IMEC

IMEC ( Interuniversity Microelectronics Centre) is one of the largest research centers for nanotechnology and microelectronics in Europe. It is located in Leuven, Belgium. In addition to its headquarters in Leuven and another office in Ypres, operates the Imec offices in the Netherlands, Taiwan, U.S., China and Japan. In 2011, imec employs 1,900 people.

History

1982, the Flemish government decided a program to support the microelectronics industry in Flanders. Action points of the program were the establishment of a research laboratory for microelectronics, the Imec, the settlement of a semiconductor factory and set up a training program for VLSI designers. The research center was founded on 16 March 1984 as a non-profit organization. It featured establishing more than 70 employees and a budget of € 62 million translated. Directed by Roger van it was Overstraeten who presided over the Imec to June 1999. He was succeeded by Gilbert Declerck, of the imec headed until July 2009. Currently ( June 2011), the center of Luc Van den Hove is run.

On 19 June 1986, the Imec opened the first building. It houses well as offices, a clean room with 3500 square meters and a technology line for 125 - mm wafers. Minimum feature size of the CMOS technology, was 1.25 microns. In 1990, the Imec its production to a 0.7 -micron CMOS technology. In 1994, the production on 150 mm wafers and a feature size of 0.5 microns was converted. Also in 1994 were research departments for solar cells and process technology certified to ISO 9001 Imecs. In 1998 the whole Imec has been certified to ISO 9001.

Since the existence of Imecs a variety developed by new technologies and applications and more than 25 companies spun off from the Imec. On average, the Imec gets 50 patents every year.

Research & Development

The Imec performs research in the field of micro -and nano- electronics and want it " solutions to the challenges of society in the next decade. " This includes research in growing areas, such as

  • Technology for future microchips and systems,
  • Energy supply,
  • Electronics for Medicine and Life Sciences,
  • Wireless communication systems,
  • Image sensors and
  • Sensors for Industrial Applications.
Nanoelectronics Wafer (electronics)
415240
de