Upgrade and development of imec institutional repository of scientific publications

PCG Academia has completed a project for imec – an independent R&D research center, leader in the field of nanoelectronics and digital technologies based in Leuven (Belgium). The project included a comprehensive modernization and development of the organization’s scientific repository based on the DSpace platform.

The implementation made by the PCG Academia team is not only a technological upgrade. This is a strategic step towards open science, effective knowledge management and strengthening the transparency of the scientific communication process in one of the most important research centers on microchip technology and digital innovation in the world.

Aim and scope of the project

The modernization covered the full implementation cycle – from pre-implementation analysis, through implementation, training and system go-live. The project was carried out in close cooperation with the imec team, which allowed to adjust the functionalities of the repository to the specific needs of the organization, its publication processes and open access requirements.

The most important elements of the implementation:

  • detailed blueprint (pre-implementation analysis) with key users during workshops online and at PCG’s headquarters in Warsaw, along with the development of a data migration concept,
  • a novel design of the repository with a more user-friendly and accessible interface
  • installation and configuration of the new DSpace environment,
  • preparation and implementation of a dedicated user interface,
  • integrations with key data sources: Web of Science, CrossRef, and ORCID,
  • implementation of CRIS functionality (author profiles, metadata bindings, alternative metrics, XLS reporting, record versioning),
  • Safety, performance and compliance with accessibility guidelines
  • training for technical and editorial users, along with full technical and operational documentation.

The work lasted 9 months – from January to September 2025.

Open Knowledge module – further development of the repository

The project is continued by the development of an extension called the Open Knowledge module: a separate section in the repository for making results from innovation projects such as reports, white papers and presentations available to the public. The new module is fully integrated into the repository, but supports specific types of documents, its own two-staged approval workflow, and customized views of records and search results. The development started in September 2025 and go-live is planned by the end of 2025.

The imec repository is publicly available at:

https://imec-publications.be/home

Imec

Imec is a world-leading research and innovation hub in advanced semiconductor technologies. Leveraging its state-of-the-art R&D infrastructure and the expertise of over 6,500 employees, imec drives innovation in semiconductor and system scaling, artificial intelligence, silicon photonics, connectivity, and sensing.

Imec’s advanced research powers breakthroughs across a wide range of industries, including computing, health, automotive, energy, infotainment, industry, agrifood, and security. Through IC-Link, imec guides companies through every step of the chip journey – from initial concept to full-scale manufacturing – delivering customized solutions tailored to meet the most advanced design and production needs.