Washington D.C. – The CHIPS for America program, part of President Biden's economic plan to invest in America, boost private sector investments, create well-paying jobs, and revitalize lagging communities, today announced a $285 million funding opportunity to establish and operate a CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute focused on Digital Twin technology for the semiconductor industry.
Digital Twin models are virtual representations that mimic the structure, context, and behavior of a physical counterpart. This new institute will be the first of its kind and will focus on the development, validation, and use of Digital Twin technology for semiconductor manufacturing, including advanced packaging, assembly, and testing processes. The initiative, launched by the Department of Commerce under the Biden administration, provides funding of up to approximately $285 million.
Unlike traditional research models, Digital Twin models can exist in the cloud, enabling collaborative project and process development by engineers and researchers nationwide. This fosters innovation, reduces research and development costs, and speeds up production times.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo emphasized the importance of investing in understanding and utilizing this new technology for the semiconductor industry. The institute will not only help America become a leader in Digital Twin development for the semiconductor industry but will also train the next generation of American workers and researchers.
The funded program will include operational activities to manage the institute, basic and applied research on Digital Twin technology, support for relevant industry demonstrative projects, and workforce training.
According to Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology Laurie E. Locascio, this historic investment in the CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute will unite the semiconductor industry to unlock the potential of Digital Twin technology.
The CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute will use integrated physical and digital resources to address significant semiconductor production challenges and foster a collaborative environment to expand innovation, benefit both large and small-to-medium-sized enterprises, and ensure robust nationwide training.
For more details on the funding opportunity, Dr. Eric Forsythe, Director, and Dr. Michael McKittrick, Deputy Director of the CHIPS Manufacturing USA program, will hold a briefing on May 8, 2024, at 4:00 PM ET. Webinar participants must register in advance.
On May 16, 2024, the CHIPS Manufacturing USA program will host a one-day hybrid meeting for potential funding candidates. For more information and to register for this event, please visit chips.gov.
CHIPS for America is part of President Biden's economic plan to invest in America, boost private sector investments, create well-paying jobs, increase production in the United States, and revitalize lagging communities. The program includes the CHIPS Program Office, responsible for production incentives, and the CHIPS Research and Development (R&D) Office, responsible for research and development programs. Both offices are part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) within the Department of Commerce. NIST promotes U.S. industrial innovation and competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology, thereby enhancing economic security and quality of life. NIST is particularly well-positioned to successfully administer the CHIPS for America program due to its strong relationships with U.S. industries, deep understanding of the semiconductor ecosystem, and reputation for fairness and trust. Visit chips-gov to learn more.
Glossary
- Digital Twin: Virtual models that replicate the structure, context, and behavior of a physical object.
- Semiconductors: Materials that conduct electricity intermediate between conductors and insulators.
- Manufacturing USA Institute: A network of institutes in the United States focusing on innovation, education, and collaboration in the manufacturing sector.
(Source: U.S. Department of Commerce)
