Arizona is gaining recognition as a growing center for semiconductor development, with industry leaders set to gather in Phoenix for SEMICON West, North America’s largest microelectronics trade show. The event, scheduled from October 7 to 9 at the Phoenix Convention Center, marks the first time in its 55-year history that it will be held outside California. It will highlight advances in semiconductors made both in Arizona and at Arizona State University (ASU).
ASU is leading several major projects under the CHIPS and Science Act and works across all aspects of the semiconductor sector. This includes research, advanced packaging, large-scale manufacturing, and workforce development. The university will have a significant presence at SEMICON West.
ASU President Michael Crow is set to deliver a keynote address. Other faculty members will also present at the event. Binil Starly, director of the School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks, will discuss how artificial intelligence and robotics can be used safely in fabrication labs.
The university’s exhibit booth aims to serve as a resource for sharing information about ASU’s semiconductor research efforts, collaborations with commercial partners, and workforce training programs.
According to Kyle Squires, senior vice provost of engineering, computing and technology and dean of the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering: “We have focused strategically as the university on semiconductor tech, workforce, research and development, innovation, spinouts. And it’s always good when the external community around the country and around the world is admiring what you do and learning more about us.” He added: “This is an opportunity for us to continue to elevate our profile. You have proximity, you have an opportunity to interact and to show examples of what we do.”
Workforce development remains a central topic at SEMICON West as thousands of jobs remain unfilled within the industry. A recent survey by the SEMI Foundation found that over 5% of engineering positions are open because universities are not producing enough graduates.
ASU engineering students previously engaged with employers during Semiconductor Week on campus last month. The upcoming convention provides further opportunities for networking and career connections. TSMC—the largest sponsor—continues its substantial investment in a chip-manufacturing complex in Phoenix.
“ASU is one of the largest producers of talent that is needed by the industry ecosystem, not just one particular company,” said Starly. “Our academic programs are aligned to produce that — not just at the bachelor’s level, but also master’s and PhD.”
Students or recent graduates from fields such as engineering, computer science, chemistry, physics, math, data science or business are encouraged to attend SEMICON West with free passes available for exhibits and events.
ASU will also present its K–12 microelectronics education model alongside ASU Prep leaders. Their initiative seeks to reach 25,000 K–12 students and 500 teachers over five years through exploration events and academic pathways designed for high schoolers.
A student-developed game called Future Fab Heroes will debut at both the Arizona Science Center and SEMICON West’s SEMI Foundation booth. This immersive simulation targets middle school students interested in microelectronics careers.
“We didn’t outsource that to professional developers — it was students developing with some staff and mentor guidance. They are video game designers and computer programmers who know nothing about microelectronics, and they’ve had to learn it,” Starly said.
On October 9th ASU will join Applied Materials in launching the Materials-to-Fab Center at ASU’s Macrotechnology Works building—a $270 million laboratory intended to speed up moving innovations from idea stage to prototype manufacturing.
“Applied Materials is a leader in their sector, semiconductor equipment and tools processing. And they want to have this center here because Phoenix is this hotbed of innovation talent,” Squires said. “Applied Materials could have put this in a lot of places, but they chose to put it here.”
Arizona State University has recently been recognized as number one in innovation for eight consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges rankings (https://news.asu.edu/20220911-university-news-asu-no-1-innovation-us-news-world-report-eighth-year?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=asu&utm_campaign=ASURankings&utm_term=USNWR). Additionally, ASU was ranked among top institutions nationally for undergraduate business (No. 23), nursing (No. 29), and engineering (No. 33) programs.
In related technological partnerships within Phoenix city limits,the City of Phoenix Street Transportation Department has partnered with Argos Vision, an ASU tech startup developing smart traffic cameras capable of capturing data passively for improved safety measures throughout select locations during a year-long pilot program.
