Product category: Electronics Manufacturing Services
News Release from: The Alba Centre
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial Team on 10 March 2003
Funds enable transition
to copper interconnects
The Scottish microelectronics industry's leading-edge IC 'microsurgery unit' has received funds to enable it to introduce state of the art techniques that will make the facility unique in Europe
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The Scottish microelectronics industry's leading edge silicon chip 'microsurgery unit' has received a major cash injection enabling it to introduce state of the art techniques that will make the facility unique in Europe. The Microelectronics Imaging and Analysis Centre (MIAC) offers clients advanced technical facilities for problem solving and repair in the design and manufacture of integrated circuits.
Based in the Scottish Microelectronics Centre, Edinburgh, MIAC has been given funding of more than GBP 200,000 by Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian to upgrade its facilities.
Part of a three-stage upgrading programme will include the introduction of a new technique that will allow the repair of copper based integrated circuits which are now increasingly replacing those that use aluminium.
The new technology will mean the Edinburgh-based centre will be the only commercially operated facility in Europe capable of carrying out the repairs on copper interconnected devices.
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Launched in 1996 with support from Scottish Enterprise and the University of Edinburgh, MIAC now has a client base of more than 35 companies throughout the UK and Europe.
The centre offers electronic design companies the facilities to analyse and repair prototype designs quickly and without the need for a full redesign.
These techniques are referred to as 'chip microsurgery' within the industry as they involve rewiring the chip circuitry.
The MIAC facilities can reduce the time it takes to get a product to the market place by 3-4 months or half the time it would otherwise require.
These time savings are critical in an industry where product lifetimes can be as little as two years.
Commenting on the new development David Crichton, Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian, said: "The investment we are making in MIAC demonstrates our commitment to building and sustaining a world class microelectronics design community in Scotland.
The new copper chemistry needle technology that will be introduced will make the centre the foremost facility of its kind in Europe".
"The centre is an excellent example of the strong links being forged between Scottish Enterprise, academia and industry to make Scotland a competitive world class business location".
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