Enabling academic research in future chip design methodologies by providing access to advanced technologies

Over the past decade, academic research in microelectronics—ranging from circuit design to electronic design automation (EDA) and computer architecture—has gradually lost its relevance due to limited access to advanced semiconductor technologies. Historically, higher levels of abstraction in logic and architecture allowed academic research to remain impactful even without direct access to the latest process technologies. However, as we move deeper into the nanometer and angstrom scales, the interplay between Design-Technology Co-Optimization (DTCO) and System-Technology Co-Optimization (STCO) makes it impossible to drive meaningful innovations without a direct technology link. This shift has forced industry to conduct most R&D in-house, missing the disruptive, outside-the-box thinking that academic research can provide.

This talk will highlight the urgent need to reintegrate universities into the semiconductor innovation pipeline and discuss how imec can take the lead in this transformation. By providing access to early-stage process development kits (PDKs) for pathfinding nodes, imec can enable academic researchers to work on future technologies and architectures. Furthermore, creating and maintaining a comprehensive ecosystem—including standard cells, IP blocks, simulation frameworks, and platforms for advanced integration technologies such as 3D packaging—will be crucial. Establishing these standards and research platforms will bridge the gap between academia and industry, fostering innovation beyond incremental improvements. This talk will outline a vision for enabling academic research to once again play a pivotal role in shaping the future of chip design methodologies.