NCKU Academy of Semiconductor Launches Crystal Research Center, Advancing SiC Technology for Semiconductors and Lasers-國立成功大學永續發展SDGs

Taiwan's semiconductor materials technology has made another breakthrough with the official launch of the Crystal Research Center at National Cheng Kung University (NCKU) in 2025. The opening ceremony was held this morning (26th) at the NCKU Delta Building in the Southern Taiwan Science Park. The NCKU Crystal Research Center is currently the only academic institution in Taiwan with the capability to grow large-size silicon carbide (SiC) crystals at ultra-high temperatures (above 2300°C). In the future, the center will collaborate with global industry partners to accelerate technology transfer and promote the application of SiC and gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃) materials in the semiconductor, optical, laser, and medical fields, enhancing Taiwan's competitiveness in the global market.


After the unveiling ceremony on the 26th, the latest SiC and gallium oxide crystal technologies were showcased at the venue. Later that afternoon, top experts from the semiconductor, optical, medical, and laser industries gathered to discuss the future development of high-temperature crystal technology. The goal of the event was to accelerate the practical application of these technologies through in-depth exchanges with the industry, opening a new chapter in Taiwan's crystal technology research and development.


The NCKU Crystal Research Center has long received support from the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) and the Ministry of Education's Higher Education Deep Cultivation Program. It has successfully overcome the technological bottleneck in high-temperature SiC crystal growth, enabling the production of large-sized, high-purity SiC crystals. This breakthrough provides key materials for Taiwan's semiconductor and power device industries. The technology is expected to significantly improve the performance of applications such as electric vehicles, 5G communications, and high-efficiency power management, helping Taiwan's industries gain a competitive edge in the global market. At the same time, the center has also made significant progress in the field of gallium oxide (Ga₂O₃). Due to its ultra-wide bandgap properties, Ga₂O₃ is considered a key material for next-generation high-power electronic devices. Using a specially designed molten growth method, the center's team has successfully produced high-quality gallium oxide crystals. In the future, the center will collaborate with industry partners to accelerate the commercialization of this technology, supporting the upgrading of Taiwan's key industries.


Professor Ming-Chi Mitch Chou, Director of the NCKU Crystal Research Center, stated that the establishment of the Crystal Research Center has not only attracted significant attention from the academic community but has also garnered strong support from leading domestic and international companies. Among the key contributors, the Largan Precision Group has invested tens of millions of Taiwan dollars to build the most advanced crystal growth equipment and has additionally allocated funding to focus on gallium oxide technology development and technology transfer. This collaboration has expanded the research scale threefold, enhancing Taiwan's leadership in the global crystal technology competition. Moreover, Largan Precision and its subsidiary, Taiwan Applied Crystal Corporation, will also join the NCKU College of Semiconductor to conduct SiC epitaxial growth research. This partnership is expected to deliver breakthrough technological results within the next three years.


In addition to domestic industry-academia collaborations, the NCKU Crystal Research Center is actively expanding its international presence. It has established research outposts in Lithuania and Latvia, partnering with local teams to develop high-power thin-disk laser systems (TDL), and has achieved significant technological advancements. This technology is expected to be applied in advanced laser medical treatments, precision machining, and optical communications, further strengthening Taiwan's competitive advantage in the global crystal technology market.


The opening ceremony of the NCKU Crystal Research Center saw a gathering of guests from industry, government, academia, and research sectors, all coming together to witness the important moment as Taiwan's crystal research advances toward maturity and growth. Wei-Cheng Lo, NCKU's Secretary-General, attended the ceremony and delivered a speech on behalf of President Meng-Ru Shen. He expressed gratitude for the contributions and support from all sectors in the establishment of the Crystal Research Center. Lo highlighted that crystal growth technology plays a critical role in the nation's key infrastructure, semiconductor strategies, and future AI development. He also emphasized that NCKU is both willing and confident in assisting with these important tasks.


Ming-Zhi Lai, Director of the Department of Natural Science and Sustainable Research at the NSTC, delivered a speech on behalf of NSTC Minister Cheng-Wen Wu. He stated that in 2012, with the support of the NSTC, National Sun Yat-sen University established the Advanced Crystal Joint Materials Laboratory, which served as the precursor to the Crystal Research Center. He emphasized that the expansion and opening of the Crystal Research Center at NCKU today demonstrates Taiwan's academic institutions' outstanding capabilities in advanced materials and semiconductor technologies. Lai expressed confidence that through continuous innovation and industry-academia collaboration, the center will create more possibilities in the research and application of high-end crystal materials, further advancing Taiwan's leadership on the international stage.


Bo-Chiao Lin, Secretary-General of the Ministry of Education, delivered a speech, beginning by congratulating NCKU for welcoming such influential academic talent. He praised Professor Ming-Chi Mitch Chou, noting that not only is his academic research irreplaceable, but his administrative performance is also highly commendable. Lin expressed hope that with Professor Chou's move to Tainan, the combined research efforts of National Sun Yat-sen University and NCKU will work together to make long-term plans and advancements for the internationalization of Taiwan's academic community.


Qing-Xiong Tsai, Vice President of Delta's Electrical and Electronics Business Group, stated that the "NCKU Delta Building" was made possible by a generous donation of NT$250 million from Delta's founder, Bruce C.H. Cheng, in 2008. This donation supported NCKU in establishing a research and development building in the Southern Taiwan Science Park. Today, with the opening of the NCKU Crystal Research Center in this building, which features over 200 pings of laboratory space and the most advanced crystal growth equipment, Tsai expressed confidence that it will greatly contribute to the development of related industries in Taiwan.


Yan-Kuin Su, Dean of the NCKU College of Semiconductor, stated that the establishment of the Crystal Research Center marks a significant advancement for the college in the field of crystal research. It also broadens the college's research horizon and scope in the area of front-end materials. The involvement of Largan Precision further strengthens the college's network of industry partners.


Professor Ming-Chi Mitch Chou, Director of the NCKU Crystal Research Center, has achieved remarkable success in crystal growth equipment and technology research over the past 20 years. Last year, he joined the NCKU College of Semiconductor and currently serves as the college's Vice Dean. He particularly acknowledged the strong support and resources provided by National Sun Yat-sen University during his early years in crystal research, especially under the leadership of President Ying-Yao Cheng. He also expressed gratitude for the active assistance from the university in securing the Higher Education Deep Cultivation Program, which led to the establishment of the Crystal Research Center. He credited all the partners who worked alongside him at Sun Yat-sen University for their significant contributions to the center's current success.