JANUARY 29—Imalogic, a project that will bring together the R&D resources of four leading digital sensor manufacturers, as well as the legacy in applied research from the CEA-LETI R&D, a European microelectronics research center, will develop new technologies and market higher added-value, next-generation digital sensors for professional and commercial applications in the participating companies' respective market segments. Financial support for the project is part of a French Finance Ministry initiative to aid French industry to be more competitive. The French government is committed to contribute €5.6 million. The Finance Ministry, as well as regional agencies and municipalities in and around Grenoble, will contribute 30%.
Sofradir (Veurey-Voroize, France; www.sofradir.com), a developer and manufacturer of advanced infrared detectors for military, space, and commercial applications, and its subsidiary Ulis, as well as Trixell and STMicroelectronics, are the participants. Sofradir will target the market for high-definition IR detectors for aerospace and security. Ulis will primarily focus on the automobile industry. Trixell and ST Microelectronics, who are working together, plan to tap into the x-ray medical sector. Sofradir, Ulis, Trixell, and STMicroelectronics together will invest 70% in Imalogic, which is budgeted at €23 million.
Imalogic is scheduled for completion in 2009.
