A student and staff member wearing protective clothing work with equipment in the photolithography laboratory.
Students gain cutting-edge cleanroom skills at CISM.
The brightest and best students in the UK were given a valuable opportunity to develop cleanroom skills, equipping them with the expertise to become the next generation of semiconductor scientists and engineers when they attended a prestigious course hosted for the first time at Swansea University's state-of-the-art Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials (CISM).
CISM is dedicated to developing the next generation of semiconductor technology, supporting the existing UK semiconductor industry and training a national workforce. The facility houses an ultra-clean advanced processing environment, known as a cleanroom, where semiconductors that are used in devices from smart phones to MRI equipment, are processed.
Working in these ultra-clean environments for manufacturing and technology innovation requires very specific skills that are in high demand in both industrial manufacturing and research and development.
CISM is unique in the UK in that it is a university-based-cleanroom designed on industrial principles as a so-called ‘pilot-foundry’ and the students were presented with a rare opportunity to gain first-hand experience of using industry-relevant equipment and processes. As the industry has a skills shortage, this kind of practical training is key in developing skills that are vitally important for a career the semiconductor industry.
The students also had lectures from academics from Swansea, Leeds, Cambridge, universities and a semiconductor sector session where they heard from industry partners from the CSconnected cluster in south Wales.
The attendees included 16 PhD students from the Universities of Swansea, Leeds, Manchester, Cambridge, Liverpool and UCL plus 4 early career engineers from industry. The cohort received training from the highly skilled Research and Technical Professional (RTP) staff of the host universities.
While it is the first time for the course to be hosted by Swansea University, the course is in its third year, having previously been held in the Bragg Cleanroom at Leeds University and is due to be hosted by University of Cambridge next year. The course was a collaboration between the Henry Royce Institute, the Universities of Swansea, Leeds and Cambridge, and the CS Connected industry Cluster.
Swansea University RTP lead trainer Jon Evans said:
"Hosting this year's course was a privilege. The students were enthusiastic, detail-oriented, and asked great questions. This collaboration is thanks to the strong partnership between the Royce Institute, Swansea, Leeds, and Cambridge Universities."
University of Cambridge RTP trainer Dave Ellis said:
"We had delegates from diverse backgrounds, leading to insightful questions and dynamic discussions. I look forward to building on the foundations from Leeds and new elements from Swansea when we host in Cambridge next year."
University of Leeds RTP trainer Rob Farr said:
"In its third year, the course maintained its strong foundations, and delegates, especially the first-timers, were fascinated by the technology and asked thought-provoking questions.”
CISM Director Professor Paul Meredith added:
"I’d like to thank the Royce Institute for their incredible support, and our delivery partners Leeds and Cambridge for all their hard work.”