,,ii #aagth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #cgdj ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,march #b1 #bjbb,mr4 ,kelly 7for himself and ,mrs4 ,blackburn7 introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources ,a ,,bill ,to provide for a comprehensive and integrative program to accelerate microelectronics research and development at the ,department of ,energy1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,microelectronics ,research for ,energy ,innovation ,act of #bjbb or the ,micro ,act of #bjbb4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,center ,the term ,center means a ,microelectronics ,science ,research ,center established pursuant to section #e4 7#b7 ,department ,the term ,department means the ,department of ,energy4 7#c7 ,director ,the term ,director means the ,director of the ,office of ,science4 7#d7 ,historically black college or university ,the term historically ,black college or university has the meaning given the term part ,b institution in section #cbb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfa74 7#e7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section #aja7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajja7;a774 7#f7 ,minority-serving institution ,the term minority-serving institution means an institution described in any of paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#g7 of section #cga7;a7 of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajfgq7a774 7#g7 ,national ,laboratory ,the term ,national ,laboratory has the meaning given the term in section #b of the ,energy ,policy ,act of #bjje 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aehja74 7#h7 ,program ,the term program means the program established under section #d7;a74 7#i7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,energy4 7#aj7 ,skilled technical workforce ,the term skilled technical workforce has the meaning given the term in section #d7;b77#c7 of the ,innovations in ,mentoring1 ,training1 and ,apprenticeships ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ahfbp note2 ,public ,law #aae-djb74 7#aa7 ,tribal ,college or ,university ,the term ,tribal ,college or ,university has the meaning given the term in section #caf of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajei;c74 #c4 ,findings ,congress finds that-- 7#a7 the coming end of ,moore's ,law presents major technological challenges and opportunities for the ,united ,states and has important implications for national security1 economic competitiveness1 and scientific discovery2 7#b7 future progress and innovation in microelectronics1 and the maintenance of a robust domestic microelectronics supply chain1 will require an approach that advances relevant materials science1 electronic and photonic device technologies1 processing and packaging technologies1 manufacturing technologies1 circuit1 chip1 and system architecture1 and software system and algorithm development in a codesign fashion2 7#c7 the ,national ,laboratories possess unique technical expertise and user facilities that are essential to-- 7,a7 overcoming foundational research challenges relevant to the topics described in paragraph 7#b72 and 7,b7 translating and transferring research outcomes to industry2 and 7#d7 the expertise and user facilities of the ,national ,laboratories described in paragraph 7#c7 will enable the ,department to drive advances in microelectronics that are essential to meeting future needs in areas critical to the missions of the ,department and the future competitiveness of the domestic microelectronics industry1 including high-performance computing1 emerging data-centric computing approaches and energy-efficient computing1 optical sensors1 sources1 and wireless networks1 and power electronics and electricity delivery systems4 #d4 ,microelectronics research program 7a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall carry out a crosscutting program of research1 development1 and demonstration of microelectronics relevant to the missions of the ,department to enable advances and breakthroughs in measurement science1 standards1 material characterization1 instrumentation1 testing1 and manufacturing capabilities that will-- 7#a7 accelerate underlying research and development for design1 development1 and manufacturability of next-generation microelectronics2 and 7#b7 ensure the global competitiveness of the ,united ,states in the field of microelectronics4 7b7 ,research projects 7#a7 ,in general ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary shall provide financial assistance to eligible entities described in paragraph 7#b7 to carry out research projects in-- 7,a7 foundational science areas1 including-- 7i7 materials sciences1 chemical sciences1 and plasma science synthesis and fabrication2 7ii7 novel microelectronics devices1 including emerging memory and storage technologies2 7iii7 diverse computing architectures and paradigms1 including analog computing and edge computing2 7iv7 data-driven modeling and simulation2 7v7 integrated sensing1 power harvesting1 and communications2 7vi7 component integration and subsystems2 7vii7 photonic integration and packaging2 and 7viii7 development of codesign frameworks for all stages of microelectronics design1 development1 fabrication1 and application2 7,b7 cybersecurity by design to result in trusted and resilient microelectronics2 7,c7 methods for leveraging advanced simulation and artificial intelligence to enhance codesign and discovery in microelectronics2 7,d7 in consultation with the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology1 fabrication and processing science and metrology associated with microelectronics manufacturing1 including lithography1 patterning1 surface deposition1 etching1 and cleaning2 7,e7 approaches for optimizing system-level energy efficiency of advanced computing systems1 the electrical grid1 power electronics1 and other energy infrastructure2 7,f7 approaches for enhancing the durability and lifetime of radiation-hardened