McMaster and industry partners awarded $7.5M to lead semiconductor research

“A new collaboration between McMaster researchers and industry partners TechInsights and Fibics Incorporated is advancing research and development for next-generation semiconductors. The 5-year project, titled CASCADE — Correlative Analysis of Semiconductors: Characterization from Atoms to Devices — is led by Nabil Bassim, a professor in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. CASCADE is supported by a $7.5 million investment from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) and the project partners. Found everywhere, from mobile and IoT devices and computers to vehicles and more, semiconductors are pivotal to every sector of the global economy. As devices become smaller and faster, there is a growing need to better understand and optimize semiconductors for the future. Together, the CASCADE partners will develop a multi-scale, comprehensive, reliable and efficient characterization workflow for semiconductor microchips, leveraging state-of-the-art instrumentation at the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy (CCEM) . This will involve using machine learning to speed up data processing, automatically identify key features, and improve accuracy when studying materials at different scales. Electron microscopy characterization facilities like CCEM are critical to the advancement of semiconductor technologies, contributing rich data and insights that drive innovation in Canada and globally, says Bassim, scientific director of CCEM. “CCEM provides unparalleled imaging and characterization of novel materials, structural designs, and defects at atomic scales, giving semiconductor researchers the insights they need to overcome current limitations,” he says. The project is expected to enhance CCEM’s capabilities for advanced semiconductor characterization and failure analysis, making them better prepared to meet the future needs of partners and clients in Canada and worldwide. “We’re excited to partner with TechInsights and Fibics Incorporated on this project and work together to create new knowledge about semiconductors, in support of Canada’s semiconductor value chain,” says Bassim. Headquartered in Ottawa, TechInsights is one of the project partners, bringing expertise in device characterization and intelligence. “At TechInsights, we’ve built our reputation on understanding semiconductors at the deepest level, from materials to finished devices,” says Chris Pawlowicz, director of Research and Development. “CASCADE brings together exactly the kind of multi-scale characterization approach the industry needs as we push into the next generation of process nodes. We’re proud to contribute alongside McMaster and Fibics in support of Canada’s semiconductor innovation.” Fibics Incorporated is a Canadian company focused on the research and development of systems and workflows for microscopy, imaging and nano-patterning technologies, primarily based on focused ion and focused electron beam microscopy. Mike Phaneuf, Fibics’ president and CTO, welcomes the CASCADE collaboration. “It’s great to see this type of focused development effort by Canadian industry and academia, working together to advance semiconductor technology research and development within Canada, as well as on a global scale,” he says. “Fibics’ 30 years of experience with the semiconductor industry, coupled with our own R&D technological advances in microscopy, will provide a solid foundation for our portion of this project, and we look forward to the advancements that come from this multi-team approach.” Christopher Anand, Andrew Gadsden, and Brian Langelier from the Faculty of Engineering are co-investigators on the project. “One of the key strengths of CASCADE is its multidisciplinary approach, combining domain and industry expertise with advanced artificial intelligence methods,” says Gadsden, an expert in AI and machine learning. “By building and applying useful AI tools for automated analysis, we can significantly improve the speed, consistency, and scalability of semiconductor characterization.” Gadsden notes that these tools will have lasting impact beyond the CASCADE project, supporting innovation across a range of technology sectors and contributing to Canada’s strategic priorities. Trainees will also play a key role in the project. Twelve students and 10 post-doctoral fellows will train in state-of-the-art facilities at McMaster, receive mentorship from experts at TechInsights and Fibics, and develop skills in advanced characterization, semiconductor processing and scientific computing. It’s a timely collaboration that showcases McMaster’s leadership in materials research, experiential learning and industry partnerships, says Gianni Parise, McMaster’s vice-president, research. “Semiconductors power technologies that are essential to Canadian industry and society. As a leader in advanced materials and manufacturing research, McMaster is committed to advancing discoveries that support a resilient and competitive semiconductor ecosystem, while training the next generation of highly skilled professionals,” he says. The post McMaster and industry partners awarded $7.5M to lead semiconductor research appeared first on McMaster News .

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