FAQ

The "Research Fab Microelectronics Germany," FMD for its German acronym, is a cross-location research cooperation of eleven Fraunhofer and two Leibniz institutes in micro- and nanoelectronics research and development. The idea behind it is a one-stop shop for R&D services, application solutions, and new technologies at a high technology readiness level for many different customers from the industry.

The following Fraunhofer and Leibniz Institutes have been cooperating in the FMD since 2017:

• Ferdinand Braun Institute, Leibniz Institute for Highest Frequency Technology (FBH) in Berlin
• Fraunhofer Institute for Microsystems and Solid State Technologies EMFT in Munich
• Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Nano Systems ENAS in Chemnitz
• Fraunhofer Institute for High Frequency Physics and Radar Techniques FHR in Wachtberg
• Fraunhofer Institute for Telecommunications, Heinrich Hertz Institute, HHI in Berlin
• Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Solid State Physics IAF in Freiburg
• Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits IIS in Erlangen, Dresden und Ilmenau
• Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Systems and Device Technology IISB in Erlangen
• Fraunhofer Institute for Microelectronic Circuits and Systems IMS in Duisburg
• Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems IPMS in Dresden
• Fraunhofer Institute for Silicon Technology ISIT in Itzehoe
• Fraunhofer Institute for Reliability and Microintegration IZM in Berlin and Moritzburg
• Leibniz Institute for High Performance Microelectronics (IHP) in Frankfurt/Oder

In the FMD, 13 research institutes cooperate in a virtual organization. The business activities and strategic development of the FMD are coordinated by the central office in Berlin. The office (merged with the office of the Fraunhofer Group for Microelectronics in 2021) serves as a central point of contact for inquiries from industry, research, and politics, as well as for pioneering cross-institute research collaborations. In addition, the office team is responsible for cross-institute and cross-organizational strategy and public relations work.

As a one-stop shop, FMD tackles current and future challenges in electronics research across locations and technologies and provides essential development impetus for tomorrow's technology. Around 4600 employees contribute their know-how in the field of research and development of micro- and nanosystems across institutes.

The FMD pools the expertise of the eleven Fraunhofer Institutes of the Group for Microelectronics and the Ferdinand-Braun-Institut, Leibniz-Institut für Höchstfrequenztechnik (FBH), as well as the Leibniz-Institut für innovative Mikroelektronik (IHP) under one virtual roof. This makes the FMD a central point of contact for all issues relating to microelectronics and nanoelectronics in Germany and Europe.

In addition to technological offerings in the fields of sensor systems, power electronics, MEMS actuators, microwave and terahertz, extended CMOS, chip and chiplet design, optoelectronic systems, and multi-project technologies, the FMD also offers various opportunities for cooperation in the processing of research issues in the focus areas of resource efficiency, next-generation computing, security, mobility, production, and communication. In addition to coordinating large collaborative projects, such as "Green ICT @ FMD" or "FMD-QNC," FMD also supports start-ups, SMEs, and research groups with programs such as the "Green ICT Space" or the "QNC Space."

• "FMD-QNC": Customized microelectronics production through scalable manufacturing and integration processes for innovative computing technologies
  
• "Green ICT @ FMD": Competence center for sustainable information and communication technology
  
• "Microelectronics Academy": Cornerstone for modern training programs in the field of micro- and nanoelectronics
  
• "MATQu": Establishment of a complete value chain for the production of superconducting Josephson junctions in Europe
  
• "Velektronik": Platform for trustworthy and secure value chains
  
• "T-KOS": Terahertz technologies for communication and sensor technology (project duration: 2021 - 2024)
  

The broad technology portfolio of the 13 institutes cooperating in the FMD includes sensor systems, power electronics, MEMS actuators, microwave and terahertz, extended CMOS, chip and chiplet design, optoelectronic systems, and multi-project technologies.

Micro- and nanoelectronics are key industries for all relevant industrial sectors in Germany and Europe. Based on its comprehensive technology and competence portfolio, FMD offers application solutions in the focus areas of "resource efficiency," "security," "next-generation computing," "mobility," "production," and "communication" - all from a single source. This enables customers to implement combined and optimized system solutions with FMD, thus securing an innovative edge in international competition.

The FMD and its 13 cooperating institutes are represented in the following cities: Berlin, Chemnitz, Duisburg, Dresden, Erlangen, Frankfurt/Oder, Freiburg, Itzehoe, Munich, Nuremberg, and Wachtberg.

Germany's economy thrives on the export of technologically advanced products. Micro- and nanoelectronics are key industries for all relevant industrial sectors in Germany and Europe. However, the share of German and European microelectronics in the global market has steadily declined in recent years. Therefore, we must focus on our existing strengths and implement the necessary innovations to expand our position in international competition and promote the technological sovereignty of Germany and Europe.

Approaches and solutions for sustainable information and communication technologies, trustworthy and secure electronics, or new computing technologies, for example, can only be researched, developed, and implemented through the consistent pooling of expertise.

In January 2017, a concept for the "Research Fab Microelectronics Germany" (FMD) was submitted to the Federal Ministry of Education and Research by a consortium consisting of the eleven Fraunhofer Institutes of the Group for Microelectronics and the industry-relevant semiconductor research institutes of the Leibniz Association (FBH, IHP). On April 6, 2017, the then Federal Research Minister Prof. Johanna Wanka presented the Fraunhofer Group for Microelectronics and the two Leibniz Institutes FBH and IHP in Berlin, with the approval notices for a total of 350 million euros for the modernization of their research infrastructure, thus launching this new cooperation model for German microelectronics research.

After 3.5 years of development, the FMD was made permanent on April 22, 2021, and officially went into regular operation.

The investments in the FMD are the basis for the future viability of applied microelectronics research in Germany. Investments were made primarily in the modernization and expansion of the research infrastructure at the participating institutes. The new equipment and facilities have significantly expanded capabilities for developing and producing innovative electronic semiconductor chips and microsystem components, e.g., for sensor technology. In addition to growing and renewing the research infrastructure of the 13 institutes, processes were established that enable the joint use and provision of this research equipment (devices, laboratories, clean rooms) for customers.

In addition, cross-technology and cross-institute R&D concepts for optimal cooperation with industry and programs for start-ups were developed, and the transition to regular operations from 2021 was prepared. Subsequent significant projects such as "Green ICT @ FMD" (competence center for sustainable information and communication technology) or "FMD-QNC" ("Research Fab Microelectronics Germany – Module Quantum and Neuromorphic Computing") build on the offers, structures, and competencies created with the FMD and enable a targeted and efficient implementation of the planned projects.