Hunt for Future Nanoelectronics, Sensing, Optoelectronics, Neuromorphic & Quantum Technologies
The evolution of semiconductor technology, particularly Si technology, has been a critical driver for the technological advancements that we see around us. Heterogeneous integration of various functionalities, including sensing, neuromorphic, Optoelectronics, and Quantum technologies, is projected to be the driving force for industries in the coming decades. However, going further, conventional bulk semiconductor technologies find it challenging to meet future technology requirements. Among various emerging materials, 2-Dimensional (2D) materials like graphene and Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) promise to offer solutions to existing issues/bottlenecks with conventional bulk platforms. Besides, they open opportunities for a plethora of new/disruptive applications and, henceforth, possibilities of new markets.
Given the immense potential of this emerging technology and how fast the world is moving at this front, the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru (Principal Investigator: Prof. Mayank Shrivastava) have been embarking on a mission to achieve independence on future/disruptive nanoelectronics & quantum technologies needs of the country using the 2D materials-based platform.
The Initiative and Current Status
Based on a preliminary proposal submitted by IISc Bengaluru (PI: Prof. Mayank Shrivastava), which was reviewed by the PSA and Dr. V. K. Saraswat (Member, NITI Aayog) and members from the Office of PSA and NITI Aayog, IISc has been asked to develop a detailed project report. The vision is to build an innovation hub as one of its kind national center or R&D fab dedicated to 2D-based technologies. This will be a pilot line, similar to initiatives worldwide, which will play the same role that early day Intel or Bell Labs played when Si technologies were at their nascent stage. This center will also try to enable the Indian scientific/industry/academic community to get to the forefront of 2D-based technologies and research. The semiconductor industry consortium, via IRDS, has already projected 2D-based technologies as part of commercial products by or before 2028. This only means that 2D will progress faster than the pace at which Si (or other bulk technologies) progressed in the past 50-60 years. As a result of all the advancements at the semiconductor processing front and pull from various new/disruptive applications which require a heterogeneous platform like 2D, however, at a much faster pace. A center, as envisioned above, therefore becomes a must to keep the country ready for upcoming/future technologies.
If you wish to Contribute
If you are a leading industry or investor, you are invited to contribute to this initiative. You may contact the Principal Investigator (Prof. Mayank Shrivastava, Email: mayank@iisc.ac.in) and/or the Office of PSA (Mr. Shirish Panda, Email: spnd.vig@nic.in) and express your interest.
Important documents
For the Letter from the PSA’s Office to IISc Bangalore and IISc Proposal requesting to prepare DPR, Click here
For a Roadmap Paper on 2D based technologies, Click here
For Minutes of the 2nd Stakeholder’s Meetings, Click here
For Minutes of the 1st Stakeholder’s Meetings, Click here
For Transcript of the 1st Stakeholder’s Meetings, Click here