The Department of Commerce and Natcast, operator of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC), have initiated the selection process for the first three R&D facilities funded by the CHIPS and Science Act. These facilities are integral to President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, which aims to bolster the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem through advanced R&D and job creation.
The Three Facilities:
1. NSTC Prototyping and NAPMP Advanced Packaging Piloting Facility: This state-of-the-art center will combine next-generation manufacturing and packaging technologies, providing 300mm research, prototyping, and packaging capabilities. It will co-locate NSTC R&D and NAPMP packaging capabilities to facilitate collaborative semiconductor and advanced packaging research.
2. NSTC Administrative and Design Facility: A multi-functional center housing key NSTC operations, including administrative functions, consortium member meetings, and programmatic activities like the Workforce Center of Excellence and the NSTC Design Enablement Gateway. It will focus on advanced semiconductor research in chip design, electronic design automation, chip and system architecture, and hardware security.
3. NSTC EUV Center: This facility will provide access to EUV lithography technology, essential for cutting-edge semiconductor research and commercialization. It will also offer space for Natcast researchers, staff, and member assignees to collaborate on advanced projects.
The selection process for these facilities started today, with the Department and Natcast planning to release additional information on affiliated technical centers soon. Expected operational dates are 2025 for the NSTC Administrative and Design Facility, 2026 for the NSTC EUV Center, and 2028 for the NSTC Prototyping and NAPMP Advanced Packaging Piloting Facility.
These facilities will drive innovation, create differentiation, ensure financial sustainability, and foster thriving ecosystems. They will bridge the gap between research and industry, securing the U.S.’s leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and research for decades to come.
For more details, visit Natcast’s website and view their informational video.
https://www.nist.gov/video/chips-america-research-development-rd-facilities-model-process
