Applied Materials India Launches ASCENT to Pioneer Semiconductor Innovation

Applied Materials India Private Limited has launched the ASCENT initiative aimed at fostering innovation and education in semiconductor equipment. It will involve collaboration between researchers from top Indian institutes and Applied India engineers. The initiative focuses on seven research areas to accelerate innovative solutions in the semiconductor industry.

Applied Materials India Private Limited, a subsidiary of the global leader in materials engineering, Applied Materials, Inc., has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative aimed at boosting innovation and education within the semiconductor equipment industry. Dubbed the 'Applied Semiconductor Collaboration in ENgineering and Technology initiative (ASCENT)', this annual event will invite researchers from selected universities to partner with Applied India engineers to develop unique technologies across various research domains.

For its 2024 edition, ASCENT has chosen three prestigious institutes: Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur; Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad; and Indian Institute of Technology, Gandhinagar. This selection follows rigorous assessment of numerous proposals from India's top universities and institutes, marking a significant step towards solving the semiconductor equipment industry's most challenging technical issues.

Dr. Prabu Raja, President of the Semiconductor Products Group at Applied Materials, Inc., emphasized the importance of ASCENT at the Semicon India conference, noting its role in propelling semiconductor innovation and aligning with India's goals in the semiconductor sector. Ajit Pai, India's technology sector leader, commended the initiative's potential to reduce R&D costs, improve time to market, and foster comprehensive success through enhanced collaboration.

(With inputs from agencies.)