Joining forces to address vulnerability in the electronics area

With today's increasingly uncertain geopolitical environment, uncertain supply chains and trade barriers, Europe is facing major challenges. At the EU level, there is therefore an initiative called the European Chips Act. Within the framework of this, Chalmers arranged a seminar to address education and research in the field – and thus also contribute to strengthening competitive and independent electronics production in Europe. 

A large part of the semiconductor production today takes place outside Europe, which is a problem if global supply chains are disrupted. Such disruptions became highly visible during the pandemic and have accelerated following the recent political turmoil in the world.

"To reduce dependency on global supply chains, it is therefore essential with local expertise that can build and design its own semiconductor and electronics systems, especially if geopolitical changes affects supply chains", says professor Erik Ström, Director of Chalmers' Information and Communication Technology Area of Advance, which is hosting the seminar. 

The semiconductor seminar, with speakers from both European and Swedish universities as well as from industry, was the first of its kind in Sweden. 

"There are many challenges in semiconductor technology, including access to experimental resources and specialised software. There is also a need for more people to train and research in semiconductor technology. Therefore, industry needs to be clear about what skills are needed, what jobs are available and what exciting challenges exist in the field to attract more students," says Erik Ström.

Agenda with different perspectives

Vice President Anders Palmqvist opened the seminar, which was moderated by Jan Grahn and Per Larsson-Edefors. 

The programme was divided into three blocks and started with speakers from the European academia sharing experiences and initiatives. Inspiration was provided by IMEC and RVO in Belgium and Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft and Hochschule Kaiserslautern in Germany.

After lunch it was time for representatives from industry where Björn Ekelund, Ericsson and Peter Sinander, Frontgrade Gaisler spoke about their businesses and the needs they see in the semiconductor field.

The programme concluded with a panel discussion with representatives from the Swedish universities in Linköping, Lund and Uppsala as well as KTH and Chalmers. Erik Ström rounded off the day with a call for everyone to continue the work.

In connection with the seminar, there were also several exhibitors active in the field of semiconductors.