Zoom in on the chip in your smartphone
Credit: ASML
How did it start?
For decades, most chips have been made from a material called silicon. Silicon allowed computers and electronics to become smaller, faster and cheaper over time.
That’s why technology has advanced so quickly since the 1960s.
But today’s challenges are different.
Electric vehicles need powerful, efficient electronics.
5G networks need ultra-fast signal processing.
Renewable energy systems need to handle high voltages safely and efficiently.
That’s where new materials come in.
Where compound semiconductors fit in
Compound semiconductors are advanced materials made by combining different elements together.
They’re especially good at three things:
Handling power
Used in electric vehicles, charging stations and renewable energy systems.
Working at very high speeds
Used in 5G, satellite communications and radar.
Controlling light
Used in fibre-optic cables and advanced sensing systems.
They don’t replace silicon, they work alongside it, enabling the next generation of technology.
A high-tech industry based in South Wales
South Wales is home to one of the world’s leading compound semiconductor clusters.
Across the region, companies and universities work together across the full supply chain including:
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Materials growth
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Wafer manufacturing
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Chip fabrication
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Packaging and module integration
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Equipment and systems
Around 3,000 people are already employed in cluster-related companies, and the sector continues to grow.
It contributes over £350 million in economic value each year and exports more than 90% of what it produces.
Major global companies operate here alongside innovative start-ups and research organisations.
What kind of careers are available?
This industry is not just about scientists in labs.
It includes careers in:
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Engineering (electrical, mechanical, materials, chemical)
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Cleanroom manufacturing and technicians
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Software and simulation tools
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Research and development
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Supply chain and logistics
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Business, finance and marketing
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Project management
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Apprenticeships and degree pathways
You can enter the industry through:
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Apprenticeships
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College courses
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University degrees
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Graduate programmes
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Postgraduate research
It is a sector that combines advanced science, high-value manufacturing and global impact right here in Wales.
A growing future
Over the past decade:
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More than £850 million has been invested in facilities
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Over £150 million has been invested in collaborative R&D
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Employment has grown by over 30%
The ambition for the coming years is to continue building a globally competitive technology community creating skilled jobs and strengthening the UK’s capability in a strategic, enabling technology.