FuzeHub and NORDTECH Announce Winners of NYS Microelectronics Innovation Challenge
$180,000 in grants awarded to projects in the Mid-Hudson, New York City, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier Regions
New initiative from FuzeHub and NORDTECH aims to strengthen national defense through the advancement of New York’s microelectronics industry
ALBANY, N.Y. — FuzeHub, the statewide New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) center, in partnership with the Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub (NORDTECH) today announced the winners of the New York State Microelectronics Innovation Challenge. Three projects with ties to Newburgh, New York City, Ithaca, Milton, and Dundee, will each receive $60,000 from the Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund. These grants will support groundbreaking advancements that enhance national defense through developments in the microelectronics industry.
The Innovation Challenge focuses on the following areas within microelectronics:
Electronic components on the micrometer-scale or smaller
Components and materials necessary for assembling printed circuit boards
Materials, equipment, and processes necessary for the manufacturing and assembly of the above two categories
FuzeHub and NORDTECH, a New York State-based consortium of government labs, defense companies, academics institutions, and technology R&D and manufacturing organizations, received numerous applications for the funding initiative, launched in November. They challenged New York’s innovators to advance New York State’s manufacturing capabilities within the microelectronics industry, either through advancing innovative technologies, or strengthening the microelectronics supply chain within New York State.
“We are proud to support these projects that will not only bolster New York’s position in the global microelectronics supply chain but also contribute to the nation's security and defense capabilities,” said NYSTAR executive director Ben Verschueren. “The winning projects exemplify the potential of New York’s innovation ecosystem and its role in shaping the future of microelectronics manufacturing.”
“As a result of NORDTECH’s collaboration with FuzeHub, we are excited that the announced awardees will be able to drive advances in microelectronics-related innovations, which can simultaneously strengthen U.S. defense capabilities,” said Nicholas Fahrenkopf, NORDTECH Technical Director. “We are proud to enable strategic microelectronics applications through this Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund opportunity and with our Microelectronics Challenge partners as this initiative works to strengthen the local and regional supply chain along with U.S. technological leadership.”
For the video announcement, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VUJUU2_AcN8
One selected project will help strengthen the microelectronics supply chain by adding capabilities to chip manufacturing, and two projects will lead to commercializing innovation that is superior to current standards. These are:
Manufacturing & Technology Enterprise Center (MTEC) is helping Sono-Tek (Mid-Hudson) to adapt Sono-Tek’s spray coating systems to work with 300mm silicon wafers as part of a chips manufacturing process. Sono-Tek uses precision ultrasonic nozzles in a multi-axis robotic spray coating system. The reworked system will help support domestic production, reduce reliance on foreign manufacturing, and strengthen the U.S. supply chain.
City University of New York (CUNY)’s Nanoscience Initiative is working with Vyir Inc (New York City) to develop a cheaper, faster method of fabricating a revolutionary optical infrared camera. This technology is cheaper, lighter, more efficient, and offers 15 times better image quality than current infrared cameras. Some immediate applications areas include defense, security, automotive safety, and methane gas detection.
The project between Cornell Center for Materials Research (CCMR) Corporate Partnership & Innovation (OVPRI) (Southern Tier) and TomPhyzx LLC (Finger Lakes) aims to improve the precision and efficiency of light detectors used in air sanitization systems, enhancing the control of UV-C systems that purify air in hospitals, schools, and military environments. The innovation focuses on creating a ball-shaped visual detector that measures ultraviolet light from all directions with exceptional accuracy. Because of its substantially smaller design, this device is better suited than current alternatives for applications in microelectronics.
“The Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund was established to support forward-thinking projects that drive technology development and commercialization throughout New York State” said Patty Rechberger, innovation fund manager. “By awarding these grants, we’re helping to accelerate innovation, which will have a lasting impact on the state’s manufacturing landscape and national defense capabilities. We’re excited to see the continued growth and success of these projects.”
The Jeff Lawrence Innovation Fund — which serves as the source of funding for this Innovation Challenge — supports a set of activities designed to spur technology development and commercialization across New York State. Launched in December 2016, the fund is named for Jeff Lawrence, a champion of the New York manufacturing and entrepreneurial communities. Each year, the Innovation Fund provides more than $1 million in direct assistance to the manufacturing, research and development, technology and entrepreneurial ecosystems. To date, the fund has awarded over $10 million in funding to support collaborative projects throughout the state. This Innovation Challenge is made possible through funding and support from Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology and Innovation (NYSTAR) and the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).
About Jeff Lawrence
During his more than 20 years at the Center for Economic Growth, the Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) affiliate in the Capital Region where he served as executive vice president and MEP Center Director, Jeff Lawrence directed programs of direct assistance to manufacturers and technology companies to increase their competitiveness. He is remembered for being an invaluable and generous mentor to many in the area’s business community and a tireless advocate for manufacturing innovation throughout New York.
About the Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub (NORDTECH)
NORDTECH is a regional coalition of public and private sector experts in the Microelectronics Commons region in and around New York State, established in September 2023 as part of the first major award from the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act. NORDTECH’s five founding members who compose the leadership team and governance committee of the hub include: the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science (NY CREATES), the University at Albany College of Nanotechnology, Science, and Engineering (CNSE), Cornell University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), and IBM. NORDTECH’s board is advised by diverse participating member organizations, including small and medium semiconductor manufacturing companies, universities and community colleges, and major corporations that are service providers and leaders in semiconductor device design, fabrication and production. Learn more at nordtechub.org.
About FuzeHub
FuzeHub is a not-for-profit organization that connects New York’s small to medium-sized manufacturing companies to the resources, programs, and expertise they need for technology commercialization, innovation, and business growth. Through our custom assessment, matching, and referral platform, we help companies navigate New York’s robust network of industry experts at Manufacturing Extension Partners centers, universities, economic development organizations, and other providers. FuzeHub is the statewide New York Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program (MEP) center, supported by Empire State Development’s Division of Science, Technology & Innovation. For more information on FuzeHub, visit www.fuzehub.com.
About Empire State Development
Empire State Development (ESD) is New York’s chief economic development agency. The mission of ESD is to promote a vigorous and growing economy, encourage the creation of new job and economic opportunities, increase revenues to the State and its municipalities, and achieve stable and diversified local economies. Through the use of loans, grants, tax credits and other forms of financial assistance, ESD strives to enhance private business investment and growth to spur job creation and support prosperous communities across New York State. ESD is also the primary administrative agency overseeing the Regional Economic Development Councils and the marketing of "I LOVE NY," the State’s iconic tourism brand. For more information on Regional Councils and Empire State Development, visit regionalcouncils.ny.gov and esd.ny.gov.
About U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
The Department of Defense is America's largest government agency. With the military tracing its roots back to pre-Revolutionary times, the department has grown and evolved with the nation. Their mission is to provide the military forces needed to deter war and ensure the nation's security. https://www.defense.gov/
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