University of Central Florida to receive $8.8 million for semiconductor research, manufacturing

by | Sep 6, 2022



  • The University of Central Florida announced that it is receiving $8.8 million to further its Digital Twin initiative
  • The funding comes as part of the $50.8 million awarded to Osceola County last week to expand and develop the NeoCity technological development park 
  • The Digital Twin project allows for digital replications of real-world objects, allowing for a variety of simulations that can help businesses to test ideas before production 

The University of Central Florida this week is receiving $8.8 million dollars to help fund its ongoing efforts toward the Digital Twin initiative researching semiconductor manufacturing and reliability.

According to the university, the Digital Twin project encompasses digital replications of any real-world objects or systems that can be altered to understand the impacts on an original item. Digital twins could be scaled to entail entire cities or large transportation or health care systems with constantly updated data and conditions, allowing designers, builders, and architects to test and prove their ideas and concepts before production.

The funding originates from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration through its Build Back Better Regional Challenge.

“UCF is committed to unleashing potential in people, organizations, ideas, and the communities we serve through partnerships,” says UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright. “With this grant, we will have the opportunity to leverage the expertise of outstanding faculty to expand our novel digital-twin technology to train the next generation of innovators with the skills necessary to fuel the growth of NeoCity and Central Florida’s economy.”

UCF’s Microelectronic Design and Production Digital Twin project will be completed through collaboration between UCF’s School of Modeling, Simulation and Training and the College of Engineering and Computer Science, according to a university release.

With an investment in new modeling and simulation equipment, UCF will develop a digital twin of NeoCity’s Center for NeoVation, a sensor and research development city for academic and commercial use.

Through the Center for NeoVation’s digital twin, UCF will replicate its production line, increasing microchip reliability and productivity, lowering maintenance costs, reducing risk, and enabling cross-discipline collaboration.

The funds granted to UCF come as part of the nearly $51 million dollars awarded to Osceola County last week to further the development of NeoCity.

With $50.8 million in funding, Building Central Florida’s Semiconductor Cluster for Broad-Based Prosperity will accelerate the growth of the specialized semiconductor cluster at NeoCITY, a technology park developed in partnership with the state.

The coalition will upgrade advanced manufacturing capabilities to expand research and production of customized semiconductor products, increase production efficiency, and boost education and workforce training.

“The Economic Development Administration (EDA) is dedicated to working with communities to assist their strategies for pandemic recovery,” said Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development Alejandra Y. Castillo. “This EDA investment will support Central Florida as it builds a diverse and resilient 21st Century economy.”

1 Comment

  1. John

    It’s about time chip research and production came back to the United States. Thank you Joe Biden for the Chip Act.

 

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