IIIT Hyderabad opens FabLab to boost semiconductor and biosensor research

The International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad (IIIT-H) has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Microfabrication and Semiconductor Characterisation Laboratory, also known as the “FabLab,” on its campus. Funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) scheme, the facility is poised to play a pivotal role in advancing India’s indigenous semiconductor and biosensor capabilities.

The lab was officially inaugurated by Prof. P.J. Narayanan, Director of IIIT Hyderabad, and will support the institute’s research into biosensors and bio-actuators for healthcare applications. In addition to helping internal projects, the FabLab is envisioned as a shared resource for researchers and institutions in the region.

The microfabrication suite features tools such as UV lithography units, spin coaters, sputtering systems, and vacuum chambers essential for producing high-precision devices. For material characterisation, it includes a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS), and optical profilometers that enable in-depth surface and composition analysis.

In a notable expansion of capabilities, the facility also houses advanced semiconductor IC characterisation instruments. These include a probe station, Vector Network Analyser (VNA), Vector Signal Generator (VSG), signal analyser, and oscilloscope, supporting testing in the millimetre wave (mmWave) frequency range, a critical domain for emerging wireless technologies.

Dr. Aftab Hussain, the principal coordinator of the PURSE grant at IIIT-H, emphasised the lab’s importance in building technical capacity. “This facility marks a significant leap for material science and VLSI research at IIITH. It also opens doors for regional collaboration, giving access to researchers and startups in the semiconductor domain,” he said. “One of our core goals is to contribute to India’s efforts in reducing reliance on chip imports by training skilled manpower.”

The institute plans to begin offering workshops, certification programs, and hands-on training sessions for students, researchers, and industry professionals. These efforts aim to strengthen India’s domestic semiconductor ecosystem by aligning academic research with real-world fabrication and testing needs.