Innovating Tomorrow: Research, Opportunities, and Future Semiconductor and Digital Technologies
B3, L5, R5220
Electronics have become an integral part of our daily lives, thanks to the continuous scaling and maturity of CMOS technology. Over the past decade, we've witnessed the rise of new applications such as health monitoring, point-of-care diagnostics, and environmental monitoring, which often require physically flexible systems and the emergence of flexible electronics field. With the advent of AI and ML, the race to develop hardware that meets these immense demands and challenges has begun. As we push the boundaries of technology, the importance of collaboration cannot be overstated.
Overview
IMEC, headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, is at the forefront of global research and development in semiconductor and digital technologies. Boasting over 5,500 researchers and cutting-edge infrastructure, IMEC has established itself as a world-leading cooperative research center. This talk will explore IMEC's extensive research activities, including advanced semiconductor R&D, system scaling, silicon photonics, artificial intelligence, and beyond 5G communications.
We will delve into IMEC's groundbreaking work in various application domains such as health and life sciences (Neuropixels & Organ-on-Chip), mobility, industry 4.0, smart cities, and sustainable energy. By highlighting key projects and collaborations, this presentation will demonstrate how IMEC's innovations are driving technological advancements and addressing global challenges. Attendees will gain insights into IMEC's strategic vision, its role in fostering international cooperation, and its contributions to the semiconductor ecosystem.
Join us to discover how IMEC is shaping the future of technology through its pioneering research and collaborative efforts.
Presenters
Sohail Faizan Shaikh
Brief Biography
Dr. Sohail Faizan Shaikh is at the cutting edge of innovation as a lead R&D engineer at IMEC, the world’s premier nanoelectronics R&D center based in Belgium. With a passion for transforming futuristic concepts into tangible, low-volume manufacturable (LVM) products, Dr. Shaikh spearheads the development of groundbreaking specialty components. His work spans a diverse array of applications, from brain implants and healthcare devices to advanced sensors and point-of-care diagnostics.
Dr. Shaikh's journey is a testament to his interdisciplinary prowess and dedication to technological advancement. Holding a PhD in Electrical Engineering from KAUST and a master’s in Biomedical Engineering from IIT Hyderabad, he is fundamentally trained as an electronics engineer. His expertise encompasses flexible electronics, wearables, neurotechnology, 3D ICs, MEMS, sensors, and organ-on-chip devices.
Throughout his illustrious academic career, Dr. Shaikh has been recognized with numerous prestigious awards, including the CES International Innovation Award and the Edison Gold Award for his pioneering product demonstrations during his PhD. His research excellence earned him a visiting fellowship at Harvard University in the spring of 2019. With nearly 50 international peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and US patents to his name, Dr. Shaikh's work has been spotlighted in renowned media outlets such as Forbes, Nature Middle East, Nanowerk, and IEEE Spectrum.