NE SCIENCE & TECH BUREAU
CHENNAI, OCT 23
In a landmark move that strengthens India’s semiconductor ambitions, the Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has deepened its strategic collaboration with Applied Materials India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of Applied Materials, Inc., to advance semiconductor research, innovation, and skill development.
In a significant milestone, @iitmadras has strengthened its partnership with Applied Materials India to accelerate semiconductor innovation and build a future-ready workforce. As part of this expanded collaboration, IIT Madras will deploy the foundational software framework of… pic.twitter.com/zrdBELOlXb
— IIT Madras (@iitmadras) October 23, 2025
The partnership will see IIT Madras deploy the AppliedTwin™ digital framework — an advanced digital twin platform that virtually models and optimizes semiconductor manufacturing systems, enabling faster, more cost-effective R&D and process innovation.
- Collaboration deploys AppliedTwin™ Digital Framework to virtually model, design, and optimize chip manufacturing processes
- Academia–Industry synergy to create a future-ready workforce, cut R&D costs, and accelerate India’s journey to semiconductor self-reliance
Accelerating the Chip Revolution Through Digital Twins
The initiative was formally launched with a hands-on workshop at IIT Madras on October 23, 2025, attended by over 150 students and faculty members.
Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “The deployment of the foundational software of Applied Materials’ AppliedTwin™ framework will empower our faculty and students to accelerate concept creation, prototyping, and testing virtually — significantly reducing R&D cost and time. This is a transformative step toward creating an industry-ready workforce and aligns strongly with India’s semiconductor mission.”
The AppliedTwin™ platform integrates digital simulation, AI, and data-driven modeling to create real-time virtual representations of complex semiconductor fabrication processes. It bridges the gap between academia and industry by offering researchers, startups, and MSMEs access to world-class process modeling tools through IITM’s Swayam Plus platform.
Avi Avula, Country President, Applied Materials India, remarked, “This collaboration reflects our commitment to building a robust semiconductor ecosystem in India. By equipping students and researchers with the AppliedTwin™ framework, we are not only nurturing talent but also sparking innovation through academia–industry collaboration essential for India’s semiconductor journey.”
Empowering Research, Innovation, and Skill Development
The AppliedTwin™ software suite offered to IIT Madras includes:
- ACE+ – A multi-physics, multi-scale modeling tool for component and subsystem-level simulations.
- TOPO+ – A feature-scale topography simulator for process and unit-level digital twins.
These tools will allow IIT Madras scholars to virtually simulate semiconductor workflows, analyze process behavior, and optimize designs before physical implementation — cutting down infrastructure costs and accelerating innovation cycles.
The initiative has already sparked interest from key departments like Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering, which plan to integrate AppliedTwin™ into their upcoming M.Tech program in Semiconductors. This ensures students gain hands-on virtual experience in chip design and fabrication workflows, complementing India’s growing physical FAB infrastructure.
By connecting academia, industry, and innovation, the IIT Madras–Applied Materials partnership stands as a model for how India can blend intellectual capital with industrial expertise — powering the nation’s vision to emerge as a global semiconductor powerhouse.
