Recent #innovation news in the semiconductor industry
➀ A team from Hochschule Kaiserslautern and ENSISA Mulhouse won the Trinatronics competition with "HelpFix," a low-cost robot guide dog that uses natural language processing and autonomous navigation to assist visually impaired individuals;
➁ Developed in 7 months under €500 via agile methods, the project combined mechatronics expertise from German and French universities;
➂ Competing against innovations like AI-powered hockey trainers and water-quality drones, HelpFix claimed the top prize (€1,500), with plans to explore open-source or commercialization pathways.
➀ The Silicon Science Award 2025, organized by CiS e.V. and CiS Forschungsinstitut, extends its submission deadline to June 30, 2025, inviting applications for bachelor's, master's, and doctoral theses in silicon-based microsystems, optoelectronics, and quantum technologies;
➁ The award recognizes innovative research with criteria including scientific impact, originality, and economic potential, aiming to address societal challenges like climate protection and resource efficiency;
➂ Winners will be announced at the WaferBond‘25 conference in Chemnitz on December 3, 2025.
➀ A self-taught engineer discovered melted chocolate in his pocket while working on magnetrons, leading to the invention of the microwave oven;
➁ This accidental observation helped his company (where he was the third employee) grow to $80 billion in annual revenue;
➂ The story emphasizes finding valuable insights in unexpected occurrences.
➀ Fraunhofer IDMT and Silberform AG unveil an acoustic cleaning technology using mechanical vibrations to remove dust from PV modules without water or abrasion, addressing up to 20% energy loss caused by surface contamination;
➁ The method targets arid regions with water scarcity, highlighting sustainability and low maintenance, with a global PV cleaning market projected to reach $1.85 billion by 2033;
➂ Funded by Germany's BMWK until 2027, the AkSoRe project combines simulation models and algorithms to optimize vibration parameters, demonstrated live at Intersolar Europe 2025.
➀ Researchers at Fraunhofer ILT and RWTH Aachen are using synchrotron radiation to observe welding processes in detail, in real-time. This research aims to visualize steam bubbles, molten movement, and defects, optimizing battery and microelectronics production.
➁ The interdisciplinary team 'Laser Meets Synchrotron' at DESY focuses on fundamental scientific questions leading to industrial innovations. The team conducts 700 experiments in seven days to improve material properties and processes.
➂ Synchrotron radiation allows for high-resolution visualization of material structures and dynamic processes, enabling precise analysis for industrial innovation and optimization of welding processes in high-performance batteries and other critical components.
➀ A new diagnostic method, 3D-KM-KMRT, is being used to detect SCAI in patients after Fallot's correction without invasive catheter procedures.
➁ Dr. Sophia Klehs and her team are conducting a study to evaluate the frequency and formation of SCAI in around 500 patients.
➂ The research project has been awarded the Gerd Killian Project Funding of the German Heart Foundation with around 60,000 euros.
➀ Electronic Design’s editors bring back the latest innovative products from the IEEE’s APEC 2025 conference;
➁ Highlighting disruptive technologies and significant industry news;
➂ A special edition of PowerBites covers the event in detail.
➀ The 45th Symposium on VLSI Technology & Circuits will be held in Kyoto, Japan from June 8-12, 2025;
➁ Topics include DRAM technology innovation, VLSI for AI growth, and challenges in semiconductor design technologies;
➂ The program features joint focus sessions, short courses, and panel discussions on sustainability and education.
NTT has developed the world's first lightning triggering and guidance system using drones, aiming to protect cities and infrastructure from lightning damage. The system has successfully undergone trials and is expected to be installed in key locations to prevent damage. NTT's drones are equipped with lightning-resistant cages and have demonstrated the ability to intercept lightning safely.
➀ This article is for registered users only. Registration is quick - simply click below, or login if you are already registered.
➁ The article features a picture of the day: a holographic microscope named ELVIS, which stands for Extant Life Volumetric Imaging System.
➂ The system utilizes holographic technology to provide detailed 3D views of cells and microbes, enhancing the accuracy of biological studies.
The Minister for Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia, Ina Brandes, visited the 'Lab-on-Tour' science truck at the Hamm-Lippstadt University of Applied Sciences (HSHL) campus on April 16, 2025. The 'Lab-on-Tour' is part of the 'Digitalise_SWF' project started in 2023, funded by the Federal-State Initiative 'Innovative University'. Minister Brandes gained insights into the activities of the transfer project and experienced virtual reality and driving simulations in the truck.
Brandes emphasized the importance of nurturing young talents in MINT subjects and the role of the science truck in engaging students in mathematics, informatics, natural sciences, and technology. The project aims to strengthen digitalization skills in the region and benefit small and medium-sized enterprises.
During the visit, the focus was on virtual and augmented reality in product development and connected mobility, showcasing a virtual industrial environment and a driving simulator.