The U.S. Department of Energy announced $179 million in funding for three Microelectronics Science Research Centers (MSRCs) on December 23, 2024, in Washington, D.C. The centers — named MEERCAT, CHIME Center, and ELMIC — will conduct basic research in microelectronics materials, device and system design, and manufacturing science. The awards were authorized by the Micro Act, passed as part of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, and were selected through competitive peer review.
What it means
The three centers collectively organize 16 projects led out of 10 national laboratories, each running up to four years. MEERCAT will focus on energy-efficient microelectronics spanning materials, devices, information-carrying modalities, and systems architectures. CHIME Center will address extreme environment electronics through heterogeneous integration. ELMIC will pursue plasma-based nanofabrication, extreme ultraviolet photon sources, 2D-material systems, and extreme-scale memory. DOE’s Office of Science Deputy Director for Science Programs Harriet Kung said in the announcement that “advancements in microelectronics are critical to furthering scientific discovery.” DOE said the MSRCs complement activities at the Department of Commerce, the Department of Defense, and other agencies.
Fiscal Year 2024 funding stands at $41 million of the $179 million total; outyear funding is contingent on congressional appropriations. DOE noted that selection for award negotiations does not constitute a commitment to issue an award or provide funding.
Key facts
- Total funding: $179 million across three MSRCs
- FY 2024 funding: $41 million
- Centers: MEERCAT, CHIME Center, ELMIC
- Total projects: 16, led out of 10 national laboratories
- Project duration: up to four years
- Authority: Micro Act, CHIPS and Science Act of 2022
- Selection method: competitive peer review under DOE Laboratory Announcement “Microelectronics Science Research Center Projects for Energy Efficiency and Extreme Environments”
- Outyear funding contingent on congressional appropriations
Source: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science news release (energy.gov)