IIT Madras unveils maritime research facility

Chennai: Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) launched an advanced maritime research facility aimed at strengthening indigenous ship design, ocean engineering research and hydrodynamic testing capabilities in the country. Built with U 4.5 crore in CSR funding from Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL), a defence public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, the facility is expected to support research linked to marine vehicles, naval technologies and offshore systems.

The new Circulating Water Tunnel Facility, inaugurated at IIT Madras’ satellite campus ‘Discovery’ in Thaiyur near Chennai recently, is designed to provide a stable, uniform-flow test section for advanced hydrodynamic investigations involving ship models, propellers, bluff bodies and underwater structures. The institute said the facility is also expected to improve research and teaching in the Department of Ocean Engineering.

The hybrid wind and circulating water channel facility is now fully operational and will also be used for experimental studies related to fluid dynamics, offshore systems and marine vehicles, while providing training and research opportunities for students and researchers in ocean engineering and allied disciplines.

“Our partnership with Mazagon Dock marks a significant step forward in strengthening research and technology development in ocean engineering and allied disciplines. The facility will enable advanced experimental studies in hydrodynamics ..., while also creating valuable training and research opportunities for students, faculty, and researchers working in these domains,” said Prof Ashwin Mahalingam, dean (alumni and corporate relations), IITM.

Capt. Jagmohan, IN (Rtd), CMD, Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders, said, “We are pleased to partner with IIT Madras in establishing this advanced Circulating Water Tunnel Facility, which will enable cutting-edge research and nurture future talent in ocean engineering and naval technologies. Such collaborations are important in accelerating indigenous capability development and advancing the vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in the maritime sector.”

A release said IIT Madras and MDL are also exploring future collaborations in advanced maritime and naval technologies. Among the proposed initiatives are the HYDRA Centre, a large-scale hydrodynamic testing facility featuring a 500-metre towing tank, and research on indigenously developed high-efficiency multistage thermoelectric subzero refrigeration systems for naval submarines and small vessels.

eom/Tejon