IIT Kanpur's Revolutionary Ana...

Analakshya

Ø  IIT Kanpur has created a metamaterial-based shield called Analakshya that can make Indian bunkers, aircraft, and soldiers invisible to enemy radar and thermal screening.

Ø  This technology is compared to the invisibility cloak from the movie Mr. India.

v Technical Details

Ø  The material is designed to absorb radar waves, reducing the radar signature of objects.

Ø  It also reduces the thermal signature, making it invisible to thermal imaging.

Ø  Optical camouflage is integrated to avoid detection by visual means.

v Demonstration

Ø  The demonstration shows how the material works by placing it between radar receivers and reflectors, making the object undetectable.

Ø  Thermal screening tests also show the material's effectiveness in hiding objects.

v Applications

Ø  The technology can be used for various military assets such as bunkers aircraft shelters, and other defence equipment.

Ø  It is designed to be portable and can be quickly deployed in different locations.

v Development and Testing

Ø  The research began around 2010 and involved developing broadband absorbing materials.

Ø  The patent was granted in 2018, and since then, extensive testing has been conducted in laboratories and field trials.

Ø  The technology has been transferred to a company named Metatav for production and marketing.

v Importance and Impact

Ø  This technology is crucial for Indian defence, especially given the geopolitical context with neighbouring countries.

Ø  It provides a significant advantage by making Indian military assets undetectable to enemy radar and thermal imaging systems.

v Global Context

Ø  The technology is unique and not widely available globally, making it a significant achievement for India.

Ø  Other countries like Russia have claimed similar technologies but their effectiveness and practical use are questionable.

v Future Implementation

Ø  The trials are complete, and the proposal has been sent to the central ministry for approval.

Ø  The implementation of this technology in the Indian defence system is expected to be a game-changer.

Professor's 

v  The research on metamaterials started around 2010 with a focus on broadband absorption.

v  The team, including Professor Vaibhav Srivastava, worked on developing materials that could absorb radar waves across a wide frequency range.

v  The patent for this technology was granted in 2018, followed by extensive testing and field trials.

Practical Applications:

v  The material can be used to make various military assets invisible to radar and thermal detection.

v  It is designed to be versatile and can be quickly deployed in different locations.

Geopolitical Significance:

v  Given the geopolitical tensions with neighbouring countries, this technology is highly important for enhancing India's defence