On Oct. 17, Senator Kirsten Sinema announced the macro technology works The ability to see how her bipartisanship works CHIPS and scientific law Support semiconductor manufacturing and research in Arizona. Sinema has deep Arizona roots in microelectronics, as evidenced by Motorola’s 1949 foray into Arizona, as evidenced by significant investments from companies such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and Intel. said to be growing.

This, combined with ASU having the largest engineering school in the country, makes it a prime candidate for important industries.

“We have the right economic environment and right-brain credibility for us to be more than just a regional hub, but a national and international competitor.’ says Cinema. “Arizona is doing it not only because of our history, but because of the foresight that people like ASU President Michael Crow and his business leaders have shown in creating waves of microchip processes. I’m in good shape.

“With passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, the United States, through government and private community partners, is making a concerted effort to bring microchip processing and manufacturing back to the United States. It’s also for security reasons.”

read more: How Arizona’s Semiconductor Industry Benefits from Policies and Partnerships

Cinema adds that the CHIPS and Science Act does more than encourage companies to produce onshore. It also invests heavily in tools and manufacturing, as well as granting funding to research, science and technology hubs across the country.

“The idea is to create an ecosystem for microchip processing and making soups to nuts,” she says.

homegrown innovation

Investments in education at all levels are essential to support such an ecosystem. Community colleges are sometimes overlooked, but they play a vital role in preparing students for careers of all kinds, including highly technical fields such as semiconductor manufacturing.

“I graduated from community college,” Cinema says. “That pipeline is especially important for middle- and working-class kids. [community college] It provided a stepping stone to higher education. ”

Arizona’s community colleges have long partnered with neighboring state colleges to facilitate student transitions between colleges, but there are other ways to work together to meet the needs of learners and the business community. I’m here. For example, ASU has partnered with Rio Salado College’s associate degree program in Microelectronics and Semiconductor Manufacturing.

Students take classes online through Rio Salado College, come to ASU, and take advantage of cleanroom facilities like MacroTechnology Works. It serves itself as an accelerator for semiconductor, advanced materials, and energy device research.

read more: Cleanroom construction mirrors semiconductor growth

Photo courtesy of Senator Cinema Press Office

During the tour, Cinema spoke with multiple companies using the facility. swift coatThe company uses an aerosol impact drive assembly to create its products. A scalable and precise method for integrating nanomaterials into large-area, high-throughput manufacturing processes.

“Our first product is a self-cleaning coating for solar panels,” explains Firth. “When solar panels get dirty, they produce 30% less power. For the average Arizona solar farm owner, this is enough energy to power an air conditioner for 52 hours in a month. Loss.This is a huge global problem, with $6 billion in potential energy lost last year.Our solution uses ultraviolet light from the sun to drive chemical reactions that build up in panels It’s a nanoparticle-based coating that breaks down dirt and grime, keeping your panels clean and running efficiently.”

Finally, cinema reiterates Arizona’s economic benefits derived from CHIPS and the Science Act and its implications for national security.

“Being able to onboard all of this is important. [ideation] From manufacture to production — across the country, these tools protect their knowledge and assets, without relying on countries such as China that do not share their national interests. ”