Imec is a globally renowned research centre based in Flanders, specialising in semi-conductors, digital innovation, and AI technologies. It plays a pivotal role in advancing hardware solutions for edge AI and quantum computing. Imec collaborates with industry and academia to drive innovation and technological leadership in the global semi-conductor field (Imec, 2024[21]).
Name in original language
Interuniversitair Micro-Elektronica Centrum
Initiative overview
In February 2016, the merger was announced between the strategic research centres Imec and iMinds, which was completed in October 2016, when iMinds vzw was disbanded to become one of Imec's business units. The renewed Imec confirms its role as the world's leading research centre for nanoelectronics and digital technology. It brings together nearly 3,500 researchers from all over the world and has a unique infrastructure, with the most advanced equipment for research into next-generation IC technologies, and state-of-the-art bio, network and imaging labs. This includes 12,000 square meters of cleanrooms (of which the most recent 4000 square meeters 300mm facility was inaugurated in March 2016).Imec is also a driver of theCity of Things' project, that builds a Smart City Internet of Things' (IoT) living laboratory in Antwerp. IoT is a network of digitally connected objects and infrastructure via wireless gateways that exchange data using embedded sensors. Companies, researchers, residents and local authorities can experiment with smart technology through the participation in IoT and share information on mobility, energy consumption and air quality as part of a major urban digital project.The initiative has the following objectives:Confirms its role as the world's leading research centre for nanoelectronics and digital technology.
Name of responsible organisation (in English)
IMEC (Institut de microéléctronique et composants)
