NY CREATES Among First 100 NSTC Members
View Original News Release HERE.
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Natcast News Release: National Semiconductor Technology Center Surpasses 100-Member Milestone
National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement™ Awards Maddison Spaulding Memorial Scholarships to Five Registered Apprentices in Semiconductor and Advanced Manufacturing
NiiCA News Release
Scholarship, established to honor the legacy of a dedicated apprentice, supports Registered Apprentices (RAs) as they pursue careers in semiconductor and advanced manufacturing
HANOVER, Md., Feb. 18, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement™ (NIICA) has selected five outstanding RAs as recipients of the Maddison Spaulding Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship, in its first year, celebrates the memory and legacy of Maddison Spaulding, a trailblazing RA at Applied Materials in NIICA’s Growing Apprenticeships in Nanotechnology and Semiconductors (GAINS) program.
Spaulding was a passionate advocate for skill-based learning and career advancement through apprenticeships. Spaulding’s legacy lives on through this scholarship, which provides financial assistance to apprentices to support them as they pursue careers in these critical industries.
This year’s scholarship recipients are:
- Quazi Ummehany – NY CREATES
- Allison Horst – Moog
- Ashley Salgado – Micron
- Heather Houchin – Micron
- Makayla Lasswell – Micron
Each of these apprentices has demonstrated resilience, a commitment to professional growth, and a passion for advancing in semiconductor and advanced manufacturing. From balancing rigorous technical training with mentorship and leadership, to overcoming personal challenges in pursuit of a high-value career, these recipients exemplify the dedication and determination that defined Spaulding’s journey.
“Quazi Ummehany, who works as a Cleanroom Operator at the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science (NY CREATES), has a clear passion for innovation and is committed to skills development, making her a true asset to NY CREATES as we seek to drive the R&D and develop the workforce that will enable success of the U.S. semiconductor industry. This scholarship is a testament to her dedication and potential, and we are proud to support her as she continues to break new ground,” said NY CREATES Vice President for Education and Workforce Development Dr. Robert Geer.
FuzeHub and NORDTECH Announce Winners of NYS Microelectronics Innovation Challenge
$180,000 in grants awarded to projects in the Mid-Hudson, New York City, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier Regions
New initiative from FuzeHub and NORDTECH aims to strengthen national defense through the advancement of New York’s microelectronics industry.
ALBANY, N.Y. — FuzeHub, the statewide New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) center, in partnership with the Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub (NORDTECH) today announced the winners of the New York State Microelectronics Innovation Challenge. Three projects with ties to Newburgh, New York City, Ithaca, Milton, and Dundee, will each receive $60,000 from the Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund. These grants will support groundbreaking advancements that enhance national defense through developments in the microelectronics industry.
The Innovation Challenge focuses on the following areas within microelectronics:
Electronic components on the micrometer-scale or smaller
Components and materials necessary for assembling printed circuit boards
Materials, equipment, and processes necessary for the manufacturing and assembly of the above two categories
FuzeHub and NORDTECH, a New York State-based consortium of government labs, defense companies, academics institutions, and technology R&D and manufacturing organizations, received numerous applications for the funding initiative, launched in November. They challenged New York’s innovators to advance New York State’s manufacturing capabilities within the microelectronics industry, either through advancing innovative technologies, or strengthening the microelectronics supply chain within New York State.
“We are proud to support these projects that will not only bolster New York’s position in the global microelectronics supply chain but also contribute to the nation’s security and defense capabilities,” said NYSTAR executive director Ben Verschueren. “The winning projects exemplify the potential of New York’s innovation ecosystem and its role in shaping the future of microelectronics manufacturing.”
“As a result of NORDTECH’s collaboration with FuzeHub, we are excited that the announced awardees will be able to drive advances in microelectronics-related innovations, which can simultaneously strengthen U.S. defense capabilities,” said Nicholas Fahrenkopf, NORDTECH Technical Director. “We are proud to enable strategic microelectronics applications through this Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund opportunity and with our Microelectronics Challenge partners as this initiative works to strengthen the local and regional supply chain along with U.S. technological leadership.”
For the video announcement, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUJUU2_AcN8
One selected project will help strengthen the microelectronics supply chain by adding capabilities to chip manufacturing, and two projects will lead to commercializing innovation that is superior to current standards. These are:
Manufacturing & Technology Enterprise Center (MTEC) is helping Sono-Tek (Mid-Hudson) to adapt Sono-Tek’s spray coating systems to work with 300mm silicon wafers as part of a chips manufacturing process. Sono-Tek uses precision ultrasonic nozzles in a multi-axis robotic spray coating system. The reworked system will help support domestic production, reduce reliance on foreign manufacturing, and strengthen the U.S. supply chain.
