The Nano-Micro Interface

Bridging the Micro and Nano Worlds

Marcel Van de Voorde, Matthias Werner, Hans-Jörg Fecht, Marcel Van de Voorde, Matthias Werner, Hans-Jörg Fecht

• Publisher: Wiley-VCH
• Year: 2015
• ISBN:
  9783527679218
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Tecnologia e ingegneria
• Subtopic: Scienza dei materiali

Controlling the properties of materials by modifying their composition and by manipulating the arrangement of atoms and molecules is a dream that can be achieved by nanotechnology. As one of the fastest developing and innovative -- as well as well-funded -- fields in science, nanotechnology has already significantly changed the research landscape in chemistry, materials science, and physics, with numerous applications in consumer products, such as sunscreens and water-repellent clothes. It is also thanks to this multidisciplinary field that flat panel displays, highly efficient solar cells, and new biological imaging techniques have become reality. This second, enlarged edition has been fully updated to address the rapid progress made within this field in recent years. Internationally recognized experts provide comprehensive, first-hand information, resulting in an overview of the entire nano-micro world. In so doing, they cover aspects of funding and commercialization, the manufacture and future applications of nanomaterials, the fundamentals of nanostructures leading to macroscale objects as well as the ongoing miniaturization toward the nanoscale domain. Along the way, the authors explain the effects occurring at the nanoscale and the nanotechnological characterization techniques. An additional topic on the role of nanotechnology in energy and mobility covers the challenge of developing materials and devices, such as electrodes and membrane materials for fuel cells and catalysts for sustainable transportation. Also new to this edition are the latest figures for funding, investments, and commercialization prospects, as well as recent research programs and organizations.

Part I
Nanotechnology Research Funding and Commercialization Prospects – Political, Social, and Economic Context for the Science and Application of Nanotechnology

1
A European Strategy for Micro- and Nanoelectronic Components and Systems¹

Neelie Kroes

1.1 Introduction

Micro- and nanoelectronic components and systems² are not only essential to digital products and services, but they also underpin innovation and competitiveness of all major economic sectors. Today's cars, planes, and trains are safer, more energy-efficient, and comfortable thanks to their electronic parts. The same holds for large sectors like medical and health equipment, home appliances, energy networks, and security systems. This is why micro- and nanoelectronics is a Key-Enabling Technology (KET) [1] and is essential for growth and jobs in the European Union (EU).

This communication sets out a strategy to strengthen the competitiveness and growth capacity of the micro- and nanoelectronics industry in Europe. In line with the updated industrial policy [2], the aim is for Europe to stay at the forefront in the design and manufacturing of these technologies and to provide benefits across the economy.

The strategy spans policy instruments at regional, national, and EU level including financial support for research, development, and innovation (R&D&I), access to capital investment (CAPEX) as well as the improvement and better use of relevant legislation. The strategy builds on Europe's strengths³ and on regional clusters of excellence. It covers the whole value chain from material and equipment manufacturing to design and volume production of micro- and nanoelectronics components and systems.

The importance of the area and the challenges faced by the stakeholders in the EU require urgent and bold actions in order to leave no weak link in Europe's innovation and value chains. The focus is on:

• attracting and channelling investments in support of a European roadmap for industrial leadership in micro- and nanoelectronics;
• setting up an EU-level mechanism to combine and focus support to micro- and nanoelectronics R&D&I by member states, the EU, and the private sector;
• taking measures to strengthen Europe's competitiveness towards a global-level-playing field regarding state aid, to support business development and SMEs, and to address the skills gap.

1.2 Why are Micro- and Nanoelectronics Essential for Europe?

1.2.1 An Important Industry with a Significant Potential for Growth and a Massive Economic Footprint

Micro- and nanoelectronics underpin a significant part of the worldwide economy. Their role will continue to grow as future products and services will become more digital, as illustrated below.

