Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences

What Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences does

The Institute of Microelectronics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院微电子研究所, IME) is a national-level research institute established in 1958 and headquartered in Beijing. It is one of China's most important R&D institutions in microelectronics science and integrated circuit technology, operating under direct CAS administration as a government state entity. The institute focuses on major national strategic needs in microelectronics, spanning integrated circuit design, manufacturing technology, micro-nano electronics, and semiconductor device R&D. It is an approved doctoral and master's degree granting institution and serves as the main host of the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences School of Integrated Circuits.

The institute operates an Integrated Circuit Pilot Process Platform, the National Key Laboratory of Integrated Circuit Manufacturing Technology, an EDA Center focused on design automation tools, and an AI Chip and System R&D Center working on neuromorphic computing hardware. Its proprietary research outputs include China's first domestically produced high-voltage radiation-resistant silicon carbide (SiC) power device (validated in space aboard Tianzhou-8), high-density 3D DRAM including IGZO 2T0C architecture, 4H/3C-SiC composite substrates, pulse in-memory computing architecture, DRAM etching 3D simulation, and all-spin neuromorphic computing hardware. The institute collaborates internationally with Hong Kong University of Science and Technology via a joint microelectronics laboratory.

The institute does not generate commercial revenue. Its funding is sourced from government research grants, national science and technology programs, and CAS institutional allocations, with outputs delivered through publications, technology transfer via a results-transformation platform, and graduate talent training. There is no publicly disclosed pricing, no external shareholders, and no commercial product distribution. Revenue mechanics are therefore grant- and appropriation-driven rather than sales-driven.

Name

Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences

Legal name

中国科学院微电子研究所

Website

https://ime.cas.cn

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

The Institute of Microelectronics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (中国科学院微电子研究所), established in 1958 in Beijing, is a national-level government research institute conducting R&D in integrated circuit design, manufacturing technology, micro-nano electronics, and semiconductor devices to serve China's strategic semiconductor self-reliance and train IC talent.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Semiconductor Research & Development

NAICS

Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing (334413), Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing (3344), Research and Development in Nanotechnology (541713)

SIC

Semiconductors & Related Devices (3674), Electronic Components, Nec (3679)

akta.pro primary industry

Semiconductors for Industrial Control & Power (MCUs, DSPs, FPGAs, ASICs, IGBTs, MOSFETs, diodes) (IMAGAJAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Compute & Acceleration ICs (CPU/GPU/AI/FPGA/ASIC) (HDAHABAC), Design Services & ASIC/SoC Implementation (EDA-Adjacent) (HDAHAFAL), High-Voltage, Power Discretes & Modules (IGBT/MOSFET/SiC/GaN) (HDAHAAAK)

Keywords

• Integrated circuit research
• Microelectronics R&D
• Semiconductor manufacturing
• Chip design technology
• Micro-nano electronics

Headquarters

HQ city

Beijing

HQ country

China

HQ region

Asia

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The Institute of Microelectronics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences conducts fundamental and strategic research, development, and talent training in microelectronics and integrated circuit technology. It operates multiple specialized research centers including the Integrated Circuit Pilot Process Platform, the National Key Laboratory of Integrated Circuit Manufacturing Technology, the EDA Center, and the AI Chip and System R&D Center, delivering breakthroughs in 3D DRAM, SiC power devices, and neuromorphic computing hardware for national strategic semiconductor needs.

