Introduction
“Great things come in small packages.” This proverb could not be more fitting as India’s ambition to lead the global semiconductor race takes a giant leap forward. A team of 30 scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) has submitted a bold proposal to the Indian government for the development of angstrom-scale chips—technology that could be ten times smaller than the smallest chips currently in production.
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Key Points: India’s Semiconductor Leap
Angstrom-Scale Chips: The IISc proposal seeks to develop chips ten times smaller than today’s smallest semiconductors, offering unprecedented efficiency.
2D Materials: The project focuses on ultra-thin materials like graphene and TMDs for chip production at the angstrom scale.
Funding Request: Rs 500 crore is requested over five years to create India’s next-gen semiconductor technology.
Global Momentum: Europe, South Korea, and China are heavily investing in 2D materials, while India lags behind in this race.
Strategic Opportunity: India has the chance to become a global leader in semiconductor manufacturing, but timely execution is crucial.
Angstrom-Scale-The Future of Semiconductor Technology
In the highly competitive world of semiconductor manufacturing, miniaturization is the key to achieving greater efficiency, speed, and power consumption.
While most current chips are produced at the 3-nanometer scale, the IISc proposal aims to push the limits even further by developing chips at the angstrom scale, a new frontier in semiconductor technology.
If successful, these chips could usher in a new era of computing power, significantly enhancing everything from mobile devices to high-performance computing.
The Proposal: A Leap Beyond Silicon
The IISc team’s ambitious plan centers around the use of 2D materials—ultra-thin materials like graphene and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs)—which have unique properties that could allow chip fabrication at a scale much smaller than current silicon-based technologies.
This shift could address the limitations of traditional semiconductor manufacturing and pave the way for the development of high-performance, energy-efficient, and smaller devices.
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Proposed Funding and Timeline
IISc has outlined a clear roadmap for the project, with the detailed project report (DPR) first submitted in April 2022 and revised in October 2024.
The proposal seeks a relatively modest Rs 500 crore investment over five years to develop this cutting-edge technology and create a sustainable, indigenous semiconductor industry.
This is in stark contrast to the massive Rs 91,000 crore investment in the Tata Electronics semiconductor project, which is set to involve foreign partners and focus on larger-scale manufacturing.
India’s Position in the Global Semiconductor Race
While the global semiconductor industry is currently dominated by countries like the United States, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, several nations are already positioning themselves for the post-silicon world.
Europe has allocated $1 billion to research 2D materials, while South Korea has invested $300 million. India, however, has yet to make a significant commitment in this area, despite its growing need for technological self-reliance.
Global Investments in 2D Materials: A Snapshot
| Country | Investment in 2D Materials (USD) | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | $1 billion | Development of next-gen semiconductors |
| South Korea | $300 million | Research into 2D material-based semiconductor tech |
| China | Undisclosed | Development of 2D materials for semiconductors |
| Japan | Undisclosed | Focus on graphene and other 2D materials |
| India (Proposed) | $60 million (Rs 500 crore) | Indigenous development of angstrom-scale semiconductors |
The Strategic Importance of the Project
The IISc proposal is not just about technological innovation—it is also about India’s national security and economic self-sufficiency. With the country’s heavy dependence on foreign semiconductor manufacturers, a homegrown solution could significantly reduce vulnerability to global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical tensions.
The government’s Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has shown interest in the proposal, with multiple meetings held to explore the potential applications of this technology. However, despite the project’s promising outlook, the proposal is still in the early stages, and time is of the essence.
Conclusion: A Window of Opportunity
The IISc-led initiative represents a significant step toward establishing India as a global leader in semiconductor technology. As the world prepares for the post-silicon era, India has the potential to lead the way in the development of angstrom-scale chips. However, this window of opportunity will not remain open for long. India must act swiftly to secure its place in this transformative industry, moving from planning to execution before it falls further behind its global competitors.
If successful, this project could not only reduce India’s dependence on foreign semiconductor manufacturers but also create a vibrant and sustainable technology ecosystem, making a lasting impact on the nation’s economy and global standing in the tech world.
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