Australia’s place in the semiconductor world: repositioning Australia’s chip industry

Today’s edition of Australia’s place in the semiconductor world takes a look at the growing importance of compound semiconductors. Stef Winwood argues that if Australia invests strategically, with a view to the future, it could carve out a logical niche and realise compound returns The global semiconductor industry is currently a $US 600 billion a…

Australia’s place in the semiconductor world — tech wars and factory floors

Beginning week three of Australia’s place in the semiconductor world, Sercan Altun considers the role of chips in enabling a nation’s self-sufficiency goals in manufacturing, and the implications for Australia. The seeds of the current “Cold War 2.0” discussions were laid due to a rising China on the global stage, with massive economic and military…

Manufacturing news briefs — stories you might have missed

Tradify, Clipsal by Schneider Electric announce partnership Tradify announced a strategic partnership with Clipsal by Schneider Electric on Thursday, connecting Clipsal with the trade business technology platform. Tradify said in a statement that the partnership was made possible by venture capital fund SE Ventures. According to the release, it will “enable and empower electricians, providing…

Bluglass teams up with Ganvix on VCSELs

Semiconductor development and manufacturing company Bluglass has announced an agreement with US-based laser company Ganvix to develop gallium nitride (GaN) vertical cavity surface emitting lasers (VCSELs.) In a statement on Thursday, ASX-listed Bluglass said green wavelength (515 to 525 nanometre) VCSELs made with its proprietary remote plasma chemical vapour deposition (RPCVD) process could offer higher…

Australia’s place in the semiconductor world: Some humble thoughts on developing a native semi industry

Today in or ongoing editorial series, Australia’s place in the semiconductor world, Dr Venkata Gutta considers why we need a domestic semiconductor industry, what other countries have done to develop theirs, what we can learn, and some proposals. Millibeam is a mmWave fabless semiconductor company based in Sydney, Australia and we develop high-performance integrated circuits and…

Australia’s place in the semiconductor world: Defence could be the new champion for a sovereign microchip industry

Today our Australia’s place in the semiconductor world series looks at ways Australia can address its precarious dependence on overseas chip suppliers, and the role of defence in this. There is no time to waste, argues Martin Hamilton-Smith.  In March 2023 the Albanese government’s Defence Strategic Review will be handed down by Sir Angus Houston…