Compound semiconductors are at the heart of many devices we use today and are set to play an increasingly important role in next generation technologies. The creation of a new compound semiconductor cluster through the CSconnected project in 2020 followed years of sustained work from Cardiff University and commercial partner IQE plc, a world leading supplier of advanced compound semiconductor wafer products. 

An initial investment from Cardiff University of £75 million in a new Institute for Compound Semiconductors in 2015 was followed by the creation of the Compound Semiconductor Centre (CSC), a joint venture between IQE and Cardiff University to develop and prototype compound semiconductor materials.  

This partnership was crucial to growing a £1bn regional Compound Semiconductor Cluster, which now supports 2700 jobs. 

A £43 million investment delivered through Strength in Places enabled CSconnected to bring together researchers, innovation teams and manufacturers to deliver four key collaborative R&D programmes: next generation optical communications and sensing, large-scale semiconductor manufacturing, novel and efficient compound semiconductor fabrication tools, and advanced processes for 5G and EAV data systems.   

In addition to the four R&D programmes, activities also include the formation of a central co-ordination activity to represent and promote the cluster and to develop regional educational and skills capabilities for the sector.