2023 International Conference on Semiconductor Technology for Ultra Large Scale Integrated Circuits and Thin Film Transistors

(ULSIC VS TFT 8) 

An ECI Conference Series

May 14-18, 2023
Otaru (Sapporo), Japan

Checklist for Travelers (Visa Requirement, Immigration and Customs)

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Poster Board Size: W900 mm x H2100 mm

About the Conference

The ULSIC vs. TFT conference is organized to provide a forum for the discussion on the latest scientific development in two of the most critical high-tech fields, i.e., Ultra Large Scale Integrated Circuits (ULSICs) and Thin Film Transistors (TFTs). It aims to exchange state-of-the-art information among those involved in the research, development, and production. This conference will bring together global experts to exchange opinions on common scientific issues.

The 2023 conference is a continuation of the previous seven successful conferences held in Barga, Italy (2007), Xi’an, China (2009), Hong Kong, China (2011), Grenoble, France (2013), Lake  Tahoe, USA (2015), Hernstein, Austria (2017), and Kyoto, Japan (2019). These conferences were attended by worldwide experts and leaders (national academy members, presidents of prestigious universities, presidents and VPs of semiconductor companies, professors, researchers, engineers, etc.) from universities, industry, and national laboratories of more than 20 countries. The maximum number of attendees is limited to 100.

To focus the discussion, we choose some of the most critical challenges on materials, fabrication processes, devices, and applications to discuss. The meeting format is shown below. 

• Each day is composed of oral presentations mostly by invited speakers in the morning and free discussions in the afternoon.
• A panel discussion session is held each evening to exchange opinions on the big picture of technology development.
• All attendees will attend the presentations and panels, live, and eat in the same hotel throughout the conference. A Poster Session will be scheduled for students and postdoctoral candidates.

The conference sponsor ECI (Engineering Conferences International) is a not-for-profit global engineering conferences program, originally established in 1962, that provides opportunities for the exploration of problems and issues of concern to engineers and scientists from many disciplines. In addition to Electrochemical Society Electronics and Photonics Division, the technical sponsors in contact are JSAP (Japan Society of Applied Physics), KPS (Korean Physical Society) Semiconductor Division, and others.

Technical Program

• ULSIC vs. TFT
• Device Physics, Modelling, and Reliability
• Semiconductors, Dielectrics, and Interconnect Materials
• Advanced Processes and Production Issues
• Novel Applications
• Panel Discussions on Selective Topics
• Poster Presentations

Conference Organization

Chair: Yue. Kuo, Texas A&M University

Scientific Advisory Committee:
O. Bonnaud, University Rennes 1 and GIP-CNFM
S. De Gendt, IMEC
A. Flewitt, University of Cambridge
H. Hosono, Tokyo Institute of Technology
C. S. Hwang, Seoul National University
J. Jang, Kyung Hee University
P.-T. Liu, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University
P. Mascher, McMaster University
J. Murota, Tohoku University
A. Nathan, University of Cambridge
K. Nomura, University of California, San Diego
M. Shur, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Y. Uraoka, Nara Institute of Science and Technology

Call for Abstracts

Original papers for oral and poster presentations are encouraged. Those who wish to be considered for an oral or poster presentation should submit a one-page (extended) abstract online.

Deadlines
Oral Abstract Submission Deadline:               January 15, 2023
Poster Abstract Submission Deadline:            January 31, 2023

All abstracts should be submitted electronically HERE.

Please prepare your abstract according to this template: docx or doc.

Abstracts of all presentations will be made available to conference participants prior to the start of the conference.

Note: Only a limited number of oral presentation slots are available and thus all submissions for oral sessions will be considered for both oral and poster presentation.

Conference Fees and Registration

Conference Fees

All conference fees are inclusive. They include registration, accommodations (nights of Sunday (May 14), Monday (May 15), Tuesday (May 16) and Wednesday (May 17), all meals, taxes, and gratuities from the reception and dinner on Sunday through lunch on Thursday. Incidental fees (telephone calls, faxes, spa, laundry, minibar etc.) are billed to your personal account by the hotel.

ALL PARTICIPANTS (INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE ORGANIZING COMMITTEE AND INVITED SPEAKERS) ARE REQUIRED TO REGISTER.

