News

The Directorate of Entrepreneurship and Innovation is thrilled to announce that the Hatchlab Research Centre (HRC), the Technology Business Incubator at SRM University-AP, has been chosen as the Implementation Agency for the “Gen-Next Support for Innovative Startups (GENESIS)” initiative. This decision, made by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India, marks a significant milestone for HRC and highlights its commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

The GENESIS scheme emerges as a strategic umbrella initiative by MeitY aimed at nurturing and supporting startup ecosystems in Tier II and Tier III cities across India. HRC is among the 50 selected implementation agencies tasked with facilitating this vision, backed by a total budgetary allocation of ₹490 crores. This funding will be instrumental in providing vital resources and infrastructure for startups, ensuring they have the necessary support to thrive in a competitive landscape.

Prof. Sidharth Shankar Tripathy, Director of Entrepreneurship & Innovation of SRM AP, said, ” This announcement is a tribute to the soaring entrepreneurial spirit that is visible among the students, faculty and even the staff of our young entrepreneurial university. What makes this achievement even more special is that it was announced at an appropriate juncture time when SRM University-AP had declared the academic year 2023-24 as the “Year of Entrepreneurship & Innovation.With this new responsibility, we look forward to contributing to the success of startups and innovators across India!”

The HRC’s selection comes at a fortuitous time, as SRM University-AP has declared the 2023-24 academic year to be the “Year of Entrepreneurship & Innovation.” This initiative aims to foster a culture of creativity and entrepreneurial spirit among students, providing them with the tools and support needed to transform their ideas into viable business ventures.

The GENESIS scheme is designed to enhance the startup ecosystem in smaller cities, enabling entrepreneurs outside of metropolitan areas to access essential services, mentorship, and funding opportunities. By selecting HRC as an implementation partner, MeitY acknowledges the centre’s potential to drive impactful change and support innovative startups in the region.

As HRC embarks on this new journey, it promises to create a robust framework that encourages collaboration, knowledge sharing, and the development of sustainable business models among emerging entrepreneurs. The centre will facilitate various programs, workshops, and resources designed to equip startups with the skills, network, and funding requisite for success.

With this prestigious recognition, SRM University-AP’s Hatchlab Research Centre is poised to play a pivotal role in transforming the entrepreneurial landscape, paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse startup ecosystem across the nation.

The Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, SRM University-AP, is pleased to announce that Assistant Professor Dr Durga Prakash has published a noteworthy research paper titled “A Novel LG=40 nm AlN-GDC-HEMT on SiC Wafer with fT/IDS,peak of 400 GHz/3.18 mA/mm for Future RF Power Amplifiers.” This accomplishment reflects Dr Durga Prakash’s expertise and dedication to advancing research in the field and further enriching the academic contributions of the varsity.

Abstract:

This study presents the initial RF/DC performance of innovative AlN/GaN/Graded-AlGaN/GaN double-channel HEMT (AlN-GDC-HEMT) on SiC wafer. Traditional AlGaN/GaN/Graded-AlGaN/GaN double-channel HEMTs (AlGaN-GDC-HEMT) and the AlN-GDC-HEMT are compared. Both devices form two quantum wells, resulting in prominent double peaks in transconductance and cut-off frequency graphs, demonstrating efficient inter-channel communication. AlN-GDC-HEMT and AlGaN-GDC-HEMT are compared based on gate recess length (LR) and top barrier thickness. Gate lengths (LG) are also used to study HEMT scaling. Additionally, gate engineering and lateral scaling affect both devices’ DC/RF behaviour. Based on rigorous comparison investigation, the AlN-GDC-HEMT outperforms the AlGaN-GDC-HEMT due to its higher polarization (spontaneous) density and larger bandgap. The optimized AlN-GDC-HEMT with LG = 40 nm, LGS = 250 nm, and LGD = 400 nm has high performance, with transconductance (GM) values of 203.1 and 787.5 mS/mm at two peaks, IDS_peak of 1.97 A/mm, IDS_sat of 3.18 A/mm, and the highest fT of 285.1 and 416.8 GHz from the left and right peaks First-stage results suggest AlN-GDC-HEMTs could be used in future RF power amplifiers.

Practical & Social Implications of the Research:

It can be concluded that the AlN-GDC-HEMT that has been proposed is extremely promising, as it possesses remarkable performance and is appealing for power microwave GaN-based HEMT production. This highlights the fact that it is suitable for a broad variety of high-performance applications.

Collaborations:

Department of ECE, Faculty of Science and Technology (IcfaiTech), ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education Hyderabad, Hyderabad-501203, India.

Future Research Plans:

Novel semiconductor device development

 

Ever wondered how the universe came into existence? The component with which matter and antimatter were formed? Dr Basabendu Barman, Assistant Professor at the Department of Physics, in his research paper, titled- Leptogenesis, Primordial Gravitational Waves, and PBH-induced Reheating delves into the truth of the formation of matter. Read this exciting paper featured in Physics Review D to learn more!

