Ohio State opens $20 million chip prototyping hub

University research labs often struggle to bridge the gap between theoretical discovery and industrial scale. On Oct. 20, Ohio State University addressed this bottleneck by opening a newly expanded semiconductor research and prototyping complex.

The project, which cost more than $20 million, is operated by the Institute for Materials and Manufacturing Research. It functions as the Microelectronics Innovation and Technology Cluster, or MITEC. This cluster integrates existing semiconductor processing, device prototyping, and testing facilities into a single operational environment.

The expansion is designed to support the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium, a regional innovation hub designated by the Department of War. The consortium aims to strengthen national defense technology development and the domestic supply chain. MMEC CEO Matt Casto described Ohio State as a strategic partner aligned with the mission to enhance America's microelectronics capabilities. He noted that the new facilities bridge the gap between research and real-world applications.

Funding for the initiative came from two primary sources. Approximately $16 million was secured through the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium. An additional $4.5 million came from a collaborative infrastructure investment by Ohio State and the Ohio Department of Higher Education. These funds supported major equipment additions and facility upgrades that allow researchers to work with wafer sizes and processes compatible with industrial manufacturing.

John M. Horack, vice president for research at Ohio State, emphasized the institution's land-grant mission to generate new knowledge and share it with students. He stated that a key responsibility is moving that knowledge beyond the laboratory. Horack highlighted the importance of translating research into solutions that strengthen communities and drive economic growth. He distinguished between demonstrating a concept in a lab and executing it at scale, a distinction the new facility is built to handle.

Steven Ringel, a Distinguished University Professor and senior associate vice president for research, leads the MITEC initiative. He said the new capabilities will support device development and prototyping for both defense and commercial technology transitions. Ringel expressed excitement about the partnership with the Midwest Microelectronics Consortium, which he identified as the region's leading hub for compound semiconductor technologies.

The facility brings together resources from the Nanotech West Lab and the Semiconductor Epitaxy and Analysis Laboratory. This integration provides an environment for collaborative technology development and rapid prototyping. The setup allows industry partners to evaluate and prepare state-of-the-art semiconductor technologies for manufacturing at a scale closer to commercial production, reducing the time needed for commercialization.

Workforce development programs are already active within the new complex. MMEC-sponsored fellowships provide undergraduate and graduate students with hands-on research experience in the Nanotech West Lab cleanroom. Students work with wide bandgap semiconductors used in high-power electronics and narrow bandgap semiconductors required for infrared sensing. They receive training from experienced staff while helping to accelerate the development of new technologies.