The University of Tokyo (UTokyo) and TSMC opened Thursday (June 12, 2025) the TSMC-UTokyo Lab. Specifically, both parties aim the facility dedicated to advancing semiconductor research, education, and talent incubation.

The joint lab is TSMC’s first joint lab with a university outside Taiwan. Primarily, the new lab will leverage the extensive knowledge, experience, and creativity of these two global leaders in their fields. Together, TSMC and UTokyo aim to promote cutting-edge research and development in semiconductor technologies, generate innovative solutions, and cultivate semiconductor talent. At the same time, the duo will work towards a shared vision of “creating and advancing sustainable semiconductor technologies for the next generation and contributing to society”.

Strategic Collaboration

Since 2019, UTokyo and TSMC have collaborated at both the university and company-wide level on leading-edge semiconductor research. This has already resulted to 21 research projects which have achieved fruitful research results.

Furthermore, TSMC and UTokyo have extended their industry–academia partnership to include semiconductor education and next-generation talent incubation.

In 2023, UTokyo adopted the TSMC N16 (FinFET) Academic Design Foster Package (ADFP), specialized for advanced process design education and the first of its kind at a Japanese university. Specifically, the university has been adopting it into courses at its Faculty of Engineering and Graduate School of Engineering.

TSMC’s N16 (FinFET) ADFP is the most comprehensive educational package that TSMC provides to universities worldwide. The FinFET is a three-dimensional transistor structure which succeeded the traditional planar structure used since the late 1950s.

It is called the “FinFET” because its 3D structure resembles a fin on a fish. TSMC introduced this technology starting with its 16nm process in 2015 and has continued to utilize it up to the 3nm node.

Earlier, UTokyo and TSMC have signed the Strategic Industrial/Academic Collaboration Agreement and took effect since last April. Particularly, it aims to further promote research, education, and talent development.

In addition to the establishment of the TSMC-UTokyo Lab, the two institutions also launched Social Cooperation Program in UTokyo, in line with specific initiatives set out in the agreement.

Through the Social Cooperation Program at UTokyo, TSMC and UTokyo will also promote the ADFP that have been adopted in 2023, with an aim of incubating next-generation semiconductor talents.

Extensive Semiconductor Research

Located on UTokyo’s Asano campus in the Hongo district, the Lab will be managed by UTokyo faculty and staff guided by directors from both UTokyo and TSMC. Thus, this will serve as a central hub for a Strategic Collaboration initiative.

Moreover, the Lab will facilitate research in semiconductor technologies with an emphasis on practical applications in the future, covering areas such as materials, devices, processes, metrology, packaging, and circuit design. Research findings will not only be applied to TSMC’s R&D and chip manufacturing but will also be shared regularly at a technology symposium held at UTokyo.

Since 2019, these symposiums have provided a platform for UTokyo faculty and students to engage with TSMC R&D staff. Additionally, the Lab will explore collaboration through activities such as TSMC-sponsored project calls and internship opportunities.

Covers Advanced Chip Design, Too

In addition to deepening research efforts, through this partnership UTokyo will offer the most comprehensive infrastructure for advanced semiconductor design education and hands-on research opportunities, cultivating talent poised to lead in the global semiconductor arena.

TSMC has maintained solid presence in Japan, specifically in the field of research. In fact, it is maintaining a Japan Design Center and Japan 3DIC R&D Center. Most importantly, it has the Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing (JASM) specialty fab.

Therefore, the company will leverage the joint lab with UTokyo to further its next-generation talent development.

12 June 2025