STMicroelectronics Expands Lab-in-Fab Initiative to Advance Piezoelectric MEMS Technology in Singapore

STMicroelectronics Expands Lab-in-Fab Initiative to Advance Piezoelectric MEMS Technology in Singapore

(IN BRIEF) STMicroelectronics has expanded its “Lab-in-Fab” initiative in Singapore, partnering with ASTAR IME, ULVAC, ASTAR IMRE, and NUS to advance environmentally friendly piezoelectric MEMS technology. This collaboration aims to accelerate the development and commercialization of next-generation devices for personal electronics, medical devices, and more. Lab-in-Fab will help strengthen Singapore’s role in the global semiconductor value chain and support the creation of a sustainable, power-efficient piezoMEMS industry.

(PRESS RELEASE) GENEVA, 21-May-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — STMicroelectronics (NYSE: STM), a global semiconductor leader, has announced the expansion of its “Lab-in-Fab” (LiF) initiative in Singapore, marking a new phase of collaboration with the ASTAR Institute of Microelectronics (ASTAR IME) and ULVAC, as well as new partnerships with the ASTAR Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (ASTAR IMRE) and the National University of Singapore (NUS). This expansion is part of one of the largest public-private R&D collaborations in Singapore’s semiconductor industry to date.

The initiative focuses on advancing environmentally friendly lead-free piezoelectric materials and enabling the development of miniaturized, cost-effective sensors and actuators. By leveraging a complete manufacturing line, the collaboration will accelerate the commercialization of piezoelectric Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (piezoMEMS) devices. These devices are expected to include piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers (PMUT) for 3D mapping and imaging, miniaturized speakers for personal electronics, and autofocus devices for smartphone camera modules.

“We are thrilled to expand our collaboration with ASTAR IME and ULVAC and welcome ASTAR IMRE and NUS to work on new projects in Lab-in-Fab 2.0,” said Anton Hofmeister, Group Vice President and General Manager of the Analog, Power & Discrete, MEMS & Sensors Group at STMicroelectronics. “This collaboration will drive innovation in piezoelectric MEMS technology and help bring next-generation devices to market faster.”

Professor Yeo Yee Chia, Deputy Chief Executive (Innovation & Enterprise) at A*STAR, added, “We are innovating how we translate R&D outcomes by deepening partnerships between key innovators in materials, tools, process modules, technology development, design, and manufacturing. This will accelerate the commercialization of power-efficient piezoMEMS devices and further strengthen Singapore’s position in the global semiconductor value chain.”

Harunori Iwai, Executive Officer and General Manager of ULVAC’s Advanced Electronics Equipment Division, commented, “We are proud to contribute our expertise to this groundbreaking initiative and support the development of manufacturing technology solutions for the piezoMEMS industry.”

The expansion builds on the success of the initial Lab-in-Fab, established in 2020, which developed a physical vapor deposition (PVD) method to grow lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films with significantly reduced lead content compared to traditional bulk piezoelectric technology.

PiezoMEMS is one of the key R&D focus areas for Singapore, alongside heterogeneous integration-based advanced packaging, wide bandgap semiconductors like Silicon Carbide and Gallium Nitride, millimeter-wave radio frequency technologies, and advanced photonics. These focus areas align with Singapore’s Research, Innovation, and Enterprise 2025 Plan (RIE 2025), which aims to foster an innovation-driven economy.

Lab-in-Fab plays a crucial role in Singapore’s semiconductor ecosystem, facilitating collaborations with sensor and actuator product companies, manufacturers, and suppliers. It supports local and international institutes of higher learning (IHLs) by offering Multi-Project Wafer services based on Lab-in-Fab’s advanced materials and device platforms. Additionally, the initiative provides opportunities for internships and PhD research to develop a global talent pipeline in piezoMEMS.

STMicroelectronics, a long-standing investor in Singapore’s semiconductor industry, views Lab-in-Fab as a critical asset for its Ang Mo Kio campus. It complements the company’s existing volume manufacturing activities and contributes to the growth of Singapore’s semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.

About STMicroelectronics
At ST, we are 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of cloud-connected autonomous things. We are on track to be carbon neutral in all direct and indirect emissions (scopes 1 and 2), product transportation, business travel, and employee commuting emissions (our scope 3 focus), and to achieve our 100% renewable electricity sourcing goal by the end of 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com.

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SOURCE: STMicroelectronics