CNR-IMM
The Institute for Microelectronics and Microsystems (IMM) is a public research organization active in the fields of microelectronics, microsystems, semiconductor physics, sensors, and nanotechnology. It is part of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR), the country’s largest public research entity.
IMM develops advanced processes and technologies to create micro- and nanoscale devices, as well as electronic and photonic sensors, for applications across many sectors, including energy, environment, biomedicine, agritech, space, telecommunications, transport, neuromorphic computing, and quantum computation. Its activities span from fundamental research—such as the synthesis, modeling, and characterization of advanced materials and processes—to industrial innovation through prototyping, technology transfer to companies, and the promotion of start-ups.
Research at IMM is supported by funding from numerous national and international projects carried out in collaboration with major research centers, companies, public institutions, and universities. The institute actively participates in prominent European programs such as ERC and Horizon Europe.
IMM’s work is further supported by the Italian regions of Sicily, Puglia, Lombardy, and Lazio. Beyond financial backing, these regions have launched initiatives to identify research needs that foster local economic development, leading to the creation of several Technological Districts. IMM, for example, is a member of the “Micro and Nanosystems” Technological District in Sicily.
IMM maintains a strong presence in Italy’s semiconductor industry, particularly through close collaboration with STMicroelectronics. The institute also has long-standing expertise in power devices, with a special focus on silicon carbide (SiC) technologies, including material growth, device fabrication, and testing.
Role
- Investigate design and modelling for immersive cooling system and approach
- new equipment and processes
- Improve reliability and quality by failure analysis for immersive cooling
- Cooling materials compatibility verification
- Thermal resistance characterization and thermal boundary identification
- Supporting all dissemination activities to guarantee internal and external publishing of the project results.
Key Contribution
- Advanced Multiphysics Modeling for Thermal-Fluid Dynamics Optimization. CNR will develop and implement advanced Multiphysics models to simulate thermal and fluid-dynamic behavior in immersive cooling systems, enabling predictive design and performance optimization at both device and system level.
- Materials Compatibility Assessment and Long-Term Stability Analysis. We will investigate material-fluid interactions to ensure chemical and mechanical compatibility under operating conditions. This includes the evaluation of novel materials and protective coatings to prevent degradation over time.
- High-Precision Thermal Characterization of Cooling Interfaces. CNR will perform detailed thermal measurements and interface characterization using state-of-the-art techniques to quantify heat transfer efficiency, material aging effects, and identify possible failure modes in cooling architectures.
- Supporting Europe’s Transition to Energy-Efficient Electronics CNR can help drive the development of sustainable cooling technologies that significantly reduce energy consumption in high-performance systems. This directly supports EU climate targets and promotes energy-efficient innovation in the electronics sector.
- Enabling Reliable and Scalable Solutions for European Industry By providing expertise in materials compatibility, thermal modeling, and long-term reliability, CNR can assist in delivering immersive cooling technologies that meet industrial needs for scalability, durability, and performance, strengthening European competitiveness.
- Contributing to Knowledge Dissemination and Skills Development Across Europe CNR can actively support the European research and industrial community by sharing validated methodologies, advanced characterization protocols, and modeling tools, fostering cross-sector collaboration and building technological sovereignty in thermal management.
