The Advanced Chip Technology (ACT) Competence Centre held a two-day thematic workshop at The Loop in Lund, bringing together partners from academia, industry and research institutes. The programme combined plenary sessions with thematic group discussions, where participants reviewed ongoing research and identified priorities for the coming years. A key outcome was the continued development of ACT’s thematic research areas, aimed at providing a clearer structure for both internal coordination and external communication. Discussions also highlighted the importance of strengthening links between research and industrial applications, particularly in supporting the progression of technologies towards higher levels of maturity.
The workshop was organized around six thematic focus areas: Advanced Process Modules; Co-integrated Optoelectronic Platform on Si; IR-Photonics; Heterogeneous RF-Integration; Advanced Packaging and Smart Energy; and Heterogeneous IoT Technology. Together, these areas, along with Sustainability Perspectives, reflect ACT’s research scope, ranging from materials and device-level development to system integration and application domains. Across the thematic groups, participants emphasized the need for closer collaboration throughout the value chain, as well as improved access to shared infrastructure and expertise. Sustainability was considered across all areas, both in terms of application impact and research practices, including resource efficiency, reduced material usage, and the assessment of environmental impact.
An ISAC (Integrated Sensing and Communication) demonstration by Ericsson illustrated the integration of communication and sensing in advanced wireless systems, highlighting system-level applications and data processing aspects. Artificial intelligence (AI) was identified as an important enabler across multiple research domains. The workshop highlighted the role of AI in areas such as modelling, design, data analysis and system optimization, as well as the importance of integrating AI methods into domain-specific research. Participants also emphasized the value of increased interaction across disciplines to support innovation and address complex system-level challenges.
The workshop also included contributions from PhD students, who highlighted the importance of collaboration, knowledge exchange and access to relevant training opportunities within the ACT network. These perspectives reinforce the role of education and skills development as part of the competence centre’s long-term activities. Overall, the workshop confirmed ACT’s strong collaborative environment and active research portfolio, while identifying opportunities to further strengthen integration across research areas, enhance collaboration with industry and support future research and innovation priorities.
