The Biden administration is seeking proposals from companies that can establish and operate a facility to develop “digital twins” of semiconductors, with the possibility of receiving up to $285 million in funding.
The CHIPS Manufacturing USA institute will do this The focus is on digital twins or virtual models of semiconductors, which have the same structure, build and behavior as a physical chip, making it easier to simulate how a chip might perform in different scenarios before going into production. The institute will focus on the development, testing and use of digital twins for chip manufacturing, advanced packaging, chip assembly and testing.
Digital twins can exist in the cloud, enabling greater collaboration between engineers and researchers across the US, the Biden administration said. This will provide opportunities for faster innovation and reduce research and development costs, it said.
“Digital twin technology can help drive innovation in semiconductor research, development and manufacturing across the country – but only if we invest in America’s understanding and capabilities for this new technology,” Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said in a statement added The new institute “will not only help make America a leader in developing this new technology for the semiconductor industry, but will also help train the next generation of American workers and researchers to use digital twins for future advances in research and development as well as in the production of chips.” ”
Digital twin technology can also be integrated with artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to accelerate the pace of chip development and manufacturing in the U.S., the Biden administration said. The $285 million from the CHIPS and Science Act will support research into developing digital twins, establishing physical and digital facilities across the country, and workforce training, among other things. The Biden administration will do it Hold briefings with interested companies this month to discuss financing options.
“Digital twin technology will help transform the semiconductor industry,” said Laurie Locascio, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). “This historic investment in CHIPS Manufacturing USA will help unite the semiconductor industry to unlock the enormous potential of digital twin technology for breakthrough discoveries.”
The Chips law was founded in 2022 by the Biden administration to boost U.S. chip manufacturing amid a booming AI industry and competition with China. Semiconductor pioneer Intel and other major chipmakers, including Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) And Samsung have so far received billions in Chips Act funding.
This article originally appeared on quartz.