NXP Austria has engaged in a significant European research and innovation initiative to develop the next generation of secure and energy-efficient chips.
The IPCEI On Microelectronics program addresses the innovation of new, more sustainable chips, power semiconductors, smart sensors, advanced optical equipment and compound material. IPCEI stands for “Important Projects of Common European Interest,” and the current consortium features 32 companies/RTOs from four EU member states (France, Germany, Italy and Austria), as well as the United Kingdom. The IPCEI allows the participating countries to support companies engaged in transnational cooperation projects, thus maintaining and further expanding European competencies in the various technologies while facilitating fast first industrial deployment. Putting a strong focus on dissemination and spill-over, it also supports the positive development of the European innovation eco-system. NXP’s participation includes sharing its expertise and leadership on advanced security chips for trustworthy and energy-efficient solutions.
“Recent European initiatives, like the IPCEI on Microelectronics, are vital for European technological sovereignty and quick economic recovery after shocks like the pandemic,” explained Michael Jerne, Director of External Relations for NXP Semiconductors Austria, which is leading the engagement. “NXP Austria’s IPCEI engagement has strongly positioned our company to play a far greater role in the successor program, which is currently being set up to include multiple European NXP sites.”
NXP’s research and innovation program at its Gratkorn, Austria site is exploring and applying the latest artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI and ML) methods to improve system performance and dependability for ultra-low power RF technology-based applications. Hardware-based security concepts are a key pillar of such systems, and the company is hopeful that participation in projects like IPECI will help boost the development of a new generation of highly secure ICs for more sustainable transportation, smart mobility and the IoT in general.
“With a specific emphasis on ‘first industrial deployment’ and the creation of positive spill-over effects, the IPCEI goes beyond what we know from other European funded research programs,” said Jerne. “NXP Semiconductors Austria is making significant contributions and our involvement will help facilitate the expansion of our partner network and provide insights we can share with the broader technology community.”
NXP’s Public Cooperative Programs (PCP) division coordinates publicly funded innovation and R&D collaborations with academic, government, nonprofit and corporate partners. NXP’s PCP team manages all operational, financial and legal matters, allowing technical engineers to focus on the research and development.
The SEAMAL IPCEI project is funded by the Austrian Federal Ministry of Climate Action, Environment, Energy, Mobility, Innovation and Technology, the Austrian Federal Ministry of Digital and Economic Affairs, and it’s implemented by Austria Wirschafts Service (aws) and the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG). The IPCEI on Microelectronics is also funded by Public Authorities from Germany, France, Italy and U.K.
Marcus Borrmann, a Public Funding Cooperative Projects Expert, plays an integral role managing NXP’s Public Cooperative Projects. Prior to joining NXP, he was a project leader and researcher in the field of Public Health and Health Studies with a special focus on assistive technologies. He holds a Masters Degree in Public Health from Medical University Vienna.
