The Biden administration is set to invest $285 million in the development of digital twin technology for semiconductor manufacturing. This investment aims to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the industry through virtual modeling and simulation.
Digital Twins Revolutionize Manufacturing
Digital twins are advanced virtual models used to optimize physical objects and systems. In manufacturing, digital twins enable companies to experiment with new processes without interrupting production. For instance, auto manufacturers can use digital twins of their factories to explore innovative manufacturing techniques.
Under the CHIPS Act, the administration plans to support research into semiconductor digital twin development. This will involve building and maintaining combined physical/digital facilities, industry demonstration projects, workforce training, and the operation of the new CHIPS Manufacturing USA Institute.
Focus on Collaborative Chip Development
During a recent press briefing, Laurie E. Locascio, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, emphasized the benefits of digital twins. She noted that these virtual models could decrease chip development and manufacturing costs while enabling more collaborative approaches to chip design and development.
Locascio highlighted that no country has yet invested on the scale necessary to harness the full potential of digital twin technology for groundbreaking discoveries. This investment represents a significant step forward for the United States in the semiconductor industry.
CHIPS Act Boosts Domestic Semiconductor Production
The funding is part of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, a comprehensive $280 billion bill that includes $52.7 billion to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing. President Biden noted the drastic decrease in the United States’ share of global semiconductor production—from 40% to under 10%—over recent decades.
Arati Prabhakar, Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, echoed concerns about the concentration of semiconductor manufacturing in one part of the world. The CHIPS Act aims to address this imbalance and enhance the United States’ competitiveness in the global market.
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Webinar to Guide Funding Applications
To facilitate the application process for funding, an informational webinar is scheduled for May 8. Organizations eligible for funding include nonprofits, universities, governments, and for-profit companies that are domestic entities (incorporated in the United States and based here).
The Biden administration’s commitment to advancing digital twin technology is a crucial step towards strengthening the U.S. semiconductor industry. This investment not only fosters innovation but also enhances the country’s competitiveness in the global market.
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