Francoise von Trapp (aka the Queen of 3D) has been following and reporting on the progress of 3D integration technologies since 2009. Francoise in 3D provides a high-level perspective of 3D industry events, offers executive viewpoints, and focuses on process and manufacturing aspects of 3D integration.
IMAPS Keynotes Focus on Heterogeneous Integration for HPC, AI, and EVs
This year’s IMAPS keynotes focused on advancements in heterogeneous integration (HI) technologies and chiplet architectures enabled by HI, driven by the needs of high-performance computing, AI, and automotive applications. While it feels for some of us that we’ve been in the thick of advanced packaging, HI, and the More than...
The IMAPS 2023 International Symposium Inspires Generations of Microelectronics Leaders
It wasn’t long ago that the IMAPS International Symposium focused mainly on legacy packaging technologies, occasionally dipping its toe in the advanced packaging space. That space was generally left to the IMAPS Device Packaging Conference in March. It was evident in the sessions as well as the exhibit halls. But...
(Almost) Everything You Need to Know about the 2024 3D InCites Awards and Yearbook
Did you see the title and check your calendar? Did the year just speed up? You thought the 2024 3D InCites Awards didn’t get underway until January! That was last year. We’ve made some changes to improve the impact of the 2o24 3D InCites Awards, and that means kicking things...
Changes at 3D InCites: The Advisory Board Gets a Reboot and More
Fourteen years in existence, 3D InCites has been through some changes, from being a basic blogging platform focused only on emerging 3D integration technologies, to the full-blown heterogeneous integration community it is today. We don’t only talk about technology – we play a role in making it happen. Our podcast...
ASU Sets Out to Create Microelectronics Hub in the Southwest
Is the Wild West becoming America’s center of microelectronics innovation? Based on the current wave of activity across the semiconductor supply chain, it’s starting to look that way. I’m not just talking about TSMC’s gigafab, or Intel’s expansion, although these industry giants have a lot to do with what’s happening...
CHIPCon 2023: Demystifying the Chiplet Ecosystem
IMAPS‘ inaugural CHIPCon 2023 – the reinvention of its Advanced SiP Conference – took place July 24-27 in San Jose. Right out of the gate, it reminded me of the early days of RTI’s 3D ASIP Conference that I attended for nine straight Decembers in Burlingame, CA. The single-track format...
Can We Create a Collaborative Semiconductor Ecosystem and Save the Planet?
I’ve had about a week to process, ponder, and reflect on all the information I absorbed last week at SEMICON West 2023. From the speakers at imec’s ITF USA and SEMICON West’s CEO Keynote Summit to the numerous podcast interviews with industry experts, it all boils down to one key...
ECTC 2023: Quantum Computing, Hybrid Bonding, and the CHIPS for America Act
With over 350 papers in 36 oral sessions and 5 interactive presentations, there was no shortage of content to absorb at the 2023 Electronics Components Technology Conference (ECTC 2023), which took place May 31-June 2 in Orlando, FL. The keynote and panel sessions discussed technical topics including quantum computing, chip-to-wafer...
A Career in Microelectronics Through the Eyes of Bill Chen
The semiconductor and microelectronics industries are in the midst of a workforce crisis created by, among other things, the combination of explosive growth and a maturing workforce. Competition for STEM talent in other industries has made it difficult to recruit the latest generation of graduates, who are lured by seemingly...
A Newcomer’s Perspective of the 2023 North America TSMC Technology Symposium
For the first time in 3D InCites’ history, I was invited to attend a TSMC Technology Symposium, which took place April 26 at the Santa Clara Convention Center. You might be asking, why was this my first time? Great question! I always assumed it was because Herb Reiter, our EDA...