TSMC, UTokyo launch joint semiconductor lab in Japan

Taipei, June 12 (CNA) Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and the University of Tokyo (UTokyo) on Thursday announced the launch of the TSMC-UTokyo Lab to promote advanced semiconductor research, education and talent development.

The lab is TSMC's first laboratory collaboration with a university outside Taiwan, according to a press release from the Taiwanese microchip manufacturer on the same day.

TSMC said the lab will leverage "the extensive knowledge, experience, and creativity" of both institutions.

According to the company, the collaboration aims to "promote cutting-edge research and development in semiconductor technologies, generate innovative solutions, and cultivate semiconductor talent."

TSMC said it began working with UTokyo in 2019, resulting in 21 research projects and what it described as "fruitful research results."

The company said its partnership with UTokyo has since expanded to include "semiconductor education and next-generation talent incubation."

In 2023, UTokyo introduced the TSMC N16 (FinFET) ADFP -- an "academic design foster package" provided by TSMC -- into courses at its Faculty of Engineering and Graduate School of Engineering, becoming the first Japanese university to adopt the program, TSMC's statement said.

The company said the lab is located in the Asano Section of UTokyo's Hongo campus and will be managed by UTokyo faculty, guided by directors from both UTokyo and TSMC.

TSMC said the lab will serve as a central hub for research in materials, devices, processes, metrology, packaging and circuit design.

The results of this research will be used in TSMC's R&D and manufacturing and shared at regular technology symposiums held at UTokyo, the company said.

According to TSMC, those symposiums have been held since 2019 and provide a platform for UTokyo faculty, students and TSMC researchers to exchange ideas.

The company said the lab will also support TSMC-sponsored research proposals and internship opportunities.

"The TSMC-UTokyo Lab is built on the success of institution-wide collaboration that started in 2019, which has blossomed into the close collaboration that we have today," Y. J. Mii (米玉傑), TSMC's executive vice president and co-chief operating officer, was quoted as saying in the press release.

"We hope that this lab will serve as a hub for a broad and long-lasting partnership to expand the boundaries of knowledge in the field of semiconductors and nurture generations of talent for the future," Mii added.

"In an era where challenges and rapid changes surround humanity and the future is hard to foresee, universities should not only refine their knowledge in diverse fields but also collaborate with different sectors beyond academia," said UTokyo President Teruo Fujii.

"Through our collaboration with TSMC, we aim to pursue broad social implementation and actively engage with the historic challenges that humanity shares," Fujii added.