Leuven, Belgium – May 11, 2009 - Sony has joined IMEC as a core-lite partner in the research programs which target asset-lite IC companies. IMEC’s core-lite program offers early insight to fablite and fables companies on all aspects of scaling CMOS to sub-32nm. Sony's main focus will be roadmap definition, technology understanding and insight, early feedback from technology to design and circuit etc.

For that perspective, Sony has started to participate and cooperate in all CMOS-related technology R&D within IMEC’s industrial affiliation programs. For this, Sony has a team of on-site residents based in Leuven, Belgium, who actively cooperate in the IMEC programs.

The announced partnership illustrates that throughout 2009, IMEC's core sub-32nm CMOS program is expanding its scope, optimizing its value offering for various business models of IC manufacturers. From its core focus to research and develop future scaling opportunities for CMOS technologies both for memory and logic applications, several opportunities have arisen to offer learning value towards IC companies operating in the fablite or fabless model. These companies consider early insight in new IC process technologies crucial for their future product development.

In order to optimize and strengthen its offering further, IMEC has defined additional activities specifically touching the technology-design interactions, which are currently ramping up in cooperation with all existing partners.

In its core program, IMEC works together with leading IC companies on future CMOS technologies. Key partners in 2009 are Intel, Micron, Panasonic, Samsung, TSMC, Elpida, Hynix, Powerchip, Infineon, NXP, Qualcomm, Sony, ST Microelectronics.

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About IMEC

IMEC is a world-leading independent research center in nanoelectronics and nanotechnology. IMEC vzw is headquartered in Leuven, Belgium, has a sister company in the Netherlands, IMEC-NL, offices in the US, China and Taiwan, and representatives in Japan. Its staff of more than 1650 people includes about 550 industrial residents and guest researchers. In 2008, its revenue (P&L) was EUR 270 million.

IMEC’s More Moore research aims at semiconductor scaling towards 22nm and beyond. With its More than Moore research, IMEC looks into technologies for nomadic embedded systems, wireless autonomous transducer solutions, biomedical electronics, photovoltaics, organic electronics and GaN power electronics.

IMEC’s research bridges the gap between fundamental research at universities and technology development in industry. Its unique balance of processing and system know-how, intellectual property portfolio, state-of-the-art infrastructure and its strong network worldwide position IMEC as a key partner for shaping technologies for future systems.

Further information on IMEC can be found at www.imec.be.

Contact:

IMEC : Katrien Marent, Director of External Communications, T: +32 16 28 18 80, Mobile : +32 474 30 28 66, katrien.marent@imec.be