Institute of Semiconductors

Official Chinese name	中国科学院半导体研究所
Official English name	Institute of Semiconductors, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Chinese aliases	半导体所
English aliases
Acronyms	IOS
Research fields	Semiconductor physics, materials, devices, processes, circuits, and their integrated application
Total employee count	Over 700 (as of 24 November 2025)

Summary

Institute of Semiconductors is categorised as a Core Defence Partner based on the following indicators:

Defence advisor

4 indicators

Defence award

1 indicators

Defence funding

3 indicators

Defence laboratory

1 indicators

Military-technology patent

4 indicators

Research collaboration with defence entities

3 indicators

Defence advisory roles

One member of the leadership of the Institute of Semiconductors is an expert tasked with developing the guidelines of the key special project on 'new display and strategic electronic materials' - a research funding strand under China's National Key Research and Development Programme during the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025).^[1] Established in 2016, the National Key Research and Development Programme is one of China's main government research-funding schemes, created to consolidate earlier programmes and to steer funding towards priority technological goals. The project on new display and strategic electronic materials, overseen by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology, funds research to address 'national industry security and major engineering needs'. It advances next-generation display technologies and strategic electronic materials for applications in fields such as information, energy, transportation and high-end equipment.^[2] Many projects under this strand have clear dual-use potential, serving both civilian and defence needs. For example, in 2021, funded work focused on novel displays, third-generation semiconductors and frontier electronic materials and devices, and high-power laser materials and devices - all areas with overlap between commercial innovation and military modernisation.^[3]

Between 2011 and 2015, the same researcher also served as a member of the overall expert group of the major project on 'third generation semiconductor materials', part of the 863 Programme.^[4] The 863 Programme, which operated from 1986 to 2016, was a major Chinese government fund aimed at developing advanced technologies for both civilian and military use. The fund was jointly administered by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), the then General Armaments Department of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), and the former Commission of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defence (COSTIND).^[5] The major project on 'third generation semiconductor materials' fell under the programme's research area on new materials, overseen by MOST. Although MOST is a civilian authority, evidence shows that research funded under the 863 Programme in the field of new materials frequently had dual-use potential. For example, between 1986 and 2011, an estimated 97 percent of new materials projects supported by the programme were suitable for both civilian and defence applications.^[6]

The first of these appointments coincides with the researcher's tenure on the institute's leadership team.

Defence awards

Available information indicates that researchers and projects linked to the Institute of Semiconductors have probably not received any defence awards to date. However, because the underlying data is incomplete, this assessment is made with medium confidence. Awards granted to individuals not surveyed cannot be fully ruled out.

Defence funding

Between 2021 and 2025, researchers from the Institute of Semiconductors authored 25 publications funded by Chinese defence entities, placing the institute in the 47^th percentile among the CAS institutes included in this analysis. Of the 2,608 authors affiliated with the Institute of Semiconductors who published during this period, 31 (1 per cent) had at least one defence-funded publication. However, it is not possible to attribute specific funding to individual researchers based solely on publication data.

Defence laboratories

No publicly available information suggests that this institute hosts or is affiliated with any known defence laboratories. The Chinese language laboratory websites do not mention any links or references to defence-related activities.

Military-technology patents

Between 2021 and 2025, the Institute of Semiconductors was granted 13 military-technology patents, placing it in the 82^nd percentile among the CAS institutes included in this analysis. A total of 70 inventors affiliated with the Institute of Semiconductors were listed on these patents.

Research collaboration with defence entities

Between 2021 and 2025, researchers from the Institute of Semiconductors co-authored 457 publications with at least one Chinese defence entity, placing the institute in the 65^th percentile among the CAS institutes included in this analysis.

These collaborations include 15 publications with PLA academic institutions, 229 with defence laboratories, 1 with a military hospital, 198 with members of the Seven Sons of National Defence, 127 with members of the Seven Sons of Ordnance Industry and 3 with defence conglomerates.

Of the 2,608 authors affiliated with the Institute of Semiconductors who published during this period, 580 (22 per cent) had at least one defence-related collaboration.

Return to directory