The SIA News Roundup is sent out each Friday compiling relevant clips from the week. You can sign up to receive the SIA News Roundup here.
The SIA News Roundup is sent out each Friday compiling relevant clips from the week. You can sign up to receive the SIA News Roundup here.
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INDUSTRY/MARKETRaytheon to Develop Next-Gen Semiconductors The Defense Post The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has awarded Raytheon a three-year contract to develop ultra-wide bandgap semiconductors utilizing diamond and aluminum nitride technology. Ultra-wide bandgap semiconductor materials provide higher power and thermal management in sensors and other electronic applications, enabling operation at higher temperatures and in more extreme environments.
DigiTimes Asia In late September, the Biden administration reached an agreement with the Indian government to establish a semiconductor manufacturing plant in India. This facility is set to produce infrared, gallium nitride, and silicon carbide (SiC) chips. The project is backed by the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), an initiative aimed at supporting Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to bolster the country’s semiconductor industry. Modi has long positioned India as an alternative to China over the past decade. Now, the Indian government is working to build a complete semiconductor value chain, with plans in place to attract more US, European, and Asian semiconductor manufacturers to invest in the country throughout 2024.
US envoy to Japan pushes for Nato-like trade bloc to tackle China’s economic coercion South China Morning Post The United States and its allies should form a coalition that can be a sort of Nato to counter China’s economic coercion with a unified stance, Washington’s envoy to Japan said in an opinion piece published on Wednesday. US Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel said in an article for The Wall Street Journal that the administration of President Joe Biden has succeeded in expanding multilateral security partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region and now is the time to consider adding new economic measures against China. |
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CHINAChina expresses concern over US chip and connected vehicle policies Reuters China’s commerce minister on Tuesday raised “serious concerns” with U.S. Secretary of Commerce over U.S. semiconductor policies towards China and restrictions on Chinese connected vehicles, calling for sanctions against Chinese companies to be lifted. During a call with Gina Raimondo, Wang Wentao emphasised the need to clarify national security boundaries in trade to ensure global supply chain stability and foster bilateral business cooperation.
China puts provisional tariffs on European brandy after EU OKs duties on Chinese EVs Associated Press Chinese drinkers may pay more for Remy Martin and other European brandies after the government announced on Tuesday provisional tariffs of 30.6% to 39% on those liquors, four days after a majority of European Union countries approved duties on electric vehicles made in China. The tit-for-tat move potentially gives Chinese negotiators leverage in talks with the EU on reducing or eliminating the tariffs of up to 35.3% on Chinese EVs, which would take effect at the end of this month. |
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TRADESingapore, South Korea to deepen AI, start-up cooperation as strategic partners South China Morning Post South Korea and Singapore have agreed to embark on a strategic partnership next year, marking the 50th anniversary of their establishment of diplomatic relations, the city state’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Tuesday. The two nations signed an extradition treaty and will look to deepen cooperation in fields such as artificial intelligence, defence and climate change, as well as upgrade their free trade pact.
Politico The days when Emmanuel Macron could stop a trade deal with a text message might be over. After a quarter of a century of on-off talks, an accord between the European Union and South America’s Mercosur bloc is once again within reach. And this time the French president, its strongest opponent, may have lost his de facto power of veto on trade after a string of political and electoral setbacks eroded his clout in Brussels. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYAI predicts optical properties to speed up the discovery of energy and quantum materials Pys.org Researchers from Tohoku University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have unveiled a new AI tool for high-quality optical spectra with the same accuracy as quantum simulations, but working a million times faster, potentially accelerating the development of photovoltaic and quantum materials. Understanding the optical properties of materials is essential for developing optoelectronic devices, such as LEDs, solar cells, photodetectors, and photonic integrated circuits. These devices are pivotal in the semiconductor industry’s current resurgence.
Novel technique for observing atomic-level changes could unlock potential of quantum materials Phys.org A research team led by the Department of Energy’s Oak Ridge National Laboratory has devised a unique method to observe changes in materials at the atomic level. The technique opens new avenues for understanding and developing advanced materials for quantum computing and electronics. The paper is published in the journal Science Advances. The new technique, called the Rapid Object Detection and Action System, or RODAS, combines imaging, spectroscopy and microscopy methods to capture the properties of fleeting atomic structures as they form, providing unprecedented insights into how material properties evolve at the smallest scales. |
SIA NEWSGlobal Semiconductor Sales Increase 20.6% Year-to-Year in August Press Release “The global semiconductor market continued to grow substantially in August, hitting its highest-ever sales total for the month of August, and month-to-month sales increased for the fifth consecutive month,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Year-to-year sales increased by the largest percentage since April 2022, driven by a 43.9% year-to-year sales increase into the Americas, and month-to-month sales were up across all regions for the first time since October 2023.”
National Semiconductor Technology Center Opens for Membership Blog Today marks a significant milestone in the CHIPS for America initiative: the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) is officially open for membership |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETUS to award up to $100 million to boost use of AI for semiconductor materials Reuters The U.S. Commerce Department said Wednesday it plans to award $100 million to boost the use of artificial intelligence in developing new sustainable semiconductor materials. The department, which is overseeing $52.7 billion in U.S. chips manufacturing and research grants, plans to award $100 million to help universities, national laboratories and the private sector develop AI-powered autonomous experimentation for sustainable semiconductor manufacturing.
Tom’s Hardware Some of the biggest chip makers across the globe say they do not expect any disruption from the temporary closures of the quartz mines critical for semiconductor manufacturing due to Hurricane Helene. Sibelco North America and The Quartz Corporation are the two quartz mine operators in the area devastated by the hurricane. In the meantime, most semiconductor companies have a stockpile of silicon wafers, so even if supplies are disrupted for a few weeks to a few months, we won’t run out of chips. |
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CHINAUS-China talks helping avoid Chinese retaliation against tariff hikes-Treasury official Reuters China has not retaliated against U.S. tariff increases on Chinese imports partly because of continued dialogue between the world’s two largest economies, the U.S. Treasury’s top economic diplomat said in an interview aired on Tuesday. Jay Shambaugh, Treasury undersecretary for international affairs, told the Marketplace public radio program that Chinese economic officials came away from recent meetings with U.S. counterparts with a “more nuanced understanding” of the Biden administration’s decision to impose steep tariff hikes on EVs, lithium-ion batteries, semiconductors, solar cells, steel and aluminum and other strategic goods.
US-India chips deal opens up new front in tech war vs China South China Morning Post India and the United States have struck a pivotal semiconductor manufacturing deal, in a move that promises to enhance collaboration on sensitive military technology and redefine the South Asian nation’s position in the global chip supply chain. During Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Washington earlier this month, he and US President Joe Biden finalised the agreement to establish a semiconductor fabrication plant in Kolkata. The facility in the eastern Indian city will focus on defence equipment, telecommunications, and renewable energy, as detailed in an Indo-US joint fact sheet. |
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TRADEIndia, US sign pact to cooperate on critical battery mineral supply chains Reuters Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal and U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo signed an agreement on Thursday to cooperate on strengthening supply chains in the two countries for lithium, cobalt and other critical minerals used in electric vehicles and clean energy applications. The Commerce Department said in a statement that the memorandum of understanding (MOU), signed during Goyal’s visit to Washington, was aimed at building resilience in the sector for each country.
EU betting on India and Vietnam for chips Politico EU Hoping to diversify supply chains and be less dependent on semiconductor chips from either China or Taiwan, Western countries are counting on others in the Indo-Pacific to turn themselves into major manufacturers. As part of its efforts, last year the EU signed a memorandum of understanding with India for joint ventures and technology partnerships. The bloc is trying to enhance cooperation with Vietnam in a similar manner and presented its new European Chips Act and the European Critical Raw Materials Act in meetings with the country’s officials last year. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYNew materials and techniques show promise for microelectronics and quantum technologies Phys.org As phones and computers shrink in size, our need for data storage and transfer is growing. Electronic devices have been powered by semiconductors for decades, but as the push to miniaturize continues, there’s a limit to how small semiconductors can be made. The next generation of handheld devices requires a novel solution. Spintronics, or spin electronics, is a revolutionary new field in condensed-matter physics that can increase the memory and logic processing capability of nano-electronic devices while reducing power consumption and production costs. This is accomplished by using inexpensive materials and the magnetic properties of an electron’s spin to perform memory and logic functions instead of using the flow of electron charge used in typical electronics.
Engineers create a chip-based tractor beam for biological particles Phys.org MIT researchers have developed a miniature, chip-based “tractor beam,” like the one that captures the Millennium Falcon in the film “Star Wars,” that could someday help biologists and clinicians study DNA, classify cells, and investigate the mechanisms of disease. The research appears in Nature Communications. Small enough to fit in the palm of your hand, the device uses a beam of light emitted by a silicon-photonics chip to manipulate particles millimeters away from the chip surface. The light can penetrate the glass cover slips that protect samples used in biological experiments, enabling cells to remain in a sterile environment. |
SIA NEWSSIA Applauds Finalization of First CHIPS Award for Polar Semiconductor Press Release “We applaud Polar Semiconductor and the U.S. Department of Commerce for working diligently to finalize this agreement, which represents a key milestone in the implementation of the historic CHIPS and Science Act. We are encouraged by the progress being made to get critical CHIPS awards out the door and directed to projects promoting U.S.-based semiconductor production and innovation. And we hope today’s final award is the first of many more to come over the next weeks and months. We look forward to continuing to work with leaders in industry and government to ensure the CHIPS Act delivers maximum benefits for America’s economic and national security.”
SIA Urges House Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Streamline Environmental Review of CHIPS Projects Press release “The CHIPS and Science Act is on track to reinvigorate domestic semiconductor manufacturing and innovation. CHIPS has sparked $450 billion in private investments in the U.S., and America’s semiconductor manufacturing capacity is projected to triple by 2032 due largely to the dozens of new semiconductor projects across America incentivized by CHIPS. The Building Chips in America Act will help ensure these new facilities get up and running in an expeditious and environmentally responsible way, which will help maximize the CHIPS Act’s positive impact on America’s economy, national security, and supply chain resilience. We applaud the leadership of the legislation’s bipartisan sponsors and urge House members to pass the bill and send it to the president’s desk to be signed into law.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETCHIPS Act credits should be expanded to include chip design: SIA report Manufacturing Dive The CHIPS and Science Act’s manufacturing incentives should be extended beyond 2026 and expanded to include chip design if the country is to support the continued domestic growth of the sector, the Semiconductor Industry Association stated in its 2024 state of the industry report. The report highlighted that the CHIPS legislation will grow the U.S.’s share of advanced chip manufacturing to 28% of global capacity by 2032. The report also predicts the U.S. will capture 28% of total global capital expenditures from now until 2032. By comparison, in the absence of the CHIPS Act, the report estimates the U.S. would have captured only 9% of global capex in that time.
Biden breaks with environmentalists, House Dems on chip bill Politico Breaking with environmental groups and despite objections from House Democratic leaders, President Joe Biden plans to sign a new bill that weakens some environmental requirements on federally funded microchip projects. In a statement, Semiconductor Industry Association spokesperson Dan Rosso said the chip sector “is a global leader in promoting environmental sustainability and worker safety, and the industry is committed to continuous improvement of our processes.” Rosso said modern chip facilities “feature advanced fabrication techniques and stringent safety standards and emissions controls. The result was the Building Chips in America Act, a bill designed to lift or lessen many of NEPA’s requirements on new CHIPS projects. The Senate unanimously passed it in December, and on Monday, GOP House leadership abruptly forced a suspension vote on the bill, clearing the two-thirds threshold with help from Democrats — including many whose states are slated for major chip manufacturing projects.
Modi meets top US tech leaders amid semiconductor push BBC Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has urged top tech companies in the US to explore India as a destination for manufacturing and innovation. He met CEOs of tech companies in New York a day after attending the annual meeting of Quad countries, which also includes the US, Australia and Japan. India has been positioning itself as an alternative to China to attract global firms looking at diversifying their supply chains. |
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CHINAChina’s top chip equipment maker sees two US executives step aside amid tech war tensions South China Morning Post Two executives with US citizenship at Chinese chip gear maker Advanced Micro-Fabrication Equipment (AMEC) have stepped down from their positions, as trade tensions between the US and China continue to escalate. Ni Tuqiang and Yang Wei, both US citizens, are no longer “core technical personnel” at AMEC, which is widely seen as China’s best hope to produce advanced etching and deposition tools to cut reliance on foreign suppliers, for “personal reasons”, but the two remain employees of the company, Shanghai-listed AMEC said in a regulatory filing last week.
US to ban Chinese tech in cars BBC The US is planning to ban certain hardware and software made in China and Russia from cars, trucks and buses in the US due to security risks. Officials said they were worried that the technology in question, used for autonomous driving and to connect cars to other networks, could allow enemies to “remotely manipulate cars on American roads”. |
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TRADEBiden meets Vietnam leader to counter Hanoi’s ties with China and Russia Reuters U.S. President Joe Biden met Vietnam’s president To Lam for talks on Wednesday, aiming to deepen relations with the Southeast Asian country and manufacturing hub and counter its ties with China and Russia. Biden and Lam, the ruling Communist Party chief making his first visit to the U.S. as president, met on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. A senior U.S. official said they discussed how to accelerate a strategic partnership agreed last year.
Emmanuel Macron’s lonely battle to defend the EU-Canada trade deal Politico French President Emmanuel Macron’s latest visit to Canada might give him a first taste of his new normal. During his trip to Montreal and Ottawa on the heels of the United Nations General Assembly, Macron is expected to devote time to defending the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) between the European Union and Canada. Though the chapters of CETA on the free trade of goods provisionally entered into force in 2017, some national parliaments of EU countries still have to ratify it and, at least on paper, can block its further implementation. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYReal-Time TEM Reveals Unexpected Behavior in Spintronic MTJs AZoNano Researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities have conducted a new study that sheds light on how next-generation electronics, such as computer memory components, malfunction or deteriorate over time. Gaining insight into the causes of deterioration could enhance the effectiveness of data storage solutions. The study is highlighted on the cover of ACS Nano, a peer-reviewed scientific publication.
Research explores organic semiconductor materials for sustainable temperature sensors Phys.org New research into organic semiconductor materials, led by the University of St Andrews, paves the way for more sustainable temperature sensors for use in everyday technology. Thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials, the so-called third-generation of emitters used in organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), have attracted significant attention over the course of the last decades as alternative emitters to noble metal-containing phosphorescent complexes used in commercialized OLEDs like those in mobile phones. However, their use in other organic electronics applications such as sensors, has been much less explored. |
INDUSTRY/MARKETOregon governor uses new land use law to propose rural land for semiconductor facility Associated Press Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek is using a new land use law to propose a rural area for a semiconductor facility, as officials seek to lure more of the multibillion-dollar semiconductor industry to the state. A state law passed last year allowed the governor to designate up to eight sites where city boundaries could be expanded to provide land for microchip companies. A group that supports Oregon’s landmark land use policy, Friends of Smart Growth, said in a news release that it would oppose Kotek’s proposal.
NSF Announces Funding for Future of Semiconductors Competition Projects ExecutiveGov The National Science Foundation is awarding 23 research projects a total of $42.4 million in grants under the second iteration of the Future of Semiconductors competition, or FuSe2. The competition aims to advance semiconductor technology, strengthen the chips industry in the U.S. and support the objectives of the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022, which include ensuring U.S. leadership in microelectronics, the NSF said Monday. The competition was launched in September last year, providing $45.6 million in total funding for 24 projects. |
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CHINAChina calls on US to axe tariff increases on EVs, solar cells and semiconductors South China Morning Post China is “strongly dissatisfied with and firmly opposed” to Washington’s finalised plans to increase tariffs on a range of key Chinese industries, from electric vehicles and photovoltaic cells to semiconductors. “The United States should immediately correct its wrong practices and cancel all tariff increases on China,” the Ministry of Commerce said over the weekend in response to the US announcement.
EU and China trade negotiators fail to strike deal on electric vehicle imports South China Morning Post The top trade officials from the European Union and China failed to reach a deal on ending a bitter dispute over electric vehicles during talks in Brussels on Thursday. However, the sides committed to intensify talks towards finding a negotiated solution to the quarrel, including taking a “renewed look at price undertakings.” |
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TRADEBritish ministers head to Gulf for talks on new trade deal Reuters Britain’s new trade ministers visited the Gulf region on Monday in a first joint visit for talks on a possible trade deal, the government said. Trade secretary Jonathan Reynolds and minister for trade policy Douglas Alexander will meet their counterparts from the Gulf Cooperation Council, which comprises Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Trade has been a weak point in Britain’s economy in recent years – with business groups pointing to Brexit as one cause.
Trump says he will meet with Indian PM Modi next week Reuters Former U.S. President Donald Trump said at a campaign event on Tuesday that India was a “very big abuser” of the U.S.-India trade relationship and that he will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi next week. The Republican candidate for the November presidential election, speaking in Flint, Michigan, gave no details on where they would meet. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYResearchers develop new p-type semiconductor materials for next-gen displays TechXplore A group of Korean researchers have recently succeeded in developing new p-type semiconductor materials and thin-film transistors that will lead the innovation of the semiconductor industry. These new discoveries are expected to be widely utilized to improve the overall performance of next-gen displays and ultra-low power semiconductor devices. The work is published in the journal ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.
Different qubit architecture could enable easier manufacturing of quantum computer building blocks Phys.org Scientists from the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory have shown that a type of qubit whose architecture is more amenable to mass production can perform comparably to qubits currently dominating the field. With a series of mathematical analyses, the scientists have provided a roadmap for simpler qubit fabrication that enables robust and reliable manufacturing of these quantum computer building blocks. This research was conducted as part of the Co-design Center for Quantum Advantage (C2QA), a DOE National Quantum Information Science Research Center led by Brookhaven Lab, and it builds upon years of scientific collaboration focused on improving qubit performance for scalable quantum computers. |
SIA NEWS2024 State of the Industry Report Underscores Opportunities and Challenges for U.S. Chip Industry Blog The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) released its annual State of the Industry Report today. The report highlights opportunities for continued growth and innovation across the semiconductor industry and notes current and upcoming challenges to the industry’s sustained success. Last year, industry global sales reached $527 billion and nearly 1 trillion semiconductors were sold globally, more than 100 chips for every person on earth. With a cyclical market downturn now over and demand for semiconductors high, estimates from World Semiconductor Trade Statistics project sales to increase to over $600 billion in 2024. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETGlobal semiconductor sales hit $51.3bn; increasing 18.7% year-over-year Data Center Dynamics Global semiconductor sales have increased by 18.7 percent year-over-year (YoY), during the 12-month period ending July 2024. According to data compiled by the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization and reported by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), the Americas saw the strongest growth in YoY sales, up 40.1 percent during the period. “The global semiconductor market continued to grow substantially on a year-to-year basis in July, and month-to-month sales increased for the fourth consecutive month,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “The Americas market experienced particularly strong growth in July, with a year-to-year sales increase of 40.1 percent.”
US spends CHIPS Act cash to explore Indian chipmaking collabs The Register The US has decided to partner with India and its Semiconductor Mission (ISM) to grow and diversify global chip supply chains. The partnership will use funds from the US CHIPS Act’s International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund, which has been allocated $100 million a year until 2027 to foster international partnerships – particularly in regard to semiconductor assembly, testing and packaging capacity. As for China, reports and predictions from the US Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) expect pace of growth in its manufacturing capacity to drop – from 365 percent growth observed between 2012 and 2022 down to 86 percent from 2022 to 2032. |
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CHINATech war: China’s chip industry becomes key breeding ground for unicorns, report says South China Morning Post China’s integrated circuit (IC) industry has minted more unicorns than any other sector in the country in the past three years, despite the growing financing pressure faced by local start-ups, according to a new report. With fundraising becoming more challenging for start-ups across the board, China saw its number of newly funded unicorns – start-ups valued at over US$1 billion – drop from a peak of 192 in 2021 to 137 in 2022, and further to 106 last year, according to the China Unicorn Enterprise Development Tracking Report published on Sunday by Great Wall Strategy Consultants.
In Huawei’s battle against Apple, chips are still a weakness, says analyst CNBC As Huawei tries to upstage Apple’s new iPhone with the launch of its own ‘trifold phone’ on Tuesday, its chip capabilities remain a weakness, despite recent breakthroughs, according to one analyst. Speaking to CNBC’s “Squawk Box Asia” on Tuesday, Martin Yang, senior analyst of emerging technologies at Oppenheimer & Co., said Huawei’s chip remains two or three years behind the cutting edge. The gap on technology for their systems-on-chip, or SoCs, that merge central processing with cellular connectivity, is “widening because [Huawei] still doesn’t have access to any below 7 nanometer processes,” said Yang.
US locks in steep China tariff hikes, many to start Sept. 27 Reuters The Biden administration on Friday locked in steep tariff hikes on Chinese imports, including a 100% duty on electric vehicles, to strengthen protections for strategic domestic industries from China’s state-driven excess production capacity. The U.S. Trade Representative’s said that many of the tariffs, including a 100% duty on Chinese EVs, 50% on solar cells and 25% on steel, aluminum, EV batteries and key minerals, would go into effect on Sept. 27 The USTR determination, published on Friday but first reviewed by Reuters, showed a 50% duty on Chinese semiconductors, which now include two new categories – polysilicon used in solar panels and silicon wafers – are due to start in 2025. |
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TRADEBiden’s opposition to U.S. Steel takeover could test ties with key ally Japan NBC News U.S. opponents of a Japanese steelmaker’s $14.9 billion bid for U.S. Steel cite concerns about national security and a reluctance to relinquish a storied American company. In Japan, the business community sees election-year politics at play. President Joe Biden is preparing to formally block the proposed takeover of U.S. Steel by Nippon Steel, two people familiar with the matter confirmed to NBC News last week, over what he says are national security concerns. That could complicate efforts to strengthen ties with Japan, a key U.S. ally, in an effort to counter China’s growing influence in the Asia-Pacific and around the world. Washington has also been pushing Tokyo to align itself with U.S. export controls that limit China’s ability to produce advanced semiconductors.
EU-Mercosur trade talks progress on divisive issues, sources say Reuters |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYElectrically modulated light antenna points the way to faster computer chips Phys.org Today’s computers reach their physical limits when it comes to speed. Semiconductor components usually operate at a maximum usable frequency of a few gigahertz—which corresponds to several billion computing operations per second. As a result, modern systems rely on several chips to divide up the computing tasks because the speed of the individual chips cannot be increased any further. However, if light (photons) were used instead of electricity (electrons) in computer chips, they could be up to 1,000 times faster.
Atomic diffusion technique could lead to mass production of metal nanowires Phys.org A group from Nagoya University in Japan has created a new technique for growing the tiny metal nanowires (NWs) that are expected to be used in next-generation electronics. Their results suggest a way to mass produce pure metal NWs, which has until now limited their use. The new technique promises to enhance the efficiency of electronics production, including circuitry, LEDs, and solar cells. The study was published in Science. |
SIA NEWSGlobal Semiconductor Sales Increase 18.7% Year-to-Year in July Press Release “The global semiconductor market continued to grow substantially on a year-to-year basis in July, and month-to-month sales increased for the fourth consecutive month,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “The Americas market experienced particularly strong growth in July, with a year-to-year sales increase of 40.1%.”
Greg LaRocca Joins SIA as Director of Industry Research and Economic Policy Press Release “During this highly consequential time for the semiconductor industry, it is critical for SIA to provide accurate data and effective analysis to help guide government policies that will promote growth and innovation in our industry,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “With extensive knowledge and experience at the intersection of industry analytics, economics, and government policy, Greg LaRocca will be an outstanding leader of SIA’s research and economic policy efforts, and we’re thrilled to welcome him to the team.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETLeaders of India and Singapore sign deal to cooperate on semiconductors Reuters The leaders of India and Singapore on Thursday signed an agreement to partner and cooperate in semiconductors, in a deal aimed at giving Singaporean firms a greater role in supply chains in the Indian market, the two countries said. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s two-day visit to Singapore, his fifth overall and first since 2018.
Israel’s Tower Semiconductor, Adani plan $10 bln chip project in India Reuters Israel’s Tower Semiconductor and Adani Group will invest 839.47 billion rupees ($10 billion) for a semiconductor project in India’s western state of Maharashtra, its chief minister said in a post on X on Thursday. India has taken steps to encourage global companies to set up their manufacturing units in the country, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi aiming to make the country a chipmaker for the world despite initial setbacks. |
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CHINAChip war: Taiwan accuses 8 mainland Chinese firms of poaching talent, stealing secrets South China Morning Post Taiwanese authorities have accused eight mainland Chinese tech companies, including chip equipment giant Naura Technology Group, of illegally poaching talent from the island, underscoring growing cross-strait tensions as Beijing doubles down on its semiconductor self-sufficiency drive. The Ministry of Justice Investigation Bureau in Taiwan said in a statement published on its website on Wednesday that it raided 30 locations and questioned 65 individuals in four cities, including Taipei and Hsinchu. The agency found that eight mainland companies were suspected of poaching talent and stealing trade secrets in Taiwan, which “seriously affects the competitiveness of Taiwan’s hi-tech industry.”
US tightens export controls on quantum kit and chips for China, Iran, Russia The Register The US has tightened export controls on quantum computing and semiconductor technology to address national defense and foreign policy concerns posed by foes including China, Iran, and Russia. The Commerce Department’s Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) on Thursday published an interim final rule (IFR) in the Federal Register describing the restrictions, which apply worldwide and are intended to fit with similar export restrictions from like-minded governments. |
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TRADEUS, Britain, EU to sign first international AI treaty Reuters The first legally binding international AI treaty will be open for signing on Thursday by the countries that negotiated it, including European Union members, the United States and Britain, the Council of Europe human rights organization said. The AI Convention, which has been in the works for years and was adopted in May after discussions between 57 countries, addresses the risks AI may pose, while promoting responsible innovation.
Don’t expect Britain to copy EU and American tariffs on Chinese cars Politico While its allies slap steep tariffs on Chinese state-subsidized electric vehicles, Britain is sitting tight. The U.S., EU and Canada have put up barriers this summer after multiple probes found Beijing boosted its EV sector with billions in support, threatening homegrown carmakers. But Britain, desperate to decarbonize its economy, thinks it’s found a third way.
Swiss submits India free trade agreement to parliament Reuters The Swiss government has submitted its proposed free trade agreement with India to parliament, it said on Thursday, moving closer to a deal that could open up the world’s most populous country to Swiss exports. The agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) – which has also has Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein as members – is a “significant milestone” in Swiss trade policy, the government said. Under the agreement, India will lift import tariffs on industrial products from the four countries in return for investment of $100 billion over 15 years. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYMetasurfaces: Tiny tech with big potential Phys.org Imagine manipulating light with ultra-thin, flat sheets instead of bulky lenses and mirrors. That’s the promise of metasurfaces, a nanostructure technology that can twist and bend light in ways never before possible. Metasurfaces are artificially engineered surfaces composed of meticulously designed nanostructures, each smaller than the wavelength of light. By controlling the geometry and arrangement of these tiny structures, scientists can create metasurfaces that precisely control the amplitude, phase, and polarization of light waves at the two-dimensional interface. This unprecedented control over light’s properties unlocks a vast array of potential applications previously unattainable with conventional optics.
Phys.org Researchers from Skoltech, Universitat Politècnica de València, Institute of Spectroscopy of RAS, University of Warsaw, and University of Iceland have demonstrated the spontaneous formation and synchronization of multiple quantum vortices in optically excited semiconductor microcavities. They showed that polariton quantum vortices formed in the neighboring cells of optically generated lattices tend to have an opposite topological vortex charge, i.e., the vortices are “antiferromagnetically coupled.” |
SIA NEWSPress Release “A universally respected leader and visionary in the semiconductor industry, Aart pioneered groundbreaking electronic design automation (EDA) technology, which provides the software tools central to designing chips,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “During a career spanning over four decades, Aart has made immeasurable contributions to our industry and has served as a powerful and influential advocate for our priorities. We are thrilled to recognize him with the 2024 Robert N. Noyce Award for his landmark achievements.”
House Lawmakers Take Important Step to Secure U.S. Semiconductor Design Leadership Blog Bipartisan members of the House of Representatives this week moved to bolster U.S. leadership and global competitiveness in semiconductor design by introducing the Semiconductor Technology Advancement and Research (STAR) Act of 2024. The legislation aims to incentivize U.S. chip design by providing a 25% investment tax credit for design activities conducted in the U.S. Reps. Blake Moore (R-UT), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Doris Matsui (D-CA.), Suzan DelBene (D-WA), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Ro Khanna (D-CA), Joe Morelle (D-NY), and Claudia Tenney (R-NY) introduced this important bill, which will help to support advances in chip design and the semiconductor-enabled technologies that drive U.S. economic and technology leadership.
Press Release “For America to lead the world in semiconductor innovation, it must continue to lead in chip design. The STAR Act will help promote this critical part of the semiconductor ecosystem and strengthen America’s economy, national security, and technology leadership. We applaud Reps. Moore, McCaul, Matsui, DelBene, Moolenaar, Khanna, Morelle, and Tenney for introducing this much-needed legislation and urge Congress to approve it.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETSynopsys founder Aart de Geus to receive chip industry’s highest honor Venture Beat The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) announced Aart de Geus, Synopsys executive chair and founder, will be the 2024 recipient of SIA’s highest honor, the Robert N. Noyce Award. The chip industry’s trade group gives the Noyce Award, named after Intel’s founding CEO Robert N. Noyce, annually in recognition of a leader who has made outstanding contributions to the semiconductor industry in technology or public policy. The ceremony for de Geus will take place at the SIA Awards Dinner on November 21, 2024, in San Jose, California. |
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CHINAMicrosoft scales back AI partnership with Emirati firm amid concerns over China ties Politico Microsoft is modifying its high-stakes plan to share sensitive AI hardware and intellectual property with Emirati AI firm G42, amid growing concerns about the company’s ties to China, according to one person familiar with the plans and two Congressional aides briefed by Microsoft.
Meloni vows to ‘relaunch’ Italy’s cooperation with China Reuters Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni vowed on Sunday to “relaunch” cooperation with China, signing a three-year action plan during her first official visit to Beijing since taking office. Meloni, who has led a right-wing government since 2022, made the announcement during a meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, as Rome seeks to improve trade ties with Beijing after it exited President Xi Jinping’s flagship Belt and Road infrastructure investment scheme last year. |
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TRADEUSTR sets timetable to implement Biden’s proposed tariff hikes Supply Chain Dive The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative will make its final determination on the Biden administration’s proposed tariff increases on China-made goods later this month, according to a July 30 press release. In May, the Biden administration and USTR unveiled plans to raise Section 301 tariff rates on select goods from China, including electric vehicles, solar cells and semiconductors. Many of the tariff hikes were expected to begin this year, including the rate increase to 100% on electric vehicles. Other tariff rate jumps, including those for semiconductors and natural graphite, would take place over the next two years.
S Africa confident of U.S. trade status despite unease over foreign policy Reuters South Africa’s trade minister said on Tuesday he is confident his country will maintain preferential trade status with the U.S. despite concerns in Washington over its foreign policy including a strong pro-Palestinian stance. South Africa has come under fire by some U.S. lawmakers for its relationship with Russia and its criticism of Israel in the Gaza conflict. It could lose eligibility for AGOA if it were determined to be undermining U.S. foreign policy interests. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYGaN semiconductors ride AI wave into robotics, data centers DigiTimes Asia Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductors, having made a strong debut with fast chargers for consumer electronics, are now finding fresh opportunities in AI servers, data centers, and most recently, robotics. The rapid expansion of generative AI has spotlighted the potential for GaN technology in various robotic applications, from LiDAR sensing systems to motor controllers and battery management systems.
Phys.org Gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors can now be grown without ammonia, a toxic chemical that needs a sophisticated detoxifying system before it can be released into the atmosphere. The new technique is not only more environmentally friendly but also allows for the efficient and high-quality growth of crystals at a lower cost. Scientists can make semiconductors more efficiently with a reduced need for raw materials and power. Researchers from Nagoya University in Japan led the study, which was published in Scientific Reports. |
SIA NEWSSIA Applauds CHIPS Act Incentives for Amkor Facility in Arizona Press Release “Today’s Amkor announcement will strengthen U.S.-based advanced packaging operations—a critical step in the chip production process—while further expanding Arizona’s booming semiconductor ecosystem and bringing more jobs and economic growth to the state. We commend Amkor for investing ambitiously in U.S.-based advanced packaging, which is an area that needs to be strengthened in the U.S. chip ecosystem, and we salute the U.S. Commerce Department for continuing to make impressive headway in getting CHIPS Act incentives out the door in a timely and effective manner. We look forward to continuing to work with leaders in government and industry to ensure the CHIPS Act delivers maximum benefits for America’s economic strength, national security, and supply chain resilience.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETCHIPS and Science Act: Breaking down the law’s impact 2 years later Manufacturing Dive It’s been nearly two years since the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act, sweeping legislation that aimed to catapult the nation’s role in the global semiconductor industry. The law, which provides $52 billion in manufacturing and research grants and incentives, as well as a 25% investment tax credit to encourage semiconductor production in the U.S., has already sparked dozens of investments in the domestic semiconductor industry. Over the past nearly two years, 13 companies across 23 projects in 14 states have received CHIPS grants worth about $30 billion in grant awards and up to $25.1 billion in loans, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Can Modi’s US$15.2 billion chip bet turn India into a semiconductor powerhouse? South China Morning Post Prime Minister Narendra Modi is going “all in” in an effort to transform India into a competitive player in the global chip race, but experts warn the country faces a long road ahead before it can establish a self-reliant semiconductor ecosystem on its shores. |
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CHINAHong Kong is global trade hub for world’s most brutal regimes, report says The Guardian Hong Kong has become a global trade hub for “the world’s most brutal regimes”, according to a report examining the city’s role in facilitating the flow of goods to countries under sanctions by the west, including Russia, Iran and North Korea. A report published on Monday by the Committee for Freedom in Hong Kong Foundation, a campaign group, found that between 2021 and 2022, exports of semiconductors from Hong Kong to Russia roughly doubled to $400m (£310m), second only to shipments from mainland China. Semiconductors are vital to Russia’s war effort as they are a component in weaponry such as drones and cruise missiles.
China’s third plenum vows to support ‘capable’ private sector to lead tech innovation South China Morning Post In its quest to break out of tightening containment efforts by the United States, Beijing has vowed to give more room and better resources to the private sector to help China achieve technological breakthroughs. It was one of the measures announced to support the private sector included in the 22,000-word resolution document unveiled on Sunday following the conclusion of the third plenum last week. “[It is necessary] to support capable private enterprises to take the lead in undertaking major national technological research tasks, and further open up major national scientific research infrastructure to private firms,” said the decisions endorsed by the Communist Party’s 20th Central Committee. |
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TRADEEighty nations strike deal over e-commerce, but lack US backing Reuters Around 80 countries reached agreement on Friday on rules governing global digital commerce including recognition of e-signatures and protection against online fraud, but failed to bring the United States on board. After five years of negotiations, coordinators Australia, Japan and Singapore distributed what they called a “stabilised text”, which the European Union hailed as “historic news” and Britain as “groundbreaking”. The United States said that the new text was an important step forward, but that it still fell short and more work was needed, including on wording about exceptions due to essential security interests.
David Lammy arrives in India for trade talks BBC Britain’s Foreign Secretary David Lammy has arrived in India for talks with ministers and business leaders. The visit is being billed as an attempt to reset Britain’s relationship with the country and the Global South. Mr. Lammy has called India “an indispensable partner” in the government’s efforts to grow the economy and tackle climate change. With the country’s economy soon to be the third largest in the world, the new Labour government is eager to secure a free trade agreement. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYImproved GaN-Based Semiconductor Devices for Power Electronics Tech Briefs A study led by Nagoya University in Japan revealed that a simple thermal reaction of gallium nitride (GaN) with metallic magnesium (Mg) results in the formation of a distinctive superlattice structure. This represents the first time researchers have identified the insertion of 2D metal layers into a bulk semiconductor. By carefully observing the materials through various cutting-edge characterization techniques, the researchers uncovered new insights into the process of semiconductor doping and elastic strain engineering. They published their findings in the journal Nature.
Somersaulting spin qubits for universal quantum logic could enhance control in larger arrays Phys.org Researchers at QuTech developed somersaulting spin qubits for universal quantum logic. This achievement may enable efficient control of large semiconductor qubit arrays. The research group published their demonstration of hopping spins in Nature Communications and their work on somersaulting spins in Science. |
SIA NEWSPress Release “We need strong trade and supply chain policies to build bigger markets globally where we can sell the chips we manufacture here at home,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “We’re excited to welcome Carrie Esko to SIA’s global policy team. With her experience negotiating with governments around the world on digital trade and tech policy, Carrie will be a powerful advocate for our industry’s interests in Washington and in capitals around the world.”
SIA Applauds CHIPS Act Incentives for GlobalWafers Projects in Texas and Missouri Press Release “The important incentives announced today will help GlobalWafers bring more wafer production, jobs, and innovation to U.S. shores. The vast majority of silicon wafers are manufactured in East Asia, so expanding U.S. production in this sector will strengthen our supply chains. We congratulate GlobalWafers for this milestone investment and commend the U.S. Commerce Department for its continued work to effectively allocate CHIPS funds.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETDigiTimes Asia A recent survey reveals that Malaysia’s electrical, electronics, and semiconductor sectors are optimistic about the market in the third quarter of 2024, and are actively recruiting talent. According to The Edge Malaysia and Bernama, the Malaysian Semiconductor Industry Association (MSIA) found that 39% of industry players reported better performance in the second quarter compared to the first. During this period, talent shortages were highlighted as a major challenge.
EU and South Korea announce winners of four co-funded semiconductor projects Science | Business The EU and South have selected four semiconductor projects to get total funding of €12 million, following the launch of a joint call in February. Half the money for the three-year projects is coming from the Horizon Europe Chips joint undertaking, and half from the National Research Foundation of Korea. The research will focus on heterogenous integration combining multiple components on one chip, and on neuromorphic chips that are designed to mimic the brain’s ability to adapt and learn, to enable more efficient artificial intelligence systems.
UT’s Texas Institute for Electronics secures $840M to develop semiconductor microsystems Austin American Statesman On Thursday morning, the Defense Advanced Research Project Agency announced that it has selected the Texas Institute for Electronics at the University of Texas as the recipient of $840 million to build a Department of Defense microelectronics manufacturing center. The hope is that this facility will enable the Defense Department to create higher-performance, lower-power, lightweight and compact defense systems. |
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CHINATrump says Taiwan should pay more for defense and dodges questions if he would defend the island Associated Press Former President Donald Trump demanded the self-governed island of Taiwan pay for U.S. protection, dodged the question of whether he would defend the island from Beijing’s military action and accused the island of taking the computer chip industry away from the United States. In the interview, Trump said he didn’t feel “so secure” over the Taiwan Strait, where Beijing has “been very aggressive and got ships all over the place.” He suggested that China could easily take over the island but has not done so because of Taiwan’s prized semiconductor industry, which make the computer chips that power everything from smartphones to cars and satellites.
Italy, Spain back EU duties on China-built EV imports Reuters Italy and Spain are backing European Union tariffs on imports of China-built electric vehicles, government sources said ahead of a Monday midnight deadline for all 27 EU members to take their stand on the matter. The vote is non-binding, but it could influence the final conclusion of the European Commission, which oversees the bloc’s trade policy. It set provisional duties of up to 37.6% on EVs imported from China, ratcheting up tensions with Beijing. |
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TRADEThe U.S. is building a chip packaging supply chain in Latin America Tom’s Hardware To reduce dependency on Asia and package American chips in the Americas, the U.S. government has launched an initiative to boost chip packaging capabilities in Latin America. The U.S. Department of State and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) have launched the CHIPS ITSI Western Hemisphere Semiconductor Initiative to enhance semiconductor assembly, testing, and packaging (ATP) capabilities in key partner countries: Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica. The program will support public-private partnerships and the adoption of OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) recommendations to develop robust semiconductor ecosystems in the said countries.
New British trade minister hopeful some EU barriers can be removed Reuters Britain’s new trade minister said on Tuesday he was optimistic some trade barriers with the European Union can be removed, but the mechanism to arbitrate any disputes would be subject to negotiation. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYNanoscale trilayer exhibits ultrafast charge transfer in semiconductor materials Phys.org Successfully innovating optoelectronic semiconductor devices depends a lot on moving charges and excitons—electron-hole pairs—in specified directions for the purpose of creating fuels or electricity. In photosynthesis, pigment molecules absorb and transfer solar energy to a reaction center, where the energy is converted and used. As this process occurs, photons generate electron-hole pairs that must be separated to initiate chemical reactions. Deriving inspiration from the natural process of photosynthesis, National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) researchers developed a mixed-dimensionality (2D/1D/2D) trilayer of semiconductors to enable exciton dissociation.
AI method radically speeds predictions of materials’ thermal properties Phys.org It is estimated that about 70% of the energy generated worldwide ends up as waste heat. If scientists could better predict how heat moves through semiconductors and insulators, they could design more efficient power generation systems. However, the thermal properties of materials can be exceedingly difficult to model. A team of researchers from MIT and elsewhere tackled this challenge by rethinking the problem from the ground up. The result of their work is a new machine-learning framework that can predict phonon dispersion relations up to 1,000 times faster than other AI-based techniques, with comparable or even better accuracy. Compared to more traditional, non-AI-based approaches, it could be 1 million times faster. |
SIA NEWSGlobal Semiconductor Industry Announces Phaseout of Intentional Uses of PFOA Blog The World Semiconductor Council (WSC) announced last month that it successfully completed the phase-out of intentional uses of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), its salts, and PFOA-related compounds in photolithography or etch processes. Therefore, the WSC reported to the United Nations Stockholm Convention Persistent Organic Pollutants Review Committee (POP-RC) that, as of 2023, the semiconductor industry no longer has a need for exemptions from restrictions. “Intentional use” means a substance is used deliberately for a specific function or to achieve a specific characteristic.
Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 19.3% Year-to-Year in May Press Release “The global semiconductor market has grown on a year-to-year basis during each month of 2024, and year-to-year sales in May increased by the largest percentage since April 2022,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “The Americas market experienced particularly strong growth, with a year-to-year sales increase of 43.6%.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETWhite House to open $1.6B CHIPS-funded R&D competition Manufacturing Dive The Department of Commerce will open a research and development competition — offering up to $1.6 billion in CHIPS and Science Act funding — to establish and spur domestic capacity for semiconductor advanced packaging, the agency announced Tuesday. The notice mentioned an increased need to improve semiconductor advanced packaging.
Texas governor pursues Japan, Taiwan, South Korea chip investments Nikkei Asia Texas looks to work with U.S. partners including Japan, South Korea and Taiwan in semiconductors as the country races against China in the technology, Gov. Greg Abbott told Nikkei. “It is essential that the leading countries of the world partner together to achieve the future of semiconductors,” he said. “And there are allies like Japan that work with us on that while we are racing against adversaries like China.”
UAE and Saudi Arabia leverage Chinese capabilities to realize AI and semiconductor dreams DigiTimes Asia Various Chinese media outlets have reported that the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority of the United Arab Emirates has researched more than 30 A-share publicly listed companies in China. These include wafer manufacturer Sai Micro Electronics, SiC substrate maker SICC, and IC design IP company VeriSilicon, to explore investment, merger and acquisition, and technology collaboration opportunities. |
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CHINAGlobal Times China’s semiconductor sales jumped 24.2 percent year-on-year in May, according to data from the US-based Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). Chinese experts said on Monday that the data again show that China has formed a mature chip processing industry based on the country’s huge demand from the downstream industry.
Tom’s Hardware Tens of thousands of China-based semiconductor companies have recently gone out of business, and numerous IPO processes have been halted or terminated. As a result, Chinese authorities are said to now encourage mergers and acquisitions (M&As) rather than initial public offerings (IPOs) to build stronger companies. The aim is to concentrate resources on technological advancements into larger entities, thus building strong companies rather than a huge number of weak companies. |
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TRADENew British Prime Minister Starmer seeks to improve on ‘botched’ trade deal with European Union Associated Press British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is seeking to reset relations at home and abroad. During a visit Sunday to Edinburgh, that he billed as an “immediate reset” with the regional governments of Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, Starmer said he would also seek to improve the U.K.’s “botched” trade deal with the European Union.
How a Trump election victory could ruffle Latin American markets Reuters The possibility of former President Donald Trump winning back the White House in November has investors preparing for various scenarios, with “America’s backyard” high on the list of markets to look out for. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYTom’s Hardware Researchers at the U.S Department of Energy’s Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) are developing the next generation of chips that will be smaller, thinner, and more efficient. The research team, led by Shoaib Khalid, is investigating the use of transition-metal dichalcogenide (TMD) to replace silicon in processors.
Study reveals surprisingly simple method for determining exchange energy in 2D materials Phys.org Researchers from the University of Basel have looked at how the ferromagnetic properties of electrons in the two-dimensional semiconductor molybdenum disulfide can be better understood. They revealed a surprisingly simple way of measuring the energy needed to flip an electron spin. Ferromagnetism is an important physical phenomenon that plays a key role in many technologies. It is well-known that metals such as iron, cobalt and nickel are magnetic at room temperature because their electron spins are aligned in parallel—and it is only at very high temperatures that these materials lose their magnetic properties. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETLawmakers look to amend CHIPS Act to cover manufacturing gear NextGov The CHIPS Act was passed in 2022 to spur development of the pandemic-hit semiconductor supply chain. The bill contained $280 billion in research and development funding and manufacturing support for U.S. companies to reduce reliance on foreign manufacturers. Currently, Taiwan, China and Japan dominate the chip manufacturing industry, with the U.S. having just 10% of the global market, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association. Leaders on the House Science, Space and Technology Committee introduced legislation on Tuesday to amend the CHIPS and Science Act to prevent American businesses from obtaining semiconductor manufacturing equipment from China and other adversarial nations. Introduced by Reps. Zoe Lofgren, D-Calif., and Frank Lucas, R-Okla., the Chip Equipment Quality, Usefulness, and Integrity Protection Act of 2024 builds on the Biden administration’s efforts to spur a strong domestic semiconductor manufacturing sector. Sens. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., and Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., are sponsoring the legislation in the Senate.
UK aims for semiconductor leadership with Taiwanese partnership at Semi-Impact forum Digitimes Asia Top advisors and industry leaders shaping the UK’s semiconductor strategy joined forces with Taiwanese semiconductor veterans at the Semi Impact Forum to share their visions for transforming the UK into a chip-enabled science and technology powerhouse. The UK’s semiconductor strategy, published in March 2023, aims to leverage strengths in R&D, design, IP, and compound semiconductors to become a leading presence over the next two decades. The government plans to inject £200 million into the sector by 2025, with a commitment to invest up to £1 billion (US$ 1.27 billion) over the next decade, guided by an advisory panel comprising industry, academia, and government voices. |
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CHINAUS industry groups seek hearing, more on Biden’s China tariff hike Reuters A wide swath of pro-trade American business groups has asked the Biden administration for another month to comment on plans to impose steeper tariffs on Chinese imports of electric vehicles, batteries, solar products and other goods, effectively delaying the Aug. 1 start date for many of the duties. Among the groups signing the letter were the Semiconductor Industry Association, the Information Technology Industry Council, the American Chemistry Council, the Beer institute, the National Retail Federation, the Halloween and Costume Association and the American Trucking Association.
Major Chinese semiconductor company goes bankrupt — 23 others recently withdrew IPO applications Tom’s Hardware China’s semiconductor industry is facing a resurgence of unfinished projects as smaller companies go bankrupt, reports the China Times. Recent insolvencies, such as that of Shanghai Wusheng Semiconductor, have raised concerns about widespread closures. Additionally, the market has seen 23 semiconductor companies withdraw their IPO applications since last year, which reflects growing investor caution.
Tech war: Chinese chip makers ramp up capacity amid fears of more US sanctions South China Morning Post Chinese foundries, such as Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (SMIC) and Hua Hong Semiconductor Group, are ramping up capacity amid fears of more US tech sanctions, according to an industry report. The investment pace has already triggered overcapacity concerns, with Washington firing the first salvo. The Biden administration will apply tariffs to US$18 billion worth of Chinese imports, including a 50 per cent hike on semiconductor imports from China starting next year, to protect the local US chip industry. |
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TRADEAssociated Press India and the United States on Monday pledged to boost defense and technology cooperation and remove long-standing barriers to bilateral strategic trade, following a meeting between the national security advisers of both countries. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan is on a two-day visit to the Indian capital, New Delhi, the first from a high-ranking U.S. official since Prime Minister Narendra Modi secured a third straight term in India’s general election earlier this month. Sullivan met with his counterpart, Ajit Doval, to discuss progress on the Initiative on Critical Emerging Technologies, which the two countries launched in 2022.
Europe gives China a taste of its own trade medicine Politico Over the past years, EU trade policy has traditionally focused on building protective fortress walls, and last week’s decision to impose punitive tariffs on Chinese electric cars initially looked like another example of the classic defensive playbook in Brussels. In a remarkable turn of events, however, the EU is now considering a next step that invites China’s electric vehicle (EV) makers inside the walls. The big idea is to use the tariff threat to force Chinese carmakers to come to Europe to form joint ventures and share technology with their EU counterparts, according to conversations with four diplomats and two senior officials.
Labour would try to improve UK’s post-Brexit trade deal with EU, says Reeves The Guardian Labour would try to improve elements of the UK’s trade deal with the EU, Rachel Reeves has indicated, saying also that most financial services companies have “not regarded Brexit as being a great opportunity for their businesses”. While Labour remains committed to not making any major changes to Brexit, the shadow chancellor’s comments show that the party could nonetheless make more policy moves on EU trade links than previously believed. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYResearchers develop platform to probe, control qubits in silicon for quantum networks Phys.org The quantum internet would be a lot easier to build if we could use existing telecommunications technologies and infrastructure. Over the past few years, researchers have discovered defects in silicon—a ubiquitous semiconductor material—that could be used to send and store quantum information over widely used telecommunications wavelengths. Could these defects in silicon be the best choice among all the promising candidates to host qubits for quantum communications? “It’s still a Wild West out there,” said Evelyn Hu, the Tarr-Coyne Professor of Applied Physics and of Electrical Engineering at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS). Now, Hu and a team of researchers have developed a platform to probe, interact with and control these potentially powerful quantum systems. The device uses a simple electric diode, one of the most common components in semiconductor chips, to manipulate qubits inside a commercial silicon wafer.
Next-generation NASA technologies tested in flight Phys.org Teams of NASA researchers put their next-generation technologies to the microgravity test in a series of parabolic flights that aim to advance innovations supporting the agency’s space exploration goals. These parabolic flights provide a gateway to weightlessness, allowing research teams to interact with their hardware in reduced gravity conditions for intervals of approximately 22 seconds. The flights, which ran from February to April, took place aboard Zero Gravity Corporation’s G-FORCE ONE aircraft and helped to advance several promising space technologies. |
INDUSTRY/MARKETPreventing another chip shortage on G7 summit agenda The Register More than three years after the pandemic crippled semiconductor supply chains, it seems G7 nations are getting ready to do something to prevent future disruptions. According to a draft statement seen by Bloomberg, the Group of Seven plan to establish a group dedicated to semiconductor supply chains when its members meet in Fasano, Italy later this week.
Reuters The U.S. Commerce Department said on Tuesday it planned to award Rocket Lab (RKLB.O), opens new tab $23.9 million to dramatically boost the production of compound semiconductors used in satellites and spacecraft. The award for Rocket Lab unit SolAero Technologies Corp “would help create a more robust and resilient supply of space-grade solar cells that power spacecrafts and satellites”, the department said, adding it would “increase Rocket Lab’s compound semiconductor production by 50% within the next three years.”
German next-generation chip firm bags $274 million in funding as Europe ramps up semiconductor push CNBC Black Semiconductor, a startup aiming to create next-generation chip technology, said on Wednesday that it raised 254.4 million euros (US$274 million), mainly from the German government, in a further sign that Europe is ramping up its push in the critical components. |
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CHINATom’s Hardware China’s semiconductor exports are growing, but today’s success might not be the clear victory that state media makes it out to be. Industry analysts believe that China’s chip sector may be reaching overcapacity and that supply will dwarf demand in the coming months. That could mean we see predictions of a price war and a chip glut spurred by China’s overproduction of domestically produced mature node process nodes come to fruition.
Tom’s Hardware The U.S. government is said to be considering further restrictions on China’s access to cutting-edge semiconductor technology. Now, people familiar with the matter say the Biden administration wants to further restrict the gate-all-around (GAA) transistor technology used to manufacture leading-edge chips. The administration is also considering limits on high-bandwidth memory (HBM), which is critical for AI accelerators.
Tom’s Hardware A high-ranking Huawei executive has reportedly made a rare admission that China’s ambitious semiconductor efforts may have peaked. On June 9, during the Mobile Computility Network Conference in Suzhou, China, Huawei’s Cloud Services CEO Zhang Ping’an voiced concerns about China’s inability to source 3.5nm chips because of U.S. sanctions. |
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TRADEUS expands Russia sanctions, targets chips sent via China Reuters The United States on Wednesday dramatically broadened sanctions on Russia, including by targeting China-based companies selling semiconductors to Moscow, as part of an effort to undercut the Russian military machine waging war on Ukraine.
Europe wants affordable electric vehicles from China. But not at the cost of its own auto industry Associated Press The European Commission, the EU’s executive arm, said the preliminary results of its ongoing investigation into Chinese EV subsidies show that the country’s battery electric vehicle “value chain” benefits from “unfair subsidization” that hurts EU rivals. It plans to impose provisional tariffs of up to 38.1% on electric vehicles shipped from China. That’s on top of the 10% duties for all imported EVs.
Explainer: From trade to climate, five takeaways from the EU election Reuters The European Parliament took a shift to the right after a four-day election concluded on Sunday, with more eurosceptic nationalists and fewer mainstream liberals and Greens. The European Parliament’s principle role in EU trade policy is in approving free trade agreements before they can enter force. It is not directly involved in trade defense, such as the imposition of tariffs. The European Commission and some EU leaders argue that the bloc needs more trade agreements with reliable partners to make up for lost business with Russia and to reduce dependence on China. A number of trade agreements are still waiting for approval, such as with Mexico and the South American bloc Mercosur, while the European Commission is also seeking to strike deals with the likes of Australia. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYPhys.org A study led by Nagoya University in Japan revealed that a simple thermal reaction of gallium nitride (GaN) with metallic magnesium (Mg) results in the formation of a distinctive superlattice structure. This represents the first time researchers have identified the insertion of 2D metal layers into a bulk semiconductor. By carefully observing the materials through various cutting-edge characterization techniques, the researchers uncovered new insights into the process of semiconductor doping and elastic strain engineering.
Phys.org When compressed, nanoribbons of titanium and sulfur can change properties dramatically, turning into materials with the ability to conduct electricity without losing energy, according to a study published in the journal Nano Letters. The authors have made the discovery during their painstaking search for new materials that can transmit electricity without loss of energy, a hot topic that has for long haunted the scientific community. |
SIA NEWSPress Release “The global semiconductor industry posted double-digit sales increases on a year-to-year basis during each month of 2024, and worldwide sales in April increased on a month-to-month basis for the first time this year, indicating positive market momentum as we approach the middle of the year,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Additionally, the latest industry forecast projects strong annual growth in 2024, led by sales to the Americas market, which is expected to grow by more than 25% this year.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETWhere the CHIPS Act money has gone The Verge Since the passage of the CHIPS and Science Act last August, eight companies have already received more than half of the planned government direct funding. These companies have collectively received $29.34 billion in funding through the CHIPS Act for semiconductor factories across the country. The law, a $280 billion package to support innovation in the US, includes $52 billion in subsidies for semiconductor manufacturing and was passed last year.
Japan considers new legislation to back advanced chipmaking Reuters Japan plans to look into legislation to support the commercial production of advanced semiconductors, a draft of this year’s long-term economic policy plan seen by Reuters shows. The long-term roadmap, which is crafted each year as a key document highlighting the administration’s policy priorities, is expected to be finalized around June 21.
Malaysia’s chip industry falls in crosshairs of US sanctions on Russia Al Jazeera The United States’ efforts to cripple Russia’s war machine in Ukraine have ensnared an unlikely target far from Moscow: Malaysia’s multibillion-dollar semiconductor industry. Malaysian semiconductor maker Jatronics SDN BHD is among nearly 300 entities that Washington slapped with US sanctions last month over their alleged links to Russia’s military suppliers.
Michigan puts $10M toward developing semiconductor workforce The Detroit News Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said Michigan is putting $10 million into the state’s initiative with private industry and educational institutions to develop a pipeline of skilled students and workers to advance semiconductor technology for the auto industry.The initiative, the Michigan Semiconductor Talent and Technology for Automotive Research or MSTAR, is rolling out a portfolio of innovation projects as it intends to pursue federal funding, according to Whitmer’s office. |
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CHINABiden’s science adviser explains the new hard line on China Washington Post Early in her career, Arati Prabhakar led the development of a self-piloting ship for a secretive U.S. military research agency. Now she’s the White House’s top technology official — the first to hail from a defense background since the Cold War and a representative of Washington’s new hard-line consensus on China. “We had an oversimplified model for a long time, for a number of decades,” Prabhakar said in an interview with The Washington Post. “That oversimplified model was that markets and globalization would solve all the problems.”
US-backed funding rounds in China fall to lowest in a decade S&P Global The value and volume of US venture capital-backed funding rounds in mainland China companies plunged in 2023, hitting the lowest level since 2013 as US investment restrictions, geopolitical tensions and reshoring policies give investors pause. Venture funding, which typically targets technology startups, has been impacted by US restrictions on outbound investment in China’s technology sector, including specific semiconductors, quantum computing and artificial intelligence technologies, citing national security concerns.
South China Morning Post A Huawei patent has raised questions about how far it can push existing DUV chip-making equipment using a technique to help it advance despite US sanctions. Huawei’s 7-nm chips in its Mate 60 and Pura 70 smartphones has resulted in closer scrutiny of the sanctioned firm’s advances in semiconductors. |
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TRADEBipartisan support for Taiwan gives hope for free trade deal, U.S. business group says Reuters The high level of bipartisan political support for Taiwan in the United States gives hope eventually a free trade deal could be signed, especially given progress on current talks, the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan’s chairman said on Thursday. Taiwan, a major semiconductor producer, has long campaigned for such a deal, in what would be a strong show of support for the Chinese-claimed island in the face of unrelenting diplomatic and military pressure from Beijing. It says it is a reliable partner for the United States with shared democratic values.
Inside UK Labour’s push for a US special relationship — even with Trump Politico If, as polls predict, Keir Starmer becomes prime minister in the U.K’s general election due on July 4, he’ll likely find himself sitting next to Joe Biden within days. NATO’s 75th anniversary summit would afford Labour’s leader the opportunity to enjoy the high-profile handshake with the U.S. president he pitched for — in vain — during his four long years in opposition. That would be Starmer’s first step in a new “special relationship” with his U.S. counterparts — a task made trickier by the dramatic developments of recent days. While it remains unclear if Biden or now convicted felon Donald Trump will be in the White House next year, the Labour leader will walk a diplomatic tightrope. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYEFC’s Innovative Neon Gas Recycling System Advances Sustainability in Semiconductor Manufacturing American Chemistry The semiconductor industry relies heavily on semiconductor-grade neon as a buffer gas in its ultraviolet lasers, which are crucial for chip fabrication. Neon helps to transfer energy more effectively within the laser, improving its overall efficiency and performance. However, this use of neon has traditionally faced several sustainability challenges, as the supply of high-purity neon is highly vulnerable to global shortages, and its cryogenic distillation from liquid air is energy-intensive with a large carbon footprint. As a leading supplier of electronic specialty gases, EFC Gases & Advanced Materials has developed an innovative Neon Gas Recycling System that addresses these sustainability challenges. The system captures the spent neon gas from the laser exhausts that are typically vented into the atmosphere. The gas is then reconditioned for use in a new laser gas mix. By recycling this valuable resource, this approach can offer stable neon availability and supply chain continuity, helping to enable better planning and efficiency for businesses.
Researchers develop PFAS-free polymer membranes for semiconductor processing Phys.org Due to their stability and resistance to water and grease, PFAS chemicals (short for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are used in a wide range industries, but they are harmful to health and the environment. Membranes containing PFAS are used in many semiconductor manufacturing processes, for example. Researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research IAP have now developed a sustainable alternative in the form of an innovative, PFAS-free membrane. The chemically stable, highly permeable polymer membrane has a pore diameter of approximately 7 nanometers and enables filtration of the smallest particulate contaminants. The membrane can be customized to meet specific needs, which makes it easy to integrate the new process into existing systems.
Phys.org Researchers have for the first time observed a time crystal on a microscale semiconductor chip oscillating at a rate of several billion times per second, unveiling exceptionally high non-linear dynamics in the GHz range. The results of the experiment, published in Science, establish a firm connection between formerly uncorrelated areas of non-linear exciton-polariton dynamics and coherent optomechanics at GHz frequencies, say researchers from the Paul-Drude-Institute for Solid State Electronics (PDI) in Berlin, Germany, and the Argentina-based Centro Atómico Bariloche and Instituto Balseiro (CAB-IB). |
SIA NEWSSIA Applauds CHIPS Act Incentives for Absolics Project in Georgia Press Release “As the first proposed CHIPS Act incentives that will support the production of a material critical to the semiconductor supply chain, the Absolics announcement marks an important milestone in the implementation of this landmark law. By incentivizing dozens of U.S.-based semiconductor projects—totaling nearly $450 billion in company investments—CHIPS is on track to deliver a huge return on investment and significant benefits to America’s economy, national security, and supply chain resilience. We congratulate Absolics for this important, job-creating investment in Georgia and commend the Commerce Department for continuing to make progress in getting CHIPS funding out the door and directed to important projects throughout the semiconductor ecosystem.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETMalaysia targets over $100 bln in semiconductor industry investment Reuters Malaysia is targeting at least 500 billion ringgit ($107 billion) in investment for its semiconductor industry, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Tuesday, as the Southeast Asian country looks to position itself as a global manufacturing hub.
Japan to tie chip, machine tool subsidies to tech leak safeguards Nikkei Asia Japan will require companies in critical sectors including chips and machine tools to take steps to prevent cross-border technology leaks in order to qualify for government aid, Nikkei has learned. The planned tech transfer rules will apply to five areas: semiconductors, advanced electronic components, batteries, aircraft components, and machine tools and industrial robots. The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will issue revised guidance on these areas, part of 12 critical materials Japan designated under a 2022 economic security law. |
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CHINAChina cashes in banking chips for tech drive Reuters China is roping in financial blue-chips in a renewed push to achieve technological self-sufficiency. Six of the country’s biggest lenders have invested in Beijing’s third and largest semiconductor fund, marking a new and riskier phase in China’s industrial ambitions.Known as the “Big Fund”, the China Integrated Circuit Industry Investment Fund this week launched a 344 billion yuan ($47.5 billion) investment vehicle worth more than its two predecessors combined.
China’s premier hails ‘new beginning’ with US-allied South Korea, Japan Reuters Chinese Premier Li Qiang praised what he called a restart in relations with Japan and South Korea as he met their leaders for the first three-way talks in four years on Monday, agreeing to revive trade and security dialogues hampered by global tensions.
Tom’s Hardware When Huawei and Semiconductor Manufacturing International Co. (SMIC) patented self-aligned quadruple patterning (SAQP) lithography methods to produce advanced microchips earlier this year, most assumed the companies were working on building chips using their 5nm-class fabrication process. Apparently, that’s not the limit of their plans, as Huawei is now looking forward to using quadruple patterning for 3nm-class manufacturing technology as well.
European G7 ministers warn over China trade war risks Reuters European finance ministers from the Group of Seven wealthy democracies called on Friday for the G7 to stay united in the face of China’s “unfair” industrial policies and warned of the risks of a trade war after U.S. tariff hikes against Beijing. On the first day of a meeting of G7 finance chiefs in the northern Italian town of Stresa, ministers from Germany, France and hosts Italy all called for a common front against China’s growing export strength. |
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TRADEEurope is turning to the right: Here’s how that will impact trade policy Politico According to POLITICO’s Poll of Polls, the right-wing European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), the far-right Identity and Democracy (ID) and other parties at that end of the spectrum are on course to win 166 of the 720 seats in next month’s European election — giving them critical mass in the policy debate. Trade policy falls under the remit of the European Commission, and lawmakers often have limited say on the end result. But they do have the power to slow the ratification of trade deals, can be tough negotiators on policies, and are capable of influencing public opinion.
Semiconductor Agreement at Japan-US Summit The Diplomat The summit meeting between Japan and the United States early last month produced agreements in a number of areas, including closer command and control in the defense field and cooperation in space development. Especially noteworthy at the recent summit were the references to “current-generation and mature-node (legacy) semiconductors.” The semiconductor export restrictions on China imposed by the United States in October 2022 mainly target advanced semiconductors (14-16 nanometer nodes), and aim to prevent China from using cutting-edge chips to develop the field of AI, as there is a risk of diversion to military AI. However, the future Japan-U.S. agenda will focus on legacy semiconductors, not advanced semiconductors.
China gears up to make a deal with Europe as EV tariffs loom Reuters The European Commission’s expected move to hike tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles is set to kick off a round of talks that Chinese executives hope will soften the blow for the world’s biggest EV industry. The provisional tariffs, expected to be announced by June 5, will be a sticker shock representing billions of dollars in new costs for Chinese electric car makers. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYResearch team demonstrates modular, scalable hardware architecture for a quantum computer Phys.org Quantum computers hold the promise of being able to quickly solve extremely complex problems that might take the world’s most powerful supercomputer decades to crack. But achieving that performance involves building a system with millions of interconnected building blocks called qubits. Making and controlling so many qubits in a hardware architecture is an enormous challenge that scientists around the world are striving to meet. Toward this goal, researchers at MIT and MITRE have demonstrated a scalable, modular hardware platform that integrates thousands of interconnected qubits onto a customized integrated circuit. This “quantum-system-on-chip” (QSoC) architecture enables the researchers to precisely tune and control a dense array of qubits. Multiple chips could be connected using optical networking to create a large-scale quantum communication network.
Phys.org Graphene has been called “the wonder material of the 21st century.” Since its discovery in 2004, the material—a single layer of carbon atoms—has been touted for its host of unique properties, which include ultra-high electrical conductivity and remarkable tensile strength. It has the potential to transform electronics, energy storage, sensors, biomedical devices, and more. But graphene has had a dirty little secret: it’s dirty. Now, engineers at Columbia University and colleagues at the University of Montreal and the National Institute of Standards and Technology are poised to clean things up with an oxygen-free chemical vapor deposition (OF-CVD) method that can create high-quality graphene samples at scale.
