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The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi hosted a technology transfer ceremony under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)-funded project Nanoelectronics Network for Research and Applications (NNetRA). The event marked the successful transfer of two significant healthcare technologies to industry.
Nanotechnology studies and applies phenomena at the nanoscale (1-100 nanometers), impacting diverse sectors such as materials, electronics, telecommunications, medicine, environmental management, energy storage, and agriculture. In electronics, it holds transformative potential, with non-silicon devices often outperforming silicon ones. Advances in material growth techniques enable multilayered nanostructures and enhanced sensors, improving detection sensitivity.
The ceremony was attended by prominent dignitaries, including Shri S. Krishnan, Secretary of MeitY; Professor Rangan Banerjee, Director of IIT Delhi; Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, Additional Secretary at MeitY; Smt. Sunita Verma, Senior Director and Group Coordinator for R&D in Electronic and IT at MeitY; Prof. Neeraj Khare, the project’s Chief Investigator; and Dr Sangeeta Semwal, Scientist E at MeitY. The Foundation for Innovation and Technology Transfer (FITT) at IIT Delhi played a crucial role in facilitating this transfer.
The first technology, the “DNA Aptamer for Prostate Cancer Detection”, was transferred to Dr Swapnil Sinha of HUMMSA Biotech Pvt. Ltd. in Kolkata. Developed by Prof. Prashant Mishra and his team at IIT Delhi, this aptamer binds to specific oncogenes and holds potential for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications in prostate cancer.
The second technology, the “Photonic Chip based Spectrometric Biosensor” for pathogen detection, was handed over to Mr. Nitin Zaveri of UNINO Healthcare Private Limited in Mumbai. This innovative biosensor, developed by Prof. Joby Joseph and his team, promises rapid and precise pathogen detection, which is crucial for preventing infectious diseases.
In his address, Secretary S. Krishnan emphasised the importance of continued technology transfer in driving innovation and sustainable development. He highlighted the need for effective measures to ensure the successful adoption, implementation, and commercialisation of these groundbreaking technologies.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has spearheaded initiatives to promote nanoelectronics research and innovation in India. Major Nanoelectronics Centres with international standards have been established at leading institutes, offering advanced nanofabrication facilities that attract researchers from around the globe.
The MeitY Indian Nanoelectronics Users Programme – Idea to Innovation (INUP-i2i) is implemented at prestigious centres like IISc, IIT Bombay, IIT Delhi, IIT Madras, IIT Kharagpur, and IIT Guwahati. This program provides researchers with access to state-of-the-art facilities for research and skill development, training approximately 400 researchers annually. The resulting research has led to numerous publications and patents.
Technologies from these centres have been licensed to Indian startups and used in strategic collaborations with national labs. They also partner with industry to advance technologies for large-scale manufacturing. The Nanotechnology Initiatives Division promotes India’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem through advanced research, nanoelectronics product development, and top-tier fabrication facilities.
Key focus areas identified by the Nanotechnology Working Group include advancing electronics beyond 10 nm technology, developing sensors for health, agriculture, and security, exploring organic electronics, advancing computational nanoelectronics, establishing prototyping and incubation facilities
IIT Delhi actively supports India’s digital ambitions and the Atmanirbhar (self-reliant) philosophy by spearheading innovative research and technology transfer initiatives. Through projects like NNetRA and collaborations with industry, IIT Delhi is advancing indigenous solutions that bolster self-reliance and contribute to the nation’s digital and technological progress.
The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) launched its ‘Sangam: Digital Twin’ initiative at IIT Delhi, aiming to transform infrastructure planning with digital twin technology. The event, inaugurated by Dr Neeraj Mittal and Prof. Rangan Banerjee, highlighted the role of digital twins in modernising infrastructure and enhancing decision-making. The outreach programme, scheduled to visit IIT Delhi, IIT Bangalore, and IIT Hyderabad, aims to foster networking and collaboration through sessions with industry leaders and experts.
