Chennai, Aug 31 (IANS): Distinguished scientist S.A.V. Satya Murty will take over as the next director of fast breeder research unit Indira Gandhi Centre for Atomic Research (IGCAR), said a statement.

According to a statement issued by IGCAR on Monday, Murty, now director, electronics and instrumentation and radiological safety group will take over as IGCAR's director from Tuesday onwards.

The incumbent P.R. Vasudeva Rao retires on August 31.

Murty was a 1977-batch gold medallist in his B.Tech at the Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Kakinada.

He joined one year orientation course in Nuclear Science and Engineering at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) and was awarded Homi Bhabha price for topping his batch.

Murty obtained his doctoral degree from Homi Bhabha National Institute and joined IGCAR in 1978.

His group at IGCAR contributed to the setting up of indigenous instrumentation and control systems for the 500 MW prototype fast breeder reactor coming up at Kalpakkam around 70 km from here.

According to the statement Murty is also coordinating one of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) projects on wireless sensor networks.

He is also piloting the development of Time Domain Electro Magnetic System which enables efficient method for identifying uranium sources in India, IGCAR said.