Sandia National Laboratories has joined a new partnership aimed at helping the US regain its leadership in semiconductor manufacturing.
The US was considered a major semiconductor manufacturing powerhouse in the 1990s, with a share of over 35% of global semiconductors, which has since dropped to 12%.
Today, the country does not manufacture the world’s most advanced chips owned by smartphone-like power technologies, self-driving cars, quantum computers, artificial intelligence-powered devices and programs owned by 71% of the world’s population.
How Sandia strengthens semiconductor manufacturing
Sandia wants to help change the US position in the semiconductor industry. It recently became the first national laboratory to participate in the US National Semiconductor Technology Center.
NSTC was established under the Chip and Science Act to accelerate innovation and address the country’s most pressing technology challenges.
“We are pioneering the path for other labs to participate,” said Mary Monson, senior manager of technology partnerships and business development at Sandia.
“The Chips method has tied the band together. You can say. By including the National Laboratory, US companies and academia, it’s really a multiplier of force.”
Sandia has a long history of contributing to semiconductor manufacturing through research and development partnerships, microsystems engineering known as Masa, science and application facilities, and advanced clean rooms for developing next-generation technologies.
Through the NSTC Partnership, Sandia aims to strengthen US semiconductor manufacturing and research and development, strengthen national security production, and promote the development of innovative new technologies that will set the country apart globally.
“The big goal is to strengthen our capabilities. As the industry is moving rapidly, we are keeping up to date with all developments and incorporating things that will help us deliver more efficiently on our national security mission. That is to look at innovative ways to partner and reveal the process,” Monson said.
The urgent need for semiconductor technology
The urgency of effort is clear. The pandemic provided the perfect example. The car lot was exposed and the manufacturer sat idle, waiting for the chips to be produced and building a new vehicle.
“The average car contains 1,400 chips, while electric cars use more than 3,000,” explained Rick McCormick, senior scientist at Sandia’s semiconductor technology strategy.
“Other countries around the world have invested more than $300 billion to become leaders in semiconductor manufacturing. The chips method is our way.
“One goal is to have more than 25% of the global capabilities of cutting-edge chips by 2032.”
Training the future workforce
Sandia also managed to play an important role in training the future workforce. The government is investing billions of dollars in new factories for semiconductor manufacturing, all of which require staff trained in the STEM field.
McCormick commented: “The Semiconductor Industry Association expects the US to need between 60,000 and 70,000 workers, so it needs to support the involvement of the STEM workforce. That effort will help Sandia strengthen its staffing pipeline.”
As part of our membership, Sandia will provide access to other NSTC members to their selected facilities, encouraging collaboration and partnerships. Technology transfer is a central part of Sandia’s mission, and this initiative is built on it by helping private partners increase their interest in the industry while allowing Sandia to move forward with its own mission.
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