INDIANAPOLIS (June 19, 2018) ─ The Indiana Innovation Institute (IN3) and Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane) have joined forces with Purdue University and Indiana University in a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) to develop trusted microelectronics, that are counterfeit resistant and immune to a wide variety of attacks. Securing the nation’s semiconductor supply chain has national security implications and affects many Indiana companies which use microelectronics in their products.
The CRADA allows the four entities to work collaboratively and ensures open communication of technical requirements, research results and the sharing of intellectual property between the parties.
“Partnerships like these leverage our state’s strongest assets to help Indiana emerge as a global leader in cutting edge fields like trusted microelectronics,” Gov. Eric Holcomb said.
The four entities are partnering to combine their complementary strengths in science, engineering and mission focus to address gaps in microelectronic integrity in three critical areas:
· Inherently secure and adaptable hardware and software
· Ultra-reliable hardware under extreme conditions
· Counterfeit prevention and detection
“The military and industry rely on the security of the microelectronics they use every day whether it is the warfighter on a mission or the patient who has a pacemaker,” said General Gene Renuart USAF (Ret.), chairman and CEO, Indiana Innovation Institute. “That is why investing in these types of advanced technologies, combined with the deep technical capabilities and expertise of Indiana’s top research universities and NSWC Crane, is of the utmost importance.”
NSWC Crane has been intentional about working with regional stakeholders in the development of a defense innovation ecosystem. The effort makes extensive use of technology transfer (T2) mechanisms, such as CRADAs, to link NSWC Crane’s research and development to innovation ecosystem partner organizations. "This agreement exemplifies our growing innovation ecosystem, made possible by our regional T2 efforts," said Dr. Brett Seidle, NSWC Crane Technical Director.
The path a new technology faces in evolving from initial idea to useful product or capability often requires multiple transitions and partners. IN3, the region’s new applied research institute, serves a critical role in this technology evolution.
“The state of Indiana has long had a need for applied research activities that bridge the gap between university research and practical implementation and productization of the technology” said Purdue President Mitch Daniels. “This CRADA creates the collaborations required to support these product development processes and Purdue is very excited to partner with the Indiana Innovation Institute on this important initiative.”
The relationships formally established under this CRADA are a critical source of technology that IN3 is using to build their pipeline, and establishes a critical mass of regional partners dedicated to bringing the next generation of new systems and products to the Department of Defense.
"This CRADA highlights Indiana University’s longstanding partnership with NSWC Crane and its developing relationship with the Indiana Innovation Institute,” said Michael McRobbie, president of Indiana University. “It is also emblematic of how IU works to bring its resources to bear to help strengthen national security. This agreement is powerful, in that IU and Purdue will partner with IN3 and Crane in a four way agreement to allow IU, IN3, and its research partners to collaborate on the mutual research and technology of trusted microelectronics.”
The CRADA supports a recent $2.3 million contract awarded by IN3 to Purdue University that focuses on developing technologies that address liability, security and anti-counterfeiting in the supply of semiconductors to the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). Indiana University and the University of Notre Dame are subcontractors on the research contract and the work is in support of NSWC Crane.
The program, called ASSURE (Achieving Scientifically Secured User Reassurance in Electronics), will address vulnerabilities in military electronics, will create a national research center of excellence in trusted and reliable military electronics and will establish partnerships that will drive research, workforce training and economic development in Indiana.
About Indiana Innovation Institute (IN3):
The Indiana Innovation Institute (IN3) is a non-profit applied research institute that brings together top leaders from government, military, industry and research universities in collaboration with Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division (NSWC Crane). IN3 facilitates and manages collaborative research teams from Indiana University, Purdue University, the University of Notre Dame and other Indiana colleges and universities to perform research in participants’ areas of technical expertise. IN3’s focus is on trusted microelectronics technology and security, hypersonics, electro-optics, sensor fusion, data assurance and energy storage. Work conducted through IN3, accelerates technology commercialization that supports economic prosperity across Indiana with a specific focus on Southwest Central Indiana. For more information about the Indiana Innovation Institute (IN3), visit www.IN3Indiana.com.
About NSWC Crane
NSWC Crane is a naval laboratory and a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) with focus areas in Expeditionary Warfare, Strategic Missions and Electronic Warfare. NSWC Crane is responsible for multi-domain, multi- spectral, full life cycle support of technologies and systems enhancing capability to today’s warfighter. http://www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Warfare-Centers/NSWC-Crane/
About Purdue University
Purdue University, a top public research institution, offers higher education at its highest proven value. Committed to affordability, the university has frozen tuition and most fees at 2012-2013 levels. Committed to student success, Purdue is changing the student experience with greater focus on faculty-student interaction and creative use of technology. Committed to pursuing scientific discoveries and engineered solutions, Purdue has streamlined pathways for faculty and student innovators who have a vision for moving the world forward. https://www.purdue.edu/
About Indiana University
Founded in 1820, Indiana University is one of the world's foremost public institutions. With more than 112,000 students and 19,000 employees statewide, IU continues to pursue its core missions of education and research while building a foundation for the university's enduring strengths in teaching and learning, world-class scholarship, innovation, creative activity, community engagement and academic freedom. Bloomington is the flagship campus of the university, and each one of IU's seven campuses is an accredited, four-year degree-granting institution.
Media Contacts: Dr. Sandy Zehr, sandore.zehr@navy.mil, 812-854-6936
Raquel Bahamonde, rbahamonde@in3indiana.com or 317-319-6875