New York’s Governor Kathy Hochul has selected Merideth Andreucci to lead the state’s semiconductor efforts, including Micron Technology’s $100bn fab development.
The news gives Andreucci the job title of Senior Vice-President and Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Semiconductor Expansion, Management, and Integration (GO-SEMI) within Empire State Development.
Governor Hochul said, “From Micron’s $100bn investment in Central New York to our one-of-a-kind partnership for next-generation chips research in Albany, we are building the future of semiconductors in New York State.”
“GO-SEMI has been a driving force behind our state’s chips success story, and under Merideth’s leadership, I am confident that the office will keep advancing our mission to transform New York into a global chipmaking hub.”
To the role, Andreucci brings more than two decades of experience in economic development and sustainable policy. Most recently, she played a role in advancing New York’s clean energy mission through business attraction and job growth.
In the past year, Governor Hochul has announced several semiconductor efforts for New York State. Just earlier this month (May 2024), it was announced that Irish manufacturer Niacet Specialty Chemicalswill invest $50m in its Niagara Falls facility to strengthen the semiconductor manufacturing supply chain.
Prior to that, it also announced initiatives from the likes of Edwards Vacuum, IBM, Applied Materials, and Tokyo Electron, among others. These announcements include new fabs, research and development facilities, and manufacturing plants.
Hope Knight, President, CEO and Commissioner of Empire State Development, concluded, “GO-SEMI was launched to oversee all these moving partners, and Andeucci’s professional background and experience make her the ideal choice to lead this office and continue advancing Govenor Hochul’s innovation agenda.
As part of the Investing in America agenda, in August 2022, President Biden signed the CHIPS and Science Act into law. Described as an “historic” piece of legislation, the Act looks to strengthen US supply chains, create good paying jobs, protect national security, and advance US competitiveness.
Read more: President Biden signs $52bn CHIPS Act into law
Funding under the CHIPS and Science Act includes a $39bn grant programme for semiconductor manufacturers, in addition to equipment and materials suppliers. It also includes $2bn for legacy chips, $13.2bn for R&D and workforce development, and $500m for international information and communication technology security and supply chain activities.
The role of specialty gases in semiconductor manufacturing
Specialty gases are often thought of as the lifeblood of the electronics industry and the beating heart of semiconductor manufacturing. These gases, including those used in creating silicon for chips, are directly linked to the advancement of current technology. Remarkably, a single wafer – a thin slice of semiconductor material crucial for integrated circuits – can comprise up to one thousand chips.
Semiconductor manufacture may use up to 30 different gases in all the various processes, including gases such as helium, nitrogen, and argon, which are used to create an inert atmosphere, flush chambers at the end of a process, or before cleaning.
Other specialty gases such as hydrogen, ammonia, and chlorine, in addition to less common examples like hexafluoroethane, octafluorocyclobutane and germane, are used in the etching and deposition processes.
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With informed speakers and live, unscripted panel debates covering these splinter topics, be sure to stake your place at gasworld’s European Specialty Gases Summit to stay at the forefront of the region’s hot topic value chain.
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