“The collaboration between Microcraft and Siemens Cre8Ventures is application-focused to deliver design-simulation-fabrication capability across UK and Europe,” Southampton associate director of business development Ibrahim Sari told Electronics Weekly.
It is aimed broadly at students, researchers, start-ups and established companies.
The Siemens contribution, Cre8Ventures, is a way for entities to check designs using cloud-based EDA tool flows and digital-twin facilities.
It “allows them to simulate and validate power and performance claims without the costs of physical production”, said Siemens. “Furthermore, Cre8Ventures assists with proof-of-technology, proof-of-concept, and proof-of-value stages.”
Southampton University has its own wafer fab, with equipment capable of prototyping multiple semiconductor technologies.
This fab is already used by the university’s academic ‘Southampton Nanofabrication Centre’, as well as the university’s commercial opto-electronic spin-out Cornerstone, which handles prototyping for academic teams and companies across the world, as well as limited production runs.
Announced recently, Microcraft is intended to be a MEMS version of Cornerstone, also using Southampton’s fab.
“Technically Microcraft is operational and providing custom fabrication services,” said Southampton’s Sari. “With future funding – which we expect to hear about soon – we aim to streamline our operations through a multi-project wafer fabrication platform.”
What is Microcraft intended to make?
“Inertial sensors, biomedical devices, microfluidics and components for quantum devices as well as enable advanced packaging,” said Sari. It will also offer “heterogenous integration, design support and hands-on skills training”.
The Siemens connection builds upon Microcraft capability.
“By validating complex MEMS and NEMS designs in our virtual environment before they are fabricated by Microcraft, we can help innovators save time and capital,” claimed Cre8Ventures co-founder Carson Bradbury. “Together, we are de-risking innovation.”
Earlier this year, in August, a similar, smaller, programme was announced – “Southampton joined Siemens and Arm to launch ‘Cre8Ventures Open Higher Education’ programme, which is an education focused activity”, explained Sari.
Image: Researcher working in the Zepler Cleanrooms, which houses the University of Southampton’s wafer fab.
