STMicroelectronics boosts Singapore’s Lab-in-Fab for Piezoelectric MEMS development

STMicroelectronics, in collaboration with ASTAR Institute of Microelectronics (ASTAR IME) and ULVAC, announced the expansion of the “Lab-in-Fab” initiative in Singapore on May 21, 2025. The new phase includes projects with ASTAR Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (ASTAR IMRE) and the National University of Singapore (NUS), focusing on piezoelectric Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (piezoMEMS) technology.

This collaboration, one of Singapore’s largest public-private R&D efforts in semiconductors, aims to develop lead-free piezoelectric materials for miniaturized, cost-effective sensors and actuators used in personal electronics, medical devices, and other applications, such as piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers (PMUT) for 3D mapping and imaging, miniaturized speakers, and autofocus devices for smartphone cameras.
The initiative builds on the original Lab-in-Fab, established in 2020, which developed a physical vapor deposited (PVD) method for lead zirconate titanate (PZT) thin films, reducing lead content compared to traditional piezoelectric technology. The expanded Lab-in-Fab 2.0 provides a complete manufacturing line for Institutes of Higher Learning, startups, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, and Multinational Corporati...