NAU Launches Major Metrology Initiative with $13 Million Boost
Arizona’s semiconductor sector is set for a transformative leap with a substantial $13 million investment into Northern Arizona University (NAU). This funding from the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) aims to enhance metrology-focused education and research, a key component in semiconductor innovation and production.
The initiative will see the establishment of several pioneering programs at NAU:
- Microelectronics Metrology Certificate: This program aims to equip students with essential skills in measurement and quality assurance.
- Semiconductor Training Center: Based at NAU’s North Valley Campus in Phoenix, this center will support the microelectronics and semiconductor industries with a skilled workforce.
- Metrology Research and Teaching Laboratory (MRTL): This comprehensive lab will draw expertise from fields such as electrical engineering, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, MIRA, physics, and chemistry.
Metrology is a cornerstone of semiconductor manufacturing, crucial for process control, yield improvement, and quality assurance. According to a report by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the demand for metrology experts in the semiconductor industry is growing rapidly, with a supply gap expected to widen.
Arizona’s thriving semiconductor industry, which is bolstered by our world-class universities and community colleges, is creating thousands of good-paying jobs and career advancement opportunities,
stated Governor Katie Hobbs. This investment is about ensuring Arizonans have the skills and training to fill those jobs and will further support the growing semiconductor industry presence in Arizona.
Semiconductors are a critical part of the 21st-century economy, and it is important that Arizonans have access to high-quality, affordable programs to prepare them for jobs in engineering, quantum computing and the semiconductor industry,
said NAU President José Luis Cruz Rivera. NAU is pleased to partner with the ACA to help produce the next generation of engineers, innovators and creators through these groundbreaking programs.
Arizona has not only become a central hub of semiconductor manufacturing, but for research and development as well,
commented Sandra Watson, President and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. We’re proud to partner with NAU to advance metrology training and R&D within the state to fill a critical need within the semiconductor workforce and further advance our state’s chip leadership.
The investment in NAU is part of a broader $100 million initiative announced in 2022 to bolster semiconductor and microelectronics development in Arizona.
Earlier collaborations include a $17.5 million funding initiative with ASU and NXP to expand semiconductor research in Tempe, as announced in December. Also, in November, the University of Arizona’s Micro/Nano Fabrication Center in Tucson received a $35.5 million boost for expansion and training efforts, supported by the ACA. In July, a $30 million venture with ASU and Applied Materials, Inc. was revealed to establish a Materials-to-Fab (MTF) Center at ASU’s Research Park, enhancing Arizona’s semiconductor research and development landscape.
Contact: Heidi Toth, Northern Arizona University, [email protected]
About the Arizona Commerce Authority
The Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) leads the state’s economic development initiatives, focusing on attracting, expanding, and creating business opportunities. For more information, visit azcommerce.com and follow @azcommerce on Twitter.
About Northern Arizona University
Founded in 1899, Northern Arizona University offers a student-centered experience across its campuses and online. Committed to opportunity, economic mobility, and social impact, NAU aims to be a premier educational institution in Arizona and beyond.
Read More Here
