Nobel Laureate Konstantin Novoselov met Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday to discuss opportunities for advanced materials research and innovation in the state. The meeting was also attended by Rajat Verma, CEO of Lohum, and the company’s Chief of Staff, Ayush Sabat.
The high-profile interaction focused on exploring ways to position Uttar Pradesh as a hub for advanced research and engineering. CM Adityanath welcomed the guests and highlighted the state’s supportive environment for investment, noting that global and national innovators are increasingly showing interest in Uttar Pradesh’s evolving industrial ecosystem.
Sharing the meeting on X, the Chief Minister wrote, “Had a warm and productive interaction with Nobel Laureate Prof. Konstantin Novoselov and discussed opportunities to strengthen advanced materials research and innovation in Uttar Pradesh.” He added that discussions with Lohum executives included their proposal to set up India’s first rare earth–to–magnet integrated facility in the state.
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The proposed facility aims to boost high-tech manufacturing in India, particularly in sectors linked to green energy and advanced materials. Discussions also covered potential collaborations to make Uttar Pradesh a leading centre for material science research and industrial applications.
Novoselov, who gained worldwide recognition for the discovery of graphene, is working with Lohum as a strategic advisor to apply advanced material science at an industrial scale, particularly in battery technology and the energy sector. The collaboration focuses on enhancing the capacity, safety, and lifespan of next-generation lithium-ion batteries using 2D materials like graphene, as well as developing advanced recycling systems for batteries and permanent magnets to recover critical minerals efficiently.
Officials noted that the partnership aligns with India’s “Make in India” initiative and green energy vision, reflecting a strategic push to combine cutting-edge research with sustainable industrial development in the country.
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