Silicon chips are the nerve cells of Artificial Intelligence: their surface contains millions of tiny components that transmit important information and signals to increasingly smart devices. These semiconductor chips are built into smartphones, for example, and are becoming increasingly powerful and smaller. Energy efficiency is of particular importance for chip architecture. It is crucial for realizing Artificial Intelligence applications in the future in a resource- and environmentally friendly manner.

Within the IPCEI project “EMMA”, Fraunhofer IPMS‘s Center Nanoelectronic Technologies develops innovative materials, processes and components for the energy saving technology FDX together with the Dresden chip manufacturer Globalfoundries. This chip manufacturing technology is particularly in demand in the growth markets “Internet of Things” and “Automotive”.

The EMMA project, which will run until the end of 2021, also focuses on sustainability in the research area: it includes a doctoral program to qualify young scientists. This ensures the long-term promotion and safeguarding of expertise and thus the competitiveness of the region.

Fraunhofer IPMS is supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) within the framework of the funding for the Research Fab Microelectronics Germany (FMD).