SEMATECH Knowledge Series 2005 Launched to Boost Industry Collaboration

AUSTIN, TX -- (MARKET WIRE) -- SEMATECH Knowledge Series (SKS) 2005, a collection of single-focus industry meetings designed to increase global knowledge in key areas of semiconductor R&D, was announced by SEMATECH President and CEO Mike Polcari.

SKS 2005 includes a sequence of professional conferences, symposia, workshops and meetings in a broad range of areas, including lithography, materials, manufacturing methods, supply chain issues, and effective modeling and business practices. These activities, fully or substantially sponsored by SEMATECH or the International SEMATECH Manufacturing Initiative (ISMI), reflect both consortia's ability to bring together leading technical experts to address critical industry issues.

"SEMATECH and ISMI recognize their responsibilities to provide industry stewardship and enhance global cooperation, which in turn helps bring about a more stable infrastructure that benefits our member companies," Polcari said. "This year we have at least 11 SKS meetings planned, and we may add more as industry and member needs require."

Inaugurated in 2004, SKS consists of ongoing meetings as well as limited-period or non-repeating events. SKS gatherings in 2005 include the following:

-- SEMATECH Industry Maskless Meeting, just held Jan. 17-19 in San Jose,
CA. This meeting aimed to identify and assess the states of promising
candidates for emerging technologies in charged-particle maskless
lithography (CP-ML2) and optical maskless (O-ML2). Proponents presented the
status of their technologies to more than 100 experts representing IC
manufacturers, researchers, and equipment suppliers from around the world.
In addition to oral presentations, posters were provided on developments in
various technical areas. Contact: Walt Trybula, walt.trybula@sematech.org,
(512) 356-3306.

-- Semiconductor Logistics Forum (SLF), Feb. 2-3 at SEMATECH in Austin,
TX. The SLF meets three to four times a year to improve the competitiveness
of SEMATECH members and the semiconductor industry by developing,
promoting, and implementing innovative, better, faster, and cheaper global
logistics solutions. Projects and services include an ongoing benchmark
study on logistics data, a two-day SLF Symposium, information-sharing on
logistical methods, supplier reviews, lobbying of regulatory actions and
promoting industry standards. Contact: Marty Brown,
marty.brown@sematech.org or (512) 356-3079.

-- Resist Limitations Workshop and Resist Line Edge Roughness (LER)
Workshop, Feb. 27 at Crowne Plaza Hotel in San Jose. Both meetings aim to
help participants understand the current status of LER and resist
limitations research in the IC industry, identify what knowledge is
lacking, and generate ideas for future projects and activities throughout
the industry. Resist Limitations contact: Kim Dean, kim.dean@sematech.org
or (512) 356-3275. LER contact: Karen Turnquest,
karen.turnquest@sematech.org or (512) 356-3394.

-- EUV Source Workshop, Feb. 27 at San Jose Convention Center, San Jose,
CA. This meeting will review critical challenges, performance updates and
technology developments related to extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography
sources. Contact: Vivek Bakshi, vivek.bakshi@sematech.org, (512) 356-7528.

-- Conference on Emerging Technologies in Semiconductor Surface
Preparation, April 19-20 at Hilton Airport Hotel in Austin, TX.: This
conference will address issues, challenges and emerging solutions in wafer
surface preparation and cleaning technology in front-end and back end
processes. The meeting also will encompass advanced litho mask cleaning and
defect reduction and environment/safety/health issues in semiconductor
cleaning. Contact: Naim Moumen, naim.moumen@sematech.org or (512) 356-7893.

-- Immersion Symposium, Sept. 12-15 in Brugge, Belgium. Fifth in an
ongoing series of immersion meetings, this symposium will continue to guide
semiconductor manufacturers and suppliers on progress in 193 nm immersion
lithography, and to build consensus of emerging critical issues. SEMATECH
and Selete are co-sponsors, with IMEC as primary sponsor. SEMATECH contact:
Andrew Grenville, andrew.grenville@sematech.org or (781) 981-0826.

-- AEC/APC Symposium XVII, Sept. 24 -29 at the Renaissance Esmeralda
Hotel in Indian Wells, CA. This symposium, part of a series of such
meetings held three times a year (North America, Europe, Asia), brings
together IC manufacturers and suppliers in an effort to accelerate the move
toward more efficient and more intelligent manufacturing through data-
driven and automated decision making. Contact: Brad Van Eck,
brad.van.eck@sematech.org or (512) 356-3981.

-- 4th International EUVL Symposium, Nov. 7 at Paradise Point Resort in
San Diego, CA. This meeting is part of SEMATECH's commitment to help
develop the technology and infrastructure for EUV lithography -- including
sources, metrology, optics contamination control, and mask blanks. .
Contact: Kevin Kemp, kevin.kemp@sematech.org, (512) 356-7593.

-- 2005 SEMATECH VIP Reception, to be held in conjunction with SEMICON
West July 12-14, in San Francisco. Again this year, SEMATECH will put
together its top executives and technology experts with media and business
representatives to discuss the consortium's initiatives and technical
achievements. Meeting is invitation-only. Contact Dan McGowan,
dan.mcgowan@sematech.org, or 512-356-3440.

-- 2nd ISMI Symposium on Manufacturing Effectiveness, tentatively
scheduled for October in Austin. Following its successful introduction last
year, this annual symposium hosted by ISMI will focus on reducing
manufacturing costs through advances in equipment, processes, resources,
fab design, and manufacturing methods both in existing and next-generation
factories. Contact Brad Van Eck at brad.van.eck@sematech.org or (512) 356-
3981; or Mike Schwartz at mike.schwartz@sematech.org or (512) 356-3926.

-- Global Economic Symposium (GES) XV, being held in conjunction with the
2nd ISMI Manufacturing Effectiveness Symposium. As part of an ongoing
series featuring the SEMATECH Industry Economic Model (IEM), the GES
engages industry professional representing chipmakers, equipment/material
suppliers, universities and governments on strategic semiconductor business
and productivity matters. Contact: Denis Fandel, denis.fandel@sematech.org,
(512) 356-3461.

SEMATECH is a global semiconductor technology development consortium that has effectively represented the semiconductor manufacturing industry on innovation issues since 1988. SEMATECH conducts state-of-the-art research, and is a highly-regarded technology partner whose goal is to promote the interests common to all chipmakers. It has extensive experience collaborating with equipment and materials suppliers, as well as government and academic research centers, to refine the tools and technology necessary to produce future generations of chips. Additional information may be found at www.sematech.org. SEMATECH, the SEMATECH logo, AMRC, Advanced Materials Research Center, ATDF, the ATDF logo, Advanced Technology Development Facility, ISMI and International SEMATECH Manufacturing Initiative are servicemarks of SEMATECH, Inc. All other servicemarks and trademarks are the property of their respective owners.