TU Eindhoven Researchers Secure Major NWO Growth Fund Grants
Eindhoven, Thursday, 5 December 2024.
TU Eindhoven leads three consortia awarded NWO Growth Fund grants, focusing on semiconductor quality control, modular system design, and AI-driven optimization in high-tech sectors.
Semiconductor Innovation at the Forefront
Among the groundbreaking projects, Professor Jaime Goméz Rivas is spearheading a revolutionary initiative in semiconductor quality control utilizing terahertz technology at TU Eindhoven [1]. This project is part of a larger funding initiative, with six consortia receiving over 11 million euros in grants, supplemented by an additional 5 million euros from co-funders [1]. The project specifically targets improvements in production efficiency and sustainability for Dutch semiconductor companies [1].
Advanced System Engineering Solutions
The funding supports multiple innovative approaches, including a significant project led by Nathan van de Wouw focusing on ‘Next-generation High-tech Systems Engineering’ [1]. This initiative addresses the growing complexity in system designs and the critical shortage of qualified engineers in the Dutch high-tech industry [1]. The project brings together TU/e as the main applicant and the University of Groningen as a co-applicant, demonstrating a collaborative approach to tackling industry challenges [1].
AI-Driven Innovation
A third breakthrough project, known as AIDEAL (AI-driven Holistic Design and Control Tools For Planar Motors), represents a collaboration between TU/e, TU Delft, and industry partners [1]. Led by Professor Roland Tóth from the Department of Electrical Engineering, this initiative aims to develop AI-driven optimization processes for high-precision mechatronic systems [1]. As Tóth explains, ‘AI-driven co-design will lead the way for the semiconductor manufacturing equipment industry to achieve extreme precision and productivity’ [1].
Impact on Dutch High-Tech Sector
These projects are funded through the National Growth Fund program NxtGen Hightech, specifically targeting the development of high-tech equipment [1]. The initiatives collectively aim to maintain and strengthen the Netherlands’ position as a leader in the semiconductor industry [1]. By focusing on modular design principles and automation in high-tech system design, these projects address the growing market demands and increasing complexity in the semiconductor manufacturing sector [1].