Taiwan has been known as the leader in the global industrial production line of semiconductor processing, where its mature supply chain in the semiconductor manufacture industry has already realised the different levels of relevant technologies and applications.
In the last decade, the invention of Si photonics has led to the advancement of photonics integration circuits by using semiconductor manufacture production line, allowing the advantages of multi-functional and cost-effective optical signal processing techniques, such as broadband, high resolution, low power consumption and low EM interference, to be built inside a small chip.
In the light of such technology trends, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) has promoted the special topics project, to fulfil the future technology development in the future. Si photonic fibre gyroscope is one of the funded projects in the Department of Photonics, National Sun Yat-sen University. The team uses several new designs of optical and electrical circuits in silicon photonic integration chips, not only reducing the overall size of a chip but also setting up a new level of angular velocity sensing capability. The unmanned vehicle and aerial camera with such a light-sensing tool can be made with a stabiliser.
In addition, the Si photonics gyroscope has lots of potential for consumer purposes, such as bioengineering, autonomous cars, robot, and navigation, in comparison to other types of gyroscopes. Interferometric fibre optical gyroscope (IFOG) is one of the indispensable components for sensing angular velocity in medium- and high-end navigation systems, such as aerospace, military, underwater and unmanned vehicles. Ring laser gyroscope (RLG) and hemispherical resonant gyroscope (HRG) are the most stable and highest resolution ones as per up records till now. However, the complicated structure needs delicate assembly engineering, resulting in high costs. On the other hand, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) gyroscope fabricated in semiconductor foundry can be adapted to the mass production line, thus leading to the lowest cost per piece.
Nevertheless, the mechanical properties render it to be low precision from up-to-date technologies. In the viewpoint of gyroscope performance, IFOG could vary from high-end modules to medium-end ones, depending on the design and its related assembly technologies. With the promotion of Si photonic technologies, photonics integration offers an excellent solution for future gyroscope and related technologies.
The team of Si photonic gyroscope in the Department of Photonics at NSYSU has been funded by MOST for 4 years. Base on Si photonic technology, several industrial partners have been tied within the project, forming a collaboration link. In the past three years, excellent research work and Si photonic IFOG submodule have been attained, including the patents, top international conference and journal paper publication.
As reported by OpenGov Asia, MOST announced that 20 tech startup companies would showcase Taiwan’s Biotech capabilities to the world connect with the global ecosystem, resources and industries in the forum organised by Taiwan Tech Arena (TTA). There are 20 TTA startup teams are selected by industrial experts and focused on global bio-industrial market potential startups.
Taiwan has demonstrated how to democratically tackle the COVID-19 threatening and how to be a truly global partner by utilising technologies. Taiwan’s efforts and commitments have drawn international attention and the relationship between Taiwan and the U.S. has become stronger than ever in the past year. The U.S. is leading the trends of advanced science and technology development and has a vivid startup ecosystem, while Taiwan has renowned semiconductor and ICT industries and long supported technology startups.
By working together, Taiwan can speed up the transition from scientific findings into practical technology applications and create a win-win situation and achieve future possible collaborations in the US. The companies presented disruptive biotech innovations such as vocal implant systems, AI Video-based telemedicine solutions and detection of respiratory function with ultrasound technology.