The Fraunhofer Institute for Layer and Surface Technology IST and Feng Chia University (FCU) are developing surface and production technology for optical and electrical systems. The cooperation aims to develop cross-industry technological solutions in the field of surface and production technology, with a focus on optical and electrical systems. The official opening of FIP-SPE@FCU took place on October 28, 2024, in Taiwan.
Recent #Research and Development news in the semiconductor industry
➀ ROBDEKON presented its technologies for autonomous decontamination robotics at the Robotics Innovation Center of the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) in Bremen. The focus was on the collaboration of autonomous systems, where different robots communicate with each other and complete complex decontamination tasks together. ➁ The technologies demonstrated included teleoperation, VR visualization, and assistance for construction machinery. ➂ The goal is to create an entirely automated decontamination process, where humans only provide the basic task and machines plan and execute the necessary work steps autonomously.
➀ A high-precision machining robot with a new hybrid drive train has been developed in Lower Saxony, Germany, to bridge the gap between industrial robots and machine tools. The robot excels in machining lightweight materials and metals up to steel with a production tolerance of up to 0.1 millimeter.➁ The robot's hybrid drive concept enhances dynamic behavior and allows for increased productivity and higher path accuracy.➂ The project is part of the Lower Saxony LuFo research initiative, aiming to advance industrial robotics and precision machining techniques.
➀ Prof. Dr. Bettina Just discusses the opportunities and challenges of quantum computing for small and medium-sized enterprises; ➁ The discussion focuses on why quantum computing is so fast and what it means for the Mittelstand; ➂ The need for close collaboration between science and industry is emphasized to successfully transfer quantum computing applications to the market.
➀ ZF Friedrichshafen, a German auto parts supplier, is withdrawing from its joint venture with Wolfspeed in Saarland, Germany, due to weak demand from EV makers. The original plan involved a $3 billion fab and an R&D center, with ZF paying $185 million for a stake in the project. The EU agreed to a €600 million subsidy for the investment. ➁ Wolfspeed is seeking new funding for the Saarland project, which was initially planned to begin running silicon in 2027. Construction was delayed until mid-2025. ➂ Wolfspeed is prioritizing its investments in its Marcy, New York fab, where it received $750 million under the US Chips Act and has a $6 billion budget for expanding its SiC fabs.
➀ Guangdong Province has issued an action plan to develop the optochip industry, aiming to break through more than 10 key technologies by 2030, creating over 10 'punch' products, nurturing over 10 world-class leading enterprises, and establishing around 10 national and provincial innovation platforms, thus forming a new千亿-level industrial cluster and becoming a globally influential optochip industry innovation hub.
➁ The plan focuses on key tasks such as the development of optochip key materials and equipment, including silicon photonic materials, compound semiconductor materials, and photoresists.
➂ The demand for optochips is strong, and domestic manufacturers are expected to enter the mainstream supply chain, with companies like Lumentum showing robust demand and the industry facing a shortage of InP laser diodes.
➀ The UKRI has announced 16 semiconductor projects receiving £11.5 million in government funding; ➁ The projects aim to scale up semiconductor manufacturing, improve supply chain resilience, and encourage collaboration between academia and industry; ➂ The funded projects cover a range of areas, including epitaxy, quantum dot sensors, photovoltaic components, and power devices.
➀ The U.S. Chips Act awards $5 million to 17 small businesses for metrology projects under the SBIR Programme; ➁ The funding aims to establish the merit, feasibility, and commercial potential of the proposed projects; ➂ The recipients include companies focused on high-speed cameras, EUV lithography, cryogenic systems, thermal analysis, and semiconductor fabrication equipment among others.
➀ Fraunhofer IKTS has established a unique R&D center for transparent ceramics in Hermsdorf, Thuringia, enhancing its capabilities in producing high-quality ceramic components. ➁ The center integrates advanced equipment for powder conditioning, shaping, heat treatment, and precision processing, enabling large-scale production and prototype development. ➂ With superior mechanical and optical properties, transparent ceramics are poised to offer significant competitive advantages in various industries including optics, medical technology, and aerospace.
1. The Berlin 6G Conference has started with a record number of participants, showcasing the current research status of the upcoming 6G mobile standard. 2. The conference highlights the collaboration between research and industry, emphasizing the significant advancements in 6G technology. 3. Demonstrators at the event illustrate the potential applications of 6G in healthcare, transportation, and industrial robotics, emphasizing real-time capabilities and data privacy.
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