Synergy of experience and competencies
Belarus has sufficient potential in the field of microelectronics to become a leading design centre
The trend towards the localisation of the semiconductor industry is now taking on a global character. Leading countries in this field are wisely implementing large-scale government programmes to stimulate the development of their own ecosystems for the development and production of microelectronics. The reasons are clear. Microelectronic technologies are a driving force behind the development of a number of strategic sectors — from energy to machine engineering. The chips, semiconductor devices, modules, and systems on a chip (SoC) created on this basis form the technological foundation for the digitalisation of all areas of society. Consequently, they ensure national and economic security. The starting point for the design and production of innovative integrated circuits and devices with unique characteristics is computer modelling. This is a key tool for creating an intelligent product that is in demand in the domestic market and possesses significant export potential. In this regard, Belarusian specialists in the field of microelectronics have extensive competencies.

Vectors of movement



In his time, engineer and co-founder of Intel Gordon Moore described the main trend that set the tone for the development of global microelectronics for many years. The number of transistors on an integrated circuit, as the analyst claimed, would double every two years, while their sizes would, conversely, shrink. Today, the design norms for microchips have reached fantastic limits of just a few nanometres, and modern microelectronics represents a vast field for research. There is much that is fascinating, but it is unwise to spread oneself too thin. Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Vladimir Labunov, Academician of Belarus’ National Academy of Sciences, a foreign member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, believes that in the context of limited human and financial resources, it is essential to choose research topics that resonate with current realities and are in demand by the economy. Furthermore, in the field of microelectronics, it is advisable for our scientists to primarily consider the experience of their Russian colleagues as the closest partners. The algorithm for achieving technological leadership by China is also of interest.
By combining partnership efforts, a powerful synergistic effect can be achieved. There is significant interest in the world of microelectronics regarding 2D materials, which — according to experts — possess unique properties. The most common of these is graphene. It is stronger than steel and diamond, yet quite flexible. Another advantage is its ultra-high conductivity. 2D materials are successfully used for making miniature transistors in modern microchips for high-speed electronics. Scientists assert that in the future, microchips made from 2D materials could form the basis for quantum supercomputers.

Experts predict that optical technologies will see widespread commercial application in the near future. Chips developed using these technologies utilise photons rather than electrons for processing and transmitting information. The use of light instead of electricity reduces thermal effects and increases the integration capacity of the chip’s components. The advantages of integrated photonics find applications in automotive engineering, biomedicine, data transmission, and more.
One of the progressive directions in microelectronics is the development and implementation of wide-band-gap (WBG) semiconductors of the third generation. These include materials such as silicon carbide and gallium nitride. Currently, power electronics of this generation are already being used in passenger electric vehicles. Next in line are freight and railway transport, renewable energy, power transmission lines, electric motor drives, information and communication technology, and data centres. The use of WBG semiconductors allows electronic devices to be made more compact, lighter, and more powerful, while reducing energy losses and simplifying cooling systems. The United States is the world leader in the use of silicon carbide and gallium nitride in power electronics.
Notably, China is actively catching up with the United States. Russia currently possesses a certain range of technologies in this field. Employees of the applied research laboratory at Integral JSC are also engaged in similar research. Moreover, in working on new breakthrough projects, specialists of the holding closely collaborate with scientists from BSUIR.

Configuration of co-operation



Alongside scientific experiments, university specialists are taking certain steps towards developing special software for modelling technological processes, device structures, and integrated circuits. Viktor Stempitsky, Vice-Rector for Research, Candidate of Technical Sciences, and Associate Professor at BSUIR, believes that it is quite feasible to solve this task in partnership with Russian and Chinese counterparts, “This could be a joint software product created, for instance, within the framework of the SCO. Moreover, our Chinese partners have solid developments in this area. The exchange of experience in this direction is very beneficial for us. Therefore, the importance of a dialogue platform such as the Computer Design in Microelectronics International Scientific and Practical Conference cannot be overstated. Through the joint efforts of scientists and practitioners from friendly countries, we might organise the process of import substitution for specialised software that is difficult to access under Western restrictions.”

The essence of the idea is that participants in the system of international division of functions and competencies are aimed not at fierce competition, but at mutually beneficial co-operation. Given the potential of Belarusian research and development structures, our country could well occupy its unique niche in the future international configuration.
By Tatiana Shchedrenok