ST sets up piezoelectric MEMS industrialization laboratory in Singapore factory

STMicroelectronics will use its existing factory in Singapore to set up a laboratory to design piezoelectric MEMS chips for medical, 3D and other applications, with partners including A*STAR Research Institute and Japanese supplier ULVAC.

ST and its partners have set up a lab in the fab to research piezoelectric MEMS within an existing plant in Singapore.

The lab aims to help accelerate the mass production of piezoelectric MEMS, which are currently in the proof-of-concept stage, for use in medical, 3D printing, and virtual reality.

Their job is to build and operate an 8-inch wafer R&D production line focused on piezoelectric MEMS. IME experts have extensive knowledge in piezoelectric MEMS device design and system integration, and they will provide tools for a smooth product process.

ST said the lab-in-factory approach will help customers more easily move from feasibility studies to product development and mass production.

Piezoelectric MEMS actuators can be used in new technologies such as MEMS mirrors for smart glasses, AR headsets and LiDAR systems, as well as ultrasound sensors for new medical applications and piezoelectric heads for commercial and industrial 3D printing.

For decades, piezoelectric elements have been used to create actuators or sensors made of piezoelectric materials. Recently, innovations in process manufacturing have enabled the MEMS industry to design and manufacture products in smaller sizes using piezoelectric films. This has led to more miniaturized work, which in turn improves performance and reduces costs.

According to Wikipedia, piezoelectricity is the accumulation of electrical charge in certain materials, such as crystals, some ceramics, and biological materials (such as bone and DNA).

The word literally means electricity generated by pressure and latent heat. The piezoelectric effect comes from the Greek word for "to squeeze". French physicists Jacques and Pierre Curie discovered piezoelectricity in 1880. Piezoelectricity is currently used as an ignition source for lighters and to start propane barbecue grills, and as an amplified pickup in the triggers of some guitars and modern electric drums.

Lead zirconate titanate crystals develop measurable piezoelectricity when they are deformed 0.1% under pressure.

Geneva-based ST celebrated its 50th anniversary in Singapore in 2019. Also in 2019, ST opened a new 8-inch wafer fab there. With 46,000 employees, ST is Europe's largest semiconductor manufacturer. In 2019, the company ranked eighth in the world with revenue of $9.5 billion.