A European platform that already helps universities and small companies design and manufacture microchips is being expanded to give them access to cutting-edge technologies and a marketplace for sharing reusable chip designs. This matters because Europe currently lacks a self-sufficient semiconductor design ecosystem. Most chip design happens elsewhere, leaving European researchers and startups dependent on foreign foundries and tools. The existing EUROPRACTICE platform already provides affordable access to industry-standard design software and fabrication runs, but it needs to keep pace with emerging technologies like photonics, microfluidics, and advanced system integration. If RETICLES succeeds, it will add new fabrication technologies from European research centres, create a design IP exchange repository where engineers can reuse proven circuit blocks, and offer cloud-based tools for working at the smallest transistor geometries. It will also deliver training courses to build a pipeline of skilled chip designers. The practical outcome would be more European deep-tech startups, faster commercialisation of academic research, and greater sovereignty over the semiconductor supply chain—the invisible infrastructure behind everything from medical devices to energy grids.
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RETICLES will provide a platform that nurtures the growth of a design ecosystem in Europe. This will be achieved by building on the existing EUROPRACTICE platform, sustaining its key elements and extending it with new services and technologies. EUROPRACTICE is a well-established and widely used platform that provides European academia and SMEs with a full range of microelectronic services needed to; design, fabricate, package and integrate microelectronic circuits. This service includes affordable access to industry-standard design tools, access to a wide range of fabrication technologies (multi-project wafers and small volume production of ASICs, photonics, MEMS, microfluidics etc.), full technical support and design methodology training. By building on the EUROPRACTICE services, the project will deliver impact already from the start. The platform will then be extended to meet new technology challenges and further support semiconductor sovereignty for Europe. Emerging technologies from European research centres and pilot lines will be added to the platform, including those with lower TRL. Design efficiency will be enhanced and supported through design re-use and establishing a design IP exchange repository. Efficient design at the smallest geometries will be enabled with advanced design tools and new Cloud based solutions for high-value IP. The creation of smarter integrated systems will be stimulated through advanced system integration of dissimilar semiconductor technologies and chiplets. A pipeline of talent for Europe delivered through comprehensive up-skilling and reskilling training courses, and economic growth facilitated by supporting subsequent commercialisation of academic research. Through advanced design tools, leading edge semiconductor technologies and bespoke training, RETICLES will provide a breeding ground for cutting-edge research, deep-tech start-ups and growth of the semiconductor design ecosystem in Europe.
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