Microelectronics underpins technologies ranging from communication systems and smart devices to biomedical and security applications. The Institute of Microelectronics of Seville (IMSE-CNM), a joint research centre of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the University of Seville (US), specialises in the design, development and characterisation of integrated circuits and electronic systems.
Located in Sevilla TechPark, IMSE-CNM operates within a dynamic scientific and technological ecosystem that brings together academic institutions, research organisations and industry. Since 1989, the Institute has been at the forefront of research into the design and testing of micro- and nanoelectronic circuits and systems.
IMSE-CNM currently has approximately 120 members, including 40 permanent scientific staff, around 60 doctoral researchers and postdoctoral fellows, and 20 technical and support staff. Its research activities are organised into eight specialised groups:
- ASICs for Harsh Environments;
- Integrated Interface Circuits and Sensory Systems;
- Biomedical Circuits and Systems;
- Wireless Implantable and Wearable Intelligent Biosensor Devices;
- Hardware for Cybersecurity;
- Intelligent, Reliable and Secure Microelectronics;
- Neuromorphic Systems; and
- Trusted SoCs (Systems-on-Chip) Based on CMOS and Integrated Photonics Technologies.
The Institute’s scientific activities are supported by specialised technical and administrative units. These teams manage the testing infrastructure, IT resources, computer-aided design (CAD) support, and deliver essential administrative, intellectual property and technology-transfer services.
State-of-the-art research infrastructure
IMSE-CNM’s design and testing facilities are a cornerstone of its research excellence. The Institute combines a high-performance computing cluster with advanced electronic design automation (EDA) tools for circuit and system design and simulation, alongside specialised laboratories equipped with high-performance instrumentation tailored to the characterisation and testing of different technologies.
Its facilities include dedicated laboratories for high-performance analogue-to-digital (A/D) converters, optoelectronic devices and radio-frequency (RF) components – fields in which IMSE-CNM has established a strong research track and scientific publication record. The RF laboratory is particularly noteworthy, featuring an anechoic chamber, vector signal generators, and network and spectrum analysers operating at frequencies of up to 110 GHz.
The Institute also has comprehensive facilities for the thermal characterisation of semiconductor devices over a temperature range of -175°C to 300°C, using liquid-nitrogen-cooled chambers. A major recent addition is the MPI T2000 probe station, which supports wafer testing on wafers of up to 8 inches in diameter and incorporates a thermal chuck capable of operating between -60°C and 300°C. In addition, an Agilent 93000 automated test system enables mixed-signal circuit testing and the industrial-scale testing of small-to-medium production batches. It also operates two fully equipped assembly laboratories dedicated to electronic packaging and printed circuit board (PCB) design.
Finally, in response to the growing complexity of electronic systems and the need to integrate reusable designs with heterogeneous technologies, IMSE-CNM is also establishing an advanced packaging cleanroom dedicated to small-series prototyping.
Scientific excellence and training the next generation
Over the past five years, researchers affiliated with the Institute have published 190 scientific papers. Furthermore, five IMSE-CNM researchers are included in Stanford University’s list of the world’s top 2% of scientists.
Training the next generation of scientists and engineers in microelectronics has been one of the Institute’s longstanding priorities. IMSE-CNM researchers and academic staff contribute to the teaching of Spain’s longest-running Master’s programme in microelectronics. Furthermore, through doctoral training and active participation in research projects, the Institute provides an environment in which early-career researchers can develop the scientific knowledge and technical skills required to pursue research at the highest international level.
These achievements reflect IMSE-CNM’s enduring commitment to knowledge creation, scientific excellence and the development of the next generation of highly skilled researchers and engineers.
Driving microelectronics innovation and technology transfer in Europe
IMSE-CNM secures competitive regional, national and European funding for research, technological development and knowledge transfer, consolidating its strong position in European collaborative projects and technology transfer within the microelectronics sector.
IMSE-CNM is currently involved in three projects under the Chips Joint Initiative, including ODE4-AMS, which, together with NEAIXT, focuses on the development of open-source electronic design automation (EDA) tools, and ODE4-DIG, which aims to develop a complete open-source EDA workflow for digital systems-on-chip (SoCs) at the nanometre scale.
The Institute also participates in three European Defence Fund (EDF) projects; Heroic, Arturo and Archytas, and Horizon Europe projects focusing on areas such as hardware cybersecurity (Licorice), post-quantum cybersecurity (Q-Fence and QUBIP) and neuromorphic computing (NimbleAI, MORPHEOS, CROSSBRAIN, PEROSPIKER and ALLIES projects).
IMSE-CNM’s participation in the European Design Platform DECIDE is another important example of its contribution to collaborative European initiatives supporting innovation in electronic design.
The Institute’s research and development activities have contributed to a substantial portfolio of patents and the creation of successful spin-off companies. Examples include Teledyne AnaFocus, Chronocam, GrAI Matter Labs, OQLO and Photonvis.
MicroNanoSpain: Spain’s competence centre for microelectronics
Within the emerging European strategy shaped by the European Chips Act, which promotes the establishment of specialised competence centres, IMSE-CNM plays a prominent role as one of the main partners in MicroNanoSpain, a consortium selected to serve as Spain’s Competence Centre.
Through this initiative, IMSE-CNM contributes its scientific expertise, advanced research infrastructure and technological capabilities to support the development of microelectronics in Spain. The centre helps strengthen connections between research organisations, industry, and technology developers, fostering innovation, knowledge transfer and access to specialised expertise across the Spanish microelectronics ecosystem.
Sofia Villar Donaire
Head of Communications
Instituto de Microelectrónica de Sevilla (IMSE-CNM)
+34 954 433662
[email protected]
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Please note, this article will also appear in the 28th edition of our quarterly publication.