All non-Japanese entrants to Japan still require 1) a valid visa and passport​ OR a visa exempt passport and 2) a negative PCR test OR proof of vaccination and should 3) be registered with Visit Japan Web (https://www.digital.go.jp/en/services/visit_japan_web-en/ )

The conference fees are:

	Register on or before May 1, 2023	Register after May 1, 2023
Participant (single occupancy or sharing room with a guest; guest fee additional)	US $2,435	US $2,635
Participant (sharing a room with another participant)	US $2,310	US $2,510
Bona fide Graduate Student (sharing a room with another student) (Those in this category must upload proof of current status during registration – copy of current Student ID or a letter from your University confirming your student status)	US $1,895	US $2,095
Bona fide Graduate Student (single occupancy or sharing room with a guest; guest fee additional) (Those in this category must upload proof of current status during registration – copy of current Student ID or a letter from your University confirming your student status)	US $2,020	US $2,220
**Fees for Guest/accompanying person sharing bedroom with a participant. (Includes all conference included meals). Guests/accompanying persons may not attend technical sessions.	US $795	US $795

If you plan to bring children to the conference, please contact Kathy Chan for pricing.

Conference Registration

You will need a login name and password to register for ECI conferences through our online system. If you have been a recent participant at an ECI conference or have submitted an online application or request for information about an ECI Conference, you may already have an account with us. If you know your login information, please use it.

If you are not sure whether you already have a login and password, please click on automated password retrieval and enter your e-mail address before creating a new account. If we don’t have a valid email address on file for you, a pop up window will appear stating that no records were found. Click “OK” and then follow the instructions to create a new account. If you have any questions or experience any difficulties, please email Kathy Chan.

Special Notes and Payment Instructions

We suggest that you register as soon as possible to be certain that you will have a hotel room at the conference rate.  

All participants are encouraged to register before May 1, 2023.  There is a discounted price for registering before this date.  Hotel space cannot be guaranteed for registrations received after this date.  Your registration is not officially confirmed until we receive payment of the amount due and COVID-19 vaccination proof is verified by ECI staff.  ECI reserves the right to cancel your room registration if payment is not received or your vaccination proof is invalid. Your invoice/receipt will automatically be e-mailed upon of receipt of your registration.  Should you need a signed receipt, please contact Kathy Chan.

Because of contractual guarantees made with the hotel for room and meal functions, no shows, late arrivals, missed meals and early departures cannot receive fee adjustments.  If you have a disability and may require accommodation in order to participate fully in this conference, please indicate this when you register. An ECI representative will contact you to discuss your specific needs. If you have special dietary requirements (e.g., vegetarian or a food allergy), please make a note on your registration.  The chef needs to know this information in advance if we are to accommodate you. ECI will attempt to accommodate special requests such as Kosher or Halal meals, but such meals may not be available at all conference sites. The participant must pay any additional costs for special meal requests that ECI pays a surcharge for.

Payment must be made by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, and Amex), check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars, payable to ENGINEERING CONFERENCES INTERNATIONAL. Checks or money orders in any other currencies are NOT ACCEPTABLE.  Payment must be made on the web site except for those who are sending payment by wire transfer or have a purchase order from their company/institution.

WIRE TRANSFER PAYMENT: If you are planning to make payment by wire transfer, please contact Kathy Chan for the bank information. You must add $30 to cover ECI bank charges. Please reference your full name and the conference title.  Please email a scanned copy to Kathy Chan.  This is very important – otherwise it is extremely difficult to trace your payment and you may not receive a receipt prior to the conference.

Cancellation Policy: Cancellation must be received by ECI in writing at least 28 days (April 16, 2023) prior to the start of the conference in order for a full refund (less a processing fee) to be considered. The ECI auditors require that refunds for all conference cancellations be processed after the conference so that the necessary back-up information (e.g., hotel list of those in-house) can be attached to the refund request and ECI can verify that the hotel has not charged a cancellation fee.

