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In order to consolidate and expand the existing microelectronic research and development in Germany regarding quantum and neuromorphic computing, the FMD launched on December 1, 2022, a joint project together with four other Fraunhofer institutes, the Jülich Forschungszentrum and AMO GmbH: The Research Fab Microelectronics Germany — Module Quantum and Neuromorphic Computing (FMD-QNC). The German Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding the equipment and structural setup required for the project.

By establishing the Microelectronics Academy, the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD for its acronym in German) is laying the foundation for modern training programs in the field of micro and nanoelectronics aimed at counteracting the shortage of skilled workers in Germany. In cooperation with educational institutions and industry partners, the academy intends to work out a set of practice-based modules during a one-year design phase and subsequently test them over the next three years. Funding for this project is provided by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research as part of the Federal Government's Framework Programme for Microelectronics.

Aiming to contribute to the reduction of the digital technologies' footprint via research and development, the Fraunhofer and Leibniz institutes cooperating within the framework of the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD for its acronym in German) are jointly establishing a cross-location competence center for resource-conscious information and communication technology (Green ICT @ FMD). The project, launched on August 1, 2022, is receiving 34 million euros in funding from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research under the Green ICT initiative. The latter is in turn part of the German government's Climate Action Programme 2030.

In the recently launched joint project "T-KOS" of the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD), terahertz technology is now to be developed synergistically for industry in the fields of communication and sensor technology for the first time. Innovative system solutions in both areas can make a significant contribution to the successful implementation of future issues such as digitalization, Industry 4.0 or resource efficiency and thus strengthen Germany as a business location in the long term.

In order to use electronic devices securely and reliably, it is important to know where they were manufactured, how they operate and how they are constructed. Although there are currently a number of technical so-lutions for trusted electronics, there is still no consistent methodology for trustworthiness that adequately covers the entire value chain. This is where the research project “Velektronik”, which started in March 2021, comes in.

50Hertz and two FMD member institutes of the research factory “Forschungsfabrik Mikroelektronik Deutschland (FMD)” join forces to test technologies in the field of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in order to detect fault on overhead lines earlier and therefore fix them more efficiently Their objective is to have algorithms automatically assess the recordings from different inspections. Both partners decided to set up a project named “CoDro” for this purpose.

The joint office of the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD) and the Fraunhof-er Group for Microelectronics will have a new director as from January 1, 2021: Dr. Stephan Guttowski.

The ASCENT+ access programme launches a new phase to become the powerhouse of researchers and innovators in nanoelectronics in Europe

The Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF has partnered up with the start-up “Twenty-One Semiconductors” (21s) from Stuttgart to bring their unique laser concept from lab to practice. Having become a member of the high-tech incubator “FMD-Space” – initiated by the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD) – 21s has gained access to Europe’s largest machine park in the field of micro- and nanoelectronics. As a part of the FMD, Fraunhofer IAF is supporting the young company with its expertise in the field of semiconductor laser technologies. They are working together to develop a novel, efficient and compact membrane laser module.

215 newly installed machines in 2019: As part of the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany‘s (FMD) investments, the 13 member institutes are expanding and modernizing their infrastructure. The following two examples illustrate the institutes’ new competencies gained by this.