NEW DELHI: In the Department of Textile and Fiber Engineering IIT Delhi has achieved national recognition at the Sanrachna 2026: Product Development and Design Hackathon, with three research-led innovations selected among the competition’s top three breakthrough ideas. The hackathon was organized by TBD Campus in collaboration with the Ministry of Textiles under the National Textile Technical Mission (NTTM).The achievement came in a highly competitive field, with more than 700 applications received from across the country. A total of 31 teams reached the final stage of the competition. The three award-winning innovations of IIT Delhi were developed under the guidance of Prof. Harun Venkatesan, highlighting the institute’s research in technical textiles and product development.Three innovations received national recognitionThe first recognized innovation, BacCelAero, was developed by Dr. Ankita Sharma, a postdoctoral researcher. The project focuses on a sustainable bacterial cellulose airgel designed for diabetic wound care and emergency bleeding management.The second innovation was presented by PhD students Sudipto Behera and Sukriti Baliyan. His research focuses on an ultralight airgel-based sleeping bag and mattress system for soldiers, disaster responders and mountaineers operating in extremely cold environments.The third innovation, KISAN-SHIELD – multifunctional protective textile for Indian farmers, was developed by MTech graduate Sambhaskar Singh. The textile solution is designed to protect farmers from occupational hazards such as heat stress, ultraviolet radiation, rain, humidity and exposure to insects.to Recognition Bharat Tex 2026The three innovators were felicitated by Union Textiles Minister Giriraj Singh for their contributions to the development of technical textile solutions in India.The grand finale of the Sanrachna 2026 hackathon was organized during Bharat Tex 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi from 14-17 July 2026. The event brought together innovators, researchers and industry players to showcase product development in the technical textile sector.The recognition reflects the institute’s ongoing research into technical textiles to address challenges in health, defence, disaster management and agriculture through innovative material technologies.