HYDERABAD: The University of Hyderabad (UoH) has secured an Indian patent for HYDERACENE, a novel polymer-based material developed for use in solid rocket propellants for defence and space applications, a development that could strengthen India’s self-reliance in strategic defence technologies. The innovation is expected to reduce dependence on expensive imported materials while offering comparable, or even better, performance.
The Indian Patent (No. 596319), granted on July 21, 2026, has been awarded to the University for the invention titled “Synthesis of Novel Burn Rate Catalyst, Ferrocene Polyethylene Glycidyl Grafted Hydroxyl-Terminated Polybutadiene via Ring-Opening Polymerization.” The technology was developed by Mutyalanaidu Ganivada, Prof Sourav Jana and Prof Tushar Jana of the School of Chemistry.
The researchers said the patented material is the outcome of nearly four years of research, although the team has been working on burn-rate catalyst materials for more than a decade.
Prof Tushar Jana told TNIE that HYDERACENE was developed as an indigenous alternative to BUTACENE, a commercially available polymer-based burn-rate modifier used in solid rocket propellants in the aerospace and defence sectors.
“We developed a new molecule and named it HYDERACENE after Hyderabad. The existing commercial material, BUTACENE, is largely imported from European countries. Our studies indicate that HYDERACENE performs similarly or even slightly better, while offering an indigenous solution,” he said.
It is cheaper & better, says UoH professor
Unlike conventional solid propellant formulations, which require separate binder and burn-rate catalyst materials, HYDERACENE combines both functions in a single polymer molecule. According to the researchers, this improves long-term stability by preventing the catalyst from separating from the binder over time and enables more controlled and efficient combustion in solid rocket motors.
Prof Jana said the invention could reduce India’s dependence on imported strategic materials, which cost about `50,000-`60,000 per kilogram. “Our objective was to replace the imported material with a cost-effective Indian alternative that delivers better performance. This invention has the potential to significantly reduce the need for imported materials used in defence applications,” he said.
Explaining its applications, Prof Jana said HYDERACENE is intended for use in solid rocket propellants employed in rockets, missiles and other solid-propellant propulsion systems.
The researchers said the patented technology could benefit defence missile systems and space launch vehicles while supporting the Union government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
The next phase will focus on technology transfer and commercialisation, with the team planning to engage with DRDO, ISRO and other space agencies for large-scale production and deployment of HYDERACENE.