Applied Materials India Private Limited, a subsidiary of global semiconductor leader Applied Materials, Inc., has introduced a new program aimed at advancing innovation in semiconductor equipment. The initiative, titled Applied Semiconductor Collaboration in Engineering and Technology (ASCENT), will serve as an annual platform where researchers from select Indian universities collaborate with Applied India engineers to tackle the industry’s most pressing challenges.
The 2024 edition of ASCENT will focus on fostering innovation in seven key areas: Power, Materials, Chemical Delivery, Sensors, Vacuum Components, Automation, and Sustainability. Applied Materials India has partnered with three top-tier institutions—Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur, IIT Hyderabad, and IIT Gandhinagar—chosen from a pool of applicants across India.
As part of the initiative, the selected researchers will receive access to cutting-edge labs and equipment to validate their ideas, while working under the mentorship of Applied’s experienced engineers. The goal is to accelerate the development of differentiated technologies and create innovative solutions to some of the industry’s toughest technical issues.
Dr. Prabu Raja, President of the Semiconductor Products Group at Applied Materials, Inc., highlighted the importance of ASCENT during a speech at Semicon India, stating, “ASCENT is designed to foster semiconductor innovation and build a strong talent pipeline, aligning with India’s semiconductor aspirations. By encouraging collaboration across the ecosystem, we aim to enhance India’s role in the global semiconductor equipment and components space.”
For over 20 years, Applied Materials India has partnered with leading academic institutions like IIT Bombay, IIT Kanpur, IIT Patna, IIT Madras, IISc Bangalore, and others to promote research, innovation, and workforce development. The company’s efforts have focused on reducing R&D costs, improving time to market, and increasing success rates in semiconductor projects.
Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMAT) is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used in the production of chips and advanced displays, known for its expertise in modifying materials at the atomic level and enabling breakthrough technologies.
