Microchip shortage inspires global cooperation

Feb. 7, 2024

NY CREATES and Fraunhofer IPMS collaborate on microelectronics research and scientific exchange

The U.S. CHIPS Act and the European Chips Act established governmental measures on two continents to alleviate the manufacturing dilemma birthed by the semiconductor shortage. Two organizations, one from North American and the other from Europe, have taken steps to join forces in a cohesive effort to bolster the availability of microelectronics in the western hemisphere.

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Figure 1: Fraunhofer IPMS’ Wenke Weinreich marked a collaboration with NY CREATES that includes joint research projects, symposia and workshops.

The New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science (NY CREATES) is a research-and-development institution for digital technologies and microelectronics. Last year, representatives from Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems (IPMS) met with counterparts at NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex in New York. Wenke Weinreich, deputy director of the Fraunhofer IPMS, signed a memorandum of understanding in the presence of Saxony's Minister President Michael Kretschmer, which marked a collaboration that includes the initiation of joint research projects, symposia and workshops, as well as the promotion of scientific exchanges (Figure 1).

This step marks a significant milestone in the international cooperation between the two institutions, which are focused on promoting innovation and progress in the fields of digital technologies, energy technologies and microelectronics.

The microchip crisis brought on by supply-chain restrictions has been a pivotal point of collaboration and innovation globally.

"With our expertise and technologies in advanced microelectronics, we ideally complement the capabilities of NY CREATES,” explained Weinreich. “Together, we can make significant progress in the development of future semiconductor systems."

NY CREATES representatives visited the Fraunhofer Institute in Dresden and the Silicon Saxony office where Fraunhofer IPMS and NY CREATES had agreed on concrete dates for a joint exchange in 2024.

Figure 2: NY CREATES’ Dave Anderson anticipates large-scale growth at the organization’s Albany NanoTech Complex site and looks forward to collaborations with Fraunhofer IPMS.

“We are pleased to partner with Fraunhofer IPMS to pursue common goals, such as the ways in which we can further enable next-generation semiconductor research, a highly qualified workforce, and economic advancement,” said NY CREATES President Dave Anderson (Figure 2). “As we anticipate large-scale growth at our Albany NanoTech Complex site, including the new High NA EUV Lithography Center, we look forward to complementary collaborations with Fraunhofer IPMS along with other leading global organizations.”

About the Author

Mike Bacidore | Editor in Chief

Mike Bacidore is chief editor of Control Design and has been an integral part of the Endeavor Business Media editorial team since 2007. Previously, he was editorial director at Hughes Communications and a portfolio manager of the human resources and labor law areas at Wolters Kluwer. Bacidore holds a BA from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. He is an award-winning columnist, earning multiple regional and national awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors. He may be reached at [email protected]