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Recently, the Biden administration announced that companies could submit applications to receive $285 million from the CHIPS and Science ACT. If accepted, those applicants will establish and operate a CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute to develop and validate/use digital twins for semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, assembly, and test processes.
Digital twins serve as a virtual copy of an actual chip. By using these, new processors can be tested before being manufactured. Doing so gives a better idea of their performance if a power boost or different data configuration is applied. “Digital twin-based research can also leverage emerging technology like artificial intelligence to help accelerate the design of new U.S. chip development and manufacturing concepts and significantly reduce costs by improving capacity planning, production optimization, facility upgrades, and real-time process adjustments,” according to the statement.
These funds are expected to cover operational activities to run the institute and semiconductor digital twin development research. They also help with the establishment and support of shared physical and digital facilities, industry-relevant demonstration projects, and digital twin-related workforce training.
“Digital twin technology can help to spark innovation in research, development, and manufacturing of semiconductors across the country – but only if we invest in America’s understanding and ability of this new technology,” said Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo. “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.”
The Biden administration will hold briefings on May 16th to discuss funding opportunities.
“Digital twin technology will help transform the semiconductor industry,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Director Laurie E. Locascio. “This historic investment in the CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute will help unite the semiconductor industry to unlock the enormous potential of digital twin technology for breakthrough discoveries. This is a prime example of how CHIPS for America is bringing research institutions and industry partners together in public-private partnership to enable rapid adoption of innovations that will enhance domestic competitiveness for decades to come.”
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