Compound Semiconductors
Most chips are made from a single element – silicon, whereas compound semiconductors combine two or more elements from the periodic table.
Compound semiconductors offer superior power and speed and are crucial for next generation applications such as EV power electronics, and 5/6G data transmission.
Photonics
Photonics is the science that underpins technologies to generate, control, manipulate, and detect light. It supports a wide range of applications including data communications, optical computing, LiDAR, optical sensing, and renewable energy sources such as high-efficiency solar panels. Photonic integration is key to enabling the growth of data-hungry AI by reducing the energy and environmental cost of moving huge amounts of data around in datacentres. Integrated photonics will also be a critical component for IoT sensors and their connectivity.
We view photonics as a systems-enabling technology, with a strong emphasis on integration, which means putting more photonic functionality onto each chip, as well as integration of photonics with other technologies, particularly microelectronics, using both hybrid and monolithic approaches. As this trend leads naturally to larger and more complex designs, there is a related trend toward greater design automation and verification capability. The trend toward higher levels of integration naturally favours the adoption of silicon photonics. However, silicon photonics chip volumes are still relatively very small, with current deployments in the high-end market (datacenters, high performance computing (HPC) etc.).
Access barriers and costs need to be reduced in order for the use of silicon photonics to become universal and fully integrated with other high-performance technologies.
Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems
MEMS
Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) are tiny devices that combine mechanical and electrical components. These miniature systems are usually smaller than a grain of sand and can include sensors, actuators, and other tiny parts. MEMS technology is essential in various everyday applications, from smartphones and cars to medical devices and industrial machines.
MEMS sensors, such as accelerometers and gyroscopes, detect changes in motion and orientation. For example, they enable your phone to switch between portrait and landscape modes or help stabilize images in your camera. In cars, MEMS sensors contribute to safety features like airbag deployment and electronic stability control.
One of the main advantages of MEMS is their small size, which allows for integration into compact and portable devices. They are also cost-effective, providing high performance at a relatively low cost. This makes them ideal for mass production and widespread use in consumer electronics.
In the medical field, MEMS technology has revolutionized patient care. Tiny MEMS-based pressure sensors monitor blood pressure, while other MEMS devices are used in insulin pumps and hearing aids. These innovations improve the quality of life for patients by providing precise and reliable medical solutions.
Industrial applications of MEMS include monitoring machinery, detecting chemical changes, and improving automation processes. By offering real-time data and precise control, MEMS help industries become more efficient and reduce downtime.
In summary, MEMS technology is a crucial component in modern devices and systems, enhancing functionality, safety, and efficiency. Its small size, cost-effectiveness, and versatility make MEMS an indispensable part of our daily lives and numerous industries. Whether in consumer electronics, healthcare, or industrial applications, MEMS are driving innovation and improving the way we interact with technology.
Quantum
Quantum technologies are emerging technologies that exploit the laws of quantum mechanics to create novel devices and protocols. These new quantum devices may not only perform better than their classical counterpart, but they will also revolutionize fields such as computing, communication, and sensing. For instance,
- Quantum computers may be able to solve problems that are too complex or impossible to solve by classical computers. Applications include the development of new chemicals and materials that are crucial to the development of clean technologies.
- Quantum communication allows for secure transmission of information and to detect the presence of an eavesdropper, attempting to steal information.
- Quantum sensors leverage quantum phenomena to build highly sensitive apparatus to enable applications ranging from novel navigation systems to personalized medicine treatments.
In 2021, the Government of Canada launched the National Quantum Strategy, committing to invest $360 million to strengthen Canada’s position as a global leader in the development of quantum research and science, and to drive the adoption and commercialization of quantum technologies.
