Until the late 90s, semiconductor technologies were driven by miniaturization in digital CMOS applications, as described by Moore’s Law. However, the advent of nanotechnologies and new materials (e.g., wide-band-gap semiconductors, topological insulators, 2D materials, etc.), gradually led to move towards a “More than Moore” approach, referring to the incorporation of non-digital functionalities into devices (e.g., RF communication, power control, passive components, sensors, actuators). The “High Performance Microelectronics Infrastructure” (HPMI) will be a “front-end pilot-line” located in a clean room environment in the microelectronics hub of Catania, equipped with state-of-the-art versatile instruments and in-line metrology tools, and managed with a software tracking platform.

HPMI has the ambitious goal of covering the path from fundamental research to technological applications, by strengthening the public-private interaction experienced in the microelectronic hub of Catania. In fact, the public-private-partnership will favour the sharing of resources and skills committed to both fundamental research and technological transfer activities, which are a crucial to move towards high TRLs.

The activities carried out at HPMI will be extremely diversified, focusing on beyond–silicon technologies based on wide–band–gap and ultra-wide-band-gap semiconductors, 2D materials and their hybrid integration. The pilot– line will provide the ideal environment for academics and industrial stakeholders to further develop or explore these new technologies that still require excellence research and technological expertise. The microelectronics Industry can commit HPMI to implement the entire chain of processes necessary to realize novel processes and devices prompt for the industrial qualification.