Black Semiconductor scoops up graphene producer ANL

Aachen’s Black Semiconductor has announced the acquisition of Applied Nanolayers (ANL), a Delft-based specialist in wafer-scale graphene manufacturing. “This acquisition accelerates our technology development. We will provide the industry with an unbeatable integration of photonics and electronics at a very competitive cost and solve the fundamental performance problems of computer systems,” says Daniel Schall, co-founder and CEO of Black Semiconductor.

Black Semiconductor is working on the on-chip integration of photonics and electronics, using graphene to seamlessly convert electronic signals into optical ones and vice versa. Founded in 2012 and now operating as Black Semiconductor Netherlands, ANL has developed a 200mm platform to manufacture high-quality graphene in volume.

The acquisition follows the opening of Black Semiconductor’s new Fabone headquarters in January, which will house the firm’s pilot production line.