Ari Alastalo appointed Vice President of VTT’s Microelectronics and Photonics research area

The semiconductor industry is one of the fastest-growing sectors, driven by the continuously increasing need for computing, data processing and data transmission. At the same time, robotics, intelligent machines, defence equipment and space applications have also grown rapidly, with physical AI in particular being applied in these areas. In recent years, semiconductors have been the fastest-growing segment of the AI market. They are needed at every level of AI: for sensing and computing at the edge, for data transmission between the edge and the cloud, and for cloud computing. At the same time, concern about the sector’s energy consumption has grown.

“Microelectronics can radically reduce the energy required for computing, for example through analogue computing. A commonly used point of comparison is the human brain, which is a million times more energy-efficient than a supercomputer. Estimates suggest that analogue computing could reduce power requirements to one hundredth of the current level and, in some applications, even to one thousandth. This would have a major impact on technological development,” says Ari Alastalo.

VTT’s Microelectronics and Photonics research area comprises seven research teams that develop new solutions for applications including artificial intelligence, electrification, wireless communications, health technology and quantum technology. Its expertise in microelectronics and integrated photonics covers optical, MEMS (microelectromechanical systems) and graphene-based sensors, development of integrated circuits for sensing and telecommunications, memory technologies and photonics for computing and AI, cryogenic electronics for quantum computing as well as materials and process development.

When sensors and the logic needed to read and interpret the data they produce are developed on the same silicon chip, a significant share of the data processing can take place within the sensor itself. In certain tasks, such integrated solutions can be considerably more efficient than conventional computing based on separate sensors, a processor and memory. New high-performance solutions are needed in areas including health technology, environmental monitoring, transport and industry.

In communications technologies, development is moving towards the use of higher frequency bands in 6G applications. The research area led by Alastalo develops filter, integrated circuit and antenna technologies that enable the efficient use of 6G frequencies.

VTT is a pioneer in developing exceptionally low-loss solutions in integrated silicon photonics. Demand for these solutions is expected to grow substantially, for example in interconnecting AI chips. 

VTT is a recognised microelectronics and photonics organisation in the European research and innovation landscape. Through VTT, companies can also access the technological expertise and research infrastructures of key European pilot lines.

“We serve as a research partner for companies of all sizes. We help large companies steer their business towards new technology areas and smaller companies develop their technologies and grow without first having to invest in building their own research infrastructure,” Alastalo says.

According to Alastalo, Finland’s strengths in microelectronics include radio-frequency technology, chip design, photonics, sensor technologies, process and materials development, quantum technology, and the strong ecosystems built around these fields. The ecosystems will continue to gain strength as companies grow, new companies are established, and international companies invest and set up operations in Finland.

“I am inspired by the opportunity to build growth in microelectronics and photonics in Finland and to work towards this goal together with VTT’s experts and our extensive Finnish network,” Alastalo says.

Ari Alastalo DSc (Tech) has worked at VTT since 2002, having previously worked at Nokia and Helsinki University of Technology (now Aalto University). His research has covered MEMS, printed electronics, wearable sensors, antenna arrays and superconductivity. He has led printed electronics component development and worked on the coordination of EU projects as well as in research management roles in microelectronics and photonics.