Guwahati's Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) advances nanotechnology and healthcare

The Center for Excellence in Research and Development of Nanoelectronic and Theranostic Devices, founded in 2014 by IIT-Guwahati in partnership with the Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, has successfully met the objectives set for it.

IIT Guwahati Director Prof. TG Sitharam praised the Centre for Excellence's extraordinary success, saying, "It is with great pride that we can state that the faculty members at the Centre for Nanotechnology at IIT Guwahati, in partnership with MeitY, have worked tirelessly to establish this innovative Center for Excellence. In keeping with the dual aims of the GoI, "Make in India" and "Atmanirbhar Bharat," the MeitY's imaginative support has been crucial in broadening the base of nanoelectronics inventions and developments in the nation." 

IIT Guwahati and MeitY jointly planned and envisioned this Centre for Excellence at the time of its founding with significant long-term goals. The CoE has surpassed these goals, with the key accomplishments listed below:

I Construction of a brand-new, 10,000 square-meter Center for Nanotechnology facility with ISO 5 and 6 clean rooms, 23 cutting-edge laboratories, and cutting-edge equipment for fabrication (such as Lithography, CVD and PVD reactors, oxidation and diffusion furnaces, and printers), characterization (such as confocal and electron microscopes, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and AFM-Raman-TERS), and testing (such as IV-CV analyser. 

(ii) The creation of a variety of medical tools with enormous commercial potential that can assess the health of the liver, kidneys, and pancreas as well as identify pathogens and cancer signs. Seven technology transfers took place during this process, along with more than 280 articles in highly regarded international journals, more than 40 patents, 30 prototypes, 50 PhD candidates, and personnel training.

(iii) Creation of a variety of TRL 2 to 5 SAW, FET, microfluidic, MEMS, and NWFET devices that are integrated with native nano biosensors. Some of these devices have already been turned into market-ready products by startups. Affordable point-of-care medical devices have been created in particular to check the health of the liver, kidneys, and pancreas, as well as to look for infections and cancer markers (cervical, liver, and other types).

(iv) Providing guidance to numerous startups in the fields of materials and nanoelectronics, including M/S Primary Healthtech Pvt Ltd, M/S Bioaptagen Pvt Ltd, and M/S JSV Innovations Pvt. Ltd. forming a successful alliance with businesses like M/S Vivocon Pvt Ltd, M/S Chemidist Pvt Ltd, M/S RR Animal Healthcare, and M/S Avyantra Health Technologies.

(v) The facility's use for a variety of upcoming initiatives, including INUP-I2I, SWASTHA, and other CoEs supported by funding organisations, including MeitY.

A successful establishment of the Centre for Excellence is an epoch-making event in the North-Eastern region because the youth of the region can now take advantage of these top-notch facilities available at their doorstep to pursue their lofty scientific and technological dreams, according to Prof. Ramgopal Rao, Pillay Chair Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and former Director of IIT Delhi. It's significant to note that the Nano Centre has already begun to deliver a variety of innovations that will meet societal needs. It is a really happy occasion for me to be a part of this journey with the IIT Guwahati community as the chairman of the committee that has overseen the creation of the Centre. 

The Center was established with incredible leadership from the faculty and dedication from the scholars, students, and IIT Guwahati administration. This sets a new standard for all similar endeavours to pursue in the nation."

Dr. Sunita Verma, group coordinator for R&D in electronics and IT at the Ministry of electronics and IT of the Government of India, shared her thoughts on the accomplishments of CoE at IIT Guwahati "With this initiative, MeitY's forward-thinking actions have produced a National facility in the form of this Centre for Excellence in the country's North-East. 

Scholars, startups, SMEs, MSMEs, and MoSMEs can now participate even from the most remote regions of the nation and realise their aspirations of carrying out high-tech R&D in the field of nanoelectronics by employing this World Class facility. This is a great illustration of how technology is now at the fingertips of scientists. The initiative will undoubtedly soon serve as a catalyst for the creation of cutting-edge, futuristic technology in the fields of nanoelectronics and nanomaterials to meet the diverse demands of society. 

With an eye toward India's e-Development as the catalyst for the country's transformation into a developed country and an empowered society, the Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology (MeitY) functions. The goal of MeitY is to advance e-Governance for citizen empowerment, the inclusive and sustainable growth of the electronics, information technology, and related services industries, and the strengthening of India's position in Internet governance. To accomplish these goals, MeitY has adopted a multifaceted strategy that includes the growth of human resources, fostering R&D and innovation, increasing efficiency through digital services, and ensuring a secure cyberspace.