Cancellation fees:

• Cancellations received more than 28 days (April 16, 2023) prior to the conference start date are subject to a processing fee of 4% of the total fee, plus any direct expenses incurred by ECI.
• Cancellations received 15 – 28 days (April 16 – 29, 2023) prior to the conference start date are subject to a $250 cancellation fee plus any direct expenses incurred by ECI.
• Cancellations received 8 – 14 days (April 30 – May 6, 2023) prior to the conference start date are subject to a $500 cancellation fee plus any direct expenses incurred by ECI.
• No refunds will be issued for cancellations received less than 7 days (May 7, 2023) prior to the conference start date.
• No refunds will be issued due to inclement weather or travel disruptions/cancellations.

Registrations may be transferred without incurring any penalty or cancellation fee.

Denied or delayed visa

If a participant is forced to cancel due to a denied or delayed entry visa, ECI will issue a full refund if ECI has been notified of a potential visa issue at least four weeks prior to the conference start date.

Change of payment method

If an attendee who has already paid the conference fee with a credit card requests that the fee be refunded to that card so that it can be paid in a different manner (e.g., charged to an alternate credit card, or paid via check or bank transfer), a processing fee of 4% of the total fee amount will apply.

Disclaimer

It may be necessary for reasons beyond the control of ECI to alter the content and timing of the program or the identity of the speakers. In the unfortunate circumstance that an event is cancelled, ECI is not liable for any costs incurred by participants in connection with their attendance.

Should you have specific questions regarding your registration, please contact Kathy Chan

Pre and Post Conference Reservation Form

If you are arriving early or staying after the conference and wish to extend your stay in the conference hotel, please download and complete the Pre/Post Conference Reservation form posted below and send it directly to the conference hotel. ECI does not guarantee or pay for rooms reserved before or after the conference – you must reserve extra nights directly with the hotel and you are responsible for paying the hotel directly for any extra nights.

Venue Information

The conference will be held at the Grand Park Hotel Otaru, an international hotel surrounded by mountains and panoramic views of Otaru Harbor and the stunning Ishikari Bay.  The hotel is a 30-minute drive from Sapporo and a 5-minute walk from Otaru-Chikko train station.  One can easily travel by train from the New Chitose Airport that serves the Sapporo metropolitan.  The cost is approximately US$10-15.  

This centrally located luxury hotel is adjacent to Wing Bay Otaru, one of Hokkaido’s largest shopping malls for shopping and dining.  The hotel offers all modern amenities including free wi-fi, laundry services, car rental, currency exchange and various restaurants.  It is an ideal hotel for the conference as well as to explore local attractions and enjoy sightseeing in Otaru. 

Otaru is located in the Hokkaido region of Japan, the northern island that is famous for its beautiful wilderness, world class powder snow, delicious seafood and fascinating indigenous culture.  Much of Hokkaido is wild and unspoiled, with natural hot springs, volcanic lakes and unforgettable experiences.  It is considered a haven for dedicated foodies, nature lovers and outdoor adventure fans.

Otaru, a popular tourist destination, was famous as a trading town in the early 20^th century.  Its name is a corruption of the Ainu word otariunai, meaning “sandy beach.” The picturesque city is now visited by many international tourists fascinated by the historic past, old stone buildings and the natural beauty of the sea and mountains.  There is a romantic canal near the hotel. Built in 1923, the canal is bordered by a walkway so that you can stroll along the banks of the waterway.  Make certain to come here in the evening as this is when the promenade is illuminated with ancient oil lamps giving it an old world feel.

Apart from a regular city bus network, there are four Otaru Stroller’s tourist buses which connect Otaru Station with all the city’s tourist attractions.  The buses run typically every 30 minutes around the city center.  The fare on both tourist and regular buses is a flat 240 yen per ride or 800 yen for a one-day pass that is valid on one calendar day.

The city is particularly known for glassworks, music boxes and sake distilleries. Most of Otaru’s attractions are located less than a 30 minute walk from the hotel, making the city convenient to explore by foot. 

Otaru is one of the main glass producing parts of Japan and it was particularly famous for its oil lamps and glass balls that would have been used in the fishing industry. The glass industry now however also produces a range of decorative items and there are glass workshops dotted around the town which make great places to shop for souvenirs. One of the most famous spots in town for glass pieces is Kitaichi Glass which has handmade crystals which are sold all over Japan.

