U of A breaks ground on semiconductor facility expansion
A ribbon-cutting ceremony on Feb. 17 at the Electrical and Computer Engineering Building celebrates a three-year endeavor to extend capabilities of computer chip center at the University of Arizona.
The University of Arizona, in partnership with the Arizona Commerce Authority, broke ground on a $35.5 million expansion to its semiconductor capabilities. The Office of Research and Partnerships’ Nano Fabrication Center semiconductor cleanroom expanded from 2,800 to 6,800 square feet.
Located in the Electrical and Computer Engineering Building, the cleanroom prepares students for the state’s booming tech sector while supporting faculty research and industry collaboration on chip fabrication, optical devices and quantum computing systems.
“The University of Arizona’s cleanroom expansion opening marks a significant milestone in advancing semiconductor innovation in Arizona," said Sandra Watson, president and CEO of the Arizona Commerce Authority. “We’re proud to collaborate with the University of Arizona and all of the partners involved to support this state-of-the-art facility – advancing semiconductor R&D and reinforcing Arizona’s position as an epicenter for pioneering semiconductor innovation and investment.”
The Arizona Commerce Authority allocated $4.5 million of its original $35.5 million investment for workforce development that extends beyond campus, positioning U of A as a bridge between education and high-paying careers.
"We have collaborated with multiple companies to support their research and development efforts and look forward to growing our network of partners to promote Arizona's semiconductor manufacturing industry," said Krishna Muralidharan, director of the Center for Semiconductor Manufacturing and professor of materials science and engineering.