Applied Materials, a global innovator in microchip manufacturing technology, has partnered with Arizona State University (ASU) to advance research and development in the field. The company is investing heavily in ASU, funding state-of-the-art facilities, leading-edge research projects, and student scholarships. At the inaugural Applied Materials Innovation Day, company executives and ASU leaders discussed the collaborative potential between industry and academia.
“When we came to ASU, we found world-class faculty doing world-class research,” said Satheesh Kuppurao, Applied Materials vice president for business development and growth in the Semiconductor Products Group. “We thought that we could put down roots here and work together to solve the toughest challenges.”
Construction of a $270 million shared development and prototyping facility at the ASU Research Park is underway. This facility will provide students and faculty with opportunities for hands-on learning and research.
Fulton Schools of Engineering faculty members have received funding awards for projects designed to foster the development of new materials and improve manufacturing techniques. Professor Mustafa Güler is exploring how 2D materials could be used in advanced semiconductor manufacturing to improve energy efficiency, while Assistant Professor William Huang is researching the use of gallium nitride, a silicon alternative, for microelectronics used in electric vehicle chargers. ASU researchers are also investigating how artificial intelligence can enhance the manufacturing process.
Professor Mike Whittaker is working on AI models that can analyze manufacturing recipes, and Assistant Professor Jon Taylor is developing machine learning systems for plasma chambers.
Advancing microchip research at ASU
“We’re looking for that moonshot,” said Vik Banthia, Applied Materials vice president of front-end products and treatments.
“We want to partner with academia on developments that are five to 10 years out.”
Students attended the first-ever Applied Materials Innovation Day at ASU’s Paul C. Helmick Center, connecting with Applied Materials researchers and learning about the company’s strategic vision. In the fall of 2024, six engineering students received scholarships from Applied Materials, enabling them to focus on their studies and aspire to future contributions in semiconductor research and development.
Joseph Werner, vice president of service digital tools in Applied Global Services, expressed excitement about welcoming the next generation into the industry. “We want smart people who show up and ask smart questions,” he said. Kyle Squires, senior vice provost of engineering, computing, and technology for ASU and dean of the Ira A.
Fulton Schools of Engineering, emphasized that the collaborations will solidify Arizona’s role as a microelectronics powerhouse and help build a well-qualified, highly trained workforce. “These collaborations give our students unparalleled access to next-generation technologies and challenges, preparing them for high-impact careers while enabling faculty to drive forward transformative semiconductor research,” Squires said. The partnership between Applied Materials and ASU highlights the potential for industry-academia collaborations to drive innovation, prepare the future workforce, and create transformative advancements in technology.
Image Credits: Photo by Vishnu Mohanan on Unsplash
April Isaacs is a news contributor for DevX.com She is long-term, self-proclaimed nerd. She loves all things tech and computers and still has her first Dreamcast system. It is lovingly named Joni, after Joni Mitchell.
