University of Vermont (̽̽) faculty, students and staff gathered this morning alongside employees of (GF) for a ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the culmination of their growing partnership and the launch of Vermont's first educational semiconductor lab. The celebration was the lead-off event for GlobalFoundries Day which continues through the afternoon with activities designed to engage students in the company's mission, current programs and developments, open jobs, and internships.
and Biomedical Engineering Department, share ribbon-cutting duties for the opening of the new
Device Characterization Teaching Lab which features scientific testing and failure analysis equipment
donated by Essex Junction based semiconductor chip manufacturer.
The groundbreaking Device Characterization Teaching Lab was created through a unique and mutually advantageous collaboration between the University's College of Engineering and Mathematical Sciences (CEMS) and GlobalFoundries. The new lab features a suite of scientific testing and analysis equipment donated by GF and heralds an essential phase of the ongoing initiative to prepare students to work in the rapidly expanding field of semiconductors.
“Our strategic partnership with GF continues to build on our shared commitment to developing a highly skilled workforce that positions Vermont as a leader in semiconductor development and manufacturing,” said Linda Schadler, dean of CEMS. “This cutting-edge facility is the first of its kind in Vermont and will provide a unique educational experience for our students. We are grateful to GlobalFoundries for their generous support in helping to make this innovative lab a reality.”
teaching lab's wafer prober with visiting employees from GlobalFoundries.
Vermont Commissioner of Economic Development Joan Goldstein applauded the partnership and affirmed the importance of the undergraduate Semiconductor Certificate Program as a forward-looking workforce development initiative that will promote economic development in Vermont. She added the new teaching lab will encourage additional research collaborations that can spawn new patentable discoveries that will further contribute to the growth of semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing as well as other business ventures in Vermont.
The seed of the project was planted last fall when the U.S. Department of Education (DoE) awarded ̽̽ $2.6M to develop and implement expanded educational opportunities in semiconductor technology. With the funding in place, a team of CEMS faculty members including Jeff Frolik, Matt Gallagher and Tian Xia in Electrical Engineering and Randy Headrick and Matt White in Physics collaborated with their colleagues at GF to design an Undergraduate Certificate in Semiconductor Engineering and Physics (UCSEP) as part of the new enhanced semiconductor curriculum.
The 17-credit certificate prioritizes the hands-on experience that the new Device Characterization Lab will provide.
“It's unusual for undergraduate students to be able to get their hands on state-of-the-art probers and parameter analyzers—instruments that would normally be found in an industrial or a research laboratory,” said Gallagher, who has helped coordinate the equipment donation and is teaching the first course in the lab this fall.
The timing of the DoE award coincides with the recent passage of the that provides over $50 billion in new funding to boost domestic semiconductor research and manufacturing and ensures a growing demand for workforce development in the field. In addition to addressing a national need—the U.S. produces only about 10% of the world’s supply of semiconductors—the CEMS certificate further dovetails with ̽̽’s strategic imperative to fulfil its land grant mission, in part by supporting job creation initiatives through corporate partnerships.
“Development in critical areas such as this are foundational to ̽̽’s identity as a premier research institution,” said Kirk Dombrowski, Vice President of Research at ̽̽. “Hands-on learning that originates in this lab will be carried forth into the workforce by our students and put to use for employers such as GF, further strengthening our shared positions as leaders in innovation.”
As the basic building blocks for computing and communications devices, semiconductors are embedded into nearly every facet of our modern lives – from automotive and telecommunications technology all the way up to national defense systems. The advancements currently being made in this industry will continue to impact our lives in profound ways—from green energy solutions to advancements in artificial intelligence.
The scientific equipment donated by GF provides students and researchers with the opportunity to conduct semiconductor failure analysis and characterization—the process by which a material’s properties are analyzed and measured.
during a panel discussion hosted by the semiconductor manufacturer on GlobalFoundries Day.
“GF is honored to donate cutting-edge lab equipment that will give ̽̽ students a first of its kind perspective on the complex process of building semiconductors,” said Ken McAvey, Vice President and General Manager, GF Vermont. “With this significant milestone, our goal is to spark curiosity of the mind and innovative thinking among ̽̽ students while empowering the next generation of innovators. We take great pride in our partnership with ̽̽ and look forward to it continuing the advancement of science and technology while helping to educate our future high-tech workforce that will position Vermont as a leader in semiconductor manufacturing.”
The new lab joins the University’s existing clean room as part of a robust hands-on opportunity for students to learn on the same equipment being used in semiconductor manufacturing facilities known in the industry as fabrication plants, or fabs. A 13-credit graduate-level certificate is also on the horizon beginning in fall 2024 during which students will travel to the GF Vermont facility and have access to their state-of-the-art characterization laboratories.
Couby Ouattara, a senior in the Electrical Engineering program who has advanced through several internship positions at GF over the past three summers, revised his course schedule to gain experience in the new semiconductor lab.
“I know taking these classes will allow me to be more experienced and ready for when I go into the industry,” said Ouattara, who added that his time at GF is likely to continue after graduation as he has recently received an offer of employment from the company.
Following the morning ribbon-cutting ceremony, the ̽̽ Career Center has partnered with GF team members and ̽̽ alumni to host a slate of learning sessions for undergraduate and graduate students to learn more about the company, the field of the semiconductors, and an opportunity to meet with a member of the GlobalFoundries recruitment team to get tips on their resume or practice interviewing for an internship or job.