IMEC
IMEC, founded in 1984, is a world-leading independent Research Institute in nanoelectronics and nanotechnology. Its research focuses on the next generations of chips and systems, and on the enabling technologies for ambient intelligence. IMEC’s research bridges the gap between fundamental research at universities and technology development in industry. With headquarters in Belgium, IMEC has research centers in the Netherlands (so called Holst Centre in collaboration with TNO), China, Taiwan, India, USA and Japan. Its staff of around 3500 people includes more than 700 industrial residents, visiting scientists & PhD students. Also, IMEC has ongoing collaboration with over 600 companies and over 200 universities.
At its Headquarters in Leuven, IMEC has 3 cleanrooms that run a semi-industrial operation, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, all year round. The 300mm pilot line is used for R&D on (sub-)22nm process technology. This line is being extended for the next-generation of 450mm wafers. A new biolab, new solar cell labs, and the Intel Exascience Lab have been opened. In the 200mm cleanroom, heterogeneous integration is being explored which supports manufacturing with added functionality, such as sensors, actuators, and MEMS and NEMS. This activity is called the CMORE offering. IMEC has an ISO9001 quality certification.
Research and Development at IMEC is organized under the following seven domains and platforms:
- Core CMOS: new processing technologies, materials, devices, and integration and design methods to create future chips and systems.
- Sensor technology: hyperspectral sensors and ion detectors
- Flexible technology: thin film electronics and displays on flexible substrates
- Networking: broad spectrum wireless networking chips
- Digital privacy and security: data encryption and cloud solutions
- Software and data management: machine learning and IoT
- Application domains: smart health, smart cities, smart industries, smart energy, smart mobility