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Wednesday 2 September 2026
World Diamond Technology accelerates mass production of 300 mm diamond wafers
As AI, high-performance computing (HPC), and advanced packaging continue to move toward higher levels of power integration, chip power consumption is rising rapidly. Thermal management has therefore become a critical factor affecting performance, reliability, and system design. World Diamond Technology is advancing its large-area diamond growth technology and accelerating the mass production of 300 mm diamond wafers to address the thermal management needs of AI chips and advanced packaging. Five Key Priorities for Mass ProductionThe 300 mm wafer is currently the mainstream format in advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Scaling diamond materials from conventional smaller sizes to 300 mm involves far more than simply increasing the surface area. It also presents multiple technical challenges related to large-area material processing, uniformity, thickness, flatness, internal stress, and surface quality. World Diamond Technology has continued to advance its large-area diamond growth technology and has secured a Taiwan patent (TW Patent: I840846). Its mass-production strategy focuses on five key priorities:(1)Optimizing the diamond growth process through proprietary WDCVDTM diamond growth technology to ensure consistency across large-area wafers.(2)Precisely controlling wafer thickness and uniformity to meet the stringent requirements of advanced packaging thermal management modules.(3)Strengthening flatness and internal stress management to improve yield and reliability.(4)Optimizing surface quality and process consistency to minimize defects.(5)Continuously improving production yield and capacity while establishing a stable supply chain to support customers' volume-production requirements. By advancing toward the 300 mm format, World Diamond Technology aims to increase the potential for integrating diamond materials with existing semiconductor processes and wafer-level application platforms, enabling diamond to progress from a specialty material toward large-scale adoption across the semiconductor industry. Advantages of Diamond MaterialsDiamond offers multiple advantages as a thermal management material. Its thermal conductivity can exceed 1,500 W/(m·K), significantly outperforming conventional heat-dissipation materials. Diamond also features an extremely low coefficient of thermal expansion, helping substantially improve device reliability.In addition, diamond delivers exceptional hardness, wear resistance, high-temperature durability, and chemical stability. These properties enable it to resist corrosion, operate reliably in high-temperature environments, extend product service life, and reduce the total cost of ownership. Targeting AI Chips and Advanced Packaging ApplicationsWorld Diamond Technology's  300 mm diamond wafers will focus on high-power, high-heat-flux semiconductor applications, including:(1)AI GPUs and HPC systems(2)Data centers and servers(3)2.5D and 3D advanced packaging(4)High-power laser devices(5)Automotive electronics and power modules As advanced packaging architectures become increasingly complex, thermal management is evolving from conventional system-level cooling toward package-level, device-level, and even wafer-level solutions. Consequently, the importance of high-thermal-conductivity materials will continue to grow. Diamond Technology Powering a High-Efficiency FutureWorld Diamond Technology stated that the 300 mm diamond wafer represents an important milestone in the company's efforts to industrialize large-area diamond materials. In the next phase, the company will continue to focus on process stabilization, yield improvement, specification standardization, customer validation, and the establishment of volume-production capabilities. It will also actively pursue collaboration with semiconductor manufacturers, advanced packaging companies, thermal module suppliers, and end-system providers. To meet the rapidly growing thermal management demands of the AI era, World Diamond Technology will continue to advance diamond materials from material development to practical semiconductor applications. The company is accelerating the establishment of a comprehensive technology portfolio spanning diamond wafers, diamond lids, diamond heat spreaders, and system-level thermal management solutions, positioning itself to capture opportunities in the next generation of high-power chips and advanced packaging. Discover the latest developments in diamond wafer technology at SEMICON Taiwan 2026. We cordially invite you to visit World Diamond Technology at Booth S7546 on the 4th floor of Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center, Hall 2.
Wednesday 2 September 2026
Beyond Language: Indonesian Engineers Bridging Cultures in Taiwan's Semiconductor Industry
Taiwan is home to the world's most advanced semiconductor ecosystem. The island produces over 60% of global contract chip manufacturing and dominates key segments from IC design to advanced packaging. For international engineers, joining this ecosystem represents an opportunity to work at the frontier of chip technology - but succeeding here requires more than technical brilliance. It demands the ability to navigate a workplace culture shaped by decades of uniquely Taiwanese management practices, communication norms, and collaborative traditions.When Indonesian engineer Fabrice first arrived in Taiwan eight years ago, he assumed that technical expertise would determine his career trajectory in the semiconductor industry. Instead, he discovered that communication - not engineering - would become his steepest learning curve. Today, working as a Facilities (FAC) engineer at ASE Technology Holding (ASE), the world's largest semiconductor packaging and testing services provider, Fabrice sees himself not just as an engineer but as a bridge connecting Taiwanese managers with multinational teams.His experience is echoed by two younger Indonesian interns - IOSIF and Regina - both working in Sigurd Microelectronics Corp as  packaging and testing sector. Together, their stories suggest that Taiwan's systematic efforts to cultivate international talent are beginning to yield tangible results - and that the cross-cultural skills they have gained are becoming as valuable as their technical expertise.The transformation did not happen by chance. Through cross-cultural communication programs supported by Taiwan's Industrial Development Administration (IDA) under the Ministry of Economic Affairs, combined with on-the-job training from their employers and academic support from institutions such as Cheng Shiu University and Lunghwa University of Science and Technology, these young engineers learned that overcoming cultural barriers requires more than mastering Mandarin. It demands active listening, empathy, and the ability to interpret what is left unsaid.Navigating Taiwan's Communication Culture: Efficiency Meets HarmonyFor international professionals entering Taiwan's semiconductor workforce, one of the first adjustments involves understanding how Taiwanese colleagues communicate - a style that blends directness in pursuit of efficiency with a deep-seated respect for interpersonal harmony.For Fabrice, this was one of his earliest