Dr. Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, has inaugurated the indigenously developed Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) system and the Research Entrepreneurship for Translation, Innovation and NAvigation (RETINA) incubation centre at the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) in Kolkata. This launch coincided with the landmark 150th anniversary celebrations of IACS, which is recognized as Asia’s oldest research institution and the birthplace of the historic Raman Effect. The PECVD system marks a significant milestone in India’s clean energy goals, being the first completely indigenous technology developed to fabricate amorphous silicon solar cells.
India’s First Indigenous Solar Fabrication Technology: The PECVD System
The newly inaugurated Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) system is a landmark achievement in India’s solar technology landscape. PECVD is an advanced chemical process used to deposit thin films from a gas state to a solid state on a substrate at lower temperatures compared to standard chemical vapor deposition methods. By utilizing chemical reactions stimulated by a plasma discharge, the PECVD system enables precise deposition of thin layers of amorphous silicon on glass or flexible substrates, which is the foundational step in fabricating amorphous silicon (a-Si) solar cells.
Amorphous silicon solar cells represent a critical branch of thin-film solar technology. Unlike conventional crystalline silicon solar cells that require thick wafers of high-purity silicon, amorphous silicon cells use thin layers of silicon, making them more flexible, lightweight, and cost-effective to produce. This indigenous system was developed under the leadership of Professor Ashok Kumar Barua, a pioneer in the field of condensed matter physics who spearheaded India’s early research in thin-film solar technology at the institute. The successful design and construction of this PECVD system signify India’s ability to develop advanced capital equipment locally, boosting the Make in India initiative and reducing dependence on foreign imports for solar manufacturing tools.
Fostering Deep-Tech Innovation: The RETINA Incubation Centre
The Research Entrepreneurship for Translation, Innovation and NAvigation (RETINA) incubation centre is set to become a vital hub for scientific entrepreneurship. The primary objective of RETINA is to bridge the gap between laboratory research and commercial markets. By offering incubation support, mentoring, and access to advanced research facilities, the centre aims to help young innovators transform complex scientific discoveries into commercial products and technologies.
RETINA focuses on supporting early-stage startups working in deep-tech fields such as material sciences, nanotechnology, and renewable energy. During the inauguration, the Minister emphasized that RETINA will foster a culture of research-driven entrepreneurship, aligning with the national target of achieving scientific self-reliance. This incubation facility will provide essential resources, including seed funding opportunities and business advisory services, to ensure that young Indian scientists can build viable businesses based on local innovation.
Celebrating 150 Years of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science
The inauguration of the PECVD system and the RETINA centre coincided with the historic 150th anniversary celebrations of the Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS). Established in 1876 by the visionary physician Dr. Mahendralal Sircar, IACS is recognized as Asia’s oldest active research institution. The institute was founded with the primary objective of enabling Indian scientists to carry out independent, high-quality research in the physical and biological sciences.
Over the last century and a half, IACS has evolved into a premier centre for fundamental and applied scientific research. It operates as an autonomous institution funded by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. In 2018, IACS was declared a Deemed to be University under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956, allowing it to offer formal academic degrees alongside its advanced research programs. Located in Jadavpur, Kolkata, the campus continues to serve as a national landmark for academic excellence and scientific discovery.
The Legacy of Sir C.V. Raman and the Raman Effect
IACS holds a legendary place in the history of global science as the birthplace of the Raman Effect. The eminent physicist Sir Chandrasekhara Venkata Raman carried out his groundbreaking research at the IACS laboratories in Kolkata between 1907 and 1933. It was here, on February 28, 1928, that he discovered the phenomenon of inelastic scattering of light, which occurs when a photon collides with a molecule and changes its energy level and direction.
This discovery, widely known as the Raman Effect, proved that light changes its frequency when passing through a transparent material. For this monumental work, CV Raman was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930, becoming the first Indian and the first Asian to receive a Nobel Prize in any scientific discipline. To honor this historic scientific breakthrough, India celebrates National Science Day annually on February 28, highlighting the institute’s lasting contributions to global physics and research.
Key Takeaways
- Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh inaugurated the indigenous Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition (PECVD) system and the RETINA incubation centre at the IACS campus in Kolkata.
- The PECVD system is India’s first completely indigenous technology developed to fabricate amorphous silicon solar cells.
- The RETINA incubation centre, which stands for Research Entrepreneurship for Translation, Innovation and NAvigation, aims to support deep-tech startups and commercialize scientific research.
- The Indian Association for the Cultivation of Science (IACS) was founded in 1876 by Dr. Mahendralal Sircar and is Asia’s oldest research institution.
- In 2018, IACS was declared a Deemed to be University under Section 3 of the University Grants Commission (UGC) Act, 1956.
- The IACS campus is the birthplace of the Raman Effect, discovered by Sir C.V. Raman on February 28, 1928, which earned him the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930.
