Recent #HPC news in the semiconductor industry

about 2 months ago

➀ The Fraunhofer IZM-ASSID, part of the QSolid project with 24 German institutions, is developing a quantum computer using superconducting qubits to reduce error rates, employing an interposer to optimize connections between qubits and control electronics;

➁ The 20x15mm interposer enables over 10,000 ultra-thin wirings and thermally decouples the quantum chip, with ongoing tests to scale its size for higher wiring densities;

➂ Funded by €76.3 million from the German government, QSolid aims to strengthen Germany’s quantum computing competitiveness, targeting industrial applications in chemistry, materials science, and healthcare by 2026.

3D ICHPCsemiconductor
about 2 months ago

➀ A research consortium led by the University of Duisburg-Essen (UDE), TU Ilmenau, and eemagine Medical Imaging Solutions GmbH won second place in the DLR Challenge Industry for their innovative dry EEG system, designed to monitor astronauts' mental health and aid neurological diagnostics.

➁ The EEG technology uses novel dry electrode sensors, tested successfully in parabolic flights, to enable real-time stress management and address mental health challenges in extreme environments like space missions or Antarctic research stations.

➂ The consortium aims to advance neurodiagnostics for long-term space missions and clinical neurology, emphasizing user-friendly design and automated mental-state recognition for broader applications in healthcare and aerospace.

AIHPCsemiconductor
about 2 months ago

➀ Microelectronics focuses on designing and fabricating miniature electronic components and integrated circuits (ICs) enabling modern systems like AI accelerators, EVs, and IoT devices;

➁ Key processes include photolithography, materials innovation (Si, GaN, SiC), and trends like heterogeneous integration and advanced packaging to overcome Moore's Law limitations;

➂ Industry challenges include rising fab costs, supply-chain resilience, and talent gaps, with future advancements expected in chiplet ecosystems and wide-bandgap semiconductor scaling.

EDAHPCsemiconductor
about 2 months ago

➀ The article compares energy generation costs per MWh across various sources, highlighting gas ($30-$75/MWh for existing plants, up to $110 with construction), coal ($70-$170), and nuclear ($140-$220);

➁ Renewable sources like onshore wind ($40-$86) and utility-scale solar ($78) are more cost-effective, while offshore wind ($70-$157) and nuclear projects like Vogtle 3-4 ($169-$228) face higher costs;

➂ Single-cycle gas plants remain expensive but critical for peak demand due to quick activation capabilities.

CoolingHPCsemiconductor
about 2 months ago

➀ The ROBDEKON Competence Center, focused on robotics for decontamination in hostile environments, was formally established as a nonprofit association (ROBDEKON e.V.) to ensure long-term innovation and collaboration with industrial partners;

➁ The association serves as a platform for research, training, and knowledge exchange in AI-based robotic systems, with applications extending to civil safety, agriculture, and construction;

➂ Members gain access to leading research institutions and influence the direction of R&D, while the center also aligns with Germany’s Robotics Institute to advance large-scale autonomous robotics technologies.

AIHPCautomotive
about 2 months ago

➀ Researchers from Bielefeld University and international institutions highlight key differences in how humans and AI systems generalize knowledge;

➀ The study underscores the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between cognitive science and AI to align AI's generalization methods with human reasoning;

➂ The SAIL project, funded by North Rhine-Westphalia, aims to develop sustainable and human-centered AI systems through a shared conceptual framework.

AIHPCSoftware
about 2 months ago

➀ The Niedersachsen-Technikum 2025/26 cohort began with a hiking event in Osnabrück, attended by 41 participants and representatives from universities, companies, and ministries;

➁ The program combines internships and academic studies to empower women in STEM, with 90% of graduates pursuing STEM careers;

➂ Funded by government and private partners, the initiative highlights commitment to fostering gender diversity in technical fields.

HPCUniversityeducation
about 2 months ago

➀ Q2 Data Centre Physical Infrastructure (DCPI) market revenue surged 18% YoY to $8.9 billion, marking the third consecutive quarter of high-teens growth;

➁ Hyperscalers and colocation providers drove demand, with Direct Liquid Cooling (DLC) growing 156% YoY, becoming mainstream for AI clusters, while power distribution and UPS systems also saw significant growth;

➂ North America led regional growth, and vendors like Vertiv and cooling specialists like Munters benefited from the AI-driven infrastructure expansion.

AICoolingHPC
about 2 months ago

➀ Chinese researchers developed a prototype DNA-based storage system mimicking magnetic tape, achieving theoretical petabyte/km density but currently limited to 156KB/hour speeds;

➁ The system uses barcode-addressed polyester-nylon tape with ZIF-protected DNA payloads, claiming 300+ year shelf life at room temperature;

➂ Despite automated cartridge loading and addressing capabilities, commercial viability remains hampered by slow DNA synthesis/sequencing bottlenecks.

HPCmemorystorage
about 2 months ago

➀ The Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems Magdeburg will participate in Explore Science Magdeburg 2025, offering hands-on experiments in biotechnology and energy conversion for youth;

➁ The event, organized by the Klaus Tschira Stiftung and Magdeburg, aims to spark STEM interest through interactive workshops, microscopy activities, and fuel cell demonstrations;

➂ Focus areas include sustainable energy solutions, biotechnological research, and fostering collaboration between scientific institutions and schools.

