Helping researchers create the semiconductor chips of the future
The EU-funded INFRACHIP project has launched a showroom that offers access to over 100 sets of equipment and technologies for the sustainable development of semiconductor chips in 10 locations across Europe. The showroom is an effort to overcome high costs and other barriers preventing access to state-of-the-art technologies, and it is aimed at boosting innovation and prototype development. PhD students, researchers and SMEs have the opportunity to apply for free, EU-sponsored access to the showroom’s infrastructure, tools and know-how that can help them advance their research or develop a research prototype. INFRACHIP is now officially accepting applications for its transnational access calls, giving researchers the opportunity to access facilities located in European countries other than the one they are based in. Interested parties are invited to navigate the showroom and identify any tools or equipment that could help them further their research. Once an enquiry is sent, an interface team will help applicants decide on the tools and type of access most relevant to their particular work. Access to the platform can be remote or in-person, and it is funded entirely by the EU. A recent press release highlights the qualities of a winning application: “To be successful, applicants must prove their project can have an impact on the development of future semiconductor chips and tackle modern challenges.” INFRACHIP has set up a special reviewing committee of researchers who will be responsible for assessing each application.
Speeding up research
INFRACHIP is also sponsoring training courses several times a year to introduce PhD students and junior researchers to the available technologies they can later benefit from. The project’s Research Accelerator Programme focuses on nanoelectronics technology and nanofabrication and provides insight into how INFRACHIP technologies can be used to accelerate their own research. Participants are given tours of access provider facilities, attend lectures and have the opportunity to interact with local experts. An upcoming Research Accelerator Programme on ‘Advanced Ink Formulation and Printed Techniques for Emerging Flexible Electronics’ will be held at INFRACHIP project partner Hellenic Mediterranean University, Greece, from 22 to 24 May 2024. All costs for the 3-day training programme are covered by the EU, for up to eight applicants. The training will be divided into six modules. These cover an introduction to emerging flexible electronics (Module 1), ink formulation for flexible electronics and film preparation (Module 2), printing and coating techniques for flexible electronics (Module 3), and filament formation for 3D printing (Module 4). The final topics covered are advanced techniques for battery material fabrication and assessment (Module 5) and characterisation of solution-processed films and devices (Module 6). Through its platform, the INFRACHIP (European Research Infrastructure on Semiconductor Chips) project is helping to lower barriers to research and enhance skills in the field of semiconductors, in this way contributing to Europe’s twin digital and green transition. The project ends in December 2027. For more information, please see: INFRACHIP project website
Keywords
INFRACHIP, semiconductor, semiconductor chip, transnational access, research, researcher, electronics