{"id":5532,"date":"2022-09-13T19:58:00","date_gmt":"2022-09-13T19:58:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/new.www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/?p=5532"},"modified":"2024-07-15T20:05:42","modified_gmt":"2024-07-15T20:05:42","slug":"secretaries-of-state-commerce-discuss-efforts-to-build-a-us-microelectronics-ecosystem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.purdue.edu\/newsroom\/2022\/Q3\/secretaries-of-state-commerce-discuss-efforts-to-build-a-us-microelectronics-ecosystem","title":{"rendered":"Secretaries of State, Commerce discuss efforts to build a US microelectronics ecosystem"},"content":{"rendered":"

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. —<\/p> \n

U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo visited Purdue University on Tuesday (Sept. 13) to tour university research facilities and meet students as they embark on their mission to bolster the U.S. semiconductor industry.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Sen. Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb joined Blinken and Raimondo on a tour of Purdue\u2019s Birck Nanotechnology Center, highlighting the leading-edge research and workforce development efforts at Purdue that can help the United States restore domestic semiconductor manufacturing and competitiveness abroad. A fireside chat followed. Watch and listen to the chat in its entirety<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTo confront the challenges our nation faces today, we need people who understand the intersection of economics, diplomacy, emerging technology and the sciences. We find these people at places like Purdue, which bring together academia and the private sector to ensure that we can remain the world\u2019s innovation leaders and standard setters,\u201d Blinken said of the visit. \u201cThe groundbreaking work here and at institutions around the country is rooted in the recognition that foreign, economic and domestic policy are inextricably linked and that domestic competitiveness, national security and a strong middle class are mutually reinforcing.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The tour included the Scifres Nanofabrication Laboratory, which has one of the world\u2019s largest university cleanrooms. While at Purdue, the guests also were briefed on the university\u2019s new suite of semiconductor degree programs, ranging from undergraduate through graduate study, and Purdue\u2019s Scalable Asymmetric Lifecycle Engagement (SCALE), a preeminent U.S. program for semiconductor workforce development in the defense sector. Purdue President Mitch Daniels hosted the group.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe understand the imperative for the United States to be a leader in semiconductors and microelectronics production and innovation,\u201d Daniels said. \u201cIt\u2019s through Purdue\u2019s interdisciplinary credentials, degrees and training opportunities, and critical partnerships with industry and that we strive to make a difference and a sound contribution to this effort. We\u2019re honored to show secretaries Blinken and Raimondo what we have done and what we have on the horizon.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Speaking to the crowd at Birck, Raimondo announced that the Commerce Department\u2019s National Institute of Standards and Technology signed a cooperative research and development agreement<\/a> to develop and produce chips for nanotech and semiconductor devices. SkyWater Technology will manufacture the chips at an existing semiconductor foundry in Minnesota. This summer, Purdue announced partnerships with SkyWater to build a $1.8 billion fabrication facility in West Lafayette.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPurdue\u2019s cutting-edge research and workforce development programs are at the forefront of helping us shape the future of innovation in America\u2019s semiconductor manufacturing industry. I\u2019m excited to learn about the workforce pipelines Purdue is creating, including opportunities at all levels of the industry,\u201d Raimondo said. \u201cI\u2019m excited to have met the students who are future leaders of America\u2019s semiconductor industry. The graduates from these programs \u2013 from Ph.D.s to associate degree holders \u2013 will be at the forefront of innovation as we revitalize American manufacturing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At Birck, the group was briefed on architecture\/brain-inspired computing, heterogenous packaging, modeling and workforce development efforts that comprise the local, high-tech ecosystem at Purdue. Blinken and Raimondo spoke with Purdue students, who explained their innovation, research and progress in these areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From left, Indiana Gov. Eric J. Holcomb, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Purdue President Mitch Daniels, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and U.S. Sen. Todd Young participate in a fireside chat following a tour of Purdue\u2019s microelectronics facilities (Purdue University photo\/Charles Jischke)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Daniels then hosted the guests at the Neil Armstrong Hall of Engineering for the fireside chat <\/a>that focused on building a semiconductor ecosystem to restore domestic manufacturing and competitiveness abroad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blinken later met with Purdue students at the Burton D. Morgan Center for Entrepreneurship to take their questions and discuss STEM careers and paid student programs at the Department of State. His visit coincided with the Industrial Roundtable job fair, among the largest student-run career events in the country, with more than 400 companies and 12,000 students attending annually. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIndiana is home to world-renowned research and development universities like Purdue,\u201d Holcomb said. \u201cWe have access to the necessary robust pool of highly skilled manufacturing workforce and a top-ranked business climate that makes Indiana a prime location for future-focused industries. Indiana seeks to be a leader in the United States and globally for microelectronics and semiconductor manufacturing. We firmly believe that the CHIPS for America program will best position our nation to get there.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These pursuits are in line with Purdue\u2019s deep commitment to developing semiconductors and microelectronics (https:\/\/engineering.purdue.edu\/semiconductors<\/a>) and using the technologies to boost economic development, both nationally and in the Midwest\u2019s \u201cSilicon Heartland.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n