National Technology Day: Celebrating India's Achievements in Science and Technology

Could you reflect on your journey in alignment with India's science and technological advancements over time?

Since the beginning of my independent research career 15 years ago, India has advanced significantly in science and technology (S&T). The Government of India has implemented policies to promote India as a global leader in these fields. Initiatives such as Make In India, Start Up India, and Atmanirbhar Bharat encourage the development and application of advanced S&T. As a result, India is now ranked among the most attractive destinations for technology innovations worldwide. Universities, institutes, and funding agencies are working with these initiatives to nurture growth in STEM and address societal needs. The S&T community is recognizing the importance of translating STEM inventions into practical applications. Sustainability is also a major focus.

What challenges arise when translating fundamental knowledge into technology?

Translating fundamental knowledge into technology presents challenges ensuring that the technology accurately reflects the fundamental knowledge, and accessible and usable by its intended audience. To address these challenges, it is important to choose relevant research topics and approach them with disruptive thinking. A fundamental shift in mindset is required to believe that S&T-based inventions can provide solutions to societal needs. This is a transition period for S&T practitioners and institutions in translating their inventions through licensing or entrepreneurship. Understanding local requirements and providing tailor-made solutions through advanced S&T invention and translation is crucial. Procedural problems may arise but can be overcome. Assessing the value of fundamental knowledge and its translation can be challenging without supportive investors who understand the S&T landscape.

What advice do you have for our younger generation on National Technology Day?

Fundamental science inventions can lead to transformative technology solutions. Pursuing cutting-edge S&T with out-of-the-box thinking can provide solutions to societal problems. We must strive to become job providers and develop science-based technologies that meet local needs. The 21st century should be driven by sustainable research and development. Translation can be achieved through licensing or entrepreneurship. Successful translation requires good science, mentorship, market analysis, and a never-give-up attitude. The National Education Policy (NEP) and various government-initiatives will guide current and future generations in this direction.

What are three science and technology key trends going forward that will be impacting the Future of India?

S&T trends that will impact India’s future are:

• The development of technologies to enhance health & wellbeing, including mental health.
• Energy, agriculture, and food security using efficient, sustainable, and affordable technologies.
• Progress in the fields of neuroscience and neuromorphic technologies, including artificial intelligence.

Could you reflect on your journey in alignment with India's science and technological advancements over time?

I joined the Department of Chemistry at Indian Institute of Technology Bombay in 2014 and since then, have been involved in solving fundamental questions that carry impact for translational research activities. My prior training has played a huge role in overcoming the disconnect between lab-scale science and translatable technology. To this end, my research group not only seeks out societally and technologically demanding challenges but also identifies scientific gaps in such challenges that when solved can help in building technologies. This evinces greater interest from the doctoral and undergraduate students and motivates them.

Driven by our motto “problem is the hero”, we realize that we need to arm ourselves with the right tools to solve the problem. Often, this means that we step out of our comfort zone and learn concepts without being restricted to the artificial boundaries of chemistry, physics, mathematics, or engineering. Thus, our efforts are directed at providing wholesome solutions that form a strong basis for translatable deep-tech solutions. In this continuing journey, I have realized that Indian society can benefit a lot from science and vice versa. For example, our work in developing portable, on-field environmental sensors was synergistically integrated into the “Soil health card” scheme of the Government of India. Similarly, our current research interests in solar-thermal energy conversion is well-aligned with the current mandate of the government to reduce the CO2 footprint and bring about energy security for India.

What challenges arise when translating fundamental knowledge into technology?

Today’s fundamental knowledge is the technology of tomorrow. I have faced huge barriers in convincing the industries on this aspect. While certain technologies can be taken up in a start-up mode (that we are currently working on), certain other technological interventions are only possible at an industrial scale. When it comes to the latter, Indian industries are often not risk-takers and prefer to wait for industrial-scale solutions to be developed outside India. In short, they prefer to import technologies without realizing that our scientific labs have similar solutions to offer. This must change for India to emerge as a technological superpower.

Further, the timescales associated with deep-tech startups are longer compared to others. Therefore, a conviction in one’s decision and confidence in the solution being offered is of paramount importance while incubating a start-up. In this direction, I believe that Corporate Scientific Responsibility, if implemented, would play an emerging role to create value in homegrown technologies and support their maturity. Further, given that 0.6-0.8 % of Indian GDP is devoted towards scientific R&D, providing appropriate subsidiaries and devising R&D-specific financial guidelines would be game-changers to promote risk-taking ability in both the start-up and industrial ecosystems.

What advice do you have for our younger generation on National Technology Day?

Science and technology do not know any boundaries. In fact, it is difficult to even distinguish between science and technology. Therefore, young minds should be open to absorbing concepts and ideas, rather than try to classify them into conventional disciplines and artificial boundaries.

Time has become more valuable than money. So, the available time has to be focused and utilized in a manner that yields maximum output. This often calls for smart work, rather than hard work. So, our minds should get tuned to this.

Assertiveness and humility should go hand-in-hand. While the former is important for clarity of thought, the latter help in constant learning and upgrading our knowledge.

What are three science and technology key trends going forward that will be impacting the Future of India?

In my opinion, three technologies that can benefit India are:

• Energy storage in batteries and supercapacitors
• Processes such as solar-thermal that seek to reduce the CO₂ footprint
• Recycling and recovery of critical metals for energy security.