From IIT Madras to CorrosionRADAR: Dr. Prafull Sharma’s Journey of Innovation in NDT

In today’s interview, we have with us Dr. Prafull Sharma, the visionary CTO and Co-Founder of CorrosionRADAR Ltd., a UK-based leader in Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) monitoring.?

With a career deeply rooted in non-destructive testing (NDT), inspection, and sensing technologies, Dr. Sharma has dedicated himself to tackling one of the industry's most pressing challenges—CUI. His journey from a fresh graduate at IIT Madras to a pioneering technologist and entrepreneur is a testament to his passion for innovation and his commitment to creating impactful solutions.?

Join us as Dr. Sharma shares insights from his illustrious career, the driving forces behind CorrosionRADAR, and his vision for the future of predictive analytics and sensing technologies.

Hello Mr. Prafull Sharma. Hope you’re having an amazing day. Could you introduce yourself to our wonderful audience?

Thank you for having me. My name is Dr Prafull Sharma, currently serving as CTO and Co-Founder of CorrosionRADAR Ltd, a UK based Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) monitoring company. I’ve spent most of my career working with NDT, inspection and sensing technologies, which led me to where I am today—trying to address one of the industry’s toughest challenge – Corrosion Under Insulation. My journey has been a mix of excitement and learning, and I’m constantly trying to grow and contribute something meaningful to the field.

… how was your initial journey? What challenges did you face when you started your professional career?

My career journey started with a lot of enthusiasm as a fresh graduate from IIT Madras with General Electric (GE) in Bangalore. The biggest challenge early on was figuring out how to turn innovative ideas into practical, deployable solutions. There were times when I questioned if I was on the right path, especially when things didn’t go as planned. But having good mentors was something I was blessed with.?

… currently, you are the CTO and co-founder of CorrosionRADAR Ltd., so what inspired you to co-found CorrosionRADAR Ltd, and how did your experience at GE (your previous employer) shape your approach to this venture?

Corrosion Under Insulation (CUI) is a problem that often goes unnoticed until it’s too late, and I felt that there had to be a better way to address it. My time at GE was instrumental in shaping perspectives on this problem. I learned a lot about the power of technology and the importance of understanding the customer’s needs. While pursuing PhD at Cranfield University in UK from 2014, Prof Hoi Yeung and I developed and invented a sensing system that had the potential to address this issue. But I also realised that making an impact requires more than just a good idea—it takes a dedicated team and a lot of hard work to bring a vision to life. Hence CorrosionRADAR was formed along with co-founders Dr Chiraz Ennaceur and Dr Mehrdad Silatani and as a spin-out of Cranfield University.

… what are some of the most exciting developments in predictive analytics and sensing technologies that you're currently exploring?

We’re exploring some exciting areas in CUI and similar issues, particularly the integration of risk analytics and with our sensor data to improve the accuracy of our predictions. But to be honest, it’s not without its challenges. The technology is advancing rapidly, and keeping up with it requires constant learning and adaptation. We’re also working on expanding our sensing technology to cover different environments, which is something I find both thrilling and daunting because of the complexity involved.

… can you describe a specific product you took from early concept to global commercial adoption and the challenges you faced during this process?

One product that stands out is our CorrosionRADAR: LR CUI monitoring system. It was a long and sometimes difficult journey from concept to global adoption, especially when we hit technical roadblocks or when the market response wasn’t as fast as we expected partly due to the nature of this sector. But we kept refining the product, listening to feedback, and learning from our mistakes. It wasn’t easy, but the persistence paid off in the end. Having our customers Aramco and Dow Chemicals investing in the company demonstrates the value of what we are doing.?

… how do you balance the need for innovation with the practical requirements of product-market fit?

Balancing innovation with product-market fit is a constant struggle. We have learned that it’s crucial to stay grounded and listen to what customers really need, even if it means shelving an idea that one is personally excited about. It’s tempting to push the boundaries of what’s technically possible, but at the end of the day, if the product doesn’t solve a real problem or isn’t something the market wants, it won’t succeed. We have had to learn this the hard way, but it’s made me more attuned to finding that sweet spot between innovation and practicality.

… with your broad experience from R&D to product strategy, how do you ensure seamless integration between technical development and commercial objectives?

