Application Focus
PMUT (Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer)
- Winners announced at IUS 2026
- Global visibility within the ultrasonics community
Brought to you by A*STAR Institute of Microelectronics (IME), STMicroelectronics, IEEE UFFC-S
Turn your PMUT concept into a working demo and present it on the global stage at IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium (IUS) 2026 (4-8 Oct | Raleigh, NC).
About the Challenge
The Lab-in-Fab PMUT Application Student Competition 2026 invites student teams worldwide to design and demonstrate a system-level PMUT application with measurable performance targets using PMUT devices provided by A*STAR IME. Selected teams will receive real hardware and funding support to build a functional demo, culminating in final evaluation and awards at IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium 2026 (4-8 Oct | Raleigh, NC).
We are looking for applications that push integration, signal processing, packaging, or end-use performance in meaningful ways.
Challenge Flow
Proposal → Top 5 Selected → PCB + PMUT Kit Shipped → Demo Build → Final Evaluation → Awards at IUS 2026
Support for Top 5 Teams
- Custom PCB + PMUT chips
- Device manual and technical documentation
- IEEE UFFC-S micro-grant (< USD 2,000 per team)
Call For Proposals
We invite student teams to propose a compelling PMUT application focused on:
- Clear system architecture
- Defined and measurable performance targets
- Practical build plan
- Realistic budget estimate
Proposals should demonstrate technical clarity and feasibility, while showing originality in application integration.
Timeline
25 March 2026
Call for Proposals opens (templates available for download)
25 March – 30 April 2026
Proposal Submission Period
May 2026
Selection of Top 5 Teams
Early June 2026
Kit Distribution
A*STAR IME provides: PCB, PMUT chips (≥5 per team), Device manual, IEEE UFFC-S micro-grant onboarding begins
June – End August 2026
Build & Test Phase
Teams develop working demos and prepare final results package
Teams develop working demos and prepare final results package
First Week of September 2026
Final Evaluation
Judges review demo performance and results
Judges review demo performance and results
4 – 8 October 2026
Awards Ceremony at IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium (IUS) 2026 (Raleigh, NC)
How to Apply
Submit a short proposal slide deck (few pages) using the official application template.
Required Submission Components:
- Application concept
- Target specifications and performance indicators
- System integration plan
- Budget estimate
Eligibility
- Teams of 1–3 students (BSc, MSc, or PhD)
- Must include a faculty advisor
- Open to student teams worldwide
Selection Criteria
Proposals will be evaluated based on:
- Technical feasibility
- Clarity of system integration
- Measurable performance targets
- Innovation and application relevance
- Budget realism
- Quality of presentation
Top 5 teams will proceed to the hardware build phase.
Review Panel
Proposals will be evaluated by technical representatives from A*STAR IME, STMicroelectronics (ST), and an IEEE UFFC-S AdCom member. To preserve the integrity and fairness of the competition, no individual who is part of a submitted proposal will serve on the review panel.
Partners
Hosted By:
• A*STAR Institute of Microelectronics (IME)
• STMicroelectronics
• STMicroelectronics
In collaboration with:
• IEEE UFFC-S
Lab-in-Fab: advancing piezo MEMS technology
Lab-in-Fab is A*STAR IME’s translational R&D platform that embeds research capabilities directly within advanced fabrication environments. By operating in a fab-integrated setting, researchers and industry partners can accelerate process development, device prototyping, and technology validation under production-relevant conditions.
This model shortens the path from concept to manufacturable solution, enabling faster iteration, stronger industry collaboration, and seamless scale-up from research to high-volume manufacturing.