Date: 06/09/2011

Imec partners with Wipro to tap Indian nanotech research market

Nanotech electronics & semiconductor researcher Imec has partnered with India's leading electronic engineering design services company Wipro in forming R & D lab called ARISE in Bangalore, India.

Imec sees India's 1 billion+ population as huge opportunity for its IP in nanotechnology specific to electronics and semiconductor manufacturing. Wireless, health & energy looks to be the focus of Imec worldwide as well as India. Sensors, wireless transceivers, tera-powered processors, energy efficient solar array are the some of the nanotech devices Imec is working to tap the opportunity in the emerging market.

Affordable medical care is an important area for Imec. The ARISE lab has come out with wearable ECG monitor linking patient to doctor's information system.

The working product was demonstrated at ISA (India Semiconductor Association)'s CXO conclave event held in Bangalore.

MEMS (Micro Electro Mechanical Systems) is no more micro; its now nano, otherwise called NEMS (Nano Electro Mechanical Systems). The sensors have become so small & smart; they can be implanted into the human brain to cure some of the neurological disorders. Imec is also developing nano sensors to smell, this is called enose to sense air quality, food quality etc.

With a significant portfolio of product and manufacturing process IP, Imec is keen to source its technology to Indian high tech manufacturers in nanotech and semiconductor domain.

India is finally emerging as a big buyer of technologies & product, more than an innovator. Time has come to Indian companies to set into product research in a big way. The benefits are huge for companies who invent in creating IPs rather than providing design services. The factor for success is time; it takes many years for the products company to reap high profits. Also, the risks are higher in product space, but brave business brains love the risk.
Electronics Engineering Herald