DRDO Signs First High-Value Deep Tech Pact Under TDF for Indigenous Dilution Refrigerator
DRDO has signed its first high-value deep tech project agreement under the TDF scheme with Zero mK India to indigenously develop a 20 mK dilution refrigerator for quantum applications.
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has signed its first high-value deep tech project agreement with a start-up under the Technology Development Fund (TDF) scheme. The pact, signed in New Delhi with Zero mK India Private Limited of Alwar, Rajasthan, covers the collaborative indigenous development of a 20 mK dilution refrigerator for quantum applications.
It is the first agreement of its scale under the Rs 500 crore corpus approved earlier by Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh for deep-tech and cutting-edge projects.
Dilution refrigerators are specialised cryogenic systems that can reach extremely low temperatures in the millikelvin range. Such an ultra-low-temperature environment is essential for operating and testing several quantum computing platforms and related quantum technologies.
The indigenous development of a 20 mK-class dilution refrigerator is aligned with the National Quantum Mission. It is expected to strengthen India's capabilities in quantum technology, advanced cryogenics and strategic technologies, while supporting a self-reliant, quantum-ready ecosystem. The project also aims to reduce dependence on imported cryogenic infrastructure and bolster the domestic quantum technology ecosystem.
Rajesh Kumar Singh, Defence Secretary and Secretary, Department of Defence R&D, and Chairman, DRDO, congratulated the teams involved and wished them success in meeting the project objectives.
The agreement was signed between the Director, TDF, and Zero mK India Private Limited. Director General, Micro Electronic Devices & Computational System and Cyber Security (DG MCC); Director General, Technology Management (DG TM); Director, Solid State Physics Laboratory (SSPL), and other stakeholders were present on the occasion. The project is being monitored, mentored and supported by the Director, SSPL, and his team.