The Defence Research & Development Organisation (DRDO) has achieved a major breakthrough in water purification technology with the successful development of an indigenous nanoporous multilayered polymeric membrane designed for high-pressure seawater desalination. The innovation has been carried out by the Defence Materials Stores and Research & Development Establishment (DMSRDE), a Kanpur-based DRDO laboratory.
This membrane has been developed specifically for desalination plants onboard Indian Coast Guard (ICG) ships, addressing critical challenges related to stability in chloride-rich saline environments. Impressively, the entire development process was completed in just eight months.
Initial technical trials were conducted jointly by DMSRDE and the Indian Coast Guard using an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV). The performance and safety assessments of the new membrane during these trials were reported to be completely satisfactory. The Indian Coast Guard is expected to grant final operational clearance after 500 hours of onboard testing.
Currently, the membrane unit is undergoing further testing and validation on the OPV. With slight modifications, this indigenous technology is also expected to benefit desalination efforts in coastal areas, especially in regions facing freshwater scarcity.
This innovation marks a significant stride in DRDO’s contribution towards the government’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative, strengthening India’s self-reliance in critical defence and utility technologies.
