European Nanoelectronics Infrastructure Now Open for Access

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Tyndall National Institute (Ireland) and its partners in the EU-funded programme ASCENT (Access to European Nanoelectronics Network) announced today the launch of the programme, enabling researchers to gain fast and easy access to Europe’s leading nanoelectronics institutes. ASCENT enables access to advanced nanoelectronics device data (14nm CMOS and beyond), test chips and characterisation equipment at the Tyndall National Institute in Ireland, CEA-Leti in France and imec in Belgium. This allows the nanoelectronics research community to explore exciting new developments in advanced CMOS devices and meet the challenges created in an ever-evolving and demanding digital world.

The ASCENT partners’ facilities are truly world-class, representing over €2 billion of combined research infrastructure with unique credentials in advanced semiconductor processing, nanofabrication, electrical characterisation and atomistic and TCAD modelling. This is the first time that access to these state-of-the-art devices and test structures will become available anywhere in the world.

Over 70 researchers from 20 countries world-wide have already signed up through the ASCENT web site www.ascent.network. Access is fast and easy and financial support is provided to Users of the facilities. The three partners met in Cork, Ireland to launch the programme. The ASCENT Project Co-ordinator Prof. Jim Greer said he was delighted to see such a rapid uptake from the research community and encouraged researchers to join the ASCENT network and avail of this unique opportunity.

About imec

Imec performs world-leading research in nanoelectronics. Imec leverages its scientific knowledge with the innovative power of its global partnerships in ICT, healthcare and energy. Imec delivers industry-relevant technology solutions. In a unique high-tech environment, its international top talent is committed to providing the building blocks for a better life in a sustainable society. Imec is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, Taiwan, USA, China, India and Japan. Its staff of about 2,200 people includes almost 700 industrial residents and guest researchers. In 2014, imec's revenue (P&L) totaled 363 million euro.

About Tyndall National Institute

Tyndall National Institute is a leading European research centre in integrated ICT (Information and Communications Technology) hardware and systems. Specialising in both electronics and photonics - materials, devices, circuits and systems – Tyndall works with industry and academia to transform research into products in its core market areas of electronics, communications, energy, health, agri-food & the environment. With a network of over 200 industry partners and customers worldwide, we are focused on delivering real impact from our excellent research. Tyndall at University College Cork, Ireland, employs over 460 researchers, engineers and support staff, with a full-time graduate cohort of 125 students. The institute generates over 230 peer-reviewed publications each year. We are experts at designing, miniaturising and prototyping products that are driving connectivity in the application of the industrial internet. Tyndall is the lead institution for the Science Foundation Ireland funded Irish Photonics Integration Centre (IPIC).