NextFlex News – November 2024

Dear NextFlex Members and Supporters,

At NextFlex, we are all very excited by yesterday’s announcement made by the U.S. Department of Commerce introducing the next addition to the Manufacturing USA network. In the announcement, it was stated that the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) are entering into negotiations to establish and operate a new Manufacturing Innovation Institute called SMART USA (Semiconductor Manufacturing and Advanced Research with Twins USA) to be headquartered in Durham, North Carolina.

According to the press release, within five years, SMART USA aims to:

• Convene stakeholders across the semiconductor design, manufacturing, advanced packaging, assembly, and test industry to address shared challenges relevant to digital twins, in a collaborative environment;
• Reduce U.S. chip development and manufacturing costs by using digital twins;
• Reduce development cycle times for semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, assembly, and test and accelerate the development and adoption of relevant innovative technologies, including breakthrough tools, materials, and manufacturing processes;
• Demonstrate reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with semiconductor manufacturing; and
• Train workers and students on digital twin technology.

Digital twins are virtual models that enable engineers and researchers to design, develop, and test processes digitally before applying them to physical systems. In addition, digital twins can be used to optimize IC, advanced packaging, and complex integrated system designs, improve production efficiency, and reduce manufacturing costs by streamlining operations. Additionally, by leveraging digital twins, researchers and technicians will be able to develop new technical skills, tools, mechanical systems, and chemicals, while protecting workplace safety.

I look forward to collaborating with SMART USA to accelerate the hybrid electronics development and deployment activities at NextFlex.

To learn more about SMART USA, click here: https://www.nist.gov/news-events/news/2024/11/chips-america-announces-new-proposed-285-million-award-chips-manufacturing

I would like to wish all of you a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday next week, and I look forward to writing to you again next month.

Sincerely,

Dan Gamota, Ph.D.
NextFlex Executive Director