New Delhi, Feb 7 (KNN) India and the Netherlands are exploring collaborative research opportunities to harness lab-grown diamonds in Semiconductor manufacturing, a move that could significantly advance India’s tech capabilities.
Speaking at the CII Indo-Dutch Tech Summit, Electronics and IT Secretary S. Krishnan emphasised the potential of this emerging field and highlighted India’s growing electronics sector.
“The way lab-grown diamonds can be sliced and used to grow crystals is quite similar to how silicon carbide and other materials are processed for semiconductor manufacturing,” Krishnan stated.
He noted that diamonds, particularly lab-grown varieties, could serve as a viable substrate for semiconductors-a subject of ongoing research in both India and the Netherlands.
Surat, India’s hub for lab-grown diamonds, shares strong business linkages with the Netherlands and Belgium, making it a natural partner for such an initiative.
The Netherlands, home to ASML-the global leader in photolithography equipment for chip manufacturing-could play a crucial role in advancing India’s semiconductor ambitions.
India’s electronics production has grown exponentially, from Rs 1.9 lakh crore in 2014-15 to Rs 9.52 lakh crore in 2023-24. However, the Economic Survey recently highlighted limited progress in semiconductor design and component manufacturing.
Addressing this gap, Krishnan stressed the importance of industry-led research investments, urging private enterprises to take the lead.
“If industry funds research, the government is open to granting exclusive technology rights for a period,” he said.
He also underscored the global impact of Indian researchers, who contribute to cutting-edge AI models from firms like OpenAI and Mistral.
With the right partnerships, India and the Netherlands could drive innovation in semiconductor technology, unlocking new opportunities for both nations.
(KNN Bureau)
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