Digital twins are virtual models that mimic the structure, context, and behavior of a physical counterpart. The CHIPS for America Program anticipates up to approximately $285 million for a first-of-its-kind institute focused on the development, validation, and use of digital twins for semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, assembly, and test processes. The CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute is the first Manufacturing USA institute launched by the Department of Commerce.
Unlike traditional, physical research models, digital twins can exist in the cloud, which enables collaborative design and process development by engineers and researchers across the country, creating new opportunities for participation, speeding innovation, and reducing costs of research and development. 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.
Funded activities are expected to include, but not necessarily be limited to operational activities to run the Institute; basic and applied research related to semiconductor digital twin development; establishing and supporting shared physical and digital facilities; industry-relevant demonstration projects; and digital twin-related workforce training.
The CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute is expected to use integrated physical and digital assets to tackle important semiconductor-industry manufacturing challenges. By establishing a regionally diverse network, the institute will foster a collaborative environment to significantly expand innovation, bring tangible benefits to both large and small to mid-sized manufacturers, engage diverse communities, and ensure robust nation-wide workforce training.
The CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute will join an existing network of seventeen Manufacturing USA institutes designed to secure the future of U.S. manufacturing through innovation, education, and collaboration.
Dr. Eric Forsythe, director, and Dr. Michael McKittrick, deputy director, CHIPS Manufacturing USA Program, will provide a briefing on details of the NOFO on May 8, 2024, at 4:00 pm ET. Webinar participants must register in advance.
On May 16, 2024, the CHIPS Manufacturing USA Program will host a one-day hybrid meeting for potential applicants for this funding opportunity. For more information and to register for this event, please visit chips.gov.