➀ ESMC, a joint venture between TSMC, Bosch, Infineon, and NXP, has started construction on its first fab in Dresden, with the EU approving a €5 billion subsidy from the German government for the €10 billion project. ➁ The facility, when operational, will produce 40,000 300mm wafers monthly using TSMC's 28/22nm planar CMOS and 16/12nm FinFET technologies, creating around 2,000 direct jobs and stimulating numerous indirect jobs. ➂ The project aims to be environmentally friendly, including energy-efficient construction and water reclamation, with plans to obtain LEED certification.

➀ The European Union has approved a 5 billion euro aid package from Germany for the establishment of a semiconductor manufacturing plant by ESMc in Dresden. ➁ This move is part of a broader strategy to boost Europe's semiconductor industry and reduce dependency on foreign suppliers. ➂ The plant is expected to start operations in 2024, significantly enhancing Europe's capacity in semiconductor production.

➀ TSMC held a groundbreaking ceremony for its German plant, marking its first manufacturing expansion into Europe. ➁ The German government has committed to subsidizing half of the construction costs, approximately 5 billion euros. ➂ The plant is expected to start production by the end of 2027, targeting a monthly output of 40,000 12-inch wafers. ➃ The primary focus of the plant will be on mature processes of 28 and 22 nanometers, mainly for automotive chips. ➄ Challenges include finding sufficient local talent and navigating Germany's strong union traditions.

➀ Uncertainty about Intel's commitment to build advanced chip fabs in Magdeburg, Germany, has increased. ➁ The local government is preparing contingency plans in case Intel withdraws, but without Intel, the entire commercial/industrial zone could collapse. ➂ The local government has already invested millions in the project, and the withdrawal of Intel could leave them with a substantial financial burden.

❶ Germany has summoned the Chinese ambassador to protest a cyberattack by state-controlled Chinese cyber actors on the Federal Agency for Cartography and Geodesy (BKG) in 2021. ❷ The BKG, responsible for mapping and geodata in Germany, is crucial for state security and critical infrastructure providers. ❸ The German government has passed a draft law requiring large organizations in crucial industries to implement the European NIS 2 Directive, highlighting the vulnerability of the system.

1. Researchers from Germany, Italy, and the UK have developed new materials for on-chip energy harvesting compatible with CMOS chip production. 2. These materials, based on GeSn alloys, can convert low-grade heat below 80°C into electrical energy. 3. The goal is to integrate photonics, electronics, and thermoelectrics on a single silicon-based chip for enhanced performance and sustainability.