Access for the research community

• Access to extended technology capabilities in research cooperation: APECS’ pilot line will include services for small volume prototyping, strategic collaboration, contract research, collaborative projects.
  
• Support of transfer of research results into applications: In the semiconductor sector, promising innovations often lack the necessary scaling options on the way to industrial maturity. Hence, the central function of APECS is to provide a bridge from the laboratory to industrial production "From Lab to Fab". This helps to overcome the "Valley of Death" in the transfer of semiconductor research to business.
• Training and competence development: Training and competence development reinforces the advanced packaging community in facing one of the most critical challenges of the future. APECS contributes to raising interest towards high tech, which builds the critical competences of European future.

The consortium within APECS represents a collaborative research powerhouse, combining the expertise and resources of Fraunhofer and Leibniz institutes within the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD) together with external partners such as VTT, imec, INL, CEA-Leti, CSIC, TU Graz, and FORTH.

Leveraging the collective strengths of these entities, the consortium operates cohesively to drive innovation, research excellence, and technological advancements in advanced packaging and heterogeneous system integration. With Fraunhofer institutes serving as pivotal entities within the consortium, their interdisciplinary approach and extensive experience ensures seamless coordination and synergy among all partners. Together, the consortium fosters a dynamic ecosystem of collaboration, pushing the boundaries of technology and paving the way for transformative developments in the field of advanced heterogeneous system integration.

The Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD) already thematically and logistically connects, pools, organizes and develops processes and infrastructures to serve all areas of technology that are essential to the research, development, and manufacturing of microsystems. By investing in new equipment infrastructure, Germany remains competitive as a business location for microelectronic research and development shaping the digital transformation in the country. FMD provides scientific excellence in the following 6 technology platforms: optoelectronic systems, microwave & terahertz, power electronics, sensor systems, extended CMOS and MEMS actuators. FMD institutes offer 13 cleanrooms throughout Germany with more than 19.500 m2 cleanroom space are available. Wafer-sizes from 2“ to 300 mm, semiconductor materials from Si over SiGe to Compound Semiconductors like SiC, GaN, GaAs, InP and many more. FMD is highly active in European projects and has therefore a close link to European RTOs.

With APECS, FMD will significantly increase the scope of its resources, significantly expand its technological capabilities in terms of quality and develop greater effectiveness in its current and future organizational form in cooperation with industry.