Imec in a nutshell
Imec is a Flanders-based world-leading research center for nanoelectronics. After being founded in 1984, the institute quickly expanded its research activities with in-depth collaborations with universities and companies worldwide. Nowadays, imec has regional offices too in the Netherlands, Taiwan, the US, China, India and Japan.
Imec’s activities and ambitions
By attracting international top talent, imec is committed to providing the building blocks for a better life in a sustainable society. Its overarching goal is to create innovative solutions that are relevant to the industry. Imec’s staff of over 2,000 people carries out applied research in several cutting-edge domains:
• Photovoltaics (solar cells)
• Healthcare
• Wireless communications
• 3D imaging
• Computer chips
Internal and external collaboration
With state-of-the-art equipment, scientists in various fields join forces to develop sustainable hi-tech solutions. For research on diagnostics and treatment of diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, for example, engineers collaborate with doctors and biologists.
Imec also actively cooperates with nearby Flanders-based universities and other research centers, such as the KU Leuven University and life sciences research institute VIB. Moreover, imec collaborates in several EU co-funded research projects and has forged partnerships with international organizations in both the private and the public sector.
What’s in it for foreign entrepreneurs?
Foreign companies can send one or more scientists to imec to conduct research, among the other 400 industrial residents. This enables entrepreneurs to be amongst the forerunners in nanotechnology worldwide – thus staying one step ahead of their competitors. After having delegated their employee(s), many companies decide to set up subsidiaries in Flanders to back-up their researchers and to expand their business.