Governor Kathy Hochul has unveiled plans for a new $20 million semiconductor research and development facility at Stony Brook University in partnership with onsemi, one of the leading U.S.-based manufacturers of silicon carbide power semiconductors. The initiative aims to bolster the semiconductor industry in New York, with a focus on advancing next-generation semiconductor technology and supporting the production of electric vehicles and energy infrastructure. "By investing in cutting-edge technology and world-class talent, we’re building a stronger, more resilient future for Long Island, and New York," Hochul stated, highlighting the project's potential to enhance both national security and New York's economy, reports the Governor's Office.
Under the partnership, onsemi is committing $8 million to support the research center's operations Stony Brook University is contributing $10 million towards equipment and renovations, the center, expected to come online in early 2027, will focus on the study of crystal growth, processing, and metrology to improve the efficiency of silicon carbide semiconductors. Empire State Development is also stepping in with a capital grant of up to $2 million, recommended by the Long Island Regional Economic Development Council, to further support the facility's development. Renowned for their work in SiC growth and metrology, Professor Michael Dudley alongside Professor Balaji Raghothamachar and Department Chair Dilip Gersappe, will lead the center, according to the Governor's Office.
SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. emphasized the center's role in propelling forward key research initiatives within the SUNY system and across the nation, "Governor Hochul has charged SUNY to be a leader in semiconductor research and development," King Jr. told Governor's Office. Empire State Development President, CEO, and Commissioner Hope Knight also remarked on the facility's significance in advancing New York's technology leadership. Stony Brook's forthcoming curriculum related to silicon carbide and wide bandgap semiconductors is envisioned to nurture a workforce skilled in these advanced materials.
The new center is not only a significant investment in New York’s tech ecosystem, it also represents a strategic maneuver to shore up America's semiconductor supply, with Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and State Senator Anthony Palumbo expressing gratitude to Hochul for channeling investment and foresight into local education and industry; "Thank you to Governor Hochul for bringing this investment and collaboration with onsemi to Stony Brook University and for fostering a more economically sustainable region for our future generations," Palumbo told Governor's Office. In line with these developments, Stony Brook University College of Engineering and Applied Sciences Dean Andrew Singer also highlighted this movement as a pivotal moment for the nation, underlining the center as an opportunity to advance critical technology while bolstering domestic manufacturing and employment.
