Lack of Funds Will not Hinder Sensor Research: Top Official

KOCHI:
Lack of funding will not hinder research in key areas such as sensors, semiconductors and actuators, said Sunita Verma, Coordinator (R&D) of the Ministry of Electronics and IT Department, here today

Speaking after inaugurating a workshop on the concluding day of the International Workshop on Sensors and Actuators at Infopark here, Sunita Verma pointed out that a host of research projects in the field are already getting financial assistance from the Centre.

The central government will ensure financial assistance for research in the manufacture of sensors and semiconductors, which has been the focus in the manufacturing of electronic components during the last five years, she said

“Not only should we develop sensors, we must also develop electronic devices that use them so as to take the mission a step further. Sensors can make a meaningful difference in the daily lives of the common man, and not just in electronics,” Verma pointed out. “We can effectively utilise the potential of sensor technology in areas such as agriculture, air pollution and soil-testing.”

The workshop is jointly organized by Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET), Thrissur, Department of Chemistry of the University of Calicut and Electronic Industries Association of India (ELCINA) in association with Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Intelligent IoT Sensors and India Innovation Centre for Graphene.

Others at today’s session included C-MET Thrissur Center Head Dr S. Rajesh Kumar, scientist Dr. A Seema, IIITM-K Director Prof Alex James, IIOT Center of Excellence CEO Rijin John and ELCINA deputy director Sandeep Saxena.

Experts from various scientific disciplines related to the domains of sensors and actuators made presentations. A panel discussion was also held on the ‘Future of Sensors and Actuators’.

The speakers included Professors Sushabhan Sadhukhan and Mintu Porel from IIT-Palakkad, Dr Rajeev Joshi from Central University of Karnataka, Dr Imanuddin from Aligarh University, Dr Jose Gabriel Martinez and Prof Edwin Jager from Limkoping University (Sweden), Dr Jose Joseph from IIITM-K, Dr Shyam Chaudhary from Tata Steel, Ramaswamy Narayanan, Director of SFO Technologies, Dr Bhagyashri B from C-MET Thrissur, Dr. Vinayak V Kamble, PAQS MD A. Vaidyanathan, OEN MD Pamela Anna Mathew and Prof Shaheen T of University of Calicut.

An exhibition of products/technologies was also put up as part of the event.