Imec Extends Global R&D Innovation Footprint with the Opening of imec Florida
Published on: Jul 8, 2016
PR16-50
Osceola County, Florida – It’s imec!
The world-leading nanoelectronics research center today announced the opening of imec Florida, a new entity focusing on photonics and high-speed electronics Integrated Circuit (IC) design that will be based in Osceola County. The new imec Design Center will work in close collaboration with the International Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing Research (ICAMR) on an R&D design center.
The creation of the ‘imecDesign Center’ provides instant credibility to Osceola County’s efforts to become the heart of smart sensor innovation.
“As the U.S. semiconductor market continues to strengthen with semiconductor manufacturing, equipment, materials and system innovation, we are extremely pleased to collaborate with partner organizations in Florida and see Osceola as an interesting location to drive the next phase of imec’s growth and innovation,” said Luc Van den hove, president and CEO of imec. “Together with industrial and academic partners, we want to develop sustainable solutions and technology to accelerate innovation and stimulate economic growth within Osceola County and the State of Florida.”
The design center will facilitate the collaboration between imec’s headquarters, based in Leuven, Belgium, and U.S.-based semiconductor and system companies, universities, and research institutes.
Imec Florida’s initial focus will be the R&D of high speed electronics and photonics solutions, starting with an offering of IC design research for a broad set of semiconductor-based solutions. It also will provide IC designs that will drive ICAMR’s manufacturing research.
The announcement was made just days before a major technology trade show on the West Coast.
“Imec’s international prestige gives us the opportunity to leverage its standing in a field that is growing exponentially in order to recruit more partners and funding for our work at the new Design Center and the Florida Advanced Manufacturing Research Center,” said Osceola County Commission Chairwoman Viviana Janer. “The relationships and people that imec brings to our operation are tangible ways that Osceola County’s 5-year, $15 million investment will be more than re-paid. It’s important to realize that the new Design Center is going to capture the attention of everyone in this field, thereby ensuring maximum utilization and value of the FAMRC.”
The Design Center will add a much-needed suite of services for companies that want to develop and manufacture innovative electronics, but cannot currently do so in the United States. It will focus on products and systems critical to U.S. markets, including healthcare, aerospace, security, and transportation.
The state-of-the-art research on photonics and high-speed electronics IC design is a scientific discipline where life-changing discoveries are fueling the explosive growth of products used every day, everywhere, and by everybody.
"The imec design center is the funnel that will fill ICAMR with high-value manufacturing opportunities and we will work closely with them to make sure our capabilities tightly align with their technology direction," said ICAMR CEO Chester Kennedy. "This partnership is poised to shine the global high-tech spotlight on Central Florida."
The initial seed money for imec Florida will come from Osceola County and the University of Central Florida. The new center will attract top talent through future strategic partnerships, with the aim to employ about 10 scientists and engineers by the end of the year and increase to 100 researchers in the next five years. Officials say that they are leveraging their investment – and imec’s reputation – to draw more substantial industry funding.
"By attracting the best partners from around the world, the new Design Center will give our region and the state a global competitive advantage in photonics and nanotechnology," said UCF Provost and Executive Vice President Dale Whittaker. "By working and innovating together, we will lift our community and transform our future."
On Monday, the institute will introduce imec Florida to the semiconductor industry at its annual ITF USA, a half-day conference in San Francisco, Calif. ITF USA is part of imec’s prestigious worldwide ITF events, organized in conjunction with SEMICON West and supported by SEMI. With the theme ‘Towards the Ultimate System,’ imec’s highly acclaimed speakers and industrial keynote speakers will look at the co-optimization of design and new technology, and how technology innovation can deliver the right building blocks to build these systems.
Imec performs world-leading research in electronics and photovoltaics. 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, USA, China, India and Japan. Its staff of about 2,500 people includes about 740 industrial residents and guest researchers. In 2015, imec’s revenue (P&L) totaled 415 million euro. Stay up to date about what’s happening at imec with the monthly imec magazine, available for tablets and smartphones (as an app foriOS and Android), or via the website www.imec.be/imecmagazine.
Imec is a registered trademark for the activities of IMEC International (a legal entity set up under Belgian law as a "stichting van openbaar nut”), imec Belgium (IMEC vzw, supported by the Flemish Government), imec the Netherlands (Stichting IMEC Nederland, part of Holst Centre which is supported by the Dutch Government), imec Taiwan (IMEC Taiwan Co.), imec China (IMEC Microelectronics Shanghai Co. Ltd.), imec India (Imec IMEC India Private Limited) and imec USA (IMECInc).
