Belgium-based imec, the world leading nanoelectronics research center, opened its imec Florida, a new entity focusing on photonics and high-speed electronics IC design based in Osceola, Florida.

Imec Florida kicked off with the signing of a collaboration agreement with the University of Central Florida (UCF), Osceola County and the International Consortium for Advanced Manufacturing Research (ICAMR).

Imec Florida will be established as a design center facilitating the collaboration between imec’s headquarters, based in Leuven, Belgium, and U.S.-based semiconductor and system companies, universities, and research institutes.

According to company officials, 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 such as THz and LIDAR sensors, imagers, and a broad range of sensors.

It will also provide IC design needs that will be driving the ICAMR manufacturing research. Through imec Florida, imec’s design, prototyping and low-volume production service - also named imec IC-link - will provide the US market low-cost access to advanced foundry services, helping entrepreneurs to (industry and academia) design innovative products and get them to market, officials said.
Together with industrial and academic partners, we want to develop sustainable solutions and technology to accelerate innovation and stimulate economic growth Luc Van den hove, President/CEO, imec
Funding 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.

Heading up the facility as General Manager will be imec’s Vice President Bert Gyselinckx who previously served as General Manager at imec in Eindhoven, the Netherlands and helped to co-invent many technologies deployed by innovative semiconductor and consumer electronics companies.

“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 County in the Orlando region as an interesting location to drive the next phase of imec’s growth and innovation,” said Luc Van den hove, President/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,” he added.

“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.”