Global Innovation Centers (GICs)

 

Introduction

The NIST University is in the process of building Global Innovation Centers (GICs) in four key areas:

  • 5G and Future Communication
  • Semiconductor using Advanced Materials
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Biotechnology with a focus on Marine Biotech

The GICs are built and/or planned to be developed with global collaboration of industries, labs, universities, and govt. The technical resourcing to support these GICs at NIST University is through a three-tier approach:

  • External subject matter experts (SMEs), Innovators, Researchers, Thought Leaders, and Policy Makers from different parts of the world (specifically from the USA and Europe)
  • Faculty members led by senior professor/dean with focused applied research and innovation in the specific area
  • Student community specifically PhD, M.Tech/M.Sc and Final Year B.Tech students who are passionate in the specific areas of research
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    The objective is to leverage research, innovation, and product prototype/PoC in those key technology areas. GICs are expected to attract companies for product development in those key segments and/or develop the startup/companies (Make in Odisha/India initiative) with commercial production. The near-term objective is to have a technology corridor in southern Odisha leveraging research universities/institutes (e.g., NIST University, IISER ...) and Tata SEZ facility. NIST University is expected to serve as the de-facto R&D facility and an epicenter of innovation for high-tech companies in different verticals. This will certainly help our state of Odisha to become a high-technology hub of national eminence in the near future.

    GOALS
     
     

    5G and Future Communication

    The NIST University has already established the 5G and Future Communication Global Innovation Center (GIC). The GIC infrastructure is provided by Celona (www.celona.io), California, USA. The GIC has complete 5G infrastructure including core, radio (GNodeB), and antennas supporting Private Wireless Networks (PWN). NIST University campus is currently running a 5G network leveraging the mid-band spectrum provided by DoT.


    NIST University is also working with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), USA in providing 5G/6G testbeds worldwide. This will enable access to 5G/6G testbed globally to industries, research labs, researchers, and the student community for collaborative innovation and evolution of 5G/6G technology.


    NIST University is working with Celona, USA collaboratively for publications, research grants, and patents. In addition, both NIST University and Celona are in discussion with mining sectors for the deployment of 5G technology in support of smart mining in India. This will differentiate mining sectors for not only using the latest communication technology (i.e., 5G) first-time in the mining vertical, but also for significant increases in productivity, safety, and security, and enabling automation in moving towards the era of smart mining. Given in Odisha there are around 1260 mines, this will be a game changer for the state and potentially Celona, USA opening a 5G production unit in the state.

    GOALS GOALS
     
     

    Semiconductors using Advanced Materials

    NISTU is in the process of developing the Semiconductor Fabrication Global Innovation Center (GIC) leveraging advanced materials in a differentiated way.


    India needs to empower its semiconductor visions by propelling innovation infrastructure leading to productizations in emerging technologies that are most conducive for scale-up in India. Advanced compound semiconductor devices (Gallium Arsenide GaAs, Gallium Nitride GaN, Indium Phosphide InP, Silicon Carbide SiC, and Silicon Germanium Si-Ge) enabling drones, electric vehicles, advanced wireless (5G) and telecommunication (100 Gb/s), renewable energy, smart power grid, mobile internet-of-things can position India as the production hub of such immense value-added industries. The silicon-based semiconductor industry faces stiff competition and decreasing margins due to large capacity in China, Taiwan, Germany, and the USA, whereas compound semiconductor-based chipsets are in controlled technology regimes and ideal for pursuing in India with collaboration from the USA, as China has limited access to achieve dominance in these new generation and strategic sectors.


    GOALS
     
     

    “Make-in-India” technology developments by NIST University and USA Technology company/ University collaborated Center for India Advanced Compound Semiconductors (IACS) facility in GaN, InP, SiC, and SiGe will create an ecosystem of global-scale excellence in Berhampur/Odisha region that can replace existing Silicon Valley, and spur large scale product development in subsystems (power electronics, control devices, detectors) and eventual sectoral dominance in Drones, Unmanned Autonomous System, EV, 5G, ultrahigh-speed telecom, smart grids, and next generation telemedicine.