City University of New York (CUNY)’s Nanoscience Initiative is working with Vyir Inc (New York City) to develop a cheaper, faster method of fabricating a revolutionary optical infrared camera. This technology is cheaper, lighter, more efficient, and offers 15 times better image quality than current infrared cameras. Some immediate applications areas include defense, security, automotive safety, and methane gas detection.
The project between Cornell Center for Materials Research (CCMR) Corporate Partnership & Innovation (OVPRI) (Southern Tier) and TomPhyzx LLC (Finger Lakes) aims to improve the precision and efficiency of light detectors used in air sanitization systems, enhancing the control of UV-C systems that purify air in hospitals, schools, and military environments. The innovation focuses on creating a ball-shaped visual detector that measures ultraviolet light from all directions with exceptional accuracy. Because of its substantially smaller design, this device is better suited than current alternatives for applications in microelectronics.
“The Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund was established to support forward-thinking projects that drive technology development and commercialization throughout New York State” said Patty Rechberger, innovation fund manager. “By awarding these grants, we’re helping to accelerate innovation, which will have a lasting impact on the state’s manufacturing landscape and national defense capabilities. We’re excited to see the continued growth and success of these projects.”
The Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund — which serves as the source of funding for this Innovation Challenge — supports a set of activities designed to spur technology development and commercialization across New York State. Launched in December 2016, the fund is named for Jeff Lawrence, a champion of the New York manufacturing and entrepreneurial communities. Each year, the Innovation Fund provides more than $1 million in direct assistance to the manufacturing, research and development, technology and entrepreneurial ecosystems. To date, the fund has awarded over $10 million in funding to support collaborative projects throughout the state. This Innovation Challenge is made possible through funding and support from Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).
About Jeff Lawrence
During his more than 20 years at the Center for Economic Growth, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) affiliate in the Capital Region where he served as executive vice president and MEP Center Director, Jeff Lawrence directed programs of direct assistance to manufacturers and technology companies to increase their competitiveness. He is remembered for being an invaluable and generous mentor to many in the area’s business community and a tireless advocate for manufacturing innovation throughout New York.
About the Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub (NORDTECH)
NORDTECH is a regional coalition of public and private sector experts in the Microelectronics Commons region in and around New York State, established in September 2023 as part of the first major award from the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act. NORDTECH’s five founding members who compose the leadership team and governance committee of the hub include: the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science (NY CREATES), the University at Albany College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering (CNSE), Cornell University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), and IBM. NORDTECH’s board is advised by diverse participating member organizations, including small and medium semiconductor manufacturing companies, universities and community colleges, and major corporations that are service providers and leaders in semiconductor device design, fabrication and production. Learn more at nordtechub.org.
About FuzeHub
FuzeHub is a not-for-profit organization that connects New York’s small to medium-sized manufacturing companies to the resources, programs, and expertise they need for technology commercialization, innovation, and business growth. Through our custom assessment, matching, and referral platform, we help companies navigate New York’s robust network of industry experts at Manufacturing Extension Partners centers, universities, economic development organizations, and other providers. FuzeHub is the statewide New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (MEP) center, supported by Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology & Innovation. For more information on FuzeHub, visit www.fuzehub.com.
About Empire State Development
Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing the Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of “I LOVE NY,” the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit regionalcouncils.ny.gov and esd.ny.gov.
About U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
The Department of Defense is America’s largest government agency. With the military tracing its roots back to pre-Revolutionary times, the department has grown and evolved with the nation. Their mission is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and ensure the nation’s security. https://www.defense.gov/
Media Mentions:
CSIS Report: Albany NanoTech’s Potential to Support the National Semiconductor Technology Center
Report by Charles Wessner & Thomas Howell
Published, Feb. 14, 2025
The CHIPS and Science Act of 2022 (CHIPS Act) was critically important for halting and reversing the erosion of U.S. semiconductor manufacturing capability and ensuring the security of the domestic chip supply chain. Through a combination of federal grants (up to $39 billion) and tax incentives (in excess of $46 billion), the CHIPS Act has stimulated billions of dollars in private sector investments into U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturing.
The CHIPS Act established the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC), an industry-government-academic collaboration meant to drive advanced semiconductor research, development, and workforce training.
In July 2024, the Department of Commerce and the recently created National Center for the Advancement of Semiconductor Technology (Natcast), the nonprofit operator of the NSTC, began the site-selection processes to identify the first three NSTC flagship facilities:
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- An administrative and chip design center.
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- An extreme ultraviolet light (EUV) lithography center will provide participants with the ability to utilize the most advanced lithography tools to facilitate the development of chips at the leading-edge of semiconductor technology, specifically those needed to support artificial intelligence applications.
