Looking beyond silicon, India sets sights on 2D chip material, launching R&D plans to explore ultra-thin, high-performance alternatives.
India is set to launch a national research initiative focused on semiconductor chips built using two-dimensional (2D) materials, according to a report by CNBC-TV18, citing senior government officials.
As part of this effort, an Expression of Interest (EoI) will soon be issued, inviting proposals from academic institutions and industry for research and pilot-scale fabrication projects in this emerging domain.
To support this initiative, the government will assess technical readiness and ecosystem maturity, with funding support likely to be provided for strong proposals.
This move is closely aligned with India’s broader semiconductor strategy under the ₹2.76 trillion India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), which aims to position the country as a key player in the global chip ecosystem.
Unlike traditional silicon-based chips, 2D materials, ultra-thin substances only a few atoms thick offer higher electron mobility, lower power consumption, and the potential to overcome current miniaturisation limits.
As a result, materials such as graphene, phosphorene, and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are being globally investigated for next-generation chip design.
At present, no country or company has commercialised 2D material-based chips. However, research is ongoing in China, the US, the UK, Germany, and Japan. India’s initiative aims to establish an early foothold in what officials describe as a “strategic frontier” for semiconductor development.
The report also notes that scientists from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) submitted detailed proposals in 2022 and 2024 to develop chip architectures using 2D materials, highlighting existing domestic research capabilities.
By investing in research and development (R&D) of 2D materials, the government aims to complement current silicon-based manufacturing efforts and position India to play a notable role in future semiconductor innovation.
