15 USC 4656 - Advanced microelectronics research and development

U.S Code last checked for updates: Nov 22, 2024

§ 4656.

Advanced microelectronics research and development

(a)

Subcommittee on microelectronics leadership

(1)

Establishment required

(2)

Membership

The Subcommittee shall be composed of the following members:

(A)

The Secretary of Defense.

(B)

The Secretary of Energy.

(C)

The Director of the National Science Foundation.

(D)

The Secretary of Commerce.

(E)

The Secretary of State.

(F)

The Secretary of Homeland Security.

(G)

The United States Trade Representative.

(H)

The Director of National Intelligence.

(I)

The heads of such other departments and agencies of the Federal Government as the President determines appropriate.

(3)

Duties

The duties of the Subcommittee are as follows:

(A)

National strategy on microelectronics research

(i)

In general

In consultation with the advisory committee established in (b), and other appropriate stakeholders in the microelectronics industry and academia, the Subcommittee shall develop a national strategy on microelectronics research, development, manufacturing, and supply chain security to—

(I)

accelerate the domestic development and production of microelectronics and strengthen the domestic microelectronics workforce; and

(II)

ensure that the United States is a global leader in the field of microelectronics research and development.

(ii)

Elements

The strategy developed under this subparagraph shall address—

(I)

activities that may be carried out to strengthen engagement and outreach between the Department of Defense and industry, academia, international partners of the United States, and other departments and agencies of the Federal Government on issues relating to microelectronics;

(II)

priorities for research and development to accelerate the advancement and adoption of innovative microelectronics and new uses of microelectronics and components, including for technologies based on organic and inorganic materials;

(III)

the role of diplomacy and trade in maintaining the position of the United States as a global leader in the field of microelectronics;

(IV)

the potential role of a Federal laboratory, center, or incubator exclusively focused on the research and development of microelectronics, as described in section 231(b)(15) of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 (as added by section 276 of this Act) in carrying out the strategy and plan required under this subparagraph; and

(V)

such other activities as the Subcommittee determines may be appropriate to overcome future challenges to the innovation, competitiveness, supply chain integrity, and workforce development of the United States in the field of microelectronics.

(B)

Fostering coordination of research and development

(C)

Reporting and updates

(i)

Progress briefing

(ii)

Strategy update

(4)

Sunset

(b)

Industrial advisory committee

(1)

Establishment

(2)

Duties

The advisory committee shall assess and provide guidance to the United States Government on—

(A)

science and technology needs of the nation’s domestic microelectronics industry;

(B)

the extent to which the strategy developed under subsection (a)(3) is helping maintain United States leadership in microelectronics manufacturing;

(C)

assessment of the research and development programs and activities authorized under this section; and

(D)

opportunities for new public-private partnerships to advance microelectronics research, development, and domestic manufacturing.

(3)

FACA exemption

(c)

National semiconductor technology center

(1)

Establishment

(2)

Functions

The functions of the center established under paragraph (1) shall be as follows:

(A)

To conduct advanced semiconductor manufacturing, design and packaging research, and prototyping that strengthens the entire domestic ecosystem and is aligned with the strategy required under subsection (a)(3)(A) with emphasis on the following:

(i)

Semiconductor advanced test, assembly, and packaging capability in the domestic ecosystem.

(ii)

Materials characterization, instrumentation and testing for next generation microelectronics.

(iii)

Virtualization and automation of maintenance of semiconductor machinery.

(iv)

Metrology for security and supply chain verification.

(B)

To establish and capitalize an investment fund, in partnership with the private sector, to support startups and collaborations between startups, academia, established companies, and new ventures, with the goal of commercializing innovations that contribute to the domestic semiconductor ecosystem, including—

(i)

advanced metrology and characterization for manufacturing of microchips using 3 nanometer transistor processes or more advanced processes; and

(ii)

metrology for security and supply chain verification.

(C)

To work with the Secretary of Labor, the Director of the National Science Foundation, the Secretary of Energy, the private sector, institutions of higher education, and workforce training entities to incentivize and expand geographically diverse participation in graduate, undergraduate, and community college programs relevant to microelectronics, including through—

(i)

the development and dissemination of curricula and research training experiences; and

(ii)

the development of workforce training programs and apprenticeships in advanced microelectronic design, research, fabrication, and packaging capabilities.

(d)

National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program

(e)

Microelectronics research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology

(f)

Creation of a Manufacturing USA institute

Subject to the availability of appropriations for such purpose, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology may establish not more than 3 Manufacturing USA Institutes described in section 278s(d) of this title that are focused on semiconductor manufacturing. The Secretary of Commerce may award financial assistance to any Manufacturing USA Institute for work relating to semiconductor manufacturing. Such institutes may emphasize the following:

(1)

Research to support the virtualization and automation of maintenance of semiconductor machinery.

(2)

Development of new advanced test, assembly and packaging capabilities.

(3)

Developing and deploying educational and skills training curricula needed to support the industry sector and ensure the United States can build and maintain a trusted and predictable talent pipeline.

(g)

Domestic production requirements

(h)

Construction projects

(Pub. L. 116–283, div. H, title XCIX, § 9906, Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 4856; Pub. L. 117–167, div. A, § 103(c), Aug. 9, 2022, 136 Stat. 1388.)

cite as: 15 USC 4656