Seven CSIR Technologies Licensed to Industry; Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravyas Released and Quantum Sensing Components Delivered to DRDO

📌 Summary:

• CSIR held a Technology Transfer and Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya (BND) Release Function at CSIR Headquarters, New Delhi, jointly organised by CSIR-NPL and CSIR-CRRI

• Seven technologies were transferred to industry; ten Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravyas (BNDs / Indian Reference Materials) were released — covering eight phytochemicals, one precious metal and one propane gas

• Five vapor cells developed by CSIR-NPL were handed over to DRDO's Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL) for quantum sensing applications — a milestone in India's quantum technology journey

• BNDs provide reliable reference materials and measurement standards to laboratories, industry and regulators, improving accuracy, traceability and quality assurance, and reducing dependence on imported reference standards

• Underlines that metrology and measurement science are the backbone of modern manufacturing, trade, healthcare, environmental monitoring and emerging technologies

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS3 S&T — indigenisation of strategic/emerging technologies (quantum tech), metrology and national quality infrastructure, self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat)

📝 Prelims Facts:

• CSIR-NPL (National Physical Laboratory) is India's national metrology institute and custodian of national measurement standards

• BND = Bharatiya Nirdeshak Dravya, India's certified reference materials

• Vapor cells are key components of quantum sensors (e.g., atomic magnetometers and clocks)

🔑 Key Term: Quantum sensing — using quantum properties (e.g., atoms confined in vapor cells) to measure physical quantities with extreme precision, with defence, navigation and timing applications