Customised Technologies: Development to Delivery

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Foreword by Prof. V.S. Ramamurthy, Secretary DST

Technology is now sought after in every walk of life – agriculture, business, governance, security, protection of environment, pollution control, social up-liftment, healthcare, sports, entertainment, education, cultural activities – the list is long. While one is happy to note this positive development of widespread awareness of the need for technologies, often the complex process of technology development and its delivery to actual end users are not well understood. Therefore, expectations and the results often do not match.

Three major modes in which the technologies percolate into the economy and society

One mode is in which the push is from technologists. Others may not, at an early phase, understand the full potentials and possibilities of technologies. So the technological groups should sense the possible end uses and market, develop products and convince others. Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI) scan was one such technology.

In the Indian context use of composite materials is an example. The whole range of technologies, products and designs by the Advanced Composite Mission (ACM) speak for themselves. One is glad to note that industry is now taking the lead as they find good business too. These products from ACM have found major users in the rehabilitation efforts at Bhuj.

Another mode is where the user places a demand or expresses a desire to change. The technologists scans the state of the industry and the users and technologies, and comes up with solutions. Successful demonstrations in partnership with industry and users lead to further multiplier efforts.

The user transforms into a modern phase of business. Sugar Technology Mission (STM) falls in this category, its success have made sugar industries and Ministry of Food looking at STM as their own.

The third mode is the social need; there are multiple actors and stake holders. But somebody has to take the lead in mobilizing actions, create technologies and standardize products and processes, and even change government procedures so that actions spread to all parts of society.

Fly Ash Utilisation Mission (FAM) falls in this category. Thanks to its efforts fly ash utilization in the country has increased about ten fold and is now growing much faster. It is also a story of changing waste to wealth.

I am glad that TIFAC has achieved a great deal in all the three modes of technology services and delivery through the Missions and also through the Home Grown Technology Programme (HGT) which has a wide spectrum in its 50 projects from robotics to coir pitch usage.

TIFAC’s mode of working directly with industries and users have created many successful models which are worth studying as they would be useful for many other projects by other agencies and industries as well.

A word about Techno Market Survey Reports and other technology forecasting and assessment reports from TIFAC. Such focussed reports which look at the global status and assess technology options in the Indian context, help in the success of the technology projects.

They are the knowledge base on which the projects are launched by industries also by themselves.