revelations. Growing up in Indonesia, conversations were often slower and more indirect in order to preserve social harmony. In Taiwan, colleagues spoke much more directly in pursuit of operational efficiency. At first, he interpreted their straightforwardness as unfriendly, only to realize later that it reflected a different communication culture rather than personal intent. Living in southern Taiwan added another layer of complexity, where meetings occasionally shifted into Taiwanese Hokkien - a regional dialect distinct from Mandarin - requiring him to ask follow-up questions after discussions.Those experiences shaped a simple but effective strategy: listen first, pause, and ask questions before making assumptions. Over four years at ASE, he says those habits have significantly strengthened both his emotional intelligence and his confidence in negotiating with Taiwanese vendors and multinational colleagues.IOSIF ( Chinese name: Li Zhongdi), who will join Sigurd Microelectronics Corp. as an engineer in Hukou while completing his Electrical Engineering degree at Lunghwa University, encountered a different dimension of the same communication culture. "Taiwanese colleagues, he discovered, rarely reject proposals outright. Instead, phrases such as "We'll think about it" or "Let's discuss it later" often serve as polite signals of disagreement - a reflection of the cultural importance placed on preserving "face" (miànzi) for all parties. Learning to read between the lines became essential for avoiding misunderstandings. Rather than viewing these indirect responses as obstacles, Joseph learned to probe gently with clarifying questions, allowing discussions to move forward without causing either side to lose face.Regina, another Indonesian student from Lunghwa University, will join Sigurd Microelectronics Corp. as a packaging and testing engineer in Hsinchu - Taiwan's semiconductor heartland, recalls that her biggest obstacle was not technical terminology but everyday workplace language. Local idioms such as mòmíng qímiào ( roughly "That doesn't make any sense") and heavily abbreviated Taiwanese expressions initially left her confused, though local colleagues often helped explain their meaning. Over time, she adopted an important communication habit: paraphrasing what others had said before responding. By repeating instructions or discussions in her own words, she created opportunities for teammates to correct misunderstandings immediately, preventing small communication gaps from escalating into costly engineering errors.Where Cultural Differences Become Innovation: Complementary Strengths in ActionBeyond communication, cultural diversity directly influences how engineering problems get solved in Taiwan's semiconductor fabs and testing facilities. Rather than creating friction, the interviewees found that different working styles often produce stronger outcomes when combined effectively.Joseph experienced this firsthand during a project where competing cultural priorities threatened progress. Taiwanese engineers tended to prioritize process discipline, quality assurance, and long-term reliability - hallmarks of the island's manufacturing excellence that have earned global customers' trust. Meanwhile, many international teammates focused on speed and meeting tight deadlines. Rather than allowing either approach to dominate, Joseph proposed building a small beta version. The prototype allowed the Taiwanese team to verify quality while enabling the project to stay on schedule-demonstrating that innovation often emerges from combining different approaches rather than choosing one over the other. He credits active listening and empathy for helping him recognize that workplace conflicts usually stem from differing assumptions rather than someone simply being wrong.Regina believes cultural diversity ultimately strengthens engineering teams. In her experience, Taiwanese colleagues excel at maintaining stability, following standard operating procedures, and pursuing perfection, while international teammates often contribute greater flexibility, speed, and creative thinking. Rather than viewing these traits as competing strengths, she sees them as complementary. She also applies empathy during negotiations, consciously asking why a colleague's perspective makes sense within their cultural context before searching for solutions that satisfy all parties involved.Drawing on his multicultural experience, Fabrice believes different nationalities bring complementary strengths that mirror the semiconductor industry's own need for both precision and adaptability. He describes Indonesians as practical and quick to solve problems, while Taiwanese colleagues tend to be more structured, rule-oriented, and focused on long-term solutions. In one recent project, he acted as the bridge between a Taiwanese manager and a Filipino engineering team, translating complex technical concepts into simpler language and helping each side understand the other's working style. By combining flexibility with discipline, the team completed the project ahead of schedule - reinforcing his belief that cultural diversity creates stronger teams.A Family-Like Workplace Culture: With Room to GrowFor international engineers considering a move to Taiwan, workplace culture is often a deciding factor. All three engineers praise Taiwanese companies for creating a welcoming, family-like environment that sets them apart from many multinational corporations. Managers and colleagues frequently check whether employees have eaten or how they are adapting to life in Taiwan, making foreign workers feel genuinely supported on both professional and personal levels.Yet they also identify one area for improvement: hierarchical organizational structures can discourage international employees from openly challenging managers or expressing dissenting opinions during meetings. Fabrice takes this observation further, arguing that Taiwan's semiconductor industry would benefit from promoting more international professionals into leadership positions. Greater diversity among managers, he believes, would not only improve inclusion but also enable companies to better serve their increasingly global customers and workforces.What International Engineers Gain from Taiwan's Semiconductor EcosystemDespite coming from different companies and career stages, Fabrice, Joseph, and Regina arrived at remarkably similar conclusions. Technical expertise may open the door to Taiwan's world-leading semiconductor industry, but long-term success depends on the ability to bridge cultures. The communication training provided through government initiatives, universities, and employers has equipped them with practical tools - active listening, clarifying questions, paraphrasing, empathy, and cultural awareness - that extend far beyond the classroom and are transferable to any global workplace.As Taiwan seeks to attract and retain more international semiconductor talent, these young engineers demonstrate that the industry's next competitive advantage may not come from faster chips alone, but from people capable of connecting diverse teams across cultures. For engineers worldwide considering where to build their semiconductor careers, Taiwan offers not just cutting-edge technology but a unique environment where cross-cultural competence becomes a career-defining skill.
