Chennai: The Indian Institute of Technology-Madras (IIT-Madras) has taken a major step toward advancing India's technological capabilities with the launch of its new AMOLED Research Centre (ARC). This state-of-the-art facility is dedicated to developing next-generation AMOLED displays for digital devices such as smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, and wearable technologies.
Funded by the Union Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), and Tata Sons, the ARC has been established as a National Centre of Excellence. Its primary aim is to support India’s ambition of building a self-reliant display manufacturing industry by fostering innovative research and development in this critical sector.
The facility features a cutting-edge cleanroom equipped with advanced fabrication and characterization tools. This infrastructure will enable researchers from diverse fields to collaborate on pioneering techniques for producing AMOLED displays.
The Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), S. Krishnan, officially inaugurated the new center during a prestigious ceremony hosted at the IIT-Madras campus. The event was attended by prominent figures, including IIT-Madras Director Prof. V. Kamakoti and ARC Principal Investigator Dr. Debdutta Ray.
During his address, Mr. Krishnan highlighted the national significance of the ARC, describing it as a pivotal initiative funded by the Union Government. He emphasized that the centre's groundbreaking research will focus on developing a new manufacturing method based on the concept of "economies-of-speed." This approach envisions a modular micro-factory setup, which is expected to revolutionize the production process for AMOLED displays.
In addition to display technology, the centre is also working on prototypes for OLED lighting and organic photovoltaic (OPV) power sources tailored for mobile devices. These advancements aim to expand the applications of display technology while enhancing energy efficiency and sustainability.
The launch of the AMOLED Research Centre marks a significant milestone in India's journey toward self-reliance and innovation. It is expected to serve as a catalyst for fostering industrial growth and positioning India as a global leader in display manufacturing and advanced technology development.