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The cluster, which aims to attract other European partners, has the potential to create 5,000 new jobs in Wales, believes Cardiff University.
The Cardiff compound semiconductor centre (CSC), at the heart of the cluster, was announced earlier in the year and is based on a £17.3m grant from the UK Research Partnership Investment Fund (UKRPIF), and a £12m pledge by the Welsh government to support the foundation.
Launching CSC at Cardiff Castle, Minister for Economy and Science, Edwina Hart said:
“Our support has been widely recognised by external bodies as the catalyst for developing this compound semiconductor industry cluster of European scale and global reach which will create critical mass in the supply chain. The Institute forms a cornerstone of what will be a truly transformational project and ensure Wales has the recognition it deserves as a leader in this exciting smart specialisation technology.”
Compound semiconductor components are used in communications networks and devices such as smartphones and tablets, says the university.
Professor Hywel Thomas, Cardiff University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research, Innovation and Engagement, said:
“The granting of the £12m funding package is a major step in the development of the Institute for Compound Semiconductors and CSC. State of the art facilities funded by Welsh Government will be harnessed by some of the world’s leading CS researchers to develop 21st Century technologies with the power to change the way we live.”
According to the university, four significant clusters based around silicon technologies already exist in Europe, but Cardiff’s CSC will be the first centre specialising on the potential of compound semiconductor technology.
The idea is that the cluster will become a operations for the UK to reclaim high value technology manufacturing from competitors in East Asia.
Dr Drew Nelson, Chief Executive of IQE, said:
“Semiconductors are the unsung heroes of our modern world. Most people don’t realise that much of this technology is developed and manufactured in Wales. One of the big problems in the UK today in terms of advanced technologies is that a great deal of investment has gone into early stage research that so often goes on to be developed elsewhere. This is why we are looking to create the world’s first compound semiconductor cluster, and having Cardiff University and the UK academic infrastructure in place creates a very strong basis to enable this cluster to be formed.”
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