The Dutch government, together with chip giants ASML and NXP and VDL Groep, among others, are investing 100 million euros in the Smart Photonics chip factory in Eindhoven. The Netherlands wants to become a world power in the field of photonic chips that the company develops, and it already dug deep into its pockets three years ago to keep Smart out of the hands of a Chinese party. The company should be able to grow further with the money, FD reports.
Photonic chips transfer information via particles of light (photons) rather than electrons, on which the traditional chip industry is built. Photonic semiconductors are cheaper and faster than ordinary computer chips and theoretically enable breakthroughs in areas such as medical sensors, self-driving cars or quantum computers.
Read the full article in the FD here
The Netherlands are scientific leaders when it comes to photonics. By investing hundreds of millions in this area, the government hopes to convert this knowledge advantage into an economic advantage as the still small market matures. For a long time, it was unthinkable that so much money would be invested in a high-risk scale-up.
Source: BNR
Andrew Dwight is an author and economy journalist who writes for 24 News Globe. He has a deep understanding of financial markets and a passion for analyzing economic trends and news. With a talent for breaking down complex economic concepts into easily understandable terms, Andrew has become a respected voice in the field of economics journalism.
