New Delhi: India could disrupt the global semiconductor race and emerge as a leader in post-silicon technologies by advancing research in two-dimensional (2D) materials, according to a report by NITI Aayog.
The report noted that the convergence of semiconductor policy with 2D materials research provides an opportunity for comprehensive technological advancement. It added that such a shift could place India at the forefront of the global semiconductor transition.
NITI Aayog stated, "2D materials research presents an opportunity for comprehensive technological advancement that could provide India an opportunity to disrupt the Semicon race."
The report explained that 2D materials are crystalline substances just a few atomic layers thick, typically less than 1 nanometre. Their structure gives them unique electronic, optical, and mechanical properties compared with conventional three-dimensional materials.
Potential applications include smartphones that fold like paper yet remain resilient, ultra-thin displays that blend seamlessly into surfaces, and processors that consume drastically less energy while delivering faster performance. Ultra-efficient CPUs and GPUs built on these materials could extend battery life by days.
According to the report, ultra-thin 2D transistors can work at sub-0.3V threshold voltages, reducing power dissipation by up to ten times compared with current FinFETs. High-density neuromorphic arrays built with 2D-based synaptic devices could also shrink chip areas by more than 40 per cent without loss of performance.
The report emphasised that these breakthroughs are essential for edge-AI, wearable electronics, and quantum-class processors where compact design and energy efficiency are critical.
However, it cautioned that India’s progress remains at an early stage. Current research is concentrated on material synthesis and basic device characterisation, with limited advances in wafer-scale integration, heterostructure engineering, and deployable prototypes.
It concluded that if India harnesses the potential of mono-to-few-layer 2D materials, it could redefine computing and secure a leading role in the semiconductor landscape.
BI Bureau
