Students from BUT's SPICE team succeeded in the European SEMI ChipQuest Challenge competition

Martin Balabán and Lukáš Lev from the SPICE university team achieved significant international success in the prestigious European SEMI ChipQuest Challenge competition. They impressed the jury with their own educational videos, in which they presented the principles of semiconductor technologies, chip production, and their practical applications in a clear and creative way.

BUT's SPICE university team brings together students interested in chips, semiconductors, and related technologies and provides long-term support for their professional and personal development in the field of microelectronics. The students' success in the SEMI ChipQuest Challenge competition is further confirmation of the high level of student activity within the team.

The award in the competition was won by Martin Balabán, whose video impressed the jury with its creativity, clarity, and enthusiasm for semiconductor technologies. "We learned about the SEMI ChipQuest Challenge through the Department of Microelectronics at FEEC and decided to participate by each of us creating our own short educational video. One video explains the principle of changes in electrical conductivity depending on temperature, for example in temperature-dependent sensors, while the other presents the basic process of semiconductor production and provides a general overview of integrated circuits," says Balabán, a student at the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at BUT (FME).



The same award was also given to Lukáš Lvovi from the Faculty of Electrical Engineering and Communication at BUT (FEEC), whose work stood out for its original approach and clear presentation. In both cases, the jury highlighted the successful combination of technical knowledge, presentation skills, and authentic enthusiasm for the field. "We shot the videos on the premises of BUT. Our project was selected among the winning entries, thanks to which we received an invitation to the SEMICON Europa conference in Munich. The winning teams will also receive equipment from the competition partners," adds Balabán.

The award also includes establishing cooperation with important industrial partners. Martin Balabán will collaborate with ASM, while Lukáš Lev will collaborate with VAT. The winning teams will also receive equipment from the competition partners and participate in mentoring meetings with representatives of these leading technology companies. In addition, the award-winning videos were published on YouTube through SEMI Europe channels, bringing international publicity to the students.

The success of the SPICE team students is an inspiration for other students interested in semiconductors, microelectronics, and chip technologies. It also confirms the importance of connecting the university environment with international competitions and industry partners. We warmly congratulate both winners and wish them many more successes in their academic and professional careers.

Source: Czech Semiconductor Center, FME BUT.

Related articles:

• FEEC BUT has launched a unique study program focused on chip design and semiconductor technologies

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Published	2026-02-26 14:14
Link	https://www.vut.cz/en/but/f19528/d320853