The University of the District of Columbia (UDC) proudly hosted the U.S. Department of Commerce’s CHIPS for America Workshop on Accelerating R&D for Sustainable Semiconductor Materials in September, an exciting hybrid event that brought together leaders from academia, industry and government to address the pressing need for sustainability in semiconductor manufacturing. As the U.S. semiconductor industry seeks to remain competitive globally, increasing the sustainability of its materials and manufacturing practices has become paramount for both protecting the environment and fostering innovative technologies.

The workshop opened with welcome remarks from UDC Chief Academic Officer April Massey, followed by a fireside chat between National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Director and Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology Laurie E. Locascio and White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) Director Arati Prabhakar.

UDC Vice President for Research Victor McCrary participated on a panel of industry, government and academic stakeholders on the importance of including environmental sustainability as part of the CHIPS efforts. Their insights set the stage for a dynamic conversation about the challenges and opportunities in creating sustainable semiconductor materials and transitioning them from the lab to large-scale manufacturing.

McCrary emphasized the importance of collaboration in advancing these critical technologies. “Sustainability is not just a technical challenge; it’s a national imperative,” McCrary said. “The University of the District of Columbia is proud to be part of this conversation, bringing together leading voices from government, academia and industry to ensure that the future of technology is both innovative and environmentally responsible.”

The day also included a series of breakout sessions and expert discussions, focusing on the role of artificial intelligence-powered autonomous experimentation (AI/AE) in accelerating the discovery of new, sustainable materials. Attendees explored ways to optimize semiconductor performance metrics—such as energy efficiency and waste reduction—while improving the competitiveness of the final manufactured products.

In addition to presentations and discussions, virtual one-on-one meetings with CHIPS staff were offered for attendees to explore partnership opportunities. Participants from emerging research institutions, major universities, and industry groups shared ideas on how to engage in sustainable semiconductor research and development, especially through AI-enabled research.

UDC continues to demonstrate its leadership and commitment to advancing sustainable technology through partnerships and events like this workshop.