Adisyn Hooks a Heavyweight in Graphene Innovation with Tel Aviv University Tie-Up

In the latest move to position itself at the sharp end of semiconductor innovation, Adisyn (ASX: AI1) has inked a strategic partnership with the Jan Koum Center for Nanoscience and Nanotechnology at Tel Aviv University – a globally respected research powerhouse in the nano game. Through its subsidiary, 2D Generation (2DG), Adisyn is now poised to accelerate its graphene-based semiconductor ambitions, with access to high-end gear and cutting-edge research facilities.

The centrepiece of the agreement is the Beneq TFS 200 Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) system, an essential bit of kit for precise nanomaterial coating. It’s essentially a fine paintbrush for the nanoscale, allowing 2DG to push its development of graphene interconnects – the conductive highways within chips that are increasingly failing to keep pace with shrinking silicon geometries.

Adisyn already has its own next-gen ALD unit en route, scheduled for installation in May. But the immediate use of the older generation system at Tel Aviv gives them a two-machine edge, allowing parallel development without the wait.

Chairman and CEO of 2DG, Arye Kohavi, didn’t hold back on the enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to enter this partnership which enhances our team’s ability to innovate in the field of graphene-based coatings. The access to world-class facilities, coupled with the expertise of the TAU Nano Center’s leading researchers, will enhance our product development, allowing us to bring our innovative and high-performance graphene materials to market faster.”

It’s a sentiment echoed by the academic partner, with TAU NanoCenter CEO Alice Polacsi-Segev describing the collaboration as “a perfect alignment of vision,” highlighting the centre’s multidisciplinary research approach and state-of-the-art tools.

The real kicker here is what it could mean for the future of chip design. Copper, the current workhorse for interconnects, is struggling below the 5-nanometre threshold. Graphene – that single-atom-thick miracle material – offers orders-of-magnitude improvements in conductivity and thermal management, potentially solving the so-called interconnect bottleneck that’s stalling Moore’s Law.

2DG claims a significant edge: it’s developed a process to deposit graphene coatings at sub-300°C – a feat that’s eluded even the titans of the industry. That lower thermal footprint makes the technology viable for integration with existing semiconductor manufacturing processes, a must if it's to scale commercially.

The significance isn’t lost on industry observers. The interconnect problem is often described as the "Holy Grail" of next-gen chip design. Whoever cracks it first – especially with a scalable, cost-effective solution – could walk away with a dominant IP position. Adisyn’s deal ensures that any IP resulting from the collaboration remains fully in-house, giving the company a valuable lever in future commercial negotiations.

Importantly, the partnership isn’t a budget blowout. The company described the cost as "immaterial", which should be music to the ears of cautious investors wondering whether this innovation sprint comes with a reckless price tag.

This announcement also comes hot on the heels of two significant board appointments earlier this month. Semiconductor heavyweight Kevin Crofton has stepped up as Non-Executive Chairman, while tech entrepreneur Dominic O’Hanlon joined as a Non-Executive Director. The new leadership signals a sharper focus on the commercialisation of 2DG’s IP and scaling its global footprint.

While demo prototypes aren’t expected until 2026, partial proof-of-concept is already in place. 2DG is also working with IMEC – one of Europe’s premier semiconductor R&D hubs – and is part of the EU Chips Act’s ConnectingChips initiative, a prestigious program linking it with the world’s top chip designers and fabricators.

For a small-cap ASX player, Adisyn is making global-scale moves. The strategic partnership with Tel Aviv University doesn’t just fast-track development – it solidifies Adisyn’s place on the global graphene map. If their tech lives up to the promise, they might just go from speculative minnow to silicon slayer.