AT-C3
The AT-C³ is designed as the “Austrian Chip Design & Prototyping Support Center”, set up as a consortium by 6 leading organizations of the Austrian semiconductor ecosystem. The main objective of the center is to support the Austrian and European semiconductor ecosystem in the fields of advanced materials, thin film technologies and quantum & photonics applications.
Project Partners
- Silicon Alps Cluster (SAC), Coordinator
- Austrian Institute of Technology (AIT)
- Graz University of Technology (TUG)
- Material Center Leoben (MCL)
- Polymer Competence Center Leoben (PCCL)
- Silicon Austria Labs (SAL)
Motivation and Goals
Semiconductor production and research are considered to be one of the most cost-intensive and complex topics and both are of immense importance for modern society and its economy. Austria has an outstanding position in the electronics industry with leading IDMs, equipment suppliers and research institutes. To keep the pace in this fast-moving worldwide competition, there is an urgent need to further strengthen the Austrian & European semiconductor industry and increase its international competitiveness. Here, the AT-C³ enables Austrian partners to significantly accelerate developments, provide fabless companies with access to a European open foundry network and actively support ESBS start-ups in their development and reduce the skills gap.
The main objective of the AT-C³ is to provide the consortiums expertise in the fields of advanced materials, thin film technologies and quantum & photonics applications. These know how services will be accessible in a non-bureaucratic manner and to be used in various innovative applications. The in consortia expertise will be widened by selected external partners. The ATC³ will in addition serve as a „one-stop store“ to facilitate access to the European network of chip pilot lines, design platform and design enablement teams, the ENCCC and the Chips Fund. It is intended to promote innovation and skills in Austrian start-ups, SMEs and large companies and strengthen therewith the international competitiveness of Austrian companies. Over 50% of the funds are to flow into SME/start-up specific measures and programs.
Main Goals
It is AT-C³’s clear vision to serve the Austrian & European ESBS as community in four ways:
- as one stop shop for industry and academia in Austria, offering access to chip know-how, pilot lines, design platforms, and the European competence center network,
- as enabler to boost innovation and skills in Austrian start-ups, SMEs and large enterprises along ESBS value chain,
- by strengthening the international competitiveness of Austrian companies in the European ESBS funding/innovation system, thus creating added value,
- as the center of excellence for cutting-edge knowledge and infrastructure of advanced thin film and material development for sensors, actuators, RF, secure processing and power electronic devices along the industrial value chain with a special focus on sustainable and energy efficient technology solutions.
Objectives and Approach
The AT-C³ plans to build a community of practice for sustainable exchange, 50-60 Expert Service to Third Parties projects for SMEs and startups, 70-80 support measures and open access to relevant training, education and training programs. It is expected that by providing access to pilot lines, design platform and expertise, as well as training and education programs, the gap in qualified professionals will be closed and the development of new technologies and products will be accelerated. In addition, special attention will be paid to the inclusion of gender and diversity aspects as well as the promotion of sustainability and climate neutrality in all AT-C³ activities.
“The Austrian Chips Competence Center AT-C3 allows the
Polymer Competence Center to highlight the importance of polymers along the semiconductor technology value chain and to make the available expertise accessible to start-ups and SMEs.”
Funding Body
AT-C³ is funded by the FFG (project number: FO999917171) as part of the “Chips for Europe - Austrian Chips Competence Centre” call.
AT-C³ is funded by the European Union (Grant Agreement ID 101217532). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or Chips Joint Undertaking. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
