DRDO recently concluded a technology-transfer process for its indigenously developed Copper-Titanium Alloy technology to Pahwa MetalTech Pvt Ltd (PMTPL), a Pune-based startup founded by industry veteran, Lalit Kumar Pahwa. The technology transfer exercise was completed under the aegis of the DRDO-FICCI Accelerated Technology Assessment & Commercialisation (ATAC) initiative. Coinciding with the launch of the ‘Startup India' initiative by the PM of India on the 16th January 2016, a MoU was exchanged between DRDO & PMTPL to start the technology transfer process.

The technology has been developed at the Defence Metallurgical Research Lab (DMRL), Hyderabad, premier DRDO lab on metallurgical research domain, and relates to a process of manufacturing of Copper Titanium alloy, using air induction and vacuum induction melting. The alloy thus made has non-sparking characteristics and possesses high strength and electrical conductivity comparable to existing Copper Beryllium (CuBe2) alloy alternatives. The application areas of the alloy are diverse and range from industrial machinery to aerospace. The successful completion of the technology transfer process shall enable an Indian startup to manufacture the alloy for the first time in India for a global customer base.

(continued on next page)