electronics2 7,g7 enhancement of microelectronics security1 including the development of integrated devices1 packages1 and thermal management for severe environments and national security2 and 7,h7 in coordination with other relevant initiatives of the ,department1 methods to improve the lifetime1 maintenance1 recycling1 reuse1 and sustainability of microelectronics components and systems1 including technologies and strategies that reduce the use of energy1 water1 critical materials1 and other commodities that the ,secretary determines are vulnerable to disruption4 7#b7 ,eligible entities ,an eligible entity referred to in paragraph 7#a7 is-- 7,a7 an institution of higher education1 including a historically ,black college or university1 a ,tribal ,college or ,university1 and a minority-serving institution2 7,b7 a nonprofit research organization2 7,c7 a ,state research agency2 7,d7 a ,national ,laboratory2 7,e7 a private commercial entity2 7,f7 a partnership or consortium of #b or more entities described in subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,e72 and 7,g7 any other entity that the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7#c7 ,notification ,not later than #cj days after the ,secretary provides financial assistance to an eligible entity under paragraph 7#a71 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives a notification of the financial assistance provided1 including-- 7,a7 the criteria used by the ,secretary to select the eligible entity receiving the financial assistance2 7,b7 the manner in which the criteria described in subparagraph 7,a7 comport with the purposes of the program described in subsection 7a72 and 7,c7 a description of the research project that the eligible entity will carry out using the financial assistance4 7c7 ,technology transfer ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary1 in coordination with the ,director of the ,office of ,technology ,transitions and in consultation with the private sector1 shall-- 7#a7 support translational research and transfer of microelectronics technologies2 and 7#b7 identify emerging research and development needs of industry and government for the benefit of ,united ,states economic competitiveness4 7d7 ,workforce development ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary shall support-- 7#a7 workforce development through existing authorities and mechanisms available to the ,department1 including internships1 fellowships1 individual investigator grants1 and other activities the ,secretary determines appropriate2 and 7#b7 education and outreach activities-- 7,a7 to disseminate information and promote understanding of microelectronics and related fields among students at elementary school1 secondary school1 high school1 undergraduate1 and graduate levels2 and 7,b7 that may include educational programming with an emphasis on experiential and project-based learning4 7e7 ,outreach ,the ,secretary shall conduct outreach to recruit applicants to the program and engage participants from all regions of the ,united ,states1 especially individuals from underserved communities and groups historically underrepresented in science1 technology1 engineering1 and mathematics4 7f7 ,coordination ,in carrying out the program1 the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 coordinate across all relevant programs and offices of the ,department2 and 7#b7 coordinate the research carried out under the program relating to microelectronics with activities carried out by other ,federal agencies and programs relating to microelectronics research1 development1 manufacturing1 and supply chain security1 including the programs authorized under subsections 7c7 through 7f7 of section #iijf of the ,william ,m4 7,mac7 ,thornberry ,national ,defense ,authorization ,act for ,fiscal ,year #bjba 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #dfef74 7g7 ,report ,not later than #ahj days after the date of enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives a report describing the goals1 priorities1 and anticipated outcomes of the program4 7h7 ,funding ,there are authorized to be appropriated to the ,secretary to carry out this section-- 7#a7 #ge1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbb2 7#b7 #ajj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbc2 7#c7 #ajj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbd2 7#d7 #ajj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbe2 and 7#e7 #ajj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjbf4 #e4 ,microelectronics ,science ,research ,centers 7a7 ,in general ,in carrying out the program1 subject to the availability of appropriations1 the ,director shall designate not more than #d eligible entities as ,microelectronics ,science ,research ,centers-- 7#a7 to conduct mission-driven research to address foundational challenges in the design1 development1 characterization1 prototyping1 demonstration1 and fabrication of microelectronics2 and 7#b7 to facilitate the translation of research results to industry4 7b7 ,eligible entities ,an eligible entity referred to in subsection 7a7 is-- 7#a7 a ,national ,laboratory2 7#b7 an institution of higher education1 including a historically ,black college or university1 a ,tribal ,college or ,university1 and a minority-serving institution2 7#c7 a private commercial entity2 7#d7 a research center2 7#e7 a partnership or consortium of #b or more entities described in paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#d72 and 7#f7 any other entity that the ,secretary determines appropriate4 7c7 ,activities ,the activities of a ,center shall include research1 development1 and demonstration activities for-- 7#a7 accelerating the development of new microelectronics science and technology1 including materials1 devices1 circuits1 systems1 architectures1 fabrication tools1 processes1 diagnostics1 modeling1 synthesis1 and1 in consultation with the ,national ,institute of ,standards and ,technology1 metrology2 7#b7 advancing the sustainability and