University of Glasgow spin-out Gold Standard Simulations (GSS) is the joint winner of the research and development prize from the National Microelectronics Institute (NMI).
Headed by Professor Asen Asenov, it was created this year following the eScience pilot project 'Meeting the Design Challenges of NanoCMOS electronics'.
The eScience nanoCMOS project was a collaboration between several UK universities and industry partners looking at dealing with next-generation CMOS issues: such as statistical variability due to atomic imperfections.
The project led to the development of simulation and design tools that predict and simulate statistical variability in nano-transistors.
Asenov of the School of Engineering and others on the project proved the technology has a commercial application, which was why GSS was set-up in July.
The company secured two contracts in the first quarter of business, and it is predicting a turnover of £400,000 in its first year.
The NMI research and development award was given jointly to the eScience Project and Gold Standard Simulations.
"The broad experience and balance of the project team resulted in the development of novel world-class simulation and design tool technology and the project work has demonstrated its potential for commercialisation by spawning a spin-out," said Derek Boyd, CEO of the NMI. "We congratulate the eScience Project and Gold Standard Simulations as the first winner of this award."
Asenov received financial support from the Knowledge Transfer Account (KTA) at the University of Glasgow to set up GSS.
The University received £3.1 million from Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) for the KTA, which is designed to encourage greater collaboration between the University's research and industry.
The picture shows Professor Asen Asenov of the University of Glasgow (left) receiving his NMI award from John McLean of STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory.