(December 21, 2010) — The Institute of Microelectronics (IME), a research institute of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) in Singapore, and GLOBALFOUNDRIES are joining forces to develop MEMS Capacitive Sensor Platform Technology for power-efficient and highly sensitive motion sensing applications that are relevant to consumer electronics, automotive and aerospace industries.
MEMS capacitive sensor technology is increasingly common in today’s consumer electronics, playing a key role in the way users interact with mobile communication devices and 3D virtual multimedia gaming systems. Also read: MEMS gyroscope market says gaming FTW, though smartphone apps gaining
Under the agreement, GLOBALFOUNDRIES will be responsible for preliminary platform design specifications and process flow. IME will concentrate its effort in developing a modular and scalable capacitive sensor technology platform with standardized process modules and process integration scheme based on IME’s advanced MEMS fabrication facilities and tools. IME’s multi-wafers bonding technology will be a key enabler for this joint project.
"GLOBALFOUNDRIES is a founding member of the A*STAR MEMS Consortium and we are glad to extend our collaboration with IME to support Singapore’s vision of a world-class MEMS hub for R&D and manufacturing," said Raj Kumar, SVP of the 200mm business unit and GM of GLOBALFOUNDRIES Singapore.
Said Professor Dim-Lee Kwong, executive director of IME, "The worldwide MEMS industry is entering an exciting chapter in their development and growth, with revenues projected to hit more than USD 16 billion (SGD 22 billion) in 2015[2]. IME is committed to helping our industry partners respond faster to upcoming trends by anticipating their needs and providing them with solutions that are relevant, practical and sustainable."
The Institute of Microelectronics (IME) is a research institute of the Science and Engineering Research Council of the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR). Positioned to bridge the R&D between academia and industry, IME’s mission is to add value to Singapore’s semiconductor industry by developing strategic competencies, innovative technologies and intellectual property; enabling enterprises to be technologically competitive; and cultivating a technology talent pool to inject new knowledge to the industry. Its key research areas are in integrated circuits design, advanced packaging, bioelectronics and medical devices, MEMS, nanoelectronics, and photonics. For more information, visit IME on the Internet: http://www.ime.a-star.edu.sg.
The Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) is the lead agency for fostering world-class scientific research and talent for a vibrant knowledge-based and innovation-driven Singapore. For more information about A*STAR, please visit www.a-star.edu.sg.
GLOBALFOUNDRIES is a full-service semiconductor foundry with global manufacturing. It was launched in March 2009 through a partnership between AMD (NYSE: AMD) and the Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC). For more information on GLOBALFOUNDRIES, visit http://www.globalfoundries.com.
Follow Small Times on Twitter.com by clicking www.twitter.com/smalltimes. Or join our Facebook group