The convergence of semiconductor innovation and biomedical science is unlocking a variety of opportunities in healthcare diagnostics and therapeutics. Solid-state nanopores—nanoscale apertures fabricated in silicon-based membranes—represent a compelling frontier where advanced logic, integration, and materials engineering intersect with molecular biology. These devices enable label-free, single-molecule detection with high throughput. Unlike biological nanopores, solid-state variants benefit from CMOS-compatible fabrication, tunable geometry, and integration with photonic and electronic readout systems. Recent advances in nanofabrication, surface functionalization, and machine learning-driven signal processing have significantly enhanced their sensitivity, selectivity, and robustness. Imec’s leadership in semiconductor process innovation and integrated photonics provides a strategic advantage in accelerating the deployment of solid-state nanopore technologies across healthcare ecosystems. By leveraging its existing infrastructure for advanced logic nodes and heterogeneous integration, imec is pioneering scalable, cost-effective biosensing platforms that address global challenges including early disease detection, antimicrobial resistance, and pandemic preparedness.
This presentation will showcase how imec’s semiconductor R&D ecosystem—traditionally focused on computing and mobility—is now catalyzing innovation in health. By leveraging imec’s strengths in chip manufacturing and system integration, solid-state nanopores exemplify how deep-tech can be harnessed to address global healthcare challenges. The talk aims to inspire cross-sector collaboration and highlight pathways for industrial deployment of silicon-based biosensing technologies.
