IIT Madras-Spun Folium Sensing Uses Fibre Networks to Monitor Infrastructure

13 Oct 2026, 12:05 pm · 3h ago · 1 min read · YourStoryNew

Chennai-based deeptech startup Folium Sensing is leveraging existing fibre-optic telecommunication cables to monitor linear infrastructure such as bridges, railway tracks, and pipelines. Founded in 2024 at IIT Madras Research Park by Sanidhya Chaturvedi, Venkatesh Varadhan, Balaji Srinivasan, and Krishnan Balasubramaniam, the company builds upon 20 years of institutional research. The system sends laser pulses through fibre cables, measuring backscattered light to detect sound, temperature shifts, and strain across distances of over 100 kilometres from a single terminal point. The technology eliminates the requirement for distributed, powered point sensors across remote spans.