IMEC reports that it has grown high quality GaN transistors on silicon wafers, using an AlGaN buffer layer to accommodate the lattice mismatch between the two materials. GaN, a high-mobility, wide bandgap material, is used in optoelectronic, high-frequency, and high-temperature applications.

Soitec has expanded its portfolio of layer transfer technologies, with the acquisition of CEA-Leti spinoff TraciT Technologies. While Soitec's core technology is aimed at production of engineered starting substrates, TraciT is focused on the transfer of fully-processed wafers onto new supports. Potential applications include wafer-level packaging and MEMS integration.