The Commerce Department dropped big news about chip-making today: its putting $825-million into a cutting-edge semiconductor lab in Albany NY. The new high-tech facility (run by operator Natcast) aims to make US less dependent on foreign tech makers
This represents a key milestone in ensuring the United States remains a global leader in innovation and semiconductor research and development
The facilityʼs main focus is on EUV tech - a super-complex way to make semiconductors; its gonna be part of the National Semiconductor Technology Center. This follows-up on what Raimondo promised last yr about giving out multiple funding awards to reshape US chip production
The timing is interesting since just days ago Bidenʼs team said theyre finishing up new rules that will:
- Stop US money going into Chinese AI development
- Block tech transfers that could hurt US security
- Put limits on sharing key manufacturing know-how
These new restrictions (starting early next yr) are part of Washingtonʼs bigger plan to keep advanced tech knowledge from helping Chinese development. The whole thing shows how US is trying to boost its tech game while keeping tight control over who gets access to it