Defence Research & Development Organization (DRDO)’s Defence Bioengineering and Electromedical Lab (DEBEL) is now focusing on developing biological radars to help monitor the pathogen signals, which is the first-of-its-kind in the country. DEBEL is also engaged in the creation of Basic Science Clusters to accelerate the pace of biomedical technology instrumentation.

The biological radar will help monitor the pathogen signals. It will use nanotechnology to create the arrays which will be sensitive to pathogen detection in the air, informed Dr Vijay Kumar Saraswat, scientific advisor to the Defence Minister and secretary, department of Defence, R&D and director general, DRDO.

The convergence of molecular diagnostics, nanotechnology and information technology have created the platform to develop sensitive and advanced equipment in biomedical engineering. The biological radar is one such state-of-the-art offering which we are engaged in carrying out both research and development. Lifesciences support system being the key focus, we are looking at the health of the men behind the defence machines. This is where a biological radar is of utmost importance and India will be among the key countries focusing on its R&D, he added.

Another area of focus is the creation of a Basic Sciences Cluster which will help to convert the biological concepts into engineering models. “We are keen to ensure that every research which gets into prototype needs to be commercialized. This is where a Basic Sciences Cluster will help us to speed-up end –to- end commercialization, where DEBEL will be able to hand-hold the manufacturer right through the production,” said Dr Saraswat who was here in Bengaluru to inaugurate the New Technical Facility at DEBEL.

The future of biomedical engineering in development of sensor technology and DEBEL is well on the track to study the biology of human beings. Much of the sensor technology will address the issues in muscular movements experienced by the personnel during combat operations. It will also look at textile engineering to ensure the designing of suits during combat operations. “These initiatives will be part of the 12th Plan allocation which is not yet finalized. Considerable attention would be given to technology transfer to industries,” he said.

Under the FICCI’s project for Accelerated Technology Assimilation for Commercialization, DRDO has 26 of the 28 DEBEL technologies transferred which is valued at around Rs.50 crore for the next two years. Another 6 technologies are in the pipeline for commercialization. Further, DRDO is also keen to have a dedicated commercial wing by 2013 to ensure technology transfer at a faster pace, he said.