Abstract:

We explore the possibility of producing the observed matter-antimatter asymmetry of the Universe uniquely from the evaporation of primordial black holes (PBH) that are formed in an inflaton-dominated background. We show it is possible to obtain the desired baryon asymmetry via vanilla leptogenesis from evaporating PBHs of initial mass around 10g. We find that the allowed parameter space is heavily dependent on the shape of the inflaton potential during reheating, the energy density of PBHs, and the nature of the coupling between the inflaton and the Standard Model (SM). To complete the minimal gravitational framework, we also include in our analysis the gravitational leptogenesis set-up through inflaton scattering via exchange of graviton, which opens up an even larger window for PBH mass, depending on the background equation of state. We finally illustrate that such gravitational leptogenesis scenarios can be tested with upcoming gravitational wave (GW) detectors, courtesy of the blue-tilted primordial GW with inflationary origin, thus paving a way to probe a PBH-induced reheating together with leptogenesis.

Practical Implementations & Social Impact:

The first implication lies in the realm of intellect. The question, “Why is the Universe the way it is?” is profoundly significant and has likely intrigued humanity since the dawn of civilization. While technological advancements have allowed us to unravel many of the Universe’s mysteries, we have also come to realize that “what we know is a drop, and what we don’t know is an ocean.” As theoretical particle physicists, our role is to explore this vast ocean of the unknown—a pursuit for which we are rigorously trained. This underscores the vital importance of studying fundamental science. From a practical perspective, our study highlights the crucial role that experiments play in uncovering new knowledge. The synergy between theory and experiment, as we propose, could soon lead to groundbreaking discoveries—or, alternatively, our theory could be disproven if no evidence is found. Either way, it is essential to have advanced experimental facilities and more sensitive detectors to carry out these investigations. This, in turn, calls for increased funding and support for research in the field of high-energy physics.

Collaborations:

India (IIT: Guwahati, Kanpur, Hyderabad; IACS, Kolkata; IOP, Bhubaneswar).
Colombia (Universidad de Antioquia, Universidad de Santiago de Chile).
Abu Dhabi (New York University, Abu Dhabi).
Brazil (IIP, Natal).
Germany (Mainz Institute for Theoretical Physics [MITP], Mainz).
Poland (University of Warsaw).
Spain (Universidad Complutense,Madrid; IFIC, Valencia).
China (T D Lee Institute).
Korea (IBS, Daejeon; KIAS, Seoul; Kyungpook National University, Daegu).
Japan (Hokkaido Univeristy).
France (IJC Lab, Paris).
Sweden (KTH, Stockholm)
US (Washington University, St. Louis; University of Minnesota; Indiana University; University of Pittsburgh, University of Kentucky).

Future Plans:

A closer look into early universe dynamics by performing more involved simulations.Connection between particle physics models and early Universe cosmology.Complementary searches from different experiments in unravelling new physics beyond the Standard Model.

Link: https://journals.aps.org/prd/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevD.110.043528

 

In a groundbreaking development, Dr Rupesh Kumar, a Professor in the Department of Electronics and Communication Engineering, has been awarded a significant project titled “Mapping the Canopy of the Amazon Forest Using an Aerial Drone Platform Coupled with Radar Sensors.” The initiative, funded by the International Peruvian National Research Institute, boasts an impressive outlay of Rs. 1.11 Crores and is set to span over a two-year period.

The project is spearheaded by Principal Investigator Dr Mark Donny Clemente Arenas, an Associate Professor at the National Technological University of South Lima in Peru. This collaboration aims to enhance the understanding of the Amazon’s intricate canopy structure and promote conservation efforts through innovative technology.

In recognition of this notable achievement, SRM University-AP proudly congratulated Dr Kumar and highlighted the significant impact this project could have on environmental research and sustainability. The university’s support underscores its commitment to fostering research initiatives that address global challenges, encouraging faculty members to pursue innovative solutions through collaboration and the application of cutting-edge technology.

This initiative marks a significant milestone in international research collaboration, leveraging technology to address critical environmental challenges in one of the world’s most vital ecosystems.

A Brief Description of the Project

This project facilitates the mapping of the Amazon forest in Peru. An integrated approach of advanced sensors such as LiDAR, Millimeter-Wave Radar, Camera, etc. and UAV will achieve this.
This will help assess the Amazon forest’s health in real time by leveraging the ML/AI approaches.

Figure 1: Scheme for height estimation

Explanation of the Research in Layperson’s Terms

The plant/tree generally reflects radio waves and other signals, and this reflection depends on the density of the forest. If a suitable signal processing is applied to the reflected signals, it will provide insight information about the forest profile. Nevertheless, this will help in the quantification of land covered by trees, identifying the location of those trees. Consequently, the tree canopy assessments help in determining the amount and location of impervious cover.

Funding Agency and Amount Sanctioned

National Scientific Research and Advanced Studies Program (PROCIENCIA) of the National Council for Science, Technology and Technological Innovation (CONCYTEC), Peru.

In Spanish: “ Programa Nacional de Investigación Cientifica y Estudios Avanzados (PROCIENCIA), del Consejo Nacional de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación
Tecnológica (CONCYTEC), Perú”.

Practical Implementation of the Research or the Social Implications Associated with it

The proposed research work help will help in the assessment of deforestation as well as its impact on climate change and global warming. Not only this, but the research will also contribute to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050!

Collaborations

Universidad Nacional Tecnológica de Lima Sur
Collaborator: Prof. Mark Clement Arenas

Future Research Plans

In future, this work will be extended for infrastructure monitoring. With the boom in real estate, a continuous monitoring system is desired for proper maintenance.

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