Osceola County is a fast-growing, dynamic and innovative community. While we honor the history and traditions passed down from our pioneer ranching families, we are focused on a vision to be the center of research and manufacturing innovation for “smart sensors” that will supercharge the regional economy as the leader in what will be a $154 billion industry by 2020. As part of the Orlando Metropolitan Area, we proudly host approximately 7 million annual overnight guests who enjoy easy access to Central Florida’s world-famous theme parks and Osceola County’s unique sights and unmatched hospitality.
The International Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing Research invites leading global companies with Internet-of-Everything manufacturing endeavors to participate in an industry-friendly consortium for advanced sensors, photonics and optics, and other advanced device manufacturing opportunities. ICAMR is initially targeting the mega-growth technologies that will lead to over 50 billion devices being connected by sensors by the beginning of the next decade. ICAMR will develop innovative manufacturable processes, materials, and equipment for advanced sensors and other future high-tech products (emitters, modulators, energy and communications devices/systems). By leveraging unique emerging technology capabilities, processes, and background IP, ICAMR will develop advanced lab/fab and universal technology platforms with the economy of scale needed for cost-effective manufacturing.
America’s Partnership University:The University of Central Florida, the nation’s second-largest university with more than 63,000 students, has grown in size, quality, diversity and reputation in its first 50 years. Today, the university offers more than 200 degree programs at its main campus in Orlando and more than a dozen other locations. UCF is an economic engine attracting and supporting industries vital to the region’s future while providing students with real-world experiences that help them succeed after graduation.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING
Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity
“The International Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing Research is fostering incredible growth in Florida’s high-tech, high-wage sectors. DEO is proud to be a partner in the consortium’s efforts to attract top companies like imec to Central Florida, provide jobs for STEM graduates and increase our competitiveness in the global marketplace.”
CrystalSircy, executive vice president and COO of Enterprise Florida
“This is an incredibly important opportunity for Central Florida and the entire state. Adding imec provides a big boost to Florida’s high-tech industry and will further highlight the significance of ICAMR in the state. Thanks to partnerships across the region, we’re able to welcome imec to Florida and share the state’s strengths in sensor technology.”
RandyBerridge, President, Florida High Tech Corridor Council
“Like all of the ICAMR partners, The Corridor is thrilled to have such a globally recognized partner as imec joining with us to build what will surely be one of the world’s leaders in sensor development.”
- How this fits the overall sensor strategy: Fits our goal to secure national and international collaborations between industry, government, universities and suppliers. Imec’s standing is unparalleled and they have relations with more than 600 companies across the globe.
- The Design Center is the ‘funnel’ that will bring work to the fab side, based on imec’s reputation and contacts throughout the world.
- Design Center (imec) vs. Fab (ICAMR): The difference between imec and ICAMR is similar to the relationship between an architect (imec) and a builder (ICAMR). The design center takes concepts of devices to the design phase so they can be built. It makes sense to have a design center where you have a foundry/fab, e.g. FAMRC.
- Why here? Imec could have located anywhere in the world but the reasons they picked here in a worldwide search comes down to:
- Brains: Relevant skills at UCF (photonics and optics) and our university system as a whole
- Existing Talent: in aerospace and defense industries
- Will: Osceola County’s position with the flexibility of the Judge Farm property and the willingness to make this happen on the infrastructure side
- Credibility: Relationships between key ICAMR and imec executives
IMEC extiende R&D Global con innovador plan maestro con la apertura de imec Florida
Renombrado socio internacional trae gran victoria para el Condado de Osceola/ICAMR
Condado de Osceola, Florida – Es imec.
El centro de investigación líder mundial de nanoelectrónica anunció hoy la apertura de imec Florida, una nueva entidad en fotónica y electrónica de alta velocidad de diseño de Circuitos Integrados (IC, en inglés) que tendrá su sede en el Condado de Osceola. El nuevo centro de diseño imec trabajará en estrecha colaboración con el Consorcio Internacional de Investigación de Manufactura Avanzada (ICAMR, por sus siglas en inglés) en un centro de diseño de R&D.
