The European semiconductor industry is experiencing a surge in growth as the demand for advanced chips continues to rise. To support this development, initiatives such as the European Chips Act and EUROPRACTICE are providing funding, infrastructure, and talent development programs. Imec, a leading research and innovation center in nanoelectronics, is working to overcome barriers that prevent academia and industry from accessing advanced semiconductor design technologies.
Collaborations between imec and companies like Synopsys have led to breakthroughs in 3D IC technologies and TCAD (technology computer-aided design). These efforts aim to transform the industry by making it easier for designers to create more sophisticated integrated circuits. Imec has been contributing to the chip ecosystem by distributing process design kits (PDKs), which model fabrication processes for design tools used in creating ICs. These PDKs serve as building blocks that help academics and designers learn how to create advanced node chips, impacting various industries such as consumer electronics, automotive, health care, and artificial intelligence.
By training future engineers in Europe and worldwide through these initiatives, there will be a skilled workforce ready to drive innovation in the semiconductor industry. The advancements being made in Europe’s semiconductor industry are paving the way for even more sophisticated chips that will meet the growing demands of different sectors.