NMRC - Positioned for the New Millennium
An Introduction to NMRC - Gabriel.M. Crean, NMRC Director.

This report covers a period of significant change in NMRC, a time during which Professor Gerard T. Wrixon, the founding Director of the Centre became the 13th President of University College Cork. It is inappropriate to let such an event pass without recognising the immense contribution of Professor Wrixon to the NMRC and to the microelectronics industry in Ireland in general. The success of the NMRC is a testament to the energy of Professor Wrixon and his foresight and vision of a world-class microelectronics centre in Ireland. From a starting staff of twenty-one people, he has grown the centre to over two hundred research staff and students. During this period NMRC reinvented itself on an ongoing basis to maintain its relevance to the fast- growing industry sector in Ireland. The research expertise and facilities within the centre was broadened to include not only microelectronics but microsystems, photonics and most recently nanotechnology. During this same time, Professor Wrixon was appointed the Chairman of EOLAS, the state agency for science and technology and was responsible for launching the Programmes in Advanced Technology developing a unique bridge between university research and industry needs.

Presentation of sculpture "Alignment" to Prof. G.T. Wrixon by staff and students in recognition of his vision, energy and contribution to NMRC. Pictured with Prof. Wrixon is Vivienne Roche (Artist) and Marcia Wrixon (far right).

On behalf of all the staff and students of NMRC, I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his vision, his energy and his commitment to the centre and on a personal basis for his generous time and advice during my first six months as Director. We wish him every success in his new and challenging role guiding UCC into the 21st century.

The past year has seen NMRC recognised as one of the premier microelectronics research centres in the world, strategically positioned for the new millennium. It is firmly focused on key research topics sufficiently in advance to provide the right response for future Irish industry needs, whilst at the same time, organised to provide vital technology support to existing Irish industry.

Douglas Kelleher, James O. Davis, Dr. Gabriel M. Crean (NMRC) and Larry Eslinger at the signing of a Strategic Partnership Agreement between NMRC and Bourns Inc.

Key achievements during the past year that are laying the foundation for our future growth and our ability to support Irish industry include:-

• The successful designation and funding of NMRC to establish The National Nanofabrication Facility
  An acknowledgement of the premier position of NMRC in the Irish national research infrastructure and its strength in basic long-term research was the decision by the Irish Government's Higher Education Authority Programme for Research in Third Level Institutions 1999-2001 to establish a National Nanofabrication Facility (NNF) and nanotechnology research programme at NMRC. This complements the existing microfabrication facilities within the Centre and positions NMRC to carry out the advanced research which will drive future microelectronic-related technologies.

Dr. Gabriel Crean Director NMRC, Mr. Micheál Martin former Minister for Education and Science and Prof. G.T. Wrixon President UCC at the announcement of the National Fabrication Facility at NMRC, August 1999.
• Outstanding success in the European Union (EU) funded 5th Framework Research Programme
  I am particularly pleased to report that NMRC has secured over £5.5 million (E7.0 million) in research funding in the 1st round of the EU 5th Framework Research call for proposals. Reflecting the increasing pervasiveness and broad applicability of the processes, technologies and products developed within the Centre in sectors outside microelectronics, the research projects are across a number of the EU specific programmes including the Information Societies Technologies (IST) programme, the programme for Competitive and Sustainable Growth and the Life Sciences programme. This success in these internationally competitive peer reviewed R&D funding programmes represents one of the strongest endorsements of NMRC's R&D competence and once again reflects our world-class standing.

  In particular, NMRC secured over 36% of the total EU funding won by Ireland in the 1st round of the IST 5th Framework call, underlining our position today as the most vibrant hub of the Irish information technologies R&D infrastructure

• Increase in direct industry contracts
  Research income for the year amounted to £4.4 million (E5.5 million), of which industry contracts accounted for a record 46%, representing the ongoing development of our industrial base. Significantly, for the first time, research income from industry exceeded that from EU contracts. Total income for 1999 amounted to £6.5 million (E8.2 million) which included a contribution of £2.02 million from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, its highest level to date. This welcome increase reflects the ongoing commitment by the department to the important strategic work of NMRC.

Dr. Gabriel Crean, Director NMRC with Mr. Ivor Callely, T.D. Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise and Small Business during a recent visit to NMRC.

During the past year there have been significant changes to the internal organisation within NMRC (see organisational chart). A new Advanced Research Division has been created underlining the significant expansion in the depth and breadth of basic microelectronics-related technological research being undertaken at NMRC. This reflects the coming to fruition of one element of our research policy initiated some three years ago of an increased involvement in longer term research. We have also moved to reinforce our support to industry in the areas of new product development and technology transfer through the creation of a new Industry division which provides a single entry point to industry R&D, services and training at NMRC and the initiation of a new Industry Partnership Programme to respond to specific industry strategic innovation needs. In parallel with this, we have strengthened the links between NMRC and our external environment through the appointment of additional members to our Industry Advisory Board. On behalf of the staff, I would like to thank all the members of our Advisory Board for their continued support.

Dr. Gabriel Crean, Director NMRC, Mr. Dan Wallace, T.D. Minister of State, Dept. of Environment & Local Government and Prof. Brian Harvey Executive Vice- President for Research, UCC announcing details of NMRC receiving six major environmental research projects designed to achieve cleaner electronics manufacturing and major improvements in environmental monitoring.

Over the past eighteen years, the technology base within NMRC has changed significantly. This was to support the development of the fast moving industry we serve. The current development of the NNF at NMRC is perhaps the best example of this technology evolution. In 1982, the device geometry size was 5 micronmetres, the NNF will allow patterning of device geometries down to 50 Angstrom (0.005 micronmetres); a reduction of some three orders of magnitude. The microelectronics industry has also changed significantly within this period and the generic term for the sector that we now deal with is the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector. Therefore throughout this report you will see reference to the ICT industry. It reflects the broad scope and relevance of R&D activities in the Centre. I am pleased to state that entering the new millennium, NMRC represents today the largest and most vibrant hub of this Irish ICT R&D infrastructure. Consequently to more accurately reflect our current and future activities, I have great pleasure in launching our new logo reflecting our vision of being Ireland's premier ICT research centre, as shown on the cover of this year's report.

Finally, in this my first Annual Report, I trust that you will see the continued progress and development of NMRC for the benefit of Ireland's ICT industry. I would like to acknowledge the staff and students in the Centre who enable this and make NMRC such a stimulating and productive environment. Our vision is to play a key role in the development of a knowledge-based Irish economy in the 21st Century based on creativity and innovation.