The Ohio State University has opened a more than $20 million expansion of its semiconductor research and development infrastructure aimed at accelerating the transition of emerging technologies from university laboratories into defense and commercial manufacturing.
The university held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the expansion on October 20.
Operated by Ohio State’s Institute for Materials and Manufacturing Research, the Microelectronics Innovation and Technology Cluster, or MITEC, connects and expands existing capabilities for semiconductor processing, device prototyping, and testing.
The initiative is supported by approximately $16 million secured through the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium, along with roughly $4.5 million in collaborative infrastructure investment from Ohio State and the Ohio Department of Higher Education.
The funding has supported new equipment and facility upgrades intended to give university researchers and industry partners greater capacity to develop, test, and prepare advanced semiconductor technologies for manufacturing.
MITEC will also support defense technology development through the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium, a Department of War-designated regional innovation hub.
The cluster brings together resources at Ohio State’s Nanotech West Lab and Semiconductor Epitaxy and Analysis Laboratory.
The facilities are designed to support semiconductor development using wafer sizes and manufacturing processes that are more compatible with industrial production than traditional academic research environments.
That capability could help researchers and companies move technologies from laboratory demonstrations into prototypes and eventual commercialization more quickly.
MITEC is led by Steven Ringel, a Distinguished University Professor and senior associate vice president for research at Ohio State.
The expansion also includes workforce development programs.
MMEC-sponsored fellowships are giving undergraduate and graduate students hands-on experience working inside Nanotech West Lab’s cleanroom.
Students are receiving training involving wide bandgap semiconductors used in high-power and high-speed electronics and narrow bandgap materials used in infrared sensing.
The initiative is intended to strengthen both Ohio State’s semiconductor research infrastructure and the broader U.S. microelectronics supply chain.
KEY QUOTES:
“A defining responsibility of Ohio State’s land-grant mission is to generate new knowledge and share it with our students, giving them the opportunity to learn directly from groundbreaking discoveries.”
John M. Horack, Vice President For Research At The Ohio State University
“MITEC represents more than an investment in infrastructure; it brings together world-class expertise, advanced facilities and industry partnerships to accelerate the development and transition of critical semiconductor technologies.”
Matt Casto, CEO Of The Midwest Microelectronics Consortium
“The new MITEC capabilities will have a significant impact on Ohio State’s semiconductor ecosystem and infrastructure.”
Steven Ringel, Distinguished University Professor And Senior Associate Vice President For Research At The Ohio State University
