May 23 2025 /SemiMedia/ — STMicroelectronics has expanded its Lab-in-Fab initiative in Singapore to accelerate the development of lead-free piezoelectric MEMS devices. The upgraded program, now in collaboration with A*STAR’s Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE) and the National University of Singapore (NUS), aims to bridge research and scalable manufacturing.

Since its launch in 2020, Lab-in-Fab has operated a 200mm piezoMEMS R&D line within ST’s Ang Mo Kio campus. The new phase, dubbed “Lab-in-Fab 2.0,” focuses on maturing sustainable MEMS technologies for next-gen applications, including miniaturized ultrasound transducers, compact speakers, and autofocus modules for mobile cameras.

Anton Hofmeister, ST’s Group Vice President of Central R&D, said the enhanced alliance with A*STAR IME and ULVAC, and the addition of IMRE and NUS, would “fuel commercialization of green piezoMEMS innovations.”

Professor Yeo Yee Chia, Deputy Chief Executive at A*STAR, said the model fosters end-to-end collaboration from material discovery to volume production, reinforcing Singapore’s semiconductor capabilities.

ULVAC, a key equipment partner, is contributing advanced process tools to support device fabrication.

The move reinforces Singapore’s position as a rising hub for MEMS research and semiconductor co-development.