Archive · 10 Jan 2026
IIT-Madras Receives ₹5 Crore Grant for Advanced Ultrasound Research
IIT-Madras has received a big grant of ₹5 crore to make ultrasound tests better.
Right now, ultrasound can't see very tiny cracks in things like bridges or airplanes.
The researchers want to use special materials called metamaterials to make the ultrasound waves focus more tightly.
This will help them see smaller cracks earlier, which is important for keeping big structures safe.
They will use tiny silicon blocks with lots of tiny channels to make the sound waves stronger.
This project could help engineers find problems before they become dangerous.
IIT-Madras' CNDE received a ₹5 crore grant from ANRF for advanced ultrasound research.
The project aims to improve the resolution of ultrasonic testing using metamaterials and metalenses.
Current ultrasonic testing has limitations in detecting very small defects due to the wavelength of sound waves.
Researchers plan to use metalenses to focus ultrasound more tightly than conventional methods.
The improved system will help detect finer defects in critical infrastructure, enhancing safety and maintenance.
- Who
- Centre for Non-Destructive Evaluation (CNDE) at IIT-Madras
- What
- Received a ₹5 crore grant for advanced ultrasound research
- When
- Grant awarded in January 2026
- Where
- IIT-Madras, India
- Why
- To improve the resolution of ultrasonic testing for detecting smaller defects in structures
- Grant Amount
- ₹5 crore ($550,000)
- Funding Body
- Anuandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)
- Recipient
- Centre for Non-Destructive Evaluation (CNDE), IIT-Madras
- Project Focus
- Improving ultrasonic testing resolution using metamaterials
- Lead Researcher
- Prof Prabhu Rajagopal
- Expected Impact
- Industrial non-destructive evaluation, weld inspection, micro-defect detection
- Publication Date
- January 10, 2026