Governor Greg Abbott announced a $4.8 million Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF) grant to the Texas Quantum Institute (TQI) at The University of Texas at Austin for the establishment of QLab, a quantum-enhanced semiconductor metrology facility in Austin. This facility will acquire state-of-the-art instrumentation to advance semiconductor manufacturing by leveraging developments in quantum science and technology, focusing on the science of measurement at the atomic and molecular level. QLab will serve both Texas’ semiconductor and emerging quantum industries, as well as academic research, addressing critical challenges identified by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund Grant to TQI
The Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF) has awarded a $4.8 million grant to the Texas Quantum Institute (TQI) at UT Austin. This funding will establish QLab, a new quantum-enhanced semiconductor metrology facility in Austin. Metrology, defined as the science of measurement, is crucial in semiconductor manufacturing, requiring precision at the atomic and molecular level. QLab aims to advance semiconductor manufacturing by applying developments in quantum science and technology, supporting both industry and academic research.
QLab will be managed by TQI, collaborating with UT Austin’s Microelectronic Research Center (MRC), Texas Institute for Electronics (TIE), and Texas Materials Institute (TMI). The U.S. Department of Commerce has identified metrology as a key enabling technology for the semiconductor industry, and this investment aims to address critical challenges within it. This grant builds upon the 2023 Texas CHIPS Act, which established the TSIF to encourage leadership in semiconductor research and manufacturing.
This TSIF grant is expected to position Central Texas as a hub for semiconductor and quantum industry growth. Senator Sarah Eckhardt notes the potential for thousands of advanced manufacturing jobs. The programs administered by the Texas CHIPS Office are designed to leverage investments, encourage expansion of semiconductor companies, and develop the capacity of Texas higher education institutions, maintaining the state’s leadership in semiconductor manufacturing.
QLab Facility and its Metrology Focus
QLab is a quantum-enhanced semiconductor metrology facility being established at The University of Texas at Austin thanks to a $4.8 million grant from the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF). This facility will focus on metrology – the science of measurement at the atomic and molecular level – which is considered a key enabling technology for the semiconductor industry, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce. QLab aims to serve both the Texas semiconductor and emerging quantum industries, alongside academic research efforts…