundwater, allowing levels to rise,” adds Prof. Singh. “This technology is capable of being reproduced in large parts of India that offer perennial water flow.”

Source — IISc