INDIA’S 1ST GRAPHENE CENTRE: KERALA

1. Recently, MeitY Secretary launched a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Intelligent Internet of Things (IIoT) Sensors and India’s 1^st graphene centre - India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG) in Kerala.
2. IICG is a joint venture of the Digital University of Kerala, Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET) and Tata Steel Limited funded by MeitY.
3. IICG aims to foster Research and development, product innovation and capacity building in the area of Graphene and two-dimensional materials (2DM).

• It will also support the Graphene-Aurora program of the MeitY.

• This programme aims to fill the gap between Research & Development and commercialization by providing a complete facility to startup and industry.

India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG)

1. Establishment: IICG marks India's premier graphene research hub, formed through the collaboration between the Digital University of Kerala, Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET), and Tata Steel Limited, with financial support from MeitY.
2. Objectives: The center is dedicated to advancing research and development, product innovation, and capacity building in graphene and two-dimensional materials (2DM). It supports the MeitY's Graphene-Aurora program, which aims to bridge the gap between research and market by offering comprehensive facilities to startups and industries.

Researchers in Georgia have created the world's first functional semiconductor made from graphene and it is also for the first-time graphene has showed band gap property. About Band Gap: Band Gap is a crucial electronic property that allows semiconductors to switch on and off.

What is Graphene?

1. Origin: Graphene comes from graphite, the same material used in pencil lead. A tiny piece of graphite, just 1mm thick, can contain up to 3 million layers of graphene.
2. Structure: Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms tightly bound in a hexagonal (honeycomb) pattern. It is an allotrope of carbon, meaning it's carbon in a different form, just one atom thick.
3. Production: It can be produced by heating specific materials like intercalated graphite, coal tar, or shellac in an inert atmosphere.

Properties of Graphene

1. Strength: It's 200 times stronger than steel but 6 times lighter.
2. Thermal Conductivity: With thermal conductivity as high as 5000 W/m/K, graphene is superior to most materials in heat management.
3. Electrical Conductivity: Its electrical conductivity exceeds that of copper, making it ideal for electronic applications.
4. Other Notable Properties: Graphene is also highly transparent, flexible, impermeable to gases, chemically stable, biocompatible, and has a large surface area.

Applications of Graphene

Graphene's unique properties have the potential to revolutionize various sectors, including:

1. Electronics: For making faster and more efficient devices.
2. Energy Storage: In the form of batteries and supercapacitors that charge quickly and hold more power.
3. Materials Reinforcement: To improve strength and reduce weight in materials used in aerospace and automotive industries.
4. Thermal Management: Used in electronic devices for better heat dissipation.
5. Sensors: For detecting gases, chemicals, and biological molecules with high sensitivity.
6. Biomedical Devices: In drug delivery systems, biosensors, and imaging devices.
7. Water Filtration: For more efficient water purification, desalination, and filtration processes.
8. Coatings and Films: For anti-corrosion, anti-fogging, and protective applications.

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The establishment of the India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG) is a significant step toward positioning India as a leader in graphene research. With ongoing research and development, graphene continues to promise breakthroughs in multiple industries, showcasing India's commitment to innovation and strategic use of graphene's transformative potential.

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