Wednesday 2 September 2026
8 September Hsinchu seminar: Silicon photonics driving AI chains
As AI infrastructure drives demand for higher bandwidth, lower power consumption and faster connectivity, silicon photonics is becoming increasingly important to the future of computing. However, moving technologies such as silicon photonics and co-packaged optics (CPO) from development to commercial deployment presents a critical challenge: how to achieve reliable, high-volume production.To address this challenge, ficonTEC will host its Expert Seminar – Asia, "The Future is Powered by Photonics – Building the Manufacturing Ecosystem Behind AI Infrastructure," on September 8, 2026, in Hsinchu, Taiwan.The event will bring together experts from across the photonics and semiconductor ecosystem to discuss how companies can move from prototype to production, overcome emerging bottlenecks and shorten time-to-market.From innovation to industrializationAs photonic technologies become increasingly important to AI infrastructure, proving that a technology works is no longer enough. Manufacturers must also achieve the repeatability, yield, throughput and cost efficiency required for volume production.The seminar will explore challenges across assembly, testing, fiber handling and production automation, along with the technologies and partnerships needed to address them.Speakers from Femtum, Hermes Testing Solutions (HTSI), BizLink, USI and ficonTEC will share perspectives from different parts of the ecosystem. A DIGITIMES industry presentation and cross-industry panel will further examine what it takes to scale photonics.From Machine to FactoryA program highlight will be ficonTEC's deep dive into its Intelligent Automation Platform, showing how digital twins, automated assembly, testing, fiber preparation, factory software and AI can be connected across the production environment.The focus extends beyond individual equipment to connecting capabilities from Machine to Line to Factory—helping photonics companies accelerate the transition from engineering development to scalable production.One ecosystem. One challenge: scale.No single company can address every challenge involved in photonics industrialization. Scaling silicon photonics requires collaboration across equipment, testing, connectivity, manufacturing and supply-chain partners.This is particularly relevant in Hsinchu, at the heart of Taiwan's semiconductor and advanced electronics ecosystem. As AI accelerators, advanced packaging and high-speed optical interconnects evolve, closer integration between photonics and established semiconductor production will become essential.The central question is shifting from "Can we develop the technology?" to "Can we manufacture it at the speed, yield and scale required by the AI economy?"Join industry experts in Hsinchu to explore how the photonics ecosystem can turn breakthrough technologies into scalable production. Register now to request your seat. Request your seat at the ficonTEC Expert Seminar – Asia. 
Wednesday 2 September 2026
DAS Introduces ALCEA for Integrated NOx Treatment in Semiconductor Fabs
DAS Environmental Expert GmbH today announced the launch of ALCEA, a new secondary abatement solution for nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions in semiconductor manufacturing. Installed downstream of NOx-generating waste gas treatment units, ALCEA can reduce NOx by up to 95 percent while its catalyst stage is integrated directly into the exhaust duct, minimizing additional floor space in the subfab. DAS Environmental Experts will present the new system at SEMICON Taiwan 2026 from September 2 to 4 at TaiNEX 1 and 2 in Taipei (Booth J2 | 346).New plasma-enhanced catalytic secondary abatement solution integrates into exhaust ducts to minimize subfab floor space and energy demand In semiconductor fabs, additional emission-control capacity competes for limited and costly subfab space. At the same time, manufacturers are seeking to reduce utility demand, maintenance requirements, and operational interruptions. ALCEA addresses these constraints through a highly integrated architecture: the catalyst unit is fitted into the exhaust duct rather than installed as a separate floor-standing treatment stage. The solution is designed for retrofitting into existing exhaust systems and for use downstream of different NOx-generating abatement technologies. "Fabs cannot treat emissions, energy use and space as separate challenges. With ALCEA, we place a high-performance secondary DeNOx stage where it creates the most value - directly in the existing exhaust path. The result is a retrofit-ready solution that reduces NOx by up to 95 percent while keeping the demand for floor space and utilities low. That is exactly the kind of practical innovation needed on the road to an emission-free subfab", says Guy Davies, Chief Business Development Officer, DAS Environmental Experts.??Plasma-enhanced catalysis without special gas injectionALCEA is based on DAS Environmental Experts' proven plasma-enhanced Catalytic Technology. Reactive oxygen species are formed (ROS), which drive reactions on the catalyst surface. The process converts NOx into more highly oxidized, water-soluble nitrogen compounds that can subsequently be removed in a downstream central wet abatement system. The dry-oxidation process requires no injection of special gases and the catalysts are reusable. Depending on NOx concentration, prior treatment and plasma power, ALCEA handles volume flows of up to 5,000 standard liters per minute and achieves NOx reduction of up to 95 percent. Specified power consumption is up to 3.2 kW, depending on the NOx concentration. The system supports up to two catalyst ducts for dual systems or two individual local scrubbers. Process cooling water, reusable catalysts and a design geared toward low maintenance requirements and downtime support integration into ongoing fab operations.Developed in one of the world's leading semiconductor ecosystems, ALCEA was created in collaboration with Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Taiwan's premier applied-technology research institute. The DAS Environmental Experts engineering team in Taiwan played a central role in the development.The project combines applied research, local engineering expertise and proximity to semiconductor customers. It also represents a significant expansion of the company's waste gas treatment portfolio, adding a compact post-combustion DeNOx option for new and existing fab installations. The market launch at SEMICON Taiwan underscores the role of DAS Environmental Experts' regional teams in customer-oriented innovation and local value creation. Visitors can learn more about ALCEA and the company's wider portfolio for waste gas and wastewater treatment during SEMICON Taiwan 2026. For more information, please visit DAS Official Website and product detail page. 