La creación del Centro de imecDesign proporciona credibilidad instantánea a los esfuerzos del Condado de Osceola para convertirse en el centro de la innovación de sensores inteligente.
“Mientras el mercado de semiconductores de Estados Unidos continúa fortaleciéndose con la fabricación de semiconductores, equipos, materiales y la innovación de sistema, estamos muy contentos de colaborar con las organizaciones asociadas en Florida y ver a Osceola como un lugar interesante para impulsar la próxima fase de crecimiento e innovación, de imec”, dijo Luc Van den hove, Presidente y CEO de imec. "Junto con socios industriales y académicos, queremos desarrollar soluciones sostenibles y la tecnología para acelerar la innovación y estimular el crecimiento económico en el Condado de Osceola y el estado de Florida”.
El centro de diseño facilitará la colaboración entre la sede de imec, localizada en Leuven, Bélgica y empresas de semiconductores y compañías de sistema en Estados Unidos, universidades e institutos de investigación.
El enfoque inicial de imec Florida será el centro de diseño R&D de electrónica de alta velocidad y soluciones fotónicas, a partir de una oferta de diseño de investigación de IC para un amplio conjunto de soluciones basadas en semiconductores. También proporcionará diseños IC que impulsarán la investigación de fabricación de ICAMR.
El anuncio fue hecho pocos días antes de una importante feria de tecnología en la costa oeste.
“El prestigio internacional de imec nos da la oportunidad de aprovechar su posición en un campo que está creciendo exponencialmente para reclutar más socios y financiamiento para nuestro trabajo en el nuevo centro de diseño y el Centro de Investigación de Manufactura Avanzada de la Florida,” dijo Viviana Janer, Presidenta de la Comisión del Condado de Osceola. “Las relaciones y personas que imec trae a nuestra operación son formas tangibles que el Condado de Osceola recibe de su inversión de 5 años y $ 15 millones que estarán más que re-pagadas. Es importante entender de que el nuevo Centro de Diseño va a captar la atención de todo el mundo en este campo, garantizando la utilización máxima y el valor de la FAMRC”.
El Centro de Diseño añadirá una serie de servicios necesarios para las empresas que quieran desarrollar y fabricar electrónica innovadora, pero actualmente no pueden hacerlo en los Estados Unidos. Se centrará en productos y sistemas críticos a los mercados de Estados Unidos, incluyendo salud, aeroespacial, seguridad y transportación.
La investigación de vanguardia en fotónica y de electrónica de alta velocidad de diseño IC es una disciplina científica donde descubrimientos que cambian la vida están alimentando el crecimiento explosivo de los productos utilizados todos los días, en todas partes y por todo el mundo.
"El centro de diseño imec canalizará y llenará a ICAMR con oportunidades de manufactura de alto valor y vamos a trabajar estrechamente con ellos para asegurarnos de que nuestras capacidades se alineen bien con su dirección de tecnología”, dijo Chester Kennedy Director General de ICAMR. “Esta asociación está lista para brillar en el centro de atención de alta tecnología mundial en Florida Central”.
El dinero inicial para el imec Florida vendrá del Condado de Osceola y la Universidad de Florida Central. El nuevo centro de atraerá talento a través de futuras alianzas estratégicas, con el objetivo de emplear alrededor de 10 científicos e ingenieros a finales del año y aumente a 100 investigadores en los próximos cinco años. Las autoridades dicen que están aprovechando su inversión y la reputación de imec, para atraer más fondos substanciales de la industria.
"Atrayendo a los mejores socios de todo el mundo, el nuevo centro de diseño dará a nuestra región y al estado una ventaja competitiva global en fotónica y nanotecnologías”, dijo Dale Whittaker Vice Presidente Ejecutivo UCF. “Trabajando juntos, levantaremos nuestra comunidad y transformaremos nuestro futuro”.
El lunes, el instituto presentará imec Florida a la industria de semiconductores en su conferencia anual de USA ITF, una conferencia de medio día en San Francisco, Calif. ITF USA es parte de los prestigiosos eventos mundiales de imec, organizado en conjunto con SEMICON West y apoyado por SEMI. Con el tema 'Hacia el Sistema Fundamental', aclamados ponentes de imec y los principales oradores de la industria verán la optimización conjunta de diseño y nueva tecnología, y como la innovación tecnológica puede ofrecer las piezas claves para construir estos sistemas.