Charles Lyons-Burt
The U.S. has fallen behind in the semiconductor industry and the federal government intends to change that. As of this year, just 12 percent of semiconductors — an extremely common technology that can be found in everything from cell phones to washing machines to surveillance equipment — are manufactured stateside. The remaining 85-plus percent of semiconductor production at the vanguard is being done abroad, primarily in Asia.
Through efforts such as the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, passed in Aug. 2022, government officials are trying to reassert American hegemony in the field. The first major initiative funded by the CHIPS Act is the Microelectronics Commons, introduced in January. This project aims to create an interconnected network of “microelectronics hardware prototyping, lab-to-fab transition of semiconductor technologies and semiconductor workforce training,” per the Department of Defense.
Dying to gain a holistic understanding of the semiconductor industry and the newly energized American competitiveness in this arena? Tune in to the 2023 Microelectronics Forum from ExecutiveBiz. This riveting, in-person breakfast event will be held on July 25 at Falls Church, Virginia’s 2941 Restaurant and feature a keynote address by the DOD’s Dr. Dev Shenoy. Register here.
At the Microelectronics Commons Industry Days event in December, Shenoy commented, “In the face of intense competition globally in the microelectronics landscape, a rapid transition from lab-to-fab is imperative to get ahead of the competition.” Shenoy, who is principal director of microelectronics for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, went on to say that an accelerated timeline of lab-to-fab prototyping is a top priority for the DOD, as is fostering a close working relationship with research and development activities and the production side.
Indeed, in a report to the President by his Council of Advisors on Science and Technology in Sep. 2022 entitled “Revitalizing the U.S. Semiconductor Ecosystem,” the primary recommendations included “fostering innovation,” encouraging the government to fund academic research and small businesses, as well as a tenet instructing the President and his administration to “set a national research agenda.” The other two primary recommendations were to concentrate on educating the public about microelectronics and on making sure that the benefits and opportunities of the industry have a wide demographic reach.
Shenoy, who was an external expert consulted for PCAST’s report, confirmed the need for a collaboration between commercial entities and the government for U.S. progress in semiconductors when he issued a statement on a $1.8 billion fabrication facility built by SkyWater in Indiana, announced last year.
“SkyWater’s investment in a new state-of-the-art semiconductor manufacturing facility at Purdue’s Discovery Park District represents a major step forward and highlights the importance of public-private partnerships in fostering a robust and thriving domestic microelectronics industry,” Shenoy said.
For more enlightening insights by Dr. Shenoy and a to-be-announced all-star slate of panel discussion participants, register now for the ExecutiveBiz 2023 Microelectronics Forum. You’ll enjoy a delicious breakfast and get equipped with essential knowledge about how to help regain the United States’ footing as the number one semiconductor manufacturer.
