Team of developers from ZEISS, TRUMPF and Fraunhofer wins Deutscher Zukunftspreis 2020
The German Federal President's Award for Technology and Innovation honors the team from the ZEISS Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology (SMT) segment for the development of EUV lithography.
"EUV lithography – new light for the digital age"
EUV stands for "extreme ultraviolet" light, i.e. light with an extremely short wavelength. The technology can be used to produce increasingly powerful, more energy-efficient and cost-effective microchips this decade and the next. These lay the foundation for autonomous driving, 5G, artificial intelligence and many other new applications not yet conceived of.
Today's smartphones have a million times more computing power than the computer that accompanied the first Moon landing in 1969. This is made possible by a microchip that is smaller than a fingertip but can accommodate more than ten billion transistors.
The award winners have made a significant contribution to the development of EUV technology as a manufacturing process for the latest generation of chips, pushing the limits of what is technology feasible. The result: a future-ready technology with more than 2,000 patents to back it up that forms the basis for future technological progress and the digitalization of our daily lives.
EUV lithography is an excellent example of how cooperation, a spirit of innovation and sustainable commitment can achieve technological and economic value added. ZEISS and TRUMPF have, in connection with EUV, already generated more than one billion euros in revenue this year and created over 3,300 high-tech jobs up through today – and the trend is accelerating.
Double recognition for innovative achievements in engineering and life sciences
ZEISS was the first company to field two teams nominated for the Deutscher Zukunftspreis since the accolade was first bestowed back in 1997. Alongside the award-winning team from SMT, another team from the ZEISS Medical Technology segment also made it into the "Circle of the Best." Every year, during a multistage selection process, the prestigious jury selects three research teams and their innovations for the shortlist from among a large number of different projects.
ZEISS invests over ten percent of its revenue annually in research and development. Optical technologies are vital for making progress in the life sciences, medicine, IT, telecommunications, automotive, consumer products and many other fields. The aim of every innovation at ZEISS is to go beyond just advancing the product and also benefit society.
More information:
The Deutscher Zukunftspreis 2020 was presented today by German Federal President Frank Walter-Steinmeier in Berlin. Additional information about the award winners, the Deutscher Zukunftspreis and a link to the live stream can be found at www.deutscher-zukunftspreis.de/de/dzpwelt and on our ZEISS DZP page. ZDF will broadcast the award ceremony on 25 November at 10:45 p.m.