Ensuring seamless integration is easier said than done. It requires constant communication and a lot of patience. We have made assumptions in the past by assuming that just because something is technically sound, it would naturally align with commercial goals. We have since learned the importance of bringing different teams, both technical and commercial, together early in the process to align on objectives and create a shared vision.?

… can you discuss one of your patents or publications that you are particularly proud of and its impact on the industry?

We are particularly proud of our patent on distributed sensing for CUI monitoring. The impact has been significant, as it offers a reliable and scalable solution for monitoring CUI, although it didn’t come easily. The success of this patent is a reminder that perseverance and collaboration can lead to breakthroughs, even when the path isn’t clear.

… what are some key strategies you use for creating compelling value propositions for B2B products?

Creating compelling value propositions is all about empathy and understanding customer pain points. We have learned that the best way to craft a strong value proposition is to put ourselves in the customer’s shoes. It’s easy to get caught up in the technical aspects of a product, but ultimately, what matters most is how it will solve the customer’s problems. We focus on clearly demonstrating ROI and use real-world examples to show the tangible benefits of our solutions. This approach has been refined over time, through customer iterations.

Mr. Sharma, what skills do you think are needed to excel as a CTO?

I believe a successful CTO need to change their role as appropriate with the stage of the company. Initially the focus is on technology development, but later it is the market development and team development that becomes a priority. They needs to be adaptable to business need and willing to embrace change. It’s also important to have a strong technical foundation, but even more so, the ability to think strategically and communicate effectively. Coming from research background, we all have had to work hard on our leadership and communication skills over the years. Another key skill is being able to admit when you don’t have all the answers and to surround yourself with people who complement your strengths and weaknesses.

… can you provide an example of how your leadership in technology or product management led to a significant breakthrough or success?

One obvious example is the development of our novel CUI monitoring system. Innovation is hard but a mature product development and market and business development are even harder. We had to work on not just technical challenges but simultaneously on the commercial model and also understanding the customer’s needs. We had to step back and rethink our approach from time to time. What ultimately made the difference was fostering a collaborative environment where every team member felt valued and empowered to contribute their ideas. It was about recognising the collective strength of the team and trusting them to help steer us toward success.

… what advice would you give to aspiring technologists and product managers looking to build a career in sensing, IoT, and predictive analytics?

One piece of advice would be to stay curious and never be afraid to ask questions. Early in my career, I sometimes hesitated to seek help or admit when I didn’t know something, but I’ve since learned that asking questions is a strength, not a weakness. The fields of sensing, IoT, and predictive analytics are constantly evolving, so staying up-to-date and being open to learning new things is crucial. Also, focus on understanding the real-world problems your technology is trying to solve, and don’t be discouraged by setbacks—they are part of the journey.

… what are your next big goals for CorrosionRADAR Ltd, and what challenges do you anticipate in achieving them?

Our next big goal is to broaden our solutions reach and applicability, particularly in new markets and use cases. We’re also looking to enhance our analytics capabilities, which is both exciting and challenging. Scaling operations is not a straight path and having experts in the team is key. One of the big goals is for CUI monitoring to become an industry standard and best practice. We’ll take it one step at a time and do our best to navigate whatever comes our way.

Mr. Sharma, how do you unwind yourself? What activities do you like to do on your vacations?

Spending time with my family and getting outdoors whenever possible. Nature has a way of putting things into perspective for me, and I find that hiking or just being in a natural setting helps clear my mind. I also enjoy reading, particularly books that challenge my thinking.?

Finally, what are your thoughts on OnestopNDT? Do you think our efforts to provide real, authentic, and accurate content are helping the industry? Also, do you think our platform helps the community connect with like-minded people?

I think OnestopNDT is doing a great job in reaching out to our community. Your commitment to providing authentic and accurate content is making a real difference in the industry. In a field like NDT, where staying informed is critical, having a reliable platform like yours is invaluable. I also appreciate how you’re fostering a sense of community among professionals—it’s important to have a space where like-minded individuals can connect and share knowledge. Keep up the good work; it’s certainly appreciated by many of us in the industry.

Explore more such Interviews here: onestopndt.com/ndt-experts-interview/