Compound semiconductor consortium announced as a finalist for prestigious award

CSconnected is named as a finalist for the prestigious Bhattacharyya Award, celebrating the UK’s most impactful academia-industry partnerships.

CSconnected, representing the world's first compound semiconductor (CS) cluster, is among the five finalists for this year’s Bhattacharyya Award. This prestigious award, supported by the UK government, celebrates the significant contributions that long-term partnerships between universities and industry bring to innovation and the economy.

CSconnected, centred in and around South Wales, includes Cardiff University, Swansea University, the Compound Semiconductor Centre, and industry partners, including multinationals IQE plc, KLA Corp, Microchip Technology, Vishay Intertechnology, and Microlink.

Since its inception in 2015, the CS cluster has grown to support over 2,660 high-productivity jobs and contributing £381 million GVA annually. The cluster has also attracted over £82 million in industrial R&D projects and more than £500 million in regional investment in RD&I infrastructure and manufacturing capacity.

Wyn Meredith, Chair of CSconnected, said: “Being shortlisted for the Bhattacharyya Award is a testament to the success of the compound semiconductor cluster in South Wales."

The CSconnected cluster has leveraged the expertise of its academic partners to advance research in areas such as photonics, power electronics, and quantum technologies. These advancements have had significant impacts on a wide range of industries, including telecommunications, healthcare, and automotive, further solidifying South Wales as a hub for cutting-edge semiconductor technology.

Welcoming the announcement, Professor Roger Whitaker Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Enterprise said: “The CSconnected collaboration between Cardiff and Swansea Universities and industry is really helping to drive the economic renewal of South Wales."

The Bhattacharyya Award, named in honour of Professor Lord Kumar Bhattacharyya, celebrates the mutual benefits of academia-industry collaborations, which include creating a talent pipeline, advancing research, and generating significant economic impact.

The winner of the 2024 Bhattacharyya Award will be announced on Thursday 26th September 2024 at a special ceremony at the Royal Academy of Engineering in London.

Read the full announcement from The Royal Academy of Engineering here.