Product overview

The Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences operates as a comprehensive research institution in microelectronics and integrated circuits. The institute consists of multiple specialized research centers and laboratories, including the Integrated Circuit Pilot Process Platform for fabrication capabilities, the National Key Laboratory of Integrated Circuit Manufacturing Technology focusing on 3D DRAM and advanced memory research, the EDA Center for design automation tools, and the AI Chip and System R&D Center developing neural morphology computing hardware. The institute provides graduate education through the School of Integrated Circuits at UCAS and maintains industrial collaborations for technology transfer.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Integrated Circuit Pilot Process Platform (集成电路先导工艺平台) A pilot-scale integrated circuit manufacturing platform that provides advanced IC fabrication capabilities for research and development purposes at the institute.
• National Key Laboratory of Integrated Circuit Manufacturing Technology (集成电路制造技术全国重点实验室) A national-level key laboratory conducting research on integrated circuit manufacturing technology, including 3D DRAM, etching processes, and advanced memory technologies.
• EDA Center (Electronic Design Automation Center) Research and development center focused on EDA tools and technologies for integrated circuit design automation.
• AI Chip and System R&D Center (人工智能芯片与系统研发中心) Research center developing AI chips and systems, including neuromorphic computing hardware and AI algorithms.
• University of Chinese Academy of Sciences School of Integrated Circuits (中国科学院大学集成电路学院) Graduate-level integrated circuit education program hosted by the institute under the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, training doctoral and master's degree students for China's semiconductor industry.
• Joint Microelectronics Laboratory with HKUST Joint research laboratory established with Hong Kong University of Science and Technology for collaborative academic research, talent exchange, and joint R&D projects in integrated circuit design and manufacturing technology.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Institute of Microelectronics of CAS and HKUST have established a joint microelectronics laboratory. The two institutions collaborate on academic research, talent exchange, and joint research projects in integrated circuit design and manufacturing technology.
• Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe institute is an integral part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences system. It participates in CAS strategic priority programs (B-type) such as 'Frontier Scientific Research on In-Memory Computing Devices and Systems' and receives institutional support and direction from CAS.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences: The closest peer within the CAS system; conducts fundamental and applied research in semiconductor physics, materials, and devices, and trains graduate talent under UCAS. Directly comparable mission, funding model, and output (publications, IP, talent) as IME-CAS.
• Tsinghua University Institute of Microelectronics: A leading Chinese university research institute focused on IC design, MEMS, and semiconductor devices; trains PhD/Master talent and contributes to China's chip self-reliance. Comparable academic-semiconductor research mandate with strong industrial collaboration.
• Peking University Institute of Microelectronics: PKU's microelectronics research arm offering integrated design, fabrication, and characterization capabilities. Spans similar research themes (advanced process, memory, AI hardware) with comparable talent-pipeline role.
• IMEC: The leading global semiconductor research consortium; conducts applied R&D across advanced logic, memory, and emerging devices in partnership with global foundries. Comparable role as a publicly-funded, industry-shared advanced semiconductor research platform.
• CEA-Leti: French government-backed semiconductor R&D institute specializing in micro/nanotechnologies, MEMS, and advanced IC processes. Closely comparable institutional model (government-funded lab with industry partnerships) and research scope.

Emerging players

• SMIC: China's leading commercial foundry; commercializes technologies rooted in CAS-tier research and is a key destination for IME-trained talent. Functions as the commercial translation layer for upstream academic microelectronics R&D in China.
• Cambricon Technologies: China's leading AI chip startup, spun from CAS-affiliated research, designing neuromorphic and neural-network accelerators. Directly comparable to IME's AI Chip and System R&D Center on neuromorphic computing architectures and target applications.

Broad incumbents

• Micron Technology (Memory R&D): Global memory leader with substantial 3D DRAM and HBM R&D; competes in the memory technology space where IME has built high-density 3D DRAM expertise (IGZO 2T0C, DRAM etching 3D simulation).
• Wolfspeed: Leading SiC power semiconductor company; competes directly in the same wide-bandgap power device category where IME's SiC substrate and radiation-hardened power device breakthroughs stand out. Comparable IP and product roadmap direction.
• Synopsys (EDA): Global EDA software leader; comparable to IME's EDA Center in delivering circuit design automation tools and IP, providing the most direct comparator for commercial translation of IME's in-house EDA capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/institute-of-microelectronics-of-chinese-academy-of-sciences

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments4 records

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Frequently asked questions about Institute of Microelectronics of Chinese Academy of Sciences