Rinn Semiconductors director’s vision for the sector in Ireland

Prof Paul Townsend, Director of Rinn Semiconductors, a new research centre in Ireland, has outlined his vision for the sector in the country. Seven new Rinn research centres were launched this summer, receiving €460m in government funding over the next eight years. Rinn Semiconductors, led by Townsend, will focus on heterogeneously integrated semiconductor systems, aiming to lead Ireland's response to the end of Moore's Law scaling by pioneering chiplet-based semiconductor design and integration.

This technology involves using multiple smaller modules to build a single larger processor for improved performance. The centre plans to contribute to Ireland's national semiconductor strategy, Silicon Island, by becoming a hub of semiconductor excellence and supporting the EU Chips Act goal of increasing the EU's proportion of global semiconductor manufacturing output.

Rinn Semiconductors will collaborate with universities and institutions, leveraging world-class semiconductor fabrication facilities at Tyndall National Institute. The centre aims to foster "radical collaboration" and create a cohesive "atom to systems" value chain in Ireland. Rinn Semiconductors will also focus on key areas such as future internet, sustainable energy and the environment, and digital healthcare.

Townsends' leadership role involves ensuring the centre's priorities are suitable, innovative, impactful, internationally leading, and delivers on its mission and goals. He is responsible for budgeting, grant compliance, stakeholder management, and attracting and developing talent at all levels for the centre.