News: Suppliers
11 December 2023
Cardiff University and IQE extend strategic partnership
Cardiff University and epiwafer and substrate maker IQE plc of Cardiff, Wales, UK have extended their strategic partnership in a move that will invest in developing talent in compound semiconductors and help to fuel the expansion of IQE’s South Wales manufacturing operations. The new agreement provides a further five-year commitment from both partners to expand research capacity in compound semiconductor technologies.
Two new professorial chairs in compound semiconductors will be established: one in the University’s School of Physics and Astronomy and the other in the School of Engineering. Both will utilize the facilities available in the recently commissioned Institute for Compound Semiconductors based at the University’s Translational Research Hub development on Maindy Road.
The agreement will also help to improve skills provision at postgraduate and doctoral levels of study, funding two postdoctoral researchers and at least six PhD students, with some drawn from under-represented groups.
“The close and focused partnership between IQE plc and Cardiff University has already delivered results, helping position south Wales as a leader in the field of semiconductor research and development,” says professor Rudolf Allemann, head of the University’s College of Physical Sciences and Engineering and Pro Vice-Chancellor, International. “Over the next five years, we will build on that success, with the partnership further benefiting industry and the regional economy.”
Beyond the funding commitments, Cardiff University and IQE have also agreed to establish a Strategic Collaboration Committee, which will act to align R&D interests and establish a joint roadmap for future collaborative research. The committee will also evaluate external funding opportunities to leverage added value for joint activities.
“People are at the heart of innovation in the semiconductor industry and there is a recognised shortage of talent worldwide,” notes IQE’s CEO Americo Lemos. “By strengthening our partnership with Cardiff University, we are creating a talent pipeline for the benefit of IQE and the wider South Wales semiconductor industry to underpin growth,” he adds. “By supporting university-level training and collaborating on research and development, together we will continue to build a resilient and competitive world-class compound semiconductor ecosystem.”
The original collaborative venture between IQE and Cardiff University led to the creation of the Compound Semiconductor Centre (CSC), to focus on the commercialization of R&D in compound semiconductor materials and device technologies. The CSC uses research undertaken at Cardiff University to develop innovative new materials and technologies that aim to enable a range of new photonic and microelectronic applications, providing a complete capability chain from R&D through to product and process innovation, to high-volume manufacturing via IQE’s global facilities.
“Since 2016, the CSC business model has delivered over £80m of collaborative research activity in compound semiconductor technologies for emerging applications in quantum systems, consumer electronics, future communications, and efficient electronics for net zero,” notes CSC’s founding director professor Wyn Meredith. “This agreement will allow CSC to accelerate commercialization of our IP, further extend our research and development roadmap, and steer doctoral-level training activity for the benefits of the local semiconductor industry.”
Inseto supplies equipment to Cardiff’s Institute for Compound Semiconductors
Cardiff University-based Translational Research Hub opens for business
