STMicroelectronics and Politecnico di Milano Expand Semiconductor R&D Infrastructure at PoliFab Micro- and Nanotechnology Center

Rhea-AI Summary

STMicroelectronics and Politecnico di Milano have launched an expansion of semiconductor R&D infrastructure at the PoliFab Micro- and Nanotechnology Center. Inaugurated on December 14, 2021, this facility received advanced equipment from STMicroelectronics to enhance joint R&D in MEMS, motion control, and power electronics. The center aims to attract top talent and bolster ST's leadership in MEMS technology, with over 15 billion devices sold so far. The collaboration also includes investments in scholarships, faculty recruitment, and joint projects, marking a significant step towards establishing a premier semiconductor innovation hub in Italy.

Positive

• Expansion of semiconductor R&D infrastructure at PoliFab enhances collaboration.
• New state-of-the-art equipment boosts capabilities in MEMS and power electronics.
• PoliFab aims to attract talented researchers and students, improving talent pool.
• ST has sold over 15 billion MEMS devices, bolstering its market leadership.
• Investments in scholarships and joint research projects strengthen collaboration.

Negative

• None.

STMicroelectronics and Politecnico di Milano Expand Semiconductor R&D Infrastructure at PoliFab Micro- and Nanotechnology Center

Milano, December 14, 2021 – STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader serving customers across the spectrum of electronics applications, and Politecnico di Milano (PoLiMi) today inaugurated the expansion of semiconductor-manufacturing capabilities at PoliFab, the University’s micro- and nanotechnology R&D center

Building on the long-standing collaboration between the two organizations, the PoliFab’s clean room – a facility where silicon wafers are made into semiconductor chips – has received state-of-the-art equipment from STMicroelectronics to boost joint R&D efforts in Micro Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) and motion control, as well as in power electronics and galvanic isolation.

The enlarged clean-room infrastructure will make Politecnico di Milano even more attractive for talented researchers and students and contribute to fuel ST’s advances and development roadmap in semiconductor technologies including MEMS, where the Company is a world leader with over 15 billion devices sold to date. With the core of ST’s global MEMS R&D operations located in Lombardy, close to Milan, the cooperation with PoliFab aims at setting up a center of excellence for studies and research on advanced materials for MEMS in the region.

The ongoing collaboration also encompasses investments in staff and programs, with ST supporting scholarships and the recruitment of professors and researchers, as well as financing joint research projects.

With the new spaces inaugurated today, the total classified area of PoliFab spans 610 sq meters, plus annexed characterization laboratories, thus making it comparable to analogous facilities of the best European research institutions.

“We are pioneering a new model for “fast technology transfer” based on the realization of a joint research and innovation infrastructure where top-class semiconductor equipment, the very same used in a semiconductor fab, is made available to researchers and students,” said Riccardo Bertacco, director of Polifab. “Polifab 2.0 is a physical site where exciting scientific ideas can meet state-of-the-art semiconductor technology, thus speeding-up both fundamental research and its technology transfer.”

“Today’s event marks a significant milestone in building an Italy-unique, world-class semiconductor innovation hub that can contribute to ST’s R&D efforts in multiple areas including MEMS and sensors, one of the most promising technologies that enable digital transformation and the Internet of Things,” said Anton Hofmeister, Group Vice President and General Manager, R&D and Strategy for the Analog and MEMS Sub-Groups, STMicroelectronics. “The successful collaboration with Politecnico is part of our global innovation strategy to foster high-caliber talent and facilitate industry-academia joint research programs as key elements of success in the global semiconductor market.”

About Politecnico di Milano
The Politecnico di Milano is one of the best scientific-technological universities in the world. The Qs World University Rankings 2022 confirms its position in the world's top 150, ranking 142^nd in the world and first in Italy.
Founded in 1863, PoliMi is the largest school of Architecture, Design and Engineering in Italy, with three main campuses located in Milan, and five campuses based around the Lombardy region.
Strategic research mainly concerns the space, digital, H.P.C. & Quantum, fintech, society, life sciences, agritech, green deal and mobility sectors.
Thanks to a strong internationalization policy, several study programmes are taught entirely in English, attracting an ever-increasing number of talented international students from more than 100 countries: in the academic year 2020/2021, 28% of the students enrolled in Master of Science Programmes were international. www.polimi.it

About PoliFab
PoIiFAB is the micro- and nanotechnology center of the Politecnico di Milano created to provide the highest technological standards for a wide range of applications and processes involving the five Key Enabling Technologies: photonics, micro and nanoelectronics, biotechnologies, advanced materials and nanotechnology.

About STMicroelectronics
At ST, we are 46,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An independent device manufacturer, we work with more than 100,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of the Internet of Things and 5G technology. ST is committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com.

For further information, please contact:

POLITECNICO DI MILANO

CONTATTI PER LA STAMPA
T +39 02 2399 2441
C. +39 3666211435
relazionimedia@polimi.it

STMICROELECTRONICS

RELAZIONI CON LA STAMPA

Laura Sipala
Direttore relazioni pubbliche e con i media, Italia
Tel : +39 039 6035113
STMicroelectronics.ufficiostampa@st.com

Attachment

• T4419R -- Dec 14 2021 -- PoliFab expansion_FINAL FOR PUBLICATION

FAQ

What recent development occurred between STM and Politecnico di Milano?

STMicroelectronics and Politecnico di Milano inaugurated an expansion of semiconductor R&D infrastructure at PoliFab on December 14, 2021.

How does the expansion at PoliFab benefit STMicroelectronics?

The expansion provides advanced equipment to enhance R&D in MEMS and power electronics, contributing to ST's technology roadmap.

What is the significance of MEMS technology for STM?

MEMS technology is crucial for STMicroelectronics as they are a world leader, having sold over 15 billion devices.

What is PoliFab's role in semiconductor research?

PoliFab serves as a micro- and nanotechnology research center that supports advanced studies in semiconductor applications.

How does STMicroelectronics plan to support education through this expansion?

STMicroelectronics is investing in scholarships and faculty recruitment to enhance academic partnerships and research projects.