IIT Bombay Inaugurates Liquid Helium Plant to Boost Research in Quantum and Cryogenic Technologies
IIT Bombay has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Liquid Helium Plant at its Refrigeration and Cryogenics Laboratory (N5 Bay), Department of Mechanical Engineering, marking a major leap in India’s scientific infrastructure. Funded under the Institute of Eminence (IoE) scheme, this facility will power advanced research across diverse fields — from cryogenic engineering, superconductivity, and quantum computing to healthcare, space exploration, and green energy.
The new plant, based on a modified Claude cycle, can produce over 56 liters of liquid helium per hour. It also features a helium recovery system that recaptures the gas used in experiments, reducing operational costs by nearly ten times and conserving this rare and vital resource.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Prof. Shireesh Kedare (Director), Prof. K.V.K. Rao (former Deputy Director, FIA), Prof. Milind Atrey (Deputy Director, ART), Prof. Atul Sharma (Head, Mechanical Engineering), and Prof. Ramaswamy Murugavel (PiC-IoE).
In their addresses, the dignitaries underscored the plant’s role as a critical enabler of interdisciplinary research. They highlighted that liquid helium — indispensable for reaching near-absolute-zero temperatures — supports cutting-edge work in:
Quantum computing and sensing, where superconductors operate without resistance.Medical imaging (MRI) and neurological mapping, offering insights into brain activity.Structural biology, aiding in protein crystallography for drug and vaccine development.Space and photonics research, including infrared telescopes and aerospace materials.Superconducting machinery and magnetic levitation systems for efficient transport and energy systems.
Prof. Kedare praised the collaborative effort behind the project, acknowledging the contributions of the Dean IPS’s office, MMD, Audit, and Finance teams. Prof. Atul Sharma noted IIT Bombay’s long-standing excellence in cryogenic research, while Prof. Murugavel emphasized that such high-value infrastructure demonstrates the impact of the IoE scheme in advancing indigenous scientific capabilities.
The successful installation and commissioning of the plant — a process that spanned over a year — was overseen by Prof. Dipanshu Bansal, the faculty in charge of the Helium Plant. His leadership ensured the system’s seamless integration into the institute’s research ecosystem.
With this facility, IIT Bombay joins the ranks of global institutions equipped with in-house liquid helium production — a key step in strengthening India’s position in frontier research spanning quantum technologies, superconductivity, and advanced cryogenics.
