CC-NorChip aims to secure the supply of chip technologies and applications while contributing to the green and digital transition. A Norwegian competence center for chip and sensor technologies will function as a node in a European network.
CC-NorChip will promote chip and sensor technologies and lower the barrier for Norwegian companies, especially SMEs, to adopt these technologies. The goal is to provide access to European capabilities such as pilot lines and design platforms, and offer technical expertise, development support, and information on funding opportunities. The center will also raise awareness, build competencies, and develop skills for various stakeholders. Additionally, it aims to launch a Norwegian piezoMEMS pilot line.
CC-NorChip builds on the NorFab infrastructure and the expertise of NTNU, UiO, and UiT. Since 2010, NorFab has supported SMEs, startups, and academic communities.
CC-NorChip is organized under the Chips Joint Undertaking (Chips JU) and receives support from the EU and the Research Council of Norway (NFR). Chips JU operates under the European Chips Act (ECA), which was launched to address the microchip supply crisis during the COVID-19 pandemic and geopolitical uncertainties. The goal of the ECA is to ensure the supply of microchip technologies and strengthen Europe’s competitiveness and technology leadership.
CC-NorChip consists of NTNU, the University of Oslo (UiO), the University of South-Eastern Norway (USN), the University of Tromsø (UiT), and Electronic Coast.
The team working within CC-NorChip
Ralph W. Bernstein
Senior Business Developer, SINTEF Digital
+47 930 59 303
Vegard S. Olsen
Research Scientist, SINTEF Digital
+47 991 59 872
The main objective of CC-NorChip is to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and technological leadership of Norwegian and European companies.
SINTEF is one of Scandinavia's largest independent research organizations, aiming for value creation through knowledge building, research, and innovation, as well as developing technological solutions for customers. SINTEF Digital conducts research and innovation in digital technologies and technology-oriented social sciences.
SINTEF MiNaLab, part of the Smart Sensors and Microsystems department, operates the 800 m² SINTEF MiNaLab cleanroom. The infrastructure is equipped with a complete process line for 150 mm silicon wafers, specialized in R&D for sensors and actuators, such as microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), radiation detectors, micro-optical components, as well as medical sensors and bioMEMS. SINTEF MiNaLab aims to cover the entire spectrum from idea to production through the "lab-to-fab" concept.
NTNU is Norway's largest university, with over 40,000 students and 7,100 employees. NTNU NanoLab, the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, and the Department of Electronic Systems are key contributors to CC-NorChip. NTNU NanoLab is an infrastructure primarily focused on materials research, electronics, photonics, and bionanotechnology. It is organized as an interfaculty initiative prioritized by the rectorate and serves as one of the four nodes in NorFab. The Department of Materials Science and Engineering hosts the Norwegian Laboratory for Mineral and Material Characterization, MiMac.
The Circuits and Radio Systems group includes researchers with extensive experience in the design of analog and digital integrated circuits (ICs), from both industry and academia. This encompasses all stages of design, from conceptualization to the use of professional Electronic Design Automation (EDA) tools, tape-out, and laboratory testing. The group works across a broad spectrum of micro- to nanometer BiCMOS, bulk CMOS, and FD-SOI technologies, often in combination with MEMS and other sensor technologies.
The Nanoelectronics and Photonics group focuses on innovative spin-based technologies for low-energy data processing, fiber-optic and integrated waveguide-based sensors, lab-on-a-chip systems, UV-LEDs, spectroscopy, and quantum devices. The group conducts experimental work in its own laboratories, as well as through national and international facilities, and its scientific staff has been involved in numerous start-up companies.
The University of Oslo (UiO) is Norway's oldest institution for research and higher education, with 25,000 students and 6,900 employees. With a broad spectrum of academic disciplines and internationally recognized research environments, UiO is a significant contributor to international research and Norwegian society. UiO MiNaLab, the Department of Informatics (IFI), and the Department of Physics (FI) are all key contributors to CC-NorChip.
The Micro-/Nanoelectronics (NANO) group at IFI has extensive research experience in the design of advanced integrated circuits, including CMOS, CMOS-MEMS, FD-SOI, and heterogeneous systems. The research group offers study programs and a comprehensive curriculum in microchip design and has well-established relationships with the European and global semiconductor ecosystem, including design tool (EDA) suppliers, service providers, IP providers, semiconductor manufacturers, and leading technology research institutions.
The Semiconductor Physics group operates the UiO MiNaLab infrastructure, which is part of NorFab. One of the group's most prominent research themes is defects in semiconductors, where the group has a high international standing. Close collaborations with ETH Zurich and STMicroelectronics exemplify this. Wide-bandgap semiconductors and defects as qubits for quantum technologies, such as quantum sensing, are strong areas of expertise for the semiconductor physics group and UiO MiNaLab.
The University of South-Eastern Norway (USN) is one of Norway's newest universities. USN comprises four faculties spread across eight campuses in Telemark, Vestfold, and Buskerud, with approximately 17,600 students and 1,900 employees. The Institute of Microsystems (IMS), part of the Faculty of Technology, Natural Sciences, and Maritime Studies, operates the USN MST-Lab, which is part of NorFab, and aims to be a significant contributor to CC-NorChip.
The Materials and Microintegration group focuses on materials, characterization, and methods for integrating smart systems. The group has broad expertise in various bonding methods and characterization techniques.
The Micro- and Nanoelectromechanical Systems group focuses on micro- and nanoelectromechanical systems, such as energy harvesters, wireless energy transfer, RF devices, and acoustic filters (BAW, SAW). The group also has strong competence in MEMS design.
The Innovation Center for Microsystems, Nanotechnology, and Electronics aims to conduct applied research in collaboration with companies to help them advance on the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale toward fully developed products.
The University of Tromsø (UiT) is the world's northernmost university, located on the edge of the Arctic. The university hosts 15,800 students and 3,400 employees. UiT has a national responsibility for, and strong traditions in, Arctic research and education. The Department of Physics and Technology is one of six departments within the Faculty of Science and Technology and aims to be a significant contributor to CC-NorChip.
The Ultrasound, Microwave, and Optics (UMO) group is one of the largest optics groups in Norway, with 25-30 employees. The group has a strong focus on photonic integrated circuits (PIC), nanophotonics, and advanced microscopy, covering applications in medical biology, diagnostics, environmental monitoring, infrared spectroscopy of trace gases, and the integration of these aspects with machine learning. The group also engages in activities related to ultrasound transducers, 2D materials, and atomic force microscopy (AFM), and has expertise in the design and characterization of optical waveguides.
Electronic Coast is a Norwegian technology cluster specializing in sensor technology, microelectronics, and semiconductor applications. With over 50 member companies, the cluster collectively employs more than 5,900 people and generates over 36 billion NOK in revenue. The cluster serves as a bridge between industry, academia, and research, facilitating competence development, industry mobilization, and innovation through specialized working groups, events, and strategic collaborations with universities and research institutions such as USN and SINTEF.
The Technology and Innovation Department at Electronic Coast supports industry and SMB activities in microchip packaging, system integration, and microelectronics development. This is achieved through workshops, matchmaking, and participation in national and European technology programs. The Competence and Workforce Development Department works closely with academia and industry to promote education, training, and recruitment in relevant fields.