Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD)

The Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD) as Enabler of Transformation and Innovation

The Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD for its acronym in German) brings together the expertise and technological infrastructure of its 15 cooperating institutes across Germany, which are part of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and the Leibniz Association. The FMD provides cutting-edge application-oriented technologies and system solutions for promising microelectronics. Thus, the FMD contributes significantly to the technological resilience of Germany and Europe. The Fraunhofer IPMS is one of the institutes cooperating within the FMD.

Chiplet Innovation for Europe: The APECS Pilot Line has been launched under the EU Chips Act

The pilot line for Advanced Packaging and Heterogeneous Integration for Electronic Components and Systems (APECS) launched at the end of 2024 is a crucial part of the EU Chips Act, intended to drive chiplet innovation and strengthen semiconductor research and manufacturing capabilities in Europe. The institutes cooperating within the FMD are closely working with further European partners on the implementation of the APECS pilot line. They are thus significantly contributing to increasing Europe's technological resilience as well as its global competitiveness in the semiconductor industry.

By enabling large industry players, SMEs, and start-ups to gain easier access to cutting-edge technology, the APECS pilot line aims to build a strong foundation for a resilient and robust European semiconductor supply chain. APECS is co-funded by the Chips Joint Undertaking and national funding authorities of Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Portugal, Spain, through the Chips for Europe Initiative. The overall funding for APECS amounts to € 730 million over 4.5 years.

Fraunhofer IPMS plays a crucial role in the APECS pilot line and drives chiplet development and integration technology. We develop innovative system architectures for computing, artificial intelligence and MEMS sensors/actuators. We are also working on new chiplet integration technologies on 200 & 300 mm wafers, including 3D stacking and 2.5D wafer-level integration. A key aspect is quasi-monolithic integration (QMI), which sets new standards in integration. Last, we focus on functional safety in IC design. We develop design flows for the modeling of IP cores and implement them on our RISC-V and TSN IP cores.

By regularly organizing events as part of major joint projects involving multiple institutes, such as the Green ICT @ FMD ("Competence Center for Sustainable Information and Communication Technology") or the FMD-QNC ("Research Fab Microelectronics Germany - Quantum and Neuromorphic Computing Modules"), the FMD gathers key stakeholders to jointly address the future challenges of electronics research while boosting the development of tomorrow's technology. At Fraunhofer IPMS we are the coordinator of Hub 3 - Resource-optimized electronics production. Our 200mm cleanroom as well as the 300mm cleanroom are considered references for the evaluation of improvements in electronics production.

Green ICT Connect: The second conference on sustainable information and communication technologies (ICT) was held as early as October 2024. The Green ICT Connect is a central event that promotes the exchange of ideas and networking among key representatives from the worlds of research, industry, and politics. Through panel discussions and expert talks, the conference aims to foster sustainable microelectronics with a focus on innovative approaches and technologies. A further purpose of this event lies in familiarizing small and mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) with the portfolio of the Green ICT @ FMD competence center. We at Fraunhofer IPMS regularly participate in the conference and present our newest findings.

QNC Summit and FMD Innovation Day: The first conference on Quantum and Neuromorphic Computing (QNC) was held in April 2024. QNC was also the focus of FMD Innovation Day 2024. Both events provided a platform for research experts, industry representatives as well as policy-makers to share their insights on hardware developments in the field of QNC. Furthermore, both events served as a forum to jointly define research and technological challenges while also providing an opportunity to identify synergies within the realm of enabling technologies. At Fraunhofer IPMS, we do research in both quantum and neuromorphic computing.

Besides its wide technological portfolio, the various cooperation opportunities it provides and the coordination of large collaborative projects, the FMD also has accelerators dedicated to support start-ups, SMEs and research groups along with programs designed exclusively for students and young professionals.

The Green ICT Award: This student prize, which has already been conferred twice, honors outstanding bachelor's and master's theses on the subject of resource-efficient information and communication technology. The Green ICT Award is part of the activities of the “Green ICT @ FMD” competence center.

The Green ICT Camp: This week-long program for students is designed to inspire, engage and bring together young students in the field of sustainable microelectronics. The first edition of the camp took place in early September 2024. In September 2025, the camp will come to  us at Fraunhofer IPMS in Dresden.

The (Deep Tech) Accelerators:  Launched in 2022 as part of the Green ICT @ FMD and FMD-QNC projects, the Green ICT Space and QNC Space programs, are primarily oriented to support start-ups, SMEs and research groups. Both accelerators have brought together numerous players to work respectively on resource-saving and enabling technologies. The activities undertaken in this context will be pursued until the conclusion of the underlying projects. 

Research. Connect. Move Forward! Women shape the microelectronics of tomorrow: The FMD is committed to advancing the role of female scientists in microelectronics by raising awareness about the importance of equal opportunities and fostering collective solutions to professional challenges in this field. An example of this is the Female Scientist Breakfast, which has already been successfully established as regular slot of both the QNC Summit 2024 and the Green ICT Connect 2024.

The Female Scientist Breakfast provides an ideal setting for female undergraduates, young professionals, and (aspiring) women scientists to connect and gain insights from inspiring female role models in academia and industry. It features engaging keynote talks, a Q&A session, and opportunities to share experiences with other women in the microelectronics field.