Assistant Professor Liao Shuhan of Tamkang University (organizer) and N&M Chairman Rone (right). Picture/N&M offered
Rone, Chairman of Taiwan Nano & Micro (N&M), delivered a speech at Tamkang University on the trends and applications of silicon photonics. The talk attracted experts, scholars, and students from both academia and industry. Assistant Professor Liao Shu-Han from the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering emphasized that silicon photonics will significantly enhance AI technologies and become a key area of focus for the university.
In his speech, Rone highlighted the increasing demand for faster and more energy-efficient data transmission driven by the rise of 5G, AI, cloud computing, and IoT. He noted that silicon photonics, with its high-speed, low-latency, and energy-efficient capabilities, is emerging as a critical solution to these technological challenges. While the technology is gaining traction in communication and data centers, Rone emphasized its potential in gas sensing applications, such as medical devices, wearables, and ADAS. He also point out that there will be projected a 40% annual growth in the silicon photonics chip market over the next four years.
N&M Chairman Rone (right 2).、Assistant Professor Liao Shuhan(Left 1), the director of Chemistry Department of Tamkang University and the director of Jianbang Innovation and Incubation Center. Picture/N&M offered
The lecture not only emphasized how silicon photonics can enhance communication and computing speeds, but more importantly, how silicon photonic sensing technology is creating entirely new applications. Currently, AI modules are equipped with vision, hearing, and touch capabilities, and with the addition of silicon photonic sensing, robots can more easily detect odors. This advancement enables industries such as healthcare, food safety, and industrial automation, which require environmental monitoring, to conduct long-term, efficient gas detection.
N&M’s technology, pioneered by Professor of National Taiwan University Lin Ching-Fu, the "Father of Silicon Photonics Sensing" in Taiwan, can even be used in medical diagnostics. Rone explained that N&M's silicon photonic chips can non-invasively detect trace chemicals in the body, offering innovative early diagnosis solutions for diseases like Parkinson's. Rone further explained the advantages of this technology and its application value in preventive medicine, and praised Professor Lin Ching-Fu, the father of silicon photonic sensing in Taiwan, for promoting innovative applications of silicon light.
Leveraging the advantages of the semiconductor industry, Taiwan's silicon photonics industry stands on the shoulders of giants, maintaining a leading global position. It can further advance into "Beyond Communication" applications, including computing and sensing. In the sensing field, Taiwan Nano & Micro (N&M) has pioneered the development of innovative silicon-based sensing chips. These multi-functional silicon photonic sensing chips, produced using CMOS processes, have made N&M the world’s first company to design silicon photonic sensing chips. Rone stated that Taiwan’s semiconductor industry is unparalleled globally, and N&M’s mission is to use this advantage to benefit humanity through silicon photonic sensing. He added that it’s not only N&M but also Taiwan’s entire optoelectronics and semiconductor industry that can reach new heights with silicon photonics.
The talk in Tamkang University showcased N&M’s leadership in this rapidly growing field, as silicon photonics continues to gain interest from global tech giants. N&M remains committed to innovation, providing a technological platform and collaborating with partners to explore new applications of silicon photonics sensing technology.