Graphene- Aurora Program

Blog Credit: Trupti Thakur

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Graphene- Aurora Program

 

The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) Secretary, Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma, inaugurated the ‘Graphene-Aurora Program’ at Maker Village Kochi, Kerala. The initiative, executed by Digital University Kerala, receives joint funding from MeitY, Government of Kerala, and industry partners, including Carborundum Pvt Limited. With a budget of Rs 94.85 Crore, the program aims to foster innovation and commercialization of graphene technologies.

The establishment of a not-for-profit company called ‘India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre (I-GEIC)’ will bridge the gap between research and commercialization, supporting startups and industries. The program’s focus on emerging graphene technology is expected to position India as a leader in the global new materials market.

 

This initiative, led by Digital University Kerala, aims to bridge the gap between graphene research and commercialization. The establishment of the India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre (I-GEIC) will play a pivotal role in this effort.

 

Sharma also announced the progress and contributions of Maker Village to the development of hardware startups in the country, and assured MeitY’s support for the creation of a complete ecosystem for electronics product testing. He also appreciated the outcomes of other MeitY funded Centre of Excellence on IIOT Sensors and India Innovation Centre for Graphene that complements the solutions from materials, sensors, to system integration that electronic product development.

Dr. Rathan Kelkar, IAS, Secretary, Department of Electronics and IT, GoK; Shri Suman Billa IAS, Principal Secretary Industries Department, GoK; Dr. Saji Gopinath, Vice Chancellor, Digital University Kerala; Smt Sunita Verma, Group Coordinator, MeitY; Prof. Alex James, CI, and Shri Kamesh Gupta, Co-CI, Graphene Aurora; Dr. P.S. Jayan, Carborundum, were also present on the occasion.

The proposed project aimed at boosting the production of the valuable allotrope of carbon will mark a new chapter of innovation in the country’s technological field, said Alkesh Kumar Sharma, secretary, of electronics and IT, Government of India, on Monday.

“Our companies should strive to make the most of today’s environment that focuses on electronics and information technology. As innovation and geniuses become crucial to the system, graphene has become a thoroughly futuristic product,” he said, at the launch of the Graphene Aurora programme after a visit to Maker Village, which is the country’s largest electronic hardware incubator and ESDM (Electronics System Design & Manufacturing) facility.

Sharma said Maker Village at Kalamassery has been the model for other states in electronics incubation. “The IT sector must work towards raising the reputation of India, backed by a determined administration amid a hope-filled world of industry,” he said.

Kerala Principal Secretary (Industries & NORKA), Suman Billa, said the state has selected 22 industrial sectors that suit its ecosystem. “As we work on strengthening them, the focus will be on the electronics and IT companies,” he said. “We will promote projects that integrate academic research that can be of practical use.”

State IT Secretary Dr Rathan U Kelkar said Kerala is set to complete an array of startup-boosting projects in the next five years. “The industrial sector is earning excellent support from the IT sector,” he said.
Kerala Digital University Vice-Chancellor Dr Saji Gopinath said the 2016-founded Maker Village initially envisaged the incubation of 40 startups but overshot the target by taking the total to 140. “Today, startups here even collaborate with the defence sector,” he said.

Maker Village, which is a pioneering startup initiative of the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, has the Indian Institute of Information Technology-Trivandrum as the implementation agency and the Kerala Startup Mission as the supporting partner.

 

What is Graphene?

Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, forming a two-dimensional structure. It is known for its remarkable properties, including exceptional strength, electrical conductivity, and thermal conductivity.

 

Uses of Graphene:

Graphene’s unique characteristics make it a versatile material with various potential applications across different industries. It is used in electronics for creating faster and more efficient devices, in materials science for reinforcing composites, in energy storage for enhancing battery performance, and in medical fields for drug delivery and biosensors, among other uses.

Usage: The example can be used in the S&T question to show the government programme in the field of Nano Tech/ Graphene development.

 

What is the Graphene-Aurora program, and who launched it?

The Graphene-Aurora program was inaugurated by Shri Alkesh Kumar Sharma, the Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY). This initiative is aimed at fostering innovation and commercialization of graphene technologies in Kerala.

Who are the funding partners of the program and what is its budget?

The program is funded jointly by MeitY, the Government of India, the Government of Kerala, and industry partners, including Carborundum Pvt Limited. It has a total budget of Rs 94.85 Crore.

What is the role of the ‘India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre (I-GEIC)’?

I-GEIC, a not-for-profit company, will act as a bridge between research and commercialization, providing a comprehensive facility for startups and industries to develop and scale graphene technologies.

How does the program aim to position India in the global new materials market?

The Graphene-Aurora program’s focus on emerging graphene technology is expected to help India gain a significant presence in the world’s new materials market by nurturing innovation and supporting commercialization.

What contributions has Maker Village made to hardware startups?

Alkesh Kumar Sharma acknowledged Maker Village’s role in the development of hardware startups in the country, highlighting its importance in the ecosystem. Maker Village has played a crucial role in nurturing and supporting hardware innovations.

What is the significance of creating a commercialization eco-system for graphene?

Establishing a commercialization eco-system for graphene technologies addresses the gap between research and market adoption, driving the transformation of ideas into viable products. This approach accelerates technological advancements and economic growth.

 

Blog By: Trupti Thakur