Phys.org In our communication-centered society, Moore’s law sets a high expectation for the increasing rate of the packing density of Si-based transistors. This drives the search for thickness-scalable high dielectric constant (high k) gate layers. Current material candidates, from simple binary oxides to complex polar oxides, all have failed to solve the “polarizability-scalability-insulation robustness” trilemma, hence contributing to the sum total of issues threatening the continuation of the Moore’s law. A team of material scientists led by Jun Ouyang from Qilu University of Technology in Jinan, China recently proposed a solution to this trilemma on gate layers, which is an ultrathin film of a ferroelectric oxide in its superparaelectric (SPE) state. |
SIA NEWSSIA Outlines Industry Recommendations for the National Semiconductor Technology Center Blog Post SIA released a set of recommendations to promote the success of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC), a critical public-private research consortium established by the CHIPS and Science Act. SIA’s recommendations synthesize the most up-to-date industry consensus and priorities. The CHIPS & Science Act included the most significant federal investment ever made in chip research and development (R&D), committing a substantial $13 billion across the Departments of Commerce and Defense. The cornerstone of the CHIPS R&D program is the NSTC, a more than $5 billion initiative tasked to “conduct research and prototyping of advanced semiconductor technology and grow the domestic semiconductor workforce to strengthen the economic competitiveness and security of the domestic supply chain” (15 U.S.C. § 4656(c)(1). |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETUS government to give $75 million to South Korean company for Georgia computer chip part factory Atlanta Journal-Constitution The federal government will spend $75 million to help build a factory making glass parts for computer chips in Covington, Georgia. The U.S. Department of Commerce announced the investment Thursday in Absolics, part of South Korea’s SK Group.
New semiconductor institute to oversee UK computer chip sector The Independent An independent institute to oversee national strategy on expanding the UK’s semiconductor industry is to be created, the Government has announced. The UK Semiconductor Institute will bring together the Government, university researchers and the private sector to oversee growth in the computer chip sector, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) said. |
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CHINASouth China Morning Post Hong Kong lawmakers have approved HK$2.84 billion (US$364 million) in funding for the government to set up a research centre focused on developing semiconductors to boost strategic parts of the economy amid an escalating US-China tech war.
Top China chipmakers SMIC and CXMT push to scrap foreign inputs Nikkei Asia China’s top chipmakers are pushing hard to localize the supply of key chip materials and chemicals to counter U.S. export controls, sources with direct knowledge of these efforts told Nikkei Asia. |
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TRADELabour MPs discussed US/ UK Brexit trade deal with Trump allies The Independent Speculation is mounting that Labour is paving the way to open UK/ US trade talks with a Donald Trump administration if he wins back the White House just as Sir Keir Starmer enters Downing Street. The Independent has learnt that senior Labour MPs including shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock and shadow exports minister Tan Dhesi were guests at the rightwing Heritage Foundation in Washington DC this week.
Britain’s political turmoil upends promised trade deal with India South China Morning Post An ambitious trade deal between India and Britain is likely to be delayed until a general election is held to form a new UK government, observers say, amid political uncertainty after British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak suffered a string of defeats in local polls. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYThe tunable coupling of two distant superconducting spin qubits Phys.org
Using DNA origami, researchers create diamond lattice for future semiconductors of visible light Phys.org For research teams, the manufacture of artificial photonic crystals for visible light wavelengths has been a major challenge and motivation ever since they were predicted by theorists more than 35 years ago. “Photonic crystals have a versatile range of applications. They have been employed to develop more efficient solar cells, innovative optical waveguides, and materials for quantum communication. However, they have been very laborious to manufacture,” explains Dr. Gregor Posnjak. A Collaborative Force: Unveiling CXL’s Potential with Intel and UIUC |
SIA NEWSSIA Applauds CHIPS Act Incentives for Polar Semiconductor’s Manufacturing Operations in Minnesota Press Release “Today’s announcement will help Polar Semiconductor expand and innovate its production capabilities, enabling the company to better supply crucial U.S. industries like automotive, aerospace, defense, and medical devices. These incentives will continue to advance the critical priorities of the CHIPS and Science Act, bringing more semiconductor production, jobs, and innovation to U.S. shores. We commend Polar for its significant U.S.-based investments and applaud the U.S. Commerce Department for working to keep the CHIPS Act on track for success. We look forward to continuing to work with leaders in government and industry to ensure the CHIPS Act continues to reinvigorate U.S. chip manufacturing and research and development.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETBig Tech Companies Were Investors in Smaller AI Labs. Now They’re Rivals Time Amazon and Microsoft have, so far, stood slightly apart from the artificial intelligence arms race. While Google and Meta made developing their own AI models a top priority, Microsoft and Amazon have invested in smaller technology companies, in return receiving access to those companies’ AI models that they then incorporated into their products and services.
India’s Zoho plans $700 mln foray into chipmaking Reuters Indian software firm Zoho is planning a foray into chipmaking and seeking incentives from the federal government, two sources with direct knowledge of the proposal said, with one of them pegging the investment plan at $700 million.
South Korea prepares support package worth over $7 billion for chip industry Reuters South Korea is readying plans for a support package for chip investments and research worth more than 10 trillion won ($7.30 billion), the finance minister said on Sunday, after setting its sights on winning a “war” in the semiconductor industry. |
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CHINABiden sharply hikes US tariffs on an array of Chinese imports Reuters U.S. President Joe Biden on Tuesday unveiled steep tariff increases on an array of Chinese imports including electric vehicle (EV) batteries, computer chips and medical products, risking an election-year standoff with Beijing as he woos American voters who give his economic policies low marks.
China asks carmakers to use up to 25% local chips by 2025 Nikkei Asia China is urging the country’s top automakers to source up to a quarter of their chips locally by 2025 as the world’s biggest car market looks to build a competitive and self-reliant semiconductor supply chain amid escalating tensions with the U.S.
Chinese firms make headway in producing high bandwidth memory for AI chipsets Reuters Two Chinese chipmakers are in the early stages of producing high bandwidth memory (HBM) semiconductors used in artificial intelligence chipsets, according to sources and documents.
China-Gulf free trade talks stall on Saudi industrial agenda, sources say Reuters Negotiations between China and an Arab bloc for a free trade agreement have stalled over concerns by Saudi Arabia that cheap Chinese imports could undermine its ambitions to transform the kingdom into an industrial powerhouse, sources say. |
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TRADETaiwan is selling more to the US than China in major shift away from Beijing Associated Press Whether it’s tapioca balls or computer chips, Taiwan is stretching toward the United States and away from China — the world’s No. 2 economy that threatens to take the democratically ruled island by force if necessary.
India inks 10-year deal to operate Iran’s Chabahar port Reuters India signed a 10-year contract with Iran on Monday to develop and operate the Iranian port of Chabahar, the Narendra Modi-led government said, strengthening relations with a strategic Middle Eastern nation.
How Brexit (and Donald Trump) brought Britain and Japan together Politico Japan, on the very frontline of that struggle and nervous at America’s flirtations with isolationism — and in particular, the possible return of Donald Trump to the White House — has welcomed British overtures with open arms. Japan now has its own “free and open Indo-Pacific vision,” a formal strategy of coordinating with fellow democracies to keep neighboring autocrats in check. Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Press Secretary Maki Kobayashi said “the whole atmosphere” in the world, with anti-democratic leaders seeking to tip the balance of power in their favor, had driven Britain and Japan together. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYResearchers make a surprising discovery: Magnetism in a common material for microelectronics Phys.org Nickel monosilicide (NiSi) is widely used to connect transistors in semiconductor circuits. Earlier theoretical calculations had incorrectly predicted that NiSi was not magnetic. As a result, researchers had never fully explored magnetism in NiSi. Recently, however, scientists used neutron scattering to identify an elusive form of magnetic order in NiSi. The research is published in the journal Advanced Materials.
Physicists create optical component for 6G Phys.org A joint team of physicists from Skoltech, MIPT, and ITMO developed an optical component that helps manage the properties of a terahertz beam and split it into several channels. The new device can be used as a modulator and generator of terahertz vortex beams in medicine, 6G communications, and microscopy. The paper appears in the journal Advanced Optical Materials. |
SIA NEWSPress Release The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), in partnership with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), today released a report on the global chip supply chain that projects the United States will triple its domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity from 2022—when the CHIPS and Science Act (CHIPS) was enacted—to 2032. The projected 203% growth is the largest projected percent increase in the world over that time.
Press Release “First-quarter global semiconductor sales were significantly higher than the total from the first quarter of last year, but sales slipped somewhat on a month-to-month and quarter-to-quarter basis, reflecting normal seasonal trends,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “The market is expected to continue to grow during the remainder of the year, with double-digit annual growth projected for 2024.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETBillions in Chips Grants Are Expected to Fuel Industry Growth, Report Finds New York Times (login required) The United States will triple its domestic chip manufacturing capacity by 2032, the largest increase in the world, according to a report released on Wednesday by the Semiconductor Industry Association and the Boston Consulting Group. As a result, America’s share of world chip manufacturing is expected to rise for the first time in decades, to 14 percent by 2032, up from about 10 percent today.
US to Triple Chipmaking Capacity by 2032, Industry Group Says Bloomberg (login required) “We’ve always said that the Chips Act was a strong first step, but we’re going to need more to get to the promised land,” SIA Chief Executive Officer John Neuffer said in an interview. “Our industry fully understands that we have an over-concentration of manufacturing in East Asia.”
The great American innovation engine is firing again Financial Times (login required) “The idea that 75 to 85 per cent of our chips were being made in east Asia was unsustainable,” John Neuffer, the president of the Semiconductor Industry Association, tells me. “We are spreading the peanut butter more broadly.” Chip lobby hands Washington its report card Politico (login required)
Yahoo Finance “It’s going to take us years to climb back,” John Neuffer, president and CEO of SIA, said to Yahoo Finance. “But with the CHIPS Act and with all these private sector investments, we absolutely turned the corner and are heading now in the right direction.”
U.S. to triple overall chip production by 2032, but still remain world’s fifth-largest supplier Tom’s Hardware The United States is on track to triple its semiconductor manufacturing capabilities by 2032, due to the CHIPS and Science Act, a new report released by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) reveals. China will make just 2% of most advanced chips by 2032, report says Nikkei Asia (login required) The country could be producing 28% of chips below the 10-nanometer level by then, while China is expected to make only 2% of the most advanced chips, according to a report released Wednesday by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) and Boston Consulting Group (BCG).
The U.S. will triple its chip manufacturing in less than a decade, report says Quartz The U.S. is expected to increase domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity by 203% by 2032, a decade after the establishment of the CHIPS and Science Act, according to a new report from the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) and Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The projected rate of growth is “the largest projected percent increase in the world” over that time, according to the SIA. By comparison, the U.S.’s chip manufacturing capacity only grew 11% between 2012 and 2022, the report said — the smallest growth among major chip-producing regions.
John Neuffer highlights CHIPS Act’s positive impact on U.S. TVBS The U.S. government-backed CHIPS and Science Act aims to incentivize and attract more semiconductor manufacturers domestically. John Neuffer, CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), is optimistic about the act, noting “early returns of nearly half a trillion dollars in commitments by the private sector are in play.”
Biden admin to fund $285M in development of digital twin semiconductors The Hill The Biden administration will grant roughly $285 million in funding from the CHIPS for America Program for development and research of digital twins in the semiconductor industry, the Commerce Department and National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announced Monday.
Tata reportedly progressing rapidly in semiconductor manufacturing Digitimes Tata Electronics reportedly shipped packaged chip samples to potential customers in several countries. It is in the final stages of tape-out for chips in 28-65nm, indicating the progress the Indian national champion and front-runner in India’s chipmaking indigenization made since its chip ambition. |
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CHINAThe US-China Chip Contest Is Entering a New Phase Bloomberg The Chips and Science Act, backed by more than $100 billion in grants, loans and guarantees for semiconductor firms to build plants in America, unleashed an avalanche of investment that will help reverse a downward trend of domestic chip production, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association. But America isn’t alone in building out its chip capacity: China is constructing about 30 new facilities for parts of the supply chain, more than in the US, the Washington-based lobby group said Wednesday.
Exclusive: US eyes curbs on China’s access to AI software behind apps like ChatGPT Reuters The Biden administration is poised to open up a new front in its effort to safeguard U.S. AI from China and Russia with preliminary plans to place guardrails around the most advanced AI Models, the core software of artificial intelligence systems like ChatGPT, sources said.
China and EU-candidate Serbia sign an agreement to build a ‘shared future’ Associated Press China and European Union candidate Serbia signed an agreement on Wednesday to build a “shared future,” making the Balkan country the first in Europe to agree on such a document with Beijing.
French and Chinese firms ink deals on sidelines of Xi’s Paris visit Reuters French and Chinese companies signed on Monday deals ranging from energy, finance and transport on the sidelines of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to the French capital. |
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TRADEThe tariff fight that could swing the election Politico Since he ran for president in 2020, President Joe Biden and his team have promised to rethink the tariffs that his predecessor imposed on China. Now, after years of debate and delay, they may have little choice but to double down on Trump’s approach.
US overtakes China as Germany’s top trading partner Reuters The United States overtook China as Germany’s most important trading partner in the first quarter of this year, according to Reuters’ calculations based on official data from the German statistics office. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYNew super-pure silicon chip opens path to powerful quantum computers Phys.org Researchers at the Universities of Melbourne and Manchester have invented a breakthrough technique for manufacturing highly purified silicon that brings powerful quantum computers a big step closer. The new technique to engineer ultra-pure silicon makes it the perfect material to make quantum computers at scale and with high accuracy, the researchers say.
Experiment opens door for millions of qubits on one chip Phys.org Researchers from the University of Basel and the NCCR SPIN have achieved the first controllable interaction between two hole spin qubits in a conventional silicon transistor. The breakthrough opens up the possibility of integrating millions of these qubits on a single chip using mature manufacturing processes. |
SIA NEWSFueling U.S. Semiconductor Competitiveness: Open Markets Abroad Blog Post To maintain U.S. semiconductor leadership, the United States needs a robust trade policy to complement efforts to run faster here at home. That was the main message of public comments SIA submitted on April 22 in response to the United States Trade Representative’s (USTR) request for information on how trade policy can strengthen U.S. supply chain resilience. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETItaly Plans to Invest About €10 Billion in Chips, Minister Urso Says BNN Bloomberg The Italian government is planning to invest around €10 billion in the semiconductor industry throughout the year, news agency Ansa reported, citing Industry Minister Adolfo Urso. Economic Times In a serious attempt to make up for lost time in semiconductor manufacturing, the Indian government has started working on a huge new package over and above the Rs 76,000-crore incentives already given out, ToI reported on April 29. South China Morning Post Microsoft will invest US$2.2 billion in Malaysia to develop cloud technology and artificial intelligence, in the company’s biggest investment in the country unveiled on Thursday by the chief executive of the world’s largest company during his whirlwind tour of Southeast Asia. |
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CHINAChina passes tariff law amid tensions with trading partners Reuters China passed a law on Friday strengthening its trade defence capabilities as the United States and the European Union take aim at Beijing over excess industrial capacity. The Tariff Law, approved by China’s top legislature after three rounds of deliberations going back to 2022, signals to China’s biggest trade partners its ability to hit back should they impose tariffs on exports of the world’s No.2 economy. South China Morning Post King Yuan Electronics Co, one of the world’s largest chip testing and packaging services firms, has divested its entire stake in a Suzhou subsidiary. ‘The board of directors has made a decision to withdraw from [mainland] China’s semiconductor manufacturing business,’ KYEC said. U.S. ‘firm’ steps in when China is seen as a bully, not a partner Bloomberg (Syndicated by the Japan Times) A key outcome from that episode was the creation of a team inside the U.S. State Department to help when Beijing responds to political disputes with economic and trade weapons — what the U.S. and its allies call economic coercion. Demand for that help has been strong, according to the U.S. official in charge of the program. |
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TRADESouth Korea discusses joining part of AUKUS pact with US, UK and Australia Reuters South Korea has held talks about joining part of the AUKUS defence deal between the U.S., Britain and Australia, Defence Minister Shin Won-sik said on Wednesday, only weeks after the pact said it would consider including Japan. US, Taiwan to resume trade talks in Taipei starting on Monday Reuters The U.S. and Taiwan will hold another round of negotiations toward their “21st Century” trade agreement starting on Monday in Taipei, the U.S. Trade Representative’s office said on Friday. The talks, led by USTR and the Taiwan Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States, are expected to discuss more complicated areas in their negotiating mandate that were not already agreed on previous negotiating rounds, including agriculture, labor, digital trade, environment, and state-owned enterprises. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYGood vibrations: Low-energy lasers induce atomic excitation in semiconductor materials Phys.org Semiconductors are a cornerstone of next-generation technology, so a new method to excite atoms in semiconductor materials is likely to excite a broad range of researchers and industries as well. By leveraging intense and broad-band ultrafast terahertz pulses, scientists from Yokohama National University and their colleagues at the California Institute of Technology have demonstrated atomic excitation in a two-dimensional semiconductor material, advancing the development of electronic devices. Semiconductor substrate behaves ‘like the tail wagging the dog’, say scientists Physics World The substrates on which semiconductor chip are grown usually get ignored, but they may be more important than we think. This is the finding of researchers in the US and Germany, who used high-energy X-rays to study titanium dioxide – a common substrate for insulator-to-metal semiconductors. The discovery that this material is far more than just a passive platform could help scientists develop next-generation electronics. |
SIA NEWSSIA Commends CHIPS Act Incentives for Micron’s Manufacturing Projects in New York and Idaho Press Release The significant semiconductor manufacturing incentives announced today will help boost domestic semiconductor production and innovation, create jobs, make U.S. supply chains more resilient, and bolster America’s economic and national security. We salute Micron for its ambitious investments in the U.S. and applaud the Commerce Department for the tremendous progress made in advancing the CHIPS Act’s landmark manufacturing incentives and R&D investments. We look forward to continuing to work with government and industry leaders to ensure the CHIPS Act remains on course to expeditiously strengthen U.S. chip production, supply chain resilience, and innovation. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETMalaysia plans Southeast Asia’s largest integrated circuit design park Reuters Malaysia plans to build Southeast Asia’s largest integrated circuit design park and will offer incentives including tax breaks, subsidies and visa exemption fees to attract global tech companies and investors, the government said on Monday.
Emphasise domestic IP, photomask subsidy for semiconductors: ICEA The Hindu Semiconductor design initiatives have to be encouraged with improved domestic fundraising opportunities and incentives for using domestically registered intellectual property (IP), the India Cellular & Electronics Association (ICEA) said in a report released Thursday. As China’s semiconductor industry faces hesitant investors due to geopolitical tensions, the report says, India must seize the strategic opportunity that semiconductors present.
Google, Others Sign Pledge to Increase Energy Efficiency of US Semiconductor Sector Executive Gov The Department of Energy has named new organizations that have committed to advancing the energy efficiency of the U.S. semiconductor industry to increase economic competitiveness and strengthen domestic supply chains. |
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CHINAUS is reviewing risks of China’s use of RISC-V chip technology Reuters The U.S. Department of Commerce is reviewing the national security implications of China’s work in open-source RISC-V chip technology, according to a letter sent to U.S. lawmakers. RISC-V, pronounced “risk five,” competes with proprietary technology from British semiconductor and software design company Arm Holdings. It can be used as a key part of anything from a smartphone chip to advanced processors for artificial intelligence.
China moves to boost foreign investment in domestic tech companies Reuters China published measures on Friday aimed at promoting overseas investment in its technology sector, in a latest bid to attract foreign investors amid signs some are considering shifting away from the world’s second-largest economy.
Japan is poised to fill an EV gap left by China The Japan Times Now is a good time for established Japanese car companies to seize the opportunity to expand in North America to meet electric-vehicle demand. |
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TRADEJoe Biden won’t do a trade deal with Britain, says Liz Truss Politico A comprehensive deal with the U.S. was held up as a key benefit of Brexit, but has proven elusive under two presidents and a succession of British prime ministers — including Truss, who took a fresh swipe at the incumbent U.S. president Monday. Truss told the Heritage Foundation think tank in Washington D.C.: “There will not be a U.S.-U.K. trade deal under Joe Biden. That is absolutely clear.” Trump 2.0: How US allies are preparing for a second term Reuters Germany is waging a charm offensive inside the Republican Party. Japan is lining up its own Trump whisperer. Mexican government officials are talking to Camp Trump. And Australia is busy making laws to help Trump-proof its U.S. defense ties.
Tiny piece of technology emerges as a source of U.S. tensions with China, Russia CBS News Semiconductors have emerged as a key battleground between the U.S. and Russia and the growing Cold War between the U.S. and China. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYBioelectronic chip detects vitamins C and D in saliva in under 20 minutes Phys.org Researchers at the University of São Paulo (USP) in Brazil have developed a bioelectronic chip that simultaneously detects vitamins C and D in body fluids. It is flexible and easy to see and can be adapted for use in a wearable device to assist with a personalized diet. Details are described in an article published in ACS Applied Nano Materials.
Study shows ultra-thin two-dimensional materials can rotate the polarization of visible light Phys.org In a recent study, German and Indian physicists have shown that ultra-thin two-dimensional materials such as tungsten diselenide can rotate the polarization of visible light by several degrees at certain wavelengths under small magnetic fields suitable for use on chips. The scientists from the University of Münster, Germany, and the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) in Pune, India, have published their findings in the journal Nature Communications.
Chinese Scientists Report New Quantum Light Source Is A Step Toward More Efficient Quantum Chips The Quantum Insider Researchers in China have recently reported on the development of a quantum light source using a common semiconductor that they say marks an important advance towards constructing a functional quantum chip. According to the South China Morning Post, the team used gallium nitride (GaN), a material traditionally employed in blue light-emitting diodes, to create what could be a critical component for quantum computation. |
SIA NEWSAaron Woolf, Dylan Peterson Join SIA Team Press Release The semiconductor industry is leading the charge toward greater innovation and productivity across the globe, and sound government policies are essential to promoting the continued strength of our sector,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “With extensive experience convening key actors in industry and government to solve pressing policy challenges, Aaron Woolf will be an outstanding advocate for the semiconductor industry’s global policy and economic security priorities. With a strong background at the intersection of communications and public policy, Dylan Peterson will play a valuable role in helping to get our message out to government leaders and the public. We are pleased to welcome them to the SIA team and look forward to their contributions on behalf of our industry.
SIA Applauds CHIPS Act Incentives for Samsung Manufacturing Projects in Texas Prese Release Today’s announcement will help Samsung bring more semiconductor production, innovation, and jobs to U.S. shores, reinforcing America’s economy, competitiveness, and critical chip supply chains. We applaud Samsung for investing boldly in U.S.-based manufacturing and salute the U.S. Commerce Department for making significant headway in implementing the CHIPS Act’s manufacturing incentives and R&D programs. We look forward to continuing to work with leaders in government and industry to ensure the CHIPS Act remains on track to help reinvigorate U.S. chip manufacturing and research for many years to come. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETFuture Semiconductor Workforce: SIA’s Detailed Policy Guide ElecroPages In response to the looming workforce challenge, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has crafted a Workforce Policy Blueprint, a strategic document aimed at guiding policymakers on how to nurture and expand the semiconductor workforce effectively.
How UT and Austin Community College are helping tackle semiconductor workforce needs Austin American-Statesman By 2030, the nation’s semiconductor workforce is projected to grow by 115,000 jobs, according to a July 2023 study by economic research consulting group Oxford Economics. It estimated that 58% of new jobs won’t be filled if degree completion rates stay the same — including technicians, computer scientists and engineers.
South China Morning Post A Taiwanese business leader with a strong background in the semiconductor industry will become the island’s next economic affairs minister, in which role he is expected to continue the strategy of reducing economic reliance on the Chinese mainland. |
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CHINAChina’s semiconductor output jumps 40% in first quarter amid growing dominance in legacy chips South China Morning Post China’s total integrated circuit (IC) output surged 40 per cent to 98.1 billion units in the first quarter, a sign that the country is expanding its production of older-generation chips while being constrained by US trade restrictions on advanced chip-making equipment.
Tech war: China pushes forward self-reliance campaign amid unrelenting US sanctions South China Morning Post China is making steady progress in developing home-grown chips and operating systems to reduce its reliance on foreign technologies amid US sanctions, according to local industry experts.
Malaysia is unfazed by China, U.S. semiconductor competition, minister says NBC Philadelphia Malaysia appears to be benefitting from U.S.-China trade tensions, which has prompted companies to diversify their semiconductor operations. The country is now focused on shifting away from the back end of the chip supply chain production and moving up the value chain. |
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TRADEUS trade chief Tai says taking ‘serious look’ at tools to deal with China Reuters U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai will tell lawmakers on Tuesday that the Biden administration is “taking a serious look” at U.S. trade defense tools to deal with threats posed by China’s trade and economic policies, including a review of Trump-era tariffs on Chinese imports.
US and EU eye new sanctions on Iran after attack on Israel BBC The United States and the European Union say they are looking at imposing further sanctions on Iran, after its attack on Israel at the weekend. US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said she expected to take action “in the coming days”, while EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the bloc was working on it.
US, Japan, South Korea Finance Chiefs to Meet In Security Push Bloomberg The US, Japan and South Korea will hold the first meeting of financial chiefs on Wednesday in Washington, part of the coordinated efforts among the three allies to counter geopolitical and economic security threats. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYScientists Discover “Surprising” Hidden Activity of Semiconductor Material SciTechDaily New research indicates that materials traditionally ignored in the design of computer chips are crucial for processing information. This breakthrough could pave the way for quicker and more efficient electronics. Using advanced imaging techniques, an international team led by Penn State researchers found that the material that a semiconductor chip device is built on, called the substrate, responds to changes in electricity much like the semiconductor on top of it.
Development of organic semiconductors featuring ultrafast electrons Phys.Org Scientists have created conducting two-dimensional polymers exhibiting electron mobility comparable to graphene. Their research has been featured in the online edition of Chem. |
SIA NEWSSIA Releases Policy Blueprint to Build the Future Semiconductor Workforce Blog Post As America grows its domestic semiconductor ecosystem and reinforces its global technological leadership, a highly skilled workforce will ultimately determine our ability to compete and to fulfill the goals set by Congress and the Administration in the CHIPS and Science Act. Unfortunately, the U.S. faces a shortfall in the supply of skilled workers that the semiconductor industry and the broader economy will need over the next decade. SIA’s new Workforce Policy Blueprint, released today, addresses this challenge head on by proposing actionable legislative recommendations for policymakers that would help ensure the American semiconductor workforce is the best educated and trained in the world.
SIA Applauds CHIPS Act Incentives for TSMC’s Advanced Manufacturing Operations in Arizona Press Release “Today’s TSMC announcement is a big win for America’s economy, supply chain resilience, and the advanced chip manufacturing ecosystem. The new TSMC facilities—sparked by the CHIPS and Science Act—will spur job creation and economic growth in Arizona while also broadening the state’s already substantial semiconductor footprint. We commend TSMC for its ambitious investments in the U.S. and applaud the Commerce Department for continuing to make progress in implementing the CHIPS Act’s landmark manufacturing incentives and R&D investments. CHIPS remains on track for great success, and we look forward to continuing to work with leaders in government and industry to ensure it delivers maximum benefits to America’s economic and technological leadership.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETJapan outspends U.S., Germany on chip subsidies as share of GDP Nikkei Asia Japan is proportionately spending more heavily to support its semiconductor sector than the U.S. and other major Western nations are on theirs, data presented at a key government panel here Tuesday shows.
Japan seeks investment in AI, semiconductors from American companies CNN Once seen as America’s greatest economic challenger, Japan is now looking to team up with the world’s biggest economy by appealing directly to US executives to invest in the Asian country’s emerging tech sectors including artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors and clean energy. |
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CHINAVisits from Japanese and Filipino leaders highlight Biden’s efforts to blunt China’s aggression CNN “There’s a loose collaboration on the supply chains,” said John Neuffer, president of the Semiconductor Industry Association. “But there’s really, in the last couple years, been a stepped-up effort on export controls.”
US, EU eye Chinese legacy chips in renewed semiconductor accord Reuters The United States and the European Union committed to extend by three years their cooperation on identifying disruptions in the semiconductor sector, with a particular emphasis on mainstream “legacy” chips from China.
China central bank to set up $70 billion tech re-lending programme Reuters China’s central bank will set up a 500 billion yuan ($70 billion) re-lending programme to support the country’s science and technology sectors, according to a statement released on Sunday. |
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TRADEUK trade deal would be a ‘priority’ for Trump’s second term, claims ex-adviser Politico Once coveted as the biggest post-Brexit prize, a U.K.-U.S. trade deal has eluded Joe Biden, Donald Trump — and multiple British prime ministers. Yet if Trump wins a second term this fall, securing the vaunted deal will be “a priority” for his administration, Robert Greenway — former deputy assistant to the president on Trump’s National Security Council — tells POLITICO’s Power Play podcast.
Europe’s Share of Global Exports Is Shrinking Bloomberg Economic security and trade competitiveness are emerging as the European Union’s top priorities for policymakers after elections in June across the 27-nation bloc.
Biden’s Trade Moves Raise Tensions Abroad but Draw Cheers in Swing States NYT President Biden has intensified efforts to shield American industries from foreign competition in an election year, as he courts blue-collar workers and attempts to avoid being outflanked on trade by his Republican rival, former President Donald J. Trump. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYDefect removal of 2D semiconductor crystals: Trapping oxygen molecules offers greater control Phys.org A study of oxygen molecules interacting with atomically thin layers of materials being developed as new generations of semiconductors could significantly improve control over the fabrication and applications of these two-dimensional (2D) materials.
Giant Faraday rotation in atomically thin semiconductors Nature Faraday rotation is a fundamental effect in the magneto-optical response of solids, liquids and gases. Materials with a large Verdet constant find applications in optical modulators, sensors and non-reciprocal devices, such as optical isolators.
Better Biosensors Just Need a Touch of Cheap Plastic IEEE Spectrum Organic semiconductors are versatile materials used in many flexible displays and sensors. The materials, which are typically made of conducting carbon-based polymers, can bend and fold, but they tend to degrade quickly compared to traditional electronics. |
INDUSTRY/MARKETEarly STEM Education Key To Growing Future Chip Workforce Semiconductor Engineering A key factor in building a domestic workforce for the chip industry is attracting kids to science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) subjects at a younger age. That way they are more likely to follow through and attain the skills and degrees needed to enter the semiconductor job market.
How We’ll Reach a 1 Trillion Transistor GPU > Advances in semiconductors are feeding the AI boom IEEE Spectrum In 1997 the IBM Deep Blue supercomputer defeated world chess champion Garry Kasparov. It was a groundbreaking demonstration of supercomputer technology and a first glimpse into how high-performance computing might one day overtake human-level intelligence. In the 10 years that followed, we began to use artificial intelligence for many practical tasks, such as facial recognition, language translation, and recommending movies and merchandise. |
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CHINASCMP Shanghai, mainland China’s commercial and financial hub, plans to set up a 100 billion yuan (US$13.8 billion) fund of funds focusing on key technology sectors to fire up the local economy, which is lagging behind the rest of the country.
US urges allies to bar firms from servicing key chipmaking tools for China Reuters The United States is asking allies to stop domestic companies from servicing certain chipmaking tools for Chinese customers, a U.S. commerce department official said on Wednesday, as it ramps up efforts to hobble China’s chipmaking capabilities. |
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TRADEWith Right Policies, India can Expand Role in Global Semiconductor Value Chains EE Times India “This is an exciting moment in history for the semiconductor industry and for strategic cooperation between the U.S. and India,” said John Neuffer, SIA President and CEO. “India is already an important link in the global semiconductor supply chain and has the opportunity to expand its role in our sector. While global competition for semiconductor investment is fierce, India’s value proposition is strong, and I’m confident it can grow even stronger with the right mix of government policies.”
US, Mexico to partner on semiconductor supply chain development Reuters The United States will partner with Mexico to explore semiconductor supply chain opportunities, the State Department said on Thursday, as the Biden administration pushes to reduce reliance on China and Taiwan for the technology. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYScientists develop ultra-thin semiconductor fibers that turn fabrics into wearable electronics Phys.Org To create reliably functioning semiconductor fibers, they must be flexible and without defects for stable signal transmission. However, existing manufacturing methods cause stress and instability, leading to cracks and deformities in the semiconductor cores, negatively impacting their performance and limiting their development.
Atomic-scale semiconductor process technology and clean hydrogen technology join hands Phys.Org Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) are widely used for energy storage, transportation, and various applications, employing solid electrolytes such as ceramics. The efficiency of these cells relies on the performance and stability of their electrodes. |
SIA NEWSSIA Applauds CHIPS Act Incentives for Intel Projects Press Release The CHIPS and Science Act incentives announced today will create jobs, boost U.S. and local economies, and make America stronger, safer, and more technologically advanced. CHIPS was enacted to incentivize companies in the semiconductor ecosystem to build, grow, hire, and innovate in the U.S., and that’s exactly what they’re doing. We congratulate Intel for investing boldly in these projects and applaud the Commerce Department for working diligently to advance the CHIPS Act’s manufacturing incentives and R&D investments. SIA looks forward to continuing to work with leaders in Washington to ensure this historic initiative is implemented successfully and expeditiously, which will help strengthen U.S. chip production, innovation, and supply chain resilience well into the future.
AI, Auto, Industrial Markets Spurred Rebound in Chip Demand During Second Half of 2023 SIA Blog Semiconductors are the key enabling technology that helps promote innovation in a broad range of products across virtually all segments of our economy. After reaching a record total of $574.1 billion in chip sales in 2022, the chip industry experienced an 8.2% decline in global revenue to $526.9 billion in 2023 due to normal market cyclicality. By the second half of last year, however, the industry experienced consistent month-to-month and year-to-year increases in sales, signaling the start of the current cycle. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETIntel clinches nearly $20 billion in awards from Biden to boost US chip output Reuters The CHIPS Act’s goal is to reduce reliance on China and Taiwan, as the share of global semiconductor manufacturing capacity in the U.S. has fallen from 37% in 1990 to 12% in 2020, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Automotive industry set to propel semiconductor demand, says SIA The Edge Malaysia The automotive industry will continue to be an important sector propelling semiconductor demand through the decade, according to the US-based Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).
The Global Effort to Make an American Microchip NYT One 2020 study by the Boston Consulting Group and the Semiconductor Industry Association estimated that an infusion of $50 billion would increase the American share of manufacturing to 13 or 14 percent by 2030, helping the United States to hold on to at least a portion of the global market. Without the funding, the U.S. share would fall to 10 percent, the study said.
Governor Names Inaugural Members of Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium Committee at UTD Dallas Innovates The inaugural members of the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium Executive Committee have been named by Gov. Greg Abbott at an announcement event at the University of Texas at Dallas. |
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CHINAChina’s SMIC may have violated US export curbs to make Huawei chip, official says Reuters The Biden administration said China’s top chipmaker SMIC (0981.HK), opens new tab might have violated U.S. export rules to produce a chip to power Huawei’s Mate 60 Pro phone, but is still evaluating the situation, a senior Commerce Department official stated during a congressional hearing on Thursday.
China chip expo shows investment buildup amid plans for huge new fund Nikkei Asia China is expanding semiconductor supply chain investments to sustain double-digit growth in homegrown chip production capacity, focusing on mature technology while eyeing a massive new national fund to support further advances.
At major China chip fair, firms ramp up call to buy domestic Reuters Chinese semiconductor-related companies pulled out all the stops at one of the country’s largest chip-sector fairs this week to pitch domestic buying, echoing Beijing’s call to galvanize support for an industry facing growing geopolitical strains. |
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TRADEUK-India trade deal talks put on ice until end of spring Financial Times Talks on a UK-India trade deal, originally scheduled to conclude before Diwali in October 2022, have been put on ice until after India’s general election later this spring following the failed final efforts to find a breakthrough. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYSpectroscopy and theory shed light on excitons in semiconductors Phsy.org From solar panels on our roofs to the new OLED TV screens, many everyday electronic devices simply wouldn’t work without the interaction between light and the materials that make up semiconductors. A new category of semiconductors is based on organic molecules, which largely consist of carbon, such as buckminsterfullerene.
Neuralink’s Brain Chip Is Running in a Human. Your Skull Is Safe, for Now CNET Back in January, the Elon Musk-led Neuralink implanted its brain chip, named Telepathy, in a human for the first time. It was an early stage of a six-year study and just one step on a very long path to making the technology safe and useful.
Squeezing Ultra-Precise Optical Timing Onto a Chip IEEE Spectrum Exquisite timing is essential to many important technologies, including GPS navigation and radar. Optical approaches provide the most precise and stable timing signals, but they require bulky equipment that makes them impractical in many situations. |
INDUSTRY/MARKETTo lead on AI, US needs to lead on computer chips, commerce secretary says ABC News Artificial Intelligence will be the “defining technology of our generation,” when it comes to the future of technology, but specifically the advancement of semiconductors in the United States, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said Monday.
Chips firms seek double $28 bln US subsidies available, Commerce Dept says Reuters U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said on Monday most chips companies seeking government subsidies will get significantly less than they have sought, since the government received requests for more than double the $28 billion it plans to award.
India gives green light to chip plants worth $15.2 bln Reuters India gave the go-ahead to construction of three semiconductor plants worth 1.26 trillion rupees ($15.2 billion) by firms including Tata Group and CG Power on Thursday, as the country pursues its goal of becoming an electronics powerhouse.
Hyundai launches initiative to enhance domestic semiconductor production DigiTimes Asia Hyundai Motor initiated a plan to boost its domestic semiconductor production and reduce its reliance on imported semiconductors, targeting over 90% of its vehicle requirements. |
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CHINAChina’s Rush to Dominate A.I. Comes With a Twist: It Depends on U.S. Technology NYT The Chinese firm, 01.AI, was only eight months old but had deep-pocketed backers and a $1 billion valuation and was founded by a well-known investor and technologist, Kai-Fu Lee. In interviews, Mr. Lee presented his A.I. system as an alternative to options like Meta’s generative A.I. model, called LLaMA. There was just one twist: Some of the technology in 01.AI’s system came from LLaMA. Mr. Lee’s start-up then built on Meta’s technology, training its system with new data to make it more powerful.
China to increase protections against hacking for key industries Reuters China’s ministry of industry and information technology (MIIT) unveiled a plan on Monday that aims to improve data security in China’s industrial sector and effectively contain “major risks” by the end of 2026.
US, allies set out 6G principles as tech rivalry with China heats up SCMP The United States and nine other nations have backed a set of principles to advance 6G technology, as the race heats up with China to develop the next-generation wireless networks. |
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WORKFORCEDutch seek to lure South Korean semiconductor talent with university programme Reuters A group of 60 top students from South Korean technical universities on Friday completed the first “Future Chips Academy” in Eindhoven, intended in part to help attract much-needed foreign semiconductor engineering talent.
Cloud companies recruiting semiconductor talent; increased opportunities for India and Taiwan DigitTimes Asia In recent years, major US-based cloud companies have initiated projects to develop chips in-house. Besides outsourcing to external IC design houses, internal demand for semiconductor talent is also increasing. Many related job openings have been posted for their headquarters, in India, and Taiwan. India has become a recruiting hotspot for Microsoft, Google, and Meta. |
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TRADEWTO talks deadline extended again with talks deadlocked Reuters Negotiations at the World Trade Organisation ministerial meeting in Abu Dhabi on Thursday were extended for another day, with the WTO saying the closing session had been delayed, and no immediate sign of breakthroughs in talks to set new global commerce rules.
US trade chief: ‘Complex trade-offs’ needed at WTO talks Reuters U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said on Friday breakthroughs were still possible in overnight negotiations at the World Trade Organization, but “complex trade-offs” would be needed even for less difficult topics such as fishing.
The EU’s trade deal with Latin America hangs by a thread. Here’s how to save it. Politico The European Union and the South American bloc of Mercosur countries have been discussing one of the world’s largest trade deals since 1999 — yet negotiators continue to insist that success is just around the corner. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGY2.5D Integration: Big Chip Or Small PCB? Semiconductor Engineering Defining whether a 2.5D device is a printed circuit board shrunk down to fit into a package, or is a chip that extends beyond the limits of a single die, may seem like hair-splitting semantics, but it can have significant consequences for the overall success of a design.
Thinking Big: From Chips To Systems Semiconductor Engineering Semiconductor Engineering sat down with Aart de Geus, executive chair and founder of Synopsys, to talk about the shift from chips to systems, next-generation transistors, and what’s required to build multi-die devices in the context of rapid change and other systems. |
INDUSTRY/MARKETOne Reason the U.S. Can’t Quit China? Chips. NYT John Neuffer, the president of the Semiconductor Industry Association, which represents the chip industry, said in a statement that the ongoing escalation of controls posed a significant risk to the global competitiveness of the U.S. industry. “China is the world’s largest market for semiconductors, and our companies simply need to do business there to continue to grow, innovate and stay ahead of global competitors,” he said. “We urge solutions that protect national security, avoid inadvertent and lasting damage to the chip industry, and avert future escalations.”
Electronics Weekly “Despite continuing market sluggishness compared to 2022, month-to-month global semiconductor sales inched upward in May for the third consecutive month, sparking optimism for a possible market rebound during the second half of the year,” says SIA CEO John Neuffer.
European growth leads a turn in the global chip market EE News Europe The latest figures from the from the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) report that the global chip market was worth US$40.74 billion in May on a three-month averaged basis, down 21.1 percent on the US$51.65 billion it was worth a year before.
Governments Begin To Shape Metrology Directions Semiconductor Engineering Over the past two decades, the U.S. share of worldwide semiconductor manufacturing declined to 12%, a substantial decrease from the 37% share the country held in 1990, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). |
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CHINAChina’s Huawei poised to overcome US ban with return of 5G phones, research firms say Reuters China’s Huawei Technologies is plotting a return to the 5G smartphone industry by the end of this year, according to research firms, signaling a comeback after a U.S. ban on equipment sales decimated its consumer electronics business.
China’s chip imports slump in first half as US sanctions and ongoing tech war take a toll on trade South China Morning Post China’s imports of integrated circuits (ICs) slumped 18.5 per cent in the first six months of 2023 from a year earlier by volume, according to newly released customs data, at a time when the US and its allies are continuing to restrict China’s access to advanced chips and technologies.
China’s semiconductor talent supply faces structural imbalance DigiTimes Asia As the global semiconductor industry faces a shortage of talent, latest survey has exposed an even more pronounced talent shortage in China’s semiconductor manufacturing sector. |
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TRADEU.S. should reach minerals deal with EU this year, U.S. official says Reuters The United States is “well positioned” to reach a deal with the European Union before the end of 2023 to allow critical minerals mined or processed in Europe to qualify for U.S. clean vehicle tax breaks, a senior U.S. treasury official said on Monday. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYNew material could hold key to reducing energy consumption in computers and electronics Science Daily A University of Minnesota Twin Cities team has, for the first time, synthesized a thin film of a unique topological semimetal material that has the potential to generate more computing power and memory storage while using significantly less energy.
Semiconductor Engineering With the fast growth of the number of electronic devices on the internet of things (IoT), hardware-based security primitives such as physically unclonable functions (PUFs) have emerged to overcome the shortcomings of conventional software-based cryptographic technology. |
SIA NEWSGlobal Semiconductor Sales Increase 1.7% Month-to-Month in May Press Release “Despite continuing market sluggishness compared to 2022, month-to-month global semiconductor sales inched upward in May for the third consecutive month, sparking optimism for a possible market rebound during the second half of the year,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETIndia aims to produce first semiconductors within 18 months Financial Times India will break ground on its first semiconductor assembly plant next month and begin producing the country’s first domestically manufactured microchips by the end of 2024, according to a senior government official who is overseeing New Delhi’s $10bn chipmaking foray.
Japan arms itself for global chip wars with $6.4bn state-backed deal Financial Times JSR, the Tokyo-based company that controls a critical link in the global semiconductor supply chain, will use a $6.4bn government-backed take-private deal to strengthen Japan’s arsenal in the US-China chip wars. |
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CHINAUS set to restrict China’s access to cloud computing, Wall Street Journal reports Reuters The new rule, if adopted, would likely require U.S. cloud-service providers such as Amazon (AMZN.O) and Microsoft (MSFT.O) to seek U.S. government permission before they provide cloud-computing services that use advanced artificial-intelligence chips to Chinese customers, the newspaper said.
China hits out at US ‘coercion’ after Dutch move to curb chip gear exports South China Morning Post Beijing has accused Washington of coercing other countries to curb semiconductor supplies to China after the Netherlands announced new restrictions on exports of some chip-making equipment.
China chipmakers line up $8bn via IPOs in comeback from U.S. curbs Nikkei Asia Chinese semiconductor manufacturers expect to raise over $8 billion from stock market listings so far this year, looking to expand output capacity to bounce back from a market downturn and U.S. export curbs.
China imposes export controls on rare minerals used to make semiconductor chips The Hill The Chinese government on Monday announced new limits on the exportation of two rare metals necessary for the production of semiconductors and electric vehicles. |
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TRADEChina, EU & USMCA all on tap Politico Until just a few years ago, China was easily the largest U.S. trading partner, at least where individual countries were concerned. But it’s fallen to third place behind Mexico and Canada, as the result of the increased trade friction that began in the Trump administration and prompted companies to diversify their supply chains.
EU, Japan Sign MOU on Semiconductors EE Times Europe European Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton and Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura signed today (July 4) a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on semiconductors.
UK-US: What’s happened to their free trade deal? DW US President Joe Biden’s upcoming European trip, where he will be popping in to see UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, will no doubt reinforce the optics of the “special relationship,” but simultaneously conceal the underlying fact that London needs Washington far more than vice versa. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYCutting edge transistors for semiconductors of the future Science Daily Transistors that can change properties are important elements in the development of tomorrow’s semiconductors. With standard transistors approaching the limit for how small they can be, having more functions on the same number of units becomes increasingly important in enabling the development of small, energy-efficient circuits for improved memory and more powerful computers.
Phys.Org The fast switching and modulation of light is at the heart, among other things, of modern data transfer, in which information is sent through fiber optic cables in the shape of modulated light beams. It has been possible for several years now to miniaturize light modulators and to integrate them into chips, but the light sources themselves—light emitting diodes (LEDs) or lasers—still pose problems to engineers.
Improved Thermal Conductivity in Semiconductors: Heat Transfer Using Surface Plasmon Polaritons SciTechDaily Engineers have made a significant breakthrough in thermal management of semiconductors by discovering a new heat transfer mode using surface plasmon polaritons (SPP). This novel method enhances heat dispersion by 25% and could be vital in addressing overheating issues in miniaturized semiconductor devices. |
SIA NEWSNew Assessment Identifies Opportunities for Strengthening India’s Role in Semiconductor Ecosystem Blog Post SIA has long supported efforts to strengthen U.S.-India collaboration in the semiconductor supply chain. A new initial assessment—commissioned by SIA and the India Electronics Semiconductor Association (IESA) and authored by the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF)—finds that India brings significant strengths to the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.
SIA Welcomes Progress Toward Selection of National Semiconductor Technology Center Leadership Press Release “Today’s announcement marks good progress toward standing up the National Semiconductor Technology Center, a centerpiece of the historic CHIPS and Science Act enacted last year to reinvigorate domestic chip production and innovation. The selection committee members’ deep and varied experience makes them well-positioned to appoint a strong board of trustees that will ensure effective and efficient NSTC implementation. We look forward to working with the NSTC selection committee, the eventual board of trustees, and Secretary Raimondo and other leaders in the Commerce Department to ensure the CHIPS and Science Act provides maximum return on investment for America’s economy, national security, and supply chain resilience.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETOhio State University preparing students to fill shortage in semiconductor workforce Fox Business Across the country, manufacturers have already announced plans for new semiconductor infrastructure projects that could be partially funded with CHIPS Act subsidies. More than 50 new projects have been announced since the act was introduced, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Board of Trustees for the National Semiconductor Technology Center selected Gas World According to the US Semiconductor Ecosystem Map, released by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) in March (2023), over $210bn of new private investments have been announced across 19 states since spring 2020.
A.I. could ‘remove all human touchpoints’ in supply chains. Here’s what that means CNBC Artificial intelligence is likely to shake up the transportation industry — transforming how supply chains are managed and reducing the number of jobs carried out by people, according to analysts and industry insiders. |
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CHINAU.S.-China tech battle entering its ‘primetime’ — and generative A.I. could be the next frontier CNBC
China’s Cloud Computing Firms Raise Concern for U.S. NYT In the digital cold war between the United States and China, American officials are increasingly turning their attention to a new target: Chinese cloud computing giants.
South China Morning Post China has been pushing for membership in a high-level Asia-Pacific trade and investment pact and will step up efforts to attract foreign investment, according to the country’s top trade negotiator. |
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TRADEUS-India: Major critical technology collaborations for the future Financial Express In the overall scope of semiconductor industry, the U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association and India Electronics Semiconductor Association released an interim readiness assessment to identify near-term industry opportunities and facilitate the long-term strategic development of complementary semiconductor ecosystems.
US House approves Taiwan trade deal Taipei Times The US House of Representatives on Wednesday approved the first agreement under the US-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, sending it to the US Senate where it is expected to be ratified.
U.S.-India relations enter a new chapter and could unlock even more tech and defense deals CNBC U.S.-India relations entered a new chapter as Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Joe Biden announced a slew of technology and defense deals.
US to push India to join Indo-Pacific Economic Framework trade pillar CNBC Prime Minister Narendra Modi is slated to hold talks with US President Joe Biden on improving trade ties, deepening tech and defence cooperation as well as on the future of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYBetter Choreography Required For Complex Chips Semiconductor Engineering The rapidly growing number of features and options in chip design are forcing engineering teams to ratchet up their planning around who does what, when it gets done, and how various components will interact.
Large-scale plasma etching technology for mass production of next-generation 2D semiconductors Tech Xplore A large-scale (4-inch), highly uniform, and defect-free plasma etching technology, which will likely become the foundation of the industrial supply of molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), a next-generation two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor, has been developed.
Semiconductor Lasers Hit Steel-Slicing Levels IEEE Spectrum Semiconductor lasers, unlike bulky gas lasers and fiber lasers, are tiny, energy efficient, and highly controllable. The one thing they can’t do is deliver their competitor’s steel-slicing brightness. |
INDUSTRY/MARKETHow chip makers can get $24 billion in new US tax credits Yahoo Finance The US has fallen behind places like Taiwan in recent decades, especially in the making of the most advanced chips. A recent report from the Semiconductor Industry Association found that 0% of the world’s most advanced logic semiconductors were manufactured in the US in 2019.
With $1.4 billion investment, Texas hopes to sprint to the front of the microchip manufacturing race The Texas Tribune Semiconductor companies have already promised $215 billion in investments and the creation of 40,000 jobs across the country in response to the federal CHIPS Act, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association. Sixty billion of these investments will land in Texas, where six projects that will create 8,000 jobs in the sector have already been announced. Texas is the second state with the most planned projects, after Arizona.
Singapore warns U.S., EU chip subsidies will ‘drive up costs’ Politico Singapore is worried that the massive subsidies Washington and Brussels are about to spend on new microchip projects will upset a “finely balanced” global market.
How AI can overcome three common supply chain challenges Fierce Electronics In the realm of supply chain management, surmounting obstacles is paramount to ensuring smooth operations and sustained prosperity. Enter artificial intelligence (AI), which is revolutionizing the way enterprises address three prevalent hurdles: port congestion, freight rate instability, and demand forecasting. |
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CHINACramer says China faces challenges now that the U.S. market for A.I. chips is expanding CNBC CNBC’s Jim Cramer discussed on Wednesday the challenges China is facing now that the U.S. market for chips used by artificial intelligence software is ramping up.
Exclusive: Xi Jinping tells Bill Gates he welcomes U.S. AI tech in China Reuters Chinese President Xi Jinping discussed the global rise of artificial intelligence with Bill Gates on Friday and said he welcomed U.S. firms including Microsoft bringing their AI tech to China, two sources familiar with the talks said.
South China Morning Post The speed at which computers can perform complex calculations and process data has become so blazingly fast that keeping up with the ever-expanding limits of computing power is a critical component in the economic rivalries between nations. |
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TRADEUS to remove obstacles to defence, high-tech trade with India, NSA adviser Sullivan says Reuters The United States is set to remove obstacles that prevent smoother trade with India in critical areas such as defence and high technology, U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on Tuesday.
EU moves forward with Critical Minerals Agreement negotiations with the US European Commission Today, the European Commission has adopted its negotiating directives for a Critical Minerals Agreement (CMA) with the United States. The objective is to foster EU-US supply chains in critical raw materials needed in the production of electric vehicle batteries. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYThe Semiconductor Industry’s Most Important Tool Goes Green IEEE Spectrum In the complex quest to keep increasing the density of transistors, extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography is the most critical tool. Costing more than US $100 million, these trailer-size systems bounce near x-ray wavelength light off a complex cascade of mirrors and onto silicon wafers to create patterns with nanometer-scale precision.
A scalable method to create ferroelectric FETs based on AlScN and 2D semiconductors Phys.org A key objective in the electronics engineering field is to develop transistors and other electronic components that are increasingly compact and efficient, utilizing readily available processes and materials.
Smart Manufacturing Makes Gains In Chip Industry Semiconductor Engineering Lights out manufacturing is gaining steam across the semiconductor industry, accelerating productivity, improving quality, and reducing costs and environment impact. |
SIA NEWSGlobal Semiconductor Sales Increase 0.3% Month-to-Month in April Press Release “The global semiconductor market remains in a cyclical downturn, exacerbated by sluggish macroeconomic conditions, but month-to-month sales ticked up for the second consecutive month in April, perhaps foreshadowing a continued rebound in the months ahead,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “The latest industry forecast projects a double-digit dip in global chip sales for 2023, followed by a strong rebound in 2024.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETGlobal chip sales dropped more than 20% in April, but 2024 rebound expected Market Watch “The global semiconductor market remains in a cyclical downturn, exacerbated by sluggish macroeconomic conditions, but month-to-month sales ticked up for the second consecutive month in April, perhaps foreshadowing a continued rebound in the months ahead,” said SIA Chief Executive John Neuffer in a statement.
Tech Hubs competition begins under CHIPS Act funding Electronics 360 The Regional Technology and Innovation Hub (Tech Hubs) competition has been launched by the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC), a funding opportunity program authorized under the CHIPS and Science Act.
You can now become a semiconductor technician in just 10 days Quartz Chipmakers are expected to hire more than 20,000 people in Arizona in the coming years, according to Maricopa Community College officials. The mean annual salary for a semiconductor processing technician in the US is $48,370.
NIST unveils new leadership team to drive semiconductor innovation Nextgov The National Institute of Standards and Technology has compiled a new team of leaders to help spearhead federal research and development efforts that aim to boost U.S. leadership in semiconductor manufacturing. |
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CHINASouth China Morning Post The global semiconductor market is still grappling with a cyclical downturn exacerbated by macroeconomic headwinds. In April, the chip industry saw its total sales drop 21.6 per cent year on year to US$40.0 billion, according to data released on Tuesday by the US-based Semiconductor Industry Association.
CNBC Industry analysts are optimistic that Chinese chip makers will develop their own advanced semiconductors despite Washington’s attempts to cut the country off from accessing or manufacturing the technology.
South China Morning Post The central business district of the southern Chinese tech hub of Shenzhen has announced new measures to support semiconductor companies that range from cheaper rent to cash subsidies worth up to 10 million yuan (US$1.4 million), as part of the central government’s pursuit of technological self-sufficiency amid an escalating rivalry with the US. |
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TRADEBiden and UK’s Sunak sign ‘Atlantic Declaration,’ pledging agreements on A.I. and critical minerals CNBC Despite a U.S.-U.K. trade deal remaining very much elusive, British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and President Joe Biden signed a new “Atlantic Declaration” aiming to bolster economic security in the face of threats coming from Russia and China. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYBuilding 2D semiconductors with nanopulse lasers for low cost sensors EE News Europe The €1.2m project on ‘Pulsed Laser Annealing of 2D Semiconductors for Nanoelectronics’ aims to substantially increase the scalability, functionality, performance, and energy efficiency of electronic devices while keeping full compatibility with existing mass production technologies. |
SIA NEWSCoalition Urges Congress to Fund R&D, Workforce Initiatives Blog Post Funding for critical research and education is an investment in our future competitiveness. Our country will reap the benefits of this investment for generations to come … Innovation has driven significant growth over the last 50 years with America’s GDP growing from $550 billion to more than $23 trillion. Federal research funding is a down payment on our nation’s future success. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETForeign Policy “What happens with a lot of these companies is they try to hire in the U.S., they strike out with the H-1B two cycles in a row, and then they have the same job but they have to go do it somewhere else,” said Eric Breckenfeld, director of technology policy at the SIA. “It’s just a drain on efficiency. There’s no reason that it needs to happen.”
A semiconductor workforce shortage is on the horizon. Ohio higher education wants to fix that. WOSU A 2022 report by financial advisor Deloitte estimates the U.S. semiconductor workforce will be short by 70,000 to 90,000 people in the coming years. The Semiconductor Industry Association takes a more conservative approach in saying the expanding supply chain will create upwards of 40,000 new jobs, but that’s still a lot of help wanted signs.
Senators urge Commerce to prioritize national security in chips funding Reuters Two key U.S. senators said on Thursday they want the Commerce Department to prioritize national and economic decisions in awarding $39 billion in semiconductor manufacturing subsidies rather than using the funds to aid ailing companies. |
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CHINAAlibaba begins rollout of its ChatGPT-style tech as China A.I. race heats up CNBC Alibaba on Thursday began rolling out its ChatGPT-style technology as Chinese tech giants look to take a lead in the country’s artificial intelligence race.
China Telecom establishes quantum technology group Reuters China Telecom (0728.HK) has invested 3 billion yuan ($434 million) to establish the China Telecom Quantum Information Technology Group Co., it said in a statement on its official WeChat account Tuesday.
Chinese tech entrepreneurs keen to ‘de-China’ as tensions with US soar Reuters For the ambitious Chinese tech entrepreneur, expanding into the U.S. just keeps getting harder. Before 2019, there were few major impediments to having a Chinese company that did business in the U.S. from China. |
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TRADEU.S. and Taiwan ink trade deal as China issues warning The Japan Times The United States and Taiwan signed a trade deal on Thursday aimed at deepening economic relations between both sides — a move that has sparked a warning from Beijing.
IPEF nations agree to strengthen supply chains at Detroit meeting Nikkei Asia The U.S.-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework wrapped up a meeting on Saturday, with trade ministers agreeing to a deal to strengthen supply chains for essential materials such as chips and critical minerals to reduce dependence on China.
UK has no plans to strike US trade deal during Rishi Sunak visit to Washington Financial Times Rishi Sunak is set to ignore calls to secure a UK-US trade deal when he visits Washington next week for a bilateral meeting with President Joe Biden. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYResearchers find a way to reduce the overheating of semiconductor devices Phy.Org The demand to shrink the size of semiconductors coupled with the problem of the heat generated at the hot spots of the devices not being effectively dispersed has negatively affected the reliability and durability of modern devices.
Developing Semiconductor Materials for Harsh Environments AZO Nano Harsh environments like high temperature, extreme pressure and corrosive or oxidizing atmospheres significantly impact the performance of semiconductor materials. This article discusses the challenges of developing high-performance semiconductor materials for harsh environments.
ALD-Oxide Semiconductors: Summary, Benefits And Challenges Semiconductor Engineering A technical paper titled “Atomic layer deposition for nanoscale oxide semiconductor thin film transistors: review and outlook” was published by researchers at Hanyang University. |
SIA NEWSSIA Supports Holistic Approach to Implementing CHIPS Act’s Advanced Manufacturing Tax Credit Blog Post As part of our ongoing effort to provide input to government leaders during the implementation of this critical new law, SIA today submitted comments on the proposed rule of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and the Treasury Department to implement the CHIPS Act “advanced manufacturing investment credit.”
SIA Urges Balanced Approach to Implementation of CHIPS Act ‘Guardrails’ Blog Post As part of our ongoing effort to provide input to government leaders during the implementation of this critical new law, SIA today filed public comments in response to the Department of Commerce’s proposed regulations to implement the CHIPS Act “guardrails,” which place certain restrictions on companies that receive CHIPS manufacturing incentives.
Blog Post SIA and Arizona State University this week hosted the first North America Semiconductor Conference (NASC), a new trilateral endeavor between the governments, academic institutions, and private sectors of Mexico, Canada, and the United States. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETWhite House Press Release The three governments organized the first North America Semiconductor Conference in Washington, D.C. on May 18-19 with the support of the Semiconductor Industry Association and Arizona State University.
Inaugural North American Semiconductor Conference Held in Washington D.C. Supply Chain Brain “NASC holds great promise as a critical platform to help re-balance the global semiconductor supply chain and bring more manufacturing, assembly, test, packaging and design to the North America region,” wrote Rina Pal-Goetzen, director of Global Policy at SIA, in a blog post. “SIA looks forward to playing a collaborative role as this important new effort progresses in the months and years ahead.”
EU’s New Monitoring System Aims to Secure Semiconductor Supply Chain ElectroPages As the world’s semiconductor supply slowly stabilises after the COVID-19 pandemic, countries around the world continue to invest in local foundries to try and prevent future supply chain challenges. Now, the EU has announced that it will be piloting a new monitoring system that will look for weaknesses in the semiconductor supply chain. |
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CHINAAt APEC trade meeting, union leaders call for new ‘balance’ with China Reuters U.S. trade policy with China and other nations must strike a more equitable balance between needs of workers and corporate profits, leaders of two big U.S. unions said at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation trade ministers meeting on Thursday.
G7 urged to deliver on no-decoupling pledge China Daily “Access to this massive (Chinese) market is essential for the success of any globally competitive chip firm today and in the future,” the Semiconductor Industry Association, a Washington-based group that represents the US chip sector, said in a report.
Japan to tighten controls on semiconductor exports to China The Japan Times The government will launch, in July at the earliest, tighter regulations on the export to China of manufacturing equipment for cutting-edge semiconductors, which are essential to the development of supercomputers and artificial intelligence. |
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TRADEJapan and US to commit to closer chip cooperation in joint statement Reuters Japan and the United States will issue a joint statement on technology cooperation on Friday that will commit them to closer cooperation in research and development of advanced chips and other technologies, a Japanese government source said.
U.S. pumps the brakes on EU clean car deal Politico The European Union has been pressing for a more flexible agreement on the critical minerals used in electric car batteries that won’t require the time-consuming approval of its 27 member countries. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYA brief history of gallium nitride (GaN) semiconductors EDN Gallium nitride (GaN) and its wide bandgap cousin silicon carbide (SiC) have started to disrupt power electronics. Ironically, just a few years ago, GaN was considered useless as a semiconductor, mainly because GaN is a highly imperfect crystal.
Chips Getting More Secure, But Not Quickly Enough Semiconductor Engineering Awareness about potential vulnerabilities is increasing, but so is the complexity with heterogeneous integration and the increased reliance on semiconductors in critical applications.
Chip-based quantum key distribution achieves higher transmission speeds Phys.Org Researchers have developed a quantum key distribution (QKD) system based on integrated photonics that can transmit secure keys at unprecedented speeds. The proof-of-principle experiments represent an important step toward real-world application of this highly secure communication method. |
INDUSTRY/MARKETAmerica’s Semiconductor Boom Faces a Challenge: Not Enough Workers NYT More than 50 new facility projects have been announced since the CHIPS Act was introduced, and private companies have pledged more than $210 billion in investments, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Experts push Congress for more high skilled immigrants to compete with China AXIOS More than five dozen experts, including former national security officials, are asking the House China Select Committee to address “immigration bottlenecks” for international science and engineering graduate students and workers, according to a copy of a letter viewed by Axios.
Britain launches $1.2 billion semiconductor plan after U.S. and EU splurge on chips CNBC The U.K. on Friday announced up to £1 billion ($1.24 billion) of support for its semiconductor industry, seeking to boost its domestic chipmaking capabilities and prevent further disruptions to supply after cries for help from bosses at some of the country’s leading firms.
Europe must lead in semiconductor manufacturing: EU Commissioner Computer World Europe must manufacture its own cutting-edge chips or risk being left to build old-style chips, said EU Commissioner Thierry Breton during a keynote speech to semiconductor companies this week. |
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CHINARepublicans skeptical of Schumer plan on China Axios Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) says he wants Republicans to help Democrats craft an ambitious plan to help the U.S. fight off competition from China — but so far, his calls for bipartisanship are falling flat.
‘De-Americanize’: How China Is Remaking Its Chip Business NYT Last October, construction plans for a hulking semiconductor factory owned by a major state-backed company in central China fell into disarray. The Biden administration had escalated the trade war over technology, severing China’s access to the Western tools and skilled workers it needed to build the most advanced semiconductors.
South China Morning Post China’s growing demand for semiconductors used in electric vehicles, high-end servers in data centres and artificial intelligence applications provides a vast opportunity for RISC-V processors to flourish, according to a proponent of the open-source, royalty-free chip design, even as integrated circuits (ICs) built on proprietary Arm and x86 architectures continue to dominate the global market. |
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TRADEUS and Taiwan draw closer with new trade pact opposed by China CNN
US-led trade talks with 14 countries, including India, close to reaching supply chains pact The Economic Times Fourteen countries in US-led Indo-Pacific trade talks are nearing an agreement on supply chain coordination and may announce a deal as soon as next week, according to people familiar with the discussions.
Rishi Sunak to unveil semiconductor partnership with Japan Financial Times Rishi Sunak will announce a “semiconductors partnership” with the Japanese government during a visit to Tokyo on Thursday as the UK seeks to reduce geopolitical risk by diversifying its chip supply chain. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYPushing the Limits: Testing Higher-Power Next-Gen Semiconductors EE Times The ever-evolving landscape of technology requires increasingly higher-power semiconductors, presenting a host of challenges for engineers in the field.
Challenges Grow For Creating Smaller Bumps For Flip Chips Semiconductor Engineering New bump structures are being developed to enable higher interconnect densities in flip-chip packaging, but they are complex, expensive, and increasingly difficult to manufacture. |
SIA NEWS
Press Release “Semiconductor sales continued to slip during the first quarter of 2023 due to market cyclicality and macroeconomic headwinds, but month-to-month sales were up in March for the first time in nearly a year, providing optimism for a rebound in the months ahead,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETNearshoring Mitigates Counterfeit Component Risks EE Times More broadly, counterfeit parts can negatively impact the U.S. economy. According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, counterfeiting costs U.S.-based semiconductor companies more than $7.5 billion per year, which translates into nearly 11,000 lost American jobs.
