News: Suppliers
2 June 2026
Aixtron’s CCS R&D system to be centerpiece of Penn State’s new semiconductor lab
Deposition equipment maker Aixtron SE of Herzogenrath, near Aachen, Germany says that its Close Coupled Showerhead (CCS) R&D system will serve as the centerpiece of a new semiconductor research facility at Penn State’s Materials Research Institute (MRI).
Located in the Millennium Science Complex at University Park, the new laboratory will significantly expand Penn State’s capabilities in next‑generation semiconductor thin films and device research. It is being established through $4.3m in infrastructure funding and in‑kind support provided through the university’s membership in the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium (MMEC), which is part of the US Department of Defense’s Microelectronics Commons initiative under the federal CHIPS Act.
Aixtron’s CCS deposition system is a highly controlled epitaxial growth platform capable of depositing ultra‑high‑quality semiconductor layers on substrates with diameters of up to 100mm. The installed system is uniquely configured to grow both wide-bandgap gallium nitride (GaN) materials, which are critical for high‑performance power electronics, and two‑dimensional (2D) materials, an emerging class of atomically thin semiconductors with transformative potential for logic, optoelectronic and neuromorphic computing applications.
“Combining wide-bandgap and 2D materials capabilities in a single deposition system creates a powerful platform for both academic research and the development of real‑world applications – from energy‑efficient power devices for electric vehicles to next‑generation AI hardware,” says Aixtron’s CEO Dr Felix Grawert.
“The facility will serve as a national user platform, offering hands‑on training for students and early‑career researchers while providing industry‑standard process know‑how,” notes professor Joan Redwing, Distinguished Professor of Materials Science and Engineering and of Electrical Engineering and director of the university's 2D Crystal Consortium research facility. “We look forward to the collaboration between Penn State and Aixtron in fostering a skilled workforce and supporting cutting‑edge semiconductor device research,” adds Redwing. “This initiative is a model for how academia and industry can work together to strengthen the US innovation ecosystem and supply chain.”
The scalability of the CCS system will enable Penn State scientists to move from fundamental materials research to prototype device fabrication, accelerating innovation in areas such as electric mobility, renewable energy, and high-performance computing.
Ohio State University buys Aixtron CCS MOCVD system
