IMEC meets to discuss future

What do the 'Zen of Snow' application on an Apple iPhone and satellites transmitting weather data and telephone signals have in common?

To a scientist or technologist, the answer is easy: nanoelectronics — those minute slips of technology known as integrated circuits or semiconductors.

After all, it is semiconductor technology that has enabled computing and communications to fit in the palm of a hand and let us enjoy turning an iPhone into a snow globe or carry on a business call at the airport.

Consumers rarely think of all the ways that technology simplifies their lives, but executives managing the world's leading high-tech companies monitor problems and trends and think of solutions for each one.

The IMEC Technology Forum brings together executives from companies and institutes in Asia, Europe and the US to discuss advances in science and technology and to present visions for future innovations.

Formerly known as the Annual Research Review Meeting, the forum is now in its 13th year and takes place at the Crowne Plaza, Le Palace hotel in Brussels, Belgium.

This year, the forum will highlight the theme of science and technology innovation for the next 25 years to recognise IMEC's 25-year anniversary. Experts from industry and IMEC will share their vision and strategy on scaling and non-scaling activities, on the changes in business approach and on the collaboration opportunities with R&D centres.

The event begins on Tuesday 2 June, with the first keynote speaker and a reception at IMEC, giving everyone the opportunity to visit IMEC's campus.

The following day will see a succession of high-level R&D partner visions, followed by two panel discussions with prominent authorities from the biomedical and photovoltaic domains.

On the third day, IMEC experts talk about innovation, covering 'The 10 nanometer device', 'Heterogeneous integration', 'Semiconductor technology for the next generation and conversion of renewable energy', 'Wireless and optical communication' and 'Human++: merging biology and electronics for a better life'.