Project abstract

The EUROSOI network embraces a broad range of research areas related to Silicon-On-Insulator technology (from materials to end-user electronic applications in traditionally strong European industrial sectors such as automotive, communications, space). EUROSOI aims at federating the existing research work on SOI topics and at providing an appropriate communication channel between academic groups and industrial production centres. EUROSOI coordination efforts will be focused on fostering different activities to improve the lack of industrial development in Europe in SOI topics. A network of research centres, industries and end-users is the appropriate tool to structure and organize the existing R&D work on SOI topics, and achieve a critical mass to efficiently close the gap between academic groups and industry, which is responsible for the weakness of European Industry with regard to SOI. Key actions to reach the above-mentioned objectives are:

i)to promote interaction between scientists,
ii)to take advantage of the previous experience of research groups,
iii)to join forces to maximize the synergy between individual skills, thus obtaining the best achievable global results, and
iv) to provide an appropriate communication channel between academic groups and industrial production centres.

EUROSOI will contribute to this by:

(a)The exchange of information during the workshops organized by the network.
(b)Scientific exchange between partners by research visits of scientist and student grants.
(c) A web-based database on work by SOI containing: news, resources, project results, reports, links, seminars, training, courses, job opportunities, grants.
(d) Elaboration of the European SOI Roadmap: identification of scientific priority areas and formulation of research and development strategies.
(e) Elaboration of a “Who is Who” Guide in SOI.

Strategic Objectives

Provide a discussion forum for the exchange of ideas and results around Silicon-On-Insulator technologies in EUROPE, and to facilitate the synergy between individual skills which enables us to use Silicon-On-Insulator (SOI) technology as an effective tool to push the limits of CMOS and prepare for post-CMOS. In particular, specific objectives are:

1) Increase knowledge and expertise about SOI technology in Europe by enhancing interaction and synergy between academic groups and industry.
2) Foster the exchange of knowledge between research groups working on materials, devices, circuits and electronic end-user applications.
3) Collect, filter and provide structured information about SOI in Europe. Elaboration of the SOI State-of-the-Art Report. Elaboration of a Web-based database.
4) Elaborate the European SOI Roadmap: identify scientific priority areas, and formulate research and development strategies.
5) Promote industrial participation in the Network activities, informing industry about relevant progress in SOI technology and providing a feedback loop for industrial mid and long term interests.
6) Promote the interaction between existing SOI projects at national and European level (IST, EUREKA/MEDEA), and facilitate the coordination of their work. Organization of Workshops and scientific meetings.
7) Develop initiatives to retain qualified young scientists and engineers within Europe: training courses, research visits of scientists, student grants.
8) Co-ordinate activities with other FP6 instruments: NoEs, IPs, Marie-Curie initiatives.
9) Address and foster initiatives beyond CMOS: take advantage of the SOI knowledge to develop platforms for further technological development in nanotechnology, such as to prepare the transition from microelectronics to nanoelectronics.