    This advanced “Make-in-India” technology development facility will transform Berhampur /Chhatrapur (Southern Odisha) into a new cradle of advanced semiconductor technologies that will bring India into a global semiconductor leadership position. Once established, apart from R&D and product development, this facility will also train semiconductor manpower across Odisha/India as well as usher commercialization of developed chipsets across the country.


    NIST University is in active discussion with companies in the US and semiconductor funding organizations in India to have the Semiconductor GIC at NIST University.

     
     

    Artificial Intelligence

    The use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is integrated into the work-life culture at NIST University. AI has been extensively used now at the University from content creation, AI chatbots, translation service, advertising, and marketing to social media branding. NIST University has private cloud infrastructure, hardware, and software tools in support of state-of-the-art laboratories for research and innovation in AI and ML. We are now working with multiple industries (e.g., www.saclit.in) collaboratively in this area to transform innovation into commercialization/productization. The key objective is to bring innovation in various focus areas to real-life products in collaboration with various industries. The areas of focus are:

    • Healthcare (Predictive health care)
    • Industries (Manufacturing focused)
    • Transportation (Autonomous vehicles)
    • Warfare (Defense applications)
    • Education

    The work at NIST University in collaboration with companies has the potential for having niche AI companies/startups developing products at NISTU incubation centers and moving to a large-scale product center in Odisha.

    ASSOCIATIONS
     
     

    Biotechnology

    The Biotechnology Global Innovation Center (GIC) has a special focus on Marine Biotechnology to leverage the marine biodiversity of 414 km of Odisha coastal belt. In addition to state of art laboratories in Molecular Biotechnology, the Biotechnology GIC is expected to leverage diverse resources and expertise of various labs, research, and innovation at NIST University (e.g., Bio-Informatics, Sensor Technology, IoT, AI in the medical vertical). The GIC eventually will enable and support biotechnology firms along the eastern corridor of India. The Biotechnology GIC is involved in:

    • Collection of samples from diverse marine ecosystems along the coastline and Characterization
    • Genomic and Metagenomic Analysis with cutting-edge NGS and bioinformatics facility
    • Discovery of Biomaterial and Bioactive Compounds of therapeutic value
    • Biomaterial and Bioactive Compound Optimization and Pre-clinical Studies
    ASSOCIATIONS
     
     

    As per the Odisha Gazette Notification, No 192, January 25, 2024 (issued by the Department of Science and Technology) the Biotechnology Policy of Odisha encourages the Center of Research Excellence (CRE) in Biotechnology in different regions of Odisha.Southern Odisha (specifically Gopalpur region) is the most suitable location to have CRE on Marine Biotechnology. At the guidance/suggestion from “Make in Odisha Conclave 2022”, the NIST and Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER – Berhampur) have applied for a research grant for the Biotech CRE at Berhampur. The same may be supported by Govt. of Odisha for the realization of the envisioned Biotech Park in the State.

    Scaling up for commercial development and IPR generation requires the identification of marine organisms and a list of potential biomaterials and bioactive natural products of health, cosmetics, and commercial value. Genomic and metagenomic analysis of marine species of high value or near extinction is to create a catalogue of the marine life of Odisha. Exploration of potential methods for sustainable cultivation and extraction of the shortlisted biomaterials and bioactive natural products to produce on a higher scale for further usage and commercialization is critical.

    The facilities and grant for exploration and genomic sequencing of bio-diverse species of Odisha coastal belt not only shall make Odisha’s Biotech Park a reality but also attract companies to Odisha with interest in health care and cosmetic product development. In addition, it will help ocean tourism, protection of endangered species, and targeted commercial fishing activities with huge financial and employment benefits to the state of Odisha.

    ASSOCIATIONS