Wednesday 2 September 2026
SiliconAuto Expands into Physical AI at SEMICON Taiwan 2026
At SEMICON Taiwan 2026 Booth T9116, SiliconAuto will showcase automotive-grade silicon solutions for Physical AI, developed through collaboration across Taiwan's world-leading semiconductor ecosystem. Visitors can experience live demonstrations of technologies designed to power future robotics and autonomous driving applications. The solutions are built on the XMotiv M3 microcontroller and high-performance computing (HPC) platforms used in intelligent vehicles and robots.Throughout the exhibition, the SiliconAuto team will be on hand to discuss practical approaches to Physical AI development. Topics range from semiconductor architecture and system design to multi-die integration and packaging. Visitors can also get hands-on with XMotiv M3 developer kits for robotic motion control, automotive body control, and safety orchestration.Automotive-Grade Silicon, Purpose-Built for Safe and Secure Physical AIExperience SiliconAuto technologies in action through three demonstrations, spanning robotics, autonomous driving, and high-performance computing. First of all, the XMotiv M3 as an ASIL-B Robotics Controller. In collaboration with Nexuni, a Taiwanese robotics developer focused on bringing AI-powered robots into practical, everyday applications, SiliconAuto is debuting a robotic motion control developer kit. XMotiv M3 controls dynamic stabilization through joint actuators. The demonstration highlights XMotiv M3's high-speed interface capabilities. These capabilities enable real-time control. ASIL-B compliance lays the safety and security foundation.Secondly, XMotiv M3 for Autonomous Driving. See how MCU XMotiv M3 works alongside ZF's I/O interface chip to support autonomous driving capabilities up to Level 4. This autonomous driving solution was first unveiled at Embedded World 2026 where it received the Embedded Award in the SoC/IP/IC Design category. The solution demonstrates XMotiv M3 performing safety orchestration, including system management and security functions.Moreover, the Physical AI Multi-Chiplet System. Get an exclusive preview of SiliconAuto's next-generation Physical AI inference solution. The solution is built on an automotive-grade high-performance computing (HPC) chiplet architecture, designed to meet the demanding requirements of future autonomous vehicles and advanced robotics platforms. The demonstration is powered by the SiliconPilot digital twin, which provides a pre-silicon model for validation and development.As Physical AI drives the emergence of autonomous vehicles and robots, SiliconAuto is helping customers bridge the gap between AI thinking and physical action. Through automotive-grade silicon solutions, built on XMotiv M3 microcontroller, high-performance computing (HPC) platforms, vehicle-to-everything connectivity solutions, and collaboration across Taiwan's world-leading semiconductor ecosystem, the company is enabling the next generation of safe and secure Physical AI systems. To know more about SiliconAuto, please visit during SEMICON Taiwan at Booth T9116, Level 7, TaiNEX Hall 2 or visit offcial webiste. 
Wednesday 2 September 2026
Manz Asia Broadens ECD Platform for Mass Panel-Level Packaging
Rapid evolution of High-Performance Computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence chips for Hyperscalers and tech giants continue pushing large sized silicon demands. As a core element of semiconductor value creation, advanced packaging technology is scaling the stacking of more computing cores, more high-bandwidth memory, as well as the adoption of modular chiplet integration to overcome physical boundaries. Leading semiconductor manufacturers are expanding package dimensions to unprecedented footprints, currently reaching sizes of 100, 120, with projections moving beyond 180 mm to support large-format AI-driven advanced packages.The semiconductor industry is responding and shifting toward solutions that combine large-scale mass production with large-format packaging capabilities. Square sized substrates offer a distinct area utilization advantage to accommodate more large-form-factor chips simultaneously by moving away from round wafers to large rectangular panels. This is improving cost efficiency and addressing the challenges of thermal warpage and high-density interconnects associated with massive AI packages.Glass substrates are emerging as a key technology for advancing panel-level packaging from pilot experiments to active equipment qualification and commercialization verification. Consequently, Redistribution Layer (RDL) wet process and ECD equipment has become a critical driver of this transition and a key step in glass substrate manu-facturing. Key production tools including Electrochemical Deposition (ECD), cleaning, developing, etching, and stripping are not only vital to glass core substrate manufacturing, but also central to achieving high yields and mass production capabilities in advanced packaging technologies such as fan-out panel-level packaging (FOPLP) and Chip-on-Panel-on-Substrate (CoPoS). The wet processing equipment has garnered significant market attention.Omni production platform supports cross-sized substrates in 310, 510 and 700mm panelManz Asia, has successfully delivered Omni 310 system, which is the world’s first $310\text{mm} \times 310\text{mm}$ ECD wet chemistry system in early 2026. The system uses an electrochemical deposition module as its core, combining wet processing tools including cleaning, developing, plating, etching, stripping, and dual mechanisms support for both spin and spray operation. This new platform addresses the adaption to varying rectangular substrates.At SEMICON Taiwan 2026, Manz Asia expanded its portfolio with the launch of the cross-sized Omni series production systems. Engineered for varying panel dimensions, packaging architectures, and strict process requirements, this series feature the Omni 310, Omni 510, and Omni 700 to deliver optimized panel-level packaging (PLP) solutions across 310mm, 510mm, and 700mm panel sizes to meet the requirements of advanced PLP technology roadmaps including FOPLP, CoPoS, and Glass core TGV manufacturing.Take early-move positioning for Glass Core substrate aiming to tackle Through-Glass Via challengesRapid advancements in CoPoS are driving the shift from organic substrates to Glass Core, with TGV metallization, seed-layer formation, and copper via filling emerging as key process challenges. The Omni Series RDL platform integrates glass surface modification, cleaning, electroless copper plating, and electroplating to enhance copper adhesion and enable reliable TGV metallization and filling. Major Benefits of Omni series include.High performance ECD technology: The system offers excellent capabilities for filling high-aspect-ratio through-vias. When combined with an optimized seed layer and specialized plating chemistry, this process enables void-free via filling, delivering a highly stable and critical solution for electroplating on glass carrier substrates.High-precision glass etching technology: Featuring robust glass micro-machining capabilities, this technology supports the processing of 0.4 mm glass substrates and the creation of $20\ \mu\text{m}$ micro-vias. It offers TGV process capabilities with aspect ratios of up to 1:20, providing a critical advantage for achieving deep, fine-featured vias. Therefore, the system addresses the challenges of high-density TGV designs and marks a milestone in establishing a mass-production platform for next-generation packaging architectures.Empowering Heterogeneous Integration with advanced RDL for High-Precision Multi-Layer InterconnectionWith 40 years of in-house R&D expertise in RDL processing, Manz Asia has developed extensive expertise across PCB, IC substrate, display panel, and semiconductor packaging applications, and is now building strong collaborations with global IDM and OSAT clients. By helping customers accelerate key process iterations and transition smoothly to mass production, Manz Asia plays an active role in the global RDL processing and panel-level packaging supply chain.Designed for next-generation advanced packaging technologies like CoPoS, FOPLP, and Glass Core TGV, the debut of the Omni series production systems helps customers accelerate their transition from R&D validation to mass production. To learn more about Manz Asia production systems and product offerings, please visit the booth M1248, 4th Floor, Hall 1, Nangang Exhibition Center at SEMICON Taiwan 2026. You can also view detail product information on the official website.
