INFRASTRUCTURE HIGHLIGHTS
![1530801547 Swanuni Eng 2017 [662] V2 (1)](/media/py4fsyt2/1530801547_swanuni-eng-2017-662-v2.jpg?height=80&upscale=false&quality=80)
Swansea University
In 2023 the new £55M CISM facility on Swansea University’s Bay Campus opened. This building has been created with the purpose of bringing together semiconductor and advanced materials platforms and processes to deliver new technologies and products, and is home .to a CSconnected landing space.
KLA
Significant progress has been made on the research-and-development (R&D) and manufacturing center for the SPTS division at KLA, in Newport which will include 67,000 sq ft of cleanrooms and be home to 750 employees.
Cardiff University
Formally opened in May 2023 the Translational Research Hub (TRH) at Cardiff University brings together specialists from the Institute for Compound Semiconductors (ICS) and Cardiff Catalysis Institute (CCI) to solve complex global challenges. The TRH is home to a CSconnected landing space.
CSconnected SIPF
In addition to two landing spaces co-located with brand new facilities at Cardiff University and Swansea University, work has started on the dedicated CSconnected cluster headquarters co-located at the CSA Catapult in Newport.
TECHNICAL HIGHLIGHTS
IQE
IQE announced the world’s first 200mm (8") VCSEL epiwafer for wireless, sensing and display markets, supported by CSconnected SIPF. The introduction of 200mm creates opportunities beyond the smartphone, into a broad range of intelligent connected devices.
MicroLink Devices
MicroLink Devices UK Ltd. has demonstrated ‘Made in Wales’ multi-junction flexible Solar Cells fabricated using the Swansea University facilities. The cells were the first to be fabricated in the UK under the CSconnected SIPF project.
IQE
IQE has developed 6” InP-based emitter epiwafers on state-of-the art tooling, including a process-ready 6” distributed feedback (DFB) InP laser platform, used for device fabrication development with cluster partners.
Microchip Technology
Microchip Technology has demonstrated high-performance SiC Power modules. Microchip has designed, developed and tested a new prototype 3.3 kV mSiC™ modules where initial static and dynamic test results have met or exceeded target specification.
IMPACT CASE STUDIES
Technical impact: MicroLink
MicroLink Devices has demonstrated ‘Made in Wales’ Multi-junction Flexible Solar Cells. Six cells were fabricated in the UK using the Swansea University facilities and engineers from MicroLink Devices UK (MLD). The cells (from a single wafer) were multijunction cells and were the first cells to be fabricated in the UK under the SIPF project. The cells are the MLD fully flexible, lightweight, high efficiency cells that are used on projects such as Zephyr.
Picture shows Microlink Devices flexible solar cells diced onto a wafer
Infrastructure impact: KLA
In late 2022, KLA broke ground on their new R&D and manufacturing facility in Newport, Wales, UK. With an investment of over 100 US$ million, construction on the new development is on target to complete early in 2025. This will deliver a state-of-the-art innovation center and manufacturing facility which will include offices, cleanrooms, storage and support facilities for up to 750 employees.
Picture shows the outside of KLA’s new R&D and manufacturing center. Courtesy of KLA
Infrastructure impact: Swansea University
The Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials (CISM) is a new initiative, including a £29.9 M research and innovation facility, to bring together semiconductor and advanced materials platforms to research and develop new technologies and products at Swansea University's Bay Campus. The facility offers R&D, prototyping and process development capabilities and also offers opportunities for incubation and industry partners to have development space and support and provide access to training and development.
CSconnected SIPF economic outputs
£381M
Value of direct and indirect Welsh GVA
£560M
Manufacturing sales
2,661
Direct and indirect jobs
Source: Annual Report: Compound Semiconductor Cluster in South Wales (published by the Welsh Economy Research Unit)
CLUSTER DEVELOPMENT HIGHLIGHTS
CSconnected SIPF continues to strengthen collaboration across all the CS cluster partners at all levels including at the strategic executive-board level, technical R&D, marketing, skills and business development. There is significant interaction and engagement between academic, RTO, industry and public body partners leading to further opportunities, including skills-based interventions.
Global Awareness
CSconnected SIPF actively engages with Government agencies and organisations to cement our role as a key voice for the semiconductor industry. We regularly meet with and brief key politicians in Wales, the UK and beyond and facilitate meetings and visits between our partners and key clusters and organisations, creating a pathway to support continuous growth for the cluster. As part of our Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), CSconnected SIPF has attended 150+ events and 4+ FDI have established in the region since 2020.
Picture caption: Strengthening US-Wales collaboration in semiconductors with the Clintons at Swansea University
UK national strength
CSconnected is recognised as a key voice for the semiconductor industry in the UK. We support and collaborate with key policymakers in advising and shaping policy. Underlying the pivotal role we play, CSconnected is regularly mentioned and highlighted by government officials in whitepapers, interviews and official speeches.
More news
View NewsIndustry-Partners
IQE announces the world’s first commercially available 200 mm (8”) VCSEL wafer
CSconnected
CSconnected welcomes Siemens’ new Power Electronics Innovation Hub with the CSA Catapult