News, 24 May 2025
HORIBA India and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi have partnered in a research initiative to jointly pursue technology-oriented projects as part of HORIBA’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program. These projects are designed to tackle key technical challenges in the fields of electric mobility, advanced materials, and clean energy.
The collaborative effort, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), will provide support for three specific research and development projects, each headed by faculty members from IIT Delhi. These projects include:
- Electric Vehicles: Under the direction of Dr. Sagar Sarkar from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, the focus will be on creating a cost-effective, high-torque electric vehicle (EV) motor that reduces the reliance on rare-earth magnets.
- Smart Fabrics: Prof. Saptarshi Basak from the Centre for Automotive Research and Tribology will oversee the 3D printing and design of prototype smart fabrics.
- Green Hydrogen: Research on a proton-conducting solid oxide electrolysis cell (H-SOEC) to facilitate green hydrogen production at moderate temperatures will be led by Prof. Suddhasatwa Basu from the Chemical Engineering department.
The MoU was officially signed by Prof. Preeti Ranjan Panda, the Dean of Corporate Relations at IIT Delhi, and Dr. Rajeev Gautam, the President of HORIBA India. According to IIT Delhi, this collaboration is an extension of their continuous engagement with industry partners to foster innovation in strategically vital sectors.
The chosen projects mirror national objectives, which include minimizing reliance on rare-earth imports, increasing the production of clean hydrogen, and exploring advancements in textile innovation through digital fabrication techniques.
While these projects are financially supported through HORIBA India’s CSR commitment, the company has previously contributed to IIT Delhi by providing equipment and educational resources for inclusive education. However, this new partnership marks a transition towards applied research that addresses both industrial and environmental demands.
HORIBA India, a branch of the Japan-based HORIBA Group, operates across various industries, including energy, environment, healthcare, and semiconductors. This partnership highlights an emerging trend in academic-industrial cooperation, where corporate CSR initiatives are utilized not only for social benefits but also to stimulate innovation in essential technological areas.
About HORIBA
HORIBA India is a subsidiary of HORIBA, Ltd. of Japan, serving the Indian market with measurement and analysis solutions across diverse sectors like automotive, environment, healthcare, and semiconductors. It supports these industries with advanced technologies and localized expertise.
