Latest news with #NSTIC
CNA
01-07-2025
- Business
- CNA
Singapore's semiconductor production gets boost with gallium nitride fabrication facility
SINGAPORE: Singapore launched a new gallium nitride fabrication facility on Thursday (Jun 26), as it looks to secure its place as a key player in the global semiconductor space. The National Semiconductor Translation and Innovation Centre for Gallium Nitride – or NSTIC (GaN) – will focus on the emerging semiconductor material gallium nitride, which is crucial for the development of 5G and 6G communications as well as satellite systems. The facility aims to help firms and researchers turn tiny chips into high-impact technology for the global market by offering services such as research and development as well as wafer fabrication. Speaking at the launch, Minister-in-Charge of Energy and Science & Technology Tan See Leng said that it will be the first facility in Singapore to have both 6-inch gallium nitride on silicon carbide and 8-inch gallium nitride on silicon wafer fabrication lines. 'This will position Singapore among the few global hubs capable of producing advanced semiconductors that will power future communication needs – strengthening both national resilience and increasing our global competitiveness,' he added. Dr Tan noted that these two fabrication lines will allow the facility to serve applications of different complexities and specifications, from common consumer products to advanced satellite communications. 'This will support a wide spectrum of the market, from startups to SMEs and MNCs, in their innovation journey,' he added. Dr Tan said that from mid-2026, NSTIC (GaN) will also increase its scope by offering commercial foundry services. Students and researchers will get practical experience in working with this high-performance material, he added, noting that it would help build a skilled talent pipeline to power Singapore's future capabilities in gallium nitride technology. WHAT IS GALLIUM NITRIDE? Gallium nitride is formed by combining the elements gallium and nitrogen into a crystal-like structure. The material can operate at higher voltages and generate less heat compared to traditional silicon semiconductors. Such traits make it an important component for 5G and 6G communications, as well as satellite systems, which will help usher in a new era of efficient and high-performance electronics. The demand for such systems is projected to grow to US$2.7 billion by 2028, said Dr Tan. Professor Ng Geok Ing, executive director of NSTIC (GaN), noted that while gallium nitride is two to three times more expensive than silicon right now, it is expected to be more competitive pricing-wise in five years' time once it hits economies of scale. LOWERING BUSINESS COSTS Startup owners also said the commercial foundry will help them to save on operating costs. The price of gallium had risen to their highest since 2011 after China, which accounts for 98 per cent of global gallium production, banned exports of the critical mineral to the United States last year, among other rare earth elements. Dr Sunil Wickramanayaka, chief executive officer of WaferLead, told CNA that his startup could save between S$6 million and S$10 million on capital investment by working with NSTIC (GaN). 'If you want to make a high-volume production line in Singapore, you need huge capital. But thanks to this NSTIC (GaN) programme, we can share some of the equipment, so we don't need to buy (them),' he said. He added that it would also help launch their products commercially. Prof Ng said that the centre will also boost Singapore's resilience in the semiconductor space by developing its capabilities amid global supply chain disruptions. He added it would be helpful if Singapore is able to produce its own supply of semiconductor material through the facility. 'Recently with the global situation (of) supply chain disruption, (it is good for Singapore) to have this technology to alleviate (these) supply chain issues,' said Prof Ng.
