Advanced Semiconductor Process Services Provided Based on Artificial Intelligence and Data

Ministry of Science and ICT Invests 27 Billion KRW in Nano Comprehensive Technology Institute
New Launch of Nano Fab Process Smart Service Project

Researchers are conducting semiconductor material and component development research in the 12-inch semiconductor testbed cleanroom at the Daejeon Nano Convergence Technology Institute. It is projected that the global semiconductor shortage will continue until mid-next year. As the local industry in Gunnae, which is pursuing a semiconductor ecosystem advancement strategy, faces the potential impact of this trend, attention is focused on the responses from countries around the world. Our government is also accelerating the advancement of the semiconductor ecosystem. Through the 'K-Semiconductor Strategy Report,' the government envisions a leap to becoming a comprehensive semiconductor powerhouse by 2030 and plans to complete semiconductor localization through massive investments and tax benefits. Having achieved K-quarantine through COVID-19, South Korea is expected to proudly advance K-semiconductors in the global semiconductor dominance competition. /Daejeon=Photo by Kang Jin-hyung aymsdream@

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Bong-su] The Ministry of Science and ICT is promoting the establishment of AI and data-based smart services for nanofab processes.

On the 20th, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced this at the 'Public Nanofab Operation Innovation Advisory Committee' held at the Daejeon Nano Convergence Technology Institute.

This project aims to establish a systematic and sustainable utilization foundation for nanofab process data so that public nanofabs can provide advanced process services based on data. A total of 27 billion KRW will be invested over five years starting this year.

Although public nanofabs such as the Nano Convergence Technology Institute have facilities supporting tens of thousands of nano and semiconductor process services annually, there has been no foundation to accumulate and utilize service data, limiting systematic service operations that accumulate and leverage process experience.

This project plans to build an AI-based nanofab smart operation service by converting process and equipment data, which were previously managed based on the experience and skills of individual equipment operators, into big data and organically linking data between equipment. Through this, the level of nanofab process services provided to research institutes and companies will be dramatically improved, and the time required for research and development will be significantly shortened.

Specifically, it consists of functional and service advancement through nanofab smartization and big data conversion of nanofab process data and digitalization using AI. By establishing a data-based research support system that complements and leverages engineers' expertise, process service time will be minimized, and interruptions in process services caused by personnel gaps will be overcome. It will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the nanofab support system by eliminating inefficiencies in R&D support caused by repeating failed processes. Furthermore, by enabling systematic, rapid, and accurate process implementation through process verification using data and AI and publicizing process and equipment data, it maximizes the utilization system of nanofab process data to reduce the time and cost required for research and development and promote the growth of the national nano-industry ecosystem based on cutting-edge equipment.

Lee Chang-yoon, Director of Basic and Fundamental Research Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, "Through this project, we expect to contribute to the digitalization and industrialization promotion of the nano and semiconductor R&D ecosystem by providing necessary data usable for quality design verification and performance verification to nano and semiconductor companies and research institutes that have faced difficulties due to the lack of data." He added, "This project will be an innovative and meaningful case that creates research outcomes by applying data and AI to semiconductor processes."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.