U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE)

Big news from the U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE)! James Will, who took the reins as executive director in May, just shared an exciting update on their strategic roadmap. Now operating as a 501(c)(3), USPAE is tackling the fast-evolving world of microelectronics manufacturing—including PCBs—head-on. Read about how they are boosting industry capabilities and staying ahead of tech trends and market shifts: https://lnkd.in/gUKuy6XK

Big things are happening at Soctera, a DBX Microelectronics Challenge awardee! Their new amplifier technology uses 10 times less material and a whopping 95% less gallium nitride. This innovation is crucial for both commercial and defense applications, and the DBX award is helping push it toward rapid commercialization. The future of amplifiers is looking brighter than ever! #MCEIP?https://bit.ly/3AXVZr7

Join the U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) and IPC on November 19, 2024, at 1:00 pm EST for an expert-led discussion on the legal risks of Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) compliance. Eric Crusius, Partner at Holland & Knight LLP, will lead the session. The DoD’s final rule on CMMC aims to ensure federal contractors safeguard sensitive unclassified information. However, compliance is crucial as non-compliance can lead to risks under the False Claims Act (FCA), which allows the government to pursue fraud cases against contractors failing to meet CMMC standards. This issue has gained attention recently, with a reward for whistleblowers highlighting cybersecurity-related fraud. Date:?November 19, 2024 Time:?1:00–2:00 pm EST Registration:?https://bit.ly/4fHu91a

Recent developments in #semiconductor #manufacturing show that the industry is deeply interconnected, with dependencies crossing borders, ideologies, and technologies. China’s growth in this area is significant. However, advanced chip production still relies on high-precision fabrication tools and #EDA (Electronic Design Automation) software primarily produced in the U.S. and allied countries. These dependencies reveal key “chokepoints” where certain nations hold unique influence over the global supply chain. While we can’t prevent semiconductor tech proliferation to geopolitical competitors, the U.S. and its allies can strategically leverage these chokepoints to slow or control it. For example, U.S.-based server access to EDA software could provide more effective control, complementing existing export regulations. Building a secure, resilient semiconductor ecosystem while protecting economic and national security requires continued cooperation. By aligning efforts and respecting tech boundaries, we support an industry crucial to everything from consumer electronics to defense. It’s a challenge, but the opportunity for shared advancement is immense. U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) is looking forward to working with industry and government members to discuss the best policies and practices to help protect economic and national security in the future.?https://bit.ly/3AyGbLD

The challenges we face in building a secure and resilient #semiconductor supply chain go beyond chip production—they include foundational materials like high-purity quartz that are used to produce silicon substrates vital to commercial, defense and critical infrastructure sectors.?The devastation in Spruce Pine, NC, home to the world’s purest quartz, reveals how vulnerable this supply chain is.?The quartz supplies to China and other parts of Asia where Silicon substrates are produced which brings even more significant concerns! With #CHIPSAct funding helping to strengthen 300mm Si substrates, we must also address gaps for 200mm, including silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates used by U.S. foundries for radiation-hardened national security applications.?Without expanding onshore supply capabilities, our strategic assets and defense tech remain at risk. USPAE stands with our partners working toward a robust, domestic supply chain.?

The challenges we face in building a secure and resilient #semiconductor supply chain go beyond chip production—they include foundational materials like high-purity quartz that are used to produce silicon substrates vital to commercial, defense and critical infrastructure sectors.?The devastation in Spruce Pine, NC, home to the world’s purest quartz, reveals how vulnerable this supply chain is.?The quartz supplies to China and other parts of Asia where Silicon substrates are produced which brings even more significant concerns! With #CHIPSAct funding helping to strengthen 300mm Si substrates, we must also address gaps for 200mm, including silicon-on-insulator (SOI) substrates used by U.S. foundries for radiation-hardened national security applications.?Without expanding onshore supply capabilities, our strategic assets and defense tech remain at risk. USPAE stands with our partners working toward a robust, domestic supply chain.?

Big congratulations?to U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) alliance partner Idaho Scientific for their Microelectronics Commons award! With nearly $7.8 million in funding from the CHIPS and Science Act, Idaho Scientific’s ARC-V Secure Processor project is advancing security for IoT devices used in both military and commercial applications. This innovation will allow secure deployment in the most challenging environments, setting a new standard for secure microelectronics. USPAE is proud to associate with partners like Idaho Scientific, which is paving the way for safer and more assured technology!?https://bit.ly/3NRvRRI

TSMC’s Arizona fab is showing promising results, demonstrating 5nm production yields comparable to their Taiwanese facilities. It’s a key step toward addressing semiconductor industry assurance needs, fueled by support and commitment from TSMC and the Chips and Science Act. Including critical government support, such as anticipated grants and tax credits from the 2022 #ChipsAct, TSMC’s strategic plan to establish three advanced fabs in Arizona is taking shape. This demonstrates how the right industry strategy and commitment with investments can drive growth and strengthen our supply chain. https://bit.ly/3NOJBNe

Congratulations?to Mosaic Microsystems on their groundbreaking work in microelectronics and thin-glass technology! Their recognition through the DBX Microelectronics Challenge Award, conceived by the DoD's?#MCEIP?office in partnership with the?U.S. Partnership for Assured Electronics (USPAE) and?ATI | Advanced Technology International, is a testament to the impact of innovation and domestic manufacturing. With this award, Mosaic has bolstered its process capabilities and expanded its technical team to support next-generation packaging solutions. USPAE is thrilled to support companies like Mosaic in pioneering new standards for electronics manufacturing in the U.S. Learn more --> https://bit.ly/3Ajquru

Is commercial tech reaching adversaries? It’s unavoidable with global practice. Countries may legally sell to others, or recycled parts may circle back, complicating efforts to control every chip’s destination. Rather than trying to block these flows, the smart move is fortifying our supply chains to ensure incoming parts are secure, unmodified, and fully reliable.?https://bit.ly/3XyFglP