FAMES Pilot Line

The FAMES Pilot Line is a pioneering initiative dedicated to advancing semiconductor technologies in Europe, aiming to foster high-performance, energy-efficient, and sustainable chip designs. Aligned with the objectives of the EU Chips Act, FAMES seeks to bolster the European semiconductor industry and support technological sovereignty through innovations, facilitated access to R&D, and comprehensive training programs.

Coordinated by CEA-Leti (France), the consortium comprises leading research institutions and technology hubs across Europe, including imec (Belgium), Fraunhofer Mikroelektronik (Germany), Tyndall National Institute (Ireland), VTT (Finland), CEZAMAT WUT (Poland), UCLouvain (Belgium), Silicon Austria Labs (Austria), SiNANO Institute (France), Grenoble INP-UGA (France), and the Chair +QCHIP in the University of Granada (Spain).

The FAMES Pilot Line focuses on developing key semiconductor technologies such as Fully Depleted Silicon-On-Insulator (FD-SOI) at 10nm and 7nm nodes, various embedded non-volatile memories (OxRAM, FeRAM, MRAM, FeFETs), radio-frequency components (switches, filters, capacitors), 3D integration (heterogeneous and sequential), and small inductors for DC-DC converters in power management integrated circuits (PMIC). These advancements aim to enable new chip architectures, facilitating the creation of next-generation microcontrollers, processors for data fusion, smart sensors, and more.

In addition to technological innovation, the FAMES Pilot Line is committed to promoting eco-friendly practices by prioritizing resource optimization, advocating for a circular economy, and minimizing waste throughout the chip design and manufacturing processes. This commitment supports the industry’s goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

European semiconductor stakeholders—including industry players, researchers, and academic institutions—are invited to engage with the FAMES Pilot Line through annual calls and user project submissions. This open-access approach provides opportunities to explore electronics miniaturization across various semiconductor markets, thereby strengthening European leadership and fostering new opportunities in the field.

For more information and updates, please visit the FAMES Pilot Line website.