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- A prototyping and advanced packaging piloting facility will combine state-of-the-art 300-millimeter (mm) manufacturing with chip prototyping and packaging, set to be operational in 2028.
The Commerce Department and Natcast conducted separate site selection processes for each facility. Selection criteria included the presence of a thriving semiconductor ecosystem at the proposed sites, with secondary considerations including chip industry presence; the availability of skilled workers; the number and quality of relevant worker training programs; the number and quality of nearby university research programs focusing on microelectronics; the amount of public and private chip investments in the preceding decade; and the number and type of benefits, incentives, and initiatives aimed at the semiconductor industry.
In July 2024, in a bid by the state to secure the designation of the facility as one or more of the NSTC’s foundational centers, $1 billion was invested into the semiconductor research facility at the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science’s (NY CREATES) Albany NanoTech Complex—hereafter referred to as Albany NanoTech.
Indeed, reflecting its unique advantages, in October 2024, the Department of Commerce and Natcast designated Albany NanoTech as the first NSTC research and development facility. Specifically, it will serve as the NSTC’s EUV lithography center, supported by a proposed federal investment of an estimated $825 million. The center is expected to begin initial operations in 2025.
In the following months, the Department of Commerce and Natcast also announced that the Design and Collaboration Facility would be established in California, while the Prototyping and National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP) Advanced Packaging Piloting Facility would be established at Arizona State University.
The selection of Albany NanoTech as the site for the NSTC’s EUV lithography R&D center validates New York’s investments in Albany. It was not lost on observers that Albany NanoTech was the first of the three NSTC flagship facility sites designated by the U.S. government, with Silicon Valley coming in second, signaling “a major shift in the center of power in the U.S. computer chip industry.” David Anderson, the president of NY CREATES, observed that the federal action was “a recognition and solidification of the Albany NanoTech center and NY CREATES as a national resource. We really are a gem for this industry and the capabilities that we have here.”
NY CREATES Albany NanoTech Complex
While the perspectives offered by Anderson might be brushed off as the sort of local boosterism commonly associated with site selections for major federal projects, his case for Albany NanoTech is grounded in a number of fundamental realities. While not fully appreciated, especially in Washington, Albany NanoTech stands at the epicenter of a long-standing, thriving semiconductor research and manufacturing ecosystem with few parallels in the United States, or worldwide. Albany NanoTech brings together cutting-edge facilities, actively engaged partners from leading device manufactures and equipment suppliers, collaborative research relationships with leading universities, and a state government already making the significant capital investments needed for such a facility to remain state-of-the-art. Key features of this remarkable institution include the following:
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- Exceptional Facilities and Tools: Albany NanoTech offers the best—if not the only—publicly available, neutral site capable of fully supporting the proposed NSTC EUV lithography center. Indeed, besides Belgium’s imec, Albany NanoTech is the only global research center scheduled to receive the newest ASML High-NA EUV machine, set to be installed in a new facility currently under construction. Albany NanoTech is the only such recipient in North America that is not a major private firm.
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- Bipartisan State Government Support: The New York state government’s support for the promotion of local semiconductor research and manufacturing has been unwavering for decades, involves billions of dollars in public outlays, and remains rock-solid. It is a leading priority of Governor Kathy Hochul.
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- Large-Scale Private Investments: The public and private sector have undertaken massive investments in chip manufacturing and research in the Albany area for the past decade. Most recently, GlobalFoundries announced an $11.6 billion expansion of its Fab 8 in Malta, New York, beginning in 2025. Additionally, the recently announced investments at Albany NanoTech include another $10 billion in public and private investments.
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- Existing High-Quality Workforce: Over 10,000 people in the Albany area are already directly employed in semiconductor research, manufacturing, supply chain, and specialty construction companies and institutions.
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- Exceptional Educational Infrastructure…Read More
NY CREATES featured in CBS6 News Story: “NY CREATES strengthens global microchip industry with diverse international collaborations”
Paul Kelly, NY CREATES Chief Operating Officer on learning and collaborating with other countries on building the nanotechnology and semiconductor industry.
“So we want to provide this expertise and knowledge on how to fabricate them, how to build some circuits out of them on top of what we can do here to have them fabricated here,” he said.
These partnerships extend to the Netherlands, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and more; they’re part of the bigger picture, strengthening the world’s microchip industry.
“So it brings a whole diverse aspect to the engineering background and the technology focus,” said Paul Kelly, NY CREATES COO. “So between the people they have there and our good engineers here, we’re able to work together to create this technology that will advance things that will be in your devices from your cars to your phones to every piece of technology going forward.”
