The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kanpur has unveiled a Detonation Tube Research Facility (DTRF), which is expected to bolster research in an array of domains.
Funded by the Aeronautics Research and Development Board, Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO), and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), this is the first facility of its kind in India and among only a few globally.
Developed by Prof Ajay Vikram Singh and his team from the Department of Aerospace Engineering, the Facility successfully demonstrated the propagation of a detonation wave in a lab setting, accomplishing this feat in a record time of two years.
The DTRF researches will help prevent mining, industrial and home accidents; predict path of wildfires; increase efficiency of high-speed detonation-based engines; strengthen safety protocols in oil, gas and pharmaceutical industries; and enhance our understanding of supernovas.
Detonations are among the most powerful phenomena in nature, where enormous amount of energy is released almost instantaneously, propagated at ultrasonic speed, with typical velocities reaching ~2000-3000 m/s, making it difficult to achieve and control, especially in lab settings.
“DTRF will explore the physics behind detonations and explosions. We are studying flame acceleration mechanisms in confined spaces, critical for preventing severe explosions in processing units and storage facilities. We are carrying out research on high-speed detonation-based engines with the aim of controlling these phenomena for efficient energy conversion,” he said.
The Facility will advance aerospace applications and support studies on flame acceleration, deflagration-to-detonation transition, and safety in industries handling flammable materials.
A key focus is Rotating Detonation Engines (RDEs), which offers up to 25 percent greater fuel efficiency, higher energy density, and fewer moving parts, making them ideal for space exploration and military aircraft.
Prof Manindra Agrawal, IIT Kanpur Director, said the Facility will elevate India’s status in the global aerospace community.
“It positions IIT Kanpur at the forefront of propulsion research, providing the nation with tools to innovate in critical sectors, placing India among a select group of nations capable of exploring advanced detonation technologies,” he added.
With advanced diagnostic systems and data acquisition tools, the Facility is set to lead the way in understanding detonation waves and improving safety protocols in industries prone to accidental explosions.