The Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (C-MET), Thrissur, has developed low-cost microwave printed circuit boards. The boards are required in strategic applications such as space, defence, and atomic energy.
According to DNA, Dr NR Munirathnam, Director General, C-MET said that India still depends on imported sources for much advanced electronic hardware for strategic applications and this is one of the major steps in the indigenisation of electronic materials drive, especially for wireless communication sectors.
He added that many of these critical microwave materials fall under the embargo category because of international policies.
The cost savings of these localised microwave boards are humongous. India has been importing these microwave circuit boards from abroad at exorbitantly high cost ($250 per square feet). Now, the localised boards will cost as less as $80 per square feet, which is roughly one fourth of the cost. This will bring huge changes in the overall performance of the microwave circuit board industry and pave the way for many startup companies in the microwave circuit design area.
The availability of localised microwave circuit boards will enable Indian microwave companies to capture the commercial microwave circuit market globally.
Already the world seems to be showing interest. Recently, two US patents have been awarded to C-MET for this innovation.