A.I. will cause ‘significant labor-market disruption’ over next 5 years, says World Economic Forum Fortune Global labor markets are poised for a new era of turbulence as technologies like artificial intelligence accelerate the decline of clerical work, while simultaneously increasing demand for technology and cybersecurity specialists. |
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CHINASouth China Morning Post Beijing has hit out again at the US’s efforts to boost its semiconductor industry via subsidies under the Chips and Science Act, saying that the actions manifest a “Cold War mentality” and severely disrupt the global chip supply chain.
South China Morning Post A state-backed Chinese semiconductor trade group said Japan’s recent move to expand restrictions on exports of advanced chip-making technology would “bring even greater uncertainties” to the global chip industry. |
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TRADEUS-Taiwan trade negotiations should be updated ‘soon’, White House official says South China Morning Post US President Joe Biden’s top trade official said on Wednesday that an update on a Washington-Taipei trade facilitation initiative should be expected “soon” and touted the administration’s efforts to reduce reliance on “certain countries” for critical minerals – an apparent reference to mainland China.
South China Morning Post A US trade official said he expects to discuss China’s “economic coercion” in a coming round of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) talks in Detroit this month. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYML Automotive Chip Design Takes Off Semiconductor Engineering Machine learning is increasingly being deployed across a wide swath of chips and electronics in automobiles, both for improving reliability of standard parts and for the creation of extremely complex AI chips used in increasingly autonomous applications.
World’s smallest LED will convert your phone camera into a microscope Interesting Engineering A team of researchers from Singapore-MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART) has developed a silicon LED that can help convert the camera of the mobile phone in your hand into a high-resolution microscope.
Data Leakage Becoming Bigger Issue For Chipmakers Semiconductor Engineering Data leakage is becoming more difficult to stop or even trace as chips become increasingly complex and heterogeneous, and as more data is stored and utilized by chipmakers for other designs. |
SIA NEWS
SIA Welcomes Commerce Department Action to Advance National Semiconductor Technology Center Press Release “Today’s action represents a valuable step forward for implementation of the National Semiconductor Technology Center, a cornerstone of the landmark CHIPS and Science Act signed into law last year. While we are still reviewing the details set forth in the Commerce Department’s white paper, we are encouraged it reflects industry leaders’ input and recommendations, including those outlined in SIA’s recent report on semiconductor research. We look forward to continuing to work with Secretary Raimondo, others in the Commerce Department, and the future leadership of the NSTC itself to ensure the new law is implemented in a way that maximizes its return on investment and turbocharges U.S. semiconductor production and innovation for many years to come.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETCommerce Dept. Outlines Plans to Fund Cutting-Edge Chip Research NYT The Biden administration outlined plans on Tuesday to propel research on the type of cutting-edge microchips needed to power computers, cars and other devices, saying it would establish a new national organization with locations in various parts of the United States.
Tata ready to buy its way into semiconductors: report EE News Europe During the interview Chandrasekaran confirmed the group’s plan to manufacture semiconductors in India (see Tata plans to make semiconductors in India) but said it may take a little time. He indicated that Tata will start with assembly and packaging of ICs (see Tata in talks over $300 million Indian chip packaging factory). |
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CHINASouth China Morning Post Shanghai’s municipal government has vowed to provide up to 100 million yuan (US$14.45 million) to shore up investments in semiconductors, biomedicine, and artificial intelligence (AI), amid the country’s growing technological rivalry with the US.
China pumps $7bn into upgrading chip supply chain Nikkei Asia Chinese chipmaking suppliers and state-backed funds plan to spend an estimated 50 billion yuan ($7.26 billion) to strengthen the domestic supply chain as the U.S. curbs tech exports. |
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TRADEUS-led IPEF does not conflict with other trade pacts -USTR’s Tai Reuters U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said on Tuesday the Biden administration’s signature Asian engagement project called the IPEF is designed to create no conflict with other trade agreements in the region, where China is expanding its clout.
US-EU Critical Minerals Deal Would Give EU Broader Trade Relief Bloomberg An agreement between the US and the European Union over critical minerals would unlock wider benefits than previously thought, with a deal paving the way to remove several more trade barriers introduced by President Joe Biden’s massive green subsidy law, according to people familiar with the matter. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYD2X Tool Paves Easier Way To Get Bugs Out Of Programming Languages India Education Diary Sometime in 2019, MIT PhD student Ajay Brahmakshatriya formulated a simple, though still quite challenging, goal. He wanted to make it possible for people who had expertise in a particular domain — such as climate modeling, bioinformatics, or architecture — to write their own programming languages, so-called domain-specific languages (or DSLs), even if they had little or no experience in creating programming languages. |
SIA NEWS
Press Release R&D is the driving force behind semiconductor innovations that have advanced modern technology and made the world smarter, more efficient, and better connected. U.S. semiconductor companies invest an average of one-fifth of their revenues in R&D annually, among the largest shares of any sector. Restoring the longstanding policy of allowing the immediate, full deduction of R&D investments would help expand U.S.-based R&D and innovation, spur economic growth and job creation, and strengthen America’s tech workforce. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETUS manufacturing commitments double after Biden subsidies launched Financial Times Companies have committed more than $200bn to US manufacturing projects since Congress passed sweeping subsidies last year, as president Joe Biden’s effort to spark a new industrial revolution gains momentum.
EU takes on United States, Asia with chip subsidy plan Reuters The European Union on Tuesday agreed a 43 billion euro ($47 billion) plan for its semiconductor industry in an attempt to catch up with the United States and Asia and start a green industrial revolution. |
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CHINASouth China Morning Post China’s Guangdong province is doubling down on expanding its local semiconductor industry to meet growing demand for chips from the region’s carmakers and electronics companies, according to a high-ranking local government official.
China aiming for ‘global technological supremacy’, British cyber chief says Reuters China is aiming for “global technological supremacy” in cyberspace and is using its cyber capabilities to conduct intelligence and surveillance campaigns, Britain’s cyber chief said on Wednesday. |
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TRADEChina, Brazil agree to cooperate on semiconductors as geopolitical worries continue Seeking Alpha The Chinese and Brazilian governments on Friday signed a number of memorandum of understandings, including one designed to see both countries cooperate on semiconductors.
No deal yet on EU critical minerals Politico The U.S. and European Union are still hammering out the details of their critical minerals agreement, even as leaders on both sides seem eager to reach a speedy resolution, EU Trade Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis told reporters. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYQuantum Light Source Fully Integrated On A Chip Semiconductor Engineering Integrated photonics has recently become a leading platform for the realization and processing of optical entangled quantum states in compact, robust and scalable chip formats, with applications in long-distance quantum-secured communication, quantum-accelerated information processing and nonclassical metrology.
Nanoimprint Finally Finds Its Footing Semiconductor Engineering Nanoimprint lithography, which for decades has trailed behind traditional optical lithography, is emerging as the technology of choice for the rapidly growing photonics and biotech chips markets.
Smarter Ways To Manufacture Chips Semiconductor Engineering OSAT and wafer fabs are beginning to invest in Industry 4.0 solutions in order to improve efficiency and reduce operating costs, but it’s a complicated process that involves setting up frameworks to evaluate different options and goals. |
INDUSTRY/MARKETUS works with allies abroad to develop semiconductor policies Fox News “Our goal is not to totally onshore our supply chain. It’s too big, too sophisticated. We can’t do it all at home,” Neuffer said. “We must also work with global partners to increase production, partners like Mexico and Canada, like-minded economies in Southeast Asia and in Europe to reinforce our global supply chain.”
February chip sales down 21% globally, down 14% in Americas Fierce Electronics Despite the decline, Semiconductor Industry Association CEO John Neuffer said the long-term prospects for chip sales remain “bright thanks to growing demand across a range of end markets.” SIA reported in March that chip sales for all of 2022 actually increased for automotive and industrial as well as for broad category of consumer products despite a downturn for chips for PCs and computers. |
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CHINABrazil paves way for semiconductor cooperation with China Reuters China and Brazil agreed on Friday to set up a working group to pursue cooperation on semiconductors as the South American nation strengthens ties with Beijing in areas of sensitive technology.
AI: China tech giant Alibaba to roll out ChatGPT rival BBC Chinese technology giant Alibaba has announced plans to roll out its own artificial intelligence (AI) ChatGPT-style product called Tongyi Qianwen. |
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TRADERishi Sunak presses Joe Biden for a trade deal — just not the one the UK wants most Politico The Biden and Sunak administrations are edging toward a narrow trade pact on critical minerals — used to make everything from electric vehicles to solar panels, flatscreen TVs and pacemakers — as Biden visits the U.K. to mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement.
Indonesia to propose limited free trade deal with US on critical minerals Reuters Indonesia will propose a free trade agreement for some minerals shipped to the United States so that companies in the electric vehicle battery supply chain operating in the country can benefit from U.S. tax credits, a senior minister said on Monday. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYPower Semiconductor Devices: Thermal Management And Packaging Semiconductor Engineering A technical paper titled “Thermal management and packaging of wide and ultra-wide bandgap power devices: a review and perspective” was published by researchers at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory, and Univ Lyon, CNRS.
How Curvilinear Mask Writing Affects Chip Design Semiconductor Engineering As chips become more complex and features continue to shrink, it becomes more difficult to print shapes on photomasks. |
SIA NEWS
Global Semiconductor Sales Decrease 4% Month-to-Month in February Press Release “Global semiconductor sales continued to slow in February, decreasing year-to-year and month-to-month for the sixth consecutive month,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Short-term market cyclicality and macroeconomic headwinds have led to cooling sales, but the market’s medium- and long-term prospects remain bright, thanks to growing demand across a range of end markets.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETOnshoring Boom Strengthens U.S Semiconductor Ecosystem Design News Recently, the SIA (Semiconductor Industry Association) published its first U.S. Semiconductor Ecosystem Map, which provides a comprehensive guide to various locations where research and development, IP and chip design software providers, semiconductor fabrication, and suppliers of semiconductor manufacturing equipment and suppliers are located.
Where the US semiconductor industry operates Quartz Data on where all these operations take place are collected by the Semiconductor Industry Association. Mapping these locations reveals that research and manufacturing of semiconductors happens in almost every US state.
Global Semiconductor Sales Down 4% in February EE Times Asia Global semiconductor industry sales totaled $39.7 billion during the month of February 2023, down by 4% compared to the January 2023 total of $41.3 billion and 20.7% less than the February 2022 total of $50 billion, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).
Exclusive: EU Chips Act likely to get green light on April 18 -sources Reuters The European Union’s 43 billion euro ($47 billion) plan to boost its semiconductor industry and catch up with the United States and Asia is likely to get the green light from EU countries and lawmakers on April 18, people with direct knowledge of the matter said on Wednesday. |
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CHINAChina’s chip industry will be ‘reborn’ under U.S. sanctions, Huawei says, claiming breakthrough CNBC China’s chip industry will be “reborn” as a result of U.S. sanctions, a top boss at Huawei said Friday, as the Chinese telecommunications giant claimed a breakthrough in semiconductor design technology.
China urges Japan not to back U.S. chip export restrictions as Washington tries to rally allies CNBC Chinese Foreign Minister Qin Gang urged Japan not to support U.S. curbs on China’s semiconductor industry, as Washington continues to try to rally nations behind its chip export restrictions. |
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TRADEUK Wants to Revive US Trade Talks When Biden Visits Ireland Bloomberg The UK is seeking to restart talks with the US for a trade deal, people familiar with the matter said, hoping to overcome President Joe Biden’s reluctance over agreements that are unpopular with key American voters.
U.S. trade chief Tai defends pursuit of non-traditional trade deals Reuters U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai on Wednesday defended the Biden administration’s decision not to pursue traditional free trade deals and argued her approach of working to ease non-tariff barriers is better for workers, supply chains and the U.S. ability to compete with China.
UK joins trans-Pacific trade bloc in a deal likely to boost GDP by less than 0.1% CNN The country will become the first new member, and the first in Europe, to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) since it came into force in 2018. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYTip-enhanced spectroscopy contributes to making ‘transformer’ semiconductor particles Phys.org Separating transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) into a single layer just like graphene makes it transform into a thin, two-dimensional (2D) film material that exhibits the characteristics of highly performing semiconductors. By stacking two disparate TMD layers, different combinations of TMD types and stacking methods can produce unique properties.
What’s Required To Secure Chips Semiconductor Engineering Experts at the Table: Semiconductor Engineering sat down to talk about how to verify that a semiconductor design will be secure, with Mike Borza, Synopsys scientist; John Hallman, product manager for trust and security at Siemens EDA; Pete Hardee, group director for product management at Cadence; Paul Karazuba, vice president of marketing at Expedera; and Dave Kelf, CEO of Breker Verification.
Hybrid Memristor AI Chips Could Scale IEEE By combining atomically thin devices with conventional microchips, scientists have created brain-mimicking hybrid electronics that can help implement neural-network artificial-intelligence systems in a far more energy-efficient way than standard electronics, a new study finds. |
INDUSTRY/MARKET
ASU convenes experts to discuss North America’s semiconductor future ASU Pal-Goetzen noted that the CHIPS Act includes $500 million to support international development where complementary expertise and competitive advantage can be maximized across the nearshore supply chain. She said the industry looks for a few key factors when evaluating sites for expansion. “First would be the trade environment. How easy is it to move items in and out of the country? A chip sometimes goes to hundreds of different locations before becoming a finished product,” she said. “Second is the business environment, including taxes, customs times and ease of permitting issues.”
Chip Makers Find Out How to Get 25% Investment Tax Credit WSJ The Biden administration moved to implement a new 25% investment tax credit for U.S.-based semiconductor manufacturing and proposed restrictions that would make it difficult for companies to expand China operations if they receive certain federal funds.
Biden has big ideas for fixing child care. For now a small workaround will have to do NPR The bill provides, among other things, $39 billion in federal incentives for semiconductor manufacturers to build new fabrication plants in the U.S. There’s no child care money in the bill per se, but late last month, the Commerce Department told companies: If you’re applying for more than $150 million in CHIPS funding, you must come up with a plan to provide affordable child care for your workers. |
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CHINAUnited States looks to ensure China doesn’t benefit from $52B CHIPS Act Fox Business The Commerce Department announced a proposed regulation that would prevent adversarial countries like China from using technology developed out of the $52 billion CHIPS and Science Act against the U.S. or its allies.
South China Morning Post China needs to foster a research environment more tolerant of mistakes and give academics more time to push the boundaries of basic research if it wants to become a technological powerhouse, officials and experts said.
Huawei makes breakthroughs in design tools for 14nm chips -media Reuters Huawei Technologies Co Ltd (HWT.UL) has made breakthroughs in electronic design automation (EDA) tools for chips produced at and above 14-nanometre technology, Caijing reported on Friday, citing a speech by a senior executive. |
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TRADEBiden administration holds second round of IPEF talks in Bali Reuters The Biden administration said on Sunday that it has held a second round of negotiations for its signature Asia engagement project on topics including labor, environment, digital trade and technical assistance.
U.S. lays out possible critical raw materials agreement with EU -Handelsblatt Reuters The United States and the European Commission have negotiated a possible agreement to allow for electric vehicles with critical minerals extracted or processed in the European Union to qualify for U.S. green subsidies, Handelsblatt reported on Thursday.
Biden’s ‘Go It Alone’ Trade Deals Draw Warnings From Congress WSJ The Biden administration is accelerating its efforts to pursue trade agreements that bypass Congress as it seeks to counter China, but the moves have sparked a fight with lawmakers that threatens to upend the president’s trade strategy at a critical point of rising global competition.
German minister visits Taiwan to strengthen semiconductor ties DigiTimes German federal minister of education and research Bettina Stark-Watzinger is paying a brief visit to Taiwan to strengthen Germany’s ties in chip manufacturing technology and to expand talent exchanges. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYSemiconductor lattice marries electrons and magnetic moments Science Daily A model system created by stacking a pair of monolayer semiconductors is giving physicists a simpler way to study confounding quantum behavior, from heavy fermions to exotic quantum phase transitions.
Team develops silicon photonic MEMS compatible with semiconductor manufacturing Phys.Org A team of researchers led by the University of Sydney’s Associate Professor Niels Quack has developed a new technology to combine optics and micro-electro mechanical systems (MEMS) in a microchip, paving the way for the creation of devices like micro-3D cameras and gas sensors for precision air quality measurement, including their use in mobile phones.
Semiconductor crystals: Molecular teamwork makes the organic dream work Phys.Org The virus responsible for E. coli infection has a secret weapon: teamwork. Always scrappy in its bid for survival, the virus alights on an unassuming host cell and grips the surface with the business end of its tubular tail. Then, the proteins in the tail contract in unison, flattening its structure like a stepped-on spring and reeling the virus’s body in for the critical strike.
New Aging Test Method for Semiconductor Devices AZO Materials The prevalence of semiconductors and embedded chip devices continues to increase, propelled by rising chip integration levels and processing capability, as well as declining costs and power consumption. Aging is a major issue for semiconductors that play a crucial part in applications requiring reliability or safety. |
SIA NEWS
Press Release R&D investments are the lifeblood of innovation in the semiconductor industry, giving rise to technologies that reinforce our economy, national security, and high-tech workforce. The U.S. chip industry plows an average of one-fifth of its revenues back into R&D annually, one of the largest shares of any sector. Those investments propel rapid innovation in semiconductor technologies and seismic advancements in computing, 5G, health care, energy, AI, and more. |
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NSF eyes science alliances on ‘steroids’ to meet China challenge Roll Call The National Science Foundation has been stepping up partnerships and collaborative investments with allies around the world, one element of the Biden administration’s push to build a coalition of like-minded researchers in biotechnology, artificial intelligence and other areas.
India-US chip partnership could boost global chip supply chain ComputerWorld India is trying to emerge as a competitive alternative to China in the semiconductor sector amid the intensifying chip war between the US and China. |
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CHINAChina’s Communist Party to take science and tech reins to break through US containment South China Morning Post China’s Communist Party will directly oversee science and technology with the creation of a central commission as part of a plan to counter US-led attempts to contain development of Chinese technology.
South China Morning Post China’s integrated circuit (IC) output dropped 17 per cent in the first two months of 2023, as the country’s semiconductor industry grappled with economic headwinds and escalating US trade sanctions.
Chinese auto chips only: Inside Xi’s self-sufficiency campaign Nikkei Asia As Xi Jinping begins his third term as president, China is accelerating efforts to bolster the country’s chip sector — starting with the automotive industry. |
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TRADEIndo-Pacific trade negotiators flock to Bali Politico U.S. trade officials are in Bali, Indonesia, this week for the latest round of negotiations over the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework.
United States, EU agree to start talks on critical minerals amid trade tensions Reuters Amid trade frictions between the United States and the European Union, President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed on Friday that the two sides would launch talks on critical minerals used for electric vehicles.
Commerce On March 10, Secretary Gina Raimondo joined Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and announced a U.S.-India Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that will establish a Semiconductor Supply Chain and Innovation Partnership.
Japan and South Korea renew ties in first summit in 12 years NPR In their first bilateral summit in 12 years, the leaders of South Korea and Japan portrayed their meeting in Tokyo as a sort of springtime, after an extended period of frosty ties. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYRevisiting semiconductor heat management through nanotechnology Phys.Org Nanotechnology has significantly impacted the semiconductor industry, enabling the production of transistors that are just a few nanometers in size. While the miniaturization of electronic components has resulted in higher transistor densities, it has also increased heat generation.
Phosphorus semiconductor overcomes resistance The Engineer Researchers believe a recently discovered blue form of ultrathin phosphorus – with tuneable electronic properties that enhance the injection of charge carriers into transistors – will help advance next-generation electronic devices.
Compound semiconductor critical to expected 5G mmWave demand spurt DigiTimes Asia 5G, a technology deemed as fundamental to Industry 4.0, began to see large-scale commercial application around the world in 2020. However, 5G still faces problems related to difficulties in penetration and indoor coverage.
Better 2D semiconductors signposted by materials review EE News Researchers at The University of Texas at Austin have conducted a computer study of a materials database looking for 2D semiconductors with characteristics that correlate with high mobility. |
SIA NEWS
Global Semiconductor Sales Decrease 5.2% Month-to-Month in January Press Release “Despite record-high sales in 2022, the global semiconductor market cooled considerably during the second half of the year, and that trend continued during the first month of 2023,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Despite the current short-term cyclical downturn, the long-term outlook for the semiconductor market remains strong due to the ever-increasing role of chips in powering the critical technologies of today and tomorrow.” |
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US aims to create semiconductor manufacturing clusters by 2030 The Chemical Engineer John Neuffer, CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association said: “This is a good first step. This is going to take a sustained and significant commitment for a long time. Other governments from around the world have been helping their companies with manufacturing incentives for decades. We have been sitting on the sidelines watching that happen.”
Semiconductor sales dip 18.5% Y/Y in January Seeking Alpha Global semiconductor industry billed $41.3B in January 2023, down 5.2% compared to December 2022 total of $43.6B and down 18.5% Y/Y according to Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).
How Russia Supplies Its War Machine WSJ Part of the problem is that the global semiconductor business is so enormous, particularly at the lower end. The industry shipped over one trillion units in 2021, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Global Semiconductor Sales Down 5% in January EE Times Asia “Despite record-high sales in 2022, the global semiconductor market cooled considerably during the second half of the year, and that trend continued during the first month of 2023,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Despite the current short-term cyclical downturn, the long-term outlook for the semiconductor market remains strong due to the ever-increasing role of chips in powering the critical technologies of today and tomorrow.”
South Korea Worries About Strings Attached to US Chip Subsidies Bloomberg The US Chips Act imposes a number of onerous demands and still harbors a great deal of uncertainty for companies hoping to benefit from it, South Korea’s trade minister said in Seoul on Monday. |
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CHINASouth China Morning Post A Chinese construction vehicle maker briefly became a leading example of the country’s self-reliance drive in semiconductors when President Xi Jinping asked a delegate from the company whether all the chips it used were domestically produced.
China Favors Chips, AI Executives Over Internet Tycoons at Top Political Meetings WSJ A number of prominent Chinese internet executives have been left out of the country’s top political meetings in Beijing this week, giving way to experts in artificial intelligence and semiconductors as Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s priorities shift amid rising technology competition with the U.S. |
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TRADEIndia, US to sign memorandum of understanding on semiconductors Reuters The United States and India will sign a memorandum of understanding on semiconductors as both countries discuss coordination of investment and continue dialogue around policies to spur private investment, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said on Thursday.
US, EU in talks on clean technology trade deal -FT Reuters U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said the United States and the European Union were in talks about a free trade-style deal around clean technology, the Financial Times reported on Friday.
UK on verge of ratifying free-trade deal with Australia Reuters The United Kingdom is set to ratify a controversial free-trade agreement with Australia as soon as this month, the country’s High Commissioner to Australia said on Wednesday.
India, Wary of China, Expands Trade Ties With the West WSJ As host to foreign ministers from the Group of 20 nations last week, Narendra Modi played the traditionally neutral role of an Indian prime minister, refusing to take sides between Russia and the U.S. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYHuman–machine collaboration for improving semiconductor process development Nature One of the bottlenecks to building semiconductor chips is the increasing cost required to develop chemical plasma processes that form the transistors and memory storage cells1,2. These processes are still developed manually using highly trained engineers searching for a combination of tool parameters that produces an acceptable result on the silicon wafer3.
Semiconductor Digest Semiconductor Research Corporation (SRC), a world-renowned semiconductor research and workforce development consortium, released an interim report for the Microelectronic and Advanced Packaging Technologies (MAPT) Roadmap – a far-reaching initiative for the semiconductor industry that, to date, has involved the participation of over 100 organizations of all sizes representing government, academia, and industry. |
SIA NEWS
Blog Post A U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association delegation (SIA) will travel to Xiamen, China for the 75th World Semiconductor Council Joint Steering Committee (JSTC) meetings from March 7-10. The meetings will include our industry counterparts from China, Chinese Taipei, the EU, Japan, and Korea.
SIA Welcomes Commerce Department Action to Initiate Critical CHIPS Act Incentives Press Release “Today’s action marks an important step forward in the implementation of the CHIPS and Science Act, a landmark law that will boost U.S. semiconductor production and innovation for years to come. We are carefully reviewing the Commerce Department’s Notice of Funding Opportunity, which lays out the rules of the road for companies to apply for the CHIPS Act’s manufacturing grants. |
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Biden to require chips companies winning subsidies to share excess profits Reuters The Semiconductor Industry Association said it was carefully reviewing the funding notice that “lays out the rules of the road for companies to apply for the CHIPS Act’s manufacturing grants.”
U.S. Aims to Chart New Course for Chip Industry WSJ The Semiconductor Industry Association, the industry’s trade group, said it was reviewing the provisions but called the program a “historic opportunity.” “We stand ready to work with Secretary Raimondo and leaders in the Commerce Department’s CHIPS Office to ensure the new law is implemented effectively, efficiently, and expeditiously,” said John Neuffer, SIA’s president and chief executive.
Lobbyists to Biden: Unless you want to cede to China, relax microchip rules Politico In a public filing that has not previously been reported, SIA warned that failure to provide chipmakers with an exemption could “pose significant delays in the disbursement of CHIPS funds and result in delays in the construction and operation of facilities.” It urged the Commerce Department to use its administrative powers to “streamline and expedite reviews to the greatest extent possible.” “Time is of the essence,” David Isaacs, vice president of government affairs at SIA, told POLITICO on Thursday.
Biden’s Semiconductor Plan Flexes the Power of the Federal Government NYT Semiconductor manufacturers seeking a slice of nearly $40 billion in new federal subsidies will need to ensure affordable child care for their workers, limit stock buybacks and share certain excess profits with the government, the Biden administration will announce on Tuesday.
Gina Raimondo Becomes China Player in a Job Where Her Predecessor Used to Nap Bloomberg Raimondo’s crowning achievement so far is helping steer the $280 billion Chips Act through Congress, an 18-month slog during which the legislation at one point looked doomed to die with the rest of Biden’s “Build Back Better” plan. (She and her staff celebrated its passage last summer by feasting on an assortment of potato chips.) |
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CHINAAlibaba and Ant venture to launch RISC-V chips for payments Reuters Alibaba Group Holding’s (9988.HK) chip unit T-Head and Alipay, the payment service under Alibaba’s financial affiliate Ant Group, will release computing chips for secure payments based on the RISC-V instruction set architecture, the two entities said.
At China political meeting, internet bosses are out, chip execs are in Reuters Tencent Holdings (0700.HK) founder Pony Ma and others from China’s crackdown-hit internet sector will be absent from this year’s parliamentary sessions, as Beijing boosts representation from the tech hardware sector, delegate lists show.
Experts lay out steps Hong Kong can take to leap ahead in global chip race South China Morning Post Hong Kong should aim to develop breakthroughs in semiconductor materials and chip packaging technology by attracting talent and enterprises if it wants to be a regional leader in microelectronics, experts have said. |
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TRADEUS-Europe trade tensions heat up over green subsidies Financial Times Joe Biden’s administration hopes to unleash a green revolution by offering hundreds of billions of dollars in subsidies to clean energy companies, but the US president’s flagship legislation also threatens to spark a fresh trade war.
Yellen says EV battery mineral trade pacts can likely bypass Congress Reuters U.S. Treasury Secretary Yellen said on Friday that she expects that future limited free trade agreements focused on battery minerals with the European Union and other trusted allies would not need approval from Congress.
Germany’s Scholz committed for Free Trade deal between India, EU Reuters German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Saturday that he and India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi were committed to sealing a free trade deal between India and the European Union (EU). |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYHow To Build Resilience Into Chips Semiconductor Engineering Disaggregating chips into specialized processors, memories, and architectures is becoming necessary for continued improvements in performance and power, but it’s also contributing to unusual and often unpredictable errors in hardware that are extremely difficult to find. |
SIA NEWS
Press Release Secretary Raimondo has been a tireless advocate for the CHIPS and Science Act, the historic new law that will reinvigorate chip production and innovation in America. Since the CHIPS Act was introduced, companies in the semiconductor ecosystem have announced new projects across America totaling hundreds of billions of dollars in private investments and supporting hundreds of thousands of new jobs. These new projects—combined with the new law’s critical investments in semiconductor research—will help strengthen America’s economy, national security, critical supply chains, and leadership in the semiconductor-driven technologies of today and tomorrow. |
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Chips Act Will Test Whether U.S. Can Reverse Semiconductor Exodus WSJ The Chips Act has already set off an investment boom in the industry. According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, more than 40 projects have been announced with promises for investments of nearly $200 billion in new manufacturing facilities. “This is a good first step. This is going to take a sustained and significant commitment for a long time” from the government, said John Neuffer, president and chief executive of the Semiconductor Industry Association, an industry group.
Kansas tech projects involve billions in funding, hinging on federal CHIPS Act funds KWCH Neuffer said once the CHIPS act passed, “we’ve seen quite an outflow of commitments by our industry.” Neuffer said nationwide, through CHIPS act funding, there are 40 projects announced, equating to more than a $200 billion investment.
U.S. Aims to Create Semiconductor Manufacturing Clusters With Chips Act Funds WSJ The program has already triggered an investment boom, with U.S. and foreign manufacturers unveiling more than 40 projects for total investments close to $200 billion, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association, a trade group.
Commerce Department Names Gatekeeper of Federal Semiconductor Funds WSJ The Commerce Department appointed Todd Fisher, a veteran of private-equity firm KKR & Co., to an important role determining which companies will receive part of $52.7 billion in federal funding intended to boost domestic semiconductor manufacturing.
CHIPS Act will strengthen US national security by boosting access to semiconductors: Raimondo ABC Making semiconductors in the U.S. is critical for national security, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo told reporters on Wednesday, ahead of a speech she’ll give on supporting domestic manufacturing. |
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CHINAChina’s Economic Support for Russia Could Elicit More Sanctions NYT Beijing has remained officially unaligned in the war. Yet China, along with countries like Turkey and some former Soviet republics, has stepped in to supply Russia with large volumes of products that either civilians or armed forces could use, including raw materials, smartphones, vehicles and computer chips, trade data shows.
South China Morning Post Chinese semiconductor companies are scrambling to stockpile chip-making equipment, spare parts and other related materials, while overseas firms continue to fulfil orders as they await clarity on tighter export rules resulting from coordination between the US, Japan and the Netherlands, according to industry insiders.
South China Morning Post Beijing is highly concerned about Tokyo’s moves to control semiconductor exports, China’s commerce ministry said during an economic partnership consultation with Japan on Wednesday. |
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TRADEU.S. Eyes Trade Deals With Allies to Ease Clash Over Electric Car Subsidies NYT he Biden administration hopes to reach limited free trade agreements with countries in Europe and Asia that would not require congressional approval as it looks to ease allies’ concerns about legislation that President Biden signed into law last year, Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen said on Friday.
US-Made Rare Earths to Skip China In Supply Deal With Japan Bloomberg America’s only rare-earths producer has agreed a deal to ship output from its new processing plant to Japan, part of a broader move by the US and allies to reduce China’s role in their critical supply chains.
EU Trade Envoy Sees Deal on US Climate Package Ahead of Visit Bloomberg The European Union’s trade chief said the bloc is closing in on an agreement with the US on access to raw materials used in batteries, giving EU companies access to some benefits included in President Joe Biden’s green investment plan. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYResearchers develop innovative tool for measuring electron dynamics in semiconductors Phys.org At the heart of every mobile phone, laptop and autonomous vehicle is a tiny semiconductor whose properties and, ultimately, performance are determined by free electrons. Now, UC Berkeley researchers have developed a new way to measure these electrons that could lead to more energy-efficient semiconductor materials and electronics.
Leveraging Chip Data To Improve Productivity Semiconductor Engineering The semiconductor ecosystem is scrambling to use data more effectively in order to increase the productivity of design teams, improve yield in the fab, and ultimately increase reliability of systems in the field.
Taming Corner Explosion In Complex Chips Semiconductor Engineering There is a tenuous balance between the number of corners a design team must consider, the cost of analysis, and the margins they insert to deal with them, but that tradeoff is becoming a lot more difficult. If too many corners of a chip are explored, it might never see production. If not enough corners are explored, it could reduce yield. And if too much margin is added, the device may not be competitive. |
SIA NEWS
SIA Urges Full Funding of CHIPS & Science Act Research Programs in President’s FY24 Budget Press Release Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) President and CEO John Neuffer today sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young, encouraging her to include in the President’s Budget Request for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24) full funding for research and workforce programs authorized by the CHIPS and Science Act of 2022. |
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U.S. Commerce Dept. names financial sector, government experts to chips team Reuters The U.S. Commerce Department said Friday it is naming more than a dozen members to a team overseeing $52.7 billion in government funding to boost semiconductor manufacturing and research.
Five EU countries, EIB launch fund to help promising tech companies grow Reuters Spain, Germany, France, Italy and Belgium and the European Investment Bank launched on Monday a 3.75 billion euro ($4.02 billion) fund to finance the growth of promising European tech companies and boost the EU’s attractiveness as an innovation hub.
AI revolution: Tech finds its next platform Axios Any new technology that checks all these boxes and keeps springing new surprises on us earns the world’s attention — as previous platforms did, from the iPhone to the internet itself all the way back to the rise of the personal computer. |
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CHINAChina’s New Tech Czar Lays Out Plan to Transcend US Sanctions Bloomberg China’s new technology overseer has outlined a sweeping blueprint to counter escalating US sanctions and decoupling supply chains by developing homegrown expertise in areas such as electric vehicles.
Exclusive: Chinese chip designer Unisoc seeks to raise $1.5 bln in private funding -sources Reuters Chinese chip design company Unisoc (Shanghai) Technologies Co is seeking to raise 10 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) in a new funding round that will value the firm at about 70 billion yuan ($10.3 billion), three people with knowledge of the deal told Reuters.
U.S. sanctions six Chinese tech companies for supporting spy balloon programs CNBC |
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TRADEGreat stride made in India-US trade relationship says US Commerce Secretary The Economic Times Under the Biden administration, India and the US has made great strides in their trade relationships, top US officials have said after President Joe Biden announced that Air India has agreed to a historic purchase of airplanes from Boeing.
Germany rules out spending ‘more and more money’ as Europe hopes to avoid subsidy race with the U.S. CNBC The European Union cannot and will not stump up increasing amounts of new cash to deal with a green subsidy race that’s heating up on both sides of the Atlantic, according to Germany’s top finance official. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYManaging Thermal-Induced Stress In Chips Semiconductor Engineering At advanced nodes and in the most advanced packages, physics is no one’s friend. Escalating density, smaller features, and thinner dies make it more difficult to dissipate heat, and they increase mechanical stress.
Addressing GaN Semiconductor’s Thermal Paradox EE Times Thermal management has always been an important factor in semiconductors because continuously shrinking chip designs manufactured on cutting-edge nodes generate more heat within the same size footprint. As a result, thermal management is intertwined with the size, weight and power consumption of electronic designs.
2D Semiconductor Materials Creep Toward Manufacturing Semiconductor Engineering As transistors scale down, they need thinner channels to achieve adequate channel control. In silicon, though, surface roughness scattering degrades mobility, limiting the ultimate channel thickness to about 3nm. |
SIA NEWS
Despite Short-Term Cyclical Downturn, Global Semiconductor Market’s Long-Term Outlook is Strong Blog Post Global semiconductor sales data released last week showed the industry experienced significant ups and downs in 2022. While chip sales reached the highest-ever annual total in 2022, the slowdown in the second half of the year substantially limited growth.
President Biden Highlights Importance of CHIPS Enactment During State of the Union Address Press Release During tonight’s State of the Union Address, President Biden highlighted last year’s historic enactment of the CHIPS and Science Act, a landmark new law that will greatly strengthen America’s economy, national security, and semiconductor supply chains. Companies in the semiconductor ecosystem have responded enthusiastically since the CHIPS Act was introduced, announcing new projects across America totaling hundreds of billions of dollars in private investments and supporting hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs. |
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SIA: Long-term semiconductor outlook strong Electronics 360 “During tonight’s State of the Union Address, President Biden highlighted last year’s historic enactment of the CHIPS and Science Act, a landmark new law that will greatly strengthen America’s economy, national security and semiconductor supply chains,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO of the SIA. “Companies in the semiconductor ecosystem have responded enthusiastically since the CHIPS Act was introduced, announcing new projects across America totaling hundreds of billions of dollars in private investments and supporting hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs.”
’22 saw record chip sales, but ’23 is expected to drop 4% Fierce Electronics Semiconductor Industry Association President John Neuffer said 2022 was a year of “significant up and downs,” and also called the last part of the year a “cyclical downturn.”
Industry Urges Biden Administration to Maximize CHIPS Act Impact After President’s Annual Address GovConWire John Neuffer, president and CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association, has commended the current administration and congressional leaders for enacting the CHIPS and Science Act, which he said will help strengthen U.S. national security, economy and semiconductor supply chains.
Chip suppliers warn on EU plan to bar ‘forever chemicals’ Financial Times Chip suppliers have warned that a European effort to impose a ban on “forever chemicals” will cause widespread disruption to already tight semiconductor supply chains. |
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CHINAWhy Chinese AI and semiconductors could fall decades behind under US chip ban ‘blitz’ South China Morning Post As the US pushes to keep China from getting the latest chip-making technology, tightened sanctions could cause Chinese semiconductor and AI development to fall decades behind, according to industry insiders.
China jobs: labour demand shows signs of heating up as chip makers scramble to find talent South China Morning Post China is witnessing strong demand for labour in semiconductor production and advanced manufacturing, as well as the hospitality and aviation sectors, according to a new report, indicating that economic activities are slowly returning to normal after recent coronavirus outbreaks and the Lunar New Year holiday.
Huawei turns to patents for a lifeline — including those in the U.S. CNBC |
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TRADECNBC Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said Wednesday that the U.S. is considering collaborating with India on certain manufacturing jobs in order to boost competition against China.
Japan may opt for milder chip-equipment curbs on China than U.S, says lawmaker Reuters Japan may opt for milder restrictions on chip production machinery sales in China than those implemented by the United States even though they agree on export curbs, an influential Japanese ruling party lawmaker told Reuters on Wednesday.
UK trade minister visits Mexico, targeting new deals Reuters Britain’s trade minister Kemi Badenoch begins a two-day visit to Mexico on Thursday, targeting a bilateral trade deal as well as Britain’s accession to a Pacific trading association as the country builds its trade ties after leaving the European Union. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYChiplets Taking Root As Silicon-Proven Hard IP Semiconductor Engineering Chiplets are all the rage today, and for good reason. With the various ways to design a semiconductor-based system today, IP reuse via chiplets appears to be an effective and feasible solution, and a potentially low-cost alternative to shrinking everything to the latest process node.
The Use of Semiconductors in Solar Energy Technology AZO Materials PV cells are primarily composed of semiconductor materials that have a higher conductivity than insulators. However, these materials are not good conductors of electricity like metals. Different types of semiconductors, such as crystalline silicon (c-Si) and cadmium telluride (CdTe), are used in solar cells.
Nanoscale (5nm) Ferroelectric Semiconductor (University Of Michigan) Semiconductor Engineering A new technical paper titled “Thickness scaling down to 5 nm of ferroelectric ScAlN on CMOS compatible molybdenum grown by molecular beam epitaxy” was published by researchers at University of Michigan, with DARPA funding. |
SIA NEWS
Press Release The U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) and the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) today jointly announced plans to form a private-sector task force that will strengthen collaboration between the two countries in the global semiconductor ecosystem. |
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NBC In anticipation of the federal funds, semiconductor companies have already been making billions of dollars in commitments. Since the bill was introduced in the spring of 2020, companies have announced plans for $187 billion in new or expanded semiconductor facilities in 16 states that would create more than 30,000 jobs, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.
EE News Europe “India is already a major hub for semiconductor research, chip design, and equipment engineering, but its future potential is even greater,” said John Neuffer, CEO of SIA in a statement. “This task force will help identify tangible ways to unlock this potential by increasing collaboration between the US and India within the global chip ecosystem.” Business Today Acknowledging India to be a major hub for semiconductor research, chip design, and equipment engineering, with even greater future potential, SIA President and CEO John Neuffer said, “We are thrilled to kick off this new initiative with IESA, our counterpart in India. This task force will help identify tangible ways to unlock this potential by increasing collaboration between the U.S. and India within the global chip ecosystem.” |
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CHINAU.S. Sanctions Against China Could Hurt Own Domestic Industry: SIA Toms Hardware While the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) — the organization that represents 99% of chip companies in America — understands how important national security is, it believes that curbs against potentially hostile nations could hurt the U.S. semiconductor industry as a whole.
Stymied by the West, Russia is getting critical semiconductors from mainland China, Hong Kong South China Morning Post Despite export controls, Russia has increased imports of semiconductors and electronic circuits, with purchases totalling US$2.45 billion between January and September 2022 – up from US$1.8 billion a year earlier, the IIF said.
Russia Boosts China Trade to Counter Western Sanctions WSJ Moscow boosted imports of technologies critical to its war in Ukraine including semiconductors and microchips from China, the report by the D.C.-based nongovernmental organization Free Russia Foundation said. China’s increased purchases of Russian exports, driven by energy sales, more than offset the declines from major Western trading partners including the U.S., U.K. and some European Union countries. |
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TRADEPolicy Watch: Europe beefs up Green Deal in response to Biden’s climate subsidies Reuters Inflation Reduction Act. The phrase barely trips off the tongue, but the U.S. climate bill was on everyone’s lips at the World Economic Forum last month.
U.S., India partnership targets arms, AI to compete with China Reuters The White House is launching a partnership with India on Tuesday that President Joe Biden hopes will help the countries compete against China on military equipment, semiconductors and artificial intelligence.
UK and EU Nearing Provisional Brexit Deal in Northern Ireland Talks Bloomberg UK and European Union negotiators are nearing a provisional agreement on post-Brexit arrangements for Northern Ireland, putting them in touching distance of a final settlement after years of often fraught talks, people familiar with the matter said. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYThe Chip Shortage Isn’t Stopping Automotive Engineers from Racing Ahead Engineering.com According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, the auto industry is the third-largest consumer of microchips, and the rate at which it uses semiconductors is growing faster than that of any other industry. The recent chip shortage has slowed auto manufacturing over the past few years, and many experts believe that the semiconductor deficit will continue through 2023 and into 2024, forcing engineers to find inventive ways to design products with limited supplies.
Researchers develop innovative tool for measuring electron dynamics in semiconductors Berkeley Engineering At the heart of every mobile phone, laptop and autonomous vehicle is a tiny semiconductor whose properties and, ultimately, performance are determined by free electrons. Now, UC Berkeley researchers have developed a new way to measure these electrons that could lead to more energy-efficient semiconductor materials and electronics. |
SIA NEWS
SIA Comments: Export Controls Should Protect National Security Without Undermining Innovation Blog Post SIA has long supported export control policy that safeguards national security without unduly harming the commercial innovation that is essential to America’s economy, national security, and technological leadership. Consistent with these longstanding efforts, SIA recently submitted detailed public comments regarding significant new semiconductor export control rules released on Oct. 7 by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS). |
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When it comes to semiconductors, leading is not everything TechSpot According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, the CHIPS Act has had a positive collateral effect by triggering the private sector into investing some $200 billion for US semiconductor production.
Semiconductor fabs: Construction challenges in the United States McKinsey The semiconductor industry is booming, with expected average annual growth of 6 to 8 percent through 2030 and yearly revenues forecasted to reach $1 trillion.
UK to Subsidize Semiconductor Firms in Bid to Make Domestic Chips Bloomberg The UK government will provide direct taxpayer funding to support British semiconductor companies as part of a strategy for a sector that has become a lightning rod in global geopolitics, according to officials familiar with the plans.
Supply Chain Disruptions Are Likely to Continue in 2023. Here’s How to Manage Inc. Various outside forces have disrupted supply chains since the pandemic. High demand and bottlenecks have slowed international trade, the pandemic has transformed the workforce and exacerbated labor shortages, and new policies and regulations have changed the landscape for logistics companies. |
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CHINAJapan, Netherlands to Join US in Chip Controls on China Bloomberg Japan and the Netherlands are poised to join the US in limiting China’s access to advanced semiconductor machinery, forging a powerful alliance that will undercut Beijing’s ambitions to build its own domestic chip capabilities, according to people familiar with the negotiations.
South China Morning Post Funding for China’s technology and internet start-ups halved last year amid pandemic controls and regulatory uncertainty, but the new energy and semiconductor industries are expected to be stand-out performers this year after landing the biggest deals of 2022.
Global Impact: US-China tech war’s toll made visible at world’s largest electronics show South China Morning Post And for many companies on display at the world’s largest electronics show earlier this month, it looked like that is exactly what they were doing. The biggest Chinese names at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas were Lenovo, TCL and Hisense – all computer and television makers. In other words, not the most hi-tech products on the market. |
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TRADEUS and EU Discuss Deal to Widen Access to Inflation Reduction Act Bloomberg The US and the European Union are discussing a possible deal on minerals and critical raw materials in a bid to allow the EU to qualify for benefits in President Joe Biden’s massive new green investment plan, according to people familiar with the matter.
Climate Change May Usher in a New Era of Trade Wars NYT Efforts to mitigate climate change are prompting countries across the world to embrace dramatically different policies toward industry and trade, bringing governments into conflict.
In India-U.K. trade deal, focus on what is acceptable to both countries: Piyush Goyal The Hindu Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has said that in the talks for the proposed free trade agreement between India and the U.K., the focus is on what is acceptable to both countries and not allow sensitive issues to scuttle the discussions. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYPower Issues Causing More Respins At 7nm And Below Semiconductor Engineering Power consumption has been a major design consideration for some time, but it is far from being a solved issue. In fact, an increasing number of designs have a plethora of power-related problems, and those problems are getting worse in new chip designs.
What Does 2023 Have In Store For Chip Design? Semiconductor Engineering Predictions seem to be easier to make during times of stability, but they are no more correct than at any other period. During more turbulent times, fewer people are courageous enough to allow their opinions to be heard. And yet it is often those views that are more well thought through, and even if they turn out not to be true, they often contain some very enlightening ideas.
Collaboration Widens Among Big Chip Companies Semiconductor Engineering Top equipment and tools vendors see need for earlier cooperation as complexity rises for advanced nodes and packages. |
INDUSTRY/MARKET
Chips Are the New Oil and America Is Spending Billions to Safeguard Its Supply WSJ But the actual fabrication of semiconductors has been increasingly outsourced to Asia. The U.S. share of global chip manufacturing has eroded, from 37% in 1990 to 12% in 2020, while mainland China’s share has gone from around zero to about 15%, according to Boston Consulting Group and SIA. Taiwan and South Korea each accounted for a little over 20%.
5 Months After CHIPS Act, Investment Activity Abounds in the Chip Industry Data Center Knowledge According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, the passage of the CHIPS Act has resulted in:
DTI: Semiconductor Industry Association bullish about PH The Manila Times “While the Chips Act aims to increase the capacity of the US semiconductor industry, we recognize that we cannot do it all in the US. And that’s where countries like the Philippines have an opportunity,” Neuffer said.
Philippines a critical player in global semiconductor industry Phil Star Global US-based Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) recognizes the Philippines as a critical player in the global semiconductor industry and a major hub for semiconductor assembly and test manufacturing. SIA recently shared investment prospects and business opportunities for the Philippines with the passage of the CHIPS Act of the United States.
Are semiconductor chips the new oil? Fox Business According to data from the Semiconductor Industry Association, U.S. businesses have invested roughly $200 billion in 40 separate projects, adding an estimated 40,000 jobs.
Should the U.S. subsidize chip making? San Diego business leaders sound off The San Diego Union-Tribune A Boston Consulting analysis expected it would take $900 billion to $1.23 trillion in spending to create self-sufficient semiconductor supply chains worldwide. For just the U.S., it’s $350 billion to $420 billion. |
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CHINASouth China Morning Post China’s second-largest chip foundry Hua Hong Semiconductor Group, a state-backed semiconductor investment fund and a Wuxi entity signed a deal on Wednesday for a US$6.7 billion wafer fabrication plant in eastern Wuxi, the biggest such investment since Washington imposed stricter sanctions on China’s chip industry in October.
Taiwan fines Foxconn for unauthorised China investment Reuters Taiwan on Thursday fined Foxconn (2317.TW) T$10 million ($329,088) for making an unauthorised investment in a Chinese chip firm, but said the Taiwanese iPhone assembler had cooperated in the case and so received a lesser punishment.
Treasury Secretary Yellen and China’s Liu He talk U.S. tech policy at their first in-person meeting CNBC Chinese Vice Premier Liu He discussed U.S. economic and tech policy toward China in a meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen on Wednesday, according to a Ministry of Commerce readout.
South China Morning Post China is rolling out a raft of measures to encourage foreign investors to set up innovation centres in the country and attract professional talent. The move comes amid the country’s stepped-up efforts to accelerate innovation across the board, with leaders and policymakers in the world’s second-largest economy repeatedly highlighting their intentions to turn it into a global tech powerhouse. |
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TRADE‘China cannot be out, China must be in’: France says it’s diverging with Washington on Beijing ties CNBC The European Union does not see eye-to-eye with the United States when it comes to opposing China, the French finance minister told CNBC Friday.
DAVOS 2023-UAE and India discussing settling non-oil trade in rupees Reuters The United Arab Emirates is in early discussions with India to trade non-oil commodities in Indian rupees, Emirati Minister for Foreign Trade Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi said on Thursday. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYWhat Happened to All of Science’s Big Breakthroughs? NYT Miracle vaccines. Videophones in our pockets. Reusable rockets. Our technological bounty and its related blur of scientific progress seem undeniable and unsurpassed. Yet analysts now report that the overall pace of real breakthroughs has fallen dramatically over the past almost three-quarters of a century.
The Path To Known Good Interconnects Semiconductor Engineering Chiplets and heterogenous integration (HI) provide a compelling way to continue delivering improvements in performance, power, area, and cost (PPAC) as Moore’s Law slows, but choosing the best way to connect these devices so they behave in consistent and predictable ways is becoming a challenge as the number of options continues to grow. |
SIA NEWS
Global Semiconductor Sales Decrease 2.9% Month-to-Month in November Press Release “Global semiconductor sales decreased in November, largely due to market cyclicality and macroeconomic headwinds,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Sales into the Americas were up compared to November 2021, while sales into China decreased sharply on a year-to-year basis.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKET
In Central New York, a test of the CHIPS and Science Act’s promise for economic revitalization Brookings According to Semiconductor Industry Association, over the past two years, semiconductor manufacturers have announced nearly $200 billion in new investments for the next decade. How community colleges fit in to the promise of the CHIPS and Science Act Politico The law has spurred private investments for semiconductor production since the bill was introduced in spring of 2020,according to the Semiconductor Industry Association. More than 40 new semiconductor ecosystem projects were announced across the country, nearly $200 billion in investments were announced across 16 states to increase domestic manufacturing capacity, and 40,000 new jobs were announced in the semiconductor ecosystem as part of the new projects.
The Atlantic All of these measures are projected to trigger huge flows of private-sector investment. The Semiconductor Industry Association reports that since the legislation promoting the industry was first introduced, in 2020, companies have already announced $200 billion in investments across 40 projects in 16 states.
The Places Seeing Growth in the Semiconductor Sector So Far Route Fifty The Semiconductor Industry Association says private sector investment tied to the projects will add up to around $200 billion over the next decade. The group’s analysis comes as the U.S. is redoubling efforts to increase domestic microchip production, with billions of dollars in new federal support flowing to the industry.
Deputy PM calls for more US investment in semiconductor industry NewsWires Receiving SIA President and CEO John Neuffer in Hà Nội, the Deputy PM welcomed SIA’s selection of Việt Nam as one of the destinations to survey in its fact-finding tour of Southeast Asia. He considered this a starting point for cooperation between SIA and the Vietnamese Government, thereby promoting the possibility of Việt Nam’s engagement in global semiconductor supply chains.
Taiwan’s Chips Act Passes, Aims to Protect Its Process Tech Tom’s Hardware Policymakers in Taiwan have passed laws to allow chip companies take 25% of yearly research and development costs and turn them into tax credits, Bloomberg reports. This is part of an attempt to make sure that cutting-edge chip tech stays in Taiwan, as other nations have pushed incentives to strengthen their own supply chains. |
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CHINASouth China Morning Post The decline recorded by China marked the biggest percentage drop among the world’s major markets for integrated circuits (ICs), according to data from the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), a Washington-based trade group that represents 99 per cent of the US chip industry.
China’s Giant Chip Ambitions Fall Prey to Covid Turmoil Bloomberg For years, China was the world’s biggest spender on chip incentives, a scale unmatched from Washington to Tokyo. Now, the effort to combat Covid and deal with the threat of a global recession is depleting state coffers and forcing Beijing to rethink that controversial approach.
South China Morning Post China’s eastern Jiangsu province has unveiled a policy package for the semiconductor industry, which includes at least 500 million yuan (US$74 million) a year in financial support over the next three years amid intensifying US trade sanctions. |
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TRADENorth America vows to strengthen economic ties, Mexico energy row rumbles on Reuters The United States, Mexico and Canada on Tuesday vowed to tighten economic ties, producing more goods regionally and boosting semiconductor output, even as integration is hampered by an ongoing dispute over Mexico’s nationalist energy policies.
President Biden really wants to boost chip manufacturing and he needs Mexico’s help to do it Fortune President Joe Biden privately urged his Mexican counterpart to enact new policies to capitalize on the US drive to boost semiconductor production, part of a push to shift supply of some key technology components from Asia to North America.
Japan hugs UK close as it seeks to push back against China Politico Japan increasingly sees the U.K. as a key defense and trade ally in its pushback against China in the Indo-Pacific, say senior Japanese officials, as the country makes a diplomatic push to rally G7 nations this week. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYJUMP 2.0 Consortium Targets Microelectronics Innovation Photonics Semiconductor Research Corp. (SRC), along with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and industry and academic stakeholders, has established the Joint University Microelectronics Program 2.0 (JUMP 2.0).
Approaching the quantum limit in two-dimensional semiconductor contacts Nature The development of next-generation electronics requires scaling of channel material thickness down to the two-dimensional limit while maintaining ultralow contact resistance1,2.
New Technique For Making Thin Films Of Perovskite Oxide Semiconductors Semiconductor Engineering A technical paper titled “Freestanding epitaxial SrTiO3 nanomembranes via remote epitaxy using hybrid molecular beam epitaxy” was published by researchers at University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, and University of Wisconsin–Madison. |
SIA NEWS
SIA Applauds Increased Funding for Research, Workforce Development in Year-End Funding Package Press Release Building off the important investments made by the CHIPS and Science Act, SIA applauds increased funding for research and workforce development in the FY2023 Omnibus. Once passed, these investments will help advance innovation, strengthen the American STEM workforce, promote economic growth, and maintain national security by reinforcing the National Science Foundation (NSF), regional technology hubs, and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) manufacturing programs. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKET
U.S. Pours Money Into Chips, but Even Soaring Spending Has Limits NYT The new spending is set to improve America’s position. A $50 billion government investment is likely to prompt corporate spending that would take the U.S. share of global production to as much as 14 percent by 2030, according to a Boston Consulting Group study in 2020 that was commissioned by the Semiconductor Industry Association. “It really does put us in the game for the first time in decades,” said John Neuffer, the association’s president, who added that the estimate may be conservative because Congress approved $76 billion in subsidies in a piece of legislation known as the CHIPS Act.
Wage Inequality May Be Starting to Reverse WSJ Since Congress proposed in 2020 to subsidize new semiconductor factories in the U.S., 40 projects, $200 billion of investment and 40,000 jobs have been announced, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Carmakers quietly cut ties with China in supply chain shake-up Financial Times
Power Sector Seeks Solutions for Supply Chain Issues Power Mag The shortage of semiconductors was partly addressed by the Biden administration with the signing of the CHIPS and Science Act in August of last year, a measure that provides some $280 billion in funding to boost U.S.-based research and manufacturing of semiconductors. The Semiconductor Industry Association last summer noted that the U.S. share of global modern semiconductor manufacturing capacity had fallen from 37% in 1990 to 12%. |
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CHINABattered by Covid, China Hits Pause on Giant Chip Spending Aimed at Rivaling US Bloomberg China is pausing massive investments aimed at building a chip industry to compete with the US, as a nationwide Covid resurgence strains the world’s No. 2 economy and Beijing’s finances.
South China Morning Post The chip production plans of Huawei Technologies Co have become the subject of fresh speculation within the semiconductor industry after the tech giant filed a patent application for advanced lithography late last year, a key technology used to produce cutting-edge chips.
Taiwan Wants to Join WTO Talks on China’s Protest Against US Chip Sanctions Bloomberg Taiwan has asked to join discussions centered on China’s protest against US chip sanctions at the World Trade Organization, seeking a voice on a debate that could have ramifications for the global chip industry.
South China Morning Post Shenzhen has doubled down on efforts to advance China’s hi-tech self-sufficiency drive by establishing an international sourcing platform for semiconductors and other electronics components amid US trade restrictions. |
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TRADEU.S. and Japan to expand cooperation on key technologies beyond chips Japan Times The United States and Japan have agreed to expand their cooperation on critical emerging technologies beyond semiconductors to include areas such as artificial intelligence and biotechnology, industry minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said Thursday after meeting with his U.S. counterpart.
6 big trade predictions for 2023 Politico President Joe Biden’s trade agenda came into sharper focus over the last year. His administration launched an economic initiative in the Indo-Pacific, tightened export controls on Chinese entities and embraced industrial subsidies that angered key trade partners.
UK government set to miss 2022 target on global trade deals Financial Times Britain’s government is poised to miss its target to seal deals covering 80 per cent of its trade with the rest of the world by the end of 2022. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYMore Than $250 Million To Be Invested In Seven University Microelectronic Research Centers
Science Daily Creating smart sensors to embed in our everyday objects and environments for the Internet of Things (IoT) would vastly improve daily life — but requires trillions of such small devices. A professor believes that emerging alternative semiconductors that are printable, low-cost and eco-friendly could lead the way to a cheaper and more sustainable IoT.
The Future of Wearable Electronics AZO Materials Flexible semiconductors are crucial for future wearable electronics technologies, but their integration into complex architectures has been problematic. In a recent study published in Advanced Electronic Materials, scientists from Japan have reportedly found a simple method for producing high-quality soft semiconductors for sophisticated electrical circuits.
HPC Wire This year’s Nobel Prize in Physics celebrated the fundamental interest of quantum entanglement, and also envisioned the potential applications in “the second quantum revolution” — a new age when we are able to manipulate the weirdness of quantum mechanics, including quantum superposition and entanglement. |
SIA NEWS
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INDUSTRY/MARKET
CHIPS Act Spurs $200 Billion Investments in U.S. Semi Industry Tom’s Hardware Although developers and makers of chips are yet to receive grants enabled by the CHIPS and Science act, its announcement and subsequent enactment have already attracted some $200 billion of private investments in the U.S. semiconductor sector, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association, a lobbying group for the industry.. The new projects will impact both chip production as well as electronics manufacturing in the USA.
U.S. Chip Industry Urges Federal Aid for Chip Design, Too Electronic Design In a report released with the Boston Consulting Group last month, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) urged the U.S. to invest roughly $20 billion to $30 billion in chip design and research and development (R&D) by 2030.
India’s Manufacturing Push Takes an Audacious Gamble on Chips WSJ India plans to transform a vast tract of salty marshland in Prime Minister Narendra Modi‘s home state into the most ambitious demonstration of its push to be recognized as a serious player in advanced manufacturing, and an alternative to China.
Germany could become Europe’s big semiconductor producer – Scholz Reuters Germany could become Europe’s big producer of semiconductors thanks to investments being made in the field, said German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at a digital summit on Friday. |
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CHINAU.S. widens ban on military and surveillance tech sales to China The Washington Post The Biden administration doubled down Thursday on its high-tech containment of China, expanding a ban on commercial exports of advanced U.S. technology that it said aids Beijing’s military and hypersonics programs and enables human rights violations.
China brings WTO case against U.S. and its sweeping chip export curbs as tech tensions escalate CNBC China initiated a dispute against the U.S. at the World Trade Organization over Washington’s sweeping semiconductor export curbs that look to cut the world’s second-largest economy off from high-tech components.
China Says It Has Taken U.S. Semiconductor Rules to WTO WSJ China’s Ministry of Commerce said Monday it had filed a complaint against the U.S. at the World Trade Organization in response to new controls from Washington on semiconductor trade with China, describing the action as a response to trade protectionism. |
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TRADEU.S. consults with Japan, Netherlands on chip restrictions as China pushes back Reuters The U.S.-China row over technology has ratcheted up this week, with Washington confirming talks with Japan and the Netherlands about tightening exports of semiconductor manufacturing equipment to China, and Beijing hitting back.
Britain eyes trade agreements with California, Utah Reuters Britain this week inked an agreement aimed at boosting trade and investment with South Carolina, its third such deal with a U.S. state, and is seeking similar deals with California and Utah, the UK junior trade minister, Greg Hands, said on Friday.
Bipartisan duo propose plan for TPP reentry Politico A bipartisan pair of former high-ranking U.S. officials have proposed a plan for the United States to reenter the Trans-Pacific Partnership, arguing a significantly revamped agreement would fit current political realities that have pushed national security concerns to the top of the Biden administration’s trade priorities.
FORTUNE European Union leaders sought ways Thursday to stand up to the United States over its new green technologies plan that they say unfairly discriminates against Washington’s best global ally and demanded the same concessions as American free trade partners Canada and Mexico.
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYWater-based circuit concept switches much faster than semiconductors New Atlas Water is usually something you’d want to keep away from electronic circuits, but engineers in Germany have now developed a new concept for water-based switches that are much faster than current semiconductor materials.
3D-IC Reliability Degrades With Increasing Temperature Semiconductor Engineering The reliability of 3D-IC designs is dependent upon the ability of engineering teams to control heat, which can significantly degrade performance and accelerate circuit aging.
Safeguarding SRAMs From IP Theft (Best Paper Award) Semiconductor Engineering Data recovery has long been a focus of the electronics industry for decades by security experts, focusing on hard disk recovery, a type of non-volatile memory. Unfortunately, none of the existing research, neither from academia, industry, or government, have ever considered data recovery from volatile memories. |
SIA NEWS
Global Semiconductor Sales Decrease 0.3% Month-to-Month in October Press Release “Global semiconductor sales ticked down again in October, with sales decreasing on a year-to-year basis by the largest percentage since December 2019,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Sales into the Americas market stood out as a bright spot in October, increasing by double-digits compared to the same month last year.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKET
October global chip sales maintain that sinking feeling EE News “Global semiconductor sales ticked down again in October, with sales decreasing on a year-to-year basis by the largest percentage since December 2019,” said John Neuffer, CEO of SIA, in a statement. “Sales into the Americas market stood out as a bright spot in October, increasing by double-digits compared to the same month last year.”
Global semicon sales down 4.6% y-o-y to US$46.9 billion in October The Edge Markets SIA president and CEO John Neuffer said global semiconductor sales ticked down again in October, with sales decreasing on a year-to-year basis by the largest percentage since December 2019.
SIA-Boston Consulting Report Calls for Federal Investment in Chip Design Executive Biz “To ensure economic growth and prosperity for decades to come, Congress should pass an investment tax credit for semiconductor design, attract and retain the world’s top innovative minds, and promote open markets around the world,” Neuffer added.
U.S., EU Agree to Coordinate Semiconductor Subsidy Programs WSJ Top U.S. and European Union officials agreed to work closely to strengthen semiconductor supply chains, including sharing information about their respective programs to provide massive subsidies to promote domestic chip production. |
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CHINATech lay-offs in China extend into year-end as Bilibili and Weibo cut headcount in worsening economy South China Morning Post Job losses in China’s technology sector show no sign of easing as 2022 nears its end, with video-streaming platform Bilibili and Twitter-like microblogging service Weibo laying off hundreds of employees under the name of “business optimisation” amid a challenging economy.
Jack Ma quits as head of leading China business group Financial Times |
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TRADEUK Signs Third US State Trade Pact in Absence of a Broader Deal Bloomberg The UK will sign its third pact with a US state in the absence of a bilateral free trade agreement, as it seeks to bolster its economic ties overseas after its departure from the European Union.
Canada’s IPEF bid has support from all members: trade minister Nikkei Asia Canada’s bid to join the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework has the backing of all current members, the country’s trade minister said Monday, expressing optimism about the prospects of participating in the U.S.-led regional partnership aimed at countering China.
Australian minister urges greater U.S. economic engagement with Indo-Pacific Reuters Australia’s Foreign Minister on Wednesday praised Washington’s commitment to Indo-Pacific security but said its departure from a regional trade pact was still being felt and that enhanced U.S. economic engagement with the region should be a priority.
Japan, Belgium to cooperate in semiconductor production, development PBS A newly founded Japanese semiconductor company aiming to revive Japan’s chip industry signed an agreement on Tuesday to collaborate with a Belgian research organization in developing next-generation chips for production in Japan. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGY‘Innovation Hubs’ Aim to Lift Distressed Areas. Congress Just Has to Fund Them. NYT Included in the bipartisan industrial policy legislation that President Biden signed into law this summer was a $10 billion effort to jump-start economically sputtering regions across the country: a series of “innovation hubs” across 20 metropolitan areas.
Using lasers to bond semiconductor electronics components Phys.Org Today, lasers are well-established in daily life, even if it is sometimes hard to tell what and where they are. As an example, we can find them in CD/DVD readers or medical applications like cancer and eye surgery, being essential tools in a vast range of multidisciplinary fields.
Coffee can increase flow in semiconductor components by up to 100x Fudzilla Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST) institute boffins in Japan say the use of a coffee compound can increase current flow in semiconductor components by up to 100x.
Challenges With Adaptive Control Semiconductor Engineering Historically, the performance and power consumption of a system was controlled by what could be done at design time, but chips today are becoming a lot more adaptive. This has become a necessity for cutting edge nodes, but also provides a lot of additional benefits at the expense of greater complexity and verification challenges. |
SIA NEWS
New Report Identifies Challenges to Continued U.S. Leadership in Semiconductor Design, Innovation Press Release Following the historic enactment of the CHIPS and Science Act to reinvigorate domestic semiconductor manufacturing and research, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) and the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) today released a report finding continued U.S. leadership in semiconductor design—the critical and high-value-add mapping of a chip’s intricate circuitry—is essential to America’s sustained leadership in semiconductors and the many technologies they enable.
