The Biden administration is cashing in $285 million in CHIPS Act funding to support the development of digital twins for semiconductor manufacturing.
This initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Commerce, aims to establish a CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute focused on leveraging digital twin technology within the semiconductor industry.
What Are Digital Twins?
Digital twins are virtual models replicating the structure, behavior, and context of physical objects or systems, such as semiconductor manufacturing processes.
The funding opportunity is seeking proposals from eligible applicants to advance the development, validation, and utilization of digital twins for semiconductor manufacturing, assembly, testing, and other applications.
This represents the first Manufacturing USA institute established by the Department of Commerce under Biden's presidency. The goal is to enhance semiconductor research and development by harnessing the potential of digital twin technology.
The Department of Commerce explains that digital twins offer distinct advantages over traditional research models. They can exist virtually in the cloud, enabling collaborative design and process development among engineers and researchers nationwide.
According to the department, this virtual environment is expected to foster innovation, enhance participation, accelerate research and development, and ultimately cut costs.
Additionally, digital twins are anticipated to boost semiconductor manufacturing by utilizing technologies such as artificial intelligence to streamline chip development and production processes.
Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo emphasized investing in digital twin technology to drive innovation in semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing.
"Digital twin technology can help spark innovation in the research, development, and manufacturing of semiconductors across the country—but only if we invest in America's understanding and ability of this new technology," Raimondo said in a press release.
The Chips Manufacturing USA Institute
The CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute will undertake various activities, including operating the institute, conducting basic and applied research on semiconductor digital twins, creating and supporting shared physical and digital facilities, implementing industry-relevant demonstration projects, and providing workforce training focused on digital twin technologies.
The institute will play a critical role in addressing key challenges faced by the semiconductor industry through integrated physical and digital assets. By fostering collaboration across a diverse network of stakeholders, the institute aims to accelerate innovation.
Furthermore, the CHIPS Manufacturing USA Institute will be part of a network of seventeen Manufacturing USA institutes, each dedicated to advancing U.S. manufacturing.
"This new Manufacturing USA institute will not only help to make America a leader in developing this new technology for the semiconductor industry, it will also help train the next generation of American workers and researchers to use digital twins for future advances in R&D and production of chips," Raimondo said in a statement.
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