ANSTO welcomes the development of Australia’s first National Semiconductor Roadmap, an industry-led vision for growing the nation’s semiconductor capability, competitiveness and supply chain resilience. The roadmap recognises semiconductors as a critical enabling technology for sectors including clean energy, health, defence, quantum technologies and advanced manufacturing. It also highlights ANSTO’s unique contribution through world-leading neutron transmutation doped (NTD) silicon production, advanced materials research, radiation testing and research infrastructure that supports the semiconductor value chain with innovations with high-purity Quartz and critical minerals like Gallium, Germanium, and Indium.
A case study starting on page 50 of the roadmap showcases two of ANSTO’s roles in supporting both global semiconductor supply chains and next-generation technology development. Through the OPAL research reactor, ANSTO irradiates up to 60% of global neutron transmutation doped silicon which is used in high-power semiconductors that enable technologies such as renewable energy systems, smart electricity grids and high-speed rail.
Using landmark scientific infrastructure like the Australian Synchrotron, Centre for Neutron Scattering and Centre for Accelerator Science, ANSTO also provides a unique combination of radiation and particle-beam capabilities to support semiconductor research, device development, and radiation hardness testing for space, aviation, and industrial applications.
As Australia moves to strengthen its semiconductor capability, ANSTO’s unique combination of scientific infrastructure, industry partnerships and technical expertise will help connect research and industry to global opportunities and technologies that underpin our future economy.
Please click here to read the roadmap.