Straits Times
27-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
New $123m advanced facility launched, gives local semiconductor firms a leg-up
Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology Tan See Leng (centre) tours the cleanroom at the National Semiconductor Translation and Innovation Centre for Gallium Nitride during its launch on June 26. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI SINGAPORE – A new $123 million facility that enables Singapore to produce advanced semiconductors for the designing of more compact and larger-capacity electronics and communications systems opened its doors on June 26 under an ambitious national plan. The National Semiconductor Translation and Innovation Centre for Gallium Nitride – dubbed NSTIC (GaN) – at one-north is slated to start commercial services in mid-2026. Speaking at the centre's launch, Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology Tan See Leng said the local semiconductor industry has the potential to be more competitive globally. It currently accounts for close to 6 per cent of Singapore's gross domestic product and employs about 35,000 people . 'With a surging demand for such systems, the global radio frequency gallium nitride device market is projected to double to over US$2.7 billlion (S$3.4 billion) from 2022 to 2028 ,' said Dr Tan, adding that the new centre aims to capture some of these opportunities. Gallium nitride (GaN) can operate at higher voltages and generate less heat compared with traditional silicon. These properties allow for smaller and more energy-efficient devices crucial for the development of 5G and 6G communications and satellite systems, commonly used for autonomous vehicle navigation and remote surveillance. 'In today's volatile global environment, marked by supply chain fragmentation and strategic competition, what we're doing reinforces the importance of investing and developing world-leading capabilities,' said Dr Tan. 'It is only by building a deep technological differentiation can we then achieve our objectives of driving the next bound of high-growth value add... and position ourselves at the forefront of next generation semiconductor technologies.' In 2023, NSTIC (GaN) received $123 million in funding over five years to set up production lines and pay for manpower costs and expertise. A partnership between A*Star, DSO National Laboratories and Nanyang Technological University, NSTIC (GaN) aims to provide companies and researchers with local access to advanced wafer fabrication and prototyping infrastructure. It is part of a broader NSTIC initiative led by A*Star, which aims to uplift the local semiconductor industry. Other NSTIC centres include NSTIC (Advanced Photonics), which focuses on R&D in flat optics and silicon photonics, and NSTIC (R&D Fab), a $500 million national advanced packaging facility at JTC nanoSpace @ Tampines. NSTIC (GaN) is the first in Singapore to host both 6-inch GaN-on-Silicon Carbide and 8-inch GaN-on-Silicon wafer fabrication lines. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI NSTIC (GaN) is the first in Singapore to host both 6-inch GaN-on-Silicon Carbide and 8-inch GaN-on-Silicon wafer fabrication lines. A wafer is a thin circular semiconductor material that is used as the base of hundreds to thousands of chips. The diameter of the wafer determines the number of chips that can be fabricated, which impacts production efficiency and cost. Having both production lines will allow the centre to serve a range of applications, from common consumer products to advanced satellite communication systems, said Dr Tan. NSTIC (GaN)'s commercial services will allow companies to overcome high capital costs, which is often a pain point in research translation, he added. 'Our small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups would be able to access these services locally to accelerate their product development and fabrication, and achieve speed-to-market,' Dr Tan said. Several memorandums of understanding and research collaboration agreements were signed on June 26. One of them is between NSTIC (GaN), DSO National Laboratories and local start-up WaferLead to develop high-quality silicon carbide substrates, which is a key component in GaN wafer production. WaferLead's chief executive Sunil Wickramanayaka said that creating a high volume production line for components in Singapore requires a huge capital, which budget-strapped start-ups may not be able to access. Here is where NSTIC (GaN) comes in handy. Using NSTIC (GaN)'s equipment instead of buying its own is projected to save WaferLead around $6 million to $10 million in capital costs, he said. WaferLead produces bare silicon carbide and epitaxial silicon carbide wafers, which can be used in power devices such as electric cars, solar inverters and wind generators, Dr Sunil added. 'We can use that money instead for other applications, such as market and product development, and that helps us a lot,' he said. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
26-06-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
New $123m advanced facility launches, gives local semiconductor firms a leg-up
Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology Tan See Leng (centre) tours the cleanroom at the National Semiconductor Translation and Innovation Centre for Gallium Nitride during its launch on June 26. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI SINGAPORE - A new $123 million facility that enables Singapore to produce advanced semiconductors for the designing of more compact and larger-capacity electronics and communications systems opened its doors on June 26 under an ambitious national plan. The National Semiconductor Translation and Innovation Centre for Gallium Nitride - dubbed NSTIC (GaN) - located in one-north, is slated to start commercial services in mid-2026. Speaking at the centre's launch, Minister-in-charge of Energy and Science & Technology Dr Tan See Leng said that the local semiconductor industry has the potential to be more competitive globally. It currently accounts for close to six per cent of Singapore's gross domestic product, hiring around 35,000 people . 'With a surging demand for such systems, the global radio frequency gallium nitride device market is projected to double to over US$2.7 billlion from 2022 to 2028 ,' said Dr Tan, adding that the new centre aims to capture some of these opportunities. Gallium nitride (GaN) can operate at higher voltages and generate less heat compared with traditional silicon. These properties allow for smaller and more energy-efficient devices crucial for the development of 5G and 6G communications and satellite systems, commonly used for autonomous vehicle navigation and remote surveillance. 'In today's volatile global environment, marked by supply chain fragmentation and strategic competition, what we're doing reinforces the importance of investing and developing world-leading capabilities,' said Dr Tan. 'It is only by building a deep technological differentiation can we then achieve our objectives of driving the next bound of high-growth value position ourselves at the forefront of next generation semiconductor technologies.' In 2023 , NSTIC (GaN) received $123 million in funding over five years to set up production lines, and pay for manpower costs and expertise. A partnership between the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR), DSO National Laboratories and Nanyang Technological University, NSTIC (GaN) aims to provide companies and researchers with local access to advanced wafer fabrication and prototyping infrastructure. It is part of a broader NSTIC initiative led by A*STAR, which aims to uplift the local semiconductor industry. Other NSTIC centres include NSTIC (Advanced Photonics), which focuses on R&D in flat optics and silicon photonics, and NSTIC (R&D Fab), a $500 million national advanced packaging facility at JTC nanoSpace @ Tampines NSTIC (GaN) is the first in Singapore to host both 6-inch GaN-on-Silicon Carbide and 8-inch GaN-on-Silicon wafer fabrication lines. ST PHOTO: AZMI ATHNI NSTIC (GaN) is the first in Singapore to host both 6-inch GaN-on-Silicon Carbide and 8-inch GaN-on-Silicon wafer fabrication lines. A wafer is a thin circular semiconductor material that is used as the base of dozens to hundreds of chips. The diameter of the wafer determines the number of chips that can be fabricated, which impacts production efficiency and cost. For instance, an 8-inch GaN-on-Silicon wafer costs around $1,000, while the 6-inch GaN-on-Silicon Carbide wafer costs three times more, said Prof Ng Geok Ing, executive director of NSTIC (GaN) . Having both production lines will allow the centre to serve a range of applications, from common consumer products to advanced satellite communication systems, said Dr Tan. NSTIC (GaN)'s commercial services will allow companies to overcome high capital costs, which is often a pain point in research translation, said Dr Tan. He added: 'Our small and medium-sized enterprises and start-ups would be able access these services locally to accelerate their product development and fabrication, and achieve speed-to-market.' Several memorandums of understanding and research collaboration agreements were signed on June 26 . One of them is between NSTIC (GaN) and local start-up WaferLead to develop high-quality silicon carbide substrates, which is a key component in GaN wafer production. WaferLead's chief executive Dr Sunil Wickramanayaka said that creating a high volume production line for components in Singapore requires a huge capital, which budget-strapped start-ups may not be able to access. Here is where NSTIC (GaN) comes in handy. Using NSTIC (GaN)'s equipment instead of buying its own is projected to save WaferLead around $6 to $10 million in capital costs , said Dr Sunil. WaferLead produces bare silicon carbide and epitaxial silicon carbide wafers, which can be used in power devices such as electric cars, solar inverters and wind generators, said Dr Sunil. 'We can use that money instead for other applications, such as market and product development, and that helps us a lot,' he added. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Zawya
07-05-2025
- Business
- Zawya
SMART launches new research group WISDOM to pioneer technologies that will help machines "see" like humans
Multi-million-dollar, three-and-a-half-year programme to advance Singapore's optoelectronics and photonics capabilities and semiconductor industry, which generated over S$133 billion in 2023 and accounts for approximately 7% of Singapore's GDP Bringing together over 20 Singapore and US-based researchers, this is the first time a programme will study the combination of three integral components: optics, optoelectronics and electronics WISDOM supports Singapore's Future of Microelectronics (FME) national initiative, and has key partnerships with leading research institutions including the National Semiconductor Translation and Innovation Centre (NSTIC) The IRG's research endeavours are expected to benefit industries such as automotive, consumer electronics, healthcare, and space travel and sample collection – including applications in autonomous driving, augmented reality, robotics and high-speed data communication SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 7 May 2025 - Imagine creating 3D-sensing technologies so lightweight, compact and high-performance that they could take us to planets beyond Mars. The Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART), Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) research enterprise in Singapore, has launched a new interdisciplinary research group (IRG) focused on developing next-generation 3D-sensing technologies for practical use across industries such as automotive, consumer electronics, aerospace and healthcare, among others. Jointly led by faculty from MIT and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), the Wafer-scale Integrated Sensing Devices based on Optoelectronic Metasurfaces (WISDOM) IRG will focus on developing ultra-thin, scalable sensing devices – systems that allow machines such as autonomous vehicles and robots to perceive depth, shape and spatial detail safely and with more versatility, much like human vision. 