India launches ‘Graphene-Aurora program’ to bolster Graphene Engineering
Recently the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity) has launched the ‘Graphene-Aurora program’ in an event at the Maker Village ‘Konchi’ in Kerala.
The proposed project aims to boost the production of graphene, a valuable allotrope of carbon, which will open a new chapter of innovation in the country’s technology sector.
The program will be implemented by Digital University Kerala with joint funding from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Government of Kerala and industry partners.
As a joint effort of the central and state governments, a graphene-manufacturing unit of excellence will soon be launched at Maker village in Kalamassery.
Launching the ‘Graphene-Aurora programme’ at an event in Maker Village Kochi, Kerala, electronics and IT secretary Alkesh Kumar Sharma announced that a section 8 company (not for profit) called ‘India Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre (I-GEIC)’ will be set up and the initial operations will start from the recently opened facility of Government of Kerala at Digital Science Park in Trivandrum.
Maker Village
- Maker Village is the largest electronic hardware incubator and ESDM facility in the country.
- Maker Village is a pioneering startup initiative of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, Government of India in association with the Indian Institute of Information Technology.
What is Graphene?
Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, forming a two-dimensional structure. It is known for its remarkable properties including exceptional strength, electrical conductivity and thermal conductivity.
Uses of Graphene:
- The unique characteristics of graphene make it a versatile material with a variety of potential applications in various industries.
- It is used in electronics to make faster and more efficient devices,
- To strengthen composites in materials science,
- Used to enhance battery performance in energy storage, and for drug delivery and biosensors in the medical fields, among other uses.
Source – PIB