Silicon Labs CEO Matt Johnson Elected Chair of Semiconductor Industry Association Press Release The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today announced Silicon Labs President and CEO Matt Johnson has been elected Chair of the SIA Board of Directors and Texas Instruments Chairman, President, and CEO Rich Templeton has been elected Vice Chair.
New Report Highlights Challenges and Opportunities Facing U.S. Semiconductor Industry Press Release The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today released its annual State of the Industry Report. The report highlights the current challenges facing the semiconductor industry, as well as opportunities for continued growth and innovation. |
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Report warns U.S. chip design market share to plunge without government support Reuters The U.S. share of chip design revenue has been slipping in recent years, dropping to 46% in 2021 from over 50% in 2015. Without government support, that could drop to 36% by the end of this decade, according to the analysis released by U.S. industry body Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) and Boston Consulting Group.
To boost the chip design labor pool: up to $30B in US funds, better marketing Fierce Electronics
Chip industry honors ex-Cadence CEO and VC Lip-Bu Tan Venture Beat The Semiconductor Industry Association awarded its highest honor to Lip-Bu Tan, the former CEO of Cadence Design Systems and the founder of the venture capital firm Walden International.
Shortage of Legacy Chips Keeping Ford CEO Up at Night Bloomberg “It’s too painful. We need to understand your technology roadmap better,” Chief Executive Officer Jim Farley said at the annual Semiconductor Industry Association dinner, in an interview with Texas Instruments Inc. CEO Rich Templeton. “And we need supply chain people from your companies and our companies to get it right.” |
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CHINAU.S. Senate eyes tightened restrictions on Chinese semiconductors Reuters The Democratic leader of the U.S. Senate urged lawmakers on Monday to back his proposal to bar the U.S. government from doing business with companies that use semiconductors made by producers the Pentagon considers Chinese military contractors.
FORTUNE Border officials said on Thursday the woman was arrested on Nov. 25 carrying 202 processors and nine smartphones under a large pregnancy prosthetic, Bloomberg reported. She initially aroused suspicion after claiming to be “about five or six months pregnant but had a big belly that looked like she was in the third trimester.” |
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TRADEBiden Seeks to Resolve Trans-Atlantic Tensions During Macron Visit NYT President Biden and President Emmanuel Macron of France sought to ease trans-Atlantic tensions over Mr. Biden’s domestic manufacturing agenda on Thursday, with both leaders emerging from an official state visit promising to work together on economic policies that have rankled European officials.
EU-US Tensions Mount as Breton Skips Trade Meeting Bloomberg Trade tensions between the US and the EU are intensifying. A high-level meeting next week meant to address thorny issues is losing relevance by the day. Internal Market Commissioner Thierry Breton pulled out of the Trade and Technology Council last night, in part because the controversial US tax and climate law has been downgraded from a key agenda item to a point of conversation over a 45-minute lunch.
Brexit Britain trapped in the middle as US and EU go to war on trade Politico Three years after leaving the EU to chart its own course, Britain finds itself caught between two economic behemoths in a brewing transatlantic trade war. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYProtons fix a long-standing issue in silicon carbide electronics Science Daily Silicon carbide (SiC) is a semiconductor material that outperforms pure silicon-based semiconductors in several applications. Used mostly in power inverters, motor drives, and battery chargers, SiC devices offer benefits such as a high power density and reduced power losses at high frequencies even at high voltages.
Tesla begins delivering first Semi trucks Axios Elon Musk announced Thursday that Tesla is rolling out its long-awaited all-electric Semi trucks. The first shipment of the Tesla Semi, which was unveiled five years ago, was delivered to PepsiCo’s Modesto, California, factory Wednesday, Tesla Semi program manager Dan Priestley said during a livestreamed event at the electric vehicle company’s Nevada plant. |
SIA NEWS
New Report Identifies Target Areas for CHIPS R&D Investments Press Release The report, titled “American Semiconductor Research: Leadership Through Innovation,” highlights the importance of government-industry collaboration on two historic new entities—the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) and the National Advanced Packaging Manufacturing Program (NAPMP)—created by the CHIPS and Science Act. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKET
U.S. chip industry body urges R&D infrastructure upgrade with Chips Act funds Reuters “In the semiconductor industry, that kind of money, especially when we’re talking about efforts towards scale up, will be spent very, very quickly. So it’s really important that an understanding of where the existing infrastructure is provided, so that it can be leveraged,” said Eric Breckenfeld, director of technology policy at SIA, which released a report with Boston Consulting Group suggesting how the funding could be spent.
5 target areas for the CHIPS Act Electronics 360 “Semiconductor R&D is essential to the innovations powering America’s economy, national security, advanced manufacturing and critical supply chains,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Enactment of the CHIPS and Science Act was a major step toward reinvigorating domestic chip production and innovation for years to come. The ‘Leadership Through Innovation’ study is a roadmap for implementing the new law’s R&D provisions and ensuring sustained U.S. leadership in chip technology.”
Economic future of U.S. depends on making engineering cool The Washington Post On a recent afternoon, an unusual group of visitors peered through a window at Purdue University students tinkering in a lab: two dozen executives from the world’s biggest semiconductor companies. |
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CHINASouth China Morning Post The municipal government of Shanghai, China’s largest city and semiconductor highland, has launched a new campus to train fresh talent for the domestic chip industry, as the country casts a wide net for skilled personnel after Washington’s latest hi-tech restrictions.
South China Morning Post Shenzhen’s quantum research institute has set up a new unit aimed at achieving breakthroughs in the “choke points” of integrated circuit (IC) technology, a field that China wants to achieve greater self-sufficiency in as the US ramps up trade restrictions.
If China can’t get American tech, maybe US allies will be more open to supplying chips South China Morning Post With the US ban on critical computer chips threatening to derail China’s development in emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and supercomputers, analysts say that enhancing coordination with American allies could prove decisive for Beijing. |
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TRADEVon der Leyen tries to demine transatlantic trade dispute Politico The European Union and United States are trying to take the heat out of a transatlantic trade dispute by creating a task force to tackle a dispute over U.S. electric vehicle tax breaks, in a move that will enable wider talks on technology and trade to go ahead.
U.S. should be at center of CPTPP, Japanese foreign minister says Nikkei Asia The U.S. should return to the broad cross-Pacific free trade agreement it helped to forge, Japan’s Foreign Minister Yoshimasa Hayashi said on Saturday, as rising geopolitical tensions in the Indo-Pacific make strengthening cooperation a priority.
Canada to seek membership to Indo-Pacific Economic Framework Reuters Canada will seek membership to the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework to further economic cooperation in the region, Foreign Minister Melanie Joly said on Thursday following a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Ottawa.
UK says has completed most of India trade deal, will only sign once happy Reuters Britain has completed the majority of sections of a free trade agreement with India but will only sign off on the deal once happy that it is fair and reciprocal, trade department minister Greg Hands said on Wednesday. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYScience Daily In a study that confirms its promise as the next-generation semiconductor material, UC Santa Barbara researchers have directly visualized the photocarrier transport properties of cubic boron arsenide single crystals.
First online database of photocharged materials developed for battery research Phys.Org Materials chemistry is a rapidly evolving area of research, with thousands of various semiconductors, and more materials being added all the time. What material among this variety would be the best for application in solar batteries, for example? How should such a material look like if it has not yet been synthesized?
Fabless IDMs Redefine The Leading Edge Semiconductor Engineering Large systems companies are looking more like integrated device manufacturers, designing their own advanced chips, packages, and systems for internal use. But because these are not pure-play chip companies, they are disrupting a 10-year cadence of customization and standardization that has defined the chip industry from its inception, and extending the period of innovation without the associated economies of scale. |
CHINA
Tech war: Chinese local governments ramp up chip industry support as US piles on export restrictions South China Morning Post China’s local governments are doubling down on cash incentives and policy support for home-grown semiconductor companies, as part of Beijing’s drive to achieve greater self-sufficiency in the chip sector amid heightened rivalry with the US.
China Summons Chip Firms for Emergency Talks After US Curbs Bloomberg China’s top technology overseer convened a series of emergency meetings over the past week with leading semiconductor companies, seeking to assess the damage from the Biden administration’s sweeping chip restrictions and pledging support for the critical sector.
South China Morning Post The sole semiconductor industry delegate at the 20th National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party is advocating for the development of the country’s own industrial information technology (IT) system, independent from the widely adopted Intel–Windows and Android–Arm structures, as tensions intensify between Beijing and Washington. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETHow using analytics and AI can help companies manage the semiconductor supply chain CBNC Businesses and consumers have been grappling with supply chain issues for months, resulting in annoying shortages of all kinds of products, including all-important semiconductor chips.
Supply chain data eases, giving some hope for U.S. inflation relief Reuters The supply chain pressures that were so instrumental to driving up U.S. inflationary pressures at the onset of the coronavirus pandemic are waning. |
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TRADEAustralia concerned about delays on UK trade deal, PM says Reuters Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Friday said he was concerned about any potential delays to the free trade deal with Britain arising from the political instability happening there.
What will happen to India-UK trade deal after Liz Truss leaves office? Mint Britain’s third female Prime Minister Liz Truss, who has laid the foundation for the much talked about India-UK free trade agreement (FTA), will walk out of 10 Downing Street in London without cherishing it as a prize under her belt. Truss has always been extremely vocal about her support for India and while the FTA was still taking a shape, she had commented that the two countries are in a “sweet spot of the trade dynamics that are building up”. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYFirst measurement of interactions between Fermi polarons in an atomically-thin 2D semiconductor Phys.org Recent Australian-led research has provided a world’s first measurement of interactions between Fermi polarons in an atomically-thin 2D semiconductor, using ultrafast spectroscopy capable of probing complex quantum materials.
Oregon State University announces $200M education and research center aimed at technology industries JPR Oregon State University announced a new $200 million research and education center on Friday, focused on supporting the semiconductor and general technology industries in the region. The center will be launched by $100 million in donations. |
CHINA
Beijing rebukes Biden’s export controls Politico China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs had harsh words to describe the Biden administration’s new export controls on semiconductor technology: “Out of the need to maintain its sci-tech hegemony, the U.S. abuses export control measures to maliciously block and suppress Chinese companies,” spokesperson Mao Ning said over the weekend.
Biden administration imposes limits on semiconductor exports to China Axios “We are assessing the impact of the new export controls on the U.S. semiconductor industry and working with our member companies and the U.S. government to ensure compliance,” the Semiconductor Industry Association said in a statement.
Biden clamps down on trade to 31 Chinese companies, universities Fierce Electronics The full impact of the rule was still being weighed by US-based chipmakers, as represented by the Semiconductor Industry Association. “We are assessing the impact of the new export controls on the US semiconductor industry and working with our member companies and the US government to ensure compliance,” SIA said in a statement. “We understand the goal of ensuring national security and urge the US government to implement the rules in a targeted way—and in collaboration with international partners—to help level the playing field and mitigate unintended harm to US innovation.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETThe case for making chips at home again Market Watch In August of this year, President Joe Biden signed the Chips and Science Act into law. The legislation, which was approved with significant bipartisan support, allocates $52.7 billion in subsidies to the semiconductor — or chip — industry.
Sen. Maria Cantwell says CHIPS Act is ‘unleashing’ response from private sector GeekWire Sen. Maria Cantwell likes what she sees so far with the quick reaction from U.S. companies to the CHIPS and Science Act. “We think it’s unleashing the response from the private sector that we wanted to see,” said Cantwell, speaking at the GeekWire Summit in Seattle last week.
Supply Chain ‘Normal’ Appears on Horizon, With Sights Set on March Bloomberg Few observers have had a better perch to watch the pandemic slowly clog — and now free up — one of the biggest arteries of global trade than Captain J. Kipling “Kip” Louttit.
To Protect America, Loosen Visa Caps for STEM Experts Defense One When it comes to immigration policy, there’s little that the authors—a former Trump administration official and a former Obama administration official—have in common. However, we both recognize that attracting the world’s best in key fields is critical to U.S. competitiveness and national security—and that today’s visa caps are imperiling those efforts. |
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TRADETruss Faces Fresh Headache as India-UK Free Trade Deal Stuck Bloomberg India’s reputation as one of the world’s toughest trade negotiators is becoming more than an inconvenience for UK Prime Minister Liz Truss.
UK Entry to CPTPP Trade Pact Still Under Discussion: Singapore Bloomberg Discussions for the UK’s accession into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) are continuing, Singapore’s trade minister Gan Kim Yong said during a meeting of the trade group.
Chilean lawmakers approve Trans-Pacific Partnership Reuters Chile’s congress voted to approve the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade deal on Tuesday after four years of legislative debate. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYMaterials science engineers work on new material for computer chips Science Daily Members of a multifunctional thin film research group have published two landmark studies that explain how to engineer and enhance the stability of ferroelectric hafnium oxides, which are compatible with mainstream semiconductors.
Foundational Changes In Chip Architectures Semiconductor Engineering We take many things in the semiconductor world for granted, but what if some of the decisions made decades ago are no longer viable or optimal? We saw a small example with finFETs, where the planar transistor would no longer scale. Today we are facing several bigger disruptions that will have much larger ripple effects. |
SIA NEWS
SIA Statement on New Export Controls Press Release “We are assessing the impact of the new export controls on the U.S. semiconductor industry and working with our member companies and the U.S. government to ensure compliance. We understand the goal of ensuring national security and urge the U.S. government to implement the rules in a targeted way—and in collaboration with international partners—to help level the playing field and mitigate unintended harm to U.S. innovation.”
Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 0.1% Year-to-Year in August Press Release Global semiconductor sales growth has stalled in recent months, and month-to-month sales decreased in August by the largest percentage since February 2019,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Sales into Europe paced all regional markets, while sales into China saw the sharpest declines. |
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CHINA
Biden Administration Clamps Down on China’s Access to Chip Technology NYT The Semiconductor Industry Association said Friday that it was assessing the impact of the export controls on the industry and working with companies to ensure compliance. “We understand the goal of ensuring national security and urge the U.S. government to implement the rules in a targeted way — and in collaboration with international partners — to help level the playing field and mitigate unintended harm to U.S. innovation,” it said in a statement.
U.S. Restricts Semiconductor Exports in Bid to Slow China’s Military Advance WSJ The Semiconductor Industry Association said it was assessing the impact of the new rules. “We understand the goal of ensuring national security,” the trade group said, but added that it hoped the rules could be implemented in a way that wouldn’t result in “unintended harm to U.S. innovation.”
White House Adds New Restrictions on Chip Exports to China Bloomberg The Semiconductor Industry Association, a lobbying group representing all of the largest US chipmakers, said it’s evaluating the impact of the new export controls and will ensure compliance with the restrictions. “We understand the goal of ensuring national security and urge the US government to implement the rules in a targeted way — and in collaboration with international partners — to help level the playing field and mitigate unintended harm to US innovation,” the association said in a statement.
Taiwan Pledges to Keep Advanced Chips From Chinese Military Bloomberg Taiwan pledged to work closely with the US and other allies to prevent China’s military from acquiring state-of-the-art technology, as Washington steps up efforts to contain the world’s No. 2 economy.
South China Morning Post China’s semiconductor sector, a strategic industry that Beijing wants to see less dependent on foreign technology, faces a big skills and knowledge gap, according to an executive at a domestic education agency. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETSenator Kelly named ‘CHIPS Champion’ by Semiconductor Industry Association Gila Herald “We greatly appreciate the leadership of Senator Kelly in helping to enact the historic CHIPS and Science Act, which will boost U.S.-based production and innovation of semiconductors that are critical to America’s economy, national security, and supply chains. We’re pleased to present Sen. Kelly with SIA’s CHIPS Champion Award as a token of our appreciation and look forward to continuing to work with him to strengthen U.S. semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing,” said Semiconductor Industry Association President and CEO John Neuffer.
Semiconductors: The modern day arms race Electronics 360 Currently, only 12% of all semiconductor manufacturing is done in the U.S. If the situation does not change, it will decline to 10% in the coming decade, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). In 2021, 54% of semiconductors were produced by American companies.
Biden has $52 billion for semiconductors. Today, work begins to spend that windfall NPR President Biden is heading to an IBM manufacturing plant in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., on Thursday to tout a new $20 billion investment the company is making in semiconductor research and development as well as other advanced technologies.
Hochul lauds incentivized semiconductor investment in New York Politico New York sought to lure the world’s largest computer chip manufacturers with the biggest incentive package in state history. Now it landed one — thanks to a potential $6 billion in subsidies.
South China Morning Post Taiwanese officials and entrepreneurs from the global tech hub are talking with their counterparts from Brazil about working together to help Latin America’s biggest economy develop its nascent semiconductor industry. |
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TRADEUS moves to implement new EU data-sharing agreement Financial Times US president Joe Biden on Friday signed an executive order detailing the measures the White House will take to implement a new data-sharing agreement with the EU, a move the administration called a “critical step” for transatlantic relations.
India plays hardball on UK trade deal as Liz Truss scrambles for a win Politico India is driving a hard bargain as Britain’s crisis-hit government tries to get a coveted trade deal over the line within weeks. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYBeyond Silicon? The New Materials Charting the Future of Microchips WSJ Microchips are in pretty much all of our electronic devices—if it’s got a plug or a battery, it’s probably got a chip. For the past 60 years, most of these have been made of silicon.
New form of silicon could revolutionize semiconductor industry Phys.Org After a 10-year research study that started by accident and was met with skepticism, a team of Northeastern University mechanical engineers was able to synthesize highly dense, ultra-narrow silicon nanowires that could revolutionize the semiconductor industry. Their research appears in Nature Communications. |
SIA NEWS
Press Release Enactment of the CHIPS Act was an historic win for the semiconductor industry and American innovation, economic growth, and national security. To realize the full benefits of the CHIPS Act’s R&D investments, it is critical for government, industry, and academia to work collaboratively to ensure the new funding bridges key gaps in the current semiconductor R&D ecosystem.
Beating the Drum on ITA Expansion in Geneva SIA Blog While the weather forecast this week in Geneva calls for lots of clouds and rain, the mood of the sizable global industry delegation here to talk expanding the WTO’s Information Technology Agreement (ITA) for a second time is downright sunny. It’s always great to be back in this town working on an affirmative effort to expand trade and bolster the institution of the WTO. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKET
VP Harris seeks computer chip partners in Japan meetings Associated Press Jimmy Goodrich, vice president for global policy at the Semiconductor Industry Association, “there’s a big opportunity and significant space for future investment” involving Japan.
‘India has a big role to play’: New Delhi is trying to turn the country into a chip powerhouse CNBC India could have a large role to play in the semiconductor industry, analysts say, as the world’s fifth-largest economy looks to boost its domestic chip sector.
University of Arkansas to establish semiconductor research center Axios A $10.35 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy will establish a research center dedicated to the manufacturing of semiconductors used in computers and other electronic devices.
Taiwan says chip companies in talks about Europe investment Reuters Some Taiwanese chip companies are in talks with European countries about investments there, a government minister said on Wednesday, adding the administration was “pleased” to see efforts by local companies to work with democratic allies. |
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CHINAUS Senate weighing limits on US investments in Chinese hi-tech businesses South China Morning Post Members of a US Senate committee said Thursday they are considering new rules to block investments in China’s hi-tech sectors, a move they said was needed to stop American money from financing Beijing’s tenacious efforts to out-compete Washington, even as they differed on what form the rules should take.
Apple’s Tech Supply Chain Shows Difficulty of Dumping China Bloomberg American companies have had a growing list of reasons to downgrade their ties with China in recent years. Former President Donald Trump’s tariffs. Beijing’s stringent Covid lockdowns. The US-Sino standoff over Taiwan. Political pressure to “friend-shore” supply chains toward nations aligned with Washington. |
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TRADENew UK trade minister visits United States in first trip overseas Reuters Britain’s new trade minister Kemi Badenoch will visit New York on Wednesday in her first overseas trip, where she will stress the importance of the United States as a trading partner even as talks over a free trade deal between the countries are blocked.
South China Morning Post The United States convened a preliminary meeting of a working group with East Asian countries to discuss semiconductor supply chain resilience and cooperation, a Taiwan official said on Friday.
New Foreign Secretary Cleverly says UK’s strategic shift to Indo-Pacific is ‘permanent’ CNBC The United Kingdom will commit itself more fully to the Indo-Pacific region, beyond its ongoing efforts to join a massive trade deal in the region, the country’s new foreign secretary said Thursday. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYDecreasing Refresh Latency Of Off-The-Shelf DRAM Chips Semiconductor Engineering DRAM is the building block of modern main memory systems. DRAM cells must be periodically refreshed to prevent data loss. Refresh operations degrade system performance by interfering with memory accesses.
Chipotle Mexican Grill will test robotic tortilla chip maker ‘Chippy’ in California restaurant CNBC Chipotle Mexican Grill is moving one step closer to having a robot make its tortilla chips. Restaurants and retailers have been testing robotics and automation to speed up operations and reduce menial tasks for workers. |
INDUSTRY/MARKET
CHIPS Act could make the US a semiconductor powerhouse Automotive World Nevertheless, as demand for new vehicles featuring the latest technology increases, it’s forecasted that the global semiconductor industry will increase manufacturing capacity by 56% in the next decade, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).
Biden administration announces Chips Act implementation team Washington Post The White House and Commerce Department on Tuesday announced the team that will oversee the doling out of $52 billion in federal subsidies for the semiconductor industry, pledging strict oversight to “responsibly spend taxpayer dollars.”
India expects at least $25 bln investment under semiconductor incentive scheme Reuters India is expecting to court a total investment of at least $25 billion as a result of its incentive scheme meant to boost local manufacturing of chip and display panels, junior IT minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar told reporters on Wednesday. |
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CHINAHuawei dives into chip production to battle U.S. clampdown Nikkei Asia China’s Huawei Technologies is attempting to get its own chips back into production as early as this year by partnering with domestic semiconductor companies to build up “U.S.-free” production lines.
Supply-Chain Decoupling From China Gets Sharper Teeth WSJ Covid-19, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and rising geopolitical risks in Asia have thrown a wrench into global supply chains. That has reinvigorated the push to put key supply links back onshore—particularly those currently located in manufacturing juggernaut China. |
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TRADESouth Korea complains of growing friction with US over high-tech trade Financial Times
Britain’s Truss doesn’t expect UK-US trade deal anytime soon ABC Prime Minister Liz Truss has kicked off her first visit to the United States as Britain’s leader with an admission that a U.K-U.S. free trade deal is not going to happen for years.
Brazil’s Lula Expects to Reach Trade Agreement With EU in Six Months if Elected Reuters Brazilian presidential candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said on Wednesday he should reach an agreement on a trade deal between South America’s Mercosur trade bloc and the European Union within six months, if he wins October’s presidential election. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYSemiconductor Engineering A recent wave of quantum computing investment has given rise to claims of a quantum computing bubble, based on overly optimistic technological claims in a field area that experts say has yet to demonstrate any real utility.
Phys.org Perovskite solar cells have been the subject of much research as the next generation of photovoltaic devices. However, many challenges remain to be overcome for the practical application. One of them concerns the hole transport layer (p-type semiconductor) in photovoltaic cells that carries holes generated by light to the electrode. |
SIA NEWS
Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 7.3% Year-to-Year in July, but Growth Slows Press Release |
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INDUSTRY/MARKET
Global semiconductor sales increased 7.3% YoY in July Evertiq The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reports that global semiconductor industry sales were $49.0 billion in the month of July 2022, an increase of 7.3% over the July 2021 total of USD 45.7 billion, but a decrease of 2.3% compared to the June 2022 total of USD 50.2 billion.
Global Chip Sales Up Over 7% YoY in July EE Times Asia “Global semiconductor sales remained strong in July, easily topping the total from last July, but market growth has slowed substantially in recent months, with year-to-year sales increases dropping into the single digits for the first time since December 2020,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Sales into the Americas market increased 20.9% year-to-year to lead all regions.”
Chip growth slows as Chinese market contracts EE News Europe John Neuffer, CEO of the SIA, said market growth has slowed substantially in recent months, with year-to-year sales increases dropping into the single digits for the first time since December 2020.
CHIPS Act would give 25% tax credit on new fabs Electronics360 According to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), the U.S. manufactures about 12% of all chips made globally, this is down from about 37% in the 1990s. If the supply chain remains the same or the situation worsens, this will more than likely decline to 10% or less in the coming years as more manufacturing capacity is built in other countries to meet demand.
US Lays Out $50 Billion Chips Plan and May Issue Funds in the Spring Bloomberg The Biden administration published its strategy for subsidizing US output of semiconductors, with the first phase of funding potentially being rolled out next spring, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said.
Biden administration unveils plan for bolstering semiconductor production The Hill The administration will use the majority of the funding, around $28 billion, to establish domestic production of leading edge logic and memory chips through grants, subsidized loans or loan guarantees, the Department of Commerce said in an announcement.
Biden Administration Releases Plan for $50 Billion Investment in Chips NYT The Department of Commerce on Tuesday unveiled its plan for dispensing $50 billion aimed at building up the domestic semiconductor industry and countering China, in what is expected to be the biggest U.S. government effort in decades to shape a strategic industry. |
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CHINAXi Renews Call for China Tech Push After US Escalates Curbs Bloomberg Xi Jinping renewed calls for China to step up the development of technology critical to national security, issuing a forceful reminder just as escalating US sanctions threaten Beijing’s efforts to become self-reliant in semiconductors.
US bans ‘advanced tech’ firms from building facilities in China for a decade The Guardian US technology firms that receive government funding will be banned from building “advanced technology facilities” in China for a decade, the Biden administration has announced, as it outlined plans to increase domestic production of semiconductors. |
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TRADEWhite House Says Change to Brexit Deal May Hurt US-UK Trade Push Bloomberg Any attempt to roll back rules governing the UK’s post-Brexit trade with Northern Ireland could hurt chances of a bilateral trade agreement with the US, the White House said Wednesday.
U.S., Indo-Pacific countries launch trade talks shunning tariff cuts Reuters Economic ministers from the United States and 13 Indo-Pacific countries launched negotiations on Thursday on Washington’s first major pan-Asian trade engagement effort in nearly a decade, but this time any deal will not cut tariffs.
South China Morning Post China and Israel aim to sign a free-trade agreement by the end of 2022, an Israeli official said on Wednesday, in a breakthrough that would give Beijing its first deal in the Middle East plus a boost after years of trade friction with Australia and the United States. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYModified microwave oven cooks up next-gen semiconductors Science Daily A household microwave oven modified by an engineering professor is helping to cook up the next generation of cellphones, computers and other electronics after the invention was shown to overcome a major challenge faced by the semiconductor industry.
3D nanoprinting using semiconductor quantum dots to create optoelectrical materials Phys.org A team of researchers from Tsinghua University, working with a colleague from Jilin University, has developed a new 3D nanoprinting technique that uses semiconducting quantum dots. In their paper published in the journal Science, the group describes their new technique and provides examples of resulting 3D objects. |
SIA NEWS
Press Release “Lip-Bu Tan is a true technology visionary and a pioneer in venture capital,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Lip-Bu’s many career accomplishments have greatly strengthened the global semiconductor ecosystem and helped advance companies that drive innovation and growth around the world. We’re pleased to recognize Lip-Bu with the 2022 Robert N. Noyce Award for his many contributions to the semiconductor sector and beyond.”
Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 13.3% in Q2 2022 Compared to Q2 2021 Press Release “Global semiconductor sales were robust during the second quarter of 2022, increasing across all major regional markets and product categories compared to the second quarter of last year,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Market growth has slowed somewhat in recent months, however, with year-to-year growth in June dipping below 15% for the first time since February 2021. Sales into the Americas continued to lead all regional markets in June, increasing by 29.0% year-to-year.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKET
Chip billions won’t be a quick fix AXIOS Other countries have incentivized semiconductor manufacturing in a way the U.S. has not, and “and as a result, we have slipped dramatically,” John Neuffer, CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association, told Axios.
The CHIPS Act won’t solve the chip shortage Vox “This is a very, very good first step,” John Neuffer, the CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association, told Recode. “But as long as the rest of the world has the subsidy programs in place, we need some kind of incentives to get close to what those subsidies are.”
$52B semiconductor package is a ‘big freakin’ deal for Michigan’ MLive Semiconductors were invented in the United States. The nation remains a leader in innovation and has nearly half of the global market share for semiconductors. However, only 12% of the assembly happens in America, according to the 2021 Semiconductor Industry Association report.
Biden touts chip funding at virtual appearance at Hemlock Semiconductor The Detroit News The Semiconductor Industry Association estimates it costs 30% more to build a chip fab in the U.S. than in Taiwan, South Korea or Singapore and up to 50% more than in China.
Global semiconductor sales increase 13.3% in Q2 2022 Evertiq “Global semiconductor sales were robust during the second quarter of 2022, increasing across all major regional markets and product categories compared to the second quarter of last year,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO, in a press release. “Market growth has slowed somewhat in recent months, however, with year-to-year growth in June dipping below 15% for the first time since February 2021. Sales into the Americas continued to lead all regional markets in June, increasing by 29.0% year-to-year.”
Biden to sign bill to boost chipmakers, compete with China Aug. 9 -White House Reuters President Joe Biden next Tuesday will sign a bill to subsidize the U.S. semiconductor industry and boost efforts to make the United States more competitive with China, the White House said on Wednesday.
Pelosi dined with Taiwan computer chip executives during her brief visit The Washington Post TSMC is the world’s biggest chip manufacturer and a vital supplier to the United States and other Western nations. It is by far the largest of Taiwan’s chipmakers, which together produce more than 90 percent of the world’s highest-tech chips, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Semiconductor giants call for immigration law restructuring The Hill Semiconductor giants are pushing for immigration reform that would allow more highly skilled workers to remain in the U.S. after Congress passed a bill to strengthen domestic chip manufacturing. |
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CHINASouth China Morning Post China’s top memory chip maker Yangtze Memory Technologies Corp (YMTC) is facing fresh pressure amid reports that the US is considering limiting equipment exports to memory chip makers on the mainland.
China’s memory upstart YMTC edges closer to rivals with 232-layer chip Reuters The company unveiled its fourth-generation 3D NAND chip, the X3-9070, and its first to feature 232 layers of memory cells, government-backed media outlet Global Times reported on Wednesday. |
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TRADEU.S., Japan to cooperate on semiconductors as part of new economic dialogue Reuters The United States and Japan launched a new high-level economic dialogue on Friday aimed at pushing back against China and countering the disruption caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYPhys.org Tiny crystals, known as quantum dots, have enabled an international team to achieve a quantum efficiency exceeding 100 percent in the photocurrent generated in a hybrid inorganic-organic semiconductor.
New chip-based beam steering device lays groundwork for smaller, cheaper lidar Science Daily Researchers have developed a new chip-based beam steering technology that provides a promising route to small, cost-effective and high-performance lidar systems.
How human ‘organs on a chip’ can help replace animal testing Fast Company Biotech firm Emulate is one of the companies pioneering this technology. On one version of its tiny “organ on a chip,” roughly the size of a flash drive, human lung cells line two parallel channels carved into a flexible plastic. |
SIA NEWS
SIA Applauds House Passage of CHIPS Act, Urges President to Sign Bill into Law Press Release By passing the CHIPS Act, Congress has risen to a defining challenge of our time, seized an historic opportunity to fortify American semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research, and delivered a big win for our country. The bill’s investments in chip production and innovation will strengthen America’s economy and national security – both of which rely heavily on chips – and reinforce our country’s semiconductor supply chains.
SIA Commends Senate Passage of CHIPS Act, Urges House Approval Press Release Senate passage of the CHIPS Act marks decisive progress toward strengthening America’s economy, national security, and leadership in the key technologies of today and tomorrow. We greatly appreciate the bill’s Senate champions for advancing it, commend today’s strong bipartisan vote, and urge the House of Representatives to swiftly follow suit and send the CHIPS Act to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. The stakes are high, and the time to act is now.
SIA Applauds Senate’s Procedural Vote to Advance CHIPS Act, Urges Final Passage Press Release Today’s bipartisan vote is a vital step toward enactment of legislation that will strengthen American chip production and innovation, economic growth and job creation, and national security. We thank the bipartisan group of congressional champions for their leadership in advancing the CHIPS Act, applaud today’s Senate vote, and urge swift final passage in both the Senate and House. America has an historic opportunity to re-invigorate domestic chip manufacturing, design, and research, and Congress should seize it before it’s too late. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKET
Pass the CHIPS Act to seize America’s big semiconductor opportunity The Hill – Opinion Piece by John Neuffer The stakes could hardly be higher, and the time to act is now. Congress this week will vote on legislation called the CHIPS Act that would re-invigorate U.S. chip production and innovation, while also strengthening America’s economy, national security, and leadership in key technologies. Congress needs to approve it this week.
How Congress Can Save U.S. Semiconductor Production And Innovation California Business Journal – Opinion Piece by John Neuffer Without action from Congress, though, the U.S. semiconductor sector will be diminished as chip companies open new manufacturing facilities, known as fabs, in countries that provide considerably more incentives to semiconductor businesses than the U.S. does.
WSJ – Opinion Piece by John Neuffer Other governments encourage chip manufacturing, making it up to 50% more expensive to build and operate a chip manufacturing facility, or fab, in the U.S. than overseas. Opposition to “subsidies” impairs the editorial board’s ability to identify the problem: Without government incentives to level the playing field, not enough new fabs will be built in the U.S. That’s bad for businesses, workers and critical infrastructure and defense systems.
Chipmakers got their $52 billion. It will now take years for American chipmaking to flourish. Protocol “By passing the CHIPS Act, Congress has risen to a defining challenge of our time, seized an historic opportunity to fortify American semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research, and delivered a big win for our country,” Semiconductor Industry Association President and CEO John Neuffer said in a statement.
CHIPS Act passage to re-energize US chip-making Asia Times John Neuffer, president and CEO of the US Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), stated that: “By passing the CHIPS Act, Congress has risen to a defining challenge of our time, seized an historic opportunity to fortify American semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research, and delivered a big win for our country. The bill’s investments in chip production and innovation will strengthen America’s economy and national security – both of which rely heavily on chips – and reinforce our country’s semiconductor supply chains.”
Industry Week Semiconductor Industry Association CEO John Neuffer, in a statement, commended the Senate for its “decisive progress towards strengthening America’s economy, national security, and leadership in the key technologies of today and tomorrow” before urging the House to send the bill to the President’s desk quickly.
CHIPS Act moves to House for passage Electronics 360 “Senate passage of the CHIPS Act marks decisive progress toward strengthening America’s economy, national security and leadership in the key technologies of today and tomorrow,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). “We greatly appreciate the bill’s Senate champions for advancing it, commend today’s strong bipartisan vote, and urge the House of Representatives to swiftly follow suit and send the CHIPS Act to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. The stakes are high, and the time to act is now.”
Senate approves CHIPS Act, as funding windfall inches closer Fierce Electronics The Semiconductor Industry Association was equally effusive, saying in its official statement that the funds resulting from the Act will help rectify a situation that finds U.S. sites accounting for only about 12% of the world’s chip manufacturing capacity today. “Senate passage of the CHIPS Act marks decisive progress toward strengthening America’s economy, national security, and leadership in the key technologies of today and tomorrow,” the statement read. “We greatly appreciate the bill’s Senate champions for advancing it, commend today’s strong bipartisan vote, and urge the House of Representatives to swiftly follow suit and send the CHIPS Act to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. The stakes are high, and the time to act is now.”
Politico “This higher number includes the amounts called for in the bill’s aspirational research section, called an “authorization.” Authorizations are not spending. Congressional appropriators will decide in the years to come whether to actually fund the authorizations in the CHIPS-Plus bill. This bill does not fund them,” said David Isaacs, Semiconductor Industry Association vice president.
Senate passes CHIPS Act to subsidize domestic semiconductor production Tech Crunch Semiconductor Industry Association President and CEO John Neuffer echoed the sentiment in a statement provided to TechCrunch, noting, “Senate passage of the CHIPS Act marks decisive progress toward strengthening America’s economy, national security, and leadership in the key technologies of today and tomorrow. We greatly appreciate the bill’s Senate champions for advancing it, commend today’s strong bipartisan vote, and urge the House of Representatives to swiftly follow suit and send the CHIPS Act to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law. The stakes are high, and the time to act is now.”
U.S. Senate advances chip funding bill to encourage local semiconductor manufacturing Tech Crunch The Semiconductor Industry Association, a trade group representing chipmakers, with members like AMD, ARM, Intel, and Broadcom, welcomed the Senate’s vote. “Today’s bipartisan vote is a vital step toward enactment of legislation that will strengthen American chip production and innovation, economic growth and job creation, and national security. We thank the bipartisan group of congressional champions for their leadership in advancing the CHIPS Act, applaud today’s Senate vote, and urge swift final passage in both the Senate and House. America has a historic opportunity to re-invigorate domestic chip manufacturing, design, and research, and Congress should seize it before it’s too late,” it said in a statement.
CHIPS backers descend on Washington Politico Chipmakers themselves have sought to push back on critics too. In a blog post Friday, one of the semiconductor industry’s biggest trade groups swatted back at critics conflating the package’s total direct spending and authorizations for its science funding components. The bill’s $52 billion in subsidies and $24 billion in industry tax incentives, the Semiconductor Industry Association’s David Isaacs wrote, is “badly needed” by the industry but “will return huge benefits to American businesses, workers, and consumers.”
The Hill The Semiconductor Industry Association hired Stewart Barber and Molly O’Leary as directors of government affairs. Barber previously served as director of international initiatives and outreach in the Trump White House. O’Leary previously served as policy adviser to Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.).
CHIPS Act clears Congress, ensuring $52 billion boost to US foundries The Verge In a 243-187 vote on Thursday, the House passed the $280 billion CHIPS and Science Act to strengthen US science and technology innovation. The bill, a Biden administration priority, includes $52 billion in subsidies to encourage chip manufacturers to build out semiconductor fabrications plants, or “fabs,” in the US. |
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CHINAChina says U.S. chip act will distort global semiconductor supply chain Reuters China’s commerce ministry said on Friday that a major new chips act passed by the U.S. Congress will distort the global semiconductor supply chain and disrupt international trade.
Fortune U.S. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi is reportedly scheduling a trip to Taiwan in August, paying visit to the world’s leading producer of semiconductors and the most important supplier of chips to the U.S. The self-governing island produces 92% of the world’s most advanced chips, including the chipsets that power iPhones and most other U.S. tech.
Protocol China has long lagged the U.S., Taiwan and South Korea in the development of advanced chip manufacturing technology, despite having committed hundreds of billions of dollars to eliminate the gap. |
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TRADEU.S. and Japan launch economic dialogue to push back against China, Russia Reuters Long-time allies the United States and Japan launched a new high-level economic dialogue on Friday aimed at pushing back against China and countering the disruption caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
U.S. to host first IPEF ministerial meeting Politico U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo will co-host the event, which is the first ministerial level meeting since President Joe Biden formally launched the initiative during a visit to Tokyo in May. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYThe structure of the smallest semiconductor was elucidated Science Daily A semiconductor is a material whose conductivity lies somewhere between that of a conductor and an insulator. This property allows semiconductors to serve as the base material for modern electronics and transistors.
SPIM-WGs: High performance waveguide devices for next generation photonic chips Phys.Org One of the most important elements in photonic chips or quantum chips is the optical waveguide. However, due to limitations in existing fabrication methods, it is tricky to efficiently produce waveguides with high precision control of the 3D cross-section shape and size. |
SIA NEWS
SIA Applauds Senate Advancing CHIPS Act Press Release The Senate CHIPS Act would greatly strengthen America’s economy, national security, and leadership in the technologies that will determine our future. The bill would spur hundreds of billions of dollars in private semiconductor investments in America, create hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs, and help ensure our country has the chips it needs for critical defense applications and sectors of the economy.
Stewart Barber, Molly O’Leary Join SIA Government Affairs Team Press Release “The policy decisions being made in the U.S. and around the world will have a massive impact on the future of the semiconductor industry, a sector that is central to America’s economy, national security, and global technology leadership,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “With extensive experience advancing government policies that promote growth and innovation, Stewart and Molly will be ideal advocates for the semiconductor industry in Washington. We are pleased to welcome them to the SIA team and look forward to their contributions in support of our industry’s priorities.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKET
Why Congress must help Kentucky manufacturers overcome chip shortage: Opinion Courier Journal – Op Ed by John Neuffer Global demand for semiconductors is high and will only continue to skyrocket. It’s no longer a question of whether chip manufacturers will need to build new fabs to meet demand, but a concern of where these plants will be located. Strengthening the domestic semiconductor environment will make the cost of doing business here more comparable to other countries and establish the U.S. a top destination for innovation.
Tech Bill Aims to Block U.S. Aid for Companies That Build Advanced Chips in China WSJ In a statement, SIA President and CEO John Neuffer said the group is “encouraged the legislation is progressing and look forward to swift enactment of investments that strengthen domestic chip manufacturing, design and research.”
CHIPS Act passes U.S. Senate in 64-34 preliminary vote Fierce Electronics Major semiconductor associations including the Semiconductor Industry Association and SEMI praised the preliminary vote. “The bill would spur hundreds of billions of dollars in private semiconductor investments in America, create hundreds of thousands of U.S. jobs and ensure our country has the chips it needs for critical defense applications and sectors of the economy,” said SIA CEO John Neuffer in a statement.
CHIPS bill gets praise — and a ding Fierce Electronics The Semiconductor Industry Association hailed the preliminary vote and joined several government affairs executives from major chip companies in a virtual panel conducted by CQ Roll Call on Thursday. They included representatives from Intel, Samsung, TSMC, Micron and Global Foundries. All the executives urged final passage of the measure to ensure U.S. competitiveness in chip manufacturing and R&D, noting the U.S. share of all chips produced globally has fallen to 12% from 37% in 1990.
Politico The Semiconductor Industry Association has added Stewart Barber and Molly O’Leary as directors of government affairs, working with Congress, the White House and federal agencies to advance the industry’s priorities. Barber was most recently senior vice president of government affairs at Corley Consulting, and O’Leary previously served as director of government affairs at NTCA — The Rural Broadband Association.
Biden Wants Chipmakers Getting US Aid to Curb China Investments Bloomberg The China investment restrictions are still under negotiation and are a target of heavy lobbying by the semiconductor industry. Intel Corp. and the industry’s main trade association, the Semiconductor Industry Association, have been lobbying against the restrictions as currently written, Politico reported earlier Monday.
Key Senate votes expected next week on bill to boost US semiconductor production CNN The Senate is on track to move to final passage as soon as next week on a long-awaited bill aimed at boosting US semiconductor production in a bid to increase American competitiveness.
Fortune Semiconductors are essential to every scrap of modern technology powering society today, including cars, smartphones, and even missiles. Yet the chip industry is dominated by manufacturers in the small island of Taiwan, where a handful of firms churn out roughly 90% of the world’s most advanced chips. Policy makers in the U.S. have started to see that as a problem. |
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CHINAHow China became ground zero for the auto chip shortage Reuters From his small office in Singapore, Kelvin Pang is ready to wager a $23 million payday that the worst of the chip shortage is not over for automakers – at least in China. Pang has bought 62,000 microcontrollers, chips that help control a range of functions from car engines and transmissions to electric vehicle power systems and charging, which cost the original buyer $23.80 each in Germany.
TikTok owner ByteDance explores self-designed chips as China aims for semiconductor self-sufficiency CNBC TikTok owner ByteDance is looking into designing its own chips, joining a slew of Chinese internet giants focused on semiconductors as Beijing tries to become more self-sufficient in the critical technology.
Despite Didi’s $1.2 bln fine, China tech’s regulatory woes may not be over Reuters China’s $1.2 billion fine on Didi Global draws a line under the ride hailing company’s regulatory woes, but the retroactive application of laws and a lack of clarity on the firm’s business revival show the worst for its tech sector may not be over. |
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TRADEYellen says the U.S. and its allies should use ‘friend-shoring’ to give supply chains a boost CNBC U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen has reiterated the need for the United States and its trusted trading partners to boost supply chain resilience through “friend-shoring,” but said this does not mean the U.S. is retreating from the rest of world.
‘Unprecedented urgency’ may have pushed India and the EU to revive trade talks after 9 years CNBC In a stunning turnaround, India and the European Union recently revived negotiations for a free trade agreement after talks halted nearly a decade ago — and observers say it could have been driven by “unprecedented urgency.”
Britain Launches Free Trade Talks With Israel Reuters Britain on Wednesday launched free trade talks with Israel, aimed at boosting service and tech sector ties as it seeks new trade deals after leaving the European Union. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYResearchers explore a hydrodynamic semiconductor where electrons flow like water Phys.Org You don’t normally want to mix electricity and water, but electricity behaving like water has the potential to improve electronic devices. Recent work from the groups of engineer James Hone at Columbia and theoretical physicist Shaffique Adam at the National University of Singapore and Yale-NUS builds new understanding of this unusual hydrodynamic behavior that changes some old assumptions about the physics of metals.
Flexible Polymer Paves Way for Organic Semiconductors Design News Researchers have been seeking new organic materials for electronic components to drive down the costs and the environmental impact of manufacturing current devices as well as to meet particular advanced performance needs. Conventional metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) transistors are one of the devices that has reached a material impasse of sorts, with silicon—the current material of choice—facing limits in terms of the current need for simultaneous reduction in size and increased performance. |
SIA NEWS
Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 18.0% Year-to-Year, 1.8% Month-to-Month in May Press Release “Global demand for semiconductors remained high in May, with year-to-year sales increasing strongly across all major regional markets and product categories,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Continuing high demand for semiconductors will necessitate more chip research, design, and manufacturing in the years ahead. We urge leaders in Washington to swiftly enact bipartisan innovation and competitiveness legislation that ensures a large share of this chip production and innovation occurs on U.S. soil. The clock is ticking.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKET
Chip giants threaten to scale back U.S. expansion without subsidies Nikkei Asia “The CHIPS Act does have strong bipartisan support, as well as the backing of state and local leaders, business leaders, national security experts and two-thirds of American voters,” said John Neuffer, CEO of Semiconductor Industry Association, a U.S. trade association.
‘US semiconductor industry cannot wait’ The Columbus Dispatch – LTE by John Neuffer The June 25 article, “Intel pushes Congress to pass $52B in aid,” is much more than symbolic, as this article identifies it, and instead represents the real loss semiconductor companies face when manufacturing in the U.S. without federal incentives.
The latest: Commerce secretary says McConnell threat is ‘bump in the road’ The Washington Post The House and Senate are working to reconcile different versions of the bill that would invest $52 billion to expand microchip manufacturing and its supply chain to the United States. The country hosts 12 percent of manufacturing, down from 37 percent in 1990, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association — with China, Taiwan, Japan and the European Union making up much of the difference.
Electronics Weekly “Global demand for semiconductors remained high in May, with year-to-year sales increasing strongly across all major regional markets and product categories,” says SIA CEO John Neuffer, “continuing high demand for semiconductors will necessitate more chip research, design, and manufacturing in the years ahead. We urge leaders in Washington to swiftly enact bipartisan innovation and competitiveness legislation that ensures a large share of this chip production and innovation occurs on U.S. soil. The clock is ticking.”
Global Semiconductor Sales Up 18% YoY in May EE Times Asia Global semiconductor industry sales reached $51.8 billion in the month of May 2022, an increase of 18% over the May 2021 total of $43.9 billion and 1.8% more than the April 2022 total of $50.9 billion, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).
Semiconductor Funding Bill Is Likely to Survive McConnell Threat Bloomberg A $52 billion package of incentives and subsidies to bolster US semiconductor manufacturing is far from dead, despite Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell’s threat to scuttle the legislation containing it in order to stall passage of President Joe Biden’s economic plan. |
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CHINAU.S. mulls fresh bid to restrict chipmaking tools for China’s SMIC Reuters The Biden administration is considering new targeted restrictions on shipments of chipmaking tools to China, seeking to hamstring advances by China’s largest chipmaker, SMIC (0981.HK), without slowing the flow of chips into the global economy, five people familiar with the matter told Reuters.
U.S. Aims to Expand Export Bans on China Over Security and Human Rights NYT When Russian forces invaded Ukraine nearly five months ago, the Biden administration led dozens of governments in banning the export of advanced technology to Russia to hobble its economic and military development.
China takes wider aim at foreign tech with national standards plan Nikkei Asia Proposed Chinese national technology standards signal a broader push to restrict foreign manufacturers, presenting them with a potential choice between divulging vital design details or abandoning a vast market. |
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TRADEBiden says U.S.-U.K. ties ‘strong,’ does not mention Johnson Reuters U.S. President Joe Biden looks forward to further close cooperation with the British government, he said on Thursday without mentioning Prime Minister Boris Johnson who resigned in the face of scandal.
China Diplomatic Blitz Counters US as Blinken Visits Asia Bloomberg As US Secretary of State Antony Blinken takes part in Group of 20 meetings on his first visit to Asia in more than six months, his Chinese counterpart is halfway through a two-week diplomatic blitz across the key strategic battleground.
US trade move viewed as wedge ploy in Asia China Daily The so-called Indo-Pacific Economic Framework initiated by the United States but excluding China presents as an instrument at odds with the trend of regional economic integration, say experts who point to China’s vital role in trade and development. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYSpintronics: Giant Rashba semiconductors show unconventional dynamics with potential applications Phys.Org Germanium telluride is a strong candidate for use in functional spintronic devices due to its giant Rashba-effect. Now, scientists at HZB have discovered another intriguing phenomenon in GeTe by studying the electronic response to thermal excitation of the samples.
Using lattice distortions to improve carrier mobility in 2D semiconductors TechXplore Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors are semiconducting materials with thicknesses on the atomic scale, which have exceptional electronic properties. In the future, these materials could have the potential to replace silicon in the development of numerous electronic and optoelectronic devices. |
INDUSTRY/MARKET
McConnell threatens semiconductor bill, prompting White House rebuke The Hill A partisan fight erupted over bipartisan legislation aimed at boosting the domestic semiconductor industry on Thursday, as Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) threatened Republican support for the bill if Democrats move forward with a separate reconciliation package.
Scoop: Schumer’s CHIPS Act gambit Axios Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) summoned a dozen Senate Democrats to his office last week with firm marching orders: Call your closest CEOs and ask them to press Republican senators on the China competition bill.
Chip makers warn Congress’ delay could threaten U.S. expansion Axios It’s expensive to build semiconductors — a vital input for wide swaths of the economy — and other countries have already outpaced the U.S. in incentivizing manufacturing on their shores.
The Chip Shortage Was Supposed to Be a ‘Sputnik Moment.’ What Happened? Bloomberg The US promised chipmakers about $52 billion to boost the industry inside the country. Now, it looks like that money might not arrive—a development that’s already threatening to upend manufacturing plans.
Tata Motors and Renesas join hands to build semiconductor solutions for India, emerging markets CNBC Japan-based Renesas Electronics Corporation will help Tata Motors accelerate the development of electric and connected vehicles. The tie-up will also help Tejas Networks, another Tata Group firm, develop semiconductor solutions for next-generation wireless networking.
Semiconductor legislation failures show why the U.S. struggles to compete The Washington Post As President Biden heads toward potentially cataclysmic midterm elections, he has a last chance to show that he can make the machinery of Congress work to pass a big, bipartisan plan to bolster America’s dominance in technology. |
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TRADEChip exports to Russia plunged by 90% after curbs-U.S. official Reuters Global exports of semiconductors to Russia have plummeted by 90% since the United States and allies slapped export controls on Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said on Wednesday.
Taiwan, United States to hold trade talks on Monday Reuters Taiwan and the United States will hold trade talks on Monday under a newly agreed framework, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative said.
U.S. and allies boost engagement with Pacific nations amid China push The Japan Times Three months after China struck a controversial security deal with the Solomon Islands, Washington and four of its allies announced the establishment of a new mechanism to ramp up engagement with Pacific island nations.
EU and New Zealand agree free trade deal Financial Times |
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CHINAChina Is Tightening Its Grip on Big Tech WIRED
China completes overhaul of antitrust law to corral Big Tech Nikkei Asia Chinese tech companies will face stiffer penalties for crossing Beijing’s red lines on competition after lawmakers on Friday approved changes to the country’s antitrust law that were years in the making. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYMaking dark semiconductors shine Science Daily The energy-levels of semiconductors can be rearranged by coupling between light particles (photons) and excited electrons so that a formerly dark material becomes optically active.
New single-mode semiconductor laser delivers power with scalability Science Daily Engineers have created a new type of semiconductor laser that accomplishes an elusive goal in the field of optics: the ability to maintain a single mode of emitted light while maintaining the ability to scale up in size and power. |
SIA NEWS
SIA Applauds Renewal of WTO Tariff Moratorium, Urges WTO to Make it Permanent Press Release After a rocky start, MC12 produced important outcomes for global trade in semiconductors and a range of other essential technologies, services, and industrial products. We greatly appreciate the strong leadership of Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and the tireless work of the U.S. negotiating team and all Ministers to deliver positive results, including the agreement to extend the WTO Moratorium on Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions until the next Ministerial. For nearly 25 years, the Moratorium has supported the explosive growth of global trade for big and small companies across all sectors, including Internet-related services, entertainment, semiconductors, and consumer and industrial electronics. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKET
With Funding Stalled, Chip Makers Warn Congress the U.S. Is Lagging NYT John Neuffer, the chief executive of the Semiconductor Industry Association, said the industry had been under “withering pressure” to build new manufacturing facilities to respond to the explosion of demand for chips. Mr. Neuffer said that building facilities was often 25 to 50 percent cheaper in foreign countries than in the United States, largely because of the manufacturing incentives foreign countries offered. Some U.S. state governments do offer funding to court chip manufacturers, but the federal government “is not in the game,” he added.
2 huge chip makers warn of expansion delays as subsidies bill languishes The Washington Post
Auto industry CEOs urge Congress to quickly pass chips funding Reuters Major automakers and industry suppliers on Wednesday urged Congress to move quickly to pass $52 billion in subsidies for U.S. semiconductor production, according to a letter seen by Reuters.
Democrats in Congress ‘optimistic’ chips deal can happen soon Reuters U.S. Democrats said on Tuesday they were hopeful of reaching a $52 billion bipartisan deal to subsidize U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and boost U.S. competitiveness with Chinese technology. |
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TRADEU.S. business group calls for ‘urgent’ Taiwan free trade talks Reuters The United States should “urgently” start talks with Taiwan on a free trade agreement with the aim to present a completed text for passage in 2024, the American Chamber of Commerce in Taiwan said in an annual policy paper published on Wednesday.
EU and India to restart trade talks after decade-long gap Financial Times The EU will restart trade negotiations with India after a nearly 10-year pause as western countries try to woo New Delhi away from its historic ties with Russia. |
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CHINAUS Sanctions Help China Supercharge Its Chipmaking Industry Bloomberg China’s chip industry is growing faster than anywhere else in the world, after US sanctions on local champions from Huawei Technologies Co. to Hikvision spurred appetite for home-grown components. Nineteen of the world’s 20 fastest-growing chip industry firms over the past four quarters, on average, hail from the world’s No. 2 economy, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. That compared with just 8 at the same point last year.
South China Morning Post China has drafted a grand “digital government” plan through to 2035, as the state seeks to improve its governance of the world’s most populous country through digital technologies.
China’s Tech Giants Lost Their Swagger and May Never Get It Back Bloomberg On trading floors in New York and Hong Kong, the brightening mood toward Chinese technology companies is unmistakable: With stocks like Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. and Tencent Holdings Ltd. surging from multi-year lows, talk of a new bull market is growing louder. Yet speak to executives, entrepreneurs and venture capital investors intimately involved in China’s tech sector and a more downbeat picture emerges. Interviews with more than a dozen industry players suggest the outlook is still far from rosy, despite signs that the Communist Party’s crackdown on big tech is softening at the edges. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYArtificial Neural Network Helps Self-Driving Cars to Learn from Own Memory AZO Robotics By using artificial intelligence to detect pedestrians, other cars and possible impediments, an autonomous vehicle is able to navigate city streets and other less crowded areas. Artificial neural networks, trained to “see” the environment around the automobile and imitate the human visual perception system, are used to do this.
Novel Family Of Semiconductors Semiconductor Engineering A series of novel semiconductors AAe6Si12P20X (A = Na, K, Rb, Cs; Ae = Sr, Ba; X = Cl, Br, I) is reported. Their crystal structures feature a tetrahedral Si–P framework with large zeolite-like pores hosting two types of cations, monoatomic A+ and unprecedented octahedral X@Ae611+. Mixing of the A and Ba cations was detected by single crystal X-ray diffraction and confirmed by multinuclear solid state NMR. The reported compounds are highly stable semiconductors with a bandgap range from 1.4 to 2.0 eV. |
SIA NEWS
SIA Joins 120+ Business Leaders’ Call for Swift Enactment of Competitiveness Legislation Press Release “SIA joins U.S. business leaders in calling on Congress to swiftly pass competitiveness legislation that includes critical funding and incentives for domestic semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “As demonstrated by the breadth of signatories, America’s economy, workforce, national security, and technological leadership are built on semiconductors. Federal investment in the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem will ensure the U.S. continues to lead in the critical sectors of tomorrow, while also creating hundreds of thousands of high-paying American jobs, strengthening our economy, and securing our supply chains for decades to come.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKET
More than 100 CEOs urge U.S. Congress to pass China competition bill Reuters “The leaders of our industry are under pressure to get fabs up to respond to the growing demand for chips. And they can’t wait,” said SIA CEO John Neuffer, adding that the bill would “ensure that more of those fabs are going to be built in the U.S. rather than overseas.”
Big Tech begs Congress to pass $52bn chip subsidies bill The Register The association said it hopes the final legislation will include a measure for investment tax credits that semiconductor manufacturing and design companies can advantage of in addition to the $52 billion in chip subsidies that has been the heart of the bill.
Over 100 CEOs Including Alphabet, Amazon, Microsoft Press For China Competition Bill Benzinga SIA CEO John Neuffer disclosed that the bill would ensure that more of those fabs were built in the U.S. rather than overseas when the industry leaders battled a severe chip crisis.
Tech Bosses Urge Congress to Pass Bill Boosting Chip Sector Support The Street “The competitiveness legislation pending in Congress is critical to the U.S. economy, national security, and supply chain resilience,” the letter said. “The rest of the world is not waiting for the U.S. to act. Our global competitors are investing in their industry, their workers, and their economies, and it is imperative that Congress act to enhance U.S. competitiveness.”
Business Leaders Prod Lawmakers on China Bill Politico The letter, organized by the Semiconductor Industry Association (whose members have $52 billion in subsidies for chipmakers on the line) is short and sweet — the message itself is only three paragraphs, but the list of signatures spans six pages. It appears to reflect a new urgency on behalf of the business community, as it follows reports that negotiations on the bills are on the verge of collapse, “with Republicans growing skeptical of the measure as midterm elections near and Democrats focusing instead on gun violence,” according to Bloomberg.
Big Tech’s ban on political ads comes at a cost Protocol The clock is ticking on the Chips Act. A group of 123 CEOs — including those from Alphabet, Microsoft, Intel, Samsung and Amazon — urged Congress to act quickly to sign competitiveness legislation into law. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo has also warned that Congress needed to pass the Chips Act or “companies will have no other choice but to build” abroad.
Chip bosses write to Pelosi to speed up Chips Act Electronics Weekly Although both Houses of Congress passed separate versions of the bill in February, wranglings continue over reconciling the different versions and over where the $52 billion should be allocated , while some Congressmen are having doubts about the value of the whole project. The SIA has organised a letter to Nancy Pelosi asking for action signed by industry notables.
CEOs call for Congress to pass CHIPS for America Act Electronics 360 “SIA joins U.S. business leaders in calling on Congress to swiftly pass competitiveness legislation that includes critical funding and incentives for domestic semiconductor research, design and manufacturing,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “As demonstrated by the breadth of signatories, America’s economy, workforce, national security, and technological leadership are built on semiconductors.”
India to pump $30bn into tech sector and chip supply chain Nikkei Asia India will spend $30 billion to overhaul its tech industry and build up a chip supply chain to ensure it is not “held hostage” to foreign providers, the country’s top diplomat to Taiwan told Nikkei Asia in an interview. |
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TRADEWTO Set to Debate Tariffs on $26.7 Trillion in Global E-Commerce Bloomberg If the moratorium lapsed, “it could set in motion a stampede to impose tariffs on digital flows across borders, put an unnecessary strain on an already battered global economy, and signal to the world that inflation be damned,” according to John Neuffer, the CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Global tech on edge as WTO weighs e-commerce tariffs Reuters John Neuffer, chief executive of the U.S.-based Semiconductor Industry Association, said tariff-free data flows were essential for countries wishing to attract foreign. They also offered clear benefits to consumers and small businesses, he said. “We heard alarm bells that things were in trouble, with much more risk of the moratorium not being extended,” Neuffer told Reuters. “The risk is that if one or two go, it sets off a torrent of efforts by other countries to do the same thing” – impose tariffs.
Reuters The White House on Monday urged Britain and the European Union to return to talks to resolve differences over implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol, but said it does not expect the issue to impede a U.S.-UK trade dialogue next week. |
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CHINAChina’s semiconductor output in May rebounds as Covid-19 restrictions ease South China Morning Post China recorded a slight uptick in semiconductor output in May compared with the previous month, in a sign that the national economy was improving, although the impact of strict Covid-19 control measures persisted, official data released on Wednesday showed.
China’s tech regulation is getting more ‘rational,’ says top executive of JD.com CNBC Regulation on China’s technology sector is not loosening, it’s just becoming more “rational,” a top executive at e-commerce firm JD.com told CNBC. Over the past 16 months, Beijing has enacted sweeping regulation on the internet industry, a move that has contributed to billions of dollars of value being wiped off from China’s internet sector. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYLet machines do the work: Automating semiconductor research with machine learning Science Daily The development of new thin semiconductor materials requires a quantitative analysis of a large amount of reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) data, which is time consuming and requires expertise. To tackle this issue, scientists identify machine learning techniques that can help automate RHEED data analysis. Their findings could greatly accelerate semiconductor research and pave the way for faster, energy efficient electronic devices.
Atomically thin semiconductors for nanophotonics Phys.Org Atomically thin semiconductors such as molybdenum disulfide and tungsten disulfide are promising materials for nanoscale photonic devices. These approximately 2D semiconductors support so-called excitons, which are bound electron-hole pairs, that can align vertically along the thin plane of the materials.
Variation Making Trouble In Advanced Packages Semiconductor Engineering Variation is becoming increasingly problematic as chip designs become more heterogeneous and targeted by application, making it difficult to identify the root cause of problems or predict what can go wrong and when. |
SIA NEWS
Slapping Tariffs on Digital Data Flows Is a Really Bad Idea SIA Blog The fate of a quarter-century old agreement that has served as a foundation for global digital trade will be decided in a week when trade ministers from around the world meet in Geneva for the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 21.1% Year-to-Year, 0.7% Month-to-Month in April Press Release “Global semiconductor sales have increased by more than 20% on a year-to-year basis for 13 consecutive months, indicating consistently high and growing demand for semiconductors across a range of critical sectors,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “High global chip demand will necessitate more semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing in the years ahead, and we urge leaders in Washington to enact innovation and competitiveness legislation that ensures more of this chip production and innovation occurs on U.S. shores.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKET
Editor’s Corner: Congress should act now to approve $52B for chip manufacturing Fierce Electronics “We’re at a pivotal moment for enactment of semiconductor investments that will greatly benefit the U.S. economy and our national security,” said Daniel Rosso, communications director at Semiconductor Industry Association, via email on Wednesday.
Biden’s $52 Billion Chips Plan Stuck; Lawmakers Eye Election Bloomberg “There needs to be a greater sense of urgency,” said Senator Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat who is one of the authors of the chips legislation. “I worry that there’s some of us, this is our top priority, but it feels like for too many, this is their second.”
Summer deadline looms for $52 billion to boost chip production The Detroit News The final version of Congress’ economic competitiveness bill including $52 billion for semiconductor chip production is still amorphous — a delay that’s a cause of concern for many of Michigan’s state and federal policymakers.
NYT Over half the world’s chip-making capacity — and far more for the most advanced designs — is in Taiwan, which faces growing pressure from mainland China, itself an increasingly powerful player in the industry. As of 2020, according to a report by the Semiconductor Industry Association, the U.S. had 12 percent of global manufacturing capacity. |
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CHINAShenzhen wants to double semiconductor output by 2025 under new plan to boost tech industry South China Morning Post By 2025, Shenzhen aims to develop a semiconductor industry that can bring in 250 billion yuan (US$37.5 billion) in annual sales, compared to the 110 billion yuan in revenue last year, according to an action plan jointly issued on Monday by the Shenzhen Development and Reform Commission and other local authorities.
China is easing its big tech crackdown amid a wounded economy Quartz China’s crackdown on big tech at one point erased billions of dollars of value from some of the country’s most prominent companies. Now, as the country faces an increasingly grim economic outlook, regulators are hinting that they may ease their scrutiny of the sector.
China’s push for education equality China Daily This year a record 11.93 million Chinese students are taking the National College Entrance Exam. The exam, otherwise known as the “gaokao,” is traditionally renowned for its highly competitive nature.
South China Morning Post China plans a sweeping makeover of mainland academic journals, turning them into world-class organs similar to British weekly Nature and peer-reviewed US publication Science, to raise the profile and influence of domestic scientific research, local authorities said in Beijing on Monday. |
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TRADEBiden to offer new economic framework for Latin America Axios President Biden plans to announce a new economic framework for Latin America on Wednesday, focusing on climate change, workers’ rights and supply chains, according to an administration official and people briefed on the plan.
CNBC Amid the fanfare of U.S. President Joe Biden’s new Indo-Pacific strategy, China flew under the radar and hosted a high-level discussion on RCEP, the world’s largest trade pact.
Risking EU clash, Britain pushes post-Brexit Northern Ireland bill Reuters Britain will present legislation to parliament on Monday to unilaterally revise the post-Brexit trade arrangements for Northern Ireland, raising the risk of a trade war and a new clash with Brussels. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYResearchers criticize Senate plan to steer more NSF funding to ‘have not’ states Science Top research universities in just a handful of U.S. states conduct the majority of research funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), while institutions in half the country receive only crumbs. The U.S. Senate wants NSF to correct that longstanding geographic imbalance. But its solution—to immediately allocate 20% of NSF’s budget to what is currently a small program serving those have-not states—is drawing fierce opposition from many universities and nearly 100 members of Congress.
