Major Research Council of Finland Grant Boosts Chip Characterization Infrastructure at Tampere University

This grant from the RCF will establish Tampere Chip Characterization Infrastructure (ChipIn) accelerating high throughput characterization of the advanced semiconductor devices, integrated circuits and systems, strengthening Chips from Tampere initiative. The project is led by Associate Professor Sayani Majumdar, with Assistant Professor Vishnu Unnikrishnan and Professor Timo Hämäläinen serving as co-PIs. 

The aim of the project is to strengthen the semiconductor research and development capacity in the Tampere region by providing the currently missing characterization infrastructure for advanced semiconductor devices, integrated circuits, and complex systems-on-chips. The new ChipIn infrastructure will complement the existing Tampere Chips initiative, which includes the SoC Hub ecosystem and SiPFab, two major efforts supporting the design, fabrication, and packaging of advanced chips. 

“The current global geopolitical landscape highlights the need for a resilient semiconductor value chain and calls for improved research and development infrastructures in Europe,” says Majumdar. “The ChipIn project addresses this need by providing the essential characterization tools and analysis platform required to develop and test next-generation technologies.” 

The new infrastructure will support a broad range of research and innovation areas including artificial intelligence (AI), hardware security, telecommunications, Quantum Computing, Space and many other technological sectors. The project is carried out in close collaboration with the City of Tampere, reinforcing the region’s position as an emerging hub for semiconductor innovation.