energy efficiency of new microelectronics devices1 packages1 and systems2 7#c7 application-driven codesign and prototyping of novel devices to facilitate laboratory-to-fabrication transition2 7#d7 advancing knowledge and experimental capabilities in surface and materials science1 plasma science1 and computational and theoretical methods1 including artificial intelligence1 multiscale codesign1 and advanced supercomputing capabilities to invent and manufacture revolutionary microelectronic devices2 7#e7 creating technology testbeds for prototyping platforms for validation and verification of new capabilities and sharing of ideas1 intellectual property1 and the unique facilities of the ,department2 7#f7 supporting development of cybersecurity capabilities for computing architectures that measurably improve safety and security and are adaptable for existing and future applications2 and 7#g7 supporting long-term and short-term workforce development in microelectronics4 7d7 ,request for proposals ,the ,director shall1 at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,director determines to be appropriate1 issue a request for proposals from eligible entities described in subsection 7b7 seeking to be designated as a ,center4 7e7 ,operation 7#a7 ,duration 7,a7 ,in general ,each ,center shall operate for a period of not more than #e years1 unless renewed for an additional #e-year period in accordance with subparagraph 7,b74 7,b7 ,renewal 7i7 ,initial renewal ,in the case of a ,center that has operated for not more than #e years1 the ,director may renew support for the ,center on a merit-reviewed basis for a period of not more than #e years4 7ii7 #aj-year operation ,in the case of a ,center that has operated for not less than #e years but not more than #aj years1 the ,director may renew support for the ,center on a competitive1 merit-reviewed basis for a period of not more than #e years4 7iii7 #ae-year operation ,in the case of a ,center that has operated for not less than #aj years but not more than #ae years1 the ,director may renew support for the ,center on a merit-reviewed basis for a period of not more than #e years4 7#b7 ,termination ,consistent with the existing authorities of the ,department1 the ,director may terminate an underperforming ,center during the performance period4 7f7 ,technology transfer ,the ,director1 in coordination with the ,director of the ,office of ,technology ,transitions1 shall seek to enter into partnerships with industry groups to facilitate the translation and transfer of research results produced by the ,centers4 7g7 ,coordination ,the ,secretary shall-- 7#a7 establish a coordinating network to coordinate cross-cutting research and foster communication and collaboration among the ,centers2 and 7#b7 ensure coordination1 and avoid unnecessary duplication1 of the activities of each ,center with the activities of-- 7,a7 other research entities of the ,department1 including-- 7i7 the ,nanoscale ,science ,research ,centers2 7ii7 the ,national ,quantum ,information ,science ,research ,centers2 7iii7 the ,energy ,frontier ,research ,centers2 7iv7 the ,energy ,innovation ,hubs2 7v7 the ,national ,laboratories2 and 7vi7 other offices of the ,department2 7,b7 the national semiconductor technology center established under section #iijf7;c77#a7 of the ,william ,m4 7,mac7 ,thornberry ,national ,defense ,authorization ,act for ,fiscal ,year #bjba 7#ae ,u4,s4,c4 #dfef7;c77#a772 7,c7 institutions of higher education2 7,d7 industry2 and 7,e7 relevant research activities carried out by other ,federal agencies4 7h7 ,workforce development ,each ,center shall support workforce development through-- 7#a7 incorporation of undergraduate students1 postdoctoral fellows1 graduate students1 and early career researchers1 as well as elementary school1 secondary school1 and high school students1 through opportunities such as dual-enrollment programs and work-based learning programs1 as applicable2 7#b7 hands-on research and equipment training programs2 7#c7 technical training and certificate programs for the skilled technical workforce2 7#d7 facilitation of engagement among academic1 industry1 and laboratory researchers2 and 7#e7 public outreach activities1 including to students at elementary school1 secondary school1 high school1 undergraduate1 and graduate levels1 which activities may include educational programming with an emphasis on experiential and project-based learning4 7i7 ,outreach ,the ,secretary shall conduct outreach to recruit applicants to the program and engage participants from all regions of the ,united ,states1 especially individuals from underserved communities and groups historically underrepresented in science1 technology1 engineering1 and mathematics4 7j7 ,intellectual property ,the ,secretary shall ensure that the intellectual property and value proposition created by the ,centers are retained within the ,united ,states4 7k7 ,notification 7#a7 ,definition of covered determination ,in this subsection1 the term covered determination means a determination of the ,secretary-- 7,a7 to designate an eligible entity as a ,center under subsection 7a72 7,b7 to renew support for a ,center under subsection 7e77#a77;,b72 or 7,c7 to terminate a ,center under subsection 7e77#b74 7#b7 ,notification ,not later than #cj days after the ,secretary makes a covered determination1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,committee on ,energy and ,natural ,resources of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,science1 ,space1 and ,technology of the ,house of ,representatives a notification of the covered determination1 including-- 7,a7 the criteria used by the ,secretary to make the covered determination2 and 7,b7 the manner in which the criteria described in subparagraph 7,a7 comport with the purposes of the program described in subsection 7a74 7l7 ,funding ,subject to the availability of appropriations1 the ,secretary shall use not more than #be1jjj1jjj to fund each ,center for each of fiscal years #bjbb through #bjbf4