3-Dimensional (3D) sensing is essential for many modern applications, from autonomous vehicles and robotics to augmented reality and medical diagnostics. However, current systems still fall short of human-like perception capabilities, which pose limitations such as contextual unawareness and decision errors. Today's optical systems are also often bulky, expensive and difficult to mass-produce due to reliance on complex components and manual assembly. While new materials called optoelectronic metasurfaces — which are ultra-thin and can control light in powerful new ways — show great potential, it has been difficult so far to turn them into practical, widely used products, due to challenges in how these materials are combined with other technologies and manufactured at large scale. To solve the challenges, WISDOM aims to develop compact solutions that are high performance, and enable optoelectronic metasurfaces to be manufactured using standard semiconductor processes and ready for mass-market adoption. SMART WISDOM will be helmed by Co-Lead Principal Investigators Prof Juejun Hu, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT, and Prof Tan Chuan-Seng, Professor of Electronic Engineering at the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at NTU Singapore. "What makes me really excited about WISDOM is that we're putting together pieces that haven't been combined before – to benefit a ton of industries and use cases. For example, think how a super light and powerful LiDAR system could make trips to planets beyond Mars a reality. It's like having a whole new set of eyes for exploration, and about making the seemingly impossible, possible," said Prof Juejun Hu, Co-Lead Principal Investigator, WISDOM. Combining expertise from five leading institutions SMART brings together top researchers from leading institutions in the United States and Singapore, including MIT, NTU Singapore, National University of Singapore (NUS), Stanford University and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), to redefine how optical metasurfaces are designed, integrated and manufactured. This multi-million, multi-year effort, supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore under its Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) programme, brings together leading experts across disciplines in photonics, materials science and semiconductor engineering to position Singapore at the forefront of global innovation in sensing technologies and advanced manufacturing. World-first approach to pioneering 3D-sensing and next-generation applications WISDOM will capitalise on wafer-scale integration using standard silicon complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processes to revolutionise how meta-optical systems are produced. This is the first time a programme is put together to study the combination of these three separate elements: optical metasurfaces, optoelectronic devices with a focus on light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and vertical surface emitting laser arrays (VCSELs); and silicon CMOS electronics. At the heart of WISDOM's pioneering research is their world-first approach that integrates the three elements into a wafer-scale platform. This tri-element integration seeks to unlock entirely new functionalities in optical metasurface technology, enabling next-generation sensing systems with multi-modal illumination and detection, advanced displays with built-in high-speed communication, and biomedical devices with versatile light sources for diagnostics and therapeutics. WISDOM's work to bridge these complementary technologies will pioneer a new frontier in integrated optoelectronics, creating solutions that were previously unattainable with conventional approaches. "The launch of WISDOM marks an exciting chapter in SMART's and MIT's long legacy in Singapore - bringing together the best in their fields from US, Singapore and the region for interdisciplinary research and collaboration to drive world-class research and innovation with commercial and societal impact for Singapore and beyond. The first-of-its-kind research will pioneer groundbreaking advancements for next-generation sensing systems, enabling transformative solutions across industries such as automotive, healthcare, aerospace and consumer electronics," said Bruce Tidor, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Interim), SMART. WISDOM's inaugural project aims to develop a high-performance, metasurface-enabled LiDAR prototype, addressing key challenges in scalability, integration and performance. By combining metasurface optics, optoelectronic devices, and CMOS electronics on a single silicon substrate, WISDOM seeks to redefine the capabilities of LiDAR systems. This innovation promises to enhance detection accuracy, extend range and field-of-view, and reduce motion artifacts, with transformative implications for industries such as automotive, healthcare, robotics and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Beyond improving safety in autonomous vehicles and navigation in drones, it also opens doors to revolutionary applications like glasses-free 3D displays and high-speed optical communication, laying the groundwork for smarter, more efficient technologies that will shape the future. "WISDOM represents a paradigm shift in how meta-optical systems are integrated – from discrete assembly to wafer-scale packaging. Even at the research stage, we have a clear objective to bring our