FMD as a "One Stop Shop" for Micro and Nanoelectronics

The Fraunhofer IIS is one of the 13 institutes that since 2017 have been cooperating in the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD for its acronym in German). Across locations and technologies, the FMD collectively addresses current and future challenges in electronic research, providing crucial developmental impulses for tomorrow's technology. Around 4,600 employees from all 13 institutes bring together their expertise in the research and development of micro and nano systems.

The FMD bundles the expertise of 11 institutes from the Fraunhofer Group for Microelectronics with that of the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, Leibniz Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik (FBH), as well as the Leibniz Institute for Innovative Microelectronics (IHP) under one virtual roof. Hence, the FMD constitutes a central point of contact for all micro and nanoelectronics related issues in Germany and Europe.

To the FMD website

To the FMD 3d showroom

Improving Sustainability in Digitalization via Microelectronic Research and Development for Information and Communication Technology

The FMD and the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF for its acronym in German) took a further step towards the implementation of the German government’s climate protection program with the funding project Green ICT @ FMD launched in autumn 2022. Within the Green ICT @ FMD project, all participating institutes are setting-up a cross-location competence center for sustainable Information and Communication Technology (ICT) under the coordination of the FMD business office. This competence center provides a centralized approach to green ICT-specific issues as well as a comprehensive range of cross-technology ICT solutions.

To the project website

Promoting New Hardware Solutions for Next Generation Computing

Currently, a large number of fundamental research projects are being carried out in Germany on quantum and neuromorphic computing. Nevertheless, there are still insufficient opportunities for the development and application-oriented hardware testing that is required for highly complex computing technologies, as well as for the rapid implementation of the results into prototypes and small series. This is precisely what the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany - Module Quantum and Neuromorphic Computing (FMD-QNC) project — launched on December 1, 2022 — aims to address. Within the scope of the FMD-QNC project, researchers and companies should be supported in developing customized microelectronics and scalable manufacturing as well as integration processes for new information technologies.

To the project website

European Chips Act: FMD Pilot Line for Advanced Heterogeneous System Integration

Over the coming years, the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany intends to build the most comprehensive and advanced pilot line dedicated to chip integration for innovative, robust and trustworthy heterogeneous systems as a contribution to the European Chips Act. This pilot line comprises an unprecedented range of component technologies and materials that will enable state-of-the-art system design, interconnection and assembly technologies, along with characterization, testing, reliability, and security assessment. Moreover, this pilot line seeks to promote the innovative potential of the whole industrial spectrum in Europe.

Ensuring Skilled Workers, Attracting Young Talent, Supporting Start-ups and SMEs

Along with the range of technological solutions, various cooperation opportunities, and the coordination of large collaborative projects, the FMD also runs special formats and programs for students, young professionals, start-ups, SMEs and research groups. For instance, the first Green ICT Award was presented in 2023. As part of the Green ICT @ FMD competence center, the award is granted to young talents writing their bachelor's and master's theses on resource-saving information and communication technology. Meanwhile, in 2024, the first Green ICT Camp will be held. The camp is a week-long student training program designed to inspire, raise awareness and promote networking among young students in the field of sustainable microelectronics.

Also last year, the funding programs Green ICT Space and QNC Space were launched. Both programs are open to small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups (Research groups can also apply to QNC Space), enabling them to implement their ideas in collaboration with FMD institutes and project partners. On the one hand, the Green ICT Space is intended to promote companies and project ideas focusing on sustainability, low energy consumption and emissions reduction. On the other hand, in the QNC Space, applicants receive support to develop individual processes, process modules or subsystems in feasibility studies in the field of neuromorphic and quantum computing.

Both the design and production of microchips and microelectronics as a whole are key drivers of economic growth and progress. Accordingly, the FMD is working on a concept for a Germany-wide Microelectronics Academy aiming to improve the training of skilled workers in the field of microelectronics, e.g. for climate protection and sustainability, new computing technologies and trustworthiness in the semiconductor and chip sector.