April 10, 2020
These nano-materials can be the building blocks of futuristic nano-electronics for applications like ultrathin next-gen nano-transistors
The piezoelectric coefficient of the materials designed by INST could be 10 times as high as bulk materials commonly used in industry
With the continued miniaturization of electronic devices, this breakthrough is expected to go a long way in fabricating nanodevices
The Indian Government has been making concerted efforts to secure the economy with local capabilities in STEM R&D and manufacturing
Researchers from the Institute of Nano Science and Technology (INST) Mohali, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science & Technology (DST), have made computer-based designs of nano-materials with superhigh piezoelectricity. These nano-materials can be the building blocks of futuristic nano-electronics for applications like ultrathin next-generation nano-transistors. Piezoelectricity is the generation of electricity in certain materials upon application of pressure and is used in lighters, pressure gauges, sensors, etc.
In their work, funded by the Department of Science and Technology under Nanomission and Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Prof. Abir De Sarkar & his Ph.D. student, Manish Kumar Mohanta predicted that the out-of-plane piezoelectric coefficient of the materials designed by them could be ten times as high as bulk materials commonly used in the industry. With the continued trend in the miniaturization of electronic devices, there is a growing demand for superfast ultrathin nanodevices and nano transistors. This breakthrough is sure to go a long way in fabricating nanodevices without compromising on functionality.
The Indian Government has been making concerted efforts to focus on indigenous capabilities in STEM R&D and manufacturing, which will positively impact the economy in the long-term. For instance, in the wake of the global COVID-19 pandemic, research institutions and laboratories across India have emerged with leading solutions to tackle the diverse implications of the health crisis. Several institutions under the aegis of the DST have launched their innovations covering the areas of healthcare to sanitation and beyond that have already been put to use by local administrations. These solutions are helping to arrest the spread of the disease.
In March 2020, the Indian Institutes of Technology, Delhi and Bombay, were listed among the top 50 engineering and technology schools in the world, as per the QS World University Ranking by Subject for 2020. A few months prior, in January, PM Modi inaugurated the 107th Indian Science Congress at the University of Agricultural Sciences, Bengaluru, which was attended by scientific luminaries from across the world. The Congress hosted sessions on areas ranging from agriculture, cancer research, AI and medical technology, diseases, etc.