NPL's HIDRA Vision earns spot in DSIT's ChipStart UK programme

Spearheaded by Silicon Catalyst.UK and backed by the UK Government's Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), this programme recognises top-tier semiconductor advancements.

HIDRA Vision stands as a testament to modern-day scientific prowess. This patent-pending semiconductor wafer imaging method addresses the yield limitation in compound semiconductor manufacturing. Unlike traditional systems that take hours or even days, HIDRA Vision can capture high-resolution images in mere minutes. Each image encompasses around two million points on the wafer. Furthermore, the detailed high-dimensional data from HIDRA facilitates precise defect identification. When coupled with artificial intelligence, it unveils even greater potential for inspection. The rapid and accurate measurements by HIDRA Vision could lead to savings amounting to hundreds of millions of pounds annually by enhancing the efficiency of measuring entire semiconductor wafers.

Previous endorsements for HIDRA Vision came from DSIT’s Government Office for Technology Transfer (GOTT) in the form of two Knowledge Assets Grant Fund grants. The initial grant propelled NPL to undertake a market study, while the subsequent one allowed the building and testing of a comprehensive prototype across various applications. GOTT's sustained backing has been pivotal in propelling HIDRA Vision to its present stage of development.

The essence of ChipStart UK revolves around a nine-month incubation period, designed to nurture twelve elite UK semiconductor innovations or startups. These selected entities exhibit the potential to significantly influence the global semiconductor landscape.

It is anticipated that the future of semiconductors will pivot on novel materials and procedures, ushering in a fresh era of international rivalry. The UK boasts a particular prowess in compound semiconductors, which are concocted from two or more elements. HIDRA Vision is poised to bolster quality control within this crucial supply chain, ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of the compound semiconductor industry on the global stage.

Dr Yameng Cao, NPL Senior Scientist and CTO of HIDRA Vision, expressed his elation on this achievement, stating: "Being chosen for the inaugural cohort of the Silicon Catalyst ChipStart UK Incubator programme is indeed an honour. Silicon Catalyst's reputation in nurturing nascent semiconductor enterprises is unparalleled. We eagerly anticipate embarking on this programme, gleaning insights from mentors and advisors, and immersing ourselves in the training sessions. This opportunity is bound to catalyse our business expansion. Our gratitude also extends to the Knowledge Asset Grant Fund from DSIT, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in HIDRA Vision's technological and commercial evolution."