In September, Rebecca Frith and Luke Jones attended Microelectronics UK. The two day event was packed with sharp insights and honest debate about the state of the industry. Below are some of their key takeaways from the event.
1. Memory, Energy, and Latency: The Bottleneck No One Can Ignore
The first and loudest message was clear: hardware is struggling to keep up with the demands of modern AI models. For over fifty years, CPU speeds have soared, but memory has lagged far behind. The result? Bottlenecks in energy consumption and latency that threaten to undermine even the most advanced systems. As data volumes explode, the inefficiency of shuttling information between memory and processors is becoming unsustainable. The industry knows that clever chips alone won’t fix broken systems.
2. Photonics: From Niche to Necessity
Photonics is no longer a futuristic side project – it’s booming. From AR/VR in space to fully optical compute, photonic integrated circuits (PICs) are moving closer to mainstream adoption. UK startups and research groups are pushing boundaries with configurable PICs, advanced packaging, and new materials. The sector is attracting serious investment, and international partnerships are accelerating progress. The bottleneck now is packaging and manufacturing at scale, but the momentum is undeniable.
3. Chiplets and Advanced Packaging: Modular, Heterogeneous, and Here to Stay
Chiplets and advanced packaging are rewriting the rules of semiconductor design. Modular architectures allow mixing silicon types, integrating CPUs, GPUs, and specialised dies – all in a single package. This modularity makes upgrades easier and opens the door to heterogeneous integration, but it also brings new challenges: standardisation, interoperability, and security risks like hardware Trojans and IP theft. The UK is investing in packaging R&D, but there’s work to do to catch up with global leaders.
4. Global Partnerships and Supply Chain Gaps
No one at the event pretended the UK could go it alone. The supply chain is global, and strategic partnerships are essential. From Taiwan to Canada and Switzerland, collaboration is the only way to fill gaps in manufacturing, materials, and expertise. The UK’s strength lies in design and innovation, but scaling up requires access to international fabs and supply networks. Protecting IP and navigating complex trade relationships – especially with China – remains a delicate balancing act.
5. UK Policy and the Politicians’ Tech Knowledge Gap
A recurring frustration spoken about at the event was the lack of technical understanding among UK policymakers. The complexity of the semiconductor supply chain is lost on most politicians, making it hard to secure the right support, funding, and global trade deals. The industry needs clear, informed policy that recognises the realities of global trade, investment cycles, and the importance of centres of excellence. The national wealth fund is a step forward, but early-stage investment and technical expertise are still lacking.
6. Skills Shortage: The Elephant in the Room
Finally, the skills shortage is acute. The workforce is ageing, and not enough new talent is coming through. Companies are competing with AI and software for the brightest minds, and restrictive immigration policies make it harder to bring in international expertise. Universities and incubators are doing their part, but the UK needs a coordinated push to train, attract, and retain the next generation of engineers and scientists in semiconductors and electronics. After decades of contraction in the electronics sector, the return of a major trade show like this signals renewed ambition and resilience in microelectronics in the UK. The challenges are real, but so is the determination to solve them.
Why This Event Matters:
After decades of contraction in the electronics sector, the return of a major trade show like this signals renewed ambition and resilience in microelectronics in the UK. The challenges are real, but so is the determination to solve them.
This blog is co-authored by Rebecca Frith and Luke Jones.
Luke Jones
Luke works across a broad range of software, electronics and communication technologies. He has experience of drafting and prosecuting patent applications in the UK and at the EPO, as well as coordinating patent portfolio management across many multinational territories. He additionally has experience of freedom to operate (FTO) and patent landscape analysis. He also has experience of managing and delivering corporate IP training content.
Email: luke.jones@mewburn.com
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