Today, we’re celebrating sixty years at the heart of modern IC technology.
On May 1, 1966, a group of visionaries formed the IEEE Solid-State Circuits Council, aiming to create a dedicated forum for exchanging ideas in the fast-moving world of integrated circuits. What started as a focused council evolved into a global movement, officially becoming the IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society (SSCS) in 1997.
From Gordon Moore to the AI Frontier
Our history reads like a roadmap of the digital age. Early leaders, like John G. Linvill and Gordon Moore, laid the groundwork for the SSCS community long before “Moore’s Law” became a household term.
For six decades, our members have driven major technological shifts:
- The Birth of the Microprocessor: Moving from discrete components to complex integration.
- The Wireless Revolution: Enabling the connectivity that defines the 21st century.
- The Frontiers of Today: Driving the hardware that makes Artificial Intelligence, 6G, and Quantum Computing possible.
A Global Community
While technology has shrunk from centimeters to nanometers, our spirit remains unchanged. SSCS is a society built on the belief that open exchange between the world’s leading technologists and designers benefits everyone.
Today, SSCS is a vibrant global ecosystem of:
- Flagship Conferences: Hosting the industry’s most prestigious gatherings—including ISSCC, CICC, the VLSI Symposium, ESSERC, and A-SSCC—where the world’s most significant semiconductor breakthroughs are first revealed.
- World-Class Publications: Providing a home for groundbreaking research through the Journal of Solid-State Circuits (JSSC), Solid-State Circuits Magazine, and our open-access journal, OJ-SSCS, as well as specialized insights in SSC-Letters and JxCDC.
- Distinguished Lecturers: Expert leaders who share cutting-edge knowledge across continents.
- Student Creativity: Encouraging technical excellence through hands-on competitions that celebrate both the art and science of IC design, like the Student Circuit Design & T-Shirt Contests.
- Monthly Technical Webinars: Offering deep-dive sessions with industry legends and academic pioneers, accessible to all members regardless of geography.
- Future Leaders: Women in Circuits (WiC) and Young Professionals groups, fostering the next generation of innovators.
- The SSCS Arduino Contest: Bridging the gap between system-level implementation and integrated circuit concepts for students around the world.
- Open-Source Initiatives: Programs like the PICO Chipathon are lowering barriers for designers everywhere.
- Student Travel Grants: Providing the financial support necessary for the brightest young minds to present their work at our global conferences.
- Global Chapter Network: Bringing the Society to your doorstep with over 100 local chapters providing networking and technical growth in almost every corner of the globe.
- The INSPIRE Program: Mentoring and supporting underrepresented groups and pre-university students to build a more inclusive future for the semiconductor industry.
Join Us for a Piece of Virtual Cake! 🍰
To our thousands of members, volunteers, and past officers: thank you. You are why SSCS remains the global “home” for integrated circuit experts.
Join us in celebrating virtually today and reflect on our journey—from that first 1966 meeting to today’s global impact.
Haven’t joined us “In Real Life” yet?
There’s never been a better time to join our legacy. Whether you’re a student, a researcher, or an industry veteran, there’s a place for you at our table.
🔗 Become a part of the next 60 years: https://www.ieee.org/membership-catalog/productdetail/showProductDetailPage.html?product=MEMSSC037