Biden administration begins $285 million in funding for ‘digital twin’ chip research institute

The Biden administration is opened application for $285 million CHIPS Act Funding For laboratories developing digital twins for the chip manufacturing industry.of investment It aims to speed up silicon design and engineering while enhancing national security. This is part of a multibillion-dollar push to establish the United States as a prosperous chip manufacturing powerhouse, reduce dependence on global supply chains and establish technological superiority over China.

A digital twin is an advanced software model of hardware (in this case, a processor) that can save time, cost, and increase efficiency. Virtual clones allow engineers to predict problems and adjust designs accordingly before manufacturing begins.of automotive industry and Space Force (for) satellite simulation) also uses the technology.

The Commerce Department says AI is also playing a role. “Digital twin-based research will also leverage emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence to accelerate the design of new U.S. chip development and manufacturing concepts, enabling capacity planning, production optimization, equipment upgrades, and real-time process adjustments. These improvements can significantly reduce costs.”

Funding is part of that CHIPS Act of 2022 totals $39 billion Assigned to semiconductor research and development. The United States had already disbursed billions of dollars in CHIPS Act manufacturing incentives, including $6.4 billion. to samsung$6.6 billion For TSMC$6.1 billion for micron and $8.5 billion for Intel. but, bloomberg Note Funding for such research and development could be the most important part of the Biden administration’s long-term strategy to spark domestic silicon innovation and avoid a scenario where supply chains are disrupted. shut down parts of the U.S. economy and national security.

The government said the institute’s funding will go toward basic operations, digital twin research, establishing and supporting shared digital facilities, and workforce training. The Biden administration will seek to reduce reliance on foreign adversaries for technologies that could impact U.S. national security (as the U.S. military increasingly relies on advanced technologies), economic independence, and supply chain management. We want to avoid this scenario.

The Biden administration’s CHIPS program will host a meeting for potential applicants on May 16.

“This new Manufacturing USA Institute will not only help make America a leader in developing new technologies for the semiconductor industry, but will also ensure that the next generation of American workers and researchers will be able to develop future R&D and manufacturing advances. “It will also help train them to use digital twins for their children,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a press release.