We are delighted to announce that both the National Epitaxy Facility and Centre for Heterogeneous Integration of MicroElectronic and Semiconductor Systems Innovation and Knowledge Centre (CHIMES-IKC) have received new funding from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), as part of a £6.6million investment, which aims to bolster the UK’s core strengths in semiconductor innovation.
This investment builds on the UK government’s existing support for research, training, collaboration, and infrastructure, and contributes to the Digital and Technologies sector plan of the Industrial Strategy.
Speaking about the investment, Professor Jon Heffernan, Director of the National Epitaxy Facility, said: “This funding will directly support upgrades to our capabilities, helping us continue to provide cutting-edge epitaxial growth services to researchers and industry across the UK. By strengthening our facilities, we can accelerate advances in key areas such as compound semiconductors, photonics, and quantum technologies.”
Professor Chee Hing Tan, IKC Lead for Research Base, said:
“Microelectronic and Semiconductor Systems are key to enabling continuous growth in myriad applications and the UK National Technology Priorities, such as Artificial Intelligence, Future Communication Networks, Electrification of machines and transports, Defence and security, Healthcare, and Quantum Technology.
This funding will provide new equipment, which will facilitate research and development in Heterogeneous Integration, which aims to achieve game-changing performance, specialisation, and efficiency as semiconductor systems become more complex and achieve power efficiency and functionality that can no longer be achieved by using the traditional approach of shrinking transistors on a monolithic chip. It will also allow us to continue working with our partners such as the National Cyber Security Centre, Rolls-Royce, Seagate, BAE Systems, AMD, Keysight, and Pragmatic.”
Working with our partners, we look forward to continuing to put Sheffield on the map for the future of world-class semiconductor research, innovation, and development.