From August 27 to 29, a delegation from the International Microelectronics Association SEMI Europe, led by President Laith Altimime, visited Latvia to explore the advancements made by Latvian scientists and companies in microchip technology and to discuss potential collaborations.
On the afternoon of August 28, the SEMI Europe delegation visited the ISSP UL, where Aivars Vembris, head of the Laboratory of Organic Materials, provided an overview of the polymer photon platform and its future potential. Following this, Raivis Bremšmits, director of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), addressed the delegation. Svetlana Lampiga, LIAA’s leading expert in the RIS3 specialization field of "Photonics, smart materials, related technologies, and engineering systems," presented a historical account of the photonics and electronics industries in Latvia, with a particular focus on Riga.
Following the presentations from LIAA representatives, the delegation viewed a video showcasing the ISSP UL cleanrooms and their capabilities and engaged in discussions about potential development directions and areas for cooperation.
Concluding the visit, Artūrs Bundulis, a leading researcher at the Laboratory of Organic Materials, and Aleksejs Bendins, an engineer from the Micro and Nanodevices Laboratory, presented the "Optical Gas Sensor" (Og Sense) to the guests. They shared insights into its functionalities and the planned steps for further development.
This visit underscores the commitment to fostering international collaboration and innovation in the microelectronics field, paving the way for future partnerships between Latvia and the broader European microelectronics community.
SEMI Europe is a prominent industry association representing over 3,000 global companies specializing in electronics manufacturing technologies. Its members are at the forefront of innovation in materials, design, equipment, software, devices, and services, all aimed at creating smarter, faster, more powerful, and more affordable electronic products. Established in 1970, the association has developed a vast network facilitating market development and collaborative problem-solving within the industry.