Wednesday 2 September 2026
Keywave Technology innovative radar sensors spark a smart sensing revolution
Keywave Technology is a fabless semiconductor company founded in December 2022 that specializes in radio frequency (RF) integrated circuit (IC) design and advanced radar sensing solutions. Capitalizing on the explosive growth of Edge AI and opportunities for technological innovation, the company builds ultra-low-power microwave radar chips, modules and spatial sensing devices to track multiple targets with centimeter-level precision spatial positioning applications.Keywave Technology currently business focuses primarily on the UK market, where it has achieved significant success in projects spanning lighting, energy-saving systems, HVAC optimization, and smart applications involving precise occupancy tracking, smart environmental sensing and human-machine interaction.Jenny Cheng, founder and CEO of Keywave, established an office in Zhubei as early as 2023 and marked a strategic expansion into Taiwan's core semiconductor and electronics ecosystem. Recognized strong growth of Taiwan’s electronics manufacturing and semiconductor market, she formally launched an "Asia Business Division" team in 2026 with over 20 members.Following collaboration and engagement with major Taiwanese electronics manufacturing, and OEM/ODMs, Keywave has developed two radar sensor product lines, operating at 5.8 GHz and 24 GHz targeting markets such as AI robotics, smart spaces, smart buildings, automation, and edge AI sensing. Through proof-of-concept (PoC) initiatives and product design, the Keywave R&D team has focused on applications requiring high-precision spatial sensing and trajectory tracking. These innovative products, characterized by high accuracy, rapid sensing capabilities, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. Now these solutions are being officially introduced to Taiwan’s industrial internet of things (IoT) and automation sector, paving the way for new business opportunities.MP Kan, VP of Technology and CTO at Keywave, outlined the shortcomings of traditional microwave radar and infrared (PIR) sensing technologies. Benchmarked against radar devices from leading global analog integrated circuits (ICs) manufacturers, he identified the primary drawbacks of these existing solutions: false detections leading to unintended activations, a technical inability to detect motionless objects or resting human bodies, and issues regarding high costs and excessive power consumption.In contrast, Keywave KW007, the compact 5.8GHz ultra-low-power radar sensor, achieves exceptional efficiency by drawing only 30µA to 100µA of operating current, enabling continuous motion detection for years on a single AA battery depending on sensitivity and the selected detection distance.This exceptional energy efficiency relies on smart sensing algorithm with proprietary multi-dimensional "Space and Time" sensing technology. This approach differs from traditional radar designs, which utilize high-performance DSP chips and extensive memory, resulting in inflated costs and high power consumption.In June 2026, Kan was invited to France to attend the inaugural European Semiconductor FSNP Meetup. Held on June 4, 2026, at Château de Seguin near Bordeaux, this was an exclusive, invitation-only event for the semiconductor industry, co-hosted by the European chip R&D platform EuroCDP and Silicon Catalyst.EU. He presented this ultra-low-power microwave radar sensing technology based on time-and-space correlation algorithms. The technology’s key strength lies in its integration of proprietary "Spatial Intelligence" and trajectory tracking, enabling it to accurately distinguish actual human movement from environmental noise in dynamic settings. It currently supports a sensing range of up to 20 meters and effectively prevents false triggers caused by natural wind, indoor fans, vibrations, or environmental noise.By combining radar sensors with AI technology, Keywave KW307, a 24GHz human presence and occupancy sensing module, enables the development of advanced, intelligent applications capable of detecting not only people and objects but even micro-motions like typing, breathing, or minor gestures. Given the regulatory restrictions in EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and California's CCPA/CPRA regarding the major concerns of camera-based systems capturing real-person images or personal identifiers, Keywave’s radar sensors have secured a significant market advantage by measuring motion, distance, and velocity.These microwave radar sensors facilitate applications such as office occupancy monitoring, object trajectory analysis, and climate and lighting control, while integrating seamlessly with the Industrial IoT devices, robotics, and smart home sectors to rapidly expand the scope of smart use cases. Kan also revealed that the next-generation radar sensor currently under development aims to push detection boundaries from a few hundred meters to several kilometers. This will explore the business potentials for deeper integration with drone and robotics applications to assist autonomous systems with spatial awareness and reliable presence detection in variable or low-light conditions.The most impressive technological breakthrough of Keywave Technology lies in its ability to achieve precise stationary presence detection and micro-motion tracking by analyzing the minute chest movements caused by breathing, even when a person is completely motionless. The current popular demonstration of Smart Spaces include powering privacy-compliant occupancy tracking for automated lighting and optimized HVAC adjustments. There are more use cases in the industrial controlling and detecting systems.The company is currently actively forging partnerships across various sales channels, including IC distributors, ODM/OEM manufacturers, and system integrators. In addition to offering engineering evaluation kits, development boards and support to technical teams, Keywave is seeking strategic partners to collaborate closely on the co-design of new applications with hardware and software system integrators.For further viewing the ultra-low-power radar porducts of Keywave, the company will exhibit at Microelectronics UK 2026, taking place at ExCeL London on September 29–30, 2026. The showcasing booth stand is located at Stand G16, ExCeL London, Royal Victoria Dock. At Keywave, we have been working on exciting new developments designed to help our partners navigate complex engineering challenges, optimize performance, and drive innovation. Visiting our booth will give you an exclusive look at our latest product demonstrations, upcoming technology roadmap, and a chance to speak directly with our technical experts.Credit:Keywave TechnologyKeywave radar sensor accurately tracks and records the movement trajectories of individuals.Credit:Keywave Technology
Wednesday 2 September 2026
Take Control of Your Process: Onto Innovation at SEMICON Taiwan 2026
