March 16, 2004
Business Wire
By staff report
A9 Copyright 2004 Business Wire.

SAN FRANCISCO & RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–March 16, 2004–The U.S. semiconductor industry announces the expansion of its Focus Center Research Program, a multi-million dollar, 30-university research collaboration, which addresses the most challenging technology issues.

“SIA has been a strong advocate for increased funding for research in physical sciences and engineering, particularly as technological advances become more difficult as we approach the physical limits of our current chip making processes,” said George Scalise, Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) President. “If our society is to continue to enjoy the productivity enhancements and consumer benefits from information technology, Congress needs to add $20 million in funding for fiscal year 2005 to match the industry’s $20 million contribution for this university research program.”

U.S. semiconductor firms invested $14 billion or 14 cents for every dollar of sales, in research and development in 2003, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). Industry’s R&D dollars are generally invested toward the development of products and manufacturing processes. However, fundamental, pre-competitive scientific research is performed primarily at our nation’s universities and is funded more often by the federal government. For example, the Focus Center Research Program is supported by the Department of Defense Government-Industry Co-sponsorship of University Research (GICUR) program.

The participating sponsors of the FCRP are SIA board companies, select equipment and materials suppliers, and the federal government. For fiscal year 2004, the government contribution to the $29 million program reached $10M, the other two-thirds covered by industry. This program is aimed at solving the long-range, difficult challenges outlined in the ITRS. Many of the nation’s best universities and faculty perform the cutting-edge research in a highly collaborative way.

Five of the nation’s premiere universities — Carnegie Mellon University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the University of California – Berkeley and the University of California – Los Angeles — will lead the research effort, and be supported by 25 additional universities located in 13 states.

Research portfolios at four existing Focus Centers (under the leadership of Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech, MIT and U.C.-Berkeley) are being expanded, and a new Focus Center under the leadership of UCLA has opened. The five centers will tap researchers from 31 different U.S. universities. Expected funding from the U.S. Department of Defense will leverage chip industry and supplier-company investments to a total of more than $120 million during the next three years.

The semiconductor industry’s Focus Center Research Program began in 1998 with the establishment of two research centers at the Georgia Tech and the U.C. – Berkeley. Additional centers were created in 2001 at Carnegie Mellon and the MIT.

Lead universities and the technology issues to be addressed by the expanded Focus Center Research Program include:

— University of California – Los Angeles, NANOSCALE MATERIALS Focus Center: Primary objective is to resolve the cross-cutting materials and device challenges related to scaling CMOS to its ultimate limit, and to create new information processing and sensing capabilities. Other universities involved are North Carolina State University, University of California – Santa Barbara, University of Minnesota, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, California Institute of Technology, University of California – Berkeley, University of California – Riverside, University of Southern California, Arizona State University, State University of New York – Stony Brook.

— University of California – Berkeley, SYSTEMS DESIGN Focus Center: The center is looking more than a decade ahead for changes that will be required in system design, integration, test and verification. The center seeks dramatic improvements in energy efficiency, cost, reliability and time-to-market. Other universities involved are California Institute of Technology, Carnegie Mellon University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Penn State University, Princeton University, Purdue University, Stanford University, University of California – Los Angeles, University of California – San Diego, University of California – Santa Barbara, University of California – Santa Cruz, University of Illinois, University of Michigan, University of Texas – Austin.

— Georgia Institute of Technology, INTERCONNECT & OPTOELECTRONICS Focus Center: The center’s mission is to discover and invent new electrical, optical and thermal interconnect solutions that meet or exceed projections of the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors and enable hyperintegration of heterogeneous components for future terascale systems. Other universities involved are Stanford University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, State University of New York – Albany, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University of California – Santa Barbara, University of California – Berkeley, University of Texas – Austin, Carnegie Mellon University, University of Illinois, Central Florida University, North Carolina State University, Cornell University. — Carnegie Mellon University, CIRCUIT DESIGN Focus Center: The center will develop circuit techniques and systems concepts to provide design traction for the changes in future transistor technology. Other universities involved are Columbia University, Cornell University, Georgia Tech University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Stanford University, University of California – Berkeley, University of California – Los Angeles, University of California – San Diego, University of Florida, University of Illinois, University of Washington.

— Massachusetts Institute of Technology, NANOSCALE DEVICES Focus Center: The goal is to pursue scaling of CMOS to its ultimate limit and interdisciplinary exploration of new-frontier devices. Other universities involved are California Institute of Technology, Cornell University, North Carolina State University, Penn State University, Princeton University, Purdue University, Stanford University, State University of New York – Albany, University of California – Berkeley, University of California – Los Angeles, University of California – Santa Barbara, University of Florida, University of Texas – Austin, University of Virginia.

The Microelectronics Advanced Research Corporation (MARCO), a subsidiary of the Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) industry consortium in Research Triangle Park, N.C., manages the Focus Center Research Program on behalf of its participating companies and government agencies. Website: http://fcrp.src.org.

The Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC) is a global industrial consortium that plans and manages the largest, continuous, industry-driven basic and applied university research program in semiconductor technology. Since 1982, SRC has invested more than a half-billion dollars in university research on behalf of its member companies. SRC is based in Research Triangle Park, N.C., with an office in San Jose, Calif. Website: http://www.src.org.

The SIA is the leading voice for the semiconductor industry and has represented U.S.-based manufacturers since 1977. SIA member companies comprise approximately 83% of U.S.-based semiconductor production. Collectively, the chip industry employs a domestic workforce of 255,000 people. More information about the SIA can be found at www.sia-online.org.

Craig Barrett, CEO, Intel

“The Focus Center Research Program takes long-term technology challenges that our industry has identified and matches them up with our country’s top researchers to find solutions,” said Craig R. Barrett, CEO of Intel and an advocate for the Focus Centers. “This is our industry’s most ambitious research effort to keep the American semiconductor industry at the forefront of innovation.”

Albert Carnesale, UCLA Chancellor

“UCLA is proud to lead the Focus Center Research Program’s newest research endeavor, the Nanoscale Materials Focus Center,” said UCLA Chancellor Albert Carnesale. “We feel privileged to have this opportunity to enhance existing partnerships and foster new ones with other research universities, private industry, and government. Collaborative efforts like these underscore the vital role that research universities play in driving economic growth — locally, regionally, and beyond. Together, we will discover new knowledge that ultimately will benefit our nation and our world.”

Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA)

“The semiconductor industry’s Focus Center Research Program is an important investment in our economy and our national security,” said U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA). “It is collaborative efforts like this one between industry and academia that have helped the U.S. become the world’s leader in developing new technologies. I am especially pleased by the role that so many California research institutions will play in the expansion of this program.”

Congressman Jerry Lewis (R-CA 41st, San Bernardino County)
Chairman, House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee

“Equipping our armed forces with the most advanced technology is one of the top priorities for the Pentagon and those of us in Congress who work on defense, and we know that to accomplish this goal America must be on the cutting edge of developing the next generation of semiconductors. The research performed through the Focus Center program is critical to helping us maintain that edge, and I am particularly pleased that UC Riverside is participating in the newest Focus Center,” said Rep. Jerry Lewis, Chairman of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. “The research undertaken through this program will complement the work of UCR’s Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering, and the results will directly benefit our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines.”

George Scalise, President, Semiconductor Industry Association

“The technology advances that will come out of the Focus Centers will lead to chips that drive economic growth through productivity improvements, amaze users with multi-functionality for consumer products, and increase our national and homeland security,” said George Scalise, Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) President.

Senator Joseph Lieberman (D-CT)

“At a time when the U.S. semiconductor industry is struggling both with the physical limits of the chip making process and the global migration of its manufacturing base, it is imperative that we continue to invest in the Focus Center Research Program. Advancing the U.S. semiconductor technology through this unique partnership of government, industry, and academia is critical for our economic growth, defense needs, and homeland security.”

Congressman Henry Bonilla (R-TX 23rd)

“I am extremely appreciative of everyone at the University of Texas who has dedicated their time and intelligence to the vital Focus Center Research Program,” said Rep. Bonilla. “They are creating the equipment necessary to keep America free, safe and secure. These developments are essential and will help win the War on Terrorism.”

Congressman Ken Calvert (R-CA 44th, Riverside)

“I commend the Semiconductor Industry Association for their partnership with universities for technology research and I am pleased the federal government is assisting their pursuits,” said Rep. Calvert. “The University of California, Riverside has a distinguished nanotechnology research center and I am sure they will be a valuable asset in the collaborative effort of furthering advancements in nanotechnology.”

Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (D-CA 14th, Palo Alto)

“The Focus Center Research Program (FCRP) concentrates critical talent and resources to advance semiconductor technology, which is a priority both to the industry and our government. I’m especially proud of Stanford University’s involvement with FCRP, a relationship which supports Silicon Valley’s leading role in semiconductor technology. I believe this collaboration, and others supported by FCRP, have great potential to produce the technology needed to make semiconductor chips both faster and cheaper — an achievement which will benefit all sectors of our economy.”

Congressman Virgil Goode (R-VA 5th, Charlottesville)

“The University of Virginia is a fine institution and I know that its research and work will not only enhance semiconductor technology for defense but also for other sectors of the economy.”

Congressman J. D. Hayworth (R-AZ 5th, Tempe)

“Arizona State University’s strength in cross-disciplinary math, science and engineering has placed it on the frontier of high technology. This is a proud and important achievement for ASU and for the people of Arizona.”

Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-CA 16th, San Jose)

“The Semiconductor Industry Association continues to devote its resources to educating future generations in microelectronics and I want to thank them for their dedication,” Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose, CA) said. “The FCRP is an outstanding example of how industry and government partnerships can work together to expand research and create both economic and educational opportunity.”

Congressman Michael R. McNulty (D-NY 21st, Green Island)

“The State of New York — and the Capital Region’s Tech Valley in particular — has become a world-recognized center for research and development of semiconductors and related technologies. It is essential that Congressional appropriators provide adequate funding for the joint university-corporate R&D programs that have generated so much progress to date, and which will surely produce continued innovation and economic development in the future.”