SE Valley Times

The Southwest Advanced Prototyping (SWAP) Hub, led by Arizona State University (ASU), has secured $21.3 million in its second year of funding under the CHIPS and Science Act. This initiative aims to revitalize the microelectronics industry in the United States. ASU will receive $18.6 million, while Sandia National Laboratories, a key partner in the SWAP Hub, will be allocated $2.7 million.

"This award continues the work of the SWAP Hub into its second year. We are very proud of the project awards the SWAP Hub received in Year 1 and the significant impact each area of our work is having," said Sally C. Morton, executive vice president of ASU's Knowledge Enterprise. "These initiatives highlight Arizona State University's dedication to discovery and innovation."

Jason Conrad, chief operating officer for the SWAP Hub at ASU, remarked on this development: "This is a vote of confidence in the work of more than 170 partners who have come together and collaborated to help build the infrastructure, connect the talent and leverage the resources to deliver results on projects that will advance the semiconductor manufacturing industry in the United States."

He added that "the combined capabilities of the SWAP Hub network create opportunities for industry to work together to better serve the country's national strategic objectives." Conrad emphasized that this investment ensures continued progress on projects utilizing SWAP Hub capabilities, including those funded solely by private sector entities.

Sandia National Laboratories plays a pivotal role as an FFRDC within SWAP Hub operations and projects. Ken Dean, Sandia's senior manager of advanced semiconductor technologies, stated: "Sandia National Laboratories is proud to partner with the SWAP Hub to enhance the regional microelectronics ecosystem." He highlighted their expertise in national security microelectronics and fabrication capabilities as crucial for transitioning advanced technologies from lab development to production stages.

Dean also noted that "this Department of Defense Microelectronics Commons investment will expand access to critical tools and processes for hub members," supporting projects like CMOS+X integration, power electronics, heterogeneous integration, and photonic integrated circuits.

In addition to technological advancements, Sandia coordinates workforce initiatives with ASU and other member institutions across Arizona, New Mexico, Utah, and Colorado to train future leaders in national security semiconductors.

Based in Arizona, SWAP Hub connects one of America's largest semiconductor clusters with over $100 billion in private investments to a growing network of defense and electronics partners nationwide. It is part of eight regional innovation hubs under Microelectronics Commons—a strategic initiative by the Department of Defense aimed at accelerating critical microelectronics technology development for U.S. security.

The hub links prototyping facilities at ASU's MacroTechnology Works with Sandia's Mesa Fab and NXP's power electronics facility for prototype production beyond any single institution's capability alone.

Earlier this fall saw five SWAP Hub projects receive nearly $30 million through Microelectronics Commons from DoD among 34 nationwide awards—strengthening U.S chip-making abilities while reducing reliance on foreign sources.