India's Quantum Race Gets a New Twist as IIT Bombay Joins Plaksha

NEW DELHI — An elite academic consortium led by the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay), in collaboration with Plaksha University and other premier institutions, has launched a national initiative to design and manufacture indigenous two-dimensional (2D) quantum technologies.

The program aims to establish domestic self-reliance in advanced hardware components, foundational quantum materials, and specialized semiconductor processing. Backed by strategic national funding frameworks, the initiative addresses critical technological gaps by building state-of-the-art fabrication facilities capable of producing high-purity quantum-grade wafers within the country.

Establishing National Material-Growth Infrastructure

According to IIT Bombay Professor Saurabh Lodha, the collaborative project will establish three complementary material-growth facilities across participating research hubs. These hubs will leverage advanced techniques such as molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD), and chemical vapor deposition (CVD) to engineer defect-controlled 2D layered materials.

The consortium brings together interdisciplinary experts from institutions including IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, and IISER Pune alongside Plaksha University. By integrating artificial intelligence and machine learning models for precursor screening and growth kinetics optimization, the initiative seeks to overcome traditional hurdles in scaling ultra-thin quantum devices for commercial and strategic deployment.

According to official project disclosures, academic briefings, and government research summaries:

• Consortium Leadership: Spearheaded by IIT Bombay with active participation from Plaksha University, IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, and other premier scientific bodies.

• Core Objective: Development of indigenous 2D layered materials and scalable quantum hardware components.

• Technical Facilities: Establishment of three complementary growth infrastructures utilizing MOCVD, CVD, and MBE technologies.

• Strategic Alignment: Supports national goals under technology missions to reduce import dependencies in advanced electronics and quantum computing infrastructure.

Official Sources Section

• Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT): National technology development guidelines and high-tech manufacturing policies.

• Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) Research Portal: Academic project disclosures, quantum research highlights, and institutional partnership notices.

• Plaksha University Academic Updates: Interdisciplinary research initiatives and consortium collaboration frameworks.

Quote Section

"According to official project coordinators and academic disclosures, the IIT Bombay-led consortium will deploy complementary material-growth facilities to accelerate the creation of indigenous 2D quantum devices and strengthen India's deep-tech manufacturing ecosystem."

Why It Matters

For India's burgeoning deep-tech sector, creating domestic fabrication pipelines for 2D quantum materials eliminates critical supply chain vulnerabilities. By fostering cross-institutional collaboration between research-intensive universities and engineering institutes, the initiative accelerates the transition of foundational physics from laboratory experiments to practical, secure, and scalable quantum computing applications.

Key Facts at a Glance

• Lead Institution: IIT Bombay.

• Key Partner: Plaksha University.

• Technology Focus: Two-dimensional (2D) layered quantum materials and devices.

• Manufacturing Method: Advanced crystal growth via MBE, MOCVD, and CVD systems.

FAQ Section

What is the primary goal of the IIT Bombay-led consortium?

The consortium aims to build indigenous capabilities in developing 2D quantum technologies, materials, and scalable hardware components.

Which academic institutions are involved in the project?

The initiative is led by IIT Bombay in collaboration with Plaksha University, alongside researchers from IIT Delhi, IIT Kanpur, IIT Kharagpur, and IISER Pune.

What manufacturing techniques will be used to create the materials?

The project will utilize advanced semiconductor growth methods, including molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), chemical vapor deposition (CVD), and metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD).

Where can researchers find official updates on the consortium's progress?

Project milestones and research briefs are published through institutional portals such as the IIT Bombay Research Portal.

Source: IIT Bombay, Plaksha University, The Economic Times, QMDHUB