The Biden administration is looking for proposals from companies that could create and run an institution that will develop “digital twins” of semiconductors, with the possibility of receiving funding of up to $285 million.
The CHIPS Manufacturing USA Institute will do just that focus on digital twins, i.e. virtual models of semiconductors, which share the same structure, structure, and behavior as the physical chip, making it easier to simulate how the chip will perform in various scenarios before going into production. The institute will focus on the development, testing and utilize of digital twins for chip manufacturing, advanced packaging, chip assembly and testing.
The Biden administration has said digital twins can exist in the cloud, enabling greater collaboration between engineers and researchers across the United States. This will create opportunities for faster innovation and reduce research and development costs, he added.
“Digital twin technology can lend a hand spur innovation in semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing across the country — but only if we invest in America’s understanding and capabilities with this emerging technology,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a statement, adding that the modern institute “will not only lend a hand make America a leader in developing this modern technology for the semiconductor industry, but will also lend a hand train the next generation of American workers and researchers to utilize digital twins for future advances in R&D and chip manufacturing. “
The Biden administration has said digital twin technology could also be integrated with artificial intelligence and other modern technologies to speed up U.S. chip development and production. The $285 million allocation from the CHIPS and Science Act will support research to advance digital twins, create physical and digital facilities across the country, and train the workforce, among other things. The Biden administration will do this organize briefings with interested companies this month to discuss financing options.
“Digital twin technology will lend a hand transform the semiconductor industry,” said Laurie Locascio, undersecretary of commerce for standards and technology and director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). “This historic investment in CHIPS Manufacturing USA will lend a hand unite the semiconductor industry to unleash the enormous potential of digital twin technologies for breakthrough discoveries.”
The Chips Act was established by the Biden administration in 2022 as part of an effort to expand U.S. chip manufacturing in the face of a booming artificial intelligence industry and competition with China. Pioneer of semiconductors Intel and other major chipmakers including Taiwan semiconductor company (TSMC) AND SAMSUNG have received billions in funding so far under the Chips Act.