This year's SEMICON Taiwan will be packed with discussions about artificial intelligence and the on-wafer challenges it's creating, where the advanced node and emerging technology worlds collide. And at the center of it all is the need for better process control at a reduced cost-of-ownership (CoO).Right now, manufacturers are being told to buy high-priced tools designed for the front-end advanced node world - often delivering more performance than needed at a CoO that breaks the bank. It's time to break the cycle and deliver what customers want and need at a CoO that is designed to meet the needs of their business and not simply the needs of the OEM.Enter Onto Innovation.Take control of your process and break free from costly, unnecessary platforms and patchwork solutions that prevent you from achieving truly connected process control.Here's how Onto Innovation fights the status quo and puts manufacturers in control.Advanced Node Logic: Controlling Structures at the Limits of PhysicsAt the leading edge, 3D architectures are evolving fast. Gate-all-around (GAA) nanosheets require control of individual sheet dimensions, while future complementary field-effect transistor (CFET) structures will intensify 3D metrology requirements. Both demand precise nanowire control with the data richness and enhanced signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) needed to extract more than a single dimension from a single measurement.Powered by Ai Diffract modeling software, Onto's optical critical dimension (OCD) portfolio provides the precision to identify dimensional drift in complex GAA and CFET structures. Onto's films metrology portfolio measures the ultra-thin oxide, high-k metal gate, and P/N metal stack films that make up these devices. Together, these metrology solutions help manufacturers catch process drift before it becomes a downstream issue.Advanced Memory: Keeping Pace With Vertical ScalingAs 3D DRAM and 3D NAND scale vertically and device density increases, metrology has to keep pace. Manufacturers face increasingly stringent requirements for high spectrum resolution and sensitivity, and Onto's OCD and films metrology portfolio delivers the tools to stay in control as memory scales.Silicon Photonics: Controlling a Fundamentally New Kind of DeviceSilicon photonics (SiPh) and co-packaged optics (CPO) are scaling toward broader high-volume manufacturing (HVM) adoption. These architectures can integrate laser sources, waveguide-based silicon chips, micro-lenses, and opto-electronic converters, with each introducing unique process-control challenges. Defects can show up anywhere along the optical path - in the V-grooves and micro-lens arrays that couple and align light, the waveguides that route it, the EEL/VCSEL devices that generate it, and the module-level packaging (through glass vias, bump, hybrid bonding, and reflectors) that holds it all together. Any of these defects can negatively impact yield and performance. Onto's metrology and inspection portfolio enables manufacturers to address these key touchpoints with confidence.Materials Intelligence: Control That Starts Below the SurfaceNot every problem appears as a visible defect. Charge trapping, interface states, dopant profiles, and crystalline defects can erode device performance and reliability long before a part reaches test – often beyond the reach of standard metrology recipes. Onto's materials intelligence tools are built for this layer of control: FAaST for charge and interface characterization, CnCV and QUAD for yield-critical electrical insights, Aspect S for material and structure characterization of high aspect ratio (HAR) trenches and TSV, and Celero PL for crystalline defect intelligence. With Onto, manufacturers are able to identify the variations dimensional measurements alone cannot see.Advanced Packaging: Managing Complexity Where Device Types ConvergeLogic, memory, and increasingly photonics come together in an advanced package to act as one system. Process steps like hybrid bonding, TSV, silicon thinning, and copper pad recess and dishing/topography control introduce errors that don't exist in front-end flows. Copper that protrudes or recesses even slightly at a bond interface, for example, can undermine an otherwise perfect hybrid bond; this is why hybrid bonding requires tight control of surface topography, including copper pad recess and dishing/topography, along with inspection designed to catch the sub-micron, low contrast, and non-visible defects standard inspection tools can miss. Interposers, meanwhile, introduce their own set of challenges one layer down, where measuring HAR deep trench capacitors and TSV is as demanding as it is in any 3D memory stack, and where high-speed infrared (HSIR) inspection is needed to catch defects below the surface.This need for visibility is just as important, if not more so, in an AI package. Each component in an AI package- GPU or CPU, multiple HBM stacks, an interposer, a panel substrate, and CPO - is a process control touchpoint. Onto's portfolio addresses these directly: logic OCD and film metrology for the GPU/CPU, HBM bump and RDL inspection for the memory stack, interposer inspection for the layer connecting them, panel lithography and inspection for the substrate, and SiPh/CPO module inspection wherever optics are integrated - all tied together by process control and analytics software.Dragonfly G5: One Platform for Multiple Device TypesThe Dragonfly G5 system shows what taking control across device types looks like. The system delivers sub-micron defect sensitivity down to 150nm, with best-in-class throughput across front-end, back-end, and advanced packaging applications. That versatility extends beyond traditional wafer-based manufacturing. Specialty and photonics opportunities are evaluated by application, on a single platform that handles wafers and 310×310mm panels, including glass.This unrivaled versatility is the result of several complementary inspection technologies on one platform, each one designed for a different kind of defect: brightfield and darkfield imaging for standard inspection, 3Di technology for bump metrology, a new illumination mode for sub-micron, low-contrast defects (e.g. CMP, hybrid bonding), Clearfind technology for non-visible defects, and HSIR inspection for sub-surface defects. Outfitted with TrueADC Turing machine learning classification software, the Dragonfly G5 helps manufacturers reduce nuisance defects and improve defect matching and classification accuracy.The result is a platform that follows manufacturers across device types rather than forcing them to qualify a different tool for each type. The same underlying system supports front-end and back-end inspection, advanced packaging steps like hybrid bonding and 2.5D integration, and selected specialty/photonics inspection applications.Taking Control, Device by DeviceAdvanced node logic, advanced memory, silicon photonics, advanced packaging, critical films, and AI packages feature different physics, materials, and failure modes. Onto's approach to each is the same: give manufacturers a clear, connected view of their process so problems are addressed before they become expensive.That's what taking control of your process really means - not one tool built for one device, but a portfolio designed to give manufacturers visibility and confidence across the full range of their products.SEMICON Taiwan attendees can find the Onto team at Booth L0728, September 2-4. Stop by and learn how comprehensive process control solutions can help you take control of your process, yield, and future roadmap.
