It is Semicon West time and as usual in a downturn everyone will be
asking when will it all get better. The more appropriate question is how
different will the industry be. There is enough evidence to suggest there
is an upturn on the way. There are no guarantees as to when it will kick
in and how powerfully. Added to this uncertainty is the very real impact
of a globally competitive environment on the industry.
The initial information from SEMI suggests they are taking this issue
seriously with a number of programmes and seminars at Semicon West
addressing the issue. It is good to see the USA show take the lead from
SEMI Europe and is providing a number of programmes that have been
a success in Europe. Most notably the MEMS forum and seminars.
The mood from companies as we approach the show is cautious
optimism. There is evidence of improvement but everyone is aware that
broader political events may create more disturbances for the industry.
The recent SARS scare has demonstrated how vulnerable the industry is
to external events whether global or local. It is a question that needs
addressing as the industry moves to a completely global economy.
The semiconductor industry should be proud of the fast pace of change
it has achieved in moving to a global industry. It has probably achieved
these first steps better than any other industry. The next few years of
consolidation and integration will create more changes with an eventual
different geographical nature for the industry.
How the change develops is anybody's guess but there is a long way to
go before the industry can truly count itself a globally functioning
concern.

AngelTech Live III: Join us on 12 April 2021!

AngelTech Live III will be broadcast on 12 April 2021, 10am BST, rebroadcast on 14 April (10am CTT) and 16 April (10am PST) and will feature online versions of the market-leading physical events: CS International and PIC International PLUS a brand new Silicon Semiconductor International Track!

Thanks to the great diversity of the semiconductor industry, we are always chasing new markets and developing a range of exciting technologies.

2021 is no different. Over the last few months interest in deep-UV LEDs has rocketed, due to its capability to disinfect and sanitise areas and combat Covid-19. We shall consider a roadmap for this device, along with technologies for boosting its output.

We shall also look at microLEDs, a display with many wonderful attributes, identifying processes for handling the mass transfer of tiny emitters that hold the key to commercialisation of this technology.

We shall also discuss electrification of transportation, underpinned by wide bandgap power electronics and supported by blue lasers that are ideal for processing copper.

Additional areas we will cover include the development of GaN ICs, to improve the reach of power electronics; the great strides that have been made with gallium oxide; and a look at new materials, such as cubic GaN and AlScN.

Having attracted 1500 delegates over the last 2 online summits, the 3rd event promises to be even bigger and better – with 3 interactive sessions over 1 day and will once again prove to be a key event across the semiconductor and photonic integrated circuits calendar.

So make sure you sign up today and discover the latest cutting edge developments across the compound semiconductor and integrated photonics value chain.

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