The Indian Institute of Technology - Bombay on Thursday launched a laboratory, set up in association with Applied Materials Inc, a global supplier for manufacturing solutions for semi-conductor and solar industries.

The scope of the Applied Materials Chemistry Laboratory for Energy and Nanoelectronics (CLEAN) will include developing materials that could be used for electronic and renewable energy focused applications, such as next generation solar cells.

Under the first phase of collaboration, Applied Materials supplied equipment worth $7.5 million to IIT-B for a semiconductor fabrication facility. IIT-B director Devang Khakhar said, "CLEAN will begin a new phase of the collaboration in areas related to renewable energy."

"This is a great example of the kind of university and corporate collaboration that is helping to advance technology by enabling world-class research, innovation and workforce development," said Mike Splinter, chairman of the board of Applied Materials.

The inauguration marked the renewal of its five-year relationship, during which it endowed the institute with $12 million as research grants.

Officials said as part of the Indo-US collaboration in the sector, Applied Materials will work with the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). "Our unique collaboration will allow us to turn material inventions into innovations," said Omkaram Nalamasu, chief technology officer, Applied Materials.