Project description
Bringing light to microelectronics
Silicon’s inability to emit light is a roadblock in microelectronics, impacting microprocessor communication speeds and contributing to bulky display designs, especially in augmented reality (AR) applications. In this context, the EU-funded iSMILE project aims to integrate microelectronics with microphotonics. Led by QubeDot, the initiative will establish a European-based Gallium Nitride (GaN) cleanroom, reducing reliance on non-European manufacturers. The first product will be customised microLED modules for AR glasses, with plans to create the world’s first GaN foundry, enabling broader access to this technology. By producing high-precision microLED displays locally, QubeDot envisions becoming Europe’s most versatile GaN microLED foundry, driving innovation and economic growth in the microLED sector.
Objective
Today´s microelectronics is suffering from the fact that silicon cannot emit light. Otherwise, technological road blockers like the communication bottleneck of microprocessors or like bulky displays hindering the rocket start of augmented reality could easily be overcome.
The EIC accelerator project i`SMILE will bring light to microelectronics. Our goal is to be an enabler for a natural integration of microelectronics with microphotonics. I`SMILE will establish a GaN cleanroom in order to be completely independent from non-European manufacturers. Customized microLED modules for AR-glasses will be a first product. Beyond that, i`SMILE will be the basis for establishing the worldwide first GaN foundry, making GaN technology fully accessible to European innovators, leading to a “democratisation of microLED technology”. Much like TSMC from Taiwan who is now the world´s largest foundry for silicon CMOS technology, we dream of QubeDot developing into the “TSMC for GaN” in the future.
After completion of the project, QubeDot will be able to produce microLED displays and customer-specific microLEDs with the highest precision within its own clean room environment using ISO9001 certified process flows. With single-shift utilization, the pilot line will be able to generate an output translating into potential annual sales of up to 25 M€, with an estimated margin of 30+%.
While other very large companies do not adapt their production processes for medium-size batches, QubeDot has understood the interaction of essential parameters in the processing of GaN through intensive research and development work. This enables the production of a wide variety of microLED architectures in terms of quantity, size, shape, emission color and package.
While other very large companies depend on semiconductor manufacturers with production sites especially in Asia, or are themselves manufacturing in Asia, QubeDot produces in Europe - at competitive conditions.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- engineering and technology electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering electronic engineering computer hardware computer processors
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC-ACC-BF - HORIZON EIC Accelerator Blended Finance
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2023-ACCELERATOR-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
38100 Braunschweig
Germany
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.