At today's General Assembly, the imec Board announced the results of 2009.
Despite the severe economical downturn, 2009 was a satisfying year for imec.
Imec's total revenue amounted to 275 million euro, including 222 million euro
coming from collaboration with the global industry. 44.7 million euro was granted
to imec Belgium by the Flemish government, to guarantee imec's long term research
and investment in new research initiatives, and imec the Netherlands at Holst
Centre received 8 million euro from the Dutch government.
2009 was the year in which the industry's belief in the feasibility of
EUV grew strongly – a belief underpinned by our results. Using EUV lithography,
we fabricated the world's first functional 22nm SRAM cell. An extremely
small memory cell, but representing a huge technical and logistical challenge.
That we could make it work, and that we were the first, is a testimony to the
scientific expertise and operational excellence of our people, but also to our
world-class equipment. Of course, this result is a stepping stone for more;
expect to see new results in 2010.
In 2009, imec also focused on diversification, echoing the evolutions in the
nanoelectronics industry. Continued transistor scaling for example, brings new
exciting applications to nanoelectronics. In 2009, imec developed a micro-nail
chip enabling intimate contact with neurons. Imec's micro-nail chip can
stimulate neurons and read their signals. The chip will be used in the Neuroelectronics
Research Flanders initiative to unravel the human brain. NERF has been founded
in 2009 by imec, VIB and K.U.Leuven in 2009 and supported by the Flemish Government.
Another apparent evolution is the industry's increasing demand for heterogeneous
microsystems, a research domain in which imec has built up an extensive expertise.
And finally, 2009 was also marked by the successful kick-off of imec's
solar cell research program, endorsed with collaborations with important players
such as Schott Solar, Total, GDF Suez and Photovoltech.
Imec's headcount amounts more than 1,750, among which more than 550 residents
and guest researchers. Imec realized more that 1,750 conference papers and publications
and important papers, often in collaboration with universities worldwide.
Luc Van den hove, President and CEO at imec: "Innovative organizations
are in constant movement. Imec is no exception to that. In 2009, we worked hard
to combine the strengths of our diverse expertise, independent of the location
where research is performed. More and more innovation depends on combining knowledge
in diverse disciplines (technology, design, applications, packaging,...) This
is our way to prepare for the future, to tackle the technological and the economical
challenges ahead. Because we are convinced that open innovation and global collaborations
are the key to progress."
Source: IMEC