History
There is more to this course by Texas Instruments India and IIT Madras.

Started in 2011 with five students, this niche programme has admitted over 50 students till date.

The programme is a unique Masters in Science (MS) by Research that combines the strength of the analog and mixed-signal expertise at IIT Madras with Texas Instruments India’s industry leadership.

It offers a comprehensive understanding of analog and mixed-signal VLSI from theory to practice, focusing on real-time industry level problem statements.

This Texas Instruments India’s sponsored programme also provides students with a competitive stipend during their internship.

Under the mentorship of senior technical leaders at TI, students go through an end-to-end integrated circuit (IC) development cycle.

➢ Bachelor’s degree in Electronics, Telecommunications, Instrumentation or allied disciplines in engineering with an aggregate of 65%.

➢ Applicants for the MS programme of Texas Instruments India and IIT Madras must have a valid GATE score of 650 or more in EC, EE, or IN. Currently, GATE scores are valid for 3 years.

➢ GATE requirement is waived for IIT BTech students with a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 8 or higher.

Unique aspects
Professor Nagendra Krishnapura and Professor Shanthi Pavan, Department of Electrical Engineering, IIT Madras, said the Texas Instruments India-IITM program has proved to be a much-coveted launch pad for analog talent in the country.

It benefits immensely from the more than fifty year tradition of analog excellence at IIT Madras, as well as the opportunity for cutting-edge industrial work at Texas Instruments India.

Ms. Shubhra Bhandari, HR Director, Texas Instruments India said Texas Instruments India and IIT Madras MS programme is unique as it immerses the students in the world of Analog innovation.

It provides access to the academic proficiency of IIT-Madras alongside industry experience at Texas Instruments India.

Ms. Shubhra said individuals who complete this program offered by Texas Instruments India and IIT Madras are equipped with a solid understanding of Analog design and are able to take that knowledge to the forefront of innovation.

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It helps them solve complex design problems ranging from applications in electric vehicles, automated factories, intelligent homes, connected cars to health care devices, she said.

Analog Mixed Signal and RF VLSI are niche areas that not only require core competence in electronic circuit design, but also demand expertise in multiple areas of electrical engineering: from network theory to signal processing, and control engineering to electromagnetics.

AMS and RF design skills are in significant short-supply across the world, even as market surveys estimate the global semiconductor market to exceed USD 400 bn.

⮚ A three-year, full-time programme, with one year of classroom learning, followed by an internship at Texas Instruments India campus.

⮚ Full scholarship for students, sponsored by Texas Instruments.

⮚ Chance to learn during a two-year internship with Texas Instruments. A stipend will be provided for the same.

⮚ Opportunity to develop cutting edge technology and present it at an international forum.

⮚ The chance to secure employment at Texas Instruments after completion of the programme.

Texas Instruments India
Texas Instruments Incorporated (Nasdaq: TXN) is a global semiconductor company that designs, manufactures, tests and sells analog and embedded processing chips for markets such as industrial, automotive, personal electronics, communications equipment and enterprise systems.

Texas Instruments aspires to create a better world by making electronics more affordable through semiconductors is alive today, as each generation of innovation builds upon the last to make their technology smaller, more efficient, more reliable and more affordable – making it possible for semiconductors to go into electronics everywhere.

Designed to monitor the freshness of seafood in real-time by responding to pH changes, the film offers a practical solution for improving food safety and reducing waste.

This film detects the release of volatile amines, compounds typically associated with spoilage, and indicates food quality through visible color changes, say sources from NIT Rourkela.

These natural components make the film biodegradable, safe, and responsive, aligning with sustainability goals and offering a non-invasive way to assess seafood freshness.

Findings

The findings of this research have been published in the journal Food Packaging and Shelf Life in a paper co-authored by Prof. Preetam Sarkar (as the lead corresponding author), along with his research scholars, Mr. Rahul Thakur, Miss Harshi Singhi, Mr. Vedsagar Rajesh Suryavanshi, and Dr. Ravichandran Santhosh.

Other co-authors in this work include Dr. Khalid Gul from NIT Rourkela, Dr. Swarup Roy from Lovely Professional University, Dr. Srinivas Janaswamy from South Dakota State University, Brookings, USA and Dr. Kirtiraj K. Gaikwad from IIT Roorkee.

Fishing

India is the world’s second-largest fish-producing nation, contributing approximately 8% of global fish production, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

It also holds the distinction of being the top five producer of shrimp globally, with frozen shrimp being the top export commodity.

Given the scale and importance of seafood production, innovations that ensure freshness and reduce spoilage are of immense value, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

In this context, intelligent packaging systems, which preserve food while monitoring its quality, are rapidly gaining global interest.

Unlike conventional packaging that serves merely as a protective barrier, the intelligent packaging film developed by NIT Rourkela team offers visual cues about the product’s condition, making it a promising solution for enhancing food safety and reducing waste.

The beetroot peel extract was prepared separately, and then combined with the starch, gum tragacanth, and a small amount of glycerol to cast the films.

These were dried and tested for their pH-sensitivity and effectiveness in monitoring seafood freshness, said Prof Preetam of NIT Rourkela.

Pigments

Beetroot peels contain betalains, a group of pigments known for their bright colours and pH sensitivity, say NIT Rourkela researchers.

These pigments also offer antioxidant and antimicrobial benefits, making them suitable for food-related applications.

Incorporating these natural compounds into the starch-based film creates a biodegradable, safe, and responsive packaging material.

When the seafood begins to spoil and pH levels rise, the film changes colour, providing a clear visual indicator of freshness.

Starch

The choice of Kodo millet starch and gum tragacanth contributes to the film’s biodegradable and eco-friendly profile.

Kodo millet is an underutilised grain with excellent film-forming properties, while gum tragacanth enhances the mechanical strength and flexibility of the material.

The researchers believe that using such agricultural by-products not only supports sustainability but also adds value to food processing waste, such as beetroot peels.

At the laboratory scale, the cost of producing the film was estimated approximately Rs. 900 per kilogram.

When scaled up for industrial production, the cost is projected to range between Rs. 400 and Rs. 600 per kilogram, making it a potentially viable option for commercial use.

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