The Union Cabinet today approved the establishment of a National Centre for Molecular Materials (NCMM) at Thiruvananthapuram in Kerala as an autonomous institute of the Government of India under the Department of Science & Technology. This will be set up at a total cost of Rs. 76.7 crore with an outlay of Rs. 14.55 crore for the Eleventh Plan Period. The Centre will be located on 40 acres of land provided by the State Government, free of cost.AIR correspondent reports the Centre will be the first of its kind in the country and will pursue high-end science and develop technology in niche areas like sensors for biomedical devices, materials for solar energy harvesting and space electronics. Through the Centre, the Government attempts to create a national innovation infrastructure that channels knowledge systems to wealth creation in the long run.