ASMI SIGNS AGREEMENT WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI FOR ALD CENTER OF EXCELLENCE
ASM International N.V. announced a five-year partnership with the University of Helsinki to establish the Atomic Layer Deposition Center of Excellence (ALD CoE) at the Kumpula science campus. ASMI will enhance its funding and expand its subsidiary, ASM Microchemistry Oy. The ALD CoE aims to advance atomic layer deposition technologies critical for future semiconductor applications. CEO Benjamin Loh emphasized that this collaboration aligns with the European semiconductor infrastructure goals, particularly the European Chips Act.
- Five-year partnership with University of Helsinki strengthens collaboration in atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology.
- Increased funding and team expansion at ASM Microchemistry Oy.
- Focus on research to develop new materials and processes for semiconductor technology.
- None.
Almere, The Netherlands
February 11, 2022
ASM International N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: ASM) signed an agreement with the University of Helsinki to form and fund the Atomic Layer Deposition Center of Excellence (ALD CoE) at the university’s Kumpula science campus.
The five-year partnership is a significant boost to ASMI’s nearly two-decades-long collaboration with the university. As part of the agreement, ASMI will increase its current funding to the university. It will also expand the team at ASM Microchemistry Oy. ASMI’s subsidiary, which has pioneered atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology since its founding in 1987, is co-located with the University of Helsinki at Kumpula.
ALD is an advanced technology for depositing thin-film materials conformally and with precise control over thickness and composition. ALD and other atomic layer processes play an increasingly critical role in semiconductor technologies as Moore’s Law scaling drives semiconductor devices into the atomic scale Ångström (1 Ångström = 1/10 nanometer) regime, and complex 3D vertical structures. The HelsinkiALD group at the university has won global recognition for ALD chemistry innovations, and its high-quality research – in collaboration with ASMI – has translated into a number of breakthroughs in semiconductor applications.
The ALD CoE will build on this success, focusing on research around ALD that is necessary for future semiconductor technologies. Teams will develop and adapt novel research methods for the study of mechanistic details of atomic layer processes. They will use the recently installed ALD ultra-high vacuum surface analytical techniques cluster in the university’s chemistry department and the accelerator laboratories in the physics department. The ultimate aim is the design of new precursors, processes and materials that will have great scientific and technical impact.
Benjamin Loh, CEO of ASM International, says: “The ALD Center of Excellence agreement significantly expands our nearly 20-year-long successful collaboration with the University of Helsinki. We’re very excited about this partnership aimed at breakthroughs around ALD that will enable future semiconductor technologies.”
He continues: “The newly formed ALD CoE will further build out the strength of Europe in ALD technology as an essential part of the European semiconductor infrastructure, so helping to realize the strategic objectives of the European Chips Act.”
Paula Eerola, Vice-Rector at the University of Helsinki, says: “The collaboration with ASM, which is exceptional in terms of timespan and scope, is highly valuable for the University of Helsinki.”
Professor Mikko Ritala, who leads the university’s HelsinkiALD group, adds: ”Our research group greatly appreciates the collaboration with ASMI, which takes us to the area where boundaries between basic and applied research disappear. The research questions we are addressing are fundamental by their nature, yet our results may find practical use in the future semiconductor devices.”
About ASM International
ASM International NV, headquartered in Almere, the Netherlands, its subsidiaries and participations design and manufacture equipment and materials used to produce semiconductor devices. ASM International, its subsidiaries and participations provide production solutions for wafer processing (Front-end segment) as well as for assembly & packaging and surface mount technology (Back-end segment) through facilities in the United States, Europe, Japan and Asia. ASM International's common stock trades on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange (symbol ASM). For more information, visit ASMI's website at www.asm.com.
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CONTACT
Investor and Media contact:
Victor Bareño
T: +31 88 100 8500
E: investor.relations@asm.com
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