US targets five projects for $100m to boost AI semiconductor materials

The US government has opened its $100m competition for up to five projects for sustainable semiconductor materials using AI.

The CHIPS AI/AE for Rapid, Industry-informed Sustainable Semiconductor Materials and Processes (CARISSMA) funding opportunity will develop sustainable semiconductor materials and processes that meet industry needs that can be adopted for industry testing within five years. The funding, announced at the start of October, will also expand the number of universities and researchers working in the US semiconductor R&D ecosystem.

Projects will range from $20 million to $40 million, indicating that there will be up to 5 such schemes for teams with significant experience in artificial intelligence-powered autonomous experimentation (AI/AE).

AI/AE combines automated synthesis and characterization tools with an AI planner to determine the next round of an experimental campaign, vastly accelerating the design of new materials and the acquisition of materials data. Battery researchers have already been using the automated AI techniques to find new materials.

“We are harnessing new cutting-edge technologies like AI/AE and creating a pipeline from lab to fab to out-run and out-innovate the rest of the world,” said Gina Raimondo, US secretary of commerce. “This research opportunity will bring industry the tools they need within five years and spur innovation in sustainability for years to come.”

Boosting capacity at emerging research institutesfor AI/AE will greatly increase the number of undergraduate and graduates participating in semiconductor related R&D.

“AI/AE facilitates virtual collaboration to solve difficult research problems, thereby lowering barriers to participation by emerging research institutions,” said Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and National Institute of Standards and Technology Director Laurie Locascio. “This ultimately strengthens our ability to engage a diverse workforce to solve the semiconductor industry’s greatest challenges.”