innovations to market and societal impact – enabling transformative sensing technologies for mass-market applications. WISDOM is designed to streamline manufacturing by eliminating costly and intricate die-to-die assembly, significantly improving throughput," said MIT Prof Hu Juejun. "By combining NTU's two decades of expertise in electronics engineering and wafer packaging with MIT's strengths in optical systems, we aim to create a new platform for large-scale manufacturing of optical metasurfaces using industry-standard CMOS processes. NTU is known for translating fundamental research into real-world technologies, and this collaboration builds on that strength. Ranked top in the world for Electrical and Electronic Engineering 1, we are well-placed to deliver innovations that are both scalable and commercially viable, while also training the next generation of engineers to lead in areas like Augmented Reality, robotics and consumer technology," said NTU Prof Tan Chuan-Seng. As MIT's research enterprise in Singapore, SMART is dedicated to driving innovation that powers future industries and transforms global technological landscapes. WISDOM adds on to SMART's continuing commitment to advancing cutting-edge and translational research in fields such as artificial intelligence, agriculture, antimicrobial resistance, cell therapy and more. In addition to advancing scientific understanding, the IRG's work is expected to contribute to intellectual property development, technology licensing, and the creation of Singapore research spin-offs and startups in related industries. Hashtag: #SMART The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Wafer-scale Integrated Sensing Devices based on Optoelectronic Metasurfaces (WISDOM) WISDOM is an interdisciplinary research group (IRG) launched in April 2025 by SMART, MIT's research enterprise in Singapore. WISDOM is the first research and industry endeavour to study and integrate optical metasurfaces, light emitting diodes (LEDs) and vertical surface emitting laser arrays (VCSELs), and complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) electronics for industry and commercial application. By developing innovative 3D-sensing technologies that enhance system performance, scalability and cost efficiency, WISDOM aims to revolutionise optoelectronics and photonics, and address key challenges in semiconductor manufacturing and other key industries. These 3D-sensing technologies will deliver impactful advancements that drive progress in sensor innovation while fostering opportunities for commercial applications and societal benefits in Singapore and globally. About Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) [新加坡-麻省理工学院科研中心] Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) is MIT's Research Enterprise in Singapore, established by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in partnership with the National Research Foundation of Singapore (NRF) since 2007. SMART is the first entity in the Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) developed by NRF. SMART serves as an intellectual and innovation hub for research interactions between MIT and Singapore. Cutting-edge research projects in areas of interest to both Singapore and MIT are undertaken at SMART. SMART currently comprises an Innovation Centre and five Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRGs): Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine (CAMP), Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision (DiSTAP), Mens, Manus and Machina (M3S), and Wafer-scale Integrated Sensing Devices based on Optoelectronic Metasurfaces (WISDOM). SMART research is funded by the National Research Foundation Singapore under the CREATE programme. For more information, please visit Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART)
Malay Mail
07-05-2025
- Science
- Malay Mail
SMART launches new research group WISDOM to pioneer technologies that will help machines "see" like humans
Multi-million-dollar, three-and-a-half-year programme to advance Singapore's optoelectronics and photonics capabilities and semiconductor industry, which generated over S$133 billion in 2023 and accounts for approximately 7% of Singapore's GDP Bringing together over 20 Singapore and US-based researchers, this is the first time a programme will study the combination of three integral components: optics, optoelectronics and electronics WISDOM supports Singapore's Future of Microelectronics (FME) national initiative, and has key partnerships with leading research institutions including the National Semiconductor Translation and Innovation Centre (NSTIC) The IRG's research endeavours are expected to benefit industries such as automotive, consumer electronics, healthcare, and space travel and sample collection – including applications in autonomous driving, augmented reality, robotics and high-speed data communication Wafer-scale Integrated Sensing Devices based on Optoelectronic Metasurfaces (WISDOM) SMART WISDOM will be helmed by Co-Lead Principal Investigators Prof Juejun Hu, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT, and Prof Tan Chuan-Seng, Professor of Electronic Engineering at the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at NTU Singapore. "What makes me really excited about WISDOM is that we're putting together pieces that haven't been combined before – to benefit a ton of industries and use cases. For example, think how a super light and powerful LiDAR system could make trips to planets beyond Mars a reality. It's like having a whole new set of eyes for exploration, and about making the seemingly impossible, possible," said Prof Juejun Hu, Co-Lead Principal Investigator, WISDOM. Combining expertise from five leading institutions SMART brings together top researchers from leading institutions in the United States and Singapore, including NTU Singapore, National University of Singapore (NUS), This