What you'll learn:
- What is the Microelectronics Commons program?
- Details about the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium.
- The five prototype projects awarded funding.
The Microelectronics Commons program, funded by the CHIPS and Science Act, is formed from a network of regional technology hubs with the goal of expanding the United States' leadership in microelectronics.
Aiming to accelerate domestic prototyping and create a pool of U.S.-based semiconductor talent, the Microelectronics Commons program is steered by the Office of the Undersecretary for Research and Engineering, using the Strategic & Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems (S2MARTS) Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) created by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane Division, and managed by the National Security Technology Accelerator (NSTXL).
The Midwest Microelectronics Consortium (MMEC) addresses the advancement of microelectronic technologies and the creation of solutions to establish a reliable and trustworthy domestic supply chain. The MMEC engages with a variety of partners in industry, academia, and government to advance defense and commercial applications, empowering members in the development of new technologies.
The goal of the effort is to enable the sharing of capabilities and the development of a skilled workforce, launching advanced and novel innovations into scalable commercial production.
Technology Development Project Awards
The MMEC was awarded five technology development projects through the Microelectronics Commons, representing a total first-year funding of over $31 million of a total proposed $130 million over the next four years in addition to $29 million in cost sharing, bringing the total forecast to over $159 million. Engaging over 30 MMEC members from industry, academia, and government, these projects advance domestic microelectronic technology development to deliver solutions and strengthen the U.S.-based supply chain.
According to Jackie Janning-Lask, MMEC CEO, “These awards are the culmination of months of effort from the MMEC members and our team. We are very excited to see these projects awarded to the MMEC members. These projects will play a critical role in onshoring chip development and are a critical step in securing the US microelectronics supply chain.”
The MMEC submitted 15 tech-based proposals supporting prototype projects across six technical areas critical to the Department of Defense: Secure Edge Computing and the Internet of Things, 5G/6G Technology, Artificial Intelligence Hardware, Quantum Technology, Electromagnetic Warfare, and Commercial Leap Ahead. The five projects are:
- 5G/6G: Wideband Multifunctional Software Defined Radio (WMSDR)
Project Team Performers: Lockheed Martin, Intel, Indiana Micro, CapV LLC, University of Dayton, 3dGS - Artificial Intelligence: Ultra Efficient In-Hardware Prototype Using Hyperdimensional Computing
Project Team Performers: Intel Federal, University of Pennsylvania, SkyWater Technology, AI-Sensation, Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory - Electromagnetic Warfare: Co-packaged Reconfigurable Signal and Intelligence Architecture
Project Team Performers: Lockheed Martin, Intel Corp., AFRL - Electromagnetic Warfare: Center for Technology Transition and Rapid Prototyping of Infrared Detectors
Project Team Performers: The Ohio State University, Attollo Engineering, SK Infrared, Senseeker Engineering, IQE USA, NSWC-Crane - Secure Edge: Validated GPU Based Secure Processing Module
Project Team Performers: Northrop Grumman, University of Maryland, NHanced Semiconductors, Battelle, NVIDIA
In addition to fueling research and development, the MMEC is working with members to invest in new infrastructure capabilities for expansion and modernization of manufacturing facilities, and partner with industry, academia, and training providers to ensure that educational programs are aligned with societal and industry needs. The project awards will also fund Workforce Development efforts, estimated at over $2M, to create a beginning-to-end pipeline of technology, tools, and human resources.
Related links:
- CHIPS and Science Act
- Microelectronics Commons
- Office of the Undersecretary for Research and Engineering
- National Security Technology Accelerator
- Midwest Microelectronics Consortium
