For the fourth consecutive year, Royce’s prestigious Cleanroom Training programme has brought together PhD students and industry engineers to develop essential practical cleanroom skills. This year, 16 participants were trained by the highly skilled Research and Technical Professional (RTP) staff at the University of Cambridge.
Working in ultra-clean environments is a critical capability for modern manufacturing and technological innovation. However, there is a recognised shortage of cleanroom expertise, with these highly specialised skills in strong demand across both industrial manufacturing and research and development. In response, this year’s programme was delivered in partnership with Leeds University, Swansea University, CORDE and the CS Connected Industry Cluster—aimed to equip the next generation of semiconductor scientists and engineers, supporting the UK’s proud semiconductor heritage.
Manish Chhowolla, Goldsmiths’ Professor of Materials Science Deputy Head (Research & Philanthropy) said:
Cleanroom training is fundamental to the future of materials science and semiconductor research. These environments are where ideas move from theory to reality, and it is essential that our students and researchers develop the practical skills, discipline and confidence required to work at the highest standards. Programmes such as this not only address a critical skills shortage but also strengthen the pipeline between academic research and industrial innovation, ensuring the UK remains globally competitive in advanced technologies.”
Semiconductors are materials, such as silicon, whose electrical conductivity lies between that of conductors and insulators. Their properties can be precisely controlled through processes such as doping and the application of electric fields, making them the foundation of modern electronic devices. From computer processors and sensors to lasers and communication systems, semiconductors underpin much of today’s technology. In the UK research landscape, they are particularly critical, enabling advances in quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, renewable energy, and medical diagnostics. Strong semiconductor research capability is essential for translating cutting-edge science into high-value industries and driving economic growth.
This marked the first year that the Royce Cleanroom Training was hosted at the University of Cambridge’s Department of Physics, the Cavendish Laboratory. The training took place in the state-of-the-art Ray Dolby Centre, a £300 million development at West Cambridge that opened in 2025.
The bespoke cleanroom facilities within the Ray Dolby Centre represent a £1.9 million investment. The 4,080 m² modular cleanroom features an advanced partitioning system designed to both showcase and protect the internal cleanroom spaces. These are visible from the building’s atrium, while still allowing sensitive work to be discreetly screened when required.
In previous years, the training has been hosted by Royce Partner universities with cleanroom facilities, including Swansea and Leeds.
This year’s cohort included 16 PhD students from Royce partner universities, as well as participants from Manchester, Liverpool and UCL, alongside four engineers from industry. There were 11 speakers from both academia and industry.
Russell King, Head of Technology Innovation at SPT Labtech / Quantifoil MicroTools GmbH, commented:
This course has proved essential in helping me understand the limitations of the technologies, while giving me the language I need to support my team in overcoming challenging process development issues. It has also enabled me to interact more effectively with external institutions around the world to extend our capabilities.”
