Case Studies

Advancing technology has increased demand for access to highspeed telecommunications. First generation mobile phones, introduced in the 1980s, utilised the 800 MHz part of the radio frequency (RF) spectrum with maximum data speeds of ~2.4 kilobits per second, increasing to 2 megabits per second in 2001, almost a thousand times ...

Trace water is the most common contaminant in ultra-high purity (UHP) process gases and one of the most difficult to remove. These gases, such as argon, nitrogen and hydrogen, are used in sensitive industrial processes, including semiconductor fabrication or manufacturing pharmaceuticals, where gas purity strongly affects produ...

At the quantum level, fundamental particles have counterintuitive properties. They can exist in multiple states simultaneously, a phenomenon, termed “superposition” (electrons or photons can be both “1” and “0” at the same time), or be correlated in a nonclassical way, no matter how far apart they are (the so-called “entangleme...

Urban electronic waste (e-waste) contains elements critical to both modern technology and the European economy. Many of these, such as lithium used in batteries, or samarium used in permanent magnets, are produced outside of Europe. As these elements are responsible for the functionality of a technology, they are often referred...

Humidity at unsuitable levels can cause unwanted effects in a range of industrial and commercial sectors. In food production, high humidity can stimulate the growth of bacteria, mould, and fungi, causing food spoilage. During semiconductor production, humidity in process gases even at trace level can compromise quality, product...

Advanced manufacturing is recognised as a critical technology for the EU’ s economic security, and, since 2023, the EC’s Chips Act has mobilised over 80 billion euros in semiconductor manufacturing and R&D. Thousands of steps are required to produce silicon wafers and it is important that these are defect free and function as ...