Research fab microelectronics

The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS is one of the member institutes of the Fraunhofer Group for Microelectronics and is therefore part of the Research Fab Microelec- tronics Germany (FMD). With over 2000 scientists, this research network is the largest cross- organizational R&D association for micro- and nanoelectronics in Europe.

Strengthening Germany and Europe as cradles of innovation

The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) is funding the establishment of FMD with a total of 350 million euros, which represents its largest investment in research facilities since German reunification. This will provide a unique resource for the semiconductor and electronics industries in Germany and Europe, which will see their innovation capabilities boosted in global competition thanks to FMD.

In a first step, since the project launched on April 6, 2017, the outstanding know-how of the participating institutes has already been supplemented by modern laboratory lines and further leading-edge research equipment. The commissioning of a first integration line took place on September 28, 2018 as part of the inaugural FMD Innovation Day by proxy at the Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration IZM in Berlin.

With respect to Fraunhofer IIS, 35.2 million euros are being invested in the institute’s sites at Dresden, Erlangen, Fürth, Ilmenau and Nuremberg. Fraunhofer IIS’s principal technological priority areas and contributions to FMD will be in the domains of information and communications technology, power electronics, circuit design, sensor systems, materials research and reliability studies. These will address the commercially important application areas of energy technology, automotive, aerospace, Industrie 4.0 and digitalization.

In 2019, the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany will enter its next phase. After the setup stage, FMD will be offering industrial partners a forward-looking portfolio of technological developments and services along the full length of the value chain, based on the advanced research facilities at the participating institutes.