A quarterly title covering Micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) manufacturing from design to packaging.
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Institute for System Level Integration (iSLI)
The Institute for System Level Integration (iSLI) is a unique collaborative venture between four of the UK’s leading universities and the global electronics industry. iSLI is owned by the universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Heriot-Watt, and Strathclyde; and draws on the academic expertise of the university departments of computer science, electronic and electrical engineering and informatics.
iSLI is the world’s first centre of excellence in the disciplines of System Level Integration and enabling technologies to be established worldwide, and combines expertise from the departments and schools of the four partner universities. Its mission is to carry out education, training and research in all aspects of System Level Integration, including hardware, software and nanostructures.
iSLI’s activities produce highly skilled design engineers and researchers to meet the needs of the rapidly changing global semiconductor industry. SME and start-up sectors and industry-facing support services add value to the UK electronics industry. iSLI teaches students from all over the world; its prestigious academic degrees of the MSc in System Level Integration and the Engineering Doctorate (EngD) awarded jointly in the name of the four partner universities.
The taught MSc provides the foundation for the Engineering Doctorate and is popular in its own right as a postgraduate qualification. The course is continually evolving to meet the global requirement for graduates with the latest technical skills. The one-year full-time course, delivered at iSLI, is designed as an intensive introduction to system level design in a professional setting. It encompasses the major ‘crossover’ technologies such as embedded software, digital, analogue hardware and end application domains. Students work alongside iSLI’s own design team, giving new graduates a realistic commercial working experience.
The EngD is a full-time, doctoral-level research and training programme funded by the UK electronics industry and EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council). Equivalent in intellectual rigour to a PhD, it is achieved through industrially-focused applied research, producing graduates with a sound understanding of the business implications of academic and industrial research activity. Research is enhanced by accredited coursework in technical and business subjects.
Continuing professional development (CPD) masterclasses are very important to iSLI’s customers. iSLI has an excellent track record, and will be expanding the product line in 2006-2007, helping engineers to leverage key technology and design methods. Courses are held close to major UK technology clusters to allow local access and reduce costs for businesses or via distance learning.
Research into leading-edge technology, and the benefits this brings to systems design, is an integral part of iSLI’s activity. Recent success has included funding in Microelectromechanical Systems (MEMS) and Micro and Nano Technology (MNT) to increase the use of integrated systems based upon hybrid MEMS and control electronics. The project will allow iSLI to work with new customers and expand into new markets, fostering collaboration between Scotland’s growing MNT/optical/electronics cluster and South East Asia.
iSLI’s design group’s core activities cover early stage technology transfer for the commercial sector, mentoring iSLI research students, and technology support of start-up companies including Colonsay and Oxford Semiconductor. The team has also partnered with local companies to win collaborative development funds, e.g., Scottish Enterprise SCORE programme and the Scottish Optoelectronic Associations TTOM scheme, helping companies develop new product and process solutions, and working with SMEs to deliver technology innovations to the marketplace.
iSLI is committed to supporting the global electronics industry. Its educational products remain world-class, and staff work hard to pre-empt new and emerging technologies to remain cutting edge. Customer feedback and appraisal of services is vital. Our customers range from the annual cohort of MSc and EngD students through to companies looking for advice or seeking to employee the Institute’s pool of new graduates.
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