New Delhi: The Digital University of Kerala has joined hands with the Centre for Materials and Electronic Technology (C-MET) to establish an innovation centre for graphene in Kochi. 

Being one of the leading steel makers, TATA steel, C-MET has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with DUK to set up an India Innovation Centre for Graphene in Kochi. 

The innovation centre for Graphene will be the country's first and finest research and development knowledge centre for graphene.

In the presence of Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan, and prominent dignitaries, the MoU will be signed and exchanged, the Digital University's statement revealed. 

The Digital University of Kerala is the first on-campus digital university across India, whereas the C-MET and Tata Steel are the implementing partners of the knowledge centre for Graphene. 

The statement said that Graphene is often referred to as a wonder material for its exceptional electrical and electronic properties. 

Further, Graphene is one of the thinnest and strongest materials in the world ever known and has good chemical stability, high electrical conductivity and a large surface area while being transparent and lightweight. 

The university revealed in its statement that the innovation centre has the potential to become a hub for creation of new generation technology companies that can help and guide spur industrial growth in the state of Kerala. 

Established by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in association with the Government of Kerala, the India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG) is a research and development knowledge centre, which will be located in the Integrated Startup Complex at KINFRA High Tech Park at Kalamassery in Kochi.

Currently, the innovation centre for Graphene is being set up with an overall outlay of INR 86.41 crore. 

The statement notified that the Digital University of Kerala will develop graphene transfer and applications, while the CMET will be involved in assisting the graphene synthesis and development required for these graphene -based applications. 

With a whooping investment of INR 7 crores, Tata Steel will be the primary industrial partner in this initiative and the steel manufacturer will also provide business and technical support for developing the profile of the Innovation Centre. 

Meanwhile, the IICG will undertake research and development, product innovation, and capacity building activities in the area of graphene and other 2D material systems for sensors and actuators, energy storage and harvesting, graphene – CMOS integration, and wearable devices with a view to produce indigenous technology, products, intellectual property rights (IPR) and trained manpower.

Since the application of graphene is universal, the key focus of IICG will be in the areas of electronics, sensors and energy conversion devices where there is huge potential for industrial growth in the country. 

In addition, the IICG will also introduce common facilities that can be widely accessed by research labs, MSMEs and startups working in this area.

About DUK 

The Kerala University of Digital Sciences, Innovation and Technology also known as Digital University Kerala, is the country's first digital university. The varsity was formerly known as Indian Institute of Information Technology and Management Kerala (IIITM-K). 

The university offers postgraduate courses with diploma & short courses, for which the admissions are conducted based on the DUAT- Digital University Aptitude Test, conducted by the university. 

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