Purdue Starts Comprehensive Semiconductor Degree Programs in U.S. EE Times Purdue University is ramping up what it calls the first “comprehensive” degree program in the U.S. in semiconductor engineering as America aims to rebuild its chip industry. |
SIA NEWS
Press Release “Semiconductors underpin America’s economy, national security, and leadership in the technologies that will determine our future, including autonomous vehicles, supercomputing, virtual and augmented reality, IoT devices, and more,” said Sen. Warner. “To sharpen America’s edge in semiconductor technology, we need to enact final innovation and competitiveness legislation that incentivizes domestic chip manufacturing, invests in U.S. chip research, and promotes greater semiconductor design investments in the U.S.” |
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Warner Huddles with Chipmakers Politico The Silicon Valley confab was being organized by the Semiconductor Industry Association, whose members include top chipmakers and which has pushed relentlessly for federal assistance in addressing a global chip shortage. While the meeting will undoubtedly touch on the $52 billion in manufacturing and research subsidies for the industry that is the centerpiece of both China bills, the trade group is also “eager to discuss shoehorning into the final package a 25-percent microchip investment tax credit,” Brandon reports.
Strengthening Domestic Chip Research, Design, Manufacturing I-Connect007 “For America to continue to set the global standard economically, militarily, and technologically, we must strengthen U.S. leadership in semiconductors,” said SIA president and CEO John Neuffer. “We greatly appreciate the strong leadership of Sen. Warner – and the bipartisan group of other champions in Congress – in advancing legislation to fortify U.S.-based chip research, design, and manufacturing. Today’s discussion is an example of the type of government-industry collaboration needed to ensure America stays on top in chip technology for decades to come.” New York lining up ‘green’ chip fab incentives Time Union In an attempt to become as competitive as possible for a coming wave of computer chip factory projects being planned across the United States, Gov. Kathy Hochul’s economic development team is looking to codify the amount of state tax breaks it will be willing to offer companies to build here. |
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CHINAZero-COVID, big money: China’s anti-virus spending boosts medical, tech, construction Reuters China’s ‘zero-COVID’ policy of constantly monitoring, testing and isolating its citizens to prevent the spread of the coronavirus has battered much of the country’s economy, but it has created bubbles of growth in the medical, technology and construction sectors.
China Is Leading the Global Decline in Venture Capital Deals Bloomberg China, once the primary rival to Silicon Valley’s technology success, is now leading the global decline in venture capital investments.
Amazon to pull Kindle out of China, other businesses to remain Reuters Amazon.com (AMZN.O) said it will stop supplying retailers in China with its Kindle e-readers from Thursday and will shut its Kindle e-bookstore there next year, in the latest pullback by a U.S. tech firm from the restrictive Chinese market. |
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TRADEU.S.-Taiwan trade talks could outpace Indo-Pacific effort, USTR official says Reuters New U.S. trade negotiations with Taiwan could move more quickly than broader talks with 12 Indo-Pacific countries given strong interest in Taipei and Washington in deepening economic ties, Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Sarah Bianchi said on Thursday.
CNN
The Kiwis make a case on trade Politico New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern will visit the White House today with an agenda that includes boosting trade relations across Asia. That will entail discussion of Biden’s newly launched Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, which New Zealand agreed to negotiate last week along with 13 other countries. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYPaper-based semiconductor for safer disposable electronics! ElectroPages Recently, researchers have demonstrated a new semiconductor material made entirely from paper-based materials that may have the ability to be used in wearable sensors and disposable electronics.
New Ultra-Thin Electrode Material: Step Closer To Next-Generation Semiconductors Eurasia Review To realize artificial intelligence systems and autonomous driving systems, which is often seen in movies, in everyday life, processors that function as the brain of computers must be able to process more data.
Chip Substitutions Raising Security Concerns Semiconductor Engineering Substituting chips is becoming more common in the electronics industry as shortages drag on, allowing systems vendors to continue selling everything from cars to manufacturing equipment and printer cartridges without waiting for a commoditized part. |
SIA NEWS
SIA Blog With a lot of auspicious sunny weather forecast for the week, a sizable high-tech industry delegation is converging on Geneva to advance the idea of again expanding product coverage of the Information Technology Agreement (ITA), originally launched by the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 1997 to eliminate tariffs on a broad swath of tech products from cell phones to computers. |
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Republicans split on adding semiconductor tax breaks to competition bill Roll Call An effort to add bipartisan tax incentives for U.S. semiconductor manufacturing to a larger economic competitiveness package is running into divisions among House Republicans.
Wafer Shortage Improvement In Sight For 300mm, But Not 200mm Semiconductor Engineering The supply chain for bare wafers is off-kilter. Demand is appreciably higher than the wafer suppliers can keep up with, creating shortages that could last for years.
New End Markets, More Demand For Complex Chips Semiconductor Engineering Growth outlook is strong for ICs, both individually and in packages, but getting costs under control is a huge challenge. |
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CHINAWhy China opposes the US’ FABS and CHIPS act? TechHQ Even Semiconductor Industry Association’s (SIA) president and CEO John Neuffer, said in a March statement that “Coupled with funding the CHIPS Act, enactment of a tax credit for semiconductor manufacturing and design as set forth in the House’s FABS Act are parts of a complementary, holistic strategy — and both are needed to produce robust, predictable, and durable incentives to restore US semiconductor leadership. We urge leaders in Congress to swiftly enact the bill and fund the semiconductor manufacturing incentives and research provisions in the CHIPS Act.”
China’s top chipmaker SMIC says smartphone, PC demand has ‘dropped like a rock’ Reuters China’s top chipmaker Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corp (0981.HK) said on Friday it anticipates smartphone sales from its clients this year to fall by at least 200 million units due to the Russia-Ukraine war and China’s COVID lockdowns.
From Sneakers to Teslas, China Lockdowns Upend Global Supply Chains Bloomberg The economic consequences from China’s Covid-19 lockdowns are starting to be felt by companies and consumers across the globe, and expectations are that the reverberations will only get stronger.
China’s semiconductor output shrinks as Covid-19 lockdowns disrupt production, crimp demand South China Morning Post China’s monthly output of chips shrunk to its lowest level since 2020, as strict lockdowns in Shanghai and other cities disrupted production in downstream industries from cars to robotics. |
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TRADEEU-US Trade and Technology Council meets to coordinate on supply chains The Register This is not the only international talking shop the US is involved with when it comes to technology. Last year, the US Semiconductor Industry Association (SIAC) and the Chinese Semiconductor Industry Association (CSIA) launched a working group to address technical and trade-related issues between the two nations. ®
U.S, E.U will seek to head off subsidy race over chip production, official says Reuters The United States and European Union will announce a joint effort to avert a “subsidy race” as they scramble to boost production of scarce semiconductor chips, a senior Biden administration official said. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYWhat’s Down the Road for Silicon? NYT
Transforming AI Models For Accelerator Chips Semiconductor Engineering AI is all about speeding up the movement and processing of data. Ali Cheraghi, solution architect at Flex Logix, talks about why floating point data needs to be converted into integer point data, how that impacts power and performance, and how different approaches in quantization play into this formula. |
SIA NEWS
SIA Welcomes Kickoff Meeting of Conference Committee on Competition Legislation Press Release “Leaders in Washington have an historic opportunity to enact competitiveness legislation that strengthens the U.S. economy and national security, sharpens America’s technological edge, and reinforces U.S. leadership in semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing for decades to come. We welcome the first meeting of the conference committee and urge swift action to advance bipartisan legislation that funds the CHIPS Act and enacts a FABS Act investment tax credit for semiconductor manufacturing and design.” |
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Lawmakers press for semiconductor manufacturing tax credits on China bill The Hill “Senator [Ron] Wyden [D-Ore.] and I are advocating that the FABS Act, which is for fabricating R&D for semiconductors, be included, and we’re both also supportive of doing the R&D tax extension,” Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) said in an interview. “They’re not in the bill, so we’re advocating that.”
Top House Tax-Writer Backs Adding Credit for Chips to China Bill Bloomberg Government More lawmakers say they’re looking to add tax breaks for semiconductors to a sweeping package aimed at bolstering US competition against China. Negotiations on the compromise bill are set to formally begin Thursday, with a goal of wrapping up by the end of the summer. The House- and Senate-passed bills (H.R. 4521 and S. 1260) include more than $50 billion for chip grants, but lawmakers say there’s a need for tax credits as well.
‘Pass the damn bill:’ Biden demands chips legislation to counter China tech rise CNBC President Joe Biden on Friday demanded Congress swiftly pass the Bipartisan Innovation Act, a multibillion-dollar investment in the U.S. semiconductor industry that both Republican and Democrat say will help insulate the country from future supply chain disruptions in Asia.
Exclusive: Congress urged to ease immigration for foreign science talent Axios More than four dozen former national security leaders are calling on Congress to exempt international advanced technical degree holders from green card caps in a bid to maintain U.S. science and tech leadership, especially over China, according to a copy of a letter viewed by Axios.
India Semiconductor Ambitions Are a Heavy Lift WSJ Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi isn’t known for keeping his head down and working silently on a goal. Fanfare and zealous speeches are more on brand. The latest case in point: his speech at the Semicon India 2022 conference in late April, pitching India as a potential semiconductor manufacturing hub. |
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CHINAChina opposes semiconductor bill because it will give U.S. advantage -U.S. commerce chief Reuters U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said Wednesday the Chinese government opposes an effort in Congress to ramp up U.S. semiconductor manufacturing because it will give the United States more of a competitive punch.
South China Morning Post With strong government support, the country’s semiconductor sales could reach a 17.4 per cent share of the global market by 2024, making China one of the world’s largest chip makers after the US and South Korea, according to a report from the Semiconductor Industry Association in the US.
South China Morning Post Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), China’s top chip maker, said the Shanghai lockdown could reduce production by 5 per cent this quarter, while domestic smartphone makers could see as many as 200 million fewer shipments this year. |
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TRADEU.S. looks to rejoin Asia trade game Axios President Biden’s upcoming visit to Japan this month will “coincide with the formal launch” of a new U.S.-led regional economic framework, Japan’s ambassador to the U.S. Koji Tomita said on Monday.
Sanctions forcing Russia to use appliance parts in military gear, U.S. says The Washington Post U.S.-led sanctions are forcing Russia to use computer chips from dishwashers and refrigerators in some military equipment, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said Wednesday.
US congress delegation to fly to London as Northern Ireland protocol concerns grow The Guardian A delegation of influential US congress representatives will fly to London within days amid growing concern in the White House about spiralling tensions over the Northern Ireland protocol, the Guardian can reveal. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYUnexpected Semiconductor Properties Revealed by Innovative New Tool SciTechDaily A team of researchers investigating the properties of a semiconductor combined with a new thin oxide sheet discovered an unexpected new source of conductivity from oxygen atoms trapped within.
New transistors integrating high-k perovskite oxides and 2D semiconductors TexhXplore Over the past decades, electronics engineers and material scientists worldwide have been investigating the potential of various materials for fabricating transistors, devices that amplify or switch electrical signals in electronic devices. Two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors have been known to be particularly promising materials for fabricating the new electronic devices.
Light-Infused Hybrid Particles Speed Energy Transfer in Organic Semiconductors SciTechDaily Polaritons offer the best of two very different worlds. These hybrid particles combine light and molecules of organic material, making them ideal energy transfer vessels in organic semiconductors. They are both compatible with modern electronics but also move speedily, thanks to their photonic origins. |
SIA NEWS
The 2022 SIA Factbook: Your Source for Semiconductor Industry Data SIA Blog Post The 2022 SIA Factbook presents a clear picture of the trends in the U.S. semiconductor industry and global market using data. Factbook sections include data on the global industry and market, capital and R&D investment, jobs, and productivity. Data is updated through 2021, and most of the data is presented over a 20-year period, which provides a picture of long-term industry and market trends.
SIA, FIRST® Announce Partnership to Strengthen U.S. STEM Workforce Press Release Together, SIA and FIRST will collaborate on equipping PreK-12 students with the skills necessary to pursue a career in science and technology, facilitating mentorship programs that improve the workforce talent pipeline for the semiconductor industry, and addressing public policy matters affecting STEM education and workforce development in the U.S.
Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 23% in Q1 2022 Compared to Q1 2021 Press Release Global semiconductor sales remained strong during the first quarter of 2022, increasing across all major regional markets and product categories compared to the first quarter of last year” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “For the month of March, sales into the Americas continued to lead all regional markets, increasing by 40.1% year-to-year. |
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The chip crisis: Can Congress help solve America’s semiconductor problem? Dallas Morning News America faces a serious economic and national security risk when it comes to the development and manufacturing of semiconductor chips that are integral to daily life in the modern world. A strong bipartisan majority of Congress understands this and has rightly acted to boost the semiconductor industry domestically. But the job isn’t done, and we are writing to urge Congress to make sure it does get done.
America is trying to fix the chip shortage one factory at a time VOX “The clock is ticking,” John Neuffer, the CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association, a trade organization that represents American chip companies, told Recode. “Decisions are being made today as to where to site those fabs.”
Electronics Weekly “Global semiconductor sales remained strong during the first quarter of 2022, increasing across all major regional markets and product categories compared to the first quarter of last year” says SIA CEO John Neuffer, “for the month of March, sales into the Americas continued to lead all regional markets, increasing by 40.1% year-to-year.”
Global Semiconductor Sales Up 23% in Q1 2022 EE Times Asia Worldwide sales of semiconductors totaled $151.7 billion during the first quarter of 2022, an increase of 23% over the first quarter of 2021, but 0.5% less than the fourth quarter of 2021, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).
Chip supply issues are still giving some of world’s biggest companies a major headache CNBC An ongoing shortage of chips and other basic materials is forcing some of the world’s biggest tech and automotive companies to scale back their targets this year. |
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CHINABiden: China lobbying against chip manufacturing bill Electronics 360 If nothing is done to correct the situation, this will decline to 10% in the coming decade, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). As America and other regions failed to keep up with demand for chips, semiconductor manufacturing aggregated in Taiwan, South Korea and China as these governments offered substantial incentives, placing the U.S. and other countries at a competitive disadvantage.
Senate acts to launch formal talks on China competition bill Fox Business The Senate took action on Wednesday to begin formal talks on a bill that will allot $52 billion for semiconductor chip production and supply chain issues and to help boost competition with China.
Morning Consult As Congress debates legislation to bolster the United States’ competitiveness with China, a new Morning Consult/Politico survey finds that while voters are more likely to believe the United States is ahead on military technology, autonomous vehicles and 5G, pluralities say it trails China in other areas, including artificial intelligence and chip manufacturing.
U.S. Considers Unprecedented Sanctions on China Tech Giant Hikvision Bloomberg Shares of Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co. tumbled 10% as the U.S. considers imposing new sanctions on surveillance-technology giant, potentially the harshest measures so far against a major Chinese company.
China developed a drone swarm that can fly effortlessly through an entire forest Interesting Engineering Researchers at Zhejiang University in China have developed the necessary technology for a drone swarm to fly through uncontrolled environments completely autonomously, Science Alert reported. |
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TRADEEurope Seeks to Redraw Trade Routes as War Strains Alliances Bloomberg Russia’s war with Ukraine is giving a group of European Union countries fresh incentives to speed up work on free-trade agreements.
What is the CPTPP and why is China eager to join? South China Morning Post The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) is the successor to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which was a key plank in the Obama administration’s “Pivot to Asia” strategy that aimed to create an economic counterweight to China’s regional influence.
USTR remains mum on China tariff review plans Politico USTR still has not said how it plans to proceed with a legally required review over the next several months of most of the tariffs that Trump imposed on $350 billion worth of Chinese goods. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYLight-infused particles go the distance in organic semiconductors Science Daily Polaritons offer the best of two very different worlds. These hybrid particles combine light and molecules of organic material, making them ideal vessels for energy transfer in organic semiconductors. They are both compatible with modern electronics but also move speedily, thanks to their photonic origins. |
SIA NEWS
SIA Applauds Start of Conference Negotiations on Bicameral Competitiveness Legislation Press Release Leaders in Washington from both parties recognize that to lead the future, America must lead in semiconductors. Semiconductors are essential to America’s continued economic and national security, as well as its ability to compete and win in the game-changing technologies of today and tomorrow. |
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India to offer more incentives to lure companies in semiconductors push Reuters India on Friday said it will expand its incentives for those investing in semiconductor manufacturing, as its government woos global companies in a bid to become a key player in the global supply chain for chips.
China Competition Bill Inches Ahead in Congress as Midterms Loom Bloomberg A bill that would aid the U.S. domestic semiconductor industry and bolster competitiveness with China inched forward in Congress as lawmakers race to complete negotiations before the midterm elections scuttle their hopes of delivering a bipartisan win.
Korea looks to future cars for restoring IC design DigiTimes South Korea’s industry is calling for more efforts to nurture IC designers amid the rising demand for automotive chips. It is believed that small-scaled IC designers will be able to gain an upper hand in the future car market.
Chip Industry Heads Toward $1T Semiconductor Engineering The chip industry is on track to hit $1 trillion sometime over the next decade, and while the exact timing depends on a variety of factors, the trend line appears to be stable. The digitization of data, the digitalization of technology, and the expansion into new and existing markets, collectively are expected to drive chip industry growth for years to come. The Wrong Way to Compete With China Bloomberg Congress is moving closer to imposing unprecedented new restrictions on tens of billions of dollars in outbound U.S. investments. Depending on how they’re written, the new rules could overwhelm regulators, entangle U.S. companies in red tape, and exacerbate tensions with allies. Lawmakers and officials should seek less disruptive ways to address security concerns. |
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CHINASouth China Morning Post China’s top chip maker said more than 60 per cent of its workers in Shanghai are living on campus, showing the pressure that factories operating in and around the city are under to sustain the country’s semiconductor supply chain amid an extended Covid-19 lockdown.
The prospect of lockdowns in Beijing fuels more concerns about supply chain disruptions. NYT The prospect of further lockdowns in China prompted a fresh wave of economic anxiety on Monday as investors and companies whose supply chains run through China contemplated the impact of 70 new virus cases that the Beijing government said it had detected over the weekend.
Global Supply Chain Crisis Flares Up Again Where It All Began Bloomberg Beijing’s zero-tolerance approach amid an escalating virus outbreak brings the pandemic full circle, more than two years after its emergence in Wuhan upended the global economy. Shipping congestion at Chinese ports, combined with Russia’s war in Ukraine, risks a one-two punch that threatens to derail the recovery, already buffeted by inflation pressures and headwinds to growth. |
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TRADEUS urges compromise on Britain and EU over N Ireland trade deal Financial Times
EU to Pursue Trade Deal With India to Reduce Its Ties to Russia Bloomberg The European Union plans to relaunch trade talks with India in an attempt to give the South Asian nation a viable alternative to diversify away from Russia, according to a senior official familiar with the plans. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYLight-infused particles go the distance in organic semiconductors Phys.Org Polaritons offer the best of two very different worlds. These hybrid particles combine light and molecules of organic material, making them ideal vessels for energy transfer in organic semiconductors. They are compatible with modern electronics but also move speedily, thanks to their photonic origins.
Pyrolyzed Cellulose Nanofiber Paper (CNP) Semiconductor With A 3D Network Structure Semiconductor Engineering Semiconducting nanomaterials with 3D network structures exhibit various fascinating properties such as electrical conduction, high permeability, and large surface areas, which are beneficial for adsorption, separation, and sensing applications.
A new breakthrough brings semiconductors made of wood closer to reality Interesting Engineering The idea of making semiconductors from wood isn’t as far-out as it sounds. That’s because cell walls in plants are made of a material called cellulose, and cellulose can be made to conduct electricity when heated to relatively high temperatures under certain conditions. |
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SIA USA meets Karnataka Government to further semiconductor manufacturing in India Manufacturing Today India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) and The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) are leaving no stone unturned to get the manufacturing eco system of semiconductors developed in India. The global trade association SIA and their Indian counterparts IESA met with the Government of Karnataka. During the meeting, the associations had focused discussions on developing further the semiconductor industry in India, particularly in Bengaluru and beyond Bengaluru in the state of Karnataka.
Congress seeks compromise to boost computer chip industry AP News A global computer chip shortage has made it harder for consumers to get their hands on cars, computers and other modern-day necessities, so Congress is looking to boost chip manufacturing and research in the United States with billions of dollars from the federal government.
KVUE ABC On Monday, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) and U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) visited University of Texas at Austin‘s J.J. Pickle Research Campus to meet with UT leaders and local businesses to discuss semiconductor manufacturing efforts.
The White House is lobbying hard for chip funding that experts say would help Pittsburgh tech firms WESA NPR U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo made the case last week that increased investment in domestic chipmaking would benefit technological innovation in the Pittsburgh region, and industry experts agree.
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CHINAChina’s Q1 IC output down 4.1% Electronics Weekly In March alone, production fell 5.1%. Production was hit by Covid-induced lock-downs, most recently in Shanghai. The Q1 fall was the largest since Q1 2019 when production fell 8.7%.
South China Morning Post GCL Technology, one of China’s largest producers of raw materials for solar panels, is planning to broaden its business by making polysilicon for applications in electronic and solar-energy industries.
Many factory workers in Shanghai can’t get back to work, even after Covid controls ease CNBC Foreign businesses are struggling to bring workers back to factories after weeks of lockdowns in Shanghai, as the country battles its worst Covid outbreak since the pandemic began. |
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TRADEBritain targets first state-by-state U.S. trade deals next month Reuters Britain is in talks with around 20 U.S. states to secure individual trade deals as soon as next month, trade policy minister Penny Mordaunt told parliament on Thursday.
Taiwan seeks Indo-Pacific Economic Framework membership with U.S. Reuters A senior Taiwanese minister has pressed U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to include the island in the United States’ forthcoming Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, his office said on Tuesday.
India and UK to press ahead with talks on free trade deal The Guardian India and the UK will press ahead with talks on a bilateral free trade agreement, Boris Johnson and the Indian premier, Narendra Modi, have said, after the UK made clear it was willing to make immigration part of any deal. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYVan Der Waals Semiconductor Empowered Vertical Color Sensor Semiconductor Engineering Biomimetic artificial vision is receiving significant attention nowadays, particularly for the development of neuromorphic electronic devices, artificial intelligence, and microrobotics.
Photomask Shortages Grow At Mature Nodes Semiconductor Engineering A surge in demand for chips at mature nodes, coupled with aging photomask-making equipment at those geometries, are causing significant concern across the supply chain. ermanent dipoles gives rise to ferroelectricity or antiferroelectricity, respectively. |
SIA NEWS
SIA Highlights Low Risk of Forced Labor in Semiconductor Supply Chains SIA Blog SIA testified today at a hearing convened by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on methods to prevent the importation of goods mined, produced, or manufactured from regions of concern into the United States. The hearing was convened pursuant to the recently enacted UFLPA, legislation that designated polysilicon – a material used to create solar panels and semiconductor wafers – as a high-priority enforcement area. |
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US will help India to boost country’s semiconductor ecosystem Business Insider The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), which represents the chip industry in the US and India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA) signed an MoU to identify potential areas of the semiconductor industry. President and CEO of SIA, John Neuffer said, SIA is happy to welcome India’s goal of becoming a powerful digital economy and a hub for semiconductors and electronics.
Indian government is up to the semiconductor challenge, says SIA chief John Neuffer Business Today As the government of India is sharply focused on making India a global and trusted partner in the electronics ecosystem and semiconductor space, India’s vision is well appreciated by the experts globally. Speaking to Business Today, John Neuffer, president and CEO of the US-based Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), said that he is very excited about India’s Semiconductor Mission and would like India to succeed. “A lot is going on in the semiconductor space right now. And India is making a significant move here. It is always good to have a new competitor in the market. It keeps us all innovative and lean.”
US semiconductor industry association signs MoU with IESA The Free Press Journal The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), trade association representing the US semiconductor industry, today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the India Electronics and Semiconductor Association (IESA), the trade group representing India’s semiconductor and electronics systems design and manufacturing industry, to foster collaboration and identify potential opportunities between the two countries in the semiconductor sector.
54% of semiconductors were manufactured by US companies in 2021 Electronics 360 Currently, only 12% of all semiconductor manufacturing is done in the U.S. If the situation does not change, it will decline to 10% in the coming decade, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).
First look: Biden to push Congress on competition bill Axios President Biden is planning to pressure Congress to pass an innovation and competition bill that would boost the semiconductor industry, among others, when he travels to Greensboro, N.C., on Thursday, Axios has learned. |
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CHINAAnalysis: China’s widening COVID curbs threaten global supply chain paralysis Reuters China’s race to stop the spread of COVID-19 is clogging highways and ports, stranding workers and shutting countless factories – disruptions that are rippling through global supply chains for goods ranging from electric vehicles to iPhones.
Shanghai’s lockdown is making the supply chain look like 2020 again Quartz The supply chain crisis that has dominated logistics for much of the pandemic started with a lull. In the first half of 2020, factories closed, shipping rates slumped, empty containers were stranded at ports, and humming ocean trade was replaced by blank sailings—when a shipping company decides it’s not worth it to sail a ship on a scheduled route. |
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TRADEWhat is IPEF, and will it help the US counter China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific? South China Morning Post The rivalry between China and the United States has escalated in recent years and is set to intensify with the launch of multiple trade groupings in Asia. The latest to be negotiated is the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), a US-led initiative which is widely seen as an effort to counter China’s influence in the Asia-Pacific.
India, EU to restart talks for trade pact in June The Economic Times India and the 27-nation European Union (EU) will restart negotiations for their long-pending free trade agreement from June, a top official said on Wednesday. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYUNL research could reduce the world’s digital energy consumption by 5% Nebraska News ABC A new spin on one of the century’s smallest but grandest inventions, the transistor, could help meet the world’s increasing need for digital memory while reducing up to 5 percent of its current energy intake.
Antiferroelectric Negative Capacitance From A Structural Phase Transition In Zirconia Semiconductor Engineering Crystalline materials with broken inversion symmetry can exhibit a spontaneous electric polarization, which originates from a microscopic electric dipole moment. Long-range polar or anti-polar order of such permanent dipoles gives rise to ferroelectricity or antiferroelectricity, respectively. |
SIA NEWS
Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 32.4% Year-to-Year, 3.4% Month-to-Month in February Press Release “Global semiconductor sales remained strong in February, increasing by more than 20% for the eleventh consecutive month on a year-to-year basis,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Sales into the Americas continued to outpace other regional markets, increasing by 43.2% year-to-year in February.” |
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US chip group makes recommendations for CHIPS Act funding EE News Europe The SIA has emphasized the need for timely action on manufacturing incentives to fill in gaps and vulnerabilities in the semiconductor supply chain, as well as a broader focus on fabs, packaging facilities, and research labs, as well as equipment and materials suppliers.
Congress selects lawmakers to hammer out deal on semiconductor chips funding Reuters There are growing calls to decrease reliance on other countries for semiconductors and the White House says funding is an urgent national security concern to ensure long-term U.S. supply of chips. In 1990, the United States produced 37% of all chips while today it accounts for only 12% of global production.
White House warns of ‘escalating vulnerabilities’ to U.S. from semiconductor shortage Reuters The White House held a classified briefing on Wednesday with some U.S. lawmakers on the dire risks to the American economy from semiconductor supply chain issues as it pushes Congress for $52 billion in funding to subsidize production.
Biden officials to brief lawmakers on semiconductor supply chain risks The Hill Biden administration officials will brief lawmakers Wednesday on the “profound” potential economic consequences from vulnerabilities in domestic semiconductor production and urge Congress to pass a sweeping competition bill to bolster the supply chain.
Spain to spend 11 billion euros on semiconductor and microchip industry, prime minister says Reuters Spain will spend 11 billion euros on a plan to boost the semiconductor and microchip industry, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said on Monday. The new spending plan, mainly financed through European Union pandemic relief funds, will be approved ‘soon’, he said.
Global Semiconductor Sales Up 32% YoY in February EE Times Asia The global semiconductor industry sales were $52.5 billion in the month of February 2022, an increase of 32.4% over the February 2021 total of $39.6 billion and 3.4% more than the January 2022 total of $50.7 billion, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).
Electronics Weekly “Global semiconductor sales remained strong in February, increasing by more than 20% for the eleventh consecutive month on a year-to-year basis,” says SIA CEO John Neuffer, “sales into the Americas continued to outpace other regional markets, increasing by 43.2% year-to-year in February.” |
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CHINAChinese EV makers foray into semiconductor and battery Digitimes Asia Chinese EV makers are investing in semiconductors and battery packs in order to resolve persisting material shortages. About 10% of the 1,000 car chips used in a NIO vehicle are undersupplied, said NIO CEO William Li in a conference call recently.
China’s tech sector is losing its shine but remains top career choice for young talent South China Morning Post China’s tech sector is losing its shine as a career choice for the country’s best educated and most entrepreneurial amid widespread headcount cuts, subdued growth and intense regulatory scrutiny, according to jobseekers and workers in the sector.
Lockdowns in Shanghai and other Chinese cities pose a growing threat to the economy CNN China’s unwavering commitment to stamping out Covid by locking down big cities such as Shanghai threatens to deal a hefty shock to its vast economy, place more strain on global supply chains and further fuel inflation. |
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TRADEKorea “positively” mulling joining US-proposed economic framework: minister The Korea Herald South Korea’s top economic policymaker said Friday the government is “positively” considering joining a new US-proposed economic framework in the Indo-Pacific region.
Australia and India thank Quad for new free trade deal ABC India and Australia’s trade ministers say a shared security partnership with the United States and Japan has helped them strike a trade deal that Australia hopes will reduce its dependence on exports to China.
RCEP is transforming trade in Asia Pacific and creating advantages for companies Thomson Reuters The RCEP will create new trade opportunities among Asian countries and accelerate the region’s economic recovery, says Zoe Martinez, a Thomson Reuters global trade leader who is focused on Asia & emerging markets. For example, the agreement will eliminate tariffs on more than 90% of goods over the next 10 to 15 years and introduce rules on investment and intellectual property to promote free trade. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGY2D Semiconductors May Be Key to 3D Integration, Say Stanford Researchers All About Circuits New research indicates how 2D semiconductors could advance monolithic 3D integration in a scalable way—prolonging Moore’s law in the process.
Complex Chips Make Security More Difficult Semiconductor Engineering Semiconductor supply chain management is becoming more complex with many more moving parts as chips become increasingly disaggregated, making it difficult to ensure where parts originated and whether they have been compromised before they are added into advanced chips or packages.
Terahertz Imager Microchip Targets Vision–Impaired Environments EETimes Research teams at The University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas) and Oklahoma State University have developed a terahertz (THz) imager microchip for industrial and other applications that helps the viewer “see” through packaging and other obstacles, such as fog, snow, dust, smoke, and fire. |
SIA NEWS
Semiconductor Industry Provides Recommendations to Commerce Department on CHIPS Act Implementation Blog Post SIA on March 25 submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce in response to a Request for Information (RFI) related to implementation of the CHIPS for America Act, legislation that would provide needed investments in domestic semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKET
Why subsidies are needed for US domestic chip manufacturing Electronics 360 According to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), the U.S. manufactures about 12% of all chips made globally, this is down from about 37% in the 1990s. If the supply chain remains the same or the situation worsens, this will more than likely decline to 10% or less in the coming years as more manufacturing capacity is built in other countries to meet demand. The reason for the decline is due to substantial incentives offered by foreign governments, placing the U.S. in a competitive disadvantage for attracting new construction of chip manufacturing fabs, the SIA said.
Week In Review: Manufacturing, Test Semiconductor Engineering The U.S. Senate approved the 2022 America COMPETES act, which has big ramifications for the chip industry. The bill now heads to the House for further reconciliation. If approved, it would provide more than $50 billion in U.S. subsidies for semiconductor chip manufacturing. The SIAC (Semiconductor In America Coalition) urged Congress to act promptly to achieve a bipartisan compromise soon and obtain President Biden’s signature.
U.S. Senate approves $52 bln chips bill in bid to reach compromise Reuters The U.S. Senate on Monday again approved a bill to provide $52 billion in U.S. subsidies for semiconductor chips manufacturing in a bid to reach a compromise after months of discussions.
Why the global supply chain mess is getting so much worse CNN
Regardless of Political Leaning, at Least 3 in 5 Voters Back Government Help for U.S. Chipmaking Morning Consult After several semiconductor chief executives testified last week in favor of government help to boost domestic chip production amid a worldwide shortage, nearly two-thirds of registered voters in a new Morning Consult/Politico survey said they supported federal assistance for U.S. chip manufacturing. |
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CHINASouth China Morning Post China’s semiconductor supply chain is facing fresh risks after the local authority in Zhangjiang, known as Shanghai’s Silicon Valley, extended a strict lockdown in residential areas to contain an Omicron outbreak, following similar disruption in industrial hubs such as Xi’an, Suzhou and Shenzhen.
Axios Eric Schmidt has taken on big challenges before, fighting Microsoft when he led Novell and taking on Brussels when he was CEO at Google. Today, the billionaire is focusing his energy on rousing the U.S. to fight what he sees as its biggest tech struggle yet: competition with China. |
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TRADEU.S. senators complain Biden’s Indo-Pacific plan won’t cut tariffs Reuters U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai deflected complaints from Democratic and Republican senators on Thursday that the Biden administration’s Indo-Pacific economic plan to counter China will not include a free trade deal that lowers tariffs.
Europe and the U.S. Make Ambitious Plans to Reduce Reliance on Russian Gas NYT The United States announced a deal with European leaders on Friday to increase shipments of natural gas to help wean Europe off Russian energy. And Germany set an ambitious goal of halving its imports of Russian oil and coal this year and freeing itself from its dependence on Russian natural gas by the middle of 2024.
Australia and India to sign trade deal on Saturday – Australia Reuters Australia will sign a trade agreement with India on Saturday that will eliminate tariffs on 85% of Australian goods entering India, helping farmers and miners to diversify export markets, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.
It’s time for a digital trade agreement FORTUNE It is no secret that the U.S. has fallen behind on trade. While other nations have been racing to sign mutually beneficial trade agreements with one another, the U.S. has not entered into an agreement with a new trade partner in a decade.
Huge trade relationship at stake as China and EU meet to discuss Russia CNN China and Europe’s top leaders are set to meet on Friday, as their vast and growing trade relationship threatens to be overshadowed by differences over Russia and other geopolitical tensions. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYQubits Made By Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Semiconductor Engineering Full-scale quantum computers require the integration of millions of qubits, and the potential of using industrial semiconductor manufacturing to meet this need has driven the development of quantum computing in silicon quantum dots.
Physicists engineer ferroelectricity into well-known family of semiconductors Phys.Org MIT physicists and colleagues have engineered a new property into a well-known family of semiconductors by manipulating ultrathin sheets of the materials only a few atomic layers thick. |
INDUSTRY/MARKET
Time is running out for a deal on the China competitiveness bill The Washington Post Raimondo will get some help lobbying for the legislation this week from the Semiconductor Industry Association. The trade group’s members — who would benefit from the subsidies to the industry, as Biden pointed out in his State of the Union earlier this month — are in town this week and will meet with Raimondo, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and lawmakers.
Chip lobby descends on Washington Politico Top executives from chipmakers Intel and Micron are planning to press senators today for the rapid provision of billions in subsidies, while other industry reps work lawmakers and Biden administration officials.
Intel, Micron CEOs to make case for U.S. semiconductor subsides- testimony Reuters The chief executives of Intel (INTC.O) and Micron (MU.O) will make the case Wednesday for U.S. government subsidies to boost semiconductor manufacturing before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee.
Why subsidies are needed for US domestic chip manufacturing Electronics 360 According to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), the U.S. manufactures about 12% of all chips made globally, this is down from about 37% in the 1990s. If the supply chain remains the same or the situation worsens, this will more than likely decline to 10% or less in the coming years as more manufacturing capacity is built in other countries to meet demand.
Chip, business lobbies descend on China bill Politico Top executives from the world’s leading chipmakers are scattering across Washington beginning today as the industry presses lawmakers to shepherd tens of billions in funding for the industry across the finish line. Chief executives of Intel, Micron, NVIDIA, Qualcomm and Texas Instruments, who all sit on the board of directors at the Semiconductor Industry Association, are set to meet with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer as well as Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.). |
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CHINAEU Analysis Suggests China May Send Tech Hardware to Help Putin Bloomberg European Union officials suspect that China may be ready to supply semiconductors and other tech hardware to Russia as part of an effort to soften the impact of sanctions imposed over the invasion of Ukraine.
China’s Big Tech Firms Are Axing Thousands of Workers WSJ China’s biggest tech companies are conducting large-scale layoffs this year as they deal with an economic slowdown and Beijing’s regulatory pressure. |
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TRADEGermany calls for new talks on transatlantic trade deal Reuters Germany’s finance minister has called for fresh talks over a free trade agreement between the European Union and the United States, a newspaper reported on Sunday, aiming to revive discussions halted by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
Japan to Invest $42bn in India to Strengthen Economic Ties US News & World Report Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday said his country will invest $42 billion in India over the next five years in a deal that is expected to boost bilateral trade.
Quad Trade Ties Grow Despite Tensions Over Russia WSJ A security partnership forged to counter China’s expansion is helping to boost trade ties between India, Australia, Japan and the U.S., despite recent tensions over India’s relationship with Russia. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYHighly Selective Etch Rolls Out For Next-Gen Chips Semiconductor Engineering Several etch vendors are starting to ship next-generation selective etch tools, paving the way for new memory and logic devices.
The Resurrection Of Tellurium As An Elemental Two-Dimensional Semiconductor Semiconductor Engineering The graphene boom has triggered a widespread search for novel elemental van der Waals materials thanks to their simplicity for theoretical modeling and easy access for material growth. Group VI element tellurium is an unintentionally p-type doped narrow bandgap semiconductor featuring a one-dimensional chiral atomic structure which holds great promise for next-generation electronic, optoelectronic, and piezoelectric applications.
Improving Machine Learning-Based Modeling Of Semiconductor Devices By Data Self-Augmentation Semiconductor Engineering In the electronics industry, introducing Machine Learning (ML)-based techniques can enhance Technology Computer-Aided Design (TCAD) methods. However, the performance of ML models is highly dependent on their training datasets. |
SIA NEWS
SIA Endorses FABS Act Introduced in House Press Release “Semiconductors form the nerve center of America’s economy and national security, and incentivizing domestic chip research, design, and manufacturing is a national priority,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “The FABS Act introduced today would incentivize semiconductor companies to manufacture and design more of the chips our country needs on U.S. shores, spurring private investments and creating American jobs. We strongly support enactment of the House bill and appreciate its inclusion of a credit for both manufacturing and design to help bolster the chip ecosystem in the United States. Coupled with funding the CHIPS Act, enactment of a tax credit for semiconductor manufacturing and design as set forth in the House’s FABS Act are parts of a complementary, holistic strategy, and both are needed to produce robust, predictable, and durable incentives to restore U.S. semiconductor leadership. We applaud all the bill co-sponsors for their leadership on this issue and urge leaders in Congress to swiftly enact the bill and fund the semiconductor manufacturing incentives and research provisions in the CHIPS Act.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETFABS Act introduced to US House of Representatives Electronics 360 The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) called the FABS Act an important complement to the manufacturing incentives and research investments already in place in the country, in addition to the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act. “Semiconductors form the nerve center of America’s economy and national security, and incentivizing domestic chip research, design and manufacturing is a national priority,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO of the SIA. “The FABS Act introduced today would incentivize semiconductor companies to manufacture and design more of the chips our country needs on U.S. shores, spurring private investments and creating American jobs.”
Why China Has U.S. Congress Focused on Computer Chips Bloomberg Quint A rare point of bipartisan consensus in Washington is the desire to spend more than $50 billion to bolster U.S. chip production. That’s a key part of bills pending in both houses of Congress intended to increase U.S. competitiveness with China. The bills are similar, but not identical, and differences on auxiliary issues threaten to stall their progress. |
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CHINAChinese carmakers developing auto chips DigiTimes Chinese carmakers have begun deploying resources in semiconductor development, as chip shortage continues to haunt the automotive industry. Chinese carmakers still rely heavily on imports of car chips, but they are now moving to build their own local semiconductor supply chain.
South China Morning Post China’s cyberspace watchdog has unveiled new draft rules that will make it harder for Big Tech firms like Tencent Holdings and ByteDance to profit from video gaming, live streaming and social media services targeted at the country’s 180 million internet users under the age of 18.
China says it will support Chinese IPOs abroad, calls for closure on tech crackdown CNBC China signaled support for Chinese stocks on Wednesday, after days of worries about U.S. delisting risks sent the stocks plunging in New York and Hong Kong. |
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TRADEU.S., Britain trade talks to start next week in Baltimore Reuters The United States and the United Kingdom will kick off trade talks next week, the U.S. Office of the Trade Representative (USTR) and the British government said on Wednesday.
UK has failed to demonstrate benefit of post-Brexit trade deals, MPs warn Financial Times
Malaysia confirms China-backed RCEP free trade pact comes into force, expects US$200 million boost South China Morning Post The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) free trade agreement entered into force in Malaysia from Friday, the country’s trade ministry said.
U.S.-South Korea trade deal grew exports but brought disappointments -U.S. trade chief Reuters U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said on Tuesday the decade-old U.S. Korea Free Trade Agreement (KORUS) did much to expand auto and agricultural trade with South Korea, but suffered some difficulties in its implementation. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYScientists devise new technique to increase chip yield from semiconductor wafer Science Daily Scientists have developed a technique to create a highly uniform and scalable semiconductor wafer, paving the way to higher chip yield and more cost-efficient semiconductors.
Chiplets Enter The Supercomputer Race Semiconductor Engineering Several entities from various nations are racing each other to deliver and deploy chiplet-based exascale supercomputers, a new class of systems that are 1,000x faster than today’s supercomputers.
Researchers continue the drive towards flexible organic semiconductors Electropages Researchers have recently made more breakthroughs in developing flexible organic solar panels that could help usher in new wearable devices. What challenges do solar panel technologies face, what did the researchers achieve, and are wearable solar panels a good idea? |
SIA NEWS
White House Meeting Highlights Need for Investments in Domestic Semiconductor Technology Press Release “We applaud today’s White House meeting between President Biden, governors, and industry leaders, and we echo their unified call for swift government action to strengthen America’s semiconductor capabilities, U.S. manufacturing, and our supply chains. Semiconductors are foundational to the U.S. economy and to a range of manufacturing sectors in America. Reinforcing U.S.-based semiconductor production and innovation will help secure America’s supply chains for critical, chip-dependent products, boost the United States’ overall manufacturing footprint, and create hundreds of thousands of American jobs. It’s time to fund the semiconductor manufacturing and research provisions in the CHIPS Act and enact a version of the FABS Act that includes an investment tax credit for semiconductor manufacturing and design. Getting these initiatives across the goal line will strengthen U.S. leadership in this foundational technology and help America avert future chip shortages.”
Rina Pal-Goetzen Joins SIA as Director of Global Policy Press Release The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today announced Rina Pal-Goetzen has joined the association as director of global policy. In this role, Pal-Goetzen will work with U.S. and global policymakers and industry stakeholders to advance the association’s international trade policy agenda. |
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RUSSIA/UKRAINERussian chip makers face uncertainty as war drags on The Register The Semiconductor Industry Association has said it doesn’t expect the export ban of semiconductors to Russia to impact the chip market in the long run. Russia made just less than 0.1 percent of global chip purchases, SIA said, citing numbers from the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization.
Russia’s AI industry faces collapse Politico Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 2017 proclamation that whichever country leads in artificial intelligence “will be the ruler of the world” may come back to haunt him. New technology sanctions, an exodus of foreign tech companies and an impending brain drain could soon conspire to cause Russia’s AI ecosystem to shrivel.
EXCLUSIVE Russia’s attack on Ukraine halts half of world’s neon output for chips Reuters Ukraine’s two leading suppliers of neon, which produce about half the world’s supply of the key ingredient for making chips, have halted their operations as Moscow has sharpened its attack on the country, threatening to raise prices and aggravate the semiconductor shortage.
Biden Set to Call for End of Russia’s Preferred Trade Status Bloomberg President Joe Biden on Friday is set to call for an end of normal trade relations with Russia, clearing the way for increased tariffs on Russian imports, according to people familiar with the matter. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETPOLITICO Playbook PM: Biden’s warning to Americans: ‘It’s going to cost us as well’ Politico Rina Pal-Goetzen is joining the Semiconductor Industry Association as director of global policy. She most recently was general counsel of 3D printed microTEC.
January semi sales up 26.8% y-o-y Electronics Weekly “Following record sales and units shipped in 2021, global semiconductor sales remained strong at the beginning of 2022, reaching the second-highest-ever monthly total in January,” says SIA CEO John Neuffer, “global sales in January increased by more than 20% for the tenth consecutive month on a year-to-year basis, and sales into the Americas increased by 40.2% year-to-year in January to lead all regional markets.”
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on the Chip Shortage, Supply Chain Issues, and Russian Sanctions TIME Today, I spoke with United States Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo about an ongoing shortage of different sort of chip: the kind that power your laptops, cell phones, vehicles, video game consoles, electronic medical equipment, and more.
Russian sanctions drive renewed focus on Asia semiconductor reliance Axios In a letter Tuesday, some 140 lawmakers, led by Sens. Mark Warner (D-Va.), John Cornyn (R-Texas) and Reps. Doris Matsui (D-Calif.) and Michael McCaul (R-Texas), urged congressional leaders to move quickly on the $52 billion for semiconductors on its own.
Gov. Whitmer Travels To White House, Rallies For Passage Of CHIPS Act CBS Detroit Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer traveled to the White House on Wednesday to seek support and funding for legislation that will boost semiconductor chip production. Whitmer spoke with President Joe Biden about funding to pass the Creating Helpful Incentive For Production of Semiconductors (CHIPS) for America Act. |
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CHINAChinese firms that aid Russia may be cut off from U.S. equipment -commerce secretary Reuters Chinese companies that defy U.S. restrictions against exporting to Russia may be cut off from American equipment and software they need to make their products, U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo told the New York Times.
China Tech Selloff Deepens as U.S. Delisting Fears Alarm Traders Bloomberg Chinese tech shares slid, tracking overnight weakness in their U.S. peers, as renewed regulatory concerns unnerved investors still reeling from wild price swings this week. |
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TRADEKorea Calls for Global Network to Cushion Supply Chain Hit Bloomberg South Korea’s top trade official says the world should set up a framework that allows businesses to stay resilient in the face of a crisis like the war in Ukraine that disrupts global supply chains.
Australia, India move toward free trade pact to cut China dependence Nikkei Asia Australia and India are expected to reach an interim free trade agreement as early as this month as both countries seek to diversify trade to cut their economic dependence on China. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYPinpointing The Dominant Component Of Contact Resistance To Atomically Thin Semiconductors Semiconductor Engineering Achieving good electrical contacts is one of the major challenges in realizing devices based on atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors.
Digital Twin For Secure Semiconductor Lifecycle Management: Prospects And Applications Semiconductor Engineering The expansive globalization of the semiconductor supply chain has introduced numerous untrusted entities into different stages of a device’s lifecycle, enabling them to compromise its security.
Enabling Silicon Lifecycle Solutions Semiconductor Engineering The concepts of product lifecycle management (PLM) should be familiar, although the semiconductor industry has yet to adopt a system for managing the entire lifecycle of a product from inception through design, realization, deployment, and field service, right through to end-of-life activities such as final disposal. |
SIA NEWS
Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 26.8% Year-to-Year in January Press Release “Following record sales and units shipped in 2021, global semiconductor sales remained strong at the beginning of 2022, reaching the second-highest-ever monthly total in January,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Global sales in January increased by more than 20% for the tenth consecutive month on a year-to-year basis, and sales into the Americas increased by 40.2% year-to-year in January to lead all regional markets.”
SIA Echoes President Biden’s Call for Enactment of Investments in Semiconductor Technology Press Release “We appreciate President Biden’s continued strong support for swift enactment of competitiveness legislation containing $52 billion to incentivize semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing in the United States. These CHIPS Act investments have broad, bipartisan support from members of Congress, America’s governors and mayors, national security experts, business leaders, and the American public. Funding the CHIPS Act will spur hundreds of billions of dollars in private investments, create hundreds of thousands of American jobs, and help secure America’s supply of semiconductors for many years to come. We also urge swift enactment of a strengthened FABS Act that includes tax credits for semiconductor manufacturing and design to complement the CHIPS funding as part of a holistic, robust strategy for U.S. semiconductor leadership. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETBiden calls for CHIPS Act passage during SOTU Electronics 360 John Neuffer, president and CEO of the SIA, released a statement calling on Congress to finalize the CHIPS for America Act and thanked Biden for his strong support for the competitiveness legislation. “These CHIPS Act investments have broad, bipartisan support from members of Congress, America’s governors and mayors, national security experts, business leaders, and the American public,” Neuffer said. “Funding the CHIPS Act will spur hundreds of billions of dollars in private investments, create hundreds of thousands of American jobs, and help secure America’s supply of semiconductors for many years to come. We also urge swift enactment of a strengthened FABS Act that includes tax credits for semiconductor manufacturing and design to complement the CHIPS funding as part of a holistic, robust strategy for U.S. semiconductor leadership.”
What Biden will say about tech at the State of the Union Protocol The big U.S. science and technology package has already passed both the House and the Senate in the form of the America Competes Act and the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act, respectively. Biden is still waiting for Congress to harmonize the two and send it to his desk. On Tuesday, he’ll call on Congress to do that.
Canada to invest C$240 mln to develop semiconductor industry Reuters Canada will invest a total of C$240 million ($189 million) into its semiconductor industry to bolster manufacturing and research of chips that are crucial to national security and technological advancement, a federal minister said on Monday.
Italy Earmarks $4.4 Billion to Boost Semiconductor Industry Bloomberg Italy will invest over 4 billion euros ($4.4 billion) to develop the domestic semiconductor industry, as it seeks to support companies transitioning to greener technologies.
Major corporations make last-ditch push for R&D tax break Roll Call Some of the largest U.S. companies are pressing congressional leaders to restore a more generous tax break for research and development in the delayed spending package for fiscal 2022. |
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RUSSIA/UKRAINERussia’s War in Ukraine Could Spur Another Global Chip Shortage WIRED On Thursday morning, explosions rocked at least seven cities in Ukraine, heralding the start of a full-scale Russian invasion. Among Putin’s first targets was Odesa, a seaside city huddled around the Black Sea, and one of the country’s busiest ports. But it is also home to a little-known company called Cryoin, which plays a big role in the global production of semiconductors.
Chip sanctions aim for Russia’s military and its tech industry hopes Financial Times The US has for years used the power of the dollar to cut adversaries off from global finance. Now, it is using the prevalence of American technology to cut Russia off from global chip supplies. |
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CHINAAs U.S. and European businesses cut ties with Russia, Chinese tech firms remain silent CNBC American and European firms have been cutting ties with Russia or at least reducing their business in the country since it invaded Ukraine, but Chinese technology businesses have remained relatively quiet.
South China Morning Post Neil Shen, China’s top venture capitalist, has made suggestions for investment to help the Chinese government boost technologies that would fight climate change and build digital infrastructure in a proposal submitted ahead of the “two sessions”, China’s biggest annual political event.
Huawei’s competitor to Tesla electric cars is set to hit China’s streets on Saturday CNBC The first electric car with Huawei’s HarmonyOS operating system is set to begin deliveries at a ceremony on Saturday in Shanghai, according to an announcement on social media. |
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TRADEUK and New Zealand sign free trade deal The Guardian Britain and New Zealand have signed a free trade deal, which the UK government said would boost bilateral trade by 60% by eliminating tariffs, cutting red tape and enabling freer movement of professional workers.
UK steps back from suspending Northern Ireland trade deal Financial Times Boris Johnson is unlikely to trigger Article 16 proceedings against the EU over the controversial Northern Ireland protocol ahead of May’s Stormont elections due to the war in Ukraine. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYSurprising semiconductor properties revealed with innovative new method Phys.Org A research team probing the properties of a semiconductor combined with a novel thin oxide film have observed a surprising new source of conductivity from oxygen atoms trapped inside.
Engineering 2D semiconductors with built-in memory functions Phys.Org A team of researchers at The University of Manchester’s National Graphene Institute (NGI) and the National Physical Laboratory (NPL) has demonstrated that slightly twisted 2D transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) display room-temperature ferroelectricity.
2D Semiconductors Make Progress, But Slowly Semiconductor Engineering In recent years, 2D semiconductors have emerged as a leading potential solution to the problem of channel control in highly scaled transistors. As devices shrink, the channel thickness should shrink proportionally.
Machine Learning Showing Up As Silicon IP Semiconductor Engineering New machine-learning (ML) architectures continue to appear. Up to now, each new offering has been implemented in a chip for sale, to be placed alongside host processors, memory, and other chips on an accelerator board. But over time, more of this technology could be sold as IP that can be integrated into a system-on-chip (SoC). |
SIA NEWS
SIA Statement on Sanctions on Russia SIA Statement The U.S. semiconductor industry is fully committed to complying with the new export control rules announced today in response to the deeply disturbing events unfolding in Ukraine. We are still reviewing the new rules to determine their impact on our industry. While the impact of the new rules to Russia could be significant, Russia is not a significant direct consumer of semiconductors, accounting for less than 0.1% of global chip purchases, according to the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization. The broader Russian ICT market totaled only about $50.3 billion out of the $4.47 trillion global market, according to 2021 IDC data. In addition, the semiconductor industry has a diverse set of suppliers of key materials and gases, so we do not believe there are immediate supply disruption risks related to Russia and Ukraine. |
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RUSSIA SANCTIONSU.S. Clamps Export Controls on Russia to Limit Access to Chips, Other Technology Wall Street Journal The chief executive of the Semiconductor Industry Association, John Neuffer, said in a statement that his group is still reviewing the new rules to determine their impact on the chip industry. He said that, “while the impact of the new rules to Russia could be significant, Russia is not a significant direct consumer of semiconductors, accounting for less than 0.1% of global chip purchases.”
U.S. announces sweeping restrictions on technological exports to Russia New York Times John Neuffer, the president of the Semiconductor Industry Association, which represents the world’s major chipmakers, said that the industry was still evaluating the potential impact of the rules. But Russia, he said, was not a significant direct consumer of chips or of information technology equipment.
Chipmakers Downplay Fears Ukraine Crisis Will Worsen Shortages Bloomberg Russia is a small market for the chip industry and its invasion of Ukraine doesn’t represent a threat to chip supply, the Semiconductor Industry Association said Thursday. U.S. and allied sanctions against Russia also are unlikely to have a significant effect on industry sales, the group said. “While the impact of the new rules to Russia could be significant, Russia is not a significant direct consumer of semiconductors, accounting for less than 0.1% of global chip purchases,” SIA Chief Executive Officer John Neuffer said in a statement. “In addition, the semiconductor industry has a diverse set of suppliers of key materials and gases, so we do not believe there are immediate supply disruption risks related to Russia and Ukraine.”
Washington Post The semiconductor industry, which could have lobbied hard against the export controls, issued a statement Thursday saying it is “fully committed” to complying with the new rules. “While the impact of the new rules to Russia could be significant,” SIA President and CEO John Neuffer said, “Russia is not a significant direct consumer of semiconductors.”
Fortune While the embargo could be devastating for Russia, most global suppliers might hardly notice the cost of compliance. According to the CEO of the U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), John Neuffer, “Russia is not a significant direct consumer of semiconductors.” According to the SIA, Russia only accounts for 0.1% of global chip purchases. Research firm IDC estimates the Russian chip market is worth $50 billion in trade out of a $4.5 trillion global industry.
How US Sanctions Will Crimp Russia’s Tech Sector Wired According to the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization, Russia accounts for less than 0.1 percent of global chip purchases. “While the impact of the new rules to Russia could be significant, Russia is not a significant direct consumer of semiconductors,” says John Neuffer, CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association, a body representing US chip firms.
SIA: US chipmakers fully committed to Russian sanctions Electronics360 The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) issued a statement regarding the new export control rules announced by the Biden Administration in response to the Russian incursion into Ukraine. SIA represents 99% of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue and nearly two-thirds of non-U.S. chip firms. According to John Neuffer, president and CEO of the SIA, the U.S. semiconductor industry is fully committed to complying with the Biden Administration’s export control rules regarding technology shipments to Russia. “We are still reviewing the new rules to determine their impact on our industry,” Neuffer said. “While the impact of the new rules to Russia could be significant, Russia is not a significant direct consumer of semiconductors, accounting for less than 0.1% of global chip purchases, according to the World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) organization.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETU.S. governors urge swift action on $52 billion chip funding bill Reuters A bipartisan group of 22 governors Thursday urged leaders in Congress to move quickly to finalize $52 billion in government funding to subsidize the production of semiconductor chips.
Biden announces new investments in mineral production to address supply chain shortages CNN President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced new investments in the domestic production of minerals and materials crucial to creating a wide array of technological devices, including computers, smartphones, batteries, household appliances and vehicles.
India Gets $20 Billion in Investment Proposals for Chip Production Bloomberg India has received proposals worth $20.5 billion from five companies to manufacture semiconductor fabs and display fabs locally, according to a government statement. |
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CHINAChinese chip companies raised a record $11 billion in 2021 Protocol Despite U.S. chip sanctions on China throughout 2021, China’s chip companies — mostly startups — raised a record $10.8 billion in a booming market driven by a global chip shortage.
South China Morning Post Snagged on trade disputes with key partners, China is expected to focus this year largely on multilateral agreements and its own hi-tech development for sustained economic growth. |
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TRADEBritain’s CPTPP progress holds few clues for outcome of Beijing, Taiwan bids, analysts say South China Morning Post While Britain is on the cusp of joining the world’s largest trade bloc, it will be a long way before two other major applicants, Beijing and Taiwan, are able to say the same, according to trade experts.
U.S. considers expelling Nicaragua from trade pact over crackdowns NBC The Biden administration is considering trying to expel Nicaragua from a lucrative regional free trade pact — or allocate its valuable sugar quota to another country in Central America — to retaliate against President Daniel Ortega’s crackdown on his opponents, according to a U.S. official. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYTransistors Reach Tipping Point At 3nm Semiconductor Engineering The semiconductor industry is making its first major change in a new transistor type in more than a decade, moving toward a next-generation structure called gate-all-around (GAA) FETs. |
SIA NEWS
Press Release The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) — along with a broad coalition of 20 other tech, auto, medical, defense, and other business and labor groups — today in a letter urged Congress to immediately enact $52 billion to fund the CHIPS Act and to enact a strengthened FABS Act to bolster domestic semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing. The letter’s signatories represent major sectors of the American economy and millions of U.S. workers.
Press Release The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today announced global semiconductor industry sales totaled $555.9 billion in 2021, the highest-ever annual total and an increase of 26.2% compared to the 2020 total of $440.4 billion.
AdvaMed, Semiconductor Industry Association Convene Roundtable on Supply Chain Issues Press Release Last week, AdvaMed President and CEO Scott Whitaker and Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) President and CEO John Neuffer hosted a joint roundtable discussion that included dozens of industry leaders and supply chain executives from SIA and AdvaMed member companies, as well as senior officials from the Department of Commerce. The participants discussed ongoing supply chain issues for both the semiconductor and medical technology industries and how the two industries can work together to limit the effects of the chip shortage. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETGlobal semiconductor sales top half a trillion dollars for first time as chip production gets boost CNBC “In 2021, amid the ongoing global chip shortage, semiconductor companies substantially ramped up production to unprecedented levels to address persistently high demand, resulting in record chip sales and units shipped,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO.
Global chip sales hit record in 2021, will grow 8.8% in 2022 -SIA Reuters “It’s still really trending very strongly towards increased demand. We’re just not going to get this kind of slingshot effect that we had in the pandemic,” said SIA CEO John Neuffer of the much slower growth projected for 2022.
Fortune Just when it appeared that the global supply shortage of semiconductors might soon begin to ease, the prospect of a Russian invasion of Ukraine is casting another ominous cloud over the sector.
Commerce Secretary Urges Chips Act Passing or U.S. Faces ‘National Emergency’ Broadband Breakfast Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said Wednesday that the country is staring down a “national emergency” if it doesn’t get funding approved to begin ramping up manufacturing of semiconductors domestically. “We are in a dangerous situation and there is one solution: make chips in America, and it’s not going to happen until the CHIPS Act gets passed,” Raimondo told Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman, founders of Punchbowl News, which held the event.
Who will build U.S.-made microchips? Politico The U.S.’ share of global chip manufacturing is just 12 percent — down from 37 percent in 1990. The Semiconductor Industry Association, one of the industry’s top lobbyists in Washington, told the National Institute of Standards and Technology that a limited supply of U.S. workers with advanced STEM degrees, a lack of academic programs supporting emerging technologies and competition with other tech sectors are all hurdles to current onshoring efforts.
How to Build American Science Back Better WSJ The U.S. Congress agrees that America needs to compete with China. Two recent bills—the House of Representatives’ America Competes Act and the Senate’s U.S. Innovation and Competition Act—both take aim at China’s rising scientific heft by increasing federal funding for research, semiconductor plants and a smorgasbord of other programs by more than $200 billion. |
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CHINANo reversal on China’s tech crackdown in sight as Xi calls for more work on laws CNBC Chinese President Xi Jinping told top leaders to speed up work on new laws for the technology sector during a speech in early December, according to the Chinese Communist Party’s bimonthly journal published Wednesday.
EU accuses China of ‘power grab’ over smartphone technology licensing Financial Times The EU is taking China to the World Trade Organization for alleged patent infringements that are costing companies billions of euros, as part of what officials in Brussels claim is a “power grab” by Beijing to set smartphone technology licensing rates.
China adds more companies to an industry body designed to develop the country’s metaverse CNBC A Chinese industry body designed to develop the country’s metaverse applications has added a new batch of companies as it pushes ahead with the latest technology craze. The metaverse does not have a solid definition yet, but often refers to technologies like virtual reality and the idea that people may be playing and living in virtual worlds. |
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TRADEU.S. risks blowback over Russia chip sanctions Politico The Biden administration is widely expected to impose unprecedented — and potentially devastating — technology and financial sanctions against Russia should the Kremlin move forward with an invasion of Ukraine, with the White House specifically aiming to choke off its supplies of cutting-edge microchips.
UAE and India sign free trade deal Financial Times The United Arab Emirates and India have signed a free trade deal that is expected to double bilateral non-oil trade to $100bn within five years as the Gulf state ramps up its economic partnership with its second-largest trade partner.
Government forced to seek state-by-state US trade ties after Biden rejects post-Brexit deal Independent Boris Johnson’s government is seeking a series of “mini” agreements with individual US states after Joe Biden poured cold water on the prospect of a free trade deal with the UK.
EU makes US$170 billion play to rival China in Africa. But where is the money coming from? South China Morning Post The European Union made a play to rival China in Africa, announcing a €150 billion (US$170.5 billion) financing package for projects and development on the continent on Friday after a two-day summit with the African Union in Brussels. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYSilicon-Based Power Semis Face Challenges Semiconductor Engineering Suppliers of power semiconductors continue to develop and ship devices based on traditional silicon technology, but silicon is nearing its limits and faces increased competition from technologies like GaN and SiC.
Technology Advances, Shortages Seen For Wire Bonders Semiconductor Engineering A surge in demand for IC packages is causing long lead times for wire bonders, which are used to assemble three-fourths of the world’s packages. The wire bonder market doubled last year, alongside advanced packaging’s rise. |
SIA NEWSSIA Launches Semiconductor Data Dashboard Blog Post The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today launched a new Semiconductor Unit Sales Dashboard to provide regularly updated, publicly available sales data for a range of semiconductor products. Amid the ongoing global chip shortage, the Dashboard provides information to industry, government stakeholders, and the public at large about unit sales of semiconductors. Dashboard data is provided on a three-month moving average and will be updated on a monthly basis. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETHow to Keep Up in the Economic Arms Race? WSJ – Letter to the Editor by John Neuffer America won’t maintain its competitive edge by beating a retreat in semiconductors. It’ll do it by investing to ensure more of the chips the country needs are researched, designed and manufactured on U.S. shores.
US semiconductor, steel sectors laud passage of COMPETES Act S&P Global “House passage of CHIPS Act investments is a significant step toward strengthening America’s leadership in semiconductors, which are foundational to our economy, national security, and global leadership in the transformative technologies of now and the future,” SIA CEO John Neuffer said in a separate statement.
House of Representatives Passes Chips Funding Bill Industry Week According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, the CHIPs Act, once passed into law, will provide $52 billion in R&D and production funding for semiconductor companies in the U.S. $2 billion of the funding will be set aside to fund “legacy chip” production, to ensure a steady supply of the semiconductors used in automotive manufacturing.
U.S. House backs sweeping China competition bill as Olympics start Reuters Raimondo said companies had told the administration that without the chips funding they would build manufacturing plants outside the United States. The Semiconductor Industry Association praised the bill.
EU launches Chips Act industrial plan Politico The European Commission Tuesday launched a multiyear, large-scale investment plan for its microchips sector and presented new powers to secure chips in times of crisis, in an effort to “make Europe a leader in this market,” its President Ursula von der Leyen said. |
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CHIP SHORTAGEKey Supplier of Wafers for Chips Has Sold Out Through 2026 Bloomberg Sumco Corp., a key supplier of silicon wafers for the semiconductor industry, said it has already sold out its production capacity through 2026, a sign shortages in the industry may not abate for years.
Bosch CEO expects chip shortage to ease, hopes for return to normal by 2023 Reuters Bosch (ROBG.UL) CEO Stefan Hartung expects the chip shortage to lessen significantly in the second half of this year, he said at a press conference on Wednesday, adding he hoped businesses could operate as normal by 2023.
Used car prices at record high, chip shortage and high demand to blame ABC Listing prices for used cars in January were up 40% from the same time last year, according to Carfax. The company said the average listing for a used car is currently $28,000 – a record high. |
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CHINASouth China Morning Post China’s biggest semiconductor foundry has set aside a record amount for capacity expansion in 2022, after its profits more than doubled in 2021 thanks to strong demand for chips.
Economists say the worst of China’s regulatory crackdown is over CNBC The worst of China’s regulatory crackdown is over as Beijing shifts its focus to supporting growth, economists said. That does not mean the end of regulation — which has swept across internet technology, real estate and other industries in the last year — but signals fewer major changes ahead, the analysts said.
U.S. Promises to Make China Account for Trade-Deal Miss Bloomberg The U.S. will hold China to account for failing to meet the purchase targets pledged in trade deal inherited from the Trump administration, President Joe Biden’s commerce chief said. |
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TRADEAs Other Hot Spots Boil, U.S. Shows Its Foreign Policy Focus Is Asia NYT With Europe bracing for the possibility of its biggest ground war in decades, the American secretary of state, Antony J. Blinken, took a 27-hour flight this week in the opposite direction.
