Creation of a Central Research Facility (CRF) and Cleanroom Fab

For carrying out advanced research, sophisticated research facilities are required in many areas and particularly semiconductor devices, micro and nano sensors and manufacturing, materials and sensors, …. Such facilities are multidisciplinary and used across multiple departments. A CRF is very essentially needed for an institute like an IIT carrying on advanced research. Considering the same, Prof Raja Kumar personally planned and got constructed, a very modern infrastructure for the CRF. Shifting of the FE-SEM, XRD machines etc., to the CRF building was already started too. The CRF will be housing whatever, future equipment will be procured by the institute.

Semiconductor fab is synonymous to advancement of technology, be it in a country or an institute. Also a basic facility is needed for carrying out research involving actual creation of devices. It is also a necessity to carry out meaningful research and an essential requirement any funding or sanctioning agency look for while sanctioning. Considering the need for growth of research and technology development activity in this very cutting-edge are area across multiple departments including electrical sciences, materials science, physics, mechanical, …., Prof Raja Kumar took up initiatives to create cleanroom and fabrication (micro and nano) in the institute. Faculty of Physics were encouraged to apply and successfully secure funding from FIST programme, a matching grant was given from the institute funds to have a seed funding to the tune of Rs 5.00 crore, to start the facility in a moderate way in the space provided in the CRF building.

Procurement of equipment for fabrication, etching and materials growth, characterization and testing was already initiated and purchase orders were placed. It was decided that after the setting of the fab flow, additional project funding will be accessed to further enhance the facility in near future.