Wednesday 2 September 2026
Innovative Solutions for Fabricating High-Performance AI Multichip Packaging Using Glass Substrates
Interested in knowing how to solve the microcrack problem in through-glass via (TGV) fabrication? Interested in knowing how to supply 1,000 Watts, 1 Volt and 1,000 Amperes electricity to semiconductor IC chips in an AI multichip package? Interested in knowing how to increase the glass panel size for manufacturing AI multichip packages? If so, visit iCometrue® at Booth M0957, Hall 1, 4F, Taipei Nangang Exhibition Center during SEMICON Taiwan 2026!Benefiting from their excellent thermal, mechanical, and electrical properties, glass substrates have emerged as a promising platform for large-size, high-performance AI multichip packages. At SEMICON Taiwan 2025 last year, iCometrue® exhibited the Through-Polymer-Via (TPV) Connector, a novel technology that provides vertical interconnection in Glass Cores for use in Glass Interposers and BGA substrates to solve the microcrack problem in glass substrates caused by TGV fabrication.At SEMICON Taiwan 2026 this year, iCometrue® plans to exhibit solutions for delivering over 1,000 W and over 200 A of power supply to the high-performance AI multichip package. The solutions include:(1) Embedding Cu Blocks in Glass Substrates for Power/Ground DeliveryCu blocks are used to replace TPVs/TGVs for power/ground delivery. This approach significantly reduces the number of TPVs/TGVs originally used for power/ground delivery through the glass substrate by 80%, thereby lowering fabrication complexity, improving manufacturing yield, and reducing manufacturing costs.A current high-performance AI multichip package, comprising GPU chips and HBM modules, has more than 10,000 I/Os for power, ground, signal, and clock distribution, which requires more than 10,000 TGVs/TPVs in the glass substrate. 80% of these TGVs/TPVs in the glass substrate are used for power/ground delivery. Using Cu blocks to replace TPVs/TGVs for power/ground delivery results in an 80% reduction in the number of TPVs/TGVs, thereby lowering fabrication complexity, improving manufacturing yield, and reducing manufacturing costs. Nowadays high-performance semiconductor IC chips in AI multichip packages typically require more than 1,000 W of power. Since power (P) is given by P=I×V, a 1 V operation voltage of semiconductor IC chips corresponds to a current over 1,000 A.As shown in Fig. 1, the embedded Cu blocks provide the power/ground voltage and current paths that would otherwise require a large number of TPVs or TGVs in the glass substrate. The remaining TPVs/TGVs (approximately 20%) are reserved for signal and clock transmission. Consequently, the embedded Cu blocks significantly reduce the number of TPVs/TGVs in the glass substrate.The formation of embedded Cu blocks in glass substrates is achieved by inserting Cu blocks into pre-formed large holes in the glass substrate. This process is similar to the TPV Connector embedding process in glass substrates previously disclosed at SEMICON Taiwan 2025.(2) Packaging Voltage Converter/Regulator (VCR) chips in AI Multichip PackagesThe VCR chips are packaged vertically under and close to the GPU chip within the AI multichip package. The embedded VCR chips convert the 1,000 W, 48 V, 21 A power supply from external circuits to 1,000 W, 1 V, 1,000 A for the GPU chip. As shown in Fig. 1, copper blocks provide a low resistance power delivery system from external circuits to the embedded VCR chips, and resulting in reduction of the heat generation.(3) Embedding Si Bridges, DTCs, and VCR chips in the Frontside Interconnection Scheme Over the Glass SubstrateAt SEMICON Taiwan 2025, iCometrue® demonstrated that Si bridges and DTCs are embedded in large holes within the glass substrate. Here in Fig. 1, iCometrue® shows that Si bridges, DTCs, and VCR chips are instead embedded in the frontside interconnection scheme over the glass substrate, while the TPV connectors and copper blocks are embedded in large holes in the glass substrate. This approach further simplifies the fabrication of the AI multichip package using a glass substrate.(4) Installing Electrical/Optical Connectors at the Edges of the AI Multichip PackageWhen glass substrates are used for multichip packaging, power and signals are usually input and output via the solder balls on the bottom of the multichip package through the backside interconnection (under the glass substrate), TPVs/TGVs (in the glass substrate), and the frontside interconnection (over the glass substrate) to the semiconductor chips. As discussed above, the fabrication of TPVs/TGVs is one of the major challenges in glass-substrate technology. To solve this problem, iCometrue® has introduced an innovative architecture that enables a large-size System-on-Panel (SOP) multichip package using a thick glass substrate without TPVs/TGVs.As shown in Fig. 2, power and signals are delivered through electrical and/or optical connectors located at the edges of the multichip package rather than through solder balls on the bottom of the package. The glass substrate is used as a panel-level fabrication platform and remains in the final package to provide mechanical support. An interconnection scheme (metal line and polymer) is built on the glass substrate, with electronic components such as interconnection bridges, integrated passive devices (IPDs), and VCR chips embedded within it. Semiconductor chips (CPU, GPU, ASIC, HBM) are then flip-chip bonded onto the interconnection scheme above the glass substrate. Electrical and/or optical connectors, together with passive components, are mounted on the top surface of the interconnection scheme using surface-mount technology (SMT).Credit:iCometrueBecause power and signals are supplied by the edge connectors instead of bottom solder balls, signal transmission and power distribution from the edge connectors to semiconductor chips are through the interconnection scheme. Consequently, no TPVs or TGVs are required in the glass substrate, enabling large-size System-on-Panel (SOP) packages. Further, since no TPVs or TGVs are required, a thicker glass substrate can be used, which greatly reduces the bending of the glass panel. Thereby, the size of the glass panel used in the fabrication can be greatly increased.More than Moore: The Use of Glass Substrates for Multichip PackagingiCometrue® is pioneering a new era of advanced multichip packaging by introducing glass substrates with embedded TPV Connectors and Cu blocks, providing a practical and scalable alternative to conventional TGV-based processes. Further, embedding Si bridges, DTCs, and VCR chips in the frontside interconnection scheme over the glass substrate simplifies the fabrication of the AI multichip package. Combined with the TPV/TGV-free thick glass substrate architecture for System-on-Panel (SOP) packaging, these technologies establish a foundation for the next generation of multichip integration, extending Moore's Law into the era of glass-based system packaging and accelerating the advancem
Tuesday 1 September 2026
Rising Packaging Complexity Elevates Glass in Semiconductor Manufacturing