UK and South Korea to sign deal to strengthen supply chains Reuters Britain and South Korea will on Monday sign an agreement to reinforce pandemic-damaged supply lines for key products like semiconductors, with trade minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan due to host her counterpart Yeo Han-koo in London.
US-EU data transfers on life support after French Google decision Politico Over a year after the EU’s top court annulled the Privacy Shield — an EU-U.S. data flows deal — in the so-called Schrems II decision, negotiators in Brussels and Washington have yet to strike a replacement agreement. The struggle: bridging an impasse over what it means to give Europeans the ability to legally challenge U.S. surveillance practices. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYSay Goodbye to the Memory Wall UVA Today In 1994, University of Virginia computer science professor emeritus William Wulf and his then-graduate student, Sally McKee, identified what would become a defining challenge in the field of computer science for decades to come. They called it the “memory wall.”
The Small But Mighty Semiconductor AZO Materials The small but mighty semiconductor has become an integral part of our high-tech world. Popularly known as microchips or integrated circuits (ICs), semiconductors are employed in a constantly increasing number of commercial, industrial and consumer products.
What Causes Semiconductor Aging? Semiconductor Engineering Semiconductor technology has evolved to the point where no one can assume chips will last forever. If not carefully considered, aging can shorten the life of an IC below the needs for an intended application.
Chemoselective Surface Trap-Mediated Metal Growth On Semiconductor Nanocrystals Semiconductor Engineering Highly chemoselective deposition of precious metals on semiconductor nanoheterostructures with a strong preference for cadmium and zinc telluride over the lighter chalcogenides. |
SIA NEWSSIA Commends House Passage of Critical Semiconductor Manufacturing and Research Investments Press Release “House passage of CHIPS Act investments is a significant step toward strengthening America’s leadership in semiconductors, which are foundational to our economy, national security, and global leadership in the transformative technologies of now and the future,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “We urge leaders in the House and Senate to work together promptly on a bipartisan, bicameral competitiveness bill containing CHIPS Act investments that can be passed by both chambers and signed into law by the president. Getting this legislation across the finish line will help strengthen U.S. chip production and innovation for many years to come.”
Press Release “Strong domestic semiconductor production, innovation, and supply chains are essential to reinforcing America’s technological edge and national security, as we work to out-innovate our competitors and maintain our leadership position. SIA joins defense and intelligence leaders in urging Congress to swiftly pass legislation investing in domestic chip manufacturing and research and send to the President’s desk to be signed into law. Doing so will fuel American leadership in the critical, chip-enabled technologies underpinning U.S. national security.”
Eric Breckenfeld, Robert Casanova Join SIA Team Press Release The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today announced Eric Breckenfeld has joined SIA as director of technology policy and Robert Casanova has joined the association as director of industry statistics and economic policy. Breckenfeld will direct SIA’s research and development, STEM education, and workforce development policy portfolio. Casanova will lead SIA’s industry statistics, data analysis, and market research work. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETHow America can avert the next chip shortage The Hill – OpEd by John Neuffer American semiconductor production has arrived at a watershed moment. Congress is on the verge of taking an historic step to fuel U.S. leadership in the research, design, and manufacturing of microchips, a technology at the heart of America’s economy, national security, and critical infrastructure. The U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA)—which the Senate has passed—would provide $52 billion in chip research investments and incentives for companies to establish manufacturing in the United States. New House legislation called the America COMPETES Act, expected to be considered this week, would do the same.
House Passes Bill Adding Billions to Research to Compete With China NYT The House on Friday passed legislation that would pour nearly $300 billion into scientific research and development and shore up domestic manufacturing, setting up a dispute with the Senate over how best to invest in scientific innovation to strengthen American competitiveness and counter China.
U.S. threatens Russia with a chip blockade Axios Biden administration officials say they will cut Russia off from its vital supply of semiconductors if it invades Ukraine — a broad sanction without precedent.
Showtime for Senate app store bill Politico The Semiconductor Industry Association announced the addition of Eric Breckenfeld and Robert Casanova as director of technology policy and director of industry statistics & economic policy, respectively.
EU Faces Funding, State Aid Hurdles With $48 Billion Chips Act Bloomberg The European Union wants its upcoming Chips Act to rival the U.S., but there are increasing doubts from member states and European lawmakers over how to make existing funds available, according to people familiar with the matter and documents seen by Bloomberg.
Japan to partner with U.S. on 6G standards for unmanned tech Nikkei Asia Japan and the U.S. will work together to lead the creation of international standards in unmanned technology that uses 6G communications, aiming to keep Chinese companies from dominating a field expected to include self-driving cars and fully automated factories.
Former U.S. security officials urge Congress to act on China legislation Reuters More than a dozen former senior U.S. national security officials have pressed congressional leaders to quickly pass legislation to boost technology funding, calling it “critical” to compete against China. |
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CHINATech war: Beijing will come out of decoupling worse off than the US, say Chinese academics South China Morning Post In a report published by Peking University’s Institute of International and Strategic Studies on Sunday, researchers compared the development of China and the US in areas of competition between the two, including information technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and space and aerospace technology. “While the current US administration has not yet determined the boundaries of decoupling, certain consensus has already been formed in key tech areas such as chip manufacturing and AI,” the researchers led by institute president Wang Jisi said.
China sets the pace in adoption of AI in healthcare technology Financial Times China has been quick to deploy a range of new technologies to relieve the burden on hospitals, care systems and families caring for the sick and elderly. But it is in medical artificial intelligence that the country’s early adoption of new solutions has been particularly notable, says Eric Topol, a US doctor and author of Deep Medicine: How Artificial Intelligence Can Make Healthcare Human Again. |
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TRADERussia and China hail “no limits” partnership to stand up to U.S. Reuters China and Russia proclaimed a deep strategic partnership on Friday to balance what they portrayed as the malign global influence of the United States as China’s President Xi Jinping hosted Russia’s Vladimir Putin on the opening day of the Beijing Winter Olympics. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYNext-Gen 3D Chip/Packaging Race Begins Semiconductor Engineering The first wave of chips is hitting the market using a technology called hybrid bonding, setting the stage for a new and competitive era of 3D-based chip products and advanced packages.
The excellent heat dissipation properties of layered semiconductors revealed down to one layer Phys.org A study published in Advanced Materials reveals the thermal transport properties of ultrathin crystals of molybdenum diselenide, a two-dimensional material of the transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) family.
Resurrecting and improving a technique for detecting transistor defects Phys.org Researchers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have revived and improved a once-reliable technique to identify and count defects in transistors, the building blocks of modern electronic devices such as smartphones and computers. |
SIA NEWSSIA Applauds Release of House Competitiveness Legislation Press Release “America’s economy, national security, and global competitiveness are built on semiconductors. We applaud the release in the House of Representatives of the America COMPETES Act, which includes $52 billion to fund incentives for domestic semiconductor manufacturing and investments in chip research. We appreciate the leadership of Speaker Pelosi in advancing this legislation in the House and look forward to the House and Senate negotiating compromise legislation that can be sent to the president for his signature. This critical funding will help ensure more of the chips Americans need are researched, designed, and manufactured on U.S. soil, strengthening our supply chains and creating new, high-paying American jobs across the country.” |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETChip Shortage Leaves U.S. Companies Dangerously Low on Semiconductors, Report Says WSJ John Neuffer, president of the Semiconductor Industry Association, said that the U.S. is in danger of falling behind other countries that are working to boost their domestic chip production. “The U.S. simply must level the global playing field to ensure more of the chips our country needs are researched, designed, and manufactured on U.S. soil,” he said.
Biden Looks to Intel’s U.S. Investment to Buoy His China Agenda NYT John Neuffer, the chief executive of the Semiconductor Industry Association, said Japan, South Korea, India and other countries were also introducing their own incentives in a bid to attract a strategically important industry. “The clock is ticking,” Mr. Neuffer said. “None of us are working in a vacuum. This is a global industry.”
House Democrats’ Bill Has $52B for US Chipmaking Facilities, R&D Engineering News-Record John Neuffer, the Semiconductor Industry Association’s president and CEO, said in a statement, “This critical funding will help ensure more of the chips Americans need are researched, designed and manufactured on U.S. soil, strengthening our supply chains and creating new, high-paying American jobs across the country.” The association said that the U.S. share of world semiconductor manufacturing capacity has fallen to 12% now, from 37% in 1990.
Commerce Dept. Survey Uncovers ‘Alarming’ Chip Shortages NYT he United States is facing an “alarming” shortage of semiconductors, a government survey of more than 150 companies that make and buy chips found; the situation is threatening American factory production and helping to fuel inflation, Gina M. Raimondo, the commerce secretary, said in an interview on Monday.
House debuts long-awaited response to Senate’s China competition, semiconductor bill CNBC The House of Representatives on Tuesday debuted a bill designed to boost U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and competition with China, including $52 billion to support domestic chip research and production.
Report: Semiconductor industry expected to reach $600B in 2022 Venture Beat A new report by Deloitte predicts that companies will hit historic revenue highs this year, despite chip shortages and supply chain issues. For the first time, the industry is expected to earn over $600 billion globally, despite an anticipated slowing in growth. In 2022, growth is predicted to reach 10%, compared to 25% growth in 2021. |
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CHINAChina’s IC industry expected to have rapid growth China Daily China’s integrated circuit industry is expected to witness rapid growth in the next few years, industry experts said, while calling for increasing research and development input and strengthening independent innovation as part of the broader push to establish a relatively complete semiconductor industry chain system.
China’s Tsinghua Unigroup axes major memory chip projects Nikkei Asia China’s state-backed Tsinghua Unigroup has scrapped major memory chip projects in two cities as new investors push to turn around the debt-stricken company that has been left reeling from U.S. restrictions on its access to vital technology.
How the Computer Chip Shortage Could Incite a U.S. Conflict With China NYT The war game scenario conducted by a Washington think tank began with a sudden failure at three Taiwanese semiconductor foundries that make high-end computer chips used in such items as smartphones, automobiles and military equipment.
Another major Chinese tech firm expands use of the country’s digital currency CNBC Chinese food delivery and local services giant Meituan has expanded the way that China’s digital yuan can be used on its platform to make purchases. It is another sign of technology companies helping to promote China’s digital fiat currency as the country’s central bank looks to increase the number of people using it. |
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TRADEYou’re grounded, Russia! New U.S. sanctions could take Russia’s toys away. MSNBC If the administration goes forward with the plan being discussed, it would use “export control” — essentially an economic sanction in this case — to restrict Russia’s access to semiconductors, much like the Trump administration did to cripple the Chinese technology company Huawei in 2020.
Korean trade minister to visit US for talks on global supply chains The Korea Herald South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo will visit the United States from this week to discuss bilateral cooperation on global supply chains and other trade issues, the ministry said Tuesday.
UK could gain ‘first-mover’ advantage with India trade deal The Guardian Gains from a UK trade deal with India could be on a par with those from an agreement with the US but risks exposing the economy to tougher competition, a report says. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYTeam demonstrates molecular electronics sensors on a semiconductor chip Phys.Org The first molecular electronics chip has been developed, realizing a 50-year-old goal of integrating single molecules into circuits to achieve the ultimate scaling limits of Moore’s Law. Developed by Roswell Biotechnologies and a multi-disciplinary team of leading academic scientists, the chip uses single molecules as universal sensor elements in a circuit to create a programmable biosensor with real-time, single-molecule sensitivity and unlimited scalability in sensor pixel density. |
SIA NEWSSIA Encourages the United States and Europe to Collaborate on Export Control Policy Blog Post Overseas market access and a level global playing field are critical for U.S. leadership and competitiveness in semiconductors. The U.S. semiconductor industry relies on overseas markets for more than 80% of its sales, which U.S. firms re-invest into research and development efforts to out-innovate foreign competitors. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETBiden will tout $20 billion Intel factory as part of effort to address semiconductor shortages CNN According to an estimate from the Semiconductor Industry Association, the industry has announced nearly $80 billion in new investments in the US through 2025 since the beginning of 2021, including a $17 billion Samsung factory in Texas, $30 billion in investments from Texas Instruments and more.
Government, private sector need to work together to advance tech innovation and enhance security CNBC The U.S. has not kept up with other countries when it comes to investing in new technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing, and this is having an impact on how the nation is viewed by other countries such as China, according to Leon Panetta, former U.S. Defense Secretary and one of the speakers at CNBC’s Technology Executive Council Summit in New York.
A Tech Revival for America’s Hometowns WSJ Americans should not have to leave their hometowns in order to seek opportunity or build wealth. But our modern, digital economy has concentrated its dynamism in a handful of mostly coastal cities, including San Francisco, Seattle, New York, Boston and Austin.
Schumer, top Democrats push $250 billion computer chip investment bill Times Union As the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates supply chain backlogs and global computer chip shortages, Democratic leaders in Congress as well as President Joe Biden want Congress to fast track a $250 billion bill to develop American independence from China and other competitors in chip manufacturing. Roughly 12 percent of the world’s semiconductors are manufactured in the United States, down from 37 percent in 1990, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association. |
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CHINAChinese Semiconductor Industry Continuing to Grow Business Korea The U.S. Semiconductor Industry Association said in its recent report that Chinese companies’ share in the global semiconductor market is likely to rise from 9 percent to 17 percent from 2020 to 2024. “The scale of the Chinese semiconductor sector is estimated to reach US$116 billion in 2024 by showing an average annual growth of 30 percent from this year to 2024,” it said, adding, “On the other hand, the same sector of South Korea is likely to remain stagnant in that period and South Korean semiconductor companies’ global market share is likely to change little from 20 percent or so.”
China is still ‘three or four generations’ away from developing latest semiconductor tech, IDC says CNBC Even as China spends billions to build up its domestic semiconductor sector, it is still some time away from achieving the capabilities needed to produce cutting edge chips, an analyst said on Wednesday.
South China Morning Post A report issued by the US-based Semiconductor Industry Association earlier this month forecast that China’s chip industry could account for 17.4 per cent of global sales by 2024, up from 9 per cent in 2020, if current momentum is maintained.
China’s zero-Covid policy could deal another blow to global supply chains, Moody’s says CNBC Supply chain disruptions are being prolonged driven largely by China’s strict zero-Covid policy, according to an economist from Moody’s Analytics. The bottlenecks have lasted for about a year now but are expected to “materially ease in the early months of this year,” said Katrina Ell, a senior economist for Asia-Pacific at Moody’s Analytics. |
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TRADEChips and batteries: Japan to amp up supply chains with subsidies Nikkei Asia The Japanese government plans to set up a subsidy program to assist companies developing chips, large-capacity batteries and other key materials to ensure a steady supply of strategic products, Nikkei has learned.
U.S., UK launch talks to resolve steel, aluminum dispute; U.S. producers wary Reuters The United States and Britain on Wednesday agreed to start talks aimed at resolving their trade dispute over U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs, the countries said in a joint statement.
Fortune Big Tech, beware: EU lawmakers have seriously beefed up Europe’s incoming Digital Services Act (DSA)—the biggest update to the bloc’s online rule book in decades—and some of the sector’s most insidious “surveillance capitalism” practices could soon be banned. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYQuantum tech: Semiconductor ‘flipped’ to insulator above room temp Phys.Org A semiconducting material that performed a quantum “flip” from a conductor to an insulator above room temperature has been developed at the University of Michigan. It potentially brings the world closer to a new generation of quantum devices and ultra-efficient electronics.
Towards compact quantum computers thanks to topology Science Daily Researchers at PSI have compared the electron distribution below the oxide layer of two semiconductors. The investigation is part of an effort to develop particularly stable quantum bits — and thus, in turn, particularly efficient quantum computers.
New hybrid particle could lead to smaller magnetic semiconductors PC Gamer We’ve been seeing a lot of innovations in tiny tech recently. Little PCs are all the rage, and advancement in storage among other things is bringing real potential to portable PC gaming.
Future Challenges For Advanced Packaging Semiconductor Engineering OSATs are wrestling with a slew of issues, including warpage, thermal mismatch, heterogeneous integration, and thinner lines and spaces. Michael Kelly, vice president of advanced packaging development and integration at Amkor, sat down with Semiconductor Engineering to talk about advanced packaging and the challenges with the technology. What follows are excerpts of that discussion.
This 22-Year-Old Builds Chips in His Parents’ Garage WIRED With a collection of salvaged and homemade equipment, Zeloof produced a chip with 1,200 transistors. He had sliced up wafers of silicon, patterned them with microscopic designs using ultraviolet light, and dunked them in acid by hand, documenting the process on YouTube and his blog. “Maybe it’s overconfidence, but I have a mentality that another human figured it out, so I can too, even if maybe it takes me longer,” he says. |
INDUSTRY/MARKETZDNet According to a recent report carried out by the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), the US held 37% of the global chip manufacturing capacity in 1990 – a number that has gone down to 12% today, mostly due to the stagnation of government subsidies to help the industry prosper.
UK car production plummets to lowest level since 1956 amid chip shortage, worker absences CNBC U.K. car production plummeted to a new low last month, marking the worst July performance for the industry since 1956, according to a trade group.
Taiwan seeks again to reassure U.S. over tackling chip shortage Reuters Taiwan is doing all it can to address the global shortage of semiconductors, Economy Minister Wang Mei-hua said on Tuesday after talks with the newly-appointed de facto U.S. ambassador in Taipei, a problem that has idled some auto production lines.
How Chips Will Change Health Care Semiconductor Engineering Jo De Boeck, chief strategy officer and executive vice president at imec, sat down with Semiconductor Engineering to talk about the intersection of medical and semiconductor technology, what’s changing in how chips are being used, and what will happen in the short term and long-term. What follows are excerpts of that discussion. |
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CHINAEXCLUSIVE Huawei gets U.S. approvals to buy auto chips, sparking blow back Reuters U.S. officials have approved license applications worth hundreds of millions of dollars for China’s blacklisted telecom company Huawei to buy chips for its growing auto component business, two people familiar with the matter said.
South China Morning Post BYD, the Warren Buffett-backed Chinese battery and carmaker, has put on hold the proposed spin off of its semiconductor unit, after the mainland regulator launched an investigation into the law firm advising on the deal.
China swoops on algorithms in latest tech clampdown Reuters China is seeking to tighten oversight of the algorithms technology companies use to drive their business, issuing far-reaching draft rules in Beijing’s latest move to crackdown on its internet sector. |
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TRADEU.S. and German relations at a crossroads as Afghanistan crisis unfolds CNBC After four years of tension under former President Donald Trump, the relationship between the United States and Germany was already at a crossroads. Now, experts say the ongoing crisis in Afghanistan could add fuel to the fire.
India’s trade deal with the US remains a non-starter for now. Here’s why The Print Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal last week ruled out any trade agreements with the United States in the near future pointing out that the world’s largest economy is not looking at any new trade agreements for now. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYModeling Chips From Atoms To Systems Semiconductor Engineering Complexity in hardware design is spilling over to other disciplines, including software, manufacturing, and new materials, creating issues for how to model more data at multiple abstraction levels.
A Peculiar State of Matter in Layers of Semiconductors Could Advance Quantum Computing SciTechDaily In a study that could benefit quantum computing, researchers show a superlattice embedded with nanodots may be immune from dissipating energy to the environment.
Glass Chip Is Key to New Quantum Architecture IEEE Spectrum Maryland-based IonQ has unveiled a new kind of chip in its quest to scale up its type of quantum computer technology. Its computers calculate using the quantum states of ions electromagnetically trapped in the space near a chip. |
INDUSTRY/MARKETChip Production Shifts Away From Traditional Strongholds Statista Data from Boston Consulting Group and the Semiconductor Industry Association shows how much chip production has moved away from its traditional strongholds – among them Japan – in the last decades. In 1990, Japan, Europe and the U.S. dominated semiconductor manufacturing, but with South Korea, Taiwan and finally Mainland China entering the market, the three initial manufacturing locations were reduced to a combined market share of only around 35 percent in 2020.
Intel CEO Pitches Pricey Chip Plants to Officials at Home and Abroad WSJ Intel Corp.’s chief executive and other board members met with Biden administration officials last month and held a rooftop reception near the White House to push a multibillion-dollar chip-investment plan, according to people familiar with the event.
COVID-fuelled semiconductor crunch chips away at carmakers Reuters In grim warnings this week, major carmakers including Toyota (7203.T) and Volkswagen (VOWG_p.DE) offered fresh evidence that the auto industry remains firmly in the grip of an ongoing semiconductor chip shortage that shows no sign of abating.
New Milestone for India in Chip R&D ELE Times The natural world is analog while computing is digital. Computers perceive the natural world through sensors, whose analog output is converted through a digitizer chip or an analog to digital converter (ADC). |
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CHINAChina passes major data protection law as regulatory scrutiny on tech sector intensifies CNBC China passed a major data protection law on Friday setting out tougher rules on how companies collect and handle their users’ information. The rules add to Beijing’s tightening of regulation, particularly around data, which could impact the way China’s technology giants operate. China’s semiconductor output hits record high in July as new capacity added to meet strong demand South China Morning Post China’s integrated circuit (IC) output rose more than 41.3 per cent year on year to reach 31.6 billion units in July, a new monthly record, on the back of strong demand for semiconductors and the addition of new production capacity, according to government data released on Monday.
The Register China had over half a billion 5G subscribers and over a million 5G base stations as of June 30, but the nation’s big three mobile carriers have warned of a slowdown. |
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TRADEChaos of Kabul exposes faultlines in UK-US special relationship Financial Times
UK aims to start trade talks with India this year Reuters The United Kingdom said on Tuesday it aims to start negotiations for a trade agreement with India by the end of the year. “We are currently in the pre-negotiation scoping phase of an FTA (free trade agreement), with the aim of starting negotiations by the end of this year,” a spokesperson for Britain’s Department for International Trade said. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYHome-grown semiconductors for faster, smaller electronics Science Daily ‘Growing’ electronic components directly onto a semiconductor block avoids messy, noisy oxidation scattering that slows and impedes electronic operation. A new study shows that the resulting high-mobility components are ideal candidates for high-frequency, ultra-small electronic devices, quantum dots, and for qubit applications in quantum computing.
Angstrom-Level Measurements With AFMs Semiconductor Engineering Competition is heating up in the atomic force microscopy (AFM) market, where several vendors are shipping new AFM systems that address various metrology challenges in packaging, semiconductors and other fields.
A peculiar state of matter in layers of semiconductors MIT News Scientists around the world are developing new hardware for quantum computers, a new type of device that could accelerate drug design, financial modeling, and weather prediction. These computers rely on qubits, bits of matter that can represent some combination of 1 and 0 simultaneously. The problem is that qubits are fickle, degrading into regular bits when interactions with surrounding matter interfere. But new research at MIT suggests a way to protect their states, using a phenomenon called many-body localization (MBL). |
SIA NEWSNVIDIA Founder and CEO Jensen Huang to Receive Semiconductor Industry’s Top Honor Press Release The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today announced Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA and a trailblazer in building accelerated computing platforms, is the 2021 recipient of the industry’s highest honor, the Robert N. Noyce Award. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETNvidia’s Jensen Huang to get semiconductor industry’s highest honor Venture Beat Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang will receive the chip industry’s highest honor, the Robert N. Noyce Award. SIA president and CEO John Neuffer said in a statement that Huang’s extraordinary vision and tireless execution have greatly strengthened the chip industry, revolutionized computing, and advanced artificial intelligence. He said Huang’s accomplishments have fueled countless innovations — from gaming to scientific computing to self-driving cars — and he continues to advance technologies that will transform the industry and the world.
Nvidia founder Huang honored with top semi industry award Fierce Electronics The founder of Nvidia has won the semiconductor industry’s top annual honor, the Robert Noyce Award, granted by the Semiconductor Industry Association. Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of Nvidia, is a “trailblazer in building accelerated computing platforms,” SIA said in a statement on Thursday. He will accept the award Nov. 18. The annual award goes to a leader who has made outstanding contributions to the semiconductor industry in technology or public policy.
Nvidia’s Jensen Huang to Receive SIA’s 2021 Robert N. Noyce Award Tom’s Hardware The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) announced Thursday that Jensen Huang, chief executive and a co-founder of Nvidia, will receive the organization’s Robert N. Noyce Award. One of the industry’s most prestigious award is given to recognize Huang’s contributions to the semiconductor industry in general and computing acceleration in particular.
Chip Shortage Keeps CIOs and Other Tech Leaders Scrambling WSJ Companies inside and outside the tech sector are feeling the pinch of the global computer-chip shortage, which is stalling orders and raising prices on laptops, printers, smartphones, videoconferencing equipment and other work gear, corporate technology chiefs say. |
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CHINABusiness Groups Antsy About Stalled China Talks Politico In a letter Thursday to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Business Roundtable, National Retail Federation, the American Farm Bureau Federation and the Semiconductor Industry Association asserted “that Beijing had met ‘important benchmarks and commitments’ in the agreement, including opening markets to U.S. financial institutions and reducing some regulatory barriers to U.S. agricultural exports to China.”
China investors turn to renewables, chips, to avoid regulators’ attention Reuters Investors in China are turning to semiconductors, renewable energy and consumer-focused firms in the belief they offer safe-harbour from a blizzard of regulatory action that has battered confidence and forced funds to overhaul their portfolios.
CNBC Semiconductor veteran Ron Black, the former CEO of the U.K.’s Imagination Technologies which used to design chips for Apple, is among a consortium that is interested in buying the country’s largest chip plant back off Chinese-owned Nexperia. |
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TRADEBiden to Nominate María Pagán as U.S. Envoy to World Trade Organization WSJ President Biden is expected to nominate María Luisa Pagán, a longtime government trade negotiator, as a deputy U.S. trade representative and ambassador to the World Trade Organization, a critical role for accelerating the administration’s engagement with the multilateral organization that has faced multiple challenges in recent years.
In Africa, Biden finds a free trade zone he can embrace Nikkei Asia Eager to tap into a promising market while burnishing his administration’s credentials on free trade now that rejoining the Trans-Pacific Partnership looks as distant as ever, U.S. President Joe Biden appears ready to engage a new free trade zone in Africa. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYNew semiconductor device possibilities using black phosphorous Phys.Org Stress and strain, applied in just the right manner, can sometimes produce amazing results. That is what researchers, led by a team at UC Berkeley’s Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, discovered about an emerging semiconductor material—black phosphorous (BP)—used to make two types of optoelectronic devices: light emitting diodes (LEDs) and photodetectors.
Semiconductor Engineering Collecting data to determine the health of a chip throughout its lifecycle is becoming necessary as chips are used in more critical applications, but being able to access that data isn’t always so simple. It requires moving signals through a complex, sometimes unpredictable, and often hostile environment, which is a daunting challenge under the best of conditions.
Better Optimization For Many-Core AI Chips Semiconductor Engineering The rise of massively parallel computing has led to an explosion of silicon complexity, driven by the need to process data for artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) applications. |
SIA NEWSSIA Calls for House Passage of Bipartisan Research Bills Press Release “The bipartisan NIST for the Future Act will help sharpen America’s edge in research and innovation. The U.S. semiconductor industry relies on foundational research at NIST and other federal research agencies to help create the technologies of the future. We thank the bill’s sponsors for their bipartisanship and leadership in promoting American innovation, and we call on all House members to approve this important legislation. As the legislation advances, we urge Congress to include $52 billion to fund the critical semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing initiatives in the CHIPS for America Act. Investing in domestic chip technology and innovation will help reinforce America’s economy, national security, and global competitiveness.”
Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 29.2% Year-to-Year in June; Q2 Sales Up 8.3% Over Q1 Press Release “Second-quarter semiconductor sales were up significantly compared to Q2 of last year, increasing across all major product categories and in every major regional market,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Demand for semiconductors is projected to continue to rise substantially in the long term, as the world continues using chips to become smarter, greener, more productive, and better connected. We urge leaders in Washington to enact funding for the CHIPS for America Act so America can capture a larger share of increased semiconductor production and innovation in the years ahead.” |
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CHINAU.S. Businesses Urge Biden to Restart China Talks, Scrap Tariffs Bloomberg The groups include influential organizations like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the American Farm Bureau Federation and the Semiconductor Industry Association. “Due to the tariffs, U.S. industries face increased costs to manufacture products and provide services domestically, making their exports of these products and services less competitive abroad,” according to a copy of the letter obtained by Bloomberg News. “The administration can take immediate steps to relieve increasing inflationary pressures and rising prices for all Americans” by reducing the import tariffs, they said.
Business Groups Call on Biden to Restart Trade Talks With China WSJ Nearly three dozen of the nation’s most influential business groups—representing retailers, chip makers, farmers and others—are calling on the Biden administration to restart negotiations with China and cut tariffs on imports, saying they are a drag on the U.S. economy. The trade groups include some of Washington’s most influential big business associations, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Business Roundtable, the National Retail Federation, the American Farm Bureau Federation and the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Antitrust crackdown on China’s tech sector could lead to greater competition, S&P says South China Morning Post Competition is likely to intensify among Chinese internet companies, such as Big Tech firms Alibaba Group Holding, JD.com and Tencent Holdings, as Beijing places greater scrutiny on mergers, overseas listings and anticompetitive behaviour in the technology sector, according to S&P Global Ratings. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETThe chip shortage is getting worse recode Chipmakers are already producing chips at their maximum capacity, according to Falan Yinug of the Semiconductor Industry Association, a trade and lobbying group that represents the chip industry. “Chip production has, in fact, increased substantially, and more chips have shipped in recent months than ever before,” Yinug told Recode.
Global chip market’s second quarter up 29% year-on-year EE News Europe “Second-quarter semiconductor sales were up significantly compared to Q2 of last year, increasing across all major product categories and in every major regional market,” said John Neuffer, CEO of the SIA, in a statement. “Demand for semiconductors is projected to continue to rise substantially in the long term, as the world continues using chips to become smarter, greener, more productive, and better connected. We urge leaders in Washington to enact funding for the CHIPS for America Act so America can capture a larger share of increased semiconductor production and innovation in the years ahead.”
Global semiconductor sales increase 29.2% YoY in June Evertiq The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) reports that worldwide sales of semiconductors were USD 44.5 billion in June 2021, an increase of 29.2% from the June 2020 total of USD 34.5 billion. Sales in June were 2.1% more than the May 2021 total of USD 43.6 billion. Sales during the second quarter of 2021 were USD 133.6 billion, an increase of 29.2% over the second quarter of 2020 and 8.3% more than the first quarter of 2021.
Global semiconductor sales increase 29.2% to US$44.5bil in June The Star “Second-quarter (Q2) semiconductor sales were up significantly compared to Q2 of last year, increasing across all major product categories and in every major regional market,” SIA president and CEO John Neuffer said. He added that the demand for semiconductors was projected to continue to rise substantially in the long term.
June semi sales up 29.2% y-o-y Electronics Weekly “Demand for semiconductors is projected to continue to rise substantially in the long term, as the world continues using chips to become smarter, greener, more productive, and better connected. We urge leaders in Washington to enact funding for the CHIPS for America Act so America can capture a larger share of increased semiconductor production and innovation in the years ahead.”
Biden to Decide on Foreign Chipmaker Grants, Raimondo Says Bloomberg President Joe Biden will ultimately decide whether foreign chip producers will receive some of the $52 billion in funding planned to help ease the shortage that has hammered manufacturing, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said.
Dingell proposes $2 billion in federal semiconductor spending The Detroit News The U.S. government would spend $2 billion on semiconductor chip manufacturing under a bill introduced Wednesday by Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Dearborn. The bill comes amid an ongoing semiconductor shortage that has forced shutdowns at auto plants and threatens to cut production by around 3.9 million vehicles globally by the end of the year, according to consulting firm AlixPartners, costing the industry around $110 billion in revenue.
Upton, Meijer send letter to House leadership urging action on semiconductor shortage Holland Sentinel A bipartisan group of lawmakers is urging House leadership to take action on a bill which would prompt emergency spending on domestic semiconductor production. Lawmakers, including Reps. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, and Peter Meijer, R-Grand Rapids, sent House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy a letter Thursday urging the hearing of the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America, or CHIPS Act.
Biden, in a Push to Phase Out Gas Cars, Tightens Pollution Rules NYT President Biden on Thursday announced a multistep strategy aimed at rapidly shifting Americans from gasoline-powered cars and trucks toward electric vehicles — a central part of his plan to reduce the pollution that is heating the planet. |
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TRADEU.S., EU eye steel tariff deal by Nov. 1 Politico The U.S and the EU hope to resolve a three-year-old dispute over former President Donald Trump’s steel and aluminum tariffs by Nov. 1, and plan to hold the first ministerial-level meeting of the new transatlantic Trade and Technology Council in late September.
U.K. Closing In on Post-Brexit Trade Deal with New Zealand Bloomberg The U.K. and New Zealand are close to finalizing a trade accord that would go beyond the rollover agreement struck when Britain left the European Union. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYNew semiconductor cools computer chips Physics World A novel semiconducting material with high thermal conductivity can be integrated into high-power computer chips to cool them down and so improve their performance. The material, boron arsenide, is better at removing heat than the best thermal-management devices available today, according to the US-based researchers who developed it.
Designing Chips In A ‘Lawless’ Industry Semiconductor Engineering The guideposts for designing chips are disappearing or becoming less relevant. While engineers today have many more options for customizing a design, they have little direction about what works best for specific applications or what the return on investment will be for those efforts.
Astonishing diversity: Semiconductor nanoparticles form numerous structures Science Daily The structure adopted by lead sulphide nanoparticles changes surprisingly often as they assemble to form ordered superlattices. This is revealed by an experimental study that has been conducted at DESY’s X-ray source PETRA III. |
INDUSTRY/MARKETSenate’s semiconductor aid may be opening bid in global race Roll Call The report said U.S. manufacturers suffered from “structural disadvantages in the cost of two factors: labor and utilities.” Labor costs for chip fabrication, construction and operation are 40 percent higher than in Singapore and Taiwan, the report said. But Erik Pederson, director of government affairs at the Semiconductor Industry Association, said the higher U.S. labor cost had less impact on companies’ choice of manufacturing location than subsidies abroad. The association and Boston Consulting’s report said a $50 billion government incentive would attract 19 new U.S. chip fabrication facilities, or 10 more than would be the case without the money. The new facilities would raise U.S. capacity to 14 percent of the market by 2030 from 12 percent, the report said.
Lawmakers from Texas Search for Solutions with Semiconductor Shortage KTRH News Radio Erik Pederson, the Director of Government Affairs at the Semiconductor Industry Association, says solving the shortage is especially important for Texas. “The semiconductor industry employees about 44 thousand people in the entire state, and it’s our second largest state for employment. We have a number of manufacturing facilities,” Pederson said.
WSJ’s Gerald Seib on the global chip shortage and infrastructure bill CNBC – video The push to complete the nearly $1 trillion infrastructure bill is hitting a number of hurdles. Gearld Seib, Wall Street Journal columnist, joins ‘Power Lunch’ to discuss the bill, how to resolve the chip shortage and more.
The Really Critical Infrastructure Need: American-Made Semiconductors WSJ America today is dangerously reliant on foreign producers of semiconductors, crucial components of everything from phones to laptops to cars to smart appliances to much of the equipment in your local hospital. The U.S. share of global semiconductor manufacturing capacity has dropped to 12% today from 37% in 1990, according to a study by the Boston Consulting Group.
Semiconductor shortage hammering automakers, costing billions in lost production and sales The Washington Post The global shortage of computer chips continues to hammer automakers, forcing factory shutdowns and sapping sales and profits, with mixed views on when relief might arrive. Seventeen auto factories in North America and Europe have halted or reduced production in recent weeks over the scarcity of the tiny components, according to Seraph Consulting, which is advising automakers on the shortages. The shutdowns have affected plants in Michigan, Kentucky, Kansas, Mexico, Canada and Germany.
The Washington Post President Biden will today announce a major program outlining how critical industry sectors such as energy, transportation and agriculture should be protecting themselves against cyberattacks. |
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CHINAConsortium prepares bid to buy the UK’s biggest chip plant back off Chinese-owned Nexperia CNBC A consortium is raising money from banks and private equity investors to fund a potential bid for silicon wafer manufacturer Newport Wafer Fab, according to a person familiar with the situation who asked to remain anonymous due to the nature of the discussions.
The Technology 202: China is doing what the U.S. can’t seem to: regulate its tech giants The Washington Post While a slow-burning movement to rein in the U.S. tech industry plods through a gridlocked Congress and various agencies, China’s one-party government is acting swiftly — and harshly — to rein in its own tech titans.
South China Morning Post Shanghai is looking to take a greater role in China’s drive towards technological self-sufficiency, but a new plan unveiled last Wednesday to spur development of emerging industries has scant details, leaving companies waiting to see how serious the city is about its hi-tech ambitions.
China is still falling short of meeting an agreement to reduce its U.S. trade surplus CNBC China’s purchases of U.S. goods are still falling short of trade agreement levels, even as overall Chinese imports from the U.S. have surged. That’s according to analysis out Monday from the U.S.-based Peterson Institute for International Economics. |
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TRADEEU freezes legal steps against Britain after UK request for standstill Reuters The European Commission said on Tuesday it would not move to the next step of its legal action against Britain for unilaterally changing trading arrangements for Northern Ireland, in response to Britain’s request for a “standstill”.
Why would anyone trust Brexit Britain again? CNN Just seven months after singing its praises, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is attempting to rewrite the Brexit deal he signed with the European Union. It’s a risky move that will undermine Britain’s credibility as a trustworthy trading partner at the very moment that the UK government is seeking to forge economic alliances far beyond Europe to justify its “global Britain” sales pitch for Brexit, according to experts.
EU trade chief says US steel deal may fall short of removing all barriers Financial Times |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYChallenges For New AI Processor Architectures Semiconductor Engineering Investment money is flooding into the development of new AI processors for the data center, but the problems here are unique, the results are unpredictable, and the competition has deep pockets and very sticky products.
A Better Way to Measure Progress in Semiconductors IEEE Spectrum One of the most famous maxims in technology is, of course, Moore’s Law. For more than 55 years, the “Law” has described and predicted the shrinkage of transistors, as denoted by a set of roughly biannual waypoints called technology nodes. Like some physics-based doomsday clock, the node numbers have ticked down relentlessly over the decades as engineers managed to regularly double the number of transistors they could fit into the same patch of silicon.
Sweeping Changes Ahead For Systems Design Semiconductor Engineering Data centers are undergoing a fundamental change, shifting from standard processing models to more data-centric approaches based upon customized hardware, less movement of data, and more pooling of resources.
Thin, Fast, and Flexible Semiconductors IEEE Spectrum Amorphous silicon has long been the king of flat-panel displays. It began its reign in PC monitors and high-definition TV, then conquered netbooks, e-readers, and smartphones. No other substance was as suitable for the thin-film transistors that sit behind a display’s hundreds of thousands of pixels, turning each one on or off. |
SIA NEWSPress Release The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) – along with a broad coalition of 19 other tech, auto, medical, defense, and other business and labor groups – today in a letter urged Congress to enact funding for the semiconductor manufacturing, research, and design initiatives authorized in the “Creating Helpful Incentives for the Production of Semiconductors” (CHIPS) for America Act. The Senate on June 8 approved $52 billion in funding for CHIPS as part of the U.S. Innovation and Competition Act (USICA), but the House has not yet approved such funding.
The 2021 SIA Databook: Your Source for Comprehensive Semiconductor Industry and Market Data Blog Post The 2021 SIA Databook is now available! Complete with tons of data on the global semiconductor market, the U.S. semiconductor industry, and the top end markets for semiconductors, the 2021 SIA Databook is your go-to comprehensive resource for all things semiconductors. |
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INDUSTRY/MARKETIndustry, Unions Urge Congress to Speed Semiconductor Bills Bloomberg Congress must act quickly to bolster semiconductor manufacturing in the U.S., according to a letter from several trade groups and unions delivered to House and Senate leaders on Thursday. “Strengthening the U.S. position in semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing is a national priority,” reads the letter, organized by the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Chip, auto groups urge Congress to get moving on CHIPS Act Fierce Electronics SIA and SEMI have conducted one of their largest lobbying campaigns ever in connection with the legislation in recent months. SIA again noted in a statement timed with the letter that the U.S. share of global semi manufacturing capacity has decreased from 37% in 1990 to 12% today. “This is largely due to substantial subsidies offered by the governments of our global competitors, placing the U.S. at a competitive disadvantage in attracting new construction of fabs,” SIA said in a statement.
Semiconductor leaders urge action on industry funding IT Pro The Creating Helpful Incentives for the Production of Semiconductors (CHIPS) act, proposed last June and subsequently passed as part of the National Defense Authorization Act, legislated a 40% refundable tax credit for organizations building chip fabrication plants in the US. It also promised $10 billion in federal funds to match state incentives for factories and funding for Department of Defense research and development around semiconductors. However, that legislation didn’t provide the funds, which remain unavailable. The letter’s signatories, including the Semiconductor Industry Association, The Telecommunications Industry Association, and the Alliance for Automotive Innovation along with trade unions, warned that carving out the money is now a national priority.
Biden administration sounds the alarm on the semiconductor crisis FORTUNE U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo has a lot on her mind, but one thing tops them all: semiconductors. Semiconductors, or computer chips, act as the brains that power our technological devices. These chips, now smaller than a stamp and thinner than a piece of hair, have revolutionized the modern world. Innovation in the field has led to smarter, faster, and smaller technology (think pacemakers, smartphones, solar energy, self-driving cars, laptops, airplanes, just about everything you use).
Car chip shortage to abate, smartphones could be next Reuters The semiconductor shortage that has gripped the world could last well into 2022 and hit smartphone production next, foreshadowing deficient supply for a range of appliances and industrial equipment, industry executives and an economist said. |
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CHINAU.S. and allies accuse China of global hacking spree Reuters The United States and its allies accused China on Monday of a global cyberespionage campaign, mustering an unusually broad coalition of countries for an initiative angrily rejected by Beijing.
Yellen Says China Trade Deal Has ‘Hurt American Consumers’ NYT Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen has cast doubt on the merits of the trade agreement between the United States and China, arguing that it has failed to address the most pressing disputes between the world’s two largest economies and warning that the tariffs that remain in place have harmed American consumers.
The door is closing on Chinese tech IPOs on Wall Street CNN Tough US laws requiring audits for foreign companies. A growing crackdown by Beijing that threatens to touch every part of the Chinese tech industry. A botched public offering by one of China’s most prominent tech firms.
China Tech Billionaires Ramp Up Donations as Beijing Cracks Down Bloomberg China’s tech tycoons are discovering their charitable side as they come under mounting regulatory scrutiny from Beijing. In the latest example, Xiaomi Corp. co-founder Lei Jun handed over $2.2 billion of shares in the smartphone maker to two foundations, according to filings to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. |
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TRADEAsia Digital Deal Raises Hope U.S. to Rejoin TPP Successor Bloomberg The U.S.’s plans for a digital trade agreement covering Indo-Pacific economies may be a step toward Washington rejoining a regional trade deal that President Donald Trump exited in 2017, Australian Trade Minister Dan Tehan said.
U.S.-Asia Digital Pact Held Up by Squabble Among Biden Officials WSJ A skirmish between national security and trade officials in the Biden administration is hindering efforts to forge a digital-services pact with Asian countries, according to people involved in the talks.
UK’s Johnson urges EU to consider post-Brexit proposals seriously Reuters Prime Minister Boris Johnson urged European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday to consider seriously Britain’s proposals to change what he called the “unsustainable” way a Brexit deal is governing trade with Northern Ireland. |
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RESEARCH/TECHNOLOGYInhibited nonradiative decay at all exciton densities in monolayer semiconductors Science Mag Most optoelectronic devices operate at high photocarrier densities, where all semiconductors suffer from enhanced nonradiative recombination. Nonradiative processes proportionately reduce photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (QY), a performance metric that directly dictates the maximum device efficiency.
These Bendy Plastic Chips Fit in Unusual Places WIRED Like anyone who designs computer chips for a living, James Myers is, at his core, a silicon guy. “Silicon is brilliant,” he says. Brilliant because it’s a natural semiconductor—able to both conduct electricity and act as an insulator, depending on the conditions—and because it can be engineered at small scale.
Semiconductor Engineering Several companies are implementing the chiplet model as a means to develop next-generation 3D-like chip designs, but this methodology still has a long way to go before it becomes mainstream for the rest of the industry. |
Taking Stock of China’s Semiconductor Industry
Blog Post
Just last month, China sent astronauts into space to board a new space station. Earlier this year, China landed a rover on Mars. Chinese state media reported that inside both China’s space station and the Mars rover were 100% indigenously designed-and-produced semiconductors, signaling China’s increasingly sophisticated microchip capabilities.
The US Needs to Get Back in the Business of Making Chips
WIRED
The number of companies making advanced chips has shrunk in recent years, and cutting-edge manufacturing has moved east. An April report by the Semiconductor Industry Association and Boston Consulting Group found that all chips made with the most advanced methods (known as sub-10 nanometer processes) are made in Asia—92 percent in Taiwan, the remaining 8 percent in South Korea.
Chipmakers Getting Serious About Integrated Photonics
Semiconductor Engineering
Integrating photonics into semiconductors is gaining traction, particularly in heterogeneous multi-die packages, as chipmakers search for new ways to overcome power limitations and deal with increasing volumes of data.
Computer chip shortages are driving demand for refurbished devices in Africa
Intelligent CIO
According to Kwirirai Rukowo, General Manager, Qrent, the chip shortage has affected the production of new laptops, desktops and tablets. “Currently, companies have been waiting for very long lead times for new stock to arrive and original equipment manufacturers (OEM’s) locally and globally cannot meet the demand. Qrent – part of the InnoVent group of companies, is bridging this gap through its stock of refurbished devices thereby enabling Business Continuity,” said Rukowo.
China is buying up chip firms in a push for semiconductor supremacy, says UK lawmaker
CNBC
A U.K. lawmaker believes China is using questionable methods to ensure it becomes a world leader in semiconductor technology. Iain Duncan Smith, a member of parliament and the former leader of the Conservative Party, told the U.K. Parliament on Thursday that China has identified semiconductor technology as a key area it wants to dominate globally.
China’s semiconductor output hits record high as Beijing boosts local production amid intensifying US-China tech war
South China Morning Post
China’s output of integrated circuits (IC) reached an all-time, single-month high in June as the country spares no effort to produce chips amid a severe global shortage of semiconductors, according to data released by the central government on Thursday.
China’s chip imports soar in June as manufacturers build up supply amid global shortage
South China Morning Post
China’s semiconductor imports continued to grow at a fast clip in June, meeting the country’s huge demand for integrated circuits (ICs) used in the production of smartphones, cars, computers and home appliances amid a lingering global chip shortage.
Chinese tech giants look to make business changes in a bid to preempt regulators
CNBC
Chinese technology giants are looking to make changes to their business models and working practices in order to preempt moves by regulators as authorities crackdown on the once free-wheeling sector.
Biden Team Weighs Digital Trade Deal to Counter China in Asia
Bloomberg
White House officials are discussing proposals for a digital trade agreement covering Indo-Pacific economies as the administration seeks ways to check China’s influence in the region, according to people familiar with the plans.
U.S., UK trade chiefs meet, agree to strengthen bilateral ties
Reuters
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and her British counterpart Liz Truss agreed to continue working to strengthen bilateral ties in a meeting in Washington on Tuesday, Tai’s office said in a statement. Tai and Truss agreed that their recent truce in a long-running trade dispute over aid for planemakers Airbus (AIR.PA) and Boeing (BA.N) creates a platform for “future collaboration on shared challenges, including those posed by the anti-competitive practices of China and other non-market economies.”
U.K. Trade Secretary Downplays Outlook for U.S. Trade Deal Soon
Bloomberg
The U.K.’s top trade negotiator said that the nation is focused on getting the “right deal” with the U.S. rather than clinching a quick one, downplaying hopes for an agreement anytime soon.
Semiconductor Crystals Tweaked to Realize Superior Properties for Electronics
AZO Nano
Scientists from Skoltech, together with their collaborators in the United States and Singapore, have developed a neural network that enables the tweaking of semiconductor crystals in a controlled way to achieve excellent properties for electronics.
Researchers develop flexible artificial skin with integrated transistors
ElectroPages
While many examples of flexible electronic circuits can be stretched and manipulated, none of these has proven to be practical. For example, flexible electronic circuits such as RFID tags commonly found on product packaging are actually flexible antenna traces connected to a ridged semiconductor.
Americans Embrace the Importance of Semiconductors to National Security
Blog Post
As Congress considers legislation that would fund domestic semiconductor manufacturing, design, and research initiatives, a new poll finds a strong majority of Americans understand the critical role semiconductors play in advancing U.S. national security. Two-thirds of Americans (66%) say having a strong semiconductor manufacturing base is either “very important” (45%) or “somewhat important” (21%) to national security, according the latest IBD/TIPP poll of U.S. adults.
Global Semiconductor Sales in May Up 26.2% Year-to-Year, 4.1% Month-to-Month
Press Release
“Global demand for semiconductors remained high in May, as sales increased both year-to-year and month-to-month across all major regional markets,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “The industry shipped more units on a three-month moving basis in May than during any previous month in the market’s history, indicating semiconductor production has ramped up significantly to address rising demand.”
Congress must help U.S. industry compete with China — even if it means a break with precedent
The Washington Post
The emerging bipartisan consensus for a more competitive posture toward China has taken legislative form: the Innovation and Competition Act of 2021, which passed the Senate by an impressive 68-to-32 margin on June 8.
Americans View Semiconductor Manufacturing As Vital To National Security
Investors Business Daily
As the U.S. government debates spending billions of taxpayer dollars to support domestic semiconductor chip production and research, public support appears strong for such efforts. That news is positive for semiconductor stocks. The latest IBD/TIPP poll found that 66% of U.S. adults think semiconductor manufacturing is important for national security.
Three months, 700 steps: Why it takes so long to produce a computer chip
The Washington Post
Many of the biggest facilities are in Taiwan, which now produces 20 percent of the world’s semiconductors and over 90 percent of the highest-tech chips, according to a report commissioned by the Semiconductor Industry Association, which calls itself the “voice of semiconductor industry.”
May chip sales up 26%
Electronics Weekly
“Global demand for semiconductors remained high in May, as sales increased both year-to-year and month-to-month across all major regional markets,” says SIA CEO John Neuffer, “the industry shipped more units on a three-month moving basis in May than during any previous month in the market’s history, indicating semiconductor production has ramped up significantly to address rising demand.”
China semiconductors: China Mobile and Apple supplier Luxshare jump on chip investment frenzy
South China Morning Post
China’s semiconductor investment frenzy has received a fresh boost after the country’s largest mobile carrier and a key supplier to Apple jumped on the bandwagon by setting up their own chip units, according to corporate registry information.
Chip shortage pushes China auto sales down 12.4% in June
Retuers
Auto sales in China fell 12.4% in June from the corresponding month a year earlier, industry data showed on Friday, as a global shortage of semiconductors hit autos production in the world’s biggest car market.
China Escalates Its Fight Against Big Tech
NYT
Tensions are growing between China and tech companies inside — and outside — its borders. China is cracking down on domestic tech giants with U.S. ties. On Sunday, Beijing officials ordered Didi, the ride-hailing app, to be removed from the country’s app stores over concerns about the handling of customer data, days after the company completed a blockbuster U.S. I.P.O.
Investors’ views on battered China tech sector after Didi probe
Reuters
Chinese tech firms tumbled on Thursday, the worst day for Hong Kong’s tech index in four months, as investors grew nervous about the widening ambit of a crackdown on the sector.
U.S. Worker-Aid Plan Is Casualty as Trade Deal Fast-Track Ends
Bloomberg
President Joe Biden’s pledge to refrain from pursuing new trade deals is leaving a key training and assistance program for workers — who the administration says are at the center of its agenda — without a clear path for renewal.
Kenya, America trade deal faces fresh hurdle in Congress
Business Daily
Negotiations for a free trade deal between Kenya and the United States face fresh hurdles after the expiry of a key legislative tool for getting faster Congress approval, dimming the prospects for its conclusion.
Brexit: Downing Street rejects EU’s estimate of divorce bill
BBC
Downing St has rejected the EU’s estimate of the UK’s post-Brexit divorce bill after new figures put the total debt at £40.8bn. The sum was published in the EU’s accounts for 2020, which also state that the UK should pay the EU £5.8bn this year.
Ultrathin semiconductors electrically connected to superconductors
Science Daily
Researchers have equipped an ultrathin semiconductor with superconducting contacts. These extremely thin materials with novel electronic and optical properties could pave the way for previously unimagined applications. Combined with superconductors, they are expected to give rise to new quantum phenomena and find use in quantum technology.
5G Chips Add Test Challenges
Semiconductor Engineering
The advent of chips supporting millimeter-wave (mmWave) 5G signals is creating a new set of design and testing challenges. Effects that could be ignored at lower frequencies are now important. Performing high-volume test of RF chips will require much more from automated test equipment (ATE) than is required for chips operating below 6 GHz.
Lower Power Chips: What To Watch Out For
Semiconductor Engineering
Low-power design in advanced nodes and advanced packaging is becoming a multi-faceted, multi-disciplinary challenge, where a long list of issues need to be solved both individually and in the context of other issues.
SIA Calls for House Passage of Legislation to Advance U.S. Technology Leadership
Press Release
“This bipartisan legislation will help ensure the U.S. remains the global research and innovation leader, which will strengthen America’s economy, national security, and global competitiveness. The research initiatives authorized by this legislation will generate advances in a range of scientific fields and build the pipeline of talent needed to enhance U.S. technology competitiveness. The U.S. semiconductor industry relies on these advances as the foundation for creating the technologies of the future.”
SIA Applauds Bipartisan Agreement on Infrastructure Plan
Press Release
“The bipartisan infrastructure deal announced yesterday would modernize U.S. infrastructure and strengthen the U.S. economy, while also driving domestic demand for semiconductors through investments in key industries enabled by semiconductor technology, such as power generation and transmission, broadband, and electric vehicle infrastructure. We look forward to working with Congress and the administration to advance bipartisan infrastructure legislation.”
House Passes Its Version of U.S.-China Competitiveness Bills
Bloomberg
“As the legislation advances, we urge Congress to include $52 billion to fund the critical semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing initiatives” included in previous congressional legislation that was never funded, the Semiconductor Industry Association said in a statement.
House lawmakers consider bipartisan bills to advance tech R&D
FedScoop
According to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), the bills, if passed, would strengthen America’s economy and national security. Commenting on the bills, SIA CEO John Neuffer said: “The U.S. semiconductor industry relies on these advances as the foundation for creating the technologies of the future.” “The research initiatives authorized by this legislation will generate advances in a range of scientific fields and build the pipeline of talent needed to enhance U.S. technology competitiveness,” he added. The lobbying chief also advocated for the inclusion of $52 billion in public funding for semiconductor research, design and manufacturing in the new legislation.
House Passes Bills to Support American Innovation, STEM Education
Tom’s Hardware
Lobbying groups like the Semiconductors in America Coalition (SIAC) lauded S.1260’s passing on June 8, which makes sense given its obvious financial motivations, and the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) called on the House to pass the bill as well. But the House has instead opted for distinct bills like H.R. 2225 and H.R. 3593.
America’s Lack Of Chips Is More Than A Blip
Forbes
The share of global semiconductor manufacturing on U.S. soil has eroded sharply over the last 20 years, from 37% to 12% — and the Semiconductor Industry Association expects it will fall to 10% by 2030. The costs of manufacturing chips in the U.S. are rising too high to be globally competitive: The 10-year cost of a new fab, the factory where semiconductors are produced, on U.S. soil is 30% higher than building the same fab in Taiwan or South Korea, and up to 50% higher than in China.
Thailand offers perks to draw semiconductor, digital investments
Reuters
Thailand has offered incentives to attract investment in the growing semiconductor, digital and packaging industries to meet rising global demand amid coronavirus outbreaks, the country’s investment agency said on Wednesday.
China winning race to manufacture semiconductor chips, Sen. Cornyn says
KXAN
America needs to think differently when it comes to boosting manufacturing of semiconductor chips, according to the senior Senator from Texas. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said in a roundtable discussion with tech leaders Monday that China dominated the semiconductor supply during the pandemic and America’s supply fell behind, causing supply chain problems. “What China is doing is they want to become the dominant economy, and the dominant superpower in the world, and that’s a vulnerability for the United States, both economically and from a national security standpoint,” Cornyn said.
China’s business ‘ecosystems’ are helping it win the global A.I. race
FORTUNE
China’s “Sputnik Moment” is what Kai-Fu Lee, author of the famous book AI Superpowers, likes to call it. Five years ago, when AlphaGo—an artificial intelligence–based program developed by DeepMind, a startup that Google acquired in 2014—defeated two of the world’s best human exponents of the board game Go, it came as an eye-opener to China and its A.I. community.
China semiconductor sector braces for Malaysia lockdown
DigiTimes
The nationwide lockdown in Malaysia was due to expire on the June but has now been extended indefinitely as the number of COVID cases continue climbing. The lockdown has rasied concerns about further constrants to global chip, as Malaysia is home to many semiconductor packaging and testing facilities.
Didi, the Chinese Ride-Hailing Giant, Makes Its Debut on Wall Street
NYT
Didi, the leading Chinese ride-hailing platform, made its Wall Street debut on Wednesday, capping a year in which ride-hailing and travel companies have struggled to overcome intermittent pandemic lockdowns.
U.S. Proposal for 15% Global Minimum Tax Wins Support From 130 Countries
NYT
An effort to push the most sweeping changes to the global tax system in a century gained significant momentum on Thursday when 130 nations agreed to a blueprint in which multinational corporations would pay an appropriate share of tax wherever they operate.
UK aims to gain TPP entry in 2022: trade secretary
Nikkei Asia
The U.K. wants to secure a place in the 11-member Trans-Pacific trade bloc, known as CPTTP, by the end of 2022, British International Trade Secretary Liz Truss told Nikkei, as the nation seeks economic opportunities after its exit from the European Union.
UK, Singapore launch talks on digital trade agreement
Reuters
Britain and Singapore will on Monday start negotiations on a new digital trade agreement that could remove barriers, part of London’s push to become what it calls a “global tech powerhouse” post-Brexit.
Hacks Are Prompting Calls For A Cyber Agreement, But Reaching One Would Be Tough
NPR
The recent ransomware attacks on the U.S. gas and meat industries have sparked renewed conversations about the possibility of an international cyber agreement that would set the ground rules for what is and isn’t permissible, and spell out sanctions for violators.
Challenges In Developing A New Inferencing Chip
Semiconductor Engineering
Cheng Wang, co-founder and senior vice president of software and engineering at Flex Logix, sat down with Semiconductor Engineering to explain the process of bringing an inferencing accelerator chip to market, from bring-up, programming and partitioning to tradeoffs involving speed and customization.
Data Centers On Wheels
Semiconductor Engineering
Automotive architectures are evolving quickly from domain-based to zonal, leveraging the same kind of high-performance computing now found in data centers to make split-second decisions on the road.
IoT Security: Confusing And Fragmented
Semiconductor Engineering
Security regulations for Internet-of-Things (IoT) devices are evolving around the world, but there is no consistent set of requirements that can be applied globally — and there may never be.
Semiconductor shortage and the U.S. auto industry
Reuters
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) believes its industry is “currently doing all it possibly can in the short-term to increase utilization and meet increased demand both in the auto sector and more broadly for all customers.”
SIA lauds Senate FABS Act introduction
Just Auto
“Semiconductors form the foundation of the technologies that drive America’s economy, national security and critical infrastructure,” said president and CEO of Qorvo and 2021 SIA Board chairman, Bob Bruggeworth. “Senate approval last week of funding for domestic chip production and innovation in USICA marked a significant step forward and the FABS Act would build on that momentum and help ensure the US can meet the strong global semiconductor demand and maintain leadership in critical technologies.
UK car output halved as chips shortage bites
Reuters
British automotive production more than halved in May compared with the same month in 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic, as a global shortage of semi-conductors and other components continued to weigh on car plants.
U.S. Blocks Chinese Deal for Magnachip
EE Times
The Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) issued an interim order on June 15 blocking the Chinese private equity fund Wise Road Capital from acquiring Magnachip Semiconductor Corp. of Seoul, South Korea. The regulatory step puts the deal on hold, but observers said it’s unlikely U.S. and Korean regulators would allow it to proceed in its present form, citing national security concerns.
China’s ban forces some bitcoin miners to flee overseas, others sell out
Reuters
China’s sweeping ban on cryptocurrency mining has paralysed an industry that accounts for over half of global bitcoin production, as miners dump machines in despair or seek refuge in places such as Texas or Kazakhstan.
U.S. Commerce Department rescinds TikTok, WeChat prohibited transactions list
Reuters
The U.S Commerce Department said Monday it was rescinding a list of prohibited transactions with TikTok and WeChat that were issued in September as the Trump administration sought to block new U.S. downloads of both Chinese-owned apps.
U.K. Begins Negotiations to Join Trans-Pacific Trading Bloc
Bloomberg
Joining the CPTPP, whose members include Canada, Japan, Mexico and Australia, is a “glittering post-Brexit” prize, International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said in a statement. Membership would boost the size of the U.K. economy by 1.8 billion pounds ($2.5 billion) over 15 years compared with its 2019 level, according to a scoping assessment by the Department for International Trade. That would mean an increase of 0.08%.
China backs Hong Kong to join RCEP trade deal in potential boost to city’s flagging logistics sector
South China Morning PostChina’s central government has expressed strong support for Hong Kong joining the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), after its financial secretary said the city intended to become a member of the 15-nation trade bloc in what could be a boost to its flagging logistics sector.
U.S. trade nominee urges ‘robust monitoring’ of aircraft subsidy truce with EU
Reuters
The United States must carry out “robust monitoring” of its five-year truce with the European Union in a 17-year battle over aircraft subsidies, Jayme White, President Joe Biden’s nominee to serve as deputy U.S. Trade Representative, said on Thursday.
Britain’s Pacific trade ambitions won’t compensate for Brexit
CNN
They point to the challenges of doing business with countries that are many thousands of miles away. The United Kingdom also already has bilateral trade deals in place with seven of the 11 CPTPP members — a number that would rise to eight if an agreement in principle with Australia, announced last week, is included. That raises questions as to how much additional benefit membership will deliver.
Thinner Channels With 2D Semiconductors
Semiconductor Engineering
Moving to future nodes will require more than just smaller features. At 3/2nm and beyond, new materials are likely to be added, but which ones and exactly when will depend upon an explosion of material science research underway at universities and companies around the globe.
How AI can transform layering technique for semiconductors
TechXplore
To make computer chips, technologists around the world rely on atomic layer deposition (ALD), which can create films as fine as one atom thick. Businesses commonly use ALD to make semiconductor devices, but it also has applications in solar cells, lithium batteries and other energy-related fields.
Bumps Vs. Hybrid Bonding For Advanced Packaging
Semiconductor Engineering
Advanced packaging continues to gain steam, but now customers must decide whether to design their next high-end packages using existing interconnect schemes or move to a next-generation, higher-density technology called copper hybrid bonding.
SIA Applauds Senate Introduction of FABS Act
Press Release
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today applauded the introduction in Congress of the Facilitating American-Built Semiconductors (FABS) Act, bipartisan legislation that would establish an investment tax credit to incentivize greater semiconductor manufacturing in the United States. The bill was introduced today by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), the Chair and Ranking Member, respectively, of the Senate Finance Committee. Cosponsors include Sens. John Cornyn (R-Texas), Mark Warner (D-Va.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), and Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.). SIA represents 98 percent of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue.
U.S. senators propose 25% tax credit for semiconductor manufacturing
Reuters
The Semiconductor Industry Association praised the proposal, saying it said would “strengthen domestic chip production and research, which are critical to U.S. job creation, national defense, infrastructure, and semiconductor supply chains.”
Government chip aid is ‘not a handout,’ Commerce official contends
Fierce Electronics
SIA and other backers of USICA funds believe the grants are necessary to compete with grants provided by governments in other countries for their own domestic semiconductor production and research. “It’s not a question of when we’re building but where—here or overseas,” Neuffer said. He said over the net decade, there will need to be a 56% increase in demand for chips. “Kind of a super cycle is coming at us; we may even be in one.”
U.S. Takes First Steps Toward Resilient Supply Chains
EE Times
Industry officials note that leading-edge fabs for advanced logic chips cost upwards of $30 billion. “That’s a couple of aircraft carriers,” Neuffer stressed. “We’ve got to do something, otherwise we kind of tip into the abyss in terms of our manufacturing.”
Global Chip Sales Up by Nearly 2% MoM in April
EE Times Asia
“Global demand for semiconductors remained high in April, as reflected by rising sales across a range of chip products and throughout each of the world’s major regional markets,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “The global chip market is projected to grow substantially in 2021 and 2022 as semiconductors become increasingly integral to the game-changing technologies of today and the future.”
House Republicans zero in on Big Tech’s relationships with China
CNBC
House Republicans are zeroing in on the relationship between Big Tech companies and China, expanding their initial platform focused on tech accountability.
China Steps Up Antitrust Pressure on Internet Firms
WSJ
Chinese regulators have intensified scrutiny of dozens of domestic internet companies for possible antitrust violations, people familiar with the matter said.
Restrictions are needed but full US-China tech decoupling isn’t wise, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says
South China Morning Post
The United States needs to curb China’s harmful acquisitions and restrict American investment in some Chinese firms to protect its national security, but a complete severing of technological ties would be worrisome, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen told lawmakers on Wednesday.
EU-China investment deal is still possible — but not before 2023, analyst says
CNBC
An investment pact between the European Union and China is still possible, but both sides may wait until 2023 at the earliest to ratify the deal, said an analyst from risk consultancy Eurasia Group.
U.S., EU Forge Closer Ties on Emerging Technologies to Counter Russia and China
WSJ
Microchips are likely to be an early focus of U.S.-EU cooperation, Ms. Vestager said, potentially via the TTC. The EU recently announced the objective of increasing its share of global chip-making from 10% to 20% and pledged more than $150 billion to the effort, which could come from coronavirus relief funding.
The U.S. and Britain end their aircraft subsidy dispute, mirroring an E.U. deal.
NYT
The United States and Britain have agreed to end a long-running trade spat over aircraft subsidies, and not impose certain retaliatory tariffs for five years, the nations announced on Thursday.
UK appeals to Congress in push for trade deal
The Hill
British diplomats are pitching U.S. lawmakers on trade as the Biden administration slow-walks discussions around a bilateral trade agreement.
UK agrees post-Brexit trade deal with Australia
CNBC
The U.K. has agreed a free trade deal with Australia, saying it marked a “new dawn” in their relations. The free trade agreement means it will cost less for British businesses to sell products like cars, confectionery and Scotch whisky into Australia, the U.K. government said Tuesday.
