INNOS, a leading UK research and development company for innovations in silicon technology, is up and running with its state-of-the-art operations in Hampshire.

Innos is based at Southampton University's world-class silicon fabrication facility and aims to take the highly-technical sector by storm.

Professor Wendy Hall, head of the university's School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) and a member of the government's Council for Science and Technology, said: "This is a major announcement for the UK electronics industry.

"We are proud of the silicon fabrication facility and are excited to be working with Innos to successfully deliver internationally-renowned research on a commercial basis."

Steve Byars is the Innos boss, having joined from IQE, a world-leading supplier for the compound semiconductor industry.

With more than 20 years' management expertise in the field of microelectronics, he leads an expert team of engineers, technicians and scientists to provide the UK industry with, among other things:

Research and development partnerships for research into silicon-based technologies.

Strategies for exploitation of intellectual property rights generated by users of the Innos facility.

A prototyping service for start-up companies requiring fabrication of silicon-based electronic devices, photonic devices and power devices

Steve said: "Innos brings to the UK market unparalleled expertise and facilities that will enable UK businesses to conduct research and development into next generation technologies without having to look overseas."

From its large purpose-built cleanroom, Innos has a full processing line for all types of silicon-based devices and a lithography capability down to below 10nm using the latest in submicron electron beam lithography technology.