Herring is the main item that is fished in the waters around Otaru and this is how the city rose to prominence.  Many of the elegant mansions that dot Otaru were built as a result of the riches that came with this industry and you can see one of the these ornate buildings which is also known as the ‘Herring Mansion’. The building would have been built in the 19th century and now you can come for a visit and check out some galleries with items such as fishing antiques as well as dioramas that explain the history of the herring industry in this part of Hokkaido.

After sightseeing one might stop for ice cream, beer or sushi.  Otaru is known for its delicious ice cream.

If you are in Otaru then one of the best places to find some is at Kita-no Aisukurimu-ya-san which is located inside a warehouse which dates back to 1892. This ice cream parlor is known for its amazing ice cream, particularly its unique flavors which many visitors may have never tried before. These include the ika-sumi ice cream which is made with squid ink and is black in color, making it look rather shocking on first sight, although it is also sweet in flavor.  If you are feeling brave you can also try the sea urchin flavor which is called uni or, if you want to go for something equally traditional but perhaps more palatable then you can try the sweet melon flavor.

If you are looking for a drink in Otaru then look no further than Otaru Beer which is a famous beer hall in the city.  The brew their own beer here. Not only can you get the local brew here, but the entire hall is decorated in a Bavarian theme.  To that end you will find staff in Bavarian garb and they also play polka music in the evenings.

Otaru is widely said to have one of the best sushi scenes in all of Hokkaido and you can sample this at places such as Otaru Sushi-ko which is known for using only the freshest local ingredients.  As Otaru is on the water this means that the menu features a range of sushi topped with seafood such as salmon, sea urchin and delicious crab. Otaru is also known for its kaisen-don which are bowls of rice when are then served with toothsome sashimi on the top.

Air Transportation to Otaru

Hokkaido is accessible by plane from all major airports in Japan to the New Chitose Airport near Sapporo, with international flights from Shanghai and Seoul.  A direct flight from Tokyo takes about 90 minutes.

Transportation from Sapporo

There are multiple trains per hour between Sapporo and Otaru along the JK Hakodate Main Line.  The one way trip costs approximately 750 yen and takes 30 minutes by rapid train or 45 minutes by local train.  About two trains per hour continue on to the New Chitose Airport (70 minutes, approximately 1910 one way).

Planning Your Visit to Japan

JNTO (Japan National Tourism Organization) has a website which is the most comprehensive available for travelers to Japan and we strongly encourage you to visit it and take advantage of the information they provide.  Many of the questions that first-time travelers might have are answered here.   Among the information:

• Language
• Time Zone
• Wi-Fi Connectivity
• Plugs, Voltage and Electricity
• Currency
• Tax-Free Shopping
• Tipping
• Credit Cards
• Weather
• Visa Information
• International Tourist Tax
• Japan Visitor Hotline
• Customs & Duty
• IC Travel Cards
• Drinking Water
• Luggage Storage & Delivery
• Tips for Budget Travelers
• Staying Safe in Japan
• Embassies
• Customs & Manners
• Local Laws
• Business Hours and Holidays
• Useful Apps
• Postal Services
• Telephone Calls
• On-line Reservation Sites
• Traveling with a Disability
• Traveling with Children
• Muslim Travelers

Additional information can be found at japan-guide.com

Sponsors

Technical Sponsors

• Electrochemical Society Electronics and Photonics Division
• Japan Society of Applied Physics
• Korean Physical Society Semiconductor Division

Financial Sponsors

• Electrochemical Society Electronics and Photonics Division
• Semiconductor Energy Laboratory

General Information About ECI

Engineering Conferences International (ECI) is a not-for-profit, global engineering conferences program, originally established in 1962 that provides opportunities for the exploration of problems and issues of concern to engineers and scientists from many disciplines.

The format of the conference provides morning and late afternoon or evening sessions in which major presentations are made. Poster sessions will be scheduled for evening discussion as well. Available time is included during the afternoons for ad hoc meetings, informal discussions, and/or recreation. This format is designed to enhance rapport among participants and promote dialogue on the development of the meeting. We believe the conferences have been instrumental in generating ideas and disseminating information to a greater extent than is possible through more conventional forums.

All participants are expected both to attend the entire conference and to contribute actively to the discussions. The recording/photographing of lectures and presentations is forbidden. As ECI conferences take place in an informal atmosphere, casual clothing is the usual attire.

Smoking is prohibited at ECI conferences and conference functions.