Strained Semiconductor Layers Shift the Paradigm
EE Times
For 40 years since the invention of the transistor, there was one inviolable rule about multiple epitaxial layers of different materials: heterostructures. Figuring out how to get beyond heterostructures has yielded improvements in semiconductor performance, however.
Tuning the energy gap: A novel approach for organic semiconductors
Science Daily
What is already established for inorganic semiconductors stays a challenge for their organic counterparts: Tuning the energy gap by blending different semiconducting molecules to optimize device performance. Now, scientists demonstrated how to reach this goal.
Resourceful solid-state nanopores: From blue energy production to big data processing
Open Access Government
Porous materials were well-known for their applications in liquid filtering and water desalination when J. Kasianowicz and his collaborators proposed to use ion-channels in the lipid bi-layer membranes of human cells as a cheap tool for reliable DNA sequencing.
Geopolitical And Economic Outlook For Chips And Equipment
Semiconductor Engineering
Experts at the Table: Semiconductor Engineer sat down to discuss geopolitical and economic changes and how they affect the chip industry with Jean-Christophe Eloy, CEO of Yole Developpement; Risto Puhakka, president of VLSI Research; Carolyn Evans, chief economist at Intel; Duncan Meldrum, chief economist at Hilltop Economics; and Rozalia Beica, chief strategy officer in AT&S’ Semiconductor Division.
Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 1.9% Month-to-Month in April; Annual Sales Projected to Increase 19.7% in 2021, 8.8% in 2022
Press Release
“Global demand for semiconductors remained high in April, as reflected by rising sales across a range of chip products and throughout each of the world’s major regional markets,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “The global chip market is projected to grow substantially in 2021 and 2022 as semiconductors become increasingly integral to the game-changing technologies of today and the future.”
Senate Passage of USICA Marks Major Step Toward Enacting Needed Semiconductor Investments
Press Release
Senate passage of USICA is a pivotal step toward strengthening U.S. semiconductor production and innovation and an indication of the strong, bipartisan support in Washington for ensuring sustained American leadership in science and technology,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO.
SIA Welcomes White House Report on Strengthening America’s Semiconductor Supply Chains
Press Release
“We appreciate the Biden administration’s focus on ensuring the strength and resilience of America’s semiconductor supply chains and applaud the White House report’s call for federal investments in domestic semiconductor production and innovation. We look forward to working with leaders in the Administration and Congress to swiftly enact needed federal investments in chip technology to help ensure more of the chips our country needs are researched, designed, and manufactured on U.S. shores.”
Senate passes $250 billion bipartisan tech and manufacturing bill aimed at countering China
CNBC
“Senate passage of USICA is a pivotal step toward strengthening U.S. semiconductor production and innovation and an indication of the strong, bipartisan support in Washington for ensuring sustained American leadership in science and technology,” said John Neuffer, CEO of the SIA. “Enactment of these investments would help strengthen America’s economy, national security, technology leadership, and global competitiveness for years to come.”
Senate Passes Sweeping Bill to Help U.S. Compete With China
Bloomberg
“Semiconductors form the nerve center of America’s economy, national security, and critical infrastructure,” said John Neuffer, the president and CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association. “We look forward to working with leaders in the administration and Congress to swiftly enact needed federal investments in chip technology to help ensure more of the chips our country needs are researched, designed and manufactured on U.S. shores.”
U.S. Senate passes sweeping $250B bill to address China threat
Fierce Electronics
Semiconductor Industry Association President John Neuffer called the passage of USICA “a pivotal step toward strengthening U.S. semiconductor production and innovation and an indication of the strong, bipartisan support in Washington for ensuring sustained American leadership in science and technology…Enactment of these investments would help strengthen America’s economy, national security, technology leadership, and global competitiveness for years to come.”
Five key parts of the Senate’s sweeping China competitiveness bill
The Hill
SIA President and CEO John Neuffer said in a statement to The Hill that “we simply need to be doing more chip research, design, and manufacturing on U.S. shores.” “Other countries’ governments have made huge investments to attract chip manufacturing and research,” Neuffer said. “The semiconductor funding … would help level the global playing field and ensure more of the chips our country needs are made in America, which would benefit U.S. workers, businesses, and consumers alike.”
White House report puts heavy focus on domestic chip production, R&D
Fierce Electronics
“Semiconductors form the nerve center of America’s economy, national security and critical infrastructure,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO, in a statement. He said he looks forward to working with leaders in Congress and the administration.
‘Take the Lead’ on Chip Shortage: White House to Industry
Consumer Electronics Daily
The Semiconductor Industry Association — quoted extensively in the report — wants the administration and Congress “to swiftly enact needed federal investments in chip technology to help ensure more of the chips our country needs are researched, designed, and manufactured on U.S. shores,” said CEO John Neuffer.
Chip sales up 21.7% y-o-y
Electronics Weekly
“Global demand for semiconductors remained high in April, as reflected by rising sales across a range of chip products and throughout each of the world’s major regional markets,” says SIA CEO John Neuffer.
Global semiconductor sales forecast to hit US$527.2b in 2021, says SIA
The Edge Markets
SIA president and CEO John Neuffer said global demand for semiconductors remained high in April, as reflected by rising sales across a range of chip products and throughout each of the world’s major regional markets. “The global chip market is projected to grow substantially in 2021 and 2022 as semiconductors become increasingly integral to the game-changing technologies of today and the future,” he said.
Global semiconductor sales increase in April
DigiTimes
“Global demand for semiconductors remained high in April, as reflected by rising sales across a range of chip products and throughout each of the world’s major regional markets,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “The global chip market is projected to grow substantially in 2021 and 2022 as semiconductors become increasingly integral to the game-changing technologies of today and the future.”
New Chinese semiconductor firms have tripled in 2021 as Beijing and Washington jockey over technological supremacy
South China Morning Post
The number of newly registered chip-related companies in China more than tripled in the first five months of the year from the same period in 2020 in a fresh sign that China is sparing no effort in its pursuit of self-sufficiency in semiconductors, for which the country relies heavily on imports and US technologies to satisfy domestic demand.
China must pursue chip assembly, packaging breakthroughs to catch up with semiconductor leaders, experts say
South China Morning Post
China must pursue breakthroughs in chip assembly and packaging technologies to catch up with global industry leaders, according to experts who spoke on Wednesday at the World Semiconductor Conference held in the eastern city of Nanjing.
China’s Huawei aims to reach driverless car technology in 2025
Reuters
China’s Huawei Technologies (HWT.UL) aims to develop driverless passenger car technology by 2025, an executive said on Thursday, as the world’s largest telecommunications equipment maker diversifies its business in the face of U.S. sanctions.
China’s Tech Clampdown Is Spreading Like Wildfire
WSJ
The latest salvos in China’s campaign against its tech companies make one thing clear: Jack Ma’s businesses aren’t the only ones under the regulatory microscope. What started out as a government crackdown on anticompetitive practices among Chinese internet giants has grown into a broader effort to clean up how the country’s fast-growing—and, until recently, freewheeling—tech sector operates.
U.S. trade czar Tai says upbeat on prospects for ‘intense’ trade talks with EU
Reuters
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said on Thursday she will accompany President Joe Biden to Brussels next week for “intense negotiations” to try to resolve trade disputes over aircraft subsidies and steel and aluminum.
Biden wants the G-7 to unite against China. Beijing’s trade wars are helping.
Politico
China will dominate discussion during President Joe Biden’s first foreign trip, as the G-7 summit kicks off Friday. And that’s exactly what he wants. The Communist-led country isn’t a member of the club of rich democracies established in 1975. But the leaders assembled in Cornwall, England, will spend much of their time discussing how to confront its growing influence.
Ireland: UK-EU food safety deal wouldn’t stop UK-US trade pact
Politico
Behind-the-scenes reassurances by U.S. President Joe Biden to Britain should spur a U.K.-EU pact on food standards that simplifies the contentious Northern Ireland trade protocol, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin said Friday.
Where Europe and the US don’t see eye to eye
Politico
With eight days of glad-handing, photo ops and fanfare, Joe Biden and his team are hoping his trip to Europe will reboot transatlantic relations. That won’t be easy.
Tuning the energy gap: A novel approach for organic semiconductors
Science Daily
Organic semiconductors have earned a reputation as energy efficient materials in organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs) that are employed in large area displays. In these and in other applications, such as solar cells, a key parameter is the energy gap between electronic states.
Customizing Chips For Power And Performance
Semiconductor Engineering
Sandro Cerato, senior vice president and CTO of the Power & Sensor Systems Business Unit at Infineon Technologies, sat down with Semiconductor Engineering to talk about fundamental shifts in chip design with the rollout of the edge, AI, and more customized solutions. What follows are excerpts of that conversation.
How GaN is changing the future of semiconductors
TechRadar
The industry has been reliant on silicon for decades, but the chip shortage is helping to make electronic devices more environmentally friendly, more efficient and smaller. More companies are turning to gallium nitride (GaN), because it is easier and faster to produce than silicon chips, among other benefits.
Bipartisan Legislation to Eliminate Per-Country Immigration Caps Would Help Strengthen U.S. Semiconductor Workforce
Blog Post
Bipartisan legislation introduced this week in the House would eliminate the counterproductive per-country cap on employment-based visas in favor of a fair, “first come, first served” system, providing U.S. semiconductor companies with greater access to top talent from around the world needed to compete and innovate.
Global Governments Ramp Up Pace of Chip Investments
Blog Post
The strategic significance of semiconductors and their ever-increasing importance for economic competitiveness and supply-chain resilience has become a focus for governments worldwide.
Biden is worried about Chinese control of ‘strategic technology.’ But which technologies are strategic?
The Washington Post
Earlier this year, the Biden administration made a splash when it announced an executive order requiring the U.S. government to review the nation’s supply chains for critical technologies by June 4. The goal: Ensure that the United States wouldn’t run short of items essential for national security, like semiconductor manufacturing equipment and high-capacity batteries.
Japan puts all chips on the table to lure semiconductor makers
Nikkei Asia
Japan will pull out every policy stop to court overseas semiconductor companies, including offering generous financial incentives, under a draft growth strategy released Wednesday, joining the global race to secure supplies of the crucial component. Taiwan accounts for more than 90% of the global output capacity for smartphone and other advanced chips using 10-nanometer or smaller technology, according to the U.S.-based Semiconductor Industry Association.
Big Changes Ahead For Connected Vehicles
Semiconductor Engineering
Carmakers are reworking their electronic architectures so they can tap into a growing number of external services and internal options, similar to the way a data center taps into various services over its internal network.
Biden expands Trump order by banning U.S. investment in Chinese companies linked to the military or surveillance technology
The Washington Post
The Biden administration is expanding a Trump-era order that banned U.S. investment in Chinese companies that support China’s military to include those selling surveillance technology, calling the entities a threat to U.S. interests and values.
U.S. agency not doing its job to halt tech to China’s military -congressional report
Reuters
The U.S. Commerce Department is failing to do its part to protect national security and keep sensitive technology out of the hands of China’s military, according to a U.S. congressional advisory report seen by Reuters.
China tech policy: Shenzhen’s new data law another signal of intent to rein in Big Tech
South China Morning Post
Shenzhen is moving forward with a new draft law aimed at protecting personal data, in another signal of China’s ambition to rein in Big Tech and build a robust data management regime that balances privacy protection with appropriate business use.
China races to rival the U.S. with its own GPS system — but one analyst says it won’t overtake the U.S. yet
CNBC
China is set to become a major player in the “highly lucrative” satellite navigation market, as it seeks to compete with the U.S. government-owned Global Positioning System (GPS), an analyst said Monday.
UK gets green light to start talks on joining pacific trade deal
Reuters
Member nations of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on Wednesday agreed to allow Britain to start the process of joining the pact, Japan’s economy minister said.
Optimism rises over G7 deal on global corporate tax regime
Financial Times
The UK is “cautiously optimistic” that the G7 group of advanced nations can agree the broad outlines of a global deal on taxing multinationals following intense discussions in recent days, according to people with knowledge of the talks.
India, U.K. Eye Interim Pact to Help Clinch Major Trade Deal
Bloomberg
India and the U.K. are intensifying talks to remove non-tariff barriers and foster greater market access as they work to stitch together the South Asian nation’s first major free trade pact in a decade.
UK strikes trade deal with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein
Reuters
Britain announced a trade deal with Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein on Friday, replacing the temporary arrangements that had been in place since it left the European Union.
New method developed to improve durability of nano-electronic components, further semiconductor manufacturing
Phys.Org
University of South Florida researchers recently developed a novel approach to mitigating electromigration in nanoscale electronic interconnects that are ubiquitous in state-of-the-art integrated circuits.
Semiconductors: Your car is a computer on wheels
Financial Express
Have you ever wondered how at the touch of a button the car window opens and closes, how if another vehicle comes closer your car’s sensors start beeping, how a slight push to the accelerator pedal can enhance the power delivery of the engine in a fraction of a second?
The Good And Bad Of Auto IC Updates
Semiconductor Engineering
Keeping automobiles updated enough to avoid problems is becoming increasingly difficult as more complex electronics are added into vehicles, and as the lifetimes of those devices are extended to a decade or more.
Meghan Biery Joins Semiconductor Industry Association as Director of Global Technology and Security Policy
Press Release
“A seasoned policy practitioner with high-level experience in technology security, export control, and related issues, Meghan Biery will be a strong and capable advocate for our industry’s interests in Washington and around the world. We’re excited to welcome her to the SIA team and look forward to her help advancing government initiatives that promote continued growth and innovation in our industry.”
POLITICO Playbook: Transitions
Politico
Meghan Biery is now director of global technology and security policy at the Semiconductor Industry Association. She most recently was senior national security policy adviser at the Bureau of Industry and Security in the Department of Commerce.
Protocol Source Code
Protocol
Meghan Biery is the new director of global technology and security policy at the SIA, where she’ll be involved in helping end the chip shortage and direct U.S. investment in semiconductors.
U.S. chip funding could result in seven to 10 new factories -officials
Reuters
U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said on Monday a proposed $52 billion boost in U.S. government funding for semiconductor production and research could result in seven to 10 new U.S. factories.
Commerce secretary on boosting U.S. semiconductor production: ‘We’re going to get it done’
CNBC
In an interview on CNBC’s “Mad Money,” Raimondo said the global chip shortage that’s rattled a range of industries demonstrates the need for America to boost domestic production capacity and once again become a leader. Asian countries, particularly Taiwan, have come to dominate the industry.
Democrats, GOP team up on bill targeting China as U.S. suffers microchip shortage
CNBC
“We’re really good at the design of semiconductors; we’re really good at the intellectual property part. But we don’t actually make that much here,” he said. “We don’t have a lot of new foundries where you can call in and order, and they can supply anyone.” Modern chip factories can cost tens of billions of dollars to construct and need to be furnished with machines able to imprint circuits just several atoms wide.
US and China trade officials hold ‘candid’ first talks of Biden era
BBC
The Office of the United States Trade Representative said that Ms Tai and Mr Liu “discussed the guiding principles of the Biden-Harris Administration’s worker-centered trade policy and her ongoing review of the U.S.-China trade relationship, while also raising issues of concern.”
A Temporary U.S.-China Trade Truce Starts to Look Durable
NYT
Just days before the coronavirus shut down the Chinese city of Wuhan and changed the world, the Trump administration and China signed what both sides said would be only a temporary truce in their 18-month trade war.
China’s crypto crackdown speeds shift to central Asia, North America mining
Reuters
A crackdown by Beijing is rapidly accelerating a shift in focus by makers of machines that ‘mine’ cryptocurrencies like bitcoin from China to North America and Central Asia as Chinese clients face an uncertain future.
China’s Next-Generation Tech Firms Hit Hard by Market’s Pullback
WSJ
Like technology stocks everywhere, those of newer Chinese companies have suffered as investors have regained their appetite for more modestly valued old-economy businesses. Those stocks are likely to do well as the U.S. and other countries rebound from the pandemic. The Chinese companies are also caught up in an official clampdown on China’s tech sector alongside Alibaba and other big players.
Huawei plans to launch new operating system for phones in June
Reuters
China’s Huawei Technologies (HWT.UL) said it will launch its new Harmony operating system for smartphones on June 2, its biggest move yet aimed at recovering from the damage done by U.S. sanctions to its mobile phone business.
The U.S. Shouldn’t Let China Take the Lead on Trade
Bloomberg Editorial Board
However loudly U.S. politicians vow to compete with China, they seem happy to quit the field and let Beijing win in one crucial area: trade. If President Joe Biden hopes to build a coalition in Asia to counterbalance China’s rise, he can’t afford such defeatism.
U.K. Starts Prep for India Trade Deal in Latest Post-Brexit Push
Bloomberg
The U.K. began formal preparation for a free-trade agreement with India, a post-Brexit target for Prime Minister Boris Johnson as he seeks to prove the benefit of leaving the European Union.
The Increasingly Uneven Race To 3nm/2nm
Semiconductor Engineering
Several chipmakers and fabless design houses are racing against each other to develop processes and chips at the next logic nodes in 3nm and 2nm, but putting these technologies into mass production is proving both expensive and difficult.
Study of promising photovoltaic material leads to discovery of a new state of matter
Science Daily
Researchers have gained new insight into the workings of perovskites, a semiconductor material that shows great promise for making high-efficiency, low-cost solar cells and a range of other optical and electronic devices.
Scaling Simulation
Semiconductor Engineering
Without functional simulation the semiconductor industry would not be where it is today, but some people in the industry contend it hasn’t received the attention and research it deserves, causing a stagnation in performance. Others disagree, noting that design sizes have increased by orders of magnitude while design times have shrunk, pointing to simulation remaining a suitable tool for the job.
Aspinity’s Awesome Analog Artificial Neural Networks (AANNs)
EE Journal
I was just looking at The Decadal Plan for Semiconductors. This is a 150-page report that was published in January 2021 by the Semiconductor Research Corporation, which is a leading non-profit industry-government-academia microelectronics research consortium funding academic research tasks selected and directed by industry and government members.
Robust Federal Incentives for Domestic Chip Manufacturing Would Create an Average of Nearly 200,000 American Jobs Annually as Fabs are Built, Add Nearly $25 Billion Annually to U.S. Economy
Press Release
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), in partnership with Oxford Economics, today released a study analyzing the semiconductor workforce in the United States and the economic benefits that would come from robust federal investment in domestic chip production. The report, titled “Chipping In: The Positive Impact of the Semiconductor Industry on the American Workforce and How Federal Industry Incentives Will Increase Domestic Jobs,” finds the semiconductor industry directly employs more than 277,000 workers in high-paying R&D, design, and manufacturing jobs across 49 states and supports 1.6 million additional American jobs.
SIA Applauds Strong Senate Vote to Proceed with Consideration of Endless Frontier Act
Press Release
“America’s economic strength, national security, and global competitiveness depend heavily on its ability to lead the world in semiconductors and the many technologies they enable. Today’s truly impressive bipartisan vote shows a driving commitment in Congress to boost U.S. competitiveness by moving the Endless Frontier Act one significant step closer to enactment.”
Semiconductor Industry Association and Alliance for Automotive Innovation Convene Joint Industry Workshop on Global Semiconductor Shortage
Press Release
“Leaders from the semiconductor and automotive industries have a shared commitment to resolving the global chip shortage as quickly and efficiently as possible. Today’s workshop was an important opportunity for both industries to exchange information about the shortage and identify areas for continued collaboration to end it.”
Chip funding of $50B would boost domestic jobs in construction, design, study says
Fierce Electronics
The semiconductor industry currently employs 277,000 people in 49 states in the U.S. and supports 1.6 million U.S. jobs, according to the study by the Semiconductor Industry Association and Oxford Economics. In 2020, the industry’s total impact on the U.S. economy surpassed $246 billion. “Leaders in Washington can spur greater U.S. economic growth and job creation, while also strengthening America’s ship supply chains, by investing boldly in domestic manufacturing incentives and research initiatives,” SIA Board Chair Bob Bruggeworth said in a statement. He is also CEO of Qorvo.
Chip industry predicts big boost from federal funding
Axios
Aiming to sway budget-conscious legislators on the value of federal funding, the chip industry’s U.S. trade group says that $50 billion in investment would boost the U.S. economy by $25 billion per year and create hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Senate Weighs Investing $120 Billion in Science to Counter China
NYT
“Doing so would turbocharge U.S. chip production and innovation and help keep America at its competitive best for years to come,” said John Neuffer, the president of the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Industries pressure Washington to act as chip crisis worsens
Politico
“There’s growing recognition among policymakers that — whether it’s the auto chip shortage, or competition with China, or the race for the technologies of the future — all roads lead to semiconductors, and I think it’s getting that level of prioritization among official Washington,” said David Isaacs, vice president of government affairs at the Semiconductor Industry Association.
U.S. senators near deal on $52 billion microchip funding measure
AsumeTech
“To strengthen America’s chip supply chains over the long term, we believe it is critical for President Biden and Congress to fund the domestic semiconductor manufacturing incentives and research initiatives in the CHIPS for America Act,” John Bozzella, CEO of the alliance, said in a joint statement with John Neuffer, CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Carmakers Don’t Deserve Special Chip Treatment
Bloomberg
When does a car deserve special treatment from the government? That’s the question at the heart of this week’s White House summit on the semiconductor shortage that’s impacted everything from smartphones to tractors, factory equipment and, yes, passenger vehicles.
Tencent profits soar even as China tech crackdown worries linger
CNN
Tencent is pulling in more money and plans on investing more in games and videos, even as Beijing expands its scrutiny of the tech sector. The Chinese gaming and social media giant said Thursday that revenue jumped 25% to 135.3 billion yuan (about $21 billion) for the quarter ended March compared to the same period last year.
China bans financial, payment institutions from cryptocurrency business
Reuters
China has banned financial institutions and payment companies from providing services related to cryptocurrency transactions, and warned investors against speculative crypto trading.
China lands on Mars in major advance for its space ambitions
Associated Press
China landed a spacecraft on Mars for the first time on Saturday, a technically challenging feat more difficult than a moon landing, in the latest step forward for its ambitious goals in space.
TikTok Parent’s Founder Is Latest China Tech Boss to Step Down Amid Government Crackdown
WSJ
The move by the founder of TikTok’s parent company to step down as chief executive makes him the latest in a series of Chinese internet entrepreneurs to leave the spotlight as authorities tighten the reins on the nation’s tech giants.
EU Suspends Plans to Raise Tariffs on U.S. Whiskey, Other Goods
WSJ
The European Union on Monday agreed to postpone plans to raise tariffs on American whiskeys, motorcycles, boats and other items set to take effect June 1 as it begins talks with the Biden administration aimed at lifting U.S. steel tariffs.
UK to offer Australia tariff-free trade deal despite farmers’ fears
Financial Times
The UK will on Friday offer Australia a tariff-free, quota-free trade deal after Prime Minister Boris Johnson insisted it should go ahead in spite of warnings it could seriously damage British farmers.
European Parliament to vote on freezing China deal
Politico
The European Parliament is expected to pass a motion on Thursday pushing to formally freeze the EU’s investment agreement with China, in the wake of what MEPs describe as Beijing’s “baseless and arbitrary” sanctions on EU lawmakers earlier this year.
Advanced Packaging’s Next Wave
Semiconductor Engineering
These advanced packages involve a range of technologies, such as 2.5D/3D, chiplets, fan-out and system-in-package (SiP). Each of these, in turn, offers an array of options for assembling and integrating complex dies in an advanced package, providing chip customers with many possible ways to differentiate their new IC designs.
Fast, affordable solution proposed for transparent displays and semiconductors
Phys.Org
The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) under the Ministry of Science and ICT developed a roll-based damage-free transfer technique that allows two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials to be transferred into wafer scale without damage. The proposed technique has a variety of applications from transparent displays and semiconductors to displays for self-driving cars, and is expected to accelerate the commercialization of 2D nanomaterial-based high-performance devices.
What’s Next In Fab Tool Technologies?
Semiconductor Engineering
Experts at the Table: Semiconductor Engineering sat down to discuss extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography and other next-generation fab technologies with Jerry Chen, head of global business development for manufacturing & industrials at Nvidia; David Fried, vice president of computational products at Lam Research; Mark Shirey, vice president of marketing and applications at KLA; and Aki Fujimura, CEO of D2S. What follows are excerpts of that conversation.
SIA Applauds Committee Approval of Endless Frontier Act
Statement
“The Endless Frontier Act would reinforce U.S. leadership in the critical technologies of the future, including semiconductors, and strengthen America’s economy, national security, and global competitiveness. We appreciate the leadership of Sens. Schumer and Young in advancing this bipartisan legislation and applaud the Senate Commerce Committee for approving it. As the bill moves to the Senate floor, we look forward to working with leaders in Congress to include needed funding for domestic semiconductor manufacturing and research to ensure the United States is home to a bigger share of global chip production and innovation for years to come.”
Semiconductor makers and users form a group to push for chip funding.
NYT
Semiconductor companies and big businesses that use chips have formed a coalition to push for tens of billions of dollars in federal funding for semiconductor research and manufacturing in the United States. The new group, the Semiconductors in America Coalition, announced its formation on Tuesday amid a global semiconductor shortage that has caused disruptions throughout the economy.
Tech Giants Urge Congress to Fund Chip Act, Focus on Long-Term
Bloomberg
The Semiconductors in America Coalition, which also includes Alphabet Inc.’s Google, Cisco Systems Inc., Amazon.com Inc.’s Amazon Web Services, Verizon Communications Inc. and AT&T Inc., is sending letters to Congressional leaders asking them to fund the CHIPS for America Act passed earlier this year, according to a statement from the Semiconductor Industry Association, which is a member. Public money would go to provide incentives for manufacturing and research in the U.S.
Tech giants join call for funding U.S. chip production
Reuters
“Robust funding of the CHIPS Act would help America build the additional capacity necessary to have more resilient supply chains to ensure critical technologies will be there when we need them,” the group said in a letter to Democratic and Republican leaders in both houses of the U.S. Congress.
Chip coalition calls on Congress to approve funding for domestic US manufacturing
Electronics 360
“Semiconductors are the brains of the systems and technologies that enable America’s economic growth, national security, digital infrastructure, and global technology leadership,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO of the SIA. “Leaders from a broad range of critical sectors of the U.S. economy, as well as a large and bipartisan group of policymakers in Washington, recognize the essential role of semiconductors in America’s current and future strength.”
New Semiconductor Coalition Pushes For R&D Funding:
Politico
The newly formed Semiconductors in America Coalition is pushing Congress to allocate $50 billion for the CHIPS for America Act, H.R. 7178 (116). The money would support U.S.-based research and manufacturing of cutting-edge semiconductors, which has largely shifted overseas.
Big Tech, semiconductors team up to lobby US government on chip production funding
Fox Business
The share of chips manufactured in the U.S. has fallen from 37% in 1990 to 12% today, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association, which says the decline is mostly due to subsidies offered by foreign governments to global competitors, putting American companies at a disadvantage.
Coalition pushes for funding for US chip manufacturing
Electronics Weekly
The coalition is lobbying the US government to fund the CHIPS for America Act which aims to provide $50 billion for chip manufacturing.
Nearly Every Big Tech Company Joined the New Semiconductors in America Coalition
Tom’s Hardware
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) and President Joe Biden have both lent their support to the act, which was approved by the House and the Senate as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2021 but has not yet been funded.
Exclusive: U.S. senators expected to announce $52 billion chips funding deal – sources
Reuters
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators is expected to unveil a $52 billion proposal on Friday that would significantly boost U.S. semiconductor chip production and research over five years, sources briefed on the matter said.
Senate Panel Advances Bill to Counter China in Bipartisan Vote
Bloomberg
The Senate Commerce Committee advanced legislation aimed at ramping up federal support for U.S. research and development in the aim of better competing with China. The package of legislation the committee sent to the full Senate on an 24-4 vote is framed around a $100 billion, five-year injection to American colleges, universities and other research institutions to bolster domestic research and development. It also has $10 billion for regional technology hubs.
Peters’ $2 billion chips amendment added to China bill
The Detroit News
Legislation by Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, to pump $2 billion into semiconductor manufacturing in the United States was added Wednesday to a bill targeting American competitiveness with China.
The Technology 202: The federal government is rolling out record amounts of broadband funding. It could be just the beginning.
The Washington Post
The federal government is starting to disburse more than $10 billion to bring more Americans affordable Internet. Tens of millions of Americans are eligible for a new “Emergency Broadband Benefit” that launched today to help people affected by the pandemic pay their Internet bills.
Chinese EV maker BYD to spin off chip unit amid global shortage
Nikkei Asia
BYD, one of China’s largest makers of electric cars and buses, is moving ahead with plans to list its semiconductor subsidiary even as rivals scramble to acquire chips to keep up production of their vehicles.
China Tech Giants Bet $19 Billion on Global Electric Car Frenzy
Bloomberg
China is shaping up to be the first real test of Big Tech’s ambitions in the world of carmaking, with giants from Huawei Technologies Co. to Baidu Inc. plowing almost $19 billion into electric and self-driving vehicle ventures widely seen as the future of transport.
EXCLUSIVE Tesla in talks with China’s EVE for low-cost battery supply deal -sources
Reuters
Tesla Inc (TSLA.O) is in talks with Chinese battery maker EVE Energy Co (300014.SZ) to add the firm to its Shanghai factory supply chain, four people familiar with the matter said, as it seeks to boost procurement of lower cost batteries.
Solution to disputes with EU over aircraft, metals ‘within reach’ – Tai
Reuters
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said on Thursday that she believes solutions to trade disputes with the European Union on aircraft subsidies and steel and aluminum “are within reach.”
USTR Katherine Tai under pressure on Asia-Pacific trade pact
South China Morning Post
US Trade Representative Katherine Tai came under pressure in a Senate hearing over whether America should seek entry to the Asia-Pacific trade pact that Washington withdrew from in 2017 and faced backlash for her backing of a proposal to waive coronavirus vaccine patent protections.
EU and India Eye Trade Reboot to Confront Threats from China
Bloomberg
The European Union and India are set to resume long-stalled talks on a free trade deal in an effort to strengthen their economic cooperation in the face of an increasingly assertive China.
Chiplets: A Solution For The Shortage Of Chips
Semiconductor Engineering
These days, there are new reports on the shortage of chips almost every day. Currently, this issue is affecting mainly car manufacturers such as Audi, Ford, and more. But other system manufacturers, such as in the machine construction industry, are also facing this challenge.
Harnessing the hum of fluorescent lights for more efficient computing
NanoWerk
The property that makes fluorescent lights buzz could power a new generation of more efficient computing devices that store data with magnetic fields, rather than electricity. A team led by University of Michigan researchers has developed a material that’s at least twice as “magnetostrictive” and far less costly than other materials in its class. In addition to computing, it could also lead to better magnetic sensors for medical and security devices.
Manufacturing Bits: May 10
Semiconductor Engineering
The University of Hong Kong and Northwestern University have developed an organic electrochemical synaptic transistor, a technology that could one day process and store information like the human brain. Researchers have demonstrated that the transistor can mimic the synapses in the human brain. It can build on memories to learn over time, according to researchers.
Mapping Heat Across A System
Semiconductor Engineering
Thermal issues are becoming more difficult to resolve as chip features get smaller and systems get faster and more complex. They now require the integration of technologies from both the design and manufacturing flows, making design for power and heat a much broader problem.
Q1 Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 3.6% Over Previous Quarter
Press Release
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today announced worldwide sales of semiconductors totaled $123.1 billion during the first quarter of 2021, an increase of 3.6% over the previous quarter and 17.8% more than the first quarter of 2020. Global sales for the month of March 2021 were $41.0 billion, an increase of 3.7% compared to the previous month.
Government Should Help U.S. Chip Industry
WSJ – John Neuffer Letter to Editor
In “Government Won’t Fix Chip Shortage” (op-ed, April 29), T.J. Rodgers is right that chip makers and their customers will resolve the current chip shortage without government intervention, but he’s wrong to dismiss the urgent need for government action to strengthen America’s semiconductor supply chains over the long term.
To the Editor: Re “Chip Shortage Creates Chaos for Carmakers” (front page, April 24):
NYT – John Neuffer Letter to Editor
The global chip shortage is one of many economic disruptions caused by the pandemic, and its impact has been felt by automakers and a range of other sectors. Chip demand from automakers fell abruptly after the onset of the pandemic, then rebounded rapidly. And chip makers have been ramping up production for cars to meet that renewed demand. As a result, starting in October 2020, global monthly sales of chips to the auto market were higher than they were the year before, and that trend has continued into 2021.
Despite Chip Shortage, Chip Innovation Is Booming
NYT
A global shortage of semiconductors has cast a cloud over the plans of carmakers and other companies. But there’s a silver lining for Silicon Valley executives like Aart de Geus.
Widespread Commodity Shortages Raise Inflation Fears
NYT
Manufacturing chips can take as long as 26 weeks from when a customer orders them, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association, which represents chip companies. And expanding U.S. chip manufacturing, as Mr. Biden wants to do, is more of a long-term aspiration, given the time and expense required to build new plants.
New Council Launches to Advance Canada’s Semiconductor Industry
Betakit
The creation of this new council comes amid a global shortage of semiconductor chips. According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, Global semiconductor sales increased 6.5 percent in 2020, indicating a high demand for chips.
Q1 semi sales up 17.8%
Electronics Weekly
“Global semiconductor sales remained strong during the first quarter of 2021, topping sales from the previous quarter and substantially outpacing the total from the first quarter of last year,” says SIA CEO John Neuffer, “year-to-year and month-to-month sales in March increased across all major regional markets, and demand grew across a range of product categories.”
EU aims to cut foreign reliance on chips, pharma materials -document
Reuters
The European Union aims to cut its dependency on Chinese and other foreign suppliers in six strategic areas including raw materials, pharmaceutical ingredients and semiconductors, under an industrial action plan to be announced next week.
‘We’re in a competition with China’: Sen. Cornyn holds semiconductor shortage roundtable in Dallas
The Dallas Morning News
“Just because something’s cheaper when it’s being made overseas doesn’t really answer all the questions we have, particularly when it becomes a matter of national security or survival of our economy. We’re in a competition with China,” Cornyn said at a press conference Thursday.
US-China tech war: software maker Kingdee sees opportunity in shift to domestic cloud services market
South China Morning Post
Kingdee International Software Group, China’s biggest enterprise software company, is expanding in cloud services at the expense of short-term profits to capitalise on what its president calls a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity, as the US-China tech war pushes local firms to rethink their reliance on American technology.
China’s tech hub Shenzhen to invest US$108 billion in R&D over 5 years
South China Morning Post
Shenzhen is set to invest more than 700 billion yuan (US$108 billion) in hi-tech research and development over the next five years as it seeks to reinforce its position as China’s innovation powerhouse.
Merkel wants Europe, United States to aim for new trade deal
Reuters
A trade agreement between the United States and the European Union would “make a lot of sense”, German Chancellor Angela Merkel said in a speech in which she welcomed the United States’ return to the multilateral fold under President Joe Biden.
US downplays prospect of post-Brexit trade deal with UK
Mirror
A transatlantic trade pact is a key goal of Boris Johnson’s post-Brexit plan to boost the economy. But efforts so far have stalled – and a bid for an agreement with Donald Trump’s White House flopped before he was ousted from office. Asked about a pact, Secretary of State Antony Blinken fuelled hopes a deal between America and Britain could be revived. He said: “I am, I was, hopefully very positive because there is no closer relationship.
UK and Japan agree to strengthen trade and security partnership
Reuters
Britain and Japan agreed to deepen their trade and security cooperation, the British foreign office said in a statement after a meeting between Dominic Raab and his Japanese counterpart Toshimitsu Motegi in London on Monday.
UK and India to start full trade deal talks in the autumn – UK
Reuters
Britain and India will start negotiations for a full free trade deal in the autumn, British trade minister Liz Truss said on Tuesday.
New Water-Based Approach to Manufacturing Semiconductors
The Financial
With the increasing demand for high-tech devices such as smart phones, wearable watches and portable health monitoring devices, the semiconductor manufacturing industry faces a big challenge of fabricating these devices in a sustainable and cost-effective way, according to University of Oxford.
Steep Spike For Chip Complexity And Unknowns
Semiconductor Engineering
Cramming more and different kinds of processors and memories onto a die or into a package is causing the number of unknowns and the complexity of those designs to skyrocket.
IC Security Threat Grows As More Devices Are Connected
Semiconductor Engineering
Designing for security is beginning to gain traction across a wider swath of chips and systems as more of them are connected to the Internet and to each other, sometimes in safety- and mission-critical markets where the impact of a cyber attack can be devastating.
Following President Biden’s Remarks to Congress, SIA Urges Prompt Action to Enact Bold Investments in Domestic Semiconductor Manufacturing and Research
SIA Statement
“During tonight’s address to Congress and throughout his first 100 days in office, President Biden has demonstrated a commitment to strengthening America’s leadership in semiconductors through robust investment in domestic chip manufacturing, design, and research. The President and a large, bipartisan group of leaders in Congress understand semiconductors are at the heart of our economic strength, national security, digital infrastructure, and global competitiveness, and we appreciate their support and leadership.“
‘This is Infrastructure’: Momentum and Urgency Build for Federal Investments in Chip Manufacturing and Research
Blog Post
On April 12 at the White House, with top CEOs from the semiconductor, automotive, and other sectors joining via teleconference to discuss the ongoing global chip shortage and securing our supply chains, President Biden held up a silicon wafer bristling with semiconductors and said, “This is infrastructure.”
SIA Echoes National Security Leaders’ Call for Federal Investments in Chip Technology
Press Release
“A key part of strengthening U.S. national security is ensuring America’s global leadership in semiconductors, which are essential to a range of critical defense applications. SIA joins defense and intelligence leaders in calling on President Biden and Congress to enact and fund legislation to bolster America’s global technology leadership and semiconductor supply chains through federal investments in domestic chip manufacturing and research. Funding the CHIPS for America Act and enacting the Endless Frontier Act will help ensure more of the semiconductors our country needs are produced on U.S. soil, while also promoting America’s leadership in the strategically important technologies of today and tomorrow.”
Biden delivers speech to joint session of Congress
Reuters
“During tonight’s address to Congress and throughout his first 100 days in office, President Biden has demonstrated a commitment to strengthening America’s semiconductor supply chains through robust investment in domestic chip manufacturing, design, and research. Now is the time for leaders in Washington to shoulder in by enacting legislation that funds these important provisions.”
Washington Wire: After Census Release, a Flood of Lawsuits
WSJ
Trumps Deputy National-Security Adviser Matthew Pottinger signs on to a Semiconductor Industry Association letter backing Biden’s call for more semiconductor and 5G telecommunications spending.
When the chips are down, can 007 save the semiconductor?
Financial Times
As a child in the 1980s, you had a rich choice of debilitating worries. Some lay awake dreading nuclear war, others acid rain. For nerds like me, though, it was the terror of microchip supply disruption.
Electronics companies may take a hit as oxygen crisis sucks nitrogen out
ET Telecom
The government’s efforts to mitigate the oxygen crisis that’s affecting Covid-19 patients may cause a shortage of nitrogen, a gas critical for the electronics manufacturing industry.
Schumer’s Endless Frontier elicits bipartisan pushback
National Journal
“Basic research is essential to our innovation ecosystem. So is applied research,” said David Isaacs, the vice president of government affairs at the Semiconductor Industry Association, one of the most enthusiastic industry backers of Endless Frontier. “The federal government needs to be doing more of both, full stop. I don’t view it as a one-or-the-other thing.”
U.S. auto dealers are winners as chip shortage lifts vehicle profits
Reuters
Mike Bowsher shakes his head in wonder when he hears yet another customer at one of his Buick-GMC dealerships near Atlanta has agreed to pay full sticker price of more than $71,000 for a top-of-the-line GMC Yukon XL Denali SUV that is still being assembled at a General Motors (GM.N) factory.
Senators introduce bill to increase US technology competitiveness against China
The Hill
Sens. Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) on Friday introduced a bill to improve U.S. competitiveness against China and other nations by strengthening the nation’s ability to set standards around emerging technologies.
China Warns Large Tech Firms as Industry Faces Rising Oversight
WSJ
China is reining in the ability of the country’s internet giants to use big data for lending, money-management and similar businesses, ending an era of rapid growth that authorities said posed dangers for the financial system.
China on way to self reliance in 28-nm chips; to attain maturity in 14-mm category as well
TeleComLead
In China, major players have stepped up efforts to combat the current shortage by engaging in new production plans and expanding the existing ones. With the support from the government, the semiconductor industry in China is expected to attain self-reliance in popular technologies very soon.
Profits and Politics in China’s Tech Crackdown
WSJ
Is Beijing punishing China’s internet-technology titans because they are too large and too powerful or because tech firms are abusing their market power? Following the dramatic fall from grace of billionaire Jack Ma and his fintech brainchild, Ant Group, that question has become an existential one for current and prospective Chinese internet entrepreneurs—and the economy as a whole.
‘US-China conflict may accelerate US membership in trans-Pacific trade pact’
The Korea Herald
The United States, which under former President Donald Trump ditched talks toward a trans-Pacific trade order, may now be moving to rejoin the club, mostly due to the continuing conflict with China, market observers said Wednesday.
Brexit Trade Deal Gets a Final OK From E.U. Parliament
NYT
The European Parliament has voted by a large margin to give the European Union’s final approval to a Brexit deal already beset by difficulties, complaints and a court challenge.
USTR Tai says any metals tariff deal with EU must address global excess capacity
Reuters
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai said she is working hard to resolve a dispute with the European Union over U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs and EU retaliation, but any solution will need to address the problem of global excess production capacity for the metals, largely in China.
Researchers Tweak Low-Cost Semiconductors for Increased Electroconductivity
AZO Materials
Electronic devices have been altered in numerous inventive ways to adapt to the requirements of humans, right from Cat’s-Whisker detectors developed in the early 1900s to electronic circuit chips in modern-day mobile phones.
Spray-on ink produces perovskite semiconductor instantaneously
Chemical & Engineering News
An ink sprayed onto a white canvas almost instantaneously creates a green, glowing face—an image of Marie Curie. But the reaction that created this picture has another purpose.
Security Concerns Rise For Connected Autos
Semiconductor Engineering
The auto industry is transforming itself toward a future in which the automobile increasingly will be connected using V2X and 5G. Driver assistance will improve, and ultimately cars will be guided by AI and machine learning. But all of this will be closely watched by hackers, looking for an opening and a potentially large and untraceable payout.
What They’re Saying: Fund the CHIPS for America Act
Blog Post
A diverse set of stakeholders, representing broad cross-sections of U.S. industry, government, and academia, have called on Congress to fund the CHIPS for America Act. From automobile manufacturers and cloud companies to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and local governments, there is widespread recognition that Congress must cement America’s role as the undisputed global leader in semiconductors.
SIA Applauds Introduction of Endless Frontier Act to Advance U.S. Technology Leadership
Press Release
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today applauded congressional introduction of the Endless Frontier Act (S.1260), bipartisan legislation that seeks to maintain and build on U.S. science and technology leadership – including in semiconductors – by restructuring the National Science Foundation and authorizing more than $100 billion for science and technology initiatives.
Endless Frontier Act will keep US chip market competitive
Electronics 360
“Semiconductors are fundamental to America’s economy, national security and global competitiveness, and the country that leads in chip technology will have a big leg up in deploying the game-changing technologies of the future,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA). “We applaud introduction of the Endless Frontier Act and thank its sponsors for their bipartisanship and leadership in promoting American innovation and competitiveness.”
Shortage of semiconductors, dubbed the ‘new oil,’ could dent GDP growth, boost inflation
CNBC
Economic growth could slow and inflation is likely to see at least a momentary bump higher as the semiconductor shortage worsens, economists say.
Why the semiconductor chip shortage could be a good thing
TechXplore
A shortage of the semiconductor chips that serve as the brainpower in millions of electronic devices has stalled the production of everything from cars to cell phones and sent companies racing to buy up as many of the chips as possible before supply runs out.
Why are Semiconductors Needed in Cars?
AZO Materials
In the most visible sense, semiconductors are necessary for various interactivity features that could be accessed by a driver and passengers. They are also necessary for batteries and power trains in an electric vehicle and are key to the essential firmware found in most modern vehicles.
China could rule world’s technology, UK cyber spy chief says
Reuters
The West must urgently act to ensure China does not dominate important emerging technologies and gain control of the “global operating system”, Britain’s top cyber spy said on Friday.
China tech groups hire ex-regulators to fend off Beijing’s crackdown
Financial Times
A growing number of Chinese tech companies have hired former government officials as part of efforts to navigate President Xi Jinping’s intensifying crackdown on the sector.
China’s Xi calls for international collaboration to reduce global carbon emissions at U.S.-led summit
CNBC
Chinese President Xi Jinping called Thursday for countries to work together, while respecting their different responsibilities on reducing carbon emissions. Xi made the remarks at a U.S.-led climate summit.
China chips away at semiconductor woes
China Daily
Carmakers’ production has slipped into low gear as crimped supplies have made semiconductors, which are now integral to new-age vehicles, a precious commodity, company executives and experts said.
US urged to join mega APAC trade deal by China’s former chief trade negotiatorSouth China Morning Post
The United States should rejoin the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement (CPTPP) and work with China to merge the agreement with the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) to create a huge free-trade area that would include the two largest economies in the world, according to China’s former chief trade negotiator, Long Yongtu.
Few details as Japan, U.S. agree to tackle supply chains
Politico
The U.S. and Japan pledged to cooperate on supply chain issues as part of a new partnership, though their announcement shed no light on how the allies might address the global semiconductor shortage.
EU parliament agrees to April 27 vote on EU-UK trade deal
Reuters
The European Parliament will vote on a post-Brexit trade deal agreed between Britain and the EU next Tuesday after political leaders backed down on a threat not to ratify the accorddue to British changes in Northern Ireland trading arrangements.
Technology Breakthrough Enables Practical Semiconductor Spintronics
SciTechDaily
It may be possible in the future to use information technology where electron spin is used to process information in quantum computers. It has long been the goal of scientists to be able to use spin-based quantum information technology at room temperature.
Putting Limits On What AI Systems Can Do
Semiconductor Engineering
New techniques and approaches are starting to be applied to AI and machine learning to ensure they function within acceptable parameters, only doing what they’re supposed to do.
Tapping Into Non-Volatile Logic
Semiconductor Engineering
Research is underway to develop a new type of logic device, called non-volatile logic (NVL), based on ferroelectric FETs.
Merging Verification And Test
Semiconductor Engineering
While the disciplines of functional verification and test serve different purposes, their histories were once closely intertwined. Recent safety and security monitoring requirements coupled with capabilities being embedded into devices is bringing them closer together again, but can they successfully cooperate to bring about improvements in both?
White House Chip Summit Builds Momentum for Federal Investments in U.S. Chip Manufacturing and Research
Press Release
“We appreciate the White House meeting with industry leaders about the importance of ensuring a strong and resilient semiconductor supply chain, and we commend President Biden’s support for $50 billion in semiconductor manufacturing and research investments to achieve this goal.”
SIA Welcomes Upcoming White House Chip Summit
Press Release
“We welcome this high-level engagement between the White House and industry leaders and see it as an important opportunity for a discussion on the need to fund investments in domestic semiconductor manufacturing and research to help ensure the long-term strength and resilience of America’s semiconductor supply chain.”
Biden Reassures Chip Summit of Bipartisan Support for Funds
Bloomberg
John Neuffer, president and chief executive officer of the Semiconductor Industry Association, said the industry understands “the difficulty the auto sector is feeling right now, and chipmakers are working hard to ramp up production to meet demand in the short term.” For the long term, he said, the industry needs a boost in domestic production and innovation across the board “so all sectors of our economy have access to the chips they need, and that requires swiftly enacting federal investments in semiconductor manufacturing and research.”
White House Convenes Summit To Address Supply Shortage Crippling Auto Plants
NPR
Industry leaders have welcomed the White House attention. “It’s a great opportunity for us to talk about long-term solutions to fix this problem,” said John Neuffer, chief executive officer of the Semiconductor Industry Association. “In 1990, [the U.S.] manufactured about 37% of the world’s semiconductors. Now we only manufacture 12%,” Neuffer said. “That is a supply chain vulnerability that has come into bold relief over the past year.”
White House to hold another semiconductor summit with industry leaders as chip shortage worsens
The Washington Post
“In the short term, government should refrain from intervening as industry works to correct the current supply-demand imbalance causing the shortage. The chip industry is ramping up production, but that process takes time because making chips is highly complex and can take up to 26 weeks,” John Neuffer, chief executive of SIA, said in an emailed statement.
Why the president can’t quickly solve the computer chip shortage
Politico
“In the short term, government should refrain from intervening as industry works to correct the current supply-demand imbalance causing the shortage,” said John Neuffer, the president and CEO of the Semiconductor Industry Association. That could take many months, industry officials have said. “The role we see for government is to ensure the long-term strength and resilience of America’s semiconductor supply chain by acting now to invest in domestic chip manufacturing and research,” he added.
Lawmakers, industry call on Biden to fund semiconductor production amid shortage
The Hill
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), which represents several of the companies Biden met with, commended Biden for his prioritizing investment in chips. “Today’s meeting marks the continuation of a strong partnership between the Biden Administration and industry to strengthen America’s semiconductor supply chain by enacting federal investments in domestic chip manufacturing and research,” SIA President and CEO John Neuffer said in a statement.
Spending $50B on the Chip Industry is a Challenge
EE Times
The SIA’s brief post-meeting statement said it commended President Biden’s support for $50 billion in semiconductor manufacturing and research investments. It noted, “Semiconductors are at the heart of America’s job creation, pandemic response, national security, education system, and growth and innovation across a range of sectors, including aerospace, automotive, cloud computing, medical devices, telecommunications, and many others.”
Semiconductor Industry Association to discuss global chip shortage with US government
Robotics & Automation News
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) is to meet with officials in the administration of newly elected president of the United States, Joe Biden, to discuss the ongoing global shortage in chips, which is affecting many areas of manufacturing and the wider economy.
China semiconductor imports surge to all-time high in March amid global chip shortage
South China Morning Post
Semiconductor imports by China surged to an all-time high in March, according to the latest figures released by the country’s customs authorities, as an acute chip shortage continued to disrupt major industries around the world.
U.S. China hawks seek to cut sales of chip-making tools to Beijing
Reuters
Congressional China hawks are urging the Biden administration to restrict sales of chip-making tools to Chinese companies, similar to an action taken against telecommunications equipment maker Huawei Technologies Co (HWT.UL).
US-China tech war: calls for more tech bans on China get louder in Washington
South China Morning Post
Voices in Washington calling on the Biden administration to tighten technology restrictions on China have gotten louder in recent weeks, making it harder for the two great powers to ease tensions in what has become a bitter hi-tech rivalry.
European Parliament Gives Initial Backing to UK Trade Deal
Reuters
The European Parliament’s committees on relations with Britain on Thursday voted overwhelmingly in favour of the post-Brexit trade and cooperation agreement, clearing the path to its final ratification.
U.S. trade representative uses her first speech to call for action on climate change.
NYT
Katherine Tai, the United States trade representative, made a case on Thursday for using trade policies to fight climate change, devoting her first speech in her new position to addressing one of President Biden’s top priorities.
Japan Wants U.S. Back in the TPP. It Will Likely Have to Wait.
WSJ
China’s rising military might may top the agenda when President Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga meet Friday, but the two leaders also have unfinished business to resolve on the trade front.
Morpheus Turns a CPU Into a Rubik’s Cube to Defeat Hackers
IEEE Spectrum
Last summer, 580 cybersecurity researchers spent 13,000 hours trying to break into a new kind of processor. They all failed. The hack attack was the first big test in a U.S. Defense Advanced Research Program Agency (DARPA) program called Security Integrated Through Hardware and firmware (SSITH).
‘Shedding light’ on the role of undesired impurities in gallium nitride semiconductors
Phys.org
The semiconductor industry and pretty much all of electronics today are dominated by silicon. In transistors, computer chips, and solar cells, silicon has been a standard component for decades. But all this may change soon, with gallium nitride (GaN) emerging as a powerful, even superior, alternative.
Painting with Semiconductors
Printed Electronics World
AMOLF researchers Lukas Helmbrecht and Wim Noorduin have developed a reactive ink that can be painted on an equally reactive canvas. The ink reacts with the material on the canvas to become a semiconductor that emits colored light, an essential part of electronic components such as LEDs.
Many Chiplet Challenges Ahead
Semiconductor Engineering
Advanced packaging is seen as the most likely path to keep Moore’s Law going, but there are several challenges that have yet to be overcome — and several lurking pitfalls for the unaware.
Making Chip Packaging More Reliable
Semiconductor Engineering
Packaging houses are readying the next wave of IC packages, but these products must prove to be reliable before they are incorporated into systems.
SIA Urges U.S. Government Action to Strengthen America’s Semiconductor Supply Chain
Press Release
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today submitted comments to the U.S. Department of Commerce in response to President Biden’s executive order on securing America’s critical supply chains.
Global Semiconductor Sales Up 14.7% Year-to-Year in February
Press Release
“Global semiconductor sales during the first two months of the year have outpaced sales from early in 2020, when the pandemic began to spread in parts of the world,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Sales into the China market saw the largest year-to-year growth, largely because sales there were down substantially early last year.”
Chip sales up 15% as leaders focus on government subsidies
Fierce Electronics
The SIA last week released a study with Boston Consulting Group that continued SIA’s strong push for government support for bolstering the strength of the domestic semiconductor supply chain. SIA Board Chairman Bob Bruggeworth, also CEO of Qorvo said U.S. investments in semiconductor manufacturing and research “will help address vulnerabilities in the supply chain and ensure more of the essential chips our country needs are produced domestically.”
Chip shortage shows no signs of abating, may drag into 2022
Ars Technica
Making chips is a slow process. Even when manufacturing capacity is in place, it can take up to 26 weeks to produce a chip from the time an order is placed, said Falan Yinug, director of industry statistics and economic policy at the Semiconductor Industry Association. “That’s just the physics of manufacturing chips,” he said. “Good news is coming, but you can’t speed up the process.”
Could more U.S. chip production lead to price increases?
Fierce Electronics
Chip industry officials added their voices to increasing cries for more U.S. investment in chip R&D and domestic manufacturing during a virtual presentation sponsored by the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Feb. Global Semi Sales Up 15%
Printed Circuit Design & Fab
Global semiconductor industry sales were $39.6 billion in February, an increase of 14.7% year-over-year, down 1% sequentially, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.
U.S. Senate readying legislation on semiconductors, Biden says
Reuters
U.S. Senate leaders are preparing to introduce legislation on semiconductors, President Joe Biden said as the nation wrestles with an ongoing shortage of the critical technology used in a range of devices from cars to computers.
Why threats to Taiwan are a nightmare for tech
Axios
Threats to Taiwan, the self-governing island only slightly bigger than Maryland, are sending shivers through the global tech industry. Why it matters: Taiwan is home to 92% of the world’s leading-edge chip manufacturing operations and a vital center for producing other tech components, including laptops and PC motherboards.
Chinese tech firms with ties to the military added to US blacklist
CNN
The Biden administration is keeping up the pressure on Chinese technology firms by adding more companies to a Commerce Department blacklist. Seven Chinese businesses with ties to the military were added to the so-called Entity List in a move that restricts US firms from dealing with the companies.
U.S. Senate panel to hold hearing on tech bill to combat China
Reuters
The U.S. Senate Commerce Committee will hold a hearing on April 14 on a bipartisan measure to bolster U.S. technology research and development efforts in a bid to address Chinese competition. The bill, titled the “Endless Frontier Act,” was first proposed in 2020 calling for $110 billion over five years to advance U.S. technology efforts and cosponsored by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican Senator Todd Young.
Italy Blocked Chinese Semiconductor Bid, Draghi Says
South China Morning Post
Prime Minister Mario Draghi said he backs an extension of state protection for Italian businesses, after revealing that his government recently blocked a Chinese takeover of a semiconductor company.
U.S. Forges Ahead on $1 Billion Tariff Plan Over Digital Taxes
Bloomberg
The U.S. is pressing ahead with plans to hit six nations that tax Internet-based companies with retaliatory tariffs that could total almost $1 billion annually.
Biden to welcome Japan’s prime minister as administration’s first foreign leader at the White House
Fox News
The White House will welcome Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga in April as the first foreign leader to meet with President Biden, officials announced Friday. The visit signals strengthening ties between the U.S. and Japan as the Biden administration seeks to distance itself from U.S. reliance on China.
Half of UK firms expect long-term post-Brexit disruption – survey
Reuters
The majority of British firms have faced disruption with trade with the European Union since Brexit, with many expecting the problem to last for some time, according to a survey. The Survation survey for London First/EY, conducted in February, found 75% had experienced some disruption, even though 71% said they had felt prepared for the changes.
Researchers report breakthrough that enables practical semiconductor spintronics
Phys.Org
It may be possible in the future to use information technology where electron spin is used to store, process and transfer information in quantum computers. It has long been the goal of scientists to be able to use spin-based quantum information technology at room temperature.
Interconnects In A Domain-Specific World
Semiconducting Engineering
Moving data around is probably the least interesting aspect of system design, but it is one of three legs that defines the key performance indicators (KPI) for a system. Computation, memory, and interconnect all need to be balanced. Otherwise, resources are wasted and performance is lost.
Energy Harvesting Shows New Signs Of Life
Semiconducting Engineering
Energy harvesting is seeing renewed activity in select markets, years after some high-profile attempts to build this into consumer electronics stalled out.
AI In Inspection, Metrology, And Test
Semiconductor Engineering
AI/ML is creeping into multiple processes within the fab and packaging houses, although not necessarily for the purpose it was originally intended. The chip industry is just beginning to learn where AI makes sense and where it doesn’t.
Study Identifies Benefits and Vulnerabilities of Global Semiconductor Supply Chain, Recommends Government Actions to Strengthen It
Press Release
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), in partnership with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), today released a study, “Strengthening the Global Semiconductor Supply Chain in an Uncertain Era,” analyzing the benefits and vulnerabilities of the global semiconductor supply chain and recommending government actions to ensure its long-term strength and resilience.
President Biden’s Infrastructure Plan Would Strengthen U.S. Leadership in Semiconductors
Press Release
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) released a statement from President and CEO John Neuffer regarding President Biden’s infrastructure proposal, which would invest in domestic semiconductor manufacturing, research, and workforce development.
Global chip supply chain increasingly vulnerable to massive disruption, study finds
Reuters
A new study from a U.S. industry group, the Semiconductor Industry Association, found that the global semiconductor supply chain has become increasingly vulnerable to natural disasters and geopolitical disruptions because suppliers have become more concentrated in distinct regions.
The Agency at the Center of America’s Tech Fight With China
New York Times
John Neuffer, the chief executive of the Semiconductor Industry Association, said that China accounted for about one-third of his industry’s revenue, and that it would be “disastrous” for semiconductor companies to not have access to such a huge and growing market.
Biden Calls for $50 Billion to Boost U.S. Chip Industry
Wall Street Journal
“Semiconductors are foundational to America’s economy and job creation, national security, and critical infrastructure,” SIA President John Neuffer said in a written statement that supported Mr. Biden’s initiative.
Study Shows How Fragile Semiconductor Industry Still Is
Tom’s Hardware
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) published a report today detailing the, well, semiconductor industry’s weaknesses as the entire world attempts to figure out how to respond to the ongoing chip shortage.
Global Chip Supply Chain Increasingly Vulnerable to Massive Disruption: Study
Gadgets360
Modern chipmaking involves more than a thousand steps and requires complex intellectual property, tools and chemicals from around the world. But the Semiconductor Industry Association, representing most US chipmakers, on Thursday said it found more than 50 places in the supply chain where a single region has more than 65 percent market share.
Business reaction to Biden’s infrastructure plan varies broadly
Fierce Electronics
The Semiconductor Industry Association said Wednesday that the Biden plan “would invest ambitiously in U.S. semiconductor workers, manufacturing and innovation. Semiconductors are foundational to America’s economy and job creation, national security and critical infrastructure. We applaud the president’s leadership.”
Biden’s Infrastructure Plan: Which Sectors Would Benefit?
Wall Street Journal
“Semiconductors are a clear winner,” Mr. Kaminski wrote, with the industry being offered “$50 billion to subsidize domestic research and manufacturing”…. “We applaud the president’s leadership on this issue,” the Semiconductor Industry Association said in a statement welcoming his offer. The group appeared less enthusiastic, however, about Mr. Biden’s plan to fund the subsidies with an increase in corporate taxes, adding that it hoped the president would ensure “a globally competitive corporate tax system.”
China cuts taxes to spur semiconductor development
Associated Press
China announced tax breaks to spur growth of its semiconductor industry following U.S. sanctions that alarmed the ruling Communist Party by cutting off access to American processor chips for tech giant Huawei and some other companies.
China manufacturing rebounds in March amid tech, virus risks
Associated Press
China’s factory activity rebounded in March from a three-month slowdown as export orders rose, a survey shows. A monthly index of manufacturing issued by the China’s statistics agency and an industry group rose to 51.9 from February’s 50.6 on a 100-point scale on which numbers above 50 show activity expanding.
Chip charge: Chinese phone, car, home appliance companies join semiconductor rush
Reuters
Smartphone maker Xiaomi has joined a rush of Chinese tech companies venturing into the semiconductor sector, announcing a new chip to help smartphone cameras process images.
China’s Tech Giants Have Chip Ambitions, Too
Wall Street Journal
China has pushed hard to be self-sufficient in semiconductors, and state-backed chip firms have raised huge sums. But Beijing’s ambitions will ultimately depend on the country’s vibrant private sector, too. Chinese leaders have listed advanced semiconductors among the core technologies they view as choke points vulnerable to foreign pressure, a problem clearly demonstrated by the Huawei saga.
New Trade Representative Says U.S. Isn’t Ready to Lift China Tariffs
Wall Street Journal
The U.S. isn’t ready to lift tariffs on Chinese imports in the near future, but might be open to trade negotiations with Beijing, according to U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai.
U.K.-U.S. Trade Deal Is Likely Years Away as Biden Shifts Focus
Bloomberg
The U.K. and the U.S. are unlikely to be ready to strike a trade deal before 2023, in a blow to British hopes of a quick win from Brexit, according to people familiar with the matter. President Joe Biden’s administration is focused on other priorities such as China and investing in domestic programs to boost the U.S. economy, and his legal power to fast-track a trade accord through Congress is due to expire on July 1.
USTR’s Tai tells European officials she wants ‘more positive’ trade ties
Reuters
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai told European officials she wanted to develop “a more positive and productive” trade relationship with Europe, despite disputes over aircraft subsidies and digital services taxes.
Waiting for Quantum Computing? Try Probabilistic Computing
IEEE Spectrum
Computer scientists and engineers have started down a road that could one day lead to a momentous transition: from deterministic computing systems, based on classical physics, to quantum computing systems, which exploit the weird and wacky probabilistic rules of quantum physics.
Computing Where Data Resides
Semiconductor Engineering
Computational storage is starting to gain traction as system architects come to grips with the rising performance, energy and latency impacts of moving large amounts of data between processors and hierarchical memory and storage.
New Uses For AI
Semiconductor Engineering
AI is being embedded into an increasing number of technologies that are commonly found inside most chips, and initial results show dramatic improvements in both power and performance.
How To Measure ML Model Accuracy
Semiconductor Engineering
Machine learning (ML) is about making predictions about new data based on old data. The quality of any machine-learning algorithm is ultimately determined by the quality of those predictions.
SIA Statement on Meeting with U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo
Press Release
“We greatly appreciated meeting with Secretary Raimondo yesterday to discuss advancing policies – including federal investments in domestic semiconductor manufacturing and research and ensuring access to global markets – that will strengthen the competitiveness of the U.S. chip industry and spur growth and innovation throughout our economy. We look forward to working with the Secretary and other leaders in the Administration and Congress to ensure continued U.S. leadership in this foundational technology.”
Combating semiconductor shortage a priority, U.S. Commerce chief says
Reuters
“As Secretary of Commerce, combating the semiconductor shortage and investing in American manufacturing of semiconductor technology is going to be a priority of mine and I look forward to working alongside leaders like the Semiconductor Industry Association,” Raimondo said in a statement released by the Commerce Department.
Jobs Act potentially a boon for semiconductor research
Electronics360
“At a time when federal funding for chip research has been flat as a share of GDP for years, even as the governments of global competitors are massively increasing their research investments, robust tax incentives for private sector research assume even greater importance,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO at SIA. “We applaud the bipartisan group of leaders in Congress for introducing this timely legislation to promote U.S. R&D, urge its swift enactment, and look forward to working with policymakers to advance semiconductor research in the United States.”
Bold Federal Investments in Semiconductor Technology Needed to Grow U.S. Economy and Create Jobs of the Future
Morning Consult – Op-Ed by Bob Bruggeworth, 2021 SIA Chair and President, CEO, & Director of Qorvo
To reinforce U.S. leadership in the technologies critical to innovation, jobs, national security, and our resilience to future crises, policymakers must prioritize the bedrock of modern technology — semiconductors.
Raimondo Steps into ‘Privacy Shield’ Talks and Bones Up On the Semiconductor Shortage
Politico
Raimondo met with senior executives from the Semiconductor Industry Association to discuss steps that could be taken to address the current shortage of chips and to boost U.S. production over the long term. “Semiconductors are America’s fourth largest export, and critical to our economic competitiveness and national security,” she said in a statement after the meeting. “I believe we need to make strong investments in domestic manufacturing, research, and workforce, and help strengthen America’s global leadership in semiconductor manufacturing and innovation.”
In charts: Asia’s manufacturing dominance
Financial Times
The Semiconductor Industry Association, a US trade body, and Boston Consulting Group, the consultancy, estimate that a new fabrication facility to produce semiconductors could cost roughly one-third more to build and operate in the US over 10 years than a similar facility in Taiwan, South Korea or Singapore.
From houses to cars and bikes, everything is getting more expensive as supply-chain issues cripple the economic reopening
Business Insider
John Neuffer, the president of the Semiconductor Industry Association, told The New York Times that while chip companies have been working hard to meet demand, it takes time to develop such complex products.
Why a global chip shortage is screwing up America’s pickup trucks
Recode
Because chip manufacturing is a long, complex process — the Semiconductor Industry Association says lead times for semiconductor orders can be as long as 26 weeks — surging demand and limited supply have caused ripple effects that the manufacturers and customers are still feeling a year later. “Making a semiconductor is perhaps the most highly complex manufacturing process on the planet,” Falan Yinug, SIA’s director of industry statistics and economic policy, told Recode. “It can involve more than a thousand process steps and hundreds of advanced machines needed to pack tens of billions of transistors on a chip the size of a quarter.”
