INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. –
Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) hosted the annual Microelectronics Integrity Meeting (MIM) on July 29-30 in Indianapolis, Indiana. The MIM conference brought more than 500 people from government, academia, and industry to address challenges within the microelectronics industry.
The theme for the MIM 2024 is “Securing Today’s Investment for Tomorrow’s Advantage.” Carl Todd, the Trusted Microelectronics Division Manager at NSWC Crane, is co-lead for organizing the event. Todd said the MIM brings microelectronics professionals together in a forum to exchange information and ideas.
“The MIM is the Navy’s premiere microelectronics integrity event,” said Todd. “The MIM is where government, academia, and industry get together on relevant topics of trusted microelectronics, securing the supply chain, and investments made to ensure advantage as a nation going forward. The MIM is a forum for output and engagement with panels, keynote speakers, opportunities to collaborate across services, build professional relationships, and gain efficiencies for all programs.”
Dr. Matthew Kay serves as the Senior Scientific Technical Manager (SSTM) for Trusted Microelectronics at NSWC Crane. Dr. Kay said the MIM provides the opportunity for experts in the field to engage in meaningful ways.
“The MIM is a great event where federal and regional government, industry, and academia come together to discuss critical topics as it relates to semiconductor technology utilization for the Department of Defense (DOD),” said Dr. Kay. “The MIM provides a venue that enables critical information sharing and collaboration needed to drive innovation, technology maturation, and transition in support of the warfighter. The growth in attendance of the MIM over the years is a testament to the utility and value of this collaborative exchange in this technology area critical to national security.”
Todd said the MIM helps foster collaboration and professional growth.
“Junior personnel get exposed to larger concerns across the enterprise,” said Todd. “The networking, knowledge, and personal growth gained from the MIM as a forum helps us gain efficiencies and work toward common solutions. We work together rather than trying to tackle the problem individually.”
Significant investments discussed at the MIM were the Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors (CHIPS) and Science Act and Microelectronics Commons. The more than 54 billion-dollar CHIPS Act, signed in 2022, advances microelectronics—a top priority for the DOD. Billions from the CHIPS Act are for a national network of prototyping, lab development to fabrication transition in semiconductor technologies, and semiconductor workforce training. Under the CHIPS Act last year, the DOD announced 240-million dollars to eight regional “innovation hubs” across the country, called the Microelectronics Commons. The Silicon Crossroads Microelectronics Commons Hub is based in Indiana, the same state NSWC Crane is based. NSWC Crane serves as the Technical and Program Management Lead for the Microelectronic Commons.
Dr. Dev Shenoy, the Principal Director for Microelectronics, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, OUSD(R&E), serves as the Microelectronics Commons Executive Director. Dr. Shenoy led a panel discussion on the Commons.
"The Microelectronics Commons Program is a crucial initiative that brings together the brightest minds in industry, academia, and government to advance microelectronics innovation and ensure our nation's security.” said Dr. Shenoy. “By attending events such as the Microelectronics Integrity Meeting, we are taking a proactive approach to understanding the latest developments and engaging with experts in the field."
Todd said the CHIPS Act investment is crucial to meet the mission and beyond.
“The ability to have secure and trusted microelectronics is paramount for our advantage,” said Todd. “Access to state-of-the-art microelectronics provides an edge over our adversaries—our ability to understand the supply chain and the intricacies involved with that is proportional to our ability to meet the mission. The CHIPS Act is larger than the DOD. Leveraging these DOD investments serves as a larger source of stimulus for the nation, stimulating transition from the laboratory research and development environment toward maturity.”
Todd said the decisions made today are the reality for the future warfighter.
“The MIM is a testament to NSWC Crane’s national technical leadership in the microelectronics ecosystem, T&AM, and the Commons,” said Todd. “Ultimately, the effects of what we do now will ensure future advantage for the warfighter. The decisions we make today determine our future technical advantage.”
Read about previous MIMs here: 2022 | 2021 | 2019 | 2018
About NSWC Crane | NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with mission areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electromagnetic Warfare. The warfare center is responsible for multi-domain, multi- spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today's Warfighter.
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