Journey Through the Silicon World
Wrocław Tech and TU Graz students explore the world of semiconductors in a Unite! Seed Fund project that combines education, hands-on experience and international exchange.
At a time when semiconductors set the pace for global innovation, students from Wrocław University of Science and Technology decided to look behind the scenes of how future technologies have been created. The Journey Through the Silicon World project, carried out by the Solvro student research group in cooperation with BEST Graz and funded by the Unite! Seed Fund, gives young people a real insight into the functioning of this strategic sector.
The initiative consists of three stages. The first included a visit by Solvro members to Graz in May, during which students toured leading industrial facilities such as OSRAM and Silicon Austria Labs, gaining first-hand knowledge of modern production technologies and processes.
The next stage was the October return visit of students from Technische Universität Graz to Wrocław. The participants took part in meetings at XTPL and Balluff, where they explored the latest solutions in nanoprinting, sensor technologies and automation, and visited the Wrocław Centre for Networking and Supercomputing.
They also learned about the infrastructure of Wrocław Tech, touring laboratories at the Faculty of Electronics, Photonics and Microsystems, including the specialist Clean Room facility. This part of the programme was organised together with the NaMi student research group, creating an opportunity for knowledge exchange in the field of nanotechnology. The programme also included time dedicated to exploring the city. The Austrian students experienced Wroclaw from many perspectives: from the historic Ostrów Tumski to the panoramic view from one of the city's tallest buildings.
The project is now entering its final phase. Members of Solvro are working on an educational website that will explain the process of semiconductor manufacturing in an accessible way, from raw material to finished component.
As participants emphasise, the experience brought far more than just technical knowledge:
“Apart from the unique insight we gained in Clean Rooms and tech companies, the relationships we built are the greatest value for us. We highly evaluate the whole project and see it as a strong combination of networking, soft-skills development and in-depth learning about semiconductors as a strategic resource for Europe"
He adds that the initiative was also an opportunity for the whole team to test their organisational skills in an international project and significantly develop their competences.
More information
A new opportunity to apply for funding from the Unite! Seed Fund will open in January 2026. Details of the next call will be announced within a few weeks, and applications will be accepted until mid-March.
The Unite! Seed Fund supports innovative initiatives developed within the academic community of the alliance’s member universities.
The grant can fund projects led by students, researchers and teaching staff, provided that at least three Unite! universities (or at least two in the case of student projects) are involved.
To know more, visit: https://www.unite-university.eu/unite/unite-seed-fund