US-China tech war: state-led economy crucial to meet challenges of American sanctions, says prominent economist
South China Morning Post
China’s socialist economic model that mixes strong government direction and support within a market economy is the key to faster development and meeting technology challenges posed by US sanctions, according to Bai Chong-en, dean of the School of Economics and Management at Tsinghua University.
Move Over Huawei, Xiaomi Is China’s New Smartphone King
Wall Street Journal
The swift decline in Huawei Technologies Co.’s smartphone business under the weight of U.S. sanctions has left an opening in the market. A different Chinese technology giant is filling the void, Xiaomi Corp.
China’s tech giants face a reckoning with the regulators
Financial Times
Consumers occupy a peculiar role in China’s tech landscape. They are valued customers of the gigantic platforms such as Tencent, ByteDance and Alibaba, whose strategists try to anticipate their every need. But they tend to lack a collective voice, meaning it is hard to fight privacy violations or manipulative selling strategies.
U.K.-U.S. Trade Talks Can Build on Trump’s Plan, Envoy Says
Bloomberg
Trade talks with the U.S. will seek to build on “well-channeled lines” established during negotiations with the Trump administration while seeking to incorporate new priorities favored by President Joe Biden, the U.K. envoy to Washington said.
U.S. Speaks with EU, U.K. About Resolving Airbus-Boeing Dispute
Bloomberg
President Joe Biden’s trade representative held her first meetings with counterparts from the European Union and U.K. with all sides expressing desire to resolve a dispute over subsidies to manufacturers Boeing Co. and Airbus SE.
U.S. trade chief Tai talks WTO, China, climate in first calls with counterparts
Reuters
New U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai pledged to rebuild alliances and actively engage on international trade in her first calls as the top U.S. trade negotiator with key partners and the World Trade Organization.
Semiconductor qubits scale in two dimensions
Science Daily
The heart of any computer, its central processing unit, is built using semiconductor technology, which is capable of putting billions of transistors onto a single chip. Now, researchers have shown that this technology can be used to build a two-dimensional array of qubits to function as a quantum processor.
Gallium Oxide: The Supercharged Semiconductor
IEEE Spectrum
Today, GaN is the undisputed champion for solid-state RF power applications, and it has arrived in radar, 5G wireless, and will soon be common in the power inverters used in electric vehicles. You can even buy GaN-based USB wall chargers now that have remarkably high power levels for their compact size.
Demand For IC Resilience Drives Methodology Changes
Semiconductor Engineering
Applications that demand safety, security, and resilience are driving new ways of thinking about design, verification, and the long-term reliability of chips on a mass scale.
What Goes Wrong In Advanced Packages
Semiconductor Engineering
Advanced packaging may be the best way forward for massive improvements in performance, lower power, and different form factors, but it adds a whole new set of issues that were much better understood when Moore’s Law and the ITRS roadmap created a semi-standardized path forward for the chip industry.
EUV Pellicles Finally Ready
Semiconductor Engineering
After a period of delays, EUV pellicles are emerging and becoming a requirement in high-volume production of critical chips.
American Innovation and Jobs Act Would Advance U.S. Leadership in Semiconductor Research
Press Release
“The semiconductor industry is among the most R&D-intensive sectors in the world, and semiconductor innovation is critical to America’s ability to create and lead the game-changing technologies of today and tomorrow.”
U.S. Must Fabricate High-End Chips Again
WSJ – Letter to the Editor by John Neuffer
Your editorial “The Semiconductor Shortage” (March 13) is right that government action is not needed to correct the short-term supply-demand imbalance causing the global chip shortage, but wrong that the U.S. can “prod” its way to stronger domestic semiconductor production and more secure chip supply chains in the long term.
World going through unprecedented chip shortage, China trade body says
Reuters
The world is going through an unprecedented chip shortage, Zhou Zixue, a senior official with the China Semiconductor Industry Association, said on Wednesday, after semiconductor sales grew 18% last year.
China slams US plan to expel phone carriers in tech clash
Associated Press
China’s government called on Washington to drop efforts to expel three state-owned Chinese phone companies from the United States in a new clash over technology and security. The Federal Communications Commission voted to begin revoking the companies’ U.S. licenses due to security risk.
China’s top chipmaker to build a $2.35 billion plant with government funding
CNBC
Semiconductor Manufacturing International Corporation (SMIC), China’s largest and most important chipmaker, is building a new factory in Shenzhen that will cost $2.35 billion. The company and the government of the southern Chinese city of Shenzhen will jointly put capital into the project.
US and China trade angry words at high-level Alaska talks
BBC
US and Chinese officials have exchanged sharp rebukes in the first high-level talks between the Biden administration and China, taking place in Alaska. Chinese officials accused the US of inciting countries “to attack China”, while the US said China had “arrived intent on grandstanding”.
US and China trade barbs after Blinken warns of need to respect global order or face a ‘more violent world’
CNN
A first face-to-face meeting between US and Chinese officials got off to a heated start in Anchorage, Alaska, on Thursday as US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s statement that the Biden administration would bring up “deep concerns” about some of China’s actions around the world was met with immediate pushback from Chinese counterparts, sparking an unusually public exchange of diplomatic barbs.
Tai confirmed as top U.S. trade negotiator
Washington Post
Katherine Tai, a longtime congressional staff lawyer, won Senate confirmation as the first woman of color to serve as the top U.S. trade negotiator. The Senate approved her nomination 98-0, marking a rare bipartisan agreement in a deeply-divided Washington.
U.S. Trade Czar Tai to Discuss Trade Deal With U.K. Next Week
Bloomberg
Newly confirmed U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai will speak with her British counterpart, Secretary Liz Truss, next week to further talks on a possible trade agreement. The call between Tai and Truss will likely happen Monday, according to a person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because the plans are private.
U.S. Wants India’s Help on China, but There Are a Few Sticking Points
Wall Street Journal
The Biden administration is working to embed India in a network of countries in sharp competition with China, though they need to smooth over disagreements that include human rights and New Delhi’s acquisition of a Russian defense system.
Long Lead Times Seen For Equipment
Semiconductor Engineering
A story that has been overlooked in the many semiconductor stories in 2021 is the long lead times for semiconductor equipment. In some cases, lead times have stretched out to 12 months or more for some equipment. Some tools, including 200mm systems, simply aren’t available.
Designing 2.5D Systems
Semiconductor Engineering
As more designs hit the reticle limit, or suffer from decreasing yield, migrating to 2.5D designs may provide a path forward. But this kind of advanced packaging also comes with some additional business, organizational, and technical challenges.
Chasing After Carbon Nanotube FETs
Semiconductor Engineering
Carbon nanotube transistors are finally making progress for potential use in advanced logic chips after nearly a quarter century in R&D. The question now is whether they will move out of the lab and into the fab.
The semiconductor chip shortage, what’s causing it, why it matters, and what we need to do about it / John Neuffer, President and CEO, Semiconductor Industry Association.
GoodStory
There’s a global semiconductor chip shortage brought on by the massive supply chain disruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. And it’s hurting U.S. industries in a big way.
China’s Rise Drives a U.S. Experiment in Industrial Policy
WSJ
“This industry is fiercely competitive and fiercely market driven,” said John Neuffer, head of the SIA. “There is one piece here where we don’t have a level playing field, and that’s the semiconductor manufacturing. This one piece of our industry needs fixing.” With a $50 billion incentive program, the SIA predicts the U.S. share of capacity would rise to 14% in a decade. Time, it says, is of the essence: Manufacturers are deciding now on locations that will lift capacity 56% in the next decade.
Is the chip shortage a “crisis”? Depends who’s talking
Fierce Electronics
The large chipmaker trade organization, Semiconductor Industry Association, has notably avoided calling the semi shortage a “crisis” but does refer to it as a “global chip shortage.” In a blog, SIA’s director of industry statistics and economic policy Falan Yinug said the semi industry is “substantially increasing its fab capacity utilization, a term that refers to the percentage of total available manufacturing capacity that is being used at any given time.”
A Global Computer Chip Shortage Shows Danger of U.S. Production Trends
Scientific American
President Joe Biden’s executive order calling for a review of supply chains for critical products put a spotlight on the decades-long decline in U.S. semiconductor manufacturing capacity. Semiconductors are the logic and memory chips used in computers, phones, vehicles and appliances. The U.S. share of global semiconductor fabrication is only 12%, down from 37% in 1990, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.
Tech Continues Push for Semiconductor Funding
Politico
“Taking these actions will help to spur U.S. chip manufacturing, solidify U.S. leadership in semiconductor research and development, and better meet the projected long-term growth in the demand for chips,” nine associations wrote in a new letter. It is signed by the Information Technology Industry Council, Semiconductor Industry Association, TechNet and BSA | The Software Alliance, among others.
Europe seeks semiconductor boost, first quantum computer
Reuters
The European Union wants to produce a fifth of the global output of cutting-edge semiconductors at the end of this decade and make its first quantum computer in five years, as part of efforts to cut its dependence on non-European technologies.
Apple to open semiconductor center in Germany
Automotive News Europe
Apple plans to establish a European silicon design center in Munich, Germany, and invest more than 1 billion euros ($1.2 billion) over the next three years in expanding its team there and in research and development.
Chinese exports surge as global demand recovers from virus
Associated Press
China’s exports surged 60.6% over a year earlier in the first two months of 2021, after factories reopened and global demand started to recover from the coronavirus pandemic. Exports rose to $468.9 billion, customs data showed, accelerating from December’s 18.1% gain and nearly double the growth expected by forecasters.
China’s semiconductor imports surged year-on-year in January-February period amid global chip shortage
South China Morning Post
Despite vows by foundries to quickly ramp up capacity expansion plans, industry experts warned that the supply-demand imbalance cannot be solved by “flipping a switch”. “Semiconductor manufacturing is not suited to rapid and large shifts in demand, since it takes time to ramp up semiconductor production,” US trade group the Semiconductor Industry Association said in a recent report.
China Targets AI, Chips Among Seven Battlefronts in Tech Race With U.S.
WSJ
In a draft economic blueprint unveiled at the country’s annual legislative gathering, officials said they would boost research and development spending by more than 7% annually over the five years to the end of 2025. That will account for a higher percentage of gross domestic product than in the previous five-year period.
U.S. Trade Deficit Widened in January as Americans Bought More Imported Goods
WSJ
The U.S. trade deficit widened in January as American consumers stepped up purchases of computers, cellphones, flat-screen TVs and other imported products. The deficit in trade of goods and services expanded by 1.9% to a seasonally adjusted $68.2 billion in January, the Commerce Department said, compared with a $66.97 billion gap in December.
Biden smooths tensions with Europe, pausing tariffs in Boeing-Airbus dispute
Politico
President Joe Biden moved to smooth over trade tensions with the European Union by agreeing to temporarily suspend duties the two sides have imposed on billions of dollars of each other’s goods in a long-running aircraft subsidy dispute involving aerospace rivals Boeing and Airbus.
UK delays post-Brexit import checks to give more time to prepare
Reuters
Britain delayed the introduction of a range of post-Brexit import checks on goods from the European Union by around six months, saying businesses needed more time to prepare because of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
Domain-Specific Memory
Semiconductor Engineering
Domain-specific computing may be all the rage, but it is avoiding the real problem. The bigger concern is the memories that throttle processor performance, consume more power, and take up the most chip area.
MRAM Evolves In Multiple Directions
Semiconductor Engineering
Magnetoresistive RAM (MRAM) is one of several new non-volatile memory technologies targeting broad commercial availability but designing MRAM into chips and systems isn’t as simple as adding other types of memory.
Preventing Chips From Burning Up During Test
Semiconductor Engineering
It’s become increasingly difficult to manage the heat generated during IC test. Absent the proper mitigations, it’s easy to generate so much heat that probe cards and chips literally can burn up. As a result, implementing temperature-management techniques is becoming a critical part of IC testing.
AI Commission Calls for Federal Investments in Semiconductor Manufacturing and Research
Blog Post
Today, the National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI) released its final report outlining a comprehensive strategy to meet the opportunities and challenges of the emerging AI era.
Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 13.2% year-to-year in January
Press Release
“Global semiconductor sales got off to a strong start in 2021, increasing both year-to-year and month-to-month in January,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Global semiconductor production is on the rise to meet increasing demand and ease the ongoing chip shortage affecting the auto sector and others, and annual sales are projected to increase in 2021.”
Industrial policy: If China does it, why can’t we?
Market Place
“In 1990, we accounted for 37% of global semiconductor production. Now we account for 12%,” said John Neuffer, president of the Semiconductor Industry Association. “Central governments all around the world give massive incentives to build semiconductor fabrication facilities, or fabs. The U.S. government does not do that.” There’s growing bipartisan support now to change that. The defense authorization act passed last year laid the groundwork for multibillion-dollar incentives to build plants.
From Politics to PlayStation 5: A Timeline of the Silicon Chip Supply Disruption
Cheddar
According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, America’s share of the global industry has fallen from 37 percent in 1990 to 12 percent today. While many U.S. industry leaders and politicians have long encouraged and actively facilitated globalization, coronavirus has created a new awareness of the vulnerabilities that can come with a world-spanning supply chain.
Semi sales jump 13% as chipmakers woo Congress for billions
Fierce Electronics
Semiconductor Industry Association President John Neuffer took the growth as an opportunity to note that the production increase is helping meet increasing demand which will “ease the ongoing chip shortage affecting the auto sector and others.” He also noted that annual sales are projected to rise in 2021.
As China Rises, the US Builds Toward a Bigger Role in AI
WIRED
On February 11, the Semiconductor Industry Association asked the president to increase funding for semiconductor manufacturing. The letter notes that America’s share of global chip manufacturing has dropped to 12 percent, from 37 percent in 1990. “Our technology leadership is at risk in the race for preeminence in the technologies of the future,” including artificial intelligence, advanced cell networks, and quantum computing,” the association wrote.
Biden can’t fix the chip shortage any time soon. Here’s why.
The Washington Post
Semiconductor executive Tom Caulfield knew a crisis was brewing when he started getting frantic calls from big automakers just before Christmas. The Santa Clara, Calif.-headquartered company did its best to ramp up production for car manufacturers at its three big factories in the United States, Germany and Singapore, Caulfield said in an interview. But its efforts alone couldn’t fix a supply problem that had been building for months as an unprecedented surge of demand far outstripped supplies across the globe, leaving manufacturers of all kinds in the lurch.
Chipmakers are hustling to make auto chips–and say it’s not a hustle
Fierce Electronics
The Semiconductor Industry Association released a blog that explained how it takes time to ramp up production for the chip shortage. There are up 1,400 steps in overall production of a chip wafer, with up to 26 weeks to manufacture a finished chip. “What this ultimately means is the semiconductor industry is currently doing all it possibly can in the short-term to increase utilization and meet increased demand both in the auto sector and more broadly for all customers,” the SIA blogger wrote.
Global semiconductor sales up 13.2% y-o-y in January to US$40b, says SIA
The Edge Markets
SIA president and chief executive officer (CEO) John Neuffer said global semiconductor sales got off to a strong start in 2021, increasing both y-o-y and month-on-month (m-o-m) in January. “Global semiconductor production is on the rise to meet increasing demand and ease the ongoing chip shortage affecting the auto sector and others, and annual sales are projected to increase in 2021,” he said.
U.S. panel recommends export ‘choke points’ to prevent Chinese dominance in semiconductors
Reuters
The National Security Commission on Artificial Intelligence (NSCAI), a U.S. national security commission recommended Congress tighten up “choke points” on chipmaking technology to prevent China from overtaking the United States in semiconductors in the coming years.
China will ‘vigorously support’ semiconductor industry, IT ministry head says, as country seeks self-sufficiency in chip-making
South China Morning Post
The head of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said China’s semiconductor industry grew three times faster in 2020 than global peers. The minister also acknowledged geopolitical challenges and addressed a new law regulating rare earths, important elements for chips.
U.S. Enlists Allies to Counter China’s Technology Push
Wall Street Journal
The Biden administration’s goal is to stay ahead of China in semiconductors, artificial intelligence and other advances that are expected to define the economy and military of the future. By combining efforts, the U.S. and its allies can vastly outspend China, whose research-and-development budget now nearly matches the U.S.
Where China is investing in semiconductors, in charts
TechNode
China is vastly increasing investment in semiconductors. In 2020, cash flowing into China’s semiconductor firms amounted to RMB 227.6 billion (around $35.2 billion) through the primary and secondary markets, a stunning 407% increase from the previous year, according to TechNode’s research.
Biden administration to consider carbon border tax as part of trade agenda: USTR
Reuters
The Biden administration said it would consider carbon border adjustment taxes to help cut greenhouse gas emissions in global trade and to combat China’s use of forced labor among Uighur Muslims in its western Xinjiang region.
US suspends tariffs on UK exports in Airbus-Boeing trade dispute
Financial Times
The US will temporarily lift punitive tariffs on £550m worth of UK exports such as Scotch whisky and Stilton cheese, imposed as part of a row with the EU over subsidies to Boeing and Airbus, in an attempt to de-escalate one of the longest trade disputes in modern history.
US Trade Deficit up 1.9% in January on Record Goods Imports
U.S. News & World Report
The level of imported goods to the U.S. in January reached unprecedented levels and pushed the trade deficit 1.9% higher as the coronavirus pandemic continues to distort global commerce.
EU lawmakers stall vote to ratify EU-UK trade deal in protest
Reuters
The European Parliament abandoned its plan to set a date for voting on the EU-UK trade deal, in protest at what the European Union sees as Britain’s unlawful changes to Northern Irish Brexit arrangements.
Scientists induce artificial ‘magnetic texture’ in graphene
Phys.Org
Graphene is incredibly strong, lightweight, conductive … the list of its superlative properties goes on. It is not, however, magnetic—a shortcoming that has stunted its usefulness in spintronics, an emerging field that scientists say could eventually rewrite the rules of electronics, leading to more powerful semiconductors, computers and other devices.
Predicting And Avoiding Failures In Automotive Chips
Semiconductor Engineering
Experts at the Table: New approaches rely on more and better data, but it also requires sharing of data across the supply chain.
Security Provisioning Moves Out Of The Factory
Semiconductor Engineering
Security credentials traditionally have been provisioned during chip manufacturing, often as a final part of the testing process. That’s starting to change. Programmable options could have big impact on supply chain readiness.
Chiplets For The Masses
Semiconductor Engineering
Chiplets are a compelling technology, but so far they are available only to a select few players in the industry. That’s changing, and the industry has taken little steps to get there, but timing for when you will be able to buy a chiplet to integrate into your system remains uncertain.
Auto OEMs Face New Competitive Threats
Semiconductor Engineering
Automotive design and manufacturing are undergoing a fundamental shift to the left as cars increasingly are electrified and chips take over more functions formerly done by mechanical parts, setting the stage for massive disruption across a supply chain that has been in place for decades.
Semiconductor Industry Welcomes President Biden’s Executive Order on Critical Supply Chains
Press Release
“We welcome today’s executive order and stand ready to work with the Biden administration to ensure the strength and resilience of America’s semiconductor supply chains. As part of this effort, we urge the president and Congress to invest ambitiously in domestic chip manufacturing and research. Doing so will ensure more of the chips our country needs are produced on U.S. shores, while also promoting sustained U.S. leadership in the technology at the heart of America’s economic strength and job creation, national security, and critical infrastructure.”
SIA Applauds Sen. Schumer Announcement on Promoting U.S. Competitiveness
Press Release
“We appreciate Sen. Schumer’s strong leadership in advancing legislation to promote U.S. semiconductor manufacturing and research and applaud his announcement today aimed at taking the next critical steps to improve U.S. competitiveness. The key to winning the global competition for leadership in the game-changing technologies of the future is to turbocharge U.S. innovation. To help accomplish that goal, we urge the Biden administration and Congress to invest boldly in domestic semiconductor manufacturing and research. Doing so will help keep the United States on top in this foundational technology, while also strengthening America’s economy, job creation, national security, and critical infrastructure.”
Chip Sales Remain Strong in Challenging Year
EE Times
Chip sales have remained strong in this challenging year, but we at the Semiconductor Industry Association believe that federal manufacturing and research investments present a crucial opportunity. Global demand for semiconductors rose to near-record highs in 2020. With millions around the globe forced to go online for many activities they would have previously done in person — from work to learning to shopping to seeing their friends and loved ones — the world relied more than ever on semiconductors and the technologies they enable. As a result, industry sales for the year ticked up 6.8% from the 2019 total, reaching $440 billion.
Biden Orders Broad Supply-Chain Review Amid Chip Shortages
WSJ
The Semiconductor Industry Association also welcomed the efforts while urging the president and Congress to invest more in domestic chip manufacturing and research. “Doing so will ensure more of the chips our country needs are produced on U.S. shores, while also promoting sustained U.S. leadership in the technology at the heart of America’s economic strength and job creation, national security, and critical infrastructure,” the group said.
Amid Shortfalls, Biden Signs Executive Order to Bolster Critical Supply Chains
NYT
Bob Bruggeworth, the chairman of the Semiconductor Industry Association and the chief executive of Qorvo, a semiconductor company, said his industry was ready to work with the Biden administration. He urged the president and Congress to “invest ambitiously” in manufacturing and research. “Doing so will ensure more of the chips our country needs are produced on U.S. shores, while also promoting sustained U.S. leadership in the technology at the heart of America’s economic strength and job creation, national security and critical infrastructure,” Mr. Bruggeworth said.
Biden to press for $37 billion to boost chip manufacturing amid shortfall
Reuters
The chip industry has pressed the Biden administration and Congress to take action to fund the provisions of the law. “We urge the president and Congress to invest ambitiously in domestic chip manufacturing and research,” the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) said earlier on Wednesday.
Biden Signs Order Seeking Homegrown Fixes For Shortfalls Of Foreign-Made Items
NPR
John Neuffer, the chief executive of the Semiconductor Industry Association, says the shortages caused by the pandemic demonstrated how quickly problems can get out of hand if even just one piece of the supply chain is broken — or delayed. “For the long term, I think what the review is going to find is we need to have more semiconductors made here in the good ‘ol U.S. of A.,” said Neuffer.
Top U.S. Senate Democrat directs lawmakers to craft bill to counter China
Reuters
The Semiconductor Industry Association welcomed Schumer’s announcement and urged Biden and Congress to invest “boldly” in domestic semiconductor manufacturing and research. “Doing so will help keep the United States on top in this foundational technology, while also strengthening America’s economy, job creation, national security, and critical infrastructure,” SIA CEO John Neuffer said in a statement.
Executive Order Paves Way for $37bn to Boost U.S. Chip Capacity
EE Times
The industry clearly welcomed the order. The SIA released a statement from Bob Bruggeworth, president, CEO & director of Qorvo and 2021 SIA board chair. SIA represents 98 percent of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue. He said: “We welcome today’s executive order and stand ready to work with the Biden administration to ensure the strength and resilience of America’s semiconductor supply chains. As part of this effort, we urge the president and Congress to invest ambitiously in domestic chip manufacturing and research. Doing so will ensure more of the chips our country needs are produced on U.S. shores, while also promoting sustained U.S. leadership in the technology at the heart of America’s economic strength and job creation, national security, and critical infrastructure.”
Biden signs supply chain order after ‘positive’ meeting with lawmakers
The Hill
“We urge the president and Congress to invest ambitiously in domestic chip manufacturing and research,” SIA said. “Doing so will ensure more of the chips our country needs are produced on U.S. shores, while also promoting sustained U.S. leadership in the technology at the heart of America’s economic strength and job creation, national security, and critical infrastructure.”
Biden signs executive order to address chip shortage through a review to strengthen supply chains
CNBC
In a letter to Biden last week, several industry associations including SIA, the Advanced Medical Technology Association and the Motor & Equipment Manufacturers Association wrote that the U.S. should incentivize new semiconductor manufacturing plants to be established in the country to compete effectively with other nations that have invested in chip production.
US-China tech war: calls for Biden to fund US semiconductors grow louder in Washington
South China Morning Post
US Republican Senator Tom Cotton, who is on Beijing’s sanctions list, has joined the public debate among industry groups and think tanks in advocating US government support for the country’s semiconductor manufacturing industry as part of a broader effort to win the tech war with China.
Huawei unveils flagship foldable smartphone for China market
Associated Press
Struggling under U.S. sanctions, Huawei unveiled a folding smartphone with an 8-inch (20-centimeter) -wide screen to show off its tech prowess but said it will be sold only in China. The Mate X2 highlights the challenges for Huawei Technologies Ltd. after Washington cut off access to U.S. processor chips and Google services.
US must scrap tariffs and end restrictions on Chinese tech, Wang Yi says
South China Morning Post
Foreign Minister Wang Yi urged the United States to scrap tariffs on Chinese imports and remove restrictions on the tech sector, laying out conditions for restoring damaged China-US relations.
Trade won’t be on ‘back burner’ for Biden, USTR pick Tai tells Senate
Politico
U.S. Trade Representative nominee Katherine Tai pushed back on concerns the Biden White House will “stand still” on trade policy during her confirmation hearing, telling senators she does not expect to be sidelined in policymaking. Senators from both parties pressed Tai on the Biden administration’s pledge to not negotiate any major new trade deals until it secures domestic economic stimulus from Congress.
U.S. partners in Asia may not wait around as Biden prioritizes domestic issues
CNBC
President Joe Biden’s administration has indicated that trade talks are not high on its agenda for now — but that may be what the U.S. needs to get closer to its partners in Asia-Pacific, said two former American trade officials.
Britain agrees to EU request for more time to ratify Brexit trade deal
Reuters
Britain has agreed to the European Union’s request to delay ratification of their post-Brexit trade agreement until April 30. Earlier this month, the EU asked Britain if it could take extra time to ratify the agreement by extending until April 30 provisional application of the deal to ensure it was in all 24 of the bloc’s languages for parliamentary scrutiny.
Completely Autonomous Radar Sensor for Smart Motion Sensing
EE Times
Widely used PIR sensors detect the infrared radiation of a person, an animal, or an object at mid-infrared wavelengths. However, with rising temperatures, their reliability decreases dramatically.
Firmware Skills Shortage
Semiconductor Engineering
Good hardware without good software is a waste of silicon, but with so many new processors and accelerator architectures being created, and so many new skills required, companies are finding it hard to hire enough engineers with low-level software expertise to satisfy the demand.
When Is Verification Done?
Semiconductor Engineering
Even with the billions of dollars spent on R&D for EDA tools, and tens of billions more on verification labor, only 30% to 50% of ASIC designs are first time right. This means more efficient verification is needed but there is no exact science to indicate when to stop verifying.
Broad Coalition of Tech, Medical, Auto, Other Business Leaders Urge President Biden to Fund Domestic Semiconductor Manufacturing, Research in Infrastructure Plan
Press Release
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), along with a broad coalition of 16 other tech, medical, auto, and other business groups, today in a letter urged President Biden to work with Congress to fully fund domestic semiconductor manufacturing and research provisions established in the recently enacted National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).
Trade in Transition: The Importance of Re-Establishing U.S. Trade Leadership
Blog Post
The first two months of 2021 saw leadership transitions with major repercussions for global semiconductor trade. In the United States, the new Biden administration is now in charge of leading a post-pandemic economic recovery defined by calls for supply chain resilience in critical technologies.
Global Chip Shortage Challenges Biden’s Hope for Manufacturing Revival
NYT
“Chip companies are working hard to meet demand from the auto and other sectors,” he said, “but these are highly complex products that can take months to produce, so it’s unfortunately not like flipping a switch.” Mr. Neuffer said the shortages highlighted the need for the U.S. government to “invest now in domestic semiconductor manufacturing and research so the new chips we need are produced right here on U.S. shores.”
Automakers, medical device firms ask Biden for U.S. chip factory subsidies
Reuters
A group of chipmakers last week sent a similar letter. Congress authorized programs last year to provide subsides for chip research and factory construction, but U.S. lawmakers still need to provide specific funding for the program. “To be competitive and strengthen the resilience of critical supply chains, we believe the U.S. needs to incentivize the construction of new and modernized semiconductor manufacturing facilities and invest in research capabilities,” the business groups wrote in their letter on Thursday.
Chipmakers, Business Groups Ask for Domestic Funding in Recovery Bill
Politico
A coalition of semiconductor manufacturers and various other industry groups is pushing the Biden administration to include funding to incentivize domestic production of semiconductors in the next stimulus bill. In a letter to President Joe Biden today, the Semiconductor Industry Association and an array of other industry groups like Autos Drive America, TechNet, AdvaMed, the National Association of Manufacturers and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce called for “robust funding” of programs enacted in this year’s NDAA designed to incentivize manufacturing in the U.S. after demand swings during the pandemic caused chip shortages.
CEOs Urge President Biden to Fund Chips, Executive Order Expected
EE Times
“Semiconductors power essential technological advancements across healthcare, communications, clean energy, computing, transportation, and countless other sectors, and chip-enabled technologies have helped keep us productive and connected during the pandemic,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “By investing boldly in domestic semiconductor manufacturing incentives and research initiatives, President Biden and Congress can reinvigorate the U.S. economy and job creation, strengthen national security and semiconductor supply chains, and ensure the U.S. remains the leader in the game-changing technologies of today and tomorrow.”
SIA board urges president Biden to prioritise funding for the industry
Evertiq
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) Board of Directors, comprised of CEOs and senior executives at U.S. chip companies, has penned a letter to President Biden urging him to include substantial funding for semiconductor manufacturing and research in the administration’s economic recovery and infrastructure plan.
Biden to tackle chip shortage while U.S. semi execs and UAW urge domestic production
Fierce Electronics
In a letter to President Biden, 21 board members of the Semiconductor Industry Association urged him to include funds for incentives for U.S. chip manufacturing and research in the form of grants and tax credits. SIA CEO John Neuffer said that investing in domestic chip production incentives and research, President Biden and Congress “can reinvigorate the U.S. economy and job creation, strengthen national security and semiconductor supply chains and ensure the U.S. remains the leader in the game-changing technologies of today and tomorrow.”
U.S. manufacturing production rises solidly despite semiconductor shortage
Reuters
Output at U.S. factories increased more than expected in January even as a shortage of semiconductors weighed on the production of motor vehicles, pointing to resilience in the manufacturing sector recovery. Manufacturing production rose 1.0% last month after gaining 0.9% in December, the Federal Reserve said on Wednesday. That was the ninth straight monthly advance in factory production.
Biden to order review of U.S. reliance on overseas supply chains for semiconductors, rare earths
CNBC
President Joe Biden will direct his administration to conduct a review of key U.S. supply chains, including those for semiconductors, high-capacity batteries and rare earth metals. The White House plans to review gaps in domestic manufacturing and supply chains that are dominated by or run through “nations that are or are likely to become unfriendly or unstable.”
Biden on ‘Short Leash’ as Administration Rethinks China Relations
NYT
And his policies may have worsened American competitiveness in some areas, according to a report published Wednesday by the consulting firm Rhodium Group and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce China Center. The report found steep costs from the kind of economic “decoupling” that Mr. Trump pursued, including a $190 billion annual loss in American economic output by 2025 if all U.S.-China trade was subject to the type of 25 percent tariff that Mr. Trump imposed on $250 billion of Chinese goods.
China’s political power grows with its capital markets
Axios
Thanks to a mandate for outside investment and its strong rebound from the coronavirus pandemic, China’s financial markets are drawing record high chunks of global capital — particularly from U.S.-based investors — and are poised to keep growing.
China overtakes U.S. as Europe’s main trading partner for the first time
CNBC
The latest figures, released by Eurostat, showed that China now has an even bigger role in how European economies perform. European Union exports to China grew by 2.2% last year and imports rose by 5.6%. In comparison, exports to the U.S. dropped by 8.2% and imports fell by 13.2%.
Cutting China off from the U.S. would cost America hundreds of billions of dollars, report says
CNBC
The U.S. economy could lose more than $1 trillion worth of production and long-term global competitiveness if the White House pursues a sharp separation with China, according to a report.
‘Let’s think big’ – Germany wants to work closely with Biden on trade, China, climate
Reuters
Germany wants Europe and the United States to strengthen transatlantic ties with a trade deal to abolish industrial tariffs, a WTO reform to increase pressure on China and a joint carbon-emission trading system to protect the climate.
India trade minister says will work with U.S. on new trade package
Reuters
Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said he will engage with the new U.S. Trade Representative’s office on a trade deal after a previous attempt to seal a limited accord failed. Negotiators from both countries struggled to conclude a ‘mini’ trade package for months as both New Delhi and Washington sparred over a range of issues, including tariffs. Goyal said he would make a new start with the new U.S. administration.
The EU says it’s going to get tough on trade — and that could have ramifications for U.S., China
CNBC
The European Union will take a new approach to international trade, recognizing that it’s time to stand up for itself after challenging times with countries like the U.S.
Shortages, Challenges Engulf Packaging Supply Chain
Semiconductor Engineering
A surge in demand for chips is impacting the IC packaging supply chain, causing shortages of select manufacturing capacity, various package types, key components, and equipment.
Technology based on rodent neurons may point the way to the tactile internet
TechXplore
Imagine you are playing an immersive game in which you are dropped into an unknown landscape with a directive to find a certain location. To advance forward in the game, you must also map the terrain so that you can then share your initial location and your map with another remote player.
Design For Reliability
Semiconductor Engineering
Circuit aging is emerging as a mandatory design concern across a swath of end markets, particularly in markets where advanced-node chips are expected to last for more than a few years. Some chipmakers view this as a competitive opportunity, but others are unsure we fully understand how those devices will age.
FeFETs Bring Promise And Challenges
Semiconductor Engineering
Ferroelectric FETs (FeFETs) and memory (FeRAM) are generating high levels of interest in the research community. Based on a physical mechanism that hasn’t yet been commercially exploited, they join the other interesting new physics ideas that are in various stages of commercialization.
Semiconductor Industry Leaders Urge President Biden to Prioritize Funding for Semiconductor Manufacturing, Research
Press Release
“Semiconductors power essential technological advancements across healthcare, communications, clean energy, computing, transportation, and countless other sectors, and chip-enabled technologies have helped keep us productive and connected during the pandemic,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “By investing boldly in domestic semiconductor manufacturing incentives and research initiatives, President Biden and Congress can reinvigorate the U.S. economy and job creation, strengthen national security and semiconductor supply chains, and ensure the U.S. remains the leader in the game-changing technologies of today and tomorrow.”
U.S. Chip Industry Urges Biden to Support Domestic Production
Bloomberg
The Semiconductor Industry Association sent a letter Thursday to Biden to include “substantial funding for incentives for semiconductor manufacturing, in the form of grants and/or tax credits” in his administration’s stimulus package.
U.S. chip industry calls on Biden administration to fund factories
Reuters
“Working with Congress, your administration now has an historic opportunity to fund these initiatives to make them a reality,” the chip group wrote. “We believe bold action is needed to address the challenges we face. The costs of inaction are high.”
Semiconductor EO Inbound
Politico
In a letter to Biden on Thursday, the Semiconductor Industry Association emphasized the role of semiconductors in helping the U.S. pull out of the pandemic, from fueling economic recovery to improving broadband access and infrastructure. (“Semiconductor-enabled technologies have aided researchers in developing life-saving vaccines and helped Americans work and learn remotely,” the board of directors wrote.) Without more investment, they warned, foreign adversaries making strides in semiconductor manufacturing and research may upstage the U.S. in fields like 5G, AI and quantum computing.
Biden Team Pledges Aggressive Steps to Address Chip Shortage
Bloomberg
The executives, who sit on the board of the Semiconductor Industry Association, asked Biden to include “substantial funding for incentives for semiconductor manufacturing, in the form of grants and/or tax credits” in his recovery and infrastructure plans.
Biden to sign executive order addressing chip shortage
The Hill
“Our share of global semiconductor manufacturing has steadily declined from 37 percent in 1990 to 12 percent today,” the companies wrote. “This is largely because the governments of our global competitors offer significant incentives and subsidies to attract new semiconductor manufacturing facilities, while the U.S. does not. As a result, the U.S. is uncompetitive in attracting investments in new fab construction and our technology leadership is at risk in the race for preeminence in the technologies of the future, including artificial intelligence, 5G/6G, and quantum computing,” they wrote.
Top chip CEOs ask Biden to fund semiconductor incentives.
Washington Post
In their letter, they write: “We therefore urge you to include in your recovery and infrastructure plan substantial funding for incentives for semiconductor manufacturing, in the form of grants and/or tax credits, and for basic and applied semiconductor research. We believe bold action is needed to address the challenges we face. The costs of inaction are high.”
White House scrambles to address global chip shortage
Financial Times (subscription required)
On Thursday, the chief executives of big companies in the semiconductor industry wrote to Biden to demand that funding for domestic semiconductor manufacturing be included in his infrastructure recovery plan…Without further support, the letter warned, the country’s “technology leadership is at risk”.
The Biden Team Wants to Transform the Economy. Really.
The New York Times Magazine
The semiconductor industry has lobbied for tens of billions of dollars to upgrade production facilities and build new ones, on the grounds that semiconductors are a foundational technology — sort of like mechanically engineered stem cells that power everything from 5G mobile networks to autonomous vehicles and the internet of things. John Neuffer, the chief executive of the Semiconductor Industry Association, says supply shortages during the pandemic have focused minds in Washington on the importance of domestic production.
US Chip Sector Continues to Grow as Global Sales Rebound in 2020
Electronic Design
“While global demand for semiconductors is on the rise, the share of global chip production done in the US has declined,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO, in a statement, “and that disparity will only intensify without US government action to level the global playing field. It is imperative the federal government fully fund incentives for more domestic chip production and investments in chip research so the US can benefit from growing demand and product more semiconductors.”
Winning With Uncle Sam’s Help
NYT
To stay competitive against China, should the United States become a little more like it? I’m being provocative, but that’s essentially the question behind the U.S. government’s plans to provide financial help to American-made computer chips, and maybe to other homegrown technologies, too.
Carmakers have been hit hard by a global chip shortage — here’s why
CNBC
Falan Yinug, director of industry statistics and economic policy at the Semiconductor Industry Association, says the chip shortage in the automotive industry is largely the result of substantial swings in demand due to the pandemic and the increased use of semiconductors in advanced vehicles….“Making a semiconductor is one of the most complex manufacturing processes,” he said. “Lead times of up to 26 weeks are the norm in the industry to produce a finished chip. Most industry analysts believe the current short-term supply shortage will ease in the coming months as supply adjusts to meet demand.”
The Biden administration is working to help address global semiconductor chip shortage
The Verge
The group urged the administration to include “substantial funding for incentives for semiconductor manufacturing, in the form of grants and / or tax credits, and for basic and applied semiconductor research,” in the upcoming stimulus package. But it’s unclear if the administration intends to do that.
Biden’s China Tech Policy at Crossroads Over Commerce Security Pick
WSJ
As the Biden administration charts its course on China policy, a coming political appointment to a key Commerce Department post could offer clues to how the White House will address security risks posed by Chinese tech companies.
Biden Raises Concerns With China’s Xi in First Call Since Election
NYT
President Biden spoke Wednesday evening with President Xi Jinping of China, raising concerns about Beijing’s aggressive policies abroad and human rights abuses at home in the first conversation between the two leaders since Mr. Biden’s election.
China issues new anti-monopoly rules targeting its tech giants
Reuters
China’s market regulator released new anti-monopoly guidelines on Sunday that target internet platforms, tightening existing restrictions faced by the country’s tech giants.
U.S. to look at more restrictions on tech exports to China
Reuters
The Biden administration will look at adding “new targeted restrictions” on certain sensitive technology exports to China in cooperation with allies, a senior official said on Wednesday ahead of the new president’s first call with China’s leader Xi Jinping.
China’s SMIC Says It’s Missing Out on the Chip Boom Due to U.S. Restrictions
Wall Street Journal
China’s largest maker of computing chips said restrictions placed by the Trump administration would crimp its pace of growth, despite the booming demand for semiconductors creating a global shortage.
U.K. Favors Comprehensive Over Quick U.S. Trade Deal, Envoy Says
Bloomberg
The U.K. wants to prioritize depth rather than speed in completing work on a free-trade agreement with the U.S., the nation’s ambassador said. Britain anticipates that the Biden administration may want to add issues like labor and the environment to the agreement that the two nations began to negotiate under the Trump administration.
Key House Democrat Hopeful for U.K., Kenya Trade Deals in 2021
Bloomberg
A key House Democrat said he’s hopeful that talks for free-trade deals with the U.K. and Kenya can be completed this year even as President Joe Biden focuses on enforcement of existing agreements with the U.S.’s biggest partners.
Analysis: In a harsher trade world, EU arms itself for future conflicts
Reuters
Hardened by the pain of Brexit, clashes with the Trump presidency and a new realism over China, a bruised European Union is due to set out a future trade policy designed to help it deal with partners it does not trust.
New Type of DRAM Could Accelerate AI
IEEE Spectrum
One of the biggest problems in computing today is the “memory wall”—the difference between processing time and the time it takes to shuttle data over to the processor from separate DRAM memory chips.
DRAM’s Persistent Threat To Chip Security
Semiconductor Engineering
A well-known DRAM vulnerability called “rowhammer,” which allows an assailant to disrupt or take control of a system, continues to haunt the chip industry. Solutions have been tried, and new ones are being proposed, but the potential for a major attack persists.
Usage Models Driving Data Center Architecture Changes
Semiconductor Engineering
Data center architectures are undergoing a significant change, fueled by more data and much greater usage from remote locations.
What Do Feedback Loops For AI/ML Devices Really Show?
Semiconductor Engineering
AI/ML is being designed into an increasing number of chips and systems these days, but predicting how they will behave once they’re in the field is, at best, a good guess.
Merging memory and computing in nanoscale devices for efficient computation
Research Matters
Modern computers carry out computations — also called ‘logical operations’ — on massive amounts of data that are stored in specialised memory devices.
Semiconductor Shortage Highlights Need to Strengthen U.S. Chip Manufacturing, Research
Blog Post
Semiconductors are the brains of modern electronics, enabling highly advanced technologies in healthcare, communications, computing, and transportation, among many other applications. Global semiconductor sales increased 6.5 percent in 2020, demonstrating growing demand for chips across a range of end markets.
Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 6.5% to $439 billion in 2020
Press Release
“Global semiconductor sales increased moderately on an annual basis in 2020, weathering a challenging macroeconomic environment brought on by the pandemic and other factors,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “While global demand for semiconductors is on the rise, the share of global chip production done in the U.S. has declined from 37% in 1990 to 12% today, and that disparity will only intensify without U.S. government action to level the global playing field. It’s imperative the federal government fully fund incentives for domestic chip manufacturing and investments in chip research so the U.S. can benefit from growing demand and produce more semiconductors needed to strengthen our economy, national security, and critical infrastructure.”
Chip Industry Rebounded in 2020 as Lockdown Fueled Demand
Bloomberg
U.S. companies accounted for 47% of total sales last year, maintaining the country’s status as home to the biggest chip companies. But the amount of manufacturing in the U.S. continues to decline. Just 12% of chip production was done in U.S. factories in 2020, down from 37% in 1990. “That disparity will only intensify without U.S. government action to level the global playing field,” SIA Chief Executive Officer John Neuffer said.
Chip sales rose 6.5% globally in 2020 after year-end rush
Reuters
“Over the next 10 years, semiconductor manufacturing is going to grow 56%,” Neuffer said. “We want to make sure we’re getting a bigger piece of the manufacturing pie.”
Semiconductor Sales Rose 6.5% in 2020
The Motley Fool
The SIA quoted its CEO, John Neuffer, as saying, “While global demand for semiconductors is on the rise, the share of global chip production done in the U.S. has declined from 37% in 1990 to 12% today, and that disparity will only intensify without U.S. government action to level the global playing field.”
SIA, IDC Report Strong Q4 Semi Sales, and Demand Headed Up
Printed Circuit Design & Fab
“Global semiconductor sales increased moderately on an annual basis in 2020, weathering a challenging macroeconomic environment brought on by the pandemic and other factors,” said John Neuffer, president and CEO, SIA.
Global semiconductor sales increased by 6.5 percent in 2020 to $439B
The Burn-In
While the global semiconductor industry enjoyed growth during 2020, the same cannot be said for the U.S. market. Neuffer notes that the country’s share of global chip production has dropped to just 12 percent—down more than 25 percent since 1990. He says, “…that disparity will only intensify without U.S. government action to level the global playing field. It’s imperative the federal government fully fund incentives for domestic chip manufacturing and investments in chip research so the U.S. can benefit from growing demand and produce more semiconductors needed to strengthen our economy, national security, and critical infrastructure.”
Auto chip shortage could be helped with supply chain AI technology, analyst suggests
Fierce Electronics
Across chips for all industries, not just autos, the analysts on the SIA event agreed that more semiconductor capacity is coming online because fabs are spending more on capital equipment this year that will be used to make chips. “The future is bright,” Ford said. “I’m an optimist. What drives growth is difficult. How many anticipated the smartphone?”
U.S. senators urge White House action on auto chip shortage
Reuters
A group of 15 U.S. senators on Tuesday including Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Republican John Cornyn urged the White House to work with Congress to address the global semiconductor shortage that is hampering auto manufacturing.
Ford Expected to Slash Vehicle Production Over Chip Shortage
WSJ
The Covid-19 crisis led many auto manufacturers to pull back on production early on in 2020 and then dial back their forecasts for the remainder of the year. But demand for cars and trucks has since rebounded faster than expected, leading to constraints on certain critical parts, including computer chips. Chip plants have been effectively running flat out, and with manufacturing capacity constrained, car companies and electronics makers are competing for limited output.
China Stockpiles Chips, Chip-Making Machines to Resist U.S.
Bloomberg
China is taking decisive steps to protect itself from a widening U.S. technology ban, with imports of computer chips and the machines that make them surging last year.
China strategies bloom in Washington
Axios
A proliferation of new policy ideas often accompanies a changing of the guard in Washington. But this time around, growing concern over China’s rise has driven debate into overdrive, as numerous stakeholders present competing visions for a U.S. response.
Huawei, SMIC join forces in Sino-US chip war
Asia Times
The Sino-US semiconductor war just got a little more interesting, with big news from China’s industrial chip industry. Experts from China’s public and private sector are joining forces to standardize the mainland semiconductor market to protect national supply chain lines in the ongoing US trade war on China.
China semiconductors: Beijing moves to prevent tax incentive abuse with new policy draft
South China Morning Post
China clarified eligibility rules for semiconductor companies seeking tax incentives in a draft policy issued on Friday, a move aimed at preventing abuse of the system after many firms outside the sector jumped in looking for quick profit gains.
Trump’s trade war on China was a failure in every possible way
Axios
The Biden administration plans to review the phase one U.S.-China trade deal, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said on Friday. Based on publicly available data, it’s hard to imagine they’ll find anything other than a debacle.
Britain says China has damaged trust in global trade system
Reuters
Britain said China had contributed to an erosion of trust in the global trade system, offering to work with the European Union, Japan the United States and others to clamp down on what it sees as unfair subsidies for state-owned enterprises.
UK applying to join Asia-Pacific free trade pact CPTPP
BBC
The UK will apply to join a free trade area with 11 Asia and Pacific nations, a year after it officially left the EU. Joining the group of “fast-growing nations” will boost UK exports, the government says.
At USTR, a straight-shooter will have to navigate Biden’s old guard in Washington
Politico
World leaders may experience some whiplash when sitting down to negotiate with U.S. Trade Representative nominee Katherine Tai. Tai is known throughout Washington for her calm, good-natured negotiating style. In many ways, she is the antithesis of her predecessor, the gruff, contentious Robert Lighthizer, who ruffled feathers from Brussels to Beijing.
Dramatically lowering costs of semiconductor electron sources
Science Daily
Engineers have discovered technology that could slash the cost of semiconductor electron sources, key components in devices ranging from night-vision goggles and low-light cameras to electron microscopes and particle accelerators.
Designing Low Energy Chips And Systems
Semiconductor Engineering
Energy optimization is beginning to shift left as design teams begin examining new ways to boost the performance of devices without impacting battery life or ratcheting up electricity costs.
Bridging The Gap Between Smart Cities And Autonomous Vehicles
Semiconductor Engineering
Smart city planners and carmakers are wrestling with similar problems and goals, but they are working at very different paces and often with different technologies — despite the fact that these two worlds will need to be bridged in order to be useful.
Longer Chip Lifecycles Increase Security Threat
Semiconductor Engineering
The longer chips and electronic systems remain in use, the more they will need to be refreshed with software and firmware updates. That creates a whole new level of security risks, ranging from over-the-air intercepts to compromised supply chains.
U.S. Bolsters Domestic Microchip Manufacturing
Engineering.com
“The next step is for leaders in Washington to fully fund the NDAA’s domestic chip manufacturing incentives and research initiatives,” said Bob Bruggeworth, SIA chair and president and CEO of Qorvo, a radio frequency (RF) chipmaker.
Nation Should Invest in Electronics Critical Infrastructure
National Defense
The National Defense Industrial Association’s relatively new Electronics Division has a clear interest in the CHIPS for America Act and the American Foundries Act, which are currently before Congress.
Roaring ’20s For The Chip Industry
Semiconductor Engineering
2020 was a good year for the semiconductor industry and the EDA industry that fuels it, but 2021 has the opportunity to be even better. New end application markets continue to open, and what were once seen as technical hurdles are leading to a multitude of innovative solutions, all of which need suitable tooling.
Expect ‘tough’ quarters ahead as chipmakers look to catch up with auto sector demand, Credit Suisse says
CNBC
It will take months for chipmakers to catch up with a shortfall in supply for the auto sector, predicts Randy Abrams, head of Taiwan research at Credit Suisse’s equity research department.
Huawei moves into smart vehicles as US sanctions stymie 5G and semiconductor ambitions
South China Morning Post
Huawei’s ambitions became more obvious last November when the company merged its smart vehicle business into the consumer segment that handles smartphones. The telecoms specialist is up against fierce competition from rival Chinese tech giants eyeing the same opportunity in smart vehicles and autonomous driving.
China Joins Global Push to Rein in Tech Companies
Wall Street Journal
Beijing is adding new momentum to efforts in Brussels and Washington to curb the power of big tech companies. China recently joined the chorus of governments advancing plans to impose new competition obligations on a small cadre of large technology companies, like Amazon.com Inc., Facebook Inc. and Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.
Commerce Nominee Pledges Tough China Stance, but Mum on Huawei Blacklist
Wall Street Journal
President Biden’s pick for Commerce secretary pledged a tough line against Chinese trade and technology threats, but stopped short of saying she would continue the Trump administration’s blacklisting of Huawei Technologies Co.
China, New Zealand ink trade deal as Beijing calls for reduced global barriers
Reuters
China and New Zealand signed a deal on Tuesday upgrading a free trade pact to give exports from the Pacific nation greater access to the world’s second-largest economy.
Biden reportedly bonded with UK leader Boris Johnson over their mutual love of trains, as the UK pushes for a new trade deal
Business Insider
President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Boris Johnson spoke by phone, with some of their conversation reportedly focusing on a mutual love of train travel. Official readouts of the first Biden-Johnson call focused on cooperation between the two countries in tackling climate change, trade, COVID-19, and “global health security.”
Global economy to grow 5.5 per cent in 2021 after 3.5 per cent contraction in 2020, IMF forecasts
South China Morning Post
China’s economy seen growing 8.1 per cent in 2021 as recovery continues, while the US could rebound to 4.3 per cent growth, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). IMF praises US, European Union and Japan economic stimulus measures but warns that recovery is contingent on control of the coronavirus.
First flashes of Brexit trade trouble appear in UK data
Reuters
Early signs of disruption caused by Britain’s shift to its new, less open trading relationship with the European Union are emerging in economic data. Manufacturers and services firms have been hit hard by supply chain and export disruption, according to data company IHS Markit.
The Good, Bad And Unknowns Of Flexible Devices
Semiconductor Engineering
Flexible hybrid electronics are beginning to proliferate in consumer, medical, and industrial applications due to their comparatively low weight, thin profile, and the ability to literally bend the rules of design.
Big Changes In Verification
Semiconductor Engineering
Verification is undergoing fundamental change as chips become increasingly complex, heterogeneous, and integrated into larger systems.
China boosts semiconductor production in 2020, but imports keep apace, frustrating self-sufficiency goals
South China Morning Post
China’s production of integrated circuits and industrial robots surged in 2020, as the country boosted its output of hi-tech products amid tighter US restrictions, according to official industrial statistics. A similar growth rate in imported chips, however, suggests China remains far from its goal of self-sufficiency in the critical technology.
EXCLUSIVE-Trump slams China’s Huawei, halting shipments from Intel, others -sources
Reuters
In an email seen by Reuters documenting the actions, the Semiconductor Industry Association said on Friday the Commerce Department had issued “intents to deny a significant number of license requests for exports to Huawei and a revocation of at least one previously issued license.” Sources familiar with the situation, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said there was more than one revocation.
China’s Car-Chip Shortage Could Persist for as Long as a Decade
Bloomberg
China’s automotive-chip shortage could persist for as long as a decade, but it has little to do with the current supply glitches snarling production, according to the official who oversees the nation’s key new energy vehicle technology development platform.
A Year On, China Falls Short on Trade-Deal Targets
Wall Street Journal
The U.S.-China trade pact signed a year ago is being credited for improving business conditions for some American companies, even if a cornerstone of the deal—China’s commitment to greatly increase purchases of U.S. goods—has fallen short.
China car production hit by semiconductor shortages
DigiTimes
Many carmaking plants in China have reduced production in the wake of serious shortages of automotive semiconductor components, according to industry sources.
Domestic investment needed before new trade deals: U.S. Treasury pick Yellen
Reuters
The Biden administration will prioritize domestic investments in workers and infrastructure before embarking on any new free trade agreements, Janet Yellen, U.S. President Joe Biden’s nominee for Treasury Secretary, told lawmakers.
UK would be ‘lucky’ to strike trade deal in Biden’s first term, says former ambassador
The Independent
A former UK ambassador to the US has warned that it is unlikely that Britain will be able to strike a trade deal with Washington in Joe Biden’s first term as president.
Brazil’s Bolsonaro says he wants free trade agreement with U.S. in letter to Biden
Reuters
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro wrote to newly inaugurated U.S. President Joe Biden that he hoped the two countries would pursue a broad free trade agreement during Biden’s tenure.
The Chip Industry’s Next-Gen Roadmap
Semiconductor Engineering
Todd Younkin, the new president and chief executive of the Semiconductor Research Corp. (SRC), sat down with Semiconductor Engineering to talk about engineering careers, R&D trends and what’s ahead for chip technologies over the next decade. What follows are excerpts of that conversation.
Covid-19: Semiconductors at the Heart of Turmoil
EE Times
After two successive high-growth years, the global semiconductor market declined 12% year-over year (YoY) to $412 billion in 2019. We attribute this decline to the cyclicality in product pricing, sluggish smartphone demand, and global trade unrest. According to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), annual sales declined across all regions: Europe (-7.3%), China (-8.7%), Asia Pacific/All Other (-9.0%), Japan (-10.0%), and the Americas (-23.8%).
German carmakers enlist Merkel as they battle chip shortage
Financial Times
Germany’s carmakers have turned to Angela Merkel’s government in an effort to help ease a massive shortage in semiconductors that threatens to cripple production in one of the country’s biggest industries.
Hidden Costs In Faster, Low-Power AI Systems
Semiconductor Engineering
Chipmakers are building orders of magnitude better performance and energy efficiency into smart devices, but to achieve those goals they also are making tradeoffs that will have far-reaching, long-lasting, and in some cases unknown impacts.
Stronger, Better Bonding In Advanced Packaging
Semiconductor Engineering
System-in-package integrators are moving toward copper-to-copper direct bonding between die as the bond pitch goes down, making the solder used to connect devices in a heterogenous package less practical.
48V Applications Drive Power IC Package Options
Semiconductor Engineering
The manufacturing process and die get most of the attention, but the packaging plays an important part in enabling and limiting performance, manufacturability, particularly when it comes to reliability of power devices.
Hard-To-Hire Engineering Jobs
Semiconductor Engineering
In the United States, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) has long maintained that the U.S. has a shortage of engineers and needs to address that shortage through immigration policies. “SIA member companies experience challenges finding enough qualified U.S. workers with the advanced graduate level education, skills, and expertise needed to compete for the design and manufacture of advanced semiconductors,” according to an SIA white paper.
Worldwide semiconductor market reaches $39.4B, up 7% Y/Y
Seeking Alpha
“Global sales of semiconductors continued to rise in November, increasing on a year-to-year basis by the highest percentage since March. Annual sales in 2020 are tracking well ahead of the total from 2019, despite substantial headwinds caused by the pandemic and other macroeconomic factors. Sales into the Americas remained strong in November, increasing year-to-year by a double-digit percentage for the eleventh consecutive month.” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO.
Lack of Tiny Parts Disrupts Auto Factories Worldwide
NYT
Automakers braced for turmoil when the pandemic hit. They expected supply chain disruptions and plummeting sales. But they never figured that a year later one of their biggest problems would be PlayStations.
Semiconductor shortage forces automobile production cuts
Associated Press
A widening global shortage of semiconductors for auto parts is forcing major auto companies to halt or slow vehicle production just as they were recovering from pandemic-related factory shutdowns.
China’s Huawei backtracks after filing for patent to identify Uyghur faces
CNN
Chinese technology company Huawei is backtracking on a patent application it filed for a facial recognition system intended to identify Uyghurs from other Chinese ethnicities. Filed in July 2018 by Huawei and the government-affiliated Chinese Academy of Sciences, the patent application said the “identification of pedestrian attributes is very important” in facial recognition technology.
China makes new laws to regulate hi-tech sector a major priority for next five years
South China Morning Post
China’s leadership has vowed to ramp up legislation to regulate tech firms and ensure the supporting legal system keeps up with the pace of the country’s digital economy as a policy priority for the next five years.
China 2020 exports up despite virus; surplus surges to $535B
Associated Press
China’s exports rose in 2020 despite pressure from the coronavirus and a tariff war with Washington, boosting its politically volatile trade surplus to $535 billion, one of the highest ever reported.
Biden aims for new course on trade, breaking with Trump and Democratic predecessors
Washington Post
Biden’s handling of trade policy is expected to represent a departure from that of both Trump and past Democratic presidents. Labor and environmental concerns move to center stage.
French think tank calls for united front with US to control semiconductor technology transfers to Chinese military
South China Morning Post
The European Union should create a united front with the US to tighten control of the transfer of semiconductor technologies to China that could be used to advance weapons developed by the Chinese military, according to the recommendation from a French think tank.
France’s hopes lift as US freezes tariffs over tech tax
Associated Press
France’s government breathed a sigh of relief after the U.S. indefinitely delayed tariffs on French cosmetics and other goods designed as retaliation for a French tax on technology giants.
U.K.-U.S. Race for Mini Trade Deal Slowed by Trump’s Mob Crisis
Bloomberg
The U.S. and the U.K. were racing to reach a limited trade agreement before the political crisis in Washington jeopardized plans to announce a deal within days, according to three people briefed on the negotiations.
Die-To-Die Stress Becomes A Major Issue
Semiconductor Engineering
Stress is becoming more critical to identify and plan for at advanced nodes and in advanced packages, where a simple mismatch can impact performance, power, and the reliability of a device throughout its projected lifetime.
Verification’s Inflection Point
Semiconductor Engineering
Functional verification is nearing an inflection point, brought on by rising complexity and the many tentacles that are intermixing it with other disciplines. New abstractions or different ways to approach the problems are needed.
More Data, More Memory-Scaling Problems
Semiconductor Engineering
Memories of all types are facing pressures as demands grow for greater capacity, lower cost, faster speeds, and lower power to handle the onslaught of new data being generated daily. Whether it’s well-established memory types or novel approaches, continued work is required to keep scaling moving forward as our need for memory grows at an accelerating pace.
Testing Silicon Photonics In Production
Semiconductor Engineering
As silicon photonics costs come down, the technology is being worked into new applications, from connectivity to AI. But full commercial production requires testing those photonic circuits before shipping them.
SIA Condemns Lawlessness in Washington
Press Release
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) released the following statement today from president and CEO John Neuffer in response to today’s violence in Washington, D.C. “We condemn the unthinkable chaos and lawlessness in our nation’s capital today and strongly support Congress’ decision to swiftly and safely resume the constitutionally mandated process for affirming the presidential election results. The peaceful transfer of power is the bedrock of our democracy and is essential to America’s ability to overcome the significant, unprecedented challenges facing our country.”
Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 7 Percent Year-to-Year in November
Press Release
“Global sales of semiconductors continued to rise in November, increasing on a year-to-year basis by the highest percentage since March,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Annual sales in 2020 are tracking well ahead of the total from 2019, despite substantial headwinds caused by the pandemic and other macroeconomic factors. Sales into the Americas remained strong in November, increasing year-to-year by a double-digit percentage for the eleventh consecutive month.”
Semiconductor Industry Applauds NDAA Enactment, Urges Full Funding for Semiconductor Manufacturing and Research Provisions
Press Release
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) today applauded Congress for enacting the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), legislation that includes Title XCIX, “Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America,” which authorizes federal incentives to promote semiconductor manufacturing and federal investments in semiconductor research. SIA represents 98 percent of the U.S. semiconductor industry by revenue and nearly two-thirds of non-U.S. chip firms.
Global chip sales climb 7% in November
Fierce Electronics
Global sales for all of 2020 are tracking well ahead of 2019 “despite substantial headwinds caused by the pandemic and other macroeconomic factors,” noted SIA CEO John Neuffer in a statement. The November uptick of 7% was the highest percentage increase on a year-to-year basis since March.
Global semiconductor sales 7% higher year-on-year in November — SIA
The Edge Markets
Global sales of semiconductors rose 7% year-on-year (y-o-y) to US$39.4 billion in November 2020, from US$36.9 billion a year ago, said the US-based Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA).
Global Semi Sales Up 7% in November
Printed Circuit Design & Fab
“Global sales of semiconductors continued to rise in November, increasing on a year-to-year basis by the highest percentage since March,” said John Neuffer, SIA president and CEO. “Annual sales in 2020 are tracking well ahead of the total from 2019, despite substantial headwinds caused by the pandemic and other macroeconomic factors. Sales into the Americas remained strong in November, increasing year-to-year by a double-digit percentage for the eleventh consecutive month.”
The story of semiconductors in 2020: Why initial gloom gave way to optimism
IoT News
Neuffer noted in a statement that annual sales in 2020 were tracking well compared with 2019 ‘despite substantial headwinds’ caused by the pandemic among other factors. Cliff Leimbach, senior analyst for memory and storage at Omdia, noted stay-at-home rules kept demand for data centres and infrastructure strong – as well as 5G and smartphones – enabling a solid uptick for semiconductors.
Global semiconductor sales growth driven by post-pandemic trends in two major regions
The Burn-In
The Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) recently reported global electronic components sales of $39.41 billion in November, a 7 percent year-over-year increase. That means the worldwide chip market experienced its largest yearly expansion since the first quarter of 2020 last month. The organization also predicts full-year global semiconductor sales in 2020 will exceed 2019’s total despite COVID-19 related disruption.
$2B in grants for smart cities suggested among 24 tech ideas for Biden and new Congress
Fierce Electronics
The CHIPS Act had garnered wide support from U.S.-based semiconductor companies with the Semiconductor Industry Association urging full funding of the semiconductor provisions. SIA has noted a decline in chip production in the U.S. in recent decades, arguing that robust set of incentives could create 70,000 jobs at 19 new semiconductor fabs over the next decade.
5G to fuel semiconductor demand
DigiTimes
Unfavorable macro conditions, including the US-China trade war and COVID-19, have been slowing down 5G deployments across the globe, but 5G will still play a crucial role in driving growth in the semiconductor market, according to industry sources.
Trump bars U.S. transactions with eight Chinese apps including Alipay
Reuters
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order banning transactions with eight Chinese software applications, including Ant Group’s Alipay mobile payment app, the White House said, escalating tensions with Beijing two weeks before President-elect Joe Biden takes office.
China’s State Capitalism Collides With Its Technological Ambitions
WSJ
Can China’s hybrid state-capitalist economy learn to worship—or at least genuflect a bit deeper—at the altar of efficiency? As relations with wealthier, technologically advanced countries deteriorate, that is probably the most crucial economic question of the 2020s. There are signs of real progress, much of it ironically driven by foreign pressure and the fear of stagnation as links with more open economies erode. But the enduring power of Chinese state-owned companies and their pull over the financial sector still represent huge vulnerabilities.
Tencent invests in Chinese A.I. chip start-up as part of $279 million funding round
CNBC
Tencent has pumped more money into a Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) chip start-up as the technology giant bets on the growing domestic industry for semiconductors.
New York Stock Exchange again says it will delist 3 Chinese telecoms
Axios
The New York Stock Exchange again reversed course and announced it would delist three major Chinese telecom companies — China Mobile, China Telecom, China Unicom Hong Kong.
US trade deficit jumps to $68.1 billion in November
Associated Press
The U.S. trade deficit jumped to $68.1 billion in November, the highest monthly deficit in 14 years, as a surge in imports overwhelmed a smaller increase in exports. The November gap between what America buys from abroad compared to what it sells abroad rose by 8% from the October deficit of $63.1 billion, the Commerce Department said.
U.S. Says India’s Trade Policies a Barrier for New Investments
Bloomberg
A senior U.S. diplomat has criticized Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s trade policies, saying growing restrictions on market access and limits on the free flow of data are standing in the way of the South Asian nation becoming an alternative to Chinese supply lines.
Will the Sudden E.U.-China Deal Damage Relations With Biden?
New York Times
The European Union embarked on a trade deal with China believing that engagement with Beijing was the best way to alter its behavior and make it a committed stakeholder in the international system. But that was seven years ago. The deal was quietly sealed in the final weeks of last year.
Car Industry Changing Under The Hood
Semiconductor Engineering
After an initial burst of autonomous activity, the automotive ecosystem regrouped, re-evaluated its goals, and is now ready to begin deploying new technologies made possible by modern development approaches and forward-looking vehicle architectures.
Testing More To Boost Profits
Semiconductor Engineering
Not all chips measure up to spec, but as more data becomes available and the cost of these devices continues to rise, there is increasing momentum to salvage and re-purpose chips for other applications and markets
Electronics Supply-Chain Trust Standards Emerge
Semiconductor Engineering
Creative new ideas for electronics supply-chain trust are in rich supply, whether securing identity, protecting logistics, or establishing provenance. But underlying these efforts are wide-ranging standards in development from a broad set of organizations.
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