The 180nm open source eFabless shuttle runs that are sponsored by Google are done by X-fab, which is owned by Melexis’ founder as well.
I don’t see how this garage stuff (impressive as it is!) can be turned into a startup. It’s not as if there is some kind of breakthrough here?
The [potential] breakthrough is in accessibility. Like GP said, this is a non-cleanroom process. Package it up into something reproducible and sell the entire 10um node for 6 figures and you'll have a few takers (unis, high networth enthusiasts). Get it down to 5 figures and you can break into some of the hobbyist market. Iterate/improve the node from there.
The path from here to unicorn startup is not really easy to imagine, but getting from here to cottage industry has some sliver of a chance if Sam wanted to go that route.
Universities could totally do what he is doing. But that’s still far removed from commercializing this tech (unless the product is “a mini fab for universities for educational purposes only.”)
For a real product, you’d need to meet all kinds of reliability requirements: life time, voltage range, temperature range, parameter control etc.
(Once again: what he’s doing is awesome. It’s just important to keep some perspective.)
A good example of this is how Arduino broke open the hobbyist electronics market which went from circuit programmers and prototype boards that would run in hundreds of dollars on the low end to $20 or something to get in at the ground level.
A 3D printer is fantastic to prototype your own designs. Or to build custom parts in low volume.
But it will never replace traditional manufacturing at scale. And even CAD is a massive barrier to entry.
And 3D printing is far more useful for everyday things but we still haven’t figured out a model to make the technology accessible to the general public.
This is a very impressive project though. I’m envious.
I can go to several local fed-ex offices here in Vancouver and they will print on demand a file that I provide them, for a very reasonable cost (given that they eat the cost of misprints and supervision of the process).
There are a number of fairly successful print on demand businesses that are niche specialized as well, heroforge is a great example.
That sounds more of what I am thinking of. Australia has a population of similar magnitude, but I've never heard of such a thing here.
I disagree that Heroforge is a good example of 3D printing being available to the general public. Firstly it's literally a niche product. Shapeways is more general and I've ordered from them before, but international shipping is very expensive. I can order an Ikea replacement part for $10 and then pay $27 for shipping.
Most of my designs and prints are often for very mundane things. Missing pieces or broken parts that would save you 10s or hundreds of dollars. But most people think of 3D printing as a high tech manufacturing process. Or they think of the hobby as something for making toys. Most don't fathom that you can use the technology to fix your headphones or replace a broken part.
And this is a technology that has direct application to people lives right now. Custom ICs are very cool and even more niche.
I am curious about your exact meaning. When you say barriers to entry, it sounds like you're implying the "semiconductior industry we have today" is actively putting up barriers to prevent you from entering? Is that what you are trying to say? If so, please elaborate so that we can understand what these barriers you are facing are.
Or is it just that you're acknowledging that it actually costs many billions to build up a commercially viable fab?