Global research center will join ICAMR in Osceola County

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (July 11, 2016) – Imec, the world-leading nanoelectronics research center, today announced the opening of imec Florida, a new entity focusing on photonics and high-speed electronics Integrated Circuit (IC) design. The new imec Design Center will work in close collaboration with the International Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing Research (ICAMR) on an R&D design center.

“As the U.S. semiconductor market continues to strengthen with semiconductor manufacturing, equipment, materials and system innovation, we are extremely pleased to collaborate with partner organizations in Florida and see Osceola as an interesting location to drive the next phase of imec’s growth and innovation,” said Luc Van den hove, president and CEO of imec. “Together with industrial and academic partners, we want to develop sustainable solutions and technology to accelerate innovation and stimulate economic growth within Osceola County and the State of Florida.”

The design center will facilitate the collaboration between imec’s headquarters, based in Leuven, Belgium, and U.S.-based semiconductor and system companies, universities, and research institutes.

Imec Florida’s initial focus will be the R&D of high speed electronics and photonics solutions, starting with an offering of IC design research for a broad set of semiconductor-based solutions. It also will provide IC design needs that will drive ICAMR’s manufacturing research.

Through imec Florida, imec’s design, prototyping and low-volume production service – named imec IC-link – will provide the U.S. market low-cost access to advanced foundry services, helping entrepreneurs (industry and academia) design innovative products and get them to market.

 “This is an incredibly important opportunity for Central Florida and the entire state,” said Crystal Sircy, Executive Vice President and COO of Enterprise Florida, Inc. “Adding imec provides a big boost to Florida’s high-tech industry and will further highlight the significance of ICAMR in the state. Thanks to partnerships across the region, we’re able to welcome imec to Florida and share the state’s strengths in sensor technology.”

 The Design Center will add a much-needed suite of services for companies that want to develop and manufacture innovative electronics, but cannot currently do so in the United States. It will focus on products and systems critical to U.S. markets, including healthcare, aerospace, security, and transportation.

 The state-of-the-art research on photonics and high-speed electronics IC design is a scientific discipline where life-changing discoveries are fueling the explosive growth of products used every day, everywhere and by everybody.

“The International Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing Research is fostering incredible growth in Florida’s high-tech, high-wage sectors,” said Cissy Proctor, Executive Director of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. “DEO is proud to be a partner in the consortium’s efforts to attract top companies like imec to Central Florida, provide jobs for STEM graduates and increase our competitiveness in the global marketplace.”

The initial seed money for imec Florida will come from Osceola County and the University of Central Florida. The new center will attract top talent through future strategic partnerships, with the aim to employ about 10 scientists and engineers by the end of the year and increase to 100 researchers in the next five years. Officials say that they are leveraging their investment – and imec’s reputation – to draw more substantial industry funding.

“Imec’s international prestige gives us the opportunity to leverage its standing in a field that is growing exponentially in order to recruit more partners and funding for our work at the new Design Center and the Florida Advanced Manufacturing Research Center,” said Osceola County Commission Chairwoman Viviana Janer. “The relationships and people that imec brings to our operation are tangible ways that Osceola County’s 5-year, $15 million investment will be more than re-paid. It’s important to realize that the new Design Center is going to capture the attention of everyone in this field, thereby ensuring maximum utilization and value of the FAMRC.”

“By attracting the best partners from around the world, the new Design Center will give our region and the state a global competitive advantage in photonics and nanotechnology,” said UCF Provost and Executive Vice President Dale Whittaker. “By working and innovating together, we will lift our community and transform our future.”

“The imec design center is the funnel that will fill ICAMR with high-value manufacturing opportunities and we will work closely with them to make sure our capabilities tightly align with their technology direction,” said ICAMR CEO Chester Kennedy. “This partnership is poised to shine the global high-tech spotlight on Central Florida.” 

Randy Berridge, President of the Florida High Tech Corridor Council said, “Like all of the ICAMR partners, The Corridor is thrilled to have such a globally recognized partner as imec joining with us to build what will surely be one of the world’s leaders in sensor development.”

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ABOUT imec

Imec performs world-leading research in electronics and photovoltaics. imec leverages its scientific knowledge with the innovative power of its global partnerships in ICT, healthcare and energy. Imec delivers industry-relevant technology solutions. In a unique high-tech environment, its international top talent is committed to providing the building blocks for a better life in a sustainable society. Imec is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, and has offices in Belgium, the Netherlands, Taiwan, USA, China, India and Japan. Its staff of about 2,500 people includes about 740 industrial residents and guest researchers. In 2015, imec’s revenue (P&L) totaled 415 million euro.

ABOUT ICAMR

The International Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing Research invites leading global companies with Internet-of-Everything manufacturing endeavors to participate in an industry-friendly consortium for advanced sensors, photonics and optics, and other advanced device manufacturing opportunities. ICAMR is initially targeting the mega-growth technologies that will lead to over 50 billion devices being connected by sensors by the beginning of the next decade. ICAMR will develop innovative manufacturable processes, materials, and equipment for advanced sensors and other future high-tech products (emitters, modulators, energy and communications devices/systems). By leveraging unique emerging technology capabilities, processes, and background IP, ICAMR will develop advanced lab/fab and universal technology platforms with the economy of scale needed for cost-effective manufacturing.

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