NUS-AMAT Advanced Materials Lab Enters Phase 2 to Advance Semiconductor Research in Singapore

The NUS-AMAT Advanced Materials Lab represents a cornerstone of Singapore's ambition to lead in semiconductor innovation, where the National University of Singapore (NUS) and Applied Materials (AMAT) have forged a powerful partnership. Launched in 2018, this corporate lab has evolved into a global hub for developing next-generation materials essential for advanced chips powering artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and energy-efficient technologies. With the recent expansion into Phase 2 in late 2024, the lab now boasts cutting-edge cleanroom facilities and new talent initiatives, positioning NUS at the forefront of higher education-driven research in Singapore's burgeoning semiconductor ecosystem.

This collaboration exemplifies how university-industry ties can accelerate breakthroughs from lab benches to commercial production. As global semiconductor sales surge toward $1 trillion by 2030, the lab's focus on atomic-level precision engineering addresses critical challenges like scaling beyond Moore's Law, making it a vital asset for Singapore's electronics sector, which contributes over 9% to the nation's gross domestic product (GDP) and employs more than 60,000 workers.

The Genesis of the NUS-AMAT Partnership

The Applied Materials-NUS Advanced Materials Corporate Lab was established in 2018 under Singapore's Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 (RIE2025) plan, administered by the National Research Foundation (NRF). Applied Materials, a U.S.-based leader in semiconductor manufacturing equipment with a major presence in Singapore since 1991, partnered with NUS's College of Design and Engineering (CDE) and Faculty of Science to bridge academia and industry. The lab's T-Lab facility on the Kent Ridge campus provided world-class multi-disciplinary research capabilities spanning applied chemistry, materials science, physics, and engineering.

Phase 1 laid the groundwork by integrating NUS's academic expertise with AMAT's industrial know-how. Researchers tackled real-world problems in semiconductor fabrication, such as developing novel materials for thinner, faster, and more efficient chips. This phase not only generated intellectual property but also fostered a culture of rapid innovation transfer, with several discoveries moving from proof-of-concept to pilot-scale production.

Key Achievements from Phase 1

Over its initial six years, the lab achieved remarkable milestones. More than 50 patents were filed in areas like novel mask and etching techniques, chemistry for deposition processes, and hardware designs for semiconductor tools. These innovations have progressed to scale-up phases, demonstrating the lab's commercial viability. For instance, advancements in atomic layer deposition (ALD)—a technique that deposits ultra-thin films atom by atom—improved process control for high-performance logic and memory devices.

The lab trained over 70 researchers, students, and engineers, supported six PhD scholarships through the Integrated PhD Programme (IPP), and collaborated with local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for characterization services. These efforts strengthened Singapore's semiconductor value chain, from wafer fabrication to advanced packaging, aligning with national goals to increase manufacturing value-add by 50% between 2020 and 2030.

Unveiling Phase 2: State-of-the-Art Facilities

Phase 2, launched on October 24, 2024, by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, marks a significant upgrade. A new, larger cleanroom on the Kent Ridge campus features state-of-the-art semiconductor process equipment for materials synthesis, deposition, etching, and characterization. This facility enables industry-scale testing of integrated processes and interface engineering, crucial for next-gen semiconductors facing thermal and electrical limits.

Enhanced capabilities include advanced ALD systems for precise thin-film control, plasma etching tools for nanoscale patterning, and metrology equipment for atomic-level analysis. These upgrades allow researchers to simulate full manufacturing workflows, shortening the path from discovery to deployment. As DPM Heng noted in his launch speech, such facilities are pivotal for Singapore's 'Manufacturing 2030' vision and AMAT's 'Singapore 2030' expansion plans. For more details on the lab's infrastructure, visit the official lab website.

The Inaugural Applied Materials-NUS Chair Professorship

A flagship of Phase 2 is the Applied Materials-NUS Chair Professorship, aimed at attracting world-class experts. Professor Erwin Kessels, from Eindhoven University of Technology and scientific director of the NanoLab@TU/e, was appointed as the first holder. Renowned for his work in ALD and plasma-enhanced processes, Prof. Kessels brings decades of experience in thin-film technologies vital for 2nm and below nodes.

