A group of researchers from the UK, including academics from Cardiff University, has demonstrated the first practical laser that has been grown directly on a silicon substrate.

Grenoble, the center of one of Europe’s key microelectronics ecosystems, is hosting SEMICON Europa 2014 Oct. 7-9. This is the first time France has hosted the premier annual event for the European chip industry, which achieved a 7.9 percent market growth during the first semester of 2014, according to WSTS association. SEMI, the global trade organization that organizes the SEMICON gatherings, will alternate SEMICON Europa every other year between Dresden and Grenoble beginning this year.