{"id":71384,"date":"2024-02-15T09:05:41","date_gmt":"2024-02-15T16:05:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/?p=71384"},"modified":"2024-02-15T10:00:06","modified_gmt":"2024-02-15T17:00:06","slug":"semiconductor-training","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/semiconductor-training\/","title":{"rendered":"Arizona Commerce Authority allocates funding to NAU for semiconductor training and research\u00a0"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">With $13 million in funds from the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), NAU is set to expand training programs and research related to metrology, a foundational component of semiconductor manufacturing and innovation. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Most of the electronic devices people use every day\u2014from computers and smartphones to cars and major household appliances\u2014require semiconductors to function. It\u2019s no wonder, then, that state and educational leaders are working together to expand the American semiconductor industry by preparing future workers.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">NAU will leverage the ACA investment to enhance Arizona\u2019s semiconductor ecosystem, including establishing:\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A microelectronics metrology certificate program that will provide students with knowledge and skills in measurement and quality assurance; <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A semiconductor training center at the university&#8217;s North Valley Campus in Phoenix serving microelectronic and semiconductor industries that require a skilled workforce; and<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li data-leveltext=\"\u25cf\" data-font=\"\" data-listid=\"1\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\u25cf&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;multilevel&quot;}\" aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A campuswide metrology research and teaching laboratory<\/span> <span data-contrast=\"auto\">bringing subject matter expertise from multiple disciplines, including electrical engineering, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/mira.nau.edu\/\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">MIRA<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">, physics and chemistry.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<figure id=\"attachment_71393\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-71393\" style=\"width: 393px\" class=\"wp-caption alignleft\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-71393\" src=\"http:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wordpresst\/uploads\/sites\/153\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/image0.jpeg\" alt=\"Two man and a woman stand with the agreement they've signed.\" width=\"393\" height=\"295\" srcset=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2024\/02\/image0.jpeg 640w, https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/402\/2024\/02\/image0-300x225.jpeg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 393px) 100vw, 393px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-71393\" class=\"wp-caption-text\"><em>CEIAS Dean Andy Wang and associate VPR Andy Koppisch at a signing ceremony with ACA and UA.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Metrology plays a central role in semiconductor manufacturing in areas of process control, yield improvement and quality assurance. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nist.gov\/system\/files\/documents\/2023\/06\/05\/CHIPS_Metrology-Gaps-in-the-Semi-Ecosystem_0.pdf\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">reports<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\"> that demand for metrology professionals in the semiconductor industry is rapidly outpacing supply, a gap that is expected to widen. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>\u201cArizona\u2019s thriving semiconductor industry, which is bolstered by our world-class universities and community colleges, is creating thousands of good-paying jobs and career advancement opportunities,\u201d said Gov. Katie Hobbs. \u201cThis investment is about ensuring Arizonans have the skills and training to fill those jobs and will further support the growing semiconductor industry presence in Arizona.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cSemiconductors are a critical part of the 21<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">st<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">-century economy, and it is important that Arizonans have access to high-quality, affordable programs to prepare them for jobs in engineering, quantum computing and the semiconductor industry,\u201d said NAU President <\/span><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Jos\u00e9 Luis Cruz Rivera<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">. \u201cNAU is pleased to partner with the ACA to help produce the next generation of engineers, innovators and creators through these groundbreaking programs.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u201cArizona has not only become a central hub of semiconductor manufacturing, but for research and development as well,\u201d said Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. \u201cWe\u2019re proud to partner with NAU to advance metrology training and R&amp;D within the state to fill a critical need within the semiconductor workforce and further advance our state\u2019s chip leadership.\u201d<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">The ACA\u2019s investment in NAU is part of a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bizjournals.com\/phoenix\/news\/2022\/11\/04\/arizona-phoenix-semiconductors-ducey-allocation.html\">$100 million commitment <\/a><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">announced<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> in 2022 to increase semiconductor and microelectronics development in the state.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In December, in partnership with Arizona State University and NXP Semiconductors, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.azcommerce.com\/news-events\/news\/2023\/7\/arizona-state-university-and-applied-materials-to-create-materials-to-fab-center-at-asu-research-park\/\">the ACA announced a $17.5 million investment for ASU<\/a><\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">\u00a0to expand advanced packaging and gallium nitride manufacturing research. The investment will further support Arizona\u2019s advanced packaging capabilities. <\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In November, the University of Arizona and the ACA <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">announced<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> an <a href=\"https:\/\/www.azcommerce.com\/news-events\/news\/2023\/11\/arizona-commerce-authority-announces-expansion-of-university-of-arizona-micronano-fabrication-center-in-tucson\/\">expansion of the University\u2019s Micro\/Nano Fabrication Center (MNFC) in Tucson<\/a>. The MNFC is a cleanroom facility which supports manufacturing and research efforts involving semiconductors, computer chips, optical devices and quantum computing systems. The MNFC expansion, which is supported by a $35.5 million investment from the ACA, will also include additional training efforts to continue growing the state\u2019s skilled workforce.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\">In July, ASU, Applied Materials, Inc. and the ACA <\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\">announced<\/span><span data-contrast=\"none\"> plans to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.azcommerce.com\/news-events\/news\/2023\/12\/arizona-commerce-authority-allocates-funding-to-arizona-state-university-to-expand-semiconductor-research-in-tempe\/\">create a world-class shared research, development and prototyping facility<\/a>, the Materials-to-Fab (MTF) Center in the university\u2019s MacroTechnology Works building at ASU Research Park. The MTF Center, which is supported by a $30 million investment from the Arizona Commerce Authority, will be home to Applied Materials\u2019 Center of Excellence in materials deposition technology.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:160,&quot;335559740&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><a class=\"search-results-excerpt-link\" href=\"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/semiconductor-training\/\">With $13 million in funds from the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA), NAU is set to expand training programs and research related to metrology, a foundational component of semiconductor manufacturing and innovation. \u00a0 Most of the electronic devices people use every day\u2014from computers and smartphones to cars and major household appliances\u2014require semiconductors to function. It\u2019s no&hellip;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":59,"featured_media":71386,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-71384","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-research-academics"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71384","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/59"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=71384"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/71384\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/71386"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=71384"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=71384"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=71384"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}