The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras and General Electric (GE) have collaborated for establishing a ‘Cold Spray’ SMART (Surface Modification and Additive Research Technologies) Laboratory. This is the first of its kind High-Pressure Cold Spray (HPCS) facility that is being installed in any academic institute in the country.
This collaboration is in line with GE’s aim for developing and nurturing knowledge of newer technologies for aero-engines and other industries. Under the collaborative efforts, IIT Madras will be developing advanced coatings meeting specifications of the aerospace standard.
Prof Bhaskar Ramamurthi, Director, IIT Madras, said, “This event signifies one more standard in the evolution of the IITs collaborations with the Industry. The UAY has been successful in drawing the attention of both academia and the industry. The reviews have indicated good progress under this scheme and this facility and the initiative are part of a joint collaboration with GE. This has many applications not just for aviation but many other verticals. I hope some startups come out of this as well.”
Steve Pisani, General Manager (Advanced Services Technologies), GE Aviation, US, added, “Our endeavor is to provide impetus to technological development. Scientists at GE are already combining gas dynamic ‘cold spray’ deposition technology with robotics and machine learning to build and repair metal parts using additive manufacturing with greater precision which was never a possibility earlier.”
