Improving Access and Outcomes for Students in Semiconductors and Solar Energy

This IGE award is timely with the passage of the Chips and Science Act, which provides over $52 billion in direct support to the semiconductor industry to revitalize onshore manufacturing in the US. The expansion of semiconductor manufacturing will require an almost doubling of the existing semiconductor workforce. However, various challenges pose significant barriers to achieving this goal, including the limited enrollment of students in semiconductor-related graduate programs compared to other fields. Moreover, the poor visibility of the field in terms of career paths, the high capital equipment costs of hands-on teaching facilities, and the lack of diversity in the semiconductor workforce further compound the challenge of doubling the semiconductor workforce.

In response to these challenges, this project will forge new frontiers in graduate education, combining innovative virtual learning approaches with practical hands-on experiences. Through a virtual semiconductor manufacturing line, developed in partnership with industry and government partners, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of the manufacturing process and its multidisciplinary nature.

Additionally, a one-week hands-on experience in an actual manufacturing environment will equip students with valuable knowledge, offering insights into diverse career pathways within the semiconductor field.

Read the project abstract