US Invests $1.6B in Subsequent-Gen Semiconductor Packaging Analysis

This text initially appeared in AI Enterprise.

The Commerce Division is launching a program to supply as much as $1.6 billion in funding as a part of a contest into superior chip analysis and growth.

The CHIPS for America’s Nationwide Superior Packaging Manufacturing Program will encourage semiconductor producers to discover superior packaging or options that make the most of a number of chips and processes on a single unit. 

The ever-increasing demand for AI requires extra highly effective {hardware}. Superior packaging strategies, resembling 3D integration and chiplet-based designs, allow producers to mix a number of processors and several types of chips right into a single bundle.

The extra compact {hardware} options cut back the bodily footprint of methods whereas providing improved energy effectivity.

Asia-Pacific leads the superior packaging house, based on figures from Priority Analysis, nonetheless, North America is predicted to be among the many fastest-growing gamers out there.

In a discover of intent, the Commerce Division introduced plans to open the analysis and growth challenge, stating that this system would “set up and speed up home capability for semiconductor superior packaging.”

“President Biden was clear that we have to construct a vibrant home semiconductor ecosystem right here within the US, and superior packaging is a big a part of that,” mentioned Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo. “Now, due to the Biden-Harris Administration’s dedication to investing in America, the US could have a number of superior packaging choices throughout the nation and push the envelope in new packaging applied sciences.

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“This announcement is simply the latest instance of our dedication to investing in cutting-edge R&D that’s crucial to creating high quality jobs within the U.S. and making our nation a frontrunner in superior semiconductor manufacturing.”

This system will discover 5 areas associated to superior packaging, which might be explored in three state-of-the-art semiconductor analysis services set to open in 2025, 2026, and 2028.

They embody:

  • Connector know-how, together with photonics and radio frequency

  • Co-design/digital design automation

  • Gear, instruments, processes and course of integration

  • Energy supply and thermal administration

This system can even help alternatives for prototype growth.

Areas and companions for the analysis facility websites might be chosen by the Division of Commerce and Natcast, the operator of the Nationwide Semiconductor Expertise Heart (NSTC).

“The Nationwide Superior Packaging Manufacturing Program will allow a packaging sector inside the US that outpaces the world by innovation pushed by sturdy R&D,” mentioned Laurie Locascio, Beneath Secretary of Commerce for Requirements and Expertise.

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“Inside a decade, by R&D funded by CHIPS for America, we are going to create a home packaging business the place superior node chips manufactured within the U.S. and overseas could be packaged inside the USA and the place progressive designs and architectures are enabled by modern packaging capabilities.

Program funding was made out there underneath the CHIPS and Science Act. The laws has additionally awarded billions of {dollars} in tax breaks to semiconductor producers together with Samsung, Micron, Intel, and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Firm.