His role involves mentoring NUS faculty and students, leading joint projects, and bridging European and Singaporean research ecosystems. Since his appointment in 2025, Prof. Kessels has visited NUS multiple times, contributing to workshops like the ALD Academy 2025 and inspiring publications on atomic precision for AI chips. This professorship ensures sustained leadership in semiconductors, grooming local talent while importing global best practices.

Core Research Thrusts and Innovations

The lab's research centers on advanced materials engineering for semiconductors. Key areas include:

• Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD): Developing precursors and processes for high-k dielectrics and metal gates, enabling 3D architectures like gate-all-around transistors.
• Interface Engineering: Optimizing material interfaces to reduce defects and improve electron mobility in logic devices.
• Process Integration: Combining deposition, etching, and annealing for monolithic 3D integration and chiplets.
• Novel Materials: Exploring 2D materials like transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) and III-V compounds for beyond-silicon performance.
• Sustainable Manufacturing: Low-temperature processes to cut energy use in fabs.

By 2026, Phase 2 has yielded early breakthroughs, such as improved ALD for power-efficient AI accelerators, with several papers presented at SEMICON Singapore and patents pending. These efforts address Singapore's semi challenges amid global talent shortages. Read the full launch announcement on NUS News.

Fostering the Next Generation of Semiconductor Talent

Talent development is central to the lab's mission. Phase 2 introduces expanded programs for undergraduates, postgraduates, and professionals, including sponsored scholarships, internships at AMAT's Singapore operations, and a new Master's in Semiconductor Technology and Operations co-developed with industry.

In response to Singapore's semiconductor talent gap—where local pipelines lag demand—the lab offers hands-on training in cleanrooms, industry attachments, and reskilling workshops. Polytechnic graduates and mid-career engineers benefit from bridging courses, aligning with the Shortage Occupation List for Employment Passes. Over 100 students have participated by mid-2026, with alumni securing roles at GlobalFoundries, TSMC Singapore, and AMAT.

These initiatives not only build technical skills but also soft competencies like innovation and teamwork, preparing graduates for a sector projected to create 2,000 new jobs in the next few years.

Leadership and Expertise Behind the Lab

The lab is steered by a trio of co-directors: Professor Silvija Gradečak-Garaj (NUS Materials Science and Engineering), Professor Wong (NUS), and Dr. John Sudijono (AMAT Director of Engineering). Principal investigators from CDE and Science faculties bring expertise in nanotechnology, plasma physics, and computational materials design.

Prof. Gradečak-Garaj, a nanomaterials specialist, oversees strategic direction, while Dr. Sudijono ensures industrial relevance. Their interdisciplinary team of 20+ researchers collaborates with AMAT's Southeast Asia team, leveraging Singapore's ecosystem including A*STAR's Institute of Microelectronics.

Boosting Singapore's Higher Education Landscape

For NUS, the lab elevates research profile, ranking it among QS top globally in materials science. It exemplifies corporate labs under RIE2025, fostering IP commercialization and attracting international talent. In Singapore's higher ed, such models counter talent shortages by integrating curricula with industry needs, as seen in NUS's MSc (Semiconductor Technology & Operations).

Government support via NRF underscores public investment in university R&D, with DPM Heng emphasizing 'porosity' between academia and industry for economic resilience. Explore related opportunities at AcademicJobs research jobs.

Ecosystem Integration and Broader Impacts

The lab connects with Singapore's semi cluster: partnerships with SMEs, startups, and giants like Micron and Vanguard. Phase 2 broadens SME collaborations for prototyping, spurring local innovation. Environmentally, research targets greener fabs, aligning with net-zero goals.

Stakeholder views highlight mutual benefits: NUS gains funding and real-world impact; AMAT accesses talent and IP; Singapore builds sovereignty in critical tech. Challenges like global competition are met through sustained investment.

Looking Ahead: Innovations and Opportunities

By 2030, the lab aims to pioneer materials for angstrom-era chips (1nm nodes), quantum computing interfaces, and sustainable electronics. Upcoming: ALD for photonics, 2D material scaling. For aspiring researchers, scholarships and internships abound—check NUS graduate admissions.

This evolution cements NUS's role in Singapore's semiconductor ascent, blending higher education with industry for a brighter tech future. DPM Heng's vision: collaborative innovation as the engine of progress. Learn more from his speech at the PMO site.

Photo by Florian Olivo on Unsplash