Improving Semiconductor Manufacturing with Digital Twins: A Pathway to Innovation and Collaboration
Digital twins have emerged as a transformative technology across various industries, and now President Joe Biden’s administration is harnessing their power to enhance semiconductor manufacturing. By leveraging virtual models to simulate and optimize physical objects and systems, the administration aims to revolutionize the chip development and production process.
The potential of digital twins in the manufacturing sector is vast. For instance, automobile manufacturers are increasingly utilizing digital twins of their factories to experiment with new manufacturing processes without disrupting ongoing production. This allows them to identify and address inefficiencies, reduce costs, and improve overall productivity.
Recognizing the immense value of digital twins, the Biden administration recently announced that it will be accepting applications for approximately $285 million in funding. This funding will support research into semiconductor digital twin development, the establishment of combined physical/digital facilities, industry demonstration projects, workforce training, and the operation of a new CHIPS Manufacturing USA Institute.
During a press briefing, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and National Institute of Standards and Technology Director Laurie E. Locascio highlighted the potential benefits of digital twins in the semiconductor industry. She emphasized that these virtual models could significantly reduce chip development and manufacturing costs while fostering more collaborative processes around chip design and development. By enabling real-time simulations and optimizations, digital twins have the potential to revolutionize semiconductor manufacturing.
Locascio also pointed out that no country has fully harnessed the potential of digital twin technology at the necessary scale. The Biden administration’s initiative seeks to change this by driving innovation and unifying the semiconductor industry under a common goal of unlocking the full potential of digital twins.
This funding opportunity is part of the broader CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, a comprehensive bill aimed at bolstering domestic semiconductor manufacturing. With $52.7 billion allocated specifically for this purpose, President Biden aims to address the decline in US semiconductor production, which has dropped from 40 percent to less than 10 percent of global output.
Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Arati Prabhakar echoed the administration’s concerns about the concentration of semiconductor manufacturing in a single region, presumably referring to China. She emphasized the importance of diversifying the global semiconductor supply chain and creating a more resilient and secure industry.
To ensure widespread dissemination of information and encourage participation, an informational webinar about the application process will be held on May 8. Organizations eligible to apply include nonprofits, universities, governments, and for-profit companies that are domestic entities incorporated in the United States.
The Biden administration’s push to leverage digital twins in semiconductor manufacturing signifies a bold step towards innovation and collaboration. By investing in this cutting-edge technology, the administration aims to revitalize domestic semiconductor production, foster collaboration across the industry, and secure a more resilient global supply chain. Through the effective use of digital twins, the future of semiconductor manufacturing is poised for unprecedented advancements.