India has reached a significant milestone with the sterilization of 50 lakh medical devices using indigenous electron beam (E-beam) radiation technology, developed by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE). This achievement, witnessed by Dr. Ajit Kumar Mohanty, Secretary of the DAE and Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission, was celebrated at the electron beam facility near Choithram Mandi in Indore, Madhya Pradesh.
The sterilization unit, operational since October 2022, has positioned India among a select group of countries utilizing advanced indigenous radiation technology on a large scale. To commemorate the occasion, RR-CAT Director Unmesh D. Malshe presented a memento to Dr. Mohanty.
The electron beam irradiation facility, managed by the Raja Ramanna Centre for Advanced Technology (RR-CAT), employs a 10 MeV, 6 kW electron linear accelerator capable of delivering precise irradiation doses ranging from a few Grays (Gy) to several Mega Grays (MGy). This technology is being offered to Indian industries through the AIC I-Hub incubation center at competitive rates, outperforming traditional sterilization methods.
As reported by economictimes, the versatile E-beam technology has applications beyond medical device sterilization, including mutation breeding for improved crops, gemstone color modification, novel material creation, semiconductor property modification, and testing components for ISRO. It is also being utilized for various R&D purposes across industries and academia.
With its eco-friendly, efficient, and secure nature, E-beam irradiation is gaining global recognition. Officials highlighted its potential to establish India as a global leader in medical device sterilization and other radiation-based applications.