US $285m Digital Twin Semiconductor Centre Pitch Opens

The US government has announced the opening of applications for the development and hosting of the $285 million Digital Twin and Semiconductor Manufacturing USA Institute. This initiative, outlined in a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO), aims to establish a distributed CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute with a specific focus on digital twin technology within the semiconductor industry.

Digital twins, which are virtual models replicating the structure, context, and behavior of physical entities, will be at the core of the institute's activities. The primary objectives include the advancement, validation, and utilization of digital twins for various processes in semiconductor manufacturing, such as advanced packaging, assembly, and testing.

The CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute is anticipated to leverage integrated physical and digital resources across a geographically diverse network. Upon establishment, it will become part of a network comprising seventeen existing Manufacturing USA institutes. Siemens is poised to be a prominent contender for the institute, given its expertise in digital twin modeling software and collaboration with Intel on silicon fabs.

Unlike conventional research models, digital twins hosted in the cloud facilitate collaborative design and process development among engineers and researchers nationwide. This approach opens up new avenues for participation, accelerates innovation, and reduces research and development costs. By incorporating AI, digital twin-based research can expedite the design of innovative chip concepts, enhance production optimization, and streamline facility upgrades and real-time process adjustments.

The institute's funded activities are set to encompass both basic and applied research related to semiconductor digital twin development, the establishment of shared physical and digital facilities, industry-specific demonstration projects, and workforce training. Laurie Locascio, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director, emphasized the transformative potential of digital twin technology for the semiconductor industry.

Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo highlighted the importance of investing in America's understanding and utilization of digital twin technology to drive innovation in semiconductor research and manufacturing. The new Manufacturing USA institute is envisioned not only as a means to position America as a leader in digital twin technology for semiconductors but also as a platform to train the next generation of American workers and researchers in leveraging digital twins for future advancements in chip R&D and production.

Arati Prabhakar, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, underscored the significance of digital twin technology in expediting the development of robust manufacturing processes for semiconductors. The initiative aligns with the broader goal of ensuring the competitiveness and success of American manufacturers in the semiconductor industry.