• The global turnover of the sector alone was around €230 billion in 2012 [3]. The value of products comprising micro- and nanoelectronic components represents around €1600 billion of value worldwide.
• Despite the recent financial and economic setbacks, the worldwide market for micro- and nanoelectronics has grown by 5% per year since 2000. Further growth of at least the same magnitude is predicted for the remaining part of the current decade.
• The pace of innovation in the field is one of the main drivers behind the high growth rates of the whole digital sector which today has a total value of around €3000 billion worldwide [4].
• In Europe, micro- and nanoelectronics is responsible for 200 000 direct and more than 1 000 000 indirect jobs [5] and the demand for skills is unceasing.
• The impact of micro- and nanoelectronics on the whole economy is estimated at 10% of the worldwide GDP [6].

1.2.2 A Key Technology for Addressing the Societal Challenges

Micro- and nanoelectronics are not only the computing power in PCs and mobile devices. They fulfill also the sensing and actuating functions⁴ found for example in smart meters and smart grids for lower energy consumption, or in implants and sophisticated medical equipment for better health care and for helping the elderly population. They are also the building blocks for better security, for the safety and efficiency of the whole transport systems, and for environmental monitoring.

Today no societal challenge can be successfully met without electronics.

1.3 A Changing Industrial Landscape for Micro- and Nanoelectronics

1.3.1 Technology Progress Opens New Opportunities

Two main tracks characterize technology development and drive business transformation. A first track progresses the miniaturization of components at the nanoscale along an international roadmap for technology development established by industry [7]. This is the more Moore track aiming at higher performance, lower costs, and less energy consumption.⁵

A second track aims at diversifying the functions of a chip by integrating microscale elements such as power transistors and electromechanical switches. This is referred to as the more than Moore track. This track is at the basis of innovations in many important fields such as energy-efficient buildings, smart cities, and intelligent transport systems.

In addition, totally new, disruptive technologies and architectures are being researched. This is often referred to as the beyond CMOS⁶ track. It requires multidisciplinary research, deep understanding of physics and chemistry and excellence in engineering.

Furthermore, in order to lower production costs, industry increases also step by step the size of the material support⁷ for producing micro- and nanoelectronics. Massive investments in R&D&I and CAPEX are required for such transitions in manufacturing standards.

1.3.2 Escalating R&D&I Costs and a More Competitive R&D&I Environment

Further miniaturization implies escalating costs for R&D&I and CAPEX. The R&D&I intensity “of the micro- and nanoelectronics industry increased from 11% in 2000 to 17% in 2009” [8]. This trend appears to continue. Such high investments can only be sustained by volume production.

Consolidation in the industry is ongoing. This could lead to a situation where only a few actors are left worldwide and perhaps none in Europe. It is estimated that a 10% share of the worldwide market is needed for a semiconductor company to sustain the investment to keep up with technology development.

As a result, global alliances between companies are formed, for example the New York-based IBM alliance on 300-mm wafer technology and the Global 450 Consortium focusing on the transition to 450-mm wafers. In Europe, the next-generation technology development is centered on leading research centers such as LETI,⁸ Fraunhofer,⁹ and imec¹⁰ working in close cooperation with industrial players. Research itself is increasingly becoming global with the emergence of Asia as the home of patent holders and a skilled workforce.

1.3.3 New Business and Production Models

The micro- and nanoelectronics industrial landscape is changing drastically with a significant shift of volume production to Asia in the last 15 years.¹¹ Overall, production in Europe has dropped to just less than 10% of world production in 2011. Despite the strengths of US companies in the field, only 16% of production is made in the US.

With the increased cost of setting up production facilities (fabs), the granting by territorial authorities of financial incentives has become an important element in the decision where to build new capacity. Tax breaks, land, cheap energy, and other incentives play a major role as does the availability of skilled labor force [9].

Another important trend is the rise of the foundry model.¹² Foundries developed strongly in Asia and represent already around 10% of the worldwide electronic component production. In conjunction, there are an increasing number of “fabless” companies¹³ that generate income from selling chip designs. Without production, these fabless companies have not the high financial overheads of the manufacturing companies.

Secure access to production capacity may however become problematic in the future as foundries extend their offer to include design and prototyping which would give them an insight into the end products. To minimize the risk, some companies doing own designs keep limited production lines in-house (the so-called fab-lite model).

1.3.4 Equipment Manufacturers Own Key Elements of the Value Chain

Without progress in production equipment, advances in further miniaturization and increased functionality of chips are not possible. Equipment manufacturers have b...