As transistor scaling becomes more difficult and costly, advanced packaging has become one of the most important paths for extending Moore's Law. Technologies such as 2.5D integration, 3D ICs, chiplets, and heterogeneous integration allow the semiconductor industry to continue improving system-level performance by bringing more functions, memory, and interconnects closer together inside increasingly sophisticated package architectures.The rise of artificial intelligence is accelerating this shift. AI accelerators, high-bandwidth memory, and large-scale computing systems require higher bandwidth, lower latency, better power efficiency, and greater integration density. As a result, advanced packaging is no longer simply a back-end process consideration. It is becoming a central technology platform for enabling next-generation computing performance.This transition is also changing the role of materials. In advanced packaging, materials do more than provide mechanical support. They influence manufacturability, warpage control, dimensional stability, interconnect density, electrical performance, yield, and long-term reliability. As package architectures become larger and more complex, glass is drawing greater attention as a potential materials platform for demanding semiconductor packaging environments.Corning is among the materials suppliers addressing these requirements, drawing on its experience in glass formulation, dimensional control, and high-volume manufacturing to develop glass-based solutions for advanced packaging.Materials Move to the Center of Advanced PackagingAs advanced packaging becomes more central to semiconductor evolution, its technical challenges also become more difficult to manage. Larger package sizes increase the risk of warpage and mechanical distortion. Higher interconnect density requires finer patterning and more stable electrical behavior. The integration of chiplets, HBM stacks, interposers, and heterogeneous components creates more complex physical architectures, where differences in materials, thermal behavior, and mechanical stress must be carefully controlled. At the same time, manufacturers must maintain tighter tolerances and higher yields across increasingly demanding process flows.These pressures are making materials a more decisive factor in advanced packaging. Next-generation packages must not only connect more components in a smaller, denser space; they must also maintain electrical performance, structural stability, thermal reliability, and dimensional precision throughout manufacturing and operation. As AI packages continue to scale in complexity and functionality, the materials used in carriers, substrates, and other packaging structures can directly influence what can be manufactured efficiently and what can perform reliably at scale.In this environment, conventional materials may face limitations. Maintaining both dimensional stability and interconnect density becomes more difficult as package sizes grow. If a material cannot preserve flatness, surface quality, and mechanical stability across increasingly demanding process flows, it can affect bonding, patterning, alignment, and ultimately yield.That is why glass is gaining relevance in semiconductor applications. Glass offers potential advantages in flatness, dimensional stability, surface quality, and precision processing. These attributes are especially important as advanced packaging moves toward larger form factors, thinner wafers, and higher-density integration.Glass Carriers Support ManufacturabilityOne of the most immediate applications of glass in semiconductor manufacturing is as a carrier substrate supporting thin-wafer processing for HBM, 3D stacking, and other advanced packaging technologies. As wafers become thinner to support HBM and 3D stacking, manufacturers face growing challenges in warpage control, wafer handling, and yield.Thin wafers can be fragile and difficult to process without temporary support, especially during thinning, bonding, redistribution, and fan-out processing. Glass carriers can help address these challenges by providing a stable, highly flat supporting platform. In advanced packaging, a carrier must hold the wafer securely,  maintain dimensional stability through demanding process conditions, and also support precise handling and release without introducing additional process risk.Glass offers potential advantages in flatness, dimensional stability, surface quality, and precision processing.Corning's advanced packaging carriers are designed for temporary bonding in advanced semiconductor packaging processes, including silicon wafer thinning, fan-out packaging, and advanced 2.5D/3D packaging. The company's carrier portfolio includes both standard glass carriers and advanced packaging carriers, reflecting the need to support different levels of process complexity across the semiconductor manufacturing flow.For manufacturers, the value of glass carriers lies in enabling more stable, high-yield processing. By providing flatness, stability, and precision, glass carriers can help reduce warpage and handling challenges in increasingly demanding packaging environments. This makes them an important enabling material for the production side of advanced packaging.Glass Core Technology Targets Performance at ScaleWhile glass carriers address the immediate manufacturability challenges of thin-wafer processing, glass core substrates point to a longer-term shift in package architecture. As AI and high-performance computing packages become larger and integrate more chiplets, HBM stacks, and high-density interconnects, conventional organic substrates can face increasing pressure from warpage, dimensional variation, and electrical limitations. Glass is therefore being evaluated not only as a temporary process support, but also as a potential structural platform for next-generation packages.The technical appeal lies in glass's dimensional stability, flatness, and ability to support finer interconnect geometries. These properties can help package designers increase interconnect density, improve layer-to-layer alignment, and build larger system-in-package structures while maintaining tighter process control.Corning's own activities show that glass has already moved beyond laboratory research in adjacent advanced-packaging processes. Its high-precision glass carriers are used for temporary bonding in wafer thinning, fan-out processing, and advanced 2.5D and 3D packaging.According to Corning, the company has shipped hundreds of thousands of carrier wafers to top-tier customers, that include foundries, HBM manufacturers, and outsourced semiconductor assembly and test providers. Corning also offers glass carriers across a range of coefficients of thermal expansion and says its advanced packaging carriers can reduce in-process warpage by as much as 40%.Carrier applications are distinct from permanent glass core substrates. The combination of production-oriented carrier deployments provides practical evidence of the industry's broader direction. As packages become larger and more tightly integrated, glass is emerging as a materials platform that could support both near-term process stability and longer-term opportunites in package density, electrical performance, and scalability."What we're seeing across the ecosystem is growing recognition that advanced packaging challenges cannot be solved through design alone," said Eric Chiang, Business Development Director, Packaging & Wafers, Corning Incorporated. "Materials innovation is becoming an increasingly important contributor to overall package performance and manufacturability."Corning Brings Glass Expertise to Advanced PackagingCorning's role in semiconductor packaging builds on decades of display glass leadership and a 175-year legacy in materials science. Capabilities in precision glass formulation, ultra-flat surfaces, dimensional stability, surface quality, tight process control, and high-volume manufacturing are increasingly relevant as advanced packages become larger, thinner, and more complex.Glass carriers and glass core technology give Corning two complementary paths into this market. Carriers support thin-wafer handling, warpage control, process stability, and yield. Glass core technology is being explored to address longer-term needs for larger package formats, finer interconnects, and improved electrical performance.Through close collaboration with semiconductor ecosystem partners and customers, Corning has developed a clear understanding of how advanced packaging is evolving. The company is applying that insight, together with its glass science and manufacturing expertise, to develop materials solutions that support the industry's next generation of packaging performance and manufacturability.