HPCMicrochipsemiconductor
about 2 months ago

➀ The Carl Zeiss Foundation funds two projects at TH Bingen: one focuses on reducing laser-plasma instabilities to improve fusion energy efficiency, and the other enhances Requirements Engineering for software development to ensure error-free outcomes;

➁ The fusion research aims to overcome key challenges in developing sustainable, CO2-free fusion power plants, while the software project emphasizes automated analysis and clear requirement documentation;

➂ Both initiatives align with TH Bingen's practical research ethos, with students actively participating, and applications for the 2025/26 academic year are open until September 15, 2025.

HPCResearch projectsSoftware
about 2 months ago

➀ Caroline O'Brien becomes CEO of CSA Catapult, focusing on commercializing UK semiconductor technology;

➁ ARM introduces a new system-level licensing approach for mobile IP, enhancing its market strategy;

➂ NOAA deploys autonomous sailing robots by Oshen for hurricane research, while Australia's first operational satellite, ElaraSat, is confirmed operational after SpaceX launch.

ArmHPC
about 2 months ago

➀ Spectrum Instrumentation launched the DN6.33x family of multichannel GHz digitizers, offering up to 12 channels at 5–10 GS/s with 12-bit resolution for high-precision signal capture;

➁ The series features synchronized inputs, flexible memory configurations (up to 800 ms), and software tools like SBench 6 and SDKs for seamless integration into automated test systems;

➂ Designed for aerospace, semiconductor testing, and research, these digitizers enable time-correlated measurements in complex, multi-signal environments.

HPCsemiconductor
about 2 months ago

➀ In-Circuit Emulation (ICE) emerged as a breakthrough in semiconductor verification, enabling 1,000x faster testing than traditional HDL simulations through FPGA-based hardware platforms;

➁ Early ICE faced limitations with rigid speed adapters and non-deterministic debugging, prompting a shift to virtual transaction-based verification by the 2000s for improved flexibility and software co-verification;

➂ Modern 3rd-gen speed adapters integrate real PHY layers, 100Gbps bandwidth, and multi-user deployment, bridging functional and system-level validation for complex SoCs.

EDASoCHPC
about 2 months ago

➀ Fraunhofer IZM and Akhetonics collaborate on the SPOC project to develop an all-optical quantum processor using advanced packaging technologies like thin-glass interposers and photonic wire bonding;

➁ Optical processors leverage photons for higher bandwidth, energy efficiency (up to 60x improvement), and scalability compared to traditional electronic systems;

➂ The SPOC project, funded by Investitionsbank Berlin, aims to deliver the first fully optical quantum processor by 2026 through iterative testing and hybrid material integration.

3D ICHPCsemiconductor
about 2 months ago

➀ Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign developed a modular quantum architecture that connects components like Lego bricks using coaxial cables;

➁ The system achieved 99% fidelity in SWAP gates, enabling scalable quantum computing with minimal signal loss;

➂ Modular design offers flexibility for upgrades, fault isolation, and reconfiguration without rebuilding entire processors.

ChipletHPCQuantum Computing
about 2 months ago

➀ Sundance Multiprocessor and Etion Create introduced the Cheetah Tactical Router, the first military-grade L2/3 switch/router for harsh environments like military vehicles;

➁ It supports the VNX+ standard, enabling cryptographic security, video processing, and diverse connectivity interfaces (Tactical Data Link, PoE, etc.);

➂ Samtec provides high-speed SEARAY connectors for the router, ensuring 56 Gbps performance, with customization available through Sundance.

HPCcybersecuritysemiconductor
about 2 months ago

➀ PI introduces a Nanopositioning & Micropositioning Essentials portfolio, offering fast delivery and volume discounts for OEMs in research, automation, and manufacturing;

➁ Key products include hexapods, precision actuators, and motorized stages for applications like microscopy, metrology, and laser processing;

➂ Highlights PI's expertise in high-precision motion control for industries such as semiconductors, photonics, and robotics, backed by technical support and scalable solutions.

HPCroboticssemiconductor
about 2 months ago

➀ HSBI and Stadtwerke Bielefeld collaborate on projects (ProSeCO and FlexLabQuartier) to enhance energy grid flexibility, integrating renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs) in the Sennestadt district;

➁ ProSeCO develops a probabilistic digital twin to optimize low-voltage grid management, while FlexLabQuartier promotes decarbonization by aligning EV charging with local solar power generation;

➂ The research emphasizes user-centric solutions, including app-based recommendations for sustainable energy use, to reduce CO2 emissions and ensure grid stability.

HPCSoftwareautomotive
about 2 months ago

➀ The OASES project developed an open AU-EU ecosystem for energy system modeling, integrating satellite-based infrastructure detection, AI-driven RE plant identification, and high-resolution time series data for renewable energy planning.

➀ Collaborators including Fraunhofer IEE, universities, and research institutions enhanced the IRENA FlexTool and conducted case studies in Africa, enabling low-threshold, open-source solutions for renewable energy integration and grid expansion analysis.

➂ The project validated its tools through workshops and case studies in Algeria and South Africa, promoting cross-sector collaboration and setting the stage for future integration into national energy strategies via follow-up funding programs.

AIHPCSoftware