Be it smartphones, computers, or cars: Nearly all modern technologies are based on powerful microchips. Demand by far exceeds production in Germany. Leading semiconductor manufacturers are mostly based in Asia and North America, from where they supply producers worldwide with their microchips. In order to boost chip production in Europe and further strengthen Germany as a location for innovative chip design, the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Science, Research, and the Arts (MWK) has now approved the foundation of the virtual Karlsruhe Chipdesign House (KCH) at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). It is to be established by 2027 on KIT's Campus South. A new Master's degree program is also planned.
"The demand for powerful and efficient microchips to support digital transformation is growing steadily," explains Professor Mehdi B. Tahoori from the Institute of Computer Engineering at KIT. "Most sales are generated by chip giants outside Europe. Particularly during the energy crisis, when we had to cut down our production due to the high energy costs, our strong dependence on imports became obvious, for example, as regards silicon chips produced in Asia."
"There is an urgent need to promote production and the possibilities for its advancement in Europe to reduce critical global dependencies and secure the digital sovereignty of Germany and Europe," says Professor Oliver Kraft, Acting President of KIT. "KCH will bundle cutting-edge research in the field of chip design. KIT has the required expertise, so it is the right location for this undertaking."
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