PM Modi and President Biden Announce New Semiconductor Plant and Tech Collaborations
Wilmington (Delaware) [US], September 22: US President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have announced a significant new semiconductor fabrication plant. This plant will focus on advanced sensing, communication, and power electronics for national security, next-generation telecommunications, and green energy applications.
The new fab will manufacture infrared, gallium nitride, and silicon carbide semiconductors. It will be supported by the India Semiconductor Mission and a strategic partnership between Bharat Semi, 3rdiTech, and the U.S. Space Force.
US-India Advanced Materials R&D Forum
The leaders also launched a new US-India Advanced Materials R&D Forum to boost collaboration between American and Indian universities, national laboratories, and private sector researchers. They emphasized cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technology, and other critical areas.
GlobalFoundries’ Kolkata Power Center
GlobalFoundries (GF) will create the GF Kolkata Power Center in Kolkata, India, to enhance research and development in chip manufacturing. This will support zero and low emission vehicles, internet of things devices, AI, and data centers. GF plans to explore long-term manufacturing and technology partnerships with India, creating high-quality jobs in both countries.
NASA and ISRO Collaboration
NASA and ISRO will conduct joint scientific research on the International Space Station in 2025. The leaders expressed hope for more cooperation in civil and commercial space domains.
Funding for Research and Development
The US and Indian governments plan to mobilize up to $90 million over the next five years for the U.S.-India Global Challenges Institute. This will support high-impact R&D partnerships between universities and research institutions in both countries.
They also announced 11 funding awards between the National Science Foundation and India’s Department of Science and Technology, totaling over $5 million for joint research projects. Additionally, 12 funding awards under the National Science Foundation and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will support research in semiconductors, next-generation communication systems, sustainability, and intelligent transportation systems.
Biotechnology and Quantum Research
India’s Department of Biotechnology and the National Science Foundation of the United States announced a joint call for collaborative research projects in February 2024. The results are expected by the end of 2024.
The leaders also highlighted the second meeting of the U.S.-India Quantum Coordination Mechanism and announced 17 new awards for binational research in AI and quantum technology.
Private Sector Cooperation
IBM has signed memoranda of understanding with the Government of India to enable its watsonx platform on India’s Airawat supercomputer, driving new AI innovation opportunities and enhancing R&D collaboration on advanced semiconductor processors.
5G and Telecommunications
The leaders commended efforts to expand cooperation around 5G deployment and next-generation telecommunications. The US Agency for International Development plans to invest $7 million to grow the Asia Open RAN Academy, including in South Asia with Indian institutions.
Innovation Handshake Agenda
Since the November 2023 signing of an MOU between the Commerce Department and the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the two countries have held industry roundtables to accelerate investment in innovation.
Doubts Revealed
Semiconductor -: A semiconductor is a special material that can conduct electricity under some conditions but not others. It’s used in making electronic devices like computers and smartphones.
Fabrication plant -: A fabrication plant, or fab, is a factory where semiconductors are made. It’s like a big workshop for making tiny electronic parts.
India Semiconductor Mission -: The India Semiconductor Mission is a government program in India to help the country make more semiconductors and become a leader in technology.
Infrared -: Infrared is a type of light that we can’t see with our eyes but can feel as heat. It’s used in things like remote controls and night-vision cameras.
Gallium nitride -: Gallium nitride is a material used to make very efficient and powerful electronic devices. It’s better than regular materials for some special uses.
Silicon carbide -: Silicon carbide is a very hard material used in making strong and efficient electronic devices. It’s used in things like electric cars and solar panels.
US-India Advanced Materials R&D Forum -: This is a group where scientists from the US and India work together to discover new materials that can be used in technology.
NASA -: NASA is the space agency of the United States. They send astronauts to space and study planets, stars, and other space stuff.
ISRO -: ISRO is the space agency of India. They launch satellites and explore space, just like NASA.
International Space Station -: The International Space Station is a big spaceship that orbits Earth. Astronauts from different countries live and work there to do science experiments.
