Global competitors have incentivized the semiconductor manufacturing industry to the point that the U.S. share of commercial semiconductor manufacturing has declined 25 percent in the last 30 years, says Nelson Sepulveda, professor of electrical and computer engineering in MSU’s College of Engineering.

To increase our competitiveness in the field of semiconductors, the CHIPS Act was passed by Congress in July 2022 with the goal of strengthening domestic semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research and to reinforce America’s chip supply chains. 

This act includes $52 billion dollars in manufacturing grants and research investments in the field of semiconductor processing, manufacturing, and research. Two billion dollars from the CHIPS act will be dedicated to incentivizing production of semiconductors used by automakers, and the state of Michigan has already started investing in some of the semiconductor processing and manufacturing companies in the state of Michigan.

For MSU, this means adding new opportunities for middle and high school students with a five-day summer camp focused on semiconductor manufacturing and processing that will be free for Detroit-area students. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) has funded the camp for 8th-9th graders that will take place during the summer in 2024. The program aims to raise awareness and excitement in the field.

Conversation Highlights:

(0:37) – Sepulveda frames the issue.

(4:21) – Details on the camp and the underserved communities in the Detroit metro area who will participate. 

(6:45) – What is a semiconductor?

(9:47) – How can an interested eighth or ninth grader get involved with the camp?

“I have always believed that before you teach, you need to inspire. I have always believed that when you put talent, passion, and opportunity in a blender, stars are born. I believe this is true in sports, academia, business, and life in general. This program will provide an opportunity to passionate and talented kids in a field that is extremely important for our Nation and for the entire world.”

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