Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) has expanded its strategic collaboration with Applied Materials India Private Limited, a subsidiary of Applied Materials, Inc., to advance cutting-edge semiconductor research and workforce development.
As part of this collaboration, IIT Madras will deploy the foundational software framework of Applied Materials’ AppliedTwin platform — a sophisticated digital twin solution designed to model and optimise semiconductor manufacturing equipment and processes.
To initiate the deployment, a hands-on workshop on AppliedTwin was conducted at IIT Madras on October 23, 2025, drawing participation from more than 150 students and faculty members.
This development comes at a pivotal time, as IIT Madras, along with the Government of Tamil Nadu, establishes its own semiconductor fabrication (FAB) facility with integrated reliability and packaging capabilities. Before configuring these capabilities in physical systems, it is essential to understand the complex semiconductor process parameters that govern them thoroughly.
Addressing the workshop, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “The deployment of the foundational software of Applied Materials’ AppliedTwin framework will empower our faculty and students to accelerate concept creation, prototyping, testing, and process exploration virtually, thereby reducing R&D cost and time significantly. This initiative is a transformative step toward preparing an industry-ready workforce and aligns strongly with India’s semiconductor mission. By integrating advanced digital twin technologies into our curriculum and research, we aim to contribute significantly to the country’s goal of becoming a global hub for semiconductor design and manufacturing.”
Applied Materials’ AppliedTwin framework is a comprehensive digital twin solution aimed at transforming semiconductor manufacturing. The foundational software powering AppliedTwin™ is designed to foster collaboration and build an innovation network across suppliers, government, customers, and R&D institutions, supporting the development of India’s semiconductor ecosystem.
Further, Avi Avula, Country President, Applied Materials India, added, “This collaboration reflects our commitment to accelerate the development of a robust semiconductor ecosystem in the country. By deploying the foundational AppliedTwin framework, we are equipping future engineers and researchers with the tools to engage deeply with advanced semiconductor technologies. This initiative not only strengthens workforce development but also catalyses innovation through academia–industry collaborations that are essential for India’s semiconductor journey.”
The AppliedTwin software solution offered to IIT Madras includes:
1. ACE+, a comprehensive multi-physics, multi-scale modelling software for component, sub-system and chamber-level digital twins
2. TOPO+, a physics-driven feature-scale topography simulator used for building unit and integrated process digital twins.
Applied Materials’ general-purpose software suite, including ACE+ and TOPO+, will allow IIT Madras scholars to simulate semiconductor workflows in a fully virtual environment. This enables researchers to analyse real-world manufacturing behaviour, test hypotheses, and optimise designs long before physical implementation — saving both time and infrastructure cost.
The initiative is designed not only for IIT Madras scholars but also for students across institutions and MSMEs, who will be able to access the software through the IITM platform, through Swayam Plus. The collaboration is expected to catalyse curriculum development, enable AI-integrated modelling, and open avenues for joint research publications between IIT Madras faculty and Applied Materials teams.
The initiative has already drawn interest from departments such as Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering, which plan to embed AppliedTwin into their upcoming M.Tech program in semiconductors. With access to virtualised semiconductor process experimentation, students and researchers will gain hands-on understanding of real fabrication workflows even before India’s physical FAB infrastructure reaches full scale, ensuring that trained talent and process innovation grow in tandem.
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