STMicroelectronics, in collaboration with the A*STAR Institute of Microelectronics (A*STAR IME) and ULVAC Technologies, Inc., has announced the expansion of its Lab-in-Fab (LiF) in Singapore.

Specifically, the expansion includes projects with Singapore’s A*STAR Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (A*STAR IMRE) and the National University of Singapore (NUS).

Advances Piezoelectric MEMS

The latest expansion of the LiF announced last week at the sidelines of Semicon Southeast Asia 2025 aims to contribute to advancing environmentally friendly lead-free piezoelectric materials. At the same time, enabling miniaturized, cost-effective sensors and actuators.

Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs), startups, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and Multinational Corporations (MNCs) will be able to leverage the complete manufacturing line to accelerate the commercialization of new piezoelectric Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (piezoMEMS) devices.

Examples of devices expected to be manufactured include piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers (PMUT) for 3D mapping and imaging, miniaturized speakers for personal electronics and autofocus devices for smartphone camera modules.

PiezoMEMS is one of the R&D focus areas for Singapore, besides heterogeneous integration-based advanced packaging, wide bandgap semiconductors such as Silicon Carbide and Gallium Nitride, millimeter wave radio frequency technologies, and advanced photonics such as flat optics and photonics heterogenous integration. These focus areas were identified in Singapore’s Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 Plan (RIE 2025), to contribute to the development of Singapore into an innovation-driven economy and society.

Lab-in-Fab is a key participant in Singapore’s semiconductor ecosystem, fostering collaborations with sensor and actuator product companies, manufacturing companies and their suppliers. It supports local and international IHLs by offering Multi-Project Wafer services based on Lab-in-Fab’s advanced materials and device platforms. Additionally, it provides internship and PhD research opportunities to grow the local and global talent pipeline in piezoMEMS.

STMicroelectronics is one of Singapore’s first investors in the semiconductor industry, and the Lab-in-Fab is an important asset for STMicroelectronics’ Ang Mo Kio campus in the country. Therefore, the latest initiavie is complementing its existing volume manufacturing activities and contributing to the development of Singapore’s semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.

Started in 2020

ST, A*STAR, and ULVAC first set up LiF in 2020 and started producing wafers in 2021. LiF is an 8-inch (200mm) R&D line focused on piezo MEMS technology within ST’s existing manufacturing facility in Singapore. The first of its kind in the world, this LiF R&D line brings together three partners with leading-edge and complementary competencies in piezo materials, piezo MEMS technologies, and wafer-fab tools. Thus, enabling to boost innovation and accelerate development of new materials, process technologies, and ultimately, products for industry customers.

Moreover, the LiF consists of a new cleanroom area within ST’s Ang Mo Kio campus in Singapore and hosts tools and dedicated resources from the three parties, which include MEMS R&D and process scientists and engineers. IME’s knowledge base and industrial drive in piezo-MEMS device design, process integration, and system integration adds value to the development of the line.

On the other hand, IME also contributes state-of-the-art tools to help ensure a smooth product flow through to production, all within the same location. The R&D line also leverages existing ST resources, benefiting from the economies of scale of ST’s wafer fabs on the same campus.

27 May 2025