EU FP7 continues to support Europractice IC services

(Nanowerk News) Together with its partners STFC and Fraunhofer IIS, imec announced today that the European Commission has pledged to continue funding the Europractice IC services for another 3 years under the FP7 program.
"The EU’s continued support of the Europractice IC services speaks to the value of our efforts to help get European ASIC (application specific integrated circuits)-based products to market quickly and cost effectively,” stated Carl Das, Director of the Europractice IC service at imec. “This funding will enable us to continue to provide the best and most advanced solutions to European academia and research institutes, start-up companies and companies with small niche markets.”
Europractice IC service is internationally recognized as a leading service to universities and industry for design, development, prototyping and manufacturing of state-of-the-art application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) on a cost-sharing basis. Today, about 500 universities, 150 research centers and more than 200 European companies have access to this service.
Europractice IC services offers dedicated training courses on design flows and methods in advanced technologies, and has negotiated low cost opportunities with the most popular industry-standard CAD vendors and foundries. As such, academics and research centers have access to state-of-the-art CAD tools for training and non-commercial research, and to multi-project wafer (MPW) runs for prototyping and manufacturing. Europractice IC services also supports companies in the assembly and testing phase. Over the next three years, the service will expand its offering from ASIC services to prototyping possibilities in MEMS and photonics-related technologies.
About imec
Imec performs world-leading research in nanoelectronics. Imec leverages its scientific knowledge with the innovative power of its global partnerships in ICT, healthcare and energy. Imec delivers industry-relevant technology solutions. In a unique high-tech environment, its international top talent is committed to providing the building blocks for a better life in a sustainable society. Imec is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, Taiwan, US, China, India and Japan. Its staff of more than 2,000 people includes more than 650 industrial residents and guest researchers. Further information on imec can be found at www.imec.be.
About STFC
The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is one of the United Kingdom’s research councils, delivering world-class science, developing innovative technologies and maximizing the socio-economic impact of its research through effective knowledge exchange and strategic partnerships. STFC manages and operates three internationally renowned laboratories, including Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Daresbury Laboratory and the UK Astronomy Technology Centre. It is the responsible body for the UK’s strategic links with many high profile international collaborations and agencies. Further information about STFC can be found at www.stfc.ac.uk
About Fraunhofer ISS
The Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS performs contract research and development for industry and public authorities. Headed by Professor Dr.-Ing. Albert Heuberger, Fraunhofer IIS researchers develop microelectronic systems and devices along with the required integrated circuits and software. Established in 1985, the Erlangen-based Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS in its current configuration - with locations in Nuremberg, Fürth, Ilmenau and Dresden - ranks first among the Fraunhofer Institutes concerning headcount and revenues. Fraunhofer IIS is recognized for its research programs into microelectronics, information technology, telecommunications, audio and multimedia technology, digital radio, digital cinema, RF technology, satellite navigation, medical engineering, logistics, and mechanical and industrial automation.
Source: imec