News Article
Semefab offers UK’s first MEMS open access facility
Fife-based semiconductor technology company Semefab is set to become the UK’s primary centre for the design and development of micro machines and nanosystems, helping to drive major advances in medicine, drug discovery and defence.
Fife-based semiconductor technology company Semefab is set to become the UK’s primary centre for the design and development of micro machines and nanosystems, helping to drive major advances in medicine, drug discovery and defence.
Scottish Enterprise and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are supporting the company in a £15 million project that will enable them to offer companies open access to a fully integrated MNT capability, from product design and prototyping to product development, testing and qualification. This project is being funded under the UK Micro and Nanotechnology Network initiative launched by Lord Sainsbury in 2003.
The company will specialise in the design and production of Micro Electro Mechanical Machines (MEMS) – tiny sensors, machines and detectors which, will be at the heart of microchip technology in the 21st century. The scale of these systems is tiny with many devices having complex structures only a quarter of the diameter of a human hair.
The project is founded on Scotland’s world class electronics manufacturing capabilities and electronics design expertise. Semefab will work with the Institute of System Level Integration (ISLI), in partnership with the University of Strathclyde and Heriot Watt University, to enhance its design capabilities while the purchasing of new MEMs processing equipment will enable the company to offer a comprehensive prototyping service over the next 5 years.
By offering open access to its design and fabrication facilities, the project aims to break down barriers for SMEs within the sector and help drive the development and exploitation of micro and nanotechnology to build a prosperous, world class sector in the UK.
Scottish Enterprise and the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) are supporting the company in a £15 million project that will enable them to offer companies open access to a fully integrated MNT capability, from product design and prototyping to product development, testing and qualification. This project is being funded under the UK Micro and Nanotechnology Network initiative launched by Lord Sainsbury in 2003.
The company will specialise in the design and production of Micro Electro Mechanical Machines (MEMS) – tiny sensors, machines and detectors which, will be at the heart of microchip technology in the 21st century. The scale of these systems is tiny with many devices having complex structures only a quarter of the diameter of a human hair.
The project is founded on Scotland’s world class electronics manufacturing capabilities and electronics design expertise. Semefab will work with the Institute of System Level Integration (ISLI), in partnership with the University of Strathclyde and Heriot Watt University, to enhance its design capabilities while the purchasing of new MEMs processing equipment will enable the company to offer a comprehensive prototyping service over the next 5 years.
By offering open access to its design and fabrication facilities, the project aims to break down barriers for SMEs within the sector and help drive the development and exploitation of micro and nanotechnology to build a prosperous, world class sector in the UK.
