Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee (IIT Roorkee), in collaboration with IIITB COMET Foundation, IIIT Bangalore, and Mantiswave Networks Private Limited, has signed a landmark Technology Transfer Agreement to license a breakthrough Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) technology. The agreement was formalised at IIT Roorkee, marking a major milestone in the commercialisation of cutting-edge research in wireless communication and radar systems.
Developed through the collaborative efforts of a research team led by Prof. Ekant Sharma, IIT Roorkee, and Prof. Prem Singh, IIIT Bangalore, the novel RIS design features a sophisticated arrangement of unit cells, each comprising multiple substrate layers and advanced RF circuitry. This structure enables real-time reconfiguration of electromagnetic signals, opening up transformative applications across 6G communication networks, intelligent sensing systems, and next-generation wireless infrastructure.
Prof. K.K. Pant, Director, IIT Roorkee, congratulated the inventors and partners, stating, ” At IIT Roorkee, we are committed to ensure that transformative research reaches society and industry. This successful technology transfer reflects our vision of being a leader in innovation-led growth and marks a crucial milestone in the field of reconfigurable RF systems.”
This collaboration reflects the growing momentum of academia-industry partnerships aimed at scaling indigenous technologies for global relevance.
Speaking on the significance of the development, Prof. Vivek Malik, Dean (SRIC), IIT Roorkee, said, “At IIT Roorkee, we are continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation and are proud to see our deep-tech research transitioning into real-world applications. This collaboration with Mantiswave Networks Pvt. Ltd signifies the impact of academia-industry partnerships in propelling indigenous technologies towards global competitiveness.”
Dr. Ekant Sharma, one of the lead inventors, expressed enthusiasm about the potential of the RIS innovation, “This RIS technology holds tremendous potential for revolutionising communication infrastructure and smart sensing. We are excited to be part of this journey alongside IIT Roorkee, IIIT Bangalore, IIITB COMET Foundation and Mantiswave Networks Pvt. Ltd, contributing to the commercial pathway of a scalable and future-ready solution.”
The licensed RIS technology stands as a testament to India’s capabilities in pioneering next-generation telecommunications solutions and reflects the shared vision of all partners to drive innovation from lab to market.
This milestone aligns seamlessly with the Government of India’s vision for Atmanirbhar Bharat and the Digital India initiative, which emphasize self-reliance in critical technologies and the development of a robust indigenous innovation ecosystem. The successful transfer of RIS technology from academia to industry reinforces the country’s commitment to fostering deep-tech capabilities, advancing next-generation communication infrastructure, and accelerating the rollout of 6G and smart sensing systems. By enabling such collaborations, IIT Roorkee continues to contribute actively to national missions aimed at technological sovereignty, startup growth, and global competitiveness in emerging sectors.
