Context:

Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has launched “Centre of Excellence in Intelligent Internet of Things Sensors” and “India Innovation Centre for Graphene ” in Kerala. 

About the Centre of Excellence in Intelligent Internet of Things Sensors

• Establishment: It is a unique facility established at Makers Village Kochi by MeitY, Govt. of India (GoI) and Govt. of Kerala.
• Aim: To catalyze the development of sensors within the realm of Intelligent IoT systems covering a broad spectrum of applications of intelligent sensors in networks, devices and sensor systems. 

About India Innovation Centre for Graphene (IICG): India’s first Graphene Center

• Aim: To foster R&D, product innovation and capacity building in Graphene and 2D material systems. 
• Technical Partners: Digital University Kerala (DUK) and Centre for Materials for Electronics Technology (CMET)-Thrissur. 

About Graphene

• It is a one-atom-thick layer of carbon atoms that forms the building block of Graphite.
• Characteristics: It is the thinnest, most electrically and thermally conductive material globally.

Applications

• Food Packaging: Graphene polymers on food and drug packages will stop water and oxygen exchange for longer, keeping food and consumer goods fresher.
• Batteries: Using graphene, the useful life of batteries could be increased by 10, as well as charging in less time.
• Electricity: Graphene applied to electronic circuits would make devices ‘immune’ to dampness, one of the main causes of deterioration.
• Construction: The use of graphene applied to construction promises to improve the insulation of buildings.                                                                                                                                                         

News Source: PIB