“Conducting the semiconductor process using an extremely small half inch wafer with a diameter of only 1.25cm, the manufacture of the minimal fab device, a concept which originated in Japan, is suddenly attracting attention. This is in the midst of the deadlock in which the large scale, mass production mega fab business model finds itself.

This device, without a clean room, reduces the investment in the production line to about just under 100 million yen, 1/1000 of what it has been. High hopes are being placed on it to rejuvenate the sluggish semiconductor industry in Japan, and especially to create opportunities for small to medium size companies to enter the field. On May 9 of this year the Minimal Fab Technology Research Association was launched with the purpose of developing the minimal lab production devices and the process lines. The association is aiming at conducting trials of simple prototypes in 2014, and activities are underway based on a commission from the Ministry of Economy Trade and Industry with a grant of 650 million yen during the first year.”