IQE computes Cardiff on joint venture

Cardiff University is partnering semiconductor firm IQE on a new joint venture which aims to boost the research and commercialisation of compound semiconductor technologies in the region.

The move, which supports Cardiff’s vision of creating a technology hub around itself, will see IQE provide equipment worth £12m ($18.74m) to the as-yet-unnamed project, which will be matched by a £12m cash investment from the university. IQE will also be licensing intellectual property to support the project.

Drew Nelson, CEO of IQE, said: “This joint venture with Cardiff University is a key step in creating the World’s first Compound Semiconductor Cluster, spanning the complete Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale from basic research to full scale production. Our goal is to build this Cluster into one of Global significance and scale, leading to widespread economic benefits for the region, and providing a broad range of CS Technologies to support the rapid growth of the Key Enabling Technologies agendas, in Europe and throughout the rest of the world.”