Semiconductors@Purdue

The Integrated Ecosystem

The Semiconductors@Purdue ecosystem brings together Purdue's Birck Nanotechnology Center and global industry leaders SK hynix, imec, and MediaTek across AI memory, semiconductor research and innovation, and edge AI. Together, these anchor partnerships position Purdue as a bridge between academic research, workforce development and the semiconductor design and manufacturing industries.

The Midwest is an exceptional source of talent, research, and research facilities — ready and able to address the nation's semiconductor challenge.

The Top 10 Universities in these Midwest States:

  • Graduate more BS and PhD engineers than the top 10 universities in each of the semiconductor clusters in Oregon, California, Arizona, Texas or New York
  • Include four of the nation's top 20 engineering programs
  • Conduct over $1 billion of engineering research — more than the top 10 universities in Oregon, California, Arizona, Texas or New York

The Midwest is also Home to:

  • Two national laboratories (Argonne National Laboratory and Fermilab)
  • Air Force Research Laboratory and Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane
  • DOW Silicon Crossroads Microelectronics Commons HUB
  • Two imec U.S. sites (Purdue and Michigan)
  • R1 network of five university semiconductor labs operating as one — Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota, Notre Dame, and Purdue


Semiconductors for Indiana: Next Steps

Semiconductors — the 21st century’s new "oil"— is foundational to our nation's economic and national security. As a manufacturing powerhouse with the nation's most intensive manufacturing economy, semiconductor technology is especially critical to Indiana’s future in AI-driven manufacturing.

With industry leaders in semiconductor design, manufacturing, and research for AI, Indiana is positioned to lead the nation in the AI-driven transformation to Industry 4.0.

Semiconductors@Purdue: Next Steps

Much has been accomplished since May 2022, when Purdue University announced its commitment to helping the nation address its semiconductor challenge. The stage is now set for even bigger opportunities.

The U.S. is now investing leading-edge manufacturing in only a few regions of the country. With the SK hynix advanced packaging and manufacturing and R&D facility, West Lafayette is the newest and is well positioned to tap the resources of the Midwest to succeed and grow.

Learn More About Partnerships

What is a Semiconductor Cluster?

  • Manufacturing
  • Supply chain partners
  • Design
  • Research and innovation
  • Startup ecosystem
  • Talent development

Value Proposition

  • For Indiana: High-value, high-paying jobs in a growing industry — from "brain drain" to "brain gain."
  • For Purdue: Opportunities for students and faculty to be part of a thriving, vibrant, and growing creative environment.
  • For the U.S.: An opportunity to tap the human talent, facilities, and manufacturing expertise of Indiana's Hard Tech Corridor.