Abu Dhabi creates iMicro hub for microsystems research
The goal of the center is to stimulate applied microsystems research to support aspirations for the United Arab Emirates to be a leader in microsystem devices related materials, process, circuits and systems research. The microsystems research will be aligned with Abu Dhabi’s economic diversification plans in the semiconductor industry.
Most of the iMicro research projects are currently sponsored by the Advanced Technology Investment Company (ATIC), which is owned by the Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund Mubadala Development Corp. The scope of the research covers integrated photonics, MEMS, energy storage, high efficiency photovoltaics and advanced materials.
The iMicro center is headed by Ibrahim Elfadel, professor of microsystems engineering at Masdar Institute. "The overarching research theme of iMicro is microsystem energy-efficiency in sensing, computing, data storage, and communication. The center’s goal is to innovate in all areas of low-power and energy-efficient microsystems design," said Elfadel. "The research portfolio of the center includes projects on low-power digital, mixed-signal and analog CMOS design of circuits and systems, energy-efficient photonic integrated circuits for communication and sensing, low-power non-volatile memories, advanced nano-materials for energy storage, interconnect, and heat transfer, and novel material systems for MEMS, photovoltaics, and photonics. iMicro is expanding its research to include a focused effort on novel MEMS devices for energy harvesting, ultrasound transducers, and motion sensing using both micro-mechanical and opto-mechanical modalities."
The establishment of iMicro complements the recent launch of the ATIC cleanroom and the announcement of the formation of Twin-Lab, a joint project between Singapore and Abu Dhabi research institutes and government economic agencies to establish a "twin-lab" to advance MEMS technologies for multiple industries. The project is backed by Globalfoundries Inc, which manufactures MEMS in Singapore and is owned by ATIC, is set to manage the project and act as a manufacturing partner.
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