GSS created by decanano Professor Asen Asenov, (right) James Watt Chair in Electrical Engineering in the College of Science and Technology and a world expert in device modelling. In a recent interview he describes  charmingly what he terms as the 'pudding effect.'

"Semiconductors have random dopants and this can be compared to a pudding with raisins. You can cut a piece of this and it may have no raisins; cut another piece and it may have a cluster. Each piece of the pudding will be different and it's the same with semiconductors."

Simulation is essential as transistors, the building blocks of microchip circuits, become smaller and smaller and tiny variations in their structure result in variable and unreliable performance – affecting the whole circuit performance and yield.

Being able to take this ‘statistical variability’ into account when designing circuits will be a huge benefit to industry and help ensure the continued scaling of microchips.

The company, currently based at the University, is already subcontracted to conduct simulation services for the MODERN  (MOdeling and DEsign of Reliable, process variation-aware Nanoelectronic devices, circuits and systems) project – a €26M (£23m) European project looking at how to design the next generation computer chips where Prof Asenov leads University of Glasgow’s involvement in the project worth £1.5m to the University and comprises 28 European partners.

The company will also offer courses in statistical variability, which will give participants the knowledge and tools to understand, control and mitigate the issues.