A National Centre of Excellence, the ‘AMOLED Research Centre’ (ARC) is funded by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO) and Tata Sons.

Inauguration

S. Krishnan, Secretary, MeitY, inaugurated the Centre on 21 December 2024 at the IIT Madras campus in the presence of Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras.

Development

S. Krishnan said he was pleased to inaugurate the AMOLED Research Centre at IIT-Madras.

It is one of the National Centre of Excellence (CoE) that is supported by the Government of India.

The Centre is working to develop a technique to manufacture AMOLED displays which can be used in digital devices including smartphones, smartwatches, tablets etc., he said.

It is envisioned that the new method, which is based on the ‘economies-of-speed’, will enable a modular micro-factory concept of manufacture of these devices, he said.

Krishnan further said the Centre is also working to develop the prototypes of OLED Lighting and OPV Power Source for Mobile Phones.

The inauguration of this Centre marks a pivotal step toward fostering innovation, driving self-reliance, and empowering India’s industrial growth, he said.

This Centre will not only catalyze research but also create solutions that resonate with India’s aspiration to lead the world in manufacturing and innovation, he said.

The AMOLED Research Centre will innovate novel techniques to develop AMOLED displays for the Indian and global market, he said.

Director of IIT Madras

Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said the AMOLED Research Centre is a unique Centre in India which will develop next generation AMOLED displays.

This Centre will support the nation’s initiative to develop a semiconductor industry in India, said IIT Madras director.

The global AMOLED display business is currently worth around USD 15 billion and is expected to grow, he said.

The AMOLED Research Centre will innovate novel techniques to develop AMOLED displays for the Indian and global market, he said.

The new technique promises to lower capex costs for display manufacture. The aim of this Research Centre is to create a technology that will enable the growth of modular display factories (micro-factories), say sources from IIT Madras.

It has capabilities of both current and next generation growth processes. The Centre currently focuses on small size displays such as those used in tablets, smartphones, and watches.

Need

Dr. Debdutta Ray, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras spoke on the need for such research centers in India.

This is the only Centre in India that has the capability to develop smartphone-sized AMOLED displays, he said.

The Centre will work towards turnkey solutions, where we plan to develop/demonstrate/deploy micro-factories for smartphone displays, he said.

Dr Debadutta further said the centre is developing novel engineering techniques to utilize the concept of ‘economies-of-speed’ rather than the current model of ‘economies-of-scale’.

The goal is to keep the unit fabrication times the same or better where the ‘economies-of-speed’ allow smaller mother-glass size during production.

This will lead to a modular production system, said Prof Debadutta of IIT Madras.

Location

The ARC is located in the Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras. It consists of cleanrooms with ‘class 100’ and ‘class 1000’ ratings.

The major fabrication system is an OLED cluster where multilayer OLEDs can be grown with precise control of the growth parameters.

The system has state-of-the-art pixel patterning system that has been designed by a team at IIT Madras.

The Centre has facilities to characterize the devices where the optoelectronic properties are studied.

While the major effort of the Centre is to develop AMOLED displays, the Centre also works on white OLEDs for lighting and TV as well as on organic photovoltaic devices.

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The event welcomed over 300 distinguished alumni, including graduates from the Classes of 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014, who reunited from around the globe to reconnect, reminisce, and celebrate the enduring spirit of IIM Lucknow.

On the first day, alumni were given a guided campus tour, providing an opportunity to revisit familiar landmarks and relive cherished memories from their time at the institute.

As we celebrate 40 remarkable years of IIM Lucknow, we take pride in honouring the outstanding achievements of our alumni, who have reached great heights and made their mark in various fields, she said.

Our alumni have reached remarkable echelons of leadership, creating an incredible impact across domains, said IIM Lucknow director.

As we look forward to our golden jubilee, initiatives like the alumni lecture series deepen this bond, offering an opportunity for them to give back and reconnect with their roots—a fitting tribute to the enduring legacy of this institution, she said.

Highlight

The highlight of the day was the “re-graduation ceremony”, where alumni donned convocation robes once again, standing united in testament to their enduring connection with IIM Lucknow.

President of the Alumni Association, Prof. Vineet S. Chauhan, reflected on the association’s remarkable journey, saying from its humble beginnings in 1993, the Alumni Association has grown to an impressive scale, with over 800 students graduating annually across diverse disciplines, exemplifying their enduring success and global impact.

Sangram 2.0

The afternoon featured a grand alumni-faculty lunch and “Sangram 2.0,” a lively series of games and tele matches that fostered friendly competition and teamwork.

The day concluded with a Bollywood-themed gala dinner, complete with a red-carpet welcome, photo opportunities, and the high-energy “Razzle Dazzle” dance party, creating unforgettable memories.

Experience

Sharing her experience, Ms. Vaishali Bhatt, Alumnus, Class of 1994, IIM Lucknow, said, it feels great to be back at IIM Lucknow, reconnecting with old friends and batchmates.

I had the chance to meet some of my batchmates after over 28 years, which was truly special. It is wonderful to see the tremendous development at IIM Lucknow, both academically and in terms of infrastructure.

I am also looking forward to exploring the city and trying its local cuisines while cherishing these fond memories, she said.

Sharing his experience of reliving cherished memories, Mr. Bhaskar Subramanian, Alumnus, Class of 1994, IIM Lucknow, said, “Even with all the changes in our lives, one thing remains constant—the bond we share.

Back then, we were a close-knit group under one roof, and now, though scattered across the globe, we carry pieces of those treasured moments in our hearts.

Returning to IIM Lucknow is always a special experience—the vibe here is truly unmatched, he said.

Sports

The final day of the event began with spirited sports activities, including cricket, football, and volleyball matches.

This saw enthusiastic participation from the alumni. For those interested in exploring Lucknow, guided tours provided an opportunity to experience the city’s rich cultural landmarks, shopping hubs, and Awadhi cuisine.

Alumni departed with a renewed sense of connection to their alma mater and a shared vision for the future, say sources from IIM Lucknow.

Nostalgia 2024 served as a platform for alumni to relive their IIM Lucknow journey, celebrate their collective achievements, and envision the future.

The event underscored the institute’s commitment to fostering lifelong relationships with its alumni while creating an enduring legacy of excellence.

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