multi-million, multi-year effort, supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore under its Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) programme, brings together leading experts across disciplines in photonics, materials science and semiconductor engineering to position Singapore at the forefront of global innovation in sensing technologies and advanced manufacturing. World-first approach to pioneering 3D-sensing and next-generation applications WISDOM will capitalise on wafer-scale integration using standard silicon complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processes to revolutionise how meta-optical systems are produced. This is the first time a programme is put together to study the combination of these three separate elements: optical metasurfaces, optoelectronic devices with a focus on light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and vertical surface emitting laser arrays (VCSELs); and silicon CMOS electronics. At the heart of WISDOM's pioneering research is their world-first approach that integrates the three elements into a wafer-scale platform. This tri-element integration seeks to unlock entirely new functionalities in optical metasurface technology, enabling next-generation sensing systems with multi-modal illumination and detection, advanced displays with built-in high-speed communication, and biomedical devices with versatile light sources for diagnostics and therapeutics. WISDOM's work to bridge these complementary technologies will pioneer a new frontier in integrated optoelectronics, creating solutions that were previously unattainable with conventional approaches. "The launch of WISDOM marks an exciting chapter in SMART's and MIT's long legacy in Singapore - bringing together the best in their fields from US, Singapore and the region for interdisciplinary research and collaboration to drive world-class research and innovation with commercial and societal impact for Singapore and beyond. The first-of-its-kind research will pioneer groundbreaking advancements for next-generation sensing systems, enabling transformative solutions across industries such as automotive, healthcare, aerospace and consumer electronics," said Bruce Tidor, Chief Executive Officer and Director (Interim), SMART. WISDOM's inaugural project aims to develop a high-performance, metasurface-enabled LiDAR prototype, addressing key challenges in scalability, integration and performance. By combining metasurface optics, optoelectronic devices, and CMOS electronics on a single silicon substrate, WISDOM seeks to redefine the capabilities of LiDAR systems. This innovation promises to enhance detection accuracy, extend range and field-of-view, and reduce motion artifacts, with transformative implications for industries such as automotive, healthcare, robotics and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Beyond improving safety in autonomous vehicles and navigation in drones, it also opens doors to revolutionary applications like glasses-free 3D displays and high-speed optical communication, laying the groundwork for smarter, more efficient technologies that will shape the future. "WISDOM represents a paradigm shift in how meta-optical systems are integrated – from discrete assembly to wafer-scale packaging. Even at the research stage, we have a clear objective to bring our innovations to market and societal impact – enabling transformative sensing technologies for mass-market applications. WISDOM is designed to streamline manufacturing by eliminating costly and intricate die-to-die assembly, significantly improving throughput," said MIT Prof Hu Juejun. "By combining NTU's two decades of expertise in electronics engineering and wafer packaging with MIT's strengths in optical systems, we aim to create a new platform for large-scale manufacturing of optical metasurfaces using industry-standard CMOS processes. NTU is known for translating fundamental research into real-world technologies, and this collaboration builds on that strength. Ranked top in the world for Electrical and Electronic Engineering1, we are well-placed to deliver innovations that are both scalable and commercially viable, while also training the next generation of engineers to lead in areas like Augmented Reality, robotics and consumer technology," said NTU Prof Tan Chuan-Seng. As MIT's research enterprise in Singapore, SMART is dedicated to driving innovation that powers future industries and transforms global technological landscapes. WISDOM adds on to SMART's continuing commitment to advancing cutting-edge and translational research in fields such as artificial intelligence, agriculture, antimicrobial resistance, cell therapy and more. In addition to advancing scientific understanding, the IRG's work is expected to contribute to intellectual property development, technology licensing, and the creation of Singapore research spin-offs and startups in related industries. To solve the challenges, WISDOM aims to develop compact solutions that are high performance, and enable optoelectronic metasurfaces to be manufactured using standard semiconductor processes and ready for mass-market WISDOM will be helmed by Co-Lead Principal Investigators, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT, and, Professor of Electronic Engineering at the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering at NTU Singapore."What makes me really excited about WISDOM is that we're putting together pieces that haven't been combined before – to benefit a ton of industries and use cases. For example, think how a super light and powerful LiDAR system could make trips to planets beyond Mars a reality. It's like having a whole new set of eyes for exploration, and about making the seemingly impossible, possible," saidSMART brings together top researchers from leading institutions in the United States and Singapore, including MIT Stanford University