Microelectronics Commons Hubs Build Partnerships to Advance Semiconductor Re-Onshoring Efforts
July 29, 2024

To ensure that the U.S. remains at the forefront of semiconductor technology, the Department of Defense (DoD) must ensure industry access to critical technologies. To develop an infrastructure that will eventually enable a sustainable domestic innovation pipeline, it is imperative to develop domestic research and development capabilities. The Microelectronics Commons, a regional network of prototyping hubs, is responding to this call. A critical piece of the Microelectronics Commons ecosystem is the strategic partnerships that are developed to share capabilities and promote economic development. All eight Hubs of the Commons have developed strategic partnerships in their communities and beyond, below are a few highlights of these collaborative initiatives.
SWAP Hub Partners with Deca Technologies Through ASU
The partnership established through the Southwest Advanced Prototyping (SWAP) Hub brought together ASU and Deca Technologies and will subsequently involve collaboration with other private and public sector partners within the Microelectronics Commons.

Photo credits to Deca Technology.
ASU and Deca are collaborating to create a new Fan-Out Wafer-Level Packaging (FOWLP) research and development capability. ASU is the first university implementation of Deca’s M-Series fan-out and Adaptive Patterning technologies, with the support of Commons. The center will combine state-of-the-art advanced packaging technology, equipment, processes, materials, expertise and training to foster the development of new capabilities from proof of concept to pilot scale. The center will include integration with the university’s MacroTechnology Works center at ASU and will be an enhanced capability that will advance projects within the SWAP Hub.
“This is at the heart of the next generation of innovation in microelectronics and everything it enables,” said Zak Holman, Vice Dean for Research and Innovation in ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering. “Deca has developed a unique technology and ASU brings extraordinary capacity that will provide the resources to leverage Deca’s technology in ways that will be a differentiator for the work we are doing together through the SWAP Hub.”
The pilot line will also be available across the SWAP Hub, enabling Hub members to develop more advanced prototypes through their Microelectronics Commons projects that meet DoD mission needs. This new capability will also offer a training ground for students and researchers from universities across the SWAP Hub to develop state-of-the-art skills relevant to future careers with DoD and U.S. semiconductor companies.
NEMC Hub Supports Startups with Funding Programs
The Northeast Microelectronics Coalition (NEMC) Hub announced the launch of its first Powering Regional Opportunities for Prototyping Microelectronics (PROPEL) initiative, a series of grant funding programs that will provide resources and services to address the needs of startups and small businesses in the microelectronics industry. PROPEL will allocate up to $1 million in grant funding for the manufacture of cutting-edge microelectronics proof-of-concepts, prototypes, and device samples.
“Commercializing promising semiconductor technologies requires significant time and capital investment, and we’re excited to offer a pathway to reduce the cost of lab-to-fab development,” said Mark Halfman, Director, NEMC Hub. “This program demonstrates our commitment to leveraging federal CHIPS and Science Act funding to further the commercialization of microelectronics in our region.”
The PROPEL Manufacturing Program will provide grant awards to NEMC Hub members, particularly startups and small companies, to offset costs associated with hardware lab-to-fab development. By reducing the capital needed to advance novel microelectronics technologies, this program aims to advance their progress from early concepts to validated devices. This program includes access to a network of leading laboratory and prototyping fabrication facilities within the NEMC Hub ecosystem.
MMEC Hub Connects with JobsOhio for Workforce Development
The Midwest Microelectronics Consortium (MMEC) is currently working on a wide range of efforts to implement strategic partnerships and regional economic development. The MMEC has been closely involved with economic development partners even before hub designation and is working with JobsOhio, Ohio EDCs, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), and member colleges/universities to assess and implement a robust Workforce Development strategy. In Ohio, the DoD missions that are housed in the state are considered a part of economic development strategy. As such, MMEC is working to leverage the partnerships created and maintained through JobsOhio’s Military and Federal sector.
By supporting the overarching DoD goal of leveraging and building strategic infrastructure, materials and tools, these efforts will lead to a highly-trained regional workforce that will be attractive to businesses. This closely aligns with the work through the Commons to focus on accelerating change. The MMEC mission to engage and build relationships with Air Force senior leaders help to advance the DoD mission while ensuring our efforts deliver solutions that are needed for the warfighter.
Through partnerships and programs such as the Deca Technology collaboration, the PROPEL program, and local partnerships with JobsOhio, the Commons Hubs are fostering collaboration within their communities, leading to a more robust ecosystem of semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. Connect with a Hub today to contribute to the effort to re-onshore microelectronics manufacturing capabilities and protect U.S. independence.
About Microelectronics Commons
The Microelectronics Commons program established eight innovation Hubs in 2023 after Congress passed the CHIPS and Science Act to strengthen American manufacturing, supply chains, and national security. By investing in this network of 8 regional prototyping Hubs with a focus in 6 main technical areas – 5G/6G, AI Hardware, Commercial Leap-Ahead, Electromagnetic Warfare, Secure Edge/IoT Computing and Quantum Technology – the United States is safeguarding our critical microelectronics supply chain. The Microelectronics Commons was awarded through the Strategic & Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems (S²MARTS) OTA, established by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division and managed by NSTXL, which is the premier rapid OT contracting vehicle for the Department of Defense (DoD) in trusted microelectronics, strategic & spectrum mission, and other critical mission areas.
About S²MARTS
The Strategic & Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems (S²MARTS), managed by NSTXL, is the premier rapid OT contracting vehicle for the Department of Defense (DoD) in trusted microelectronics, strategic & spectrum mission, and other critical mission areas. The Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Crane Division created S²MARTS to grow and engage an elite network of innovators, shorten the path to defense prototype development, and advance national security efforts.