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Commissioned by the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT), University of Cambridge’s Ifm Engage has created a consortium to undertake a study into infrastructure to grow the UK semiconductor industry – and a new strategic coordination function for the sector.

This consortium includes independent researchers from Imperial’s department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, working through Imperial Consultants.

Semiconductor technology underpins the modern economy and is vital to UK prosperity and national security. The Department for Science, Innovation & Technology (DSIT) has been leading on a review of the sector and the development of a National Semiconductor Strategy to increase the resilience of the UK supply chain and generate innovation-led economic growth.

To support the upcoming semiconductor strategy, IfM Engage, the knowledge transfer arm of the Institute for Manufacturing, University of Cambridge, has been commissioned to explore the technical and economic feasibility of developing infrastructure to support commercial R&D and a strategic coordination function for the UK semiconductor sector. IfM Engage is supported by strong industrial and academic consortium partners including the CSA Catapult, Techworks NMI, Silicon Catalyst, Photonics Leadership Group, Cambridge Econometrics, Future Horizons, Semiwise, the University of Leeds, and researchers from Imperial College London.

The eight-month study will develop ideas to build on UK strengths in semiconductor design, compound semiconductors and next generation technologies. Five capabilities are being explored – silicon chip production for prototyping/piloting, compound semiconductor foundry, advanced packaging, design tools/IP and a strategic coordination function. Industrial evidence will be gathered to determine the feasibility and requirements of a new national initiative, which will aim to bring the nation’s industry together to tackle shared challenges and help businesses scale up.

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