and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) , to redefine how optical metasurfaces are designed, integrated and multi-million, multi-year effort, supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) Singapore under its Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE) programme, brings together leading experts across disciplines in photonics, materials science and semiconductor engineering to position Singapore at the forefront of global innovation in sensing technologies and advanced will capitalise on wafer-scale integration using standard silicon complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) processes to revolutionise how meta-optical systems are produced. This is the first time a programme is put together to study the combination of these three separate elements: optical metasurfaces, optoelectronic devices with a focus on light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and vertical surface emitting laser arrays (VCSELs); and silicon CMOS the heart of WISDOM's pioneering research is their world-first approach that integrates the three elements into a wafer-scale platform. This tri-element integration seeks to unlock entirely new functionalities in optical metasurface technology, enabling next-generation sensing systems with multi-modal illumination and detection, advanced displays with built-in high-speed communication, and biomedical devices with versatile light sources for diagnostics and MIT's research enterprise in Singapore, SMART is dedicated to driving innovation that powers future industries and transforms global technological landscapes. WISDOM adds on to SMART's continuing commitment to advancing cutting-edge and translational research in fields such as artificial intelligence, agriculture, antimicrobial resistance, cell therapy and more. In addition to advancing scientific understanding, the IRG's work is expected to contribute to intellectual property development, technology licensing, and the creation of Singapore research spin-offs and startups in related industries. SINGAPORE - Media OutReach Newswire - 7 May 2025 -Imagine creating 3D-sensing technologies so lightweight, compact and high-performance that they could take us to planets beyond Mars. The Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) , Massachusetts Institute of Technology's (MIT) research enterprise in Singapore, has launched a new interdisciplinary research group (IRG) focused on developing next-generation 3D-sensing technologies for practical use across industries such as automotive, consumer electronics, aerospace and healthcare, among led by faculty from MIT and Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore), theIRG will focus on developing ultra-thin, scalable sensing devices – systems that allow machines such as autonomous vehicles and robots to perceive depth, shape and spatial detail safely and with more versatility, much like human vision.3-Dimensional (3D) sensing is essential for many modern applications, from autonomous vehicles and robotics to augmented reality and medical diagnostics. However, current systems still fall short of human-like perception capabilities, which pose limitations such as contextual unawareness and decision optical systems are also often bulky, expensive and difficult to mass-produce due to reliance on complex components and manual assembly. While new materials called optoelectronic metasurfaces — which are ultra-thin and can control light in powerful new ways — show great potential, it has been difficult so far to turn them into practical, widely used products, due to challenges in how these materials are combined with other technologies and manufactured at large #SMART The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. About Wafer-scale Integrated Sensing Devices based on Optoelectronic Metasurfaces (WISDOM) WISDOM is an interdisciplinary research group (IRG) launched in April 2025 by SMART, MIT's research enterprise in Singapore. WISDOM is the first research and industry endeavour to study and integrate optical metasurfaces, light emitting diodes (LEDs) and vertical surface emitting laser arrays (VCSELs), and complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) electronics for industry and commercial application. By developing innovative 3D-sensing technologies that enhance system performance, scalability and cost efficiency, WISDOM aims to revolutionise optoelectronics and photonics, and address key challenges in semiconductor manufacturing and other key industries. These 3D-sensing technologies will deliver impactful advancements that drive progress in sensor innovation while fostering opportunities for commercial applications and societal benefits in Singapore and globally. About Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) [新加坡-麻省理工学院科研中心] Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology ( SMART) is MIT's Research Enterprise in Singapore, established by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in partnership with the National Research Foundation of Singapore (NRF) since 2007. SMART is the first entity in the Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise ( CREATE) developed by NRF. SMART serves as an intellectual and innovation hub for research interactions between MIT and Singapore. Cutting-edge research projects in areas of interest to both Singapore and MIT are undertaken at SMART. SMART currently comprises an Innovation Centre and five Interdisciplinary Research Groups (IRGs): Antimicrobial Resistance ( AMR), Critical Analytics for Manufacturing Personalized-Medicine ( CAMP), Disruptive & Sustainable Technologies for Agricultural Precision ( DiSTAP), Mens, Manus and Machina ( M3S), and Wafer-scale Integrated Sensing Devices based on Optoelectronic Metasurfaces (WISDOM). SMART research is funded by the National Research Foundation Singapore under the CREATE programme. For more information, please visit
