The Semiconductor Sector Service Bureau (S3B) brings together leading specialists from Macquarie University, the University of Sydney, UNSW Sydney, CSIRO and the Australian National Fabrication Facility, with the aim of building connectivity and collaboration, whilst supporting commercial impact in the semiconductor industry. It will play a key role in advocating for the sector, connecting companies and researchers with design and manufacturing capabilities globally.
Dean of the School of Engineering at Macquarie University Professor Darren Bagnall said the recent identification of the semiconductor sector as a local strength by the NSW Government presents further opportunities for growth and innovation.
“For decades, Macquarie University have been at the cutting-edge of integrated circuit design. We worked with CSIRO to develop the first WiFi systems, and since that time our capability has continued to evolve with the design and modelling of world-class millimeter-wave monolithic integrated circuits (MMIC), our researchers are proud to be able to lend their expertise to S3B to drive innovation in this space,” says Professor Bagnall.
In cars, computers and smart phones, but also medicine, military and space applications, semiconductor ICs are an irreplaceable component in many current and future global supply chains, and are key to future innovations.
Minister for Science, Innovation and Technology Alister Henskens said the semiconductor sector had been identified as a local strength in the recently released NSW 20-Year R&D Roadmap, presenting a golden opportunity to grow our economy.
“The semiconductor industry has been an engine of economic growth over the last 60 years and the S3B represents an enormous opportunity to secure a brighter future for NSW by accelerating our participation in the global semiconductor marker,” Mr Henskens said.
“This consortium collectively has the experience and expertise, the networks and the drive to ensure that the NSW Government’s vision for the S3B, as set out and recommended in the Australian Semiconductor Sector Study is realised and will be a strong driver for the growth of a prosperous, sustainable and sovereign, semiconductor industry capability,” says Professor Bagnall.
The S3B is funded by the NSW Government and will be located at Cicada Innovations, in the heart of Sydney’s Tech Central Precinct.
