imec – a world leader in semiconductor R&D – is joining forces with Purdue University for R&D on novel semiconductor materials, systems, and sustainable manufacturing. In addition, it has also forged a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the University of Michigan to jointly advance semiconductor technologies for the automotive industry.

As part of the collaboration agreements, imec will set up a physical presence in both locations to support smooth collaboration and enriched knowledge sharing – to the benefit of all parties.

Collaboration and internationalization have been the driving forces behind the chip industry’s gigantic strides forward. Particularly, imec, for over the past 40 years, has bridged the gap between universities and industry to drive semiconductor technologies and deep-tech innovations.

Meanwhile, imec wants to further complement its activities within the NeoCity ecosystem in Florida. Thus, it is taking the next steps in expanding its collaborations with academia in the United States to fuel the semiconductor innovation pipeline.

Pursue Novel Semiconductor Technologies

On the Purdue University campus, Flemish Minister President Jan Jambon and Purdue President Mung Chiang led the inauguration of the joint R&D lab. Here, imec and Purdue researchers will work together to develop and demonstrate novel semiconductor technologies. Thus, laying the foundation for the next wave of high-performance compute devices.  This knowledge will also seed innovation to make semiconductor technologies and systems more sustainable.

In parallel, the University of Michigan and imec agreed to perform joint research on semiconductor materials and system architectures. Particularly, it will benefit the automotive industry. Michigan’s longstanding expertise in both automotive and microelectronics research, as well as its location in the heart of the U.S. automotive ecosystem, makes it an ideal partner in this collaborative effort.

Investment in Global Collaboration

Luc Van den hove, CEO of imec said these collaboration agreements allow the states of Indiana and Michigan to tap into four decades of outstanding chip research. “Moreover, establishing a physical presence in both locations will allow imec to intensify collaboration and boost R&D. (Thus,) resulting in new insights that can benefit the entire semiconductor value chain.”

In addition, Luc Van den hove said, “These agreements underscore imec’s unwavering commitment to invest in global collaboration to accelerate innovation in our industry…we are thankful for the support of Governors Holcomb and Whitmer for these initiatives.”

Meanwhile, Mung Chiang, Purdue President said, “Built on the strength as a top-4 engineering college and patent-generating university in the U.S., Purdue is excited to be a leading university in semiconductors through Microelectronic Commons Hub, SCALE workforce consortium, US-Japan semiconductor alliance, and more. This partnership with imec will flourish as a strategically pivotal moment in the growing ecosystem of semiconductors in the heart of silicon heartland.”

On the other hand, Santa Ono, President of the University of Michigan, said, “The University of Michigan’s collaboration with imec brings the automotive and semiconductor industries together at an important time and place. To fulfill the most revolutionary promises of advanced mobility, we need to develop more reliable, energy efficient, and powerful semiconductor solutions tailored for tomorrow’s transportation.”