The TSMC University of Tokyo Lab, established by TSMC in Taiwan and the University of Tokyo, simultaneously accelerates ultra-fine processes and human resource development beyond 1 nm.
The University of Tokyo and TSMC Launch Joint Robot | The University of Tokyo
🟦TSMC × the University of Tokyo launch the world’s first “1 nm generation” joint lab
TSMC and the University of Tokyo have announced that they have established a joint laboratory for advanced semiconductors on the University of Tokyo campus. This is the first time that TSMC has set up a joint laboratory at a university outside of Taiwan.
- Scale of investment: We will invest 15 million dollars (approximately 2.2 billion yen) over five years to promote cross-sectional research on materials, devices, and design.
- World’s First Initiative: This is the first time that TSMC has a permanent lab at a university outside of Taiwan. It was upgraded to fully integrate the University of Tokyo and 21 joint projects since 2019.
- Examples of Research Themes
- New transistor structure for the 1 nm generation (GAA, CFET, etc.)
- New materials other than silicon (III.-V and 2D materials)
- Simultaneous Packaging and Circuit Optimization
- Prototyping Exercise for Students (TSMC N16 FinFET ADFP)
🟦 Why Joint Laboratory in Japan Now—Background and Ripple Effects
- A quick fix to the shortage of human resources
- Japan government has set a goal of training 100,000 advanced semiconductor personnel by 2030, but there is not enough immediate workforce. The lab fills the gap with integrated education → “undergraduate graduate school→→ internship, and employment.”
- Directly connected to TSMC’s domestic network
- We have established a technology circulation with the Tsukuba 3DIC R&D Center (2021) in the back-end process, a route for mass production transfer to the Kumamoto JASM plant (mass production will start in 2024), and completed “research →prototype → manufacturing” in Japan.
- Geopolitical Risk Diversification
- Concerns about the concentration of Taiwan coincide with Japan’s desire to strengthen its domestic manufacturing base through economic security.
- International Consortium Model of Advanced Nodes
- It will be a “showcase” for a scheme involving Europe, the United States, and Asia, where universities and companies will jointly engage in basic research beyond 1 nm.
🟦 Summary
The joint lab between TSMC and the University of Tokyo is an unprecedented attempt to promote “1nm generation development” and “advanced human resource development” in the same place, and has the potential to push Japan to the core of the global semiconductor supply chain.
Japan is also popular with Taiwanese engineers, and is highly regarded for its ease of living and cultural affinity. As a place where talented engineers can engage in long-term research with peace of mind, setting up a laboratory on a university campus in Japan will be a great advantage for TSMC in securing and retaining human resources.
