IBNS-CMEDIA: The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has signed its first high-value deep-tech project agreement under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme with start-up Zero mK India Private Limited for the indigenous development of a 20 mK dilution refrigerator for quantum applications.
The agreement was signed in New Delhi between the Director of TDF and representatives of Zero mK India Private Limited, Alwar, Rajasthan.
It is the first high-value agreement under the Rs 500 crore corpus approved by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to support deep-tech and cutting-edge technology projects.
Dilution refrigerators are specialised cryogenic systems capable of achieving extremely low temperatures in the millikelvin range. Such ultra-low-temperature environments are essential for the operation and testing of several quantum computing platforms and other quantum technologies.
The indigenous development of a 20 mK-class dilution refrigerator is aligned with the objectives of the National Quantum Mission and is expected to strengthen India’s capabilities in quantum technology, advanced cryogenics and other strategic technology domains.
The project is also aimed at reducing India’s dependence on imported cryogenic infrastructure and strengthening the country’s domestic quantum technology ecosystem.
Rajnath Singh congratulated the DRDO, industry and other stakeholders involved in the project and expressed confidence that the partnership would set an important precedent for future DRDO-industry collaborations in emerging technology domains.
Defence Secretary and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and DRDO Chairman Rajesh Kumar Singh also congratulated the teams involved and wished them success in achieving the project objectives.
Director General, Micro Electronic Devices & Computational System and Cyber Security (DG MCC), Director General, Technology Management (DG TM), Director, Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL), and other stakeholders were present at the signing ceremony.
The project is being monitored, mentored and supported by the Director, SSPL, and his team.
