Is this a good use of tax dollars

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Yes! The government has a vested interest in the ever-expanding capability of semiconductor-based information technology and in academic research to maintain the same. The American university system is an important arm of U.S. semiconductor technology research and it benefits significantly from the program, receiving resources for salaries, equipment and upgraded facilities. In addition, by helping ensure the health of a major U.S. industry, the program makes a significant investment in the future of the U.S. economy

 

Who owns the intellectual property?

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STARnet participants receive worldwide, non-transferable, royalty-free, non-exclusive license to inventions and works of authorship (e.g., software) resulting from STARnet-funded research. MARCO will sub-license such inventions and works of authorship, as appropriate, to STARnet  members

 

How are the STARnet centers evaluated?

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FCRP contracts are rebid every five years. The STARnet program and centers are reviewed every year and adjusted, if necessary, to adapt to changes in technology development. In addition each center conducts quarterly and annual technology reviews where sponsors provide feedback to guide the research direction.

 

Who conducts the STARnet research?

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Professors, post-doctoral researchers, industry assignees and graduate students will conduct research using university facilities and equipment. Multi-year contracts, covering the cost of equipment, facilities and research, have been set up with sponsoring organizations. U.S. government laboratories could perform research as well.

 

How does STARnet relate to other semiconductor industry research activities, including the program of research already funded by SEMATECH and GRC

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Most industry research is, by design, narrowly focused on shorter-term solutions to existing problems: i.e., it looks atevolutionary approaches. This research is very important to the current health of the industry, but in many cases it does not address longer-term needs, where revolutionary approaches may be required because of impending technology barriers. STARnet will perform longer-term, more broad-based research, with the goal of expanding the knowledge base of the semiconductor industry. Researchers at STARnet centers will generate ideas for technology solutions, which GRC and SEMATECH will direct to companies for commercialization as appropriate

 

Why was the STARnet Program developed?

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The semiconductor industry is subject to rapid technology change and demands for fast returns on investment. To sustain the historically intense pace, the industry must eliminate technological barriers identified by the ITRS. Most current industry research efforts address shorter-term needs, but to ensure its future, the industry must conduct longer-term, exploratory research as well. STARnet will focus on creating technology options through longer-term research.

 

Who is participating in STARnet

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STARnet is a cooperative effort. Participants include members of:

1. Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA)

Semiconductor Materials & Equipment Suppliers and EDA companies

2. U.S. Department of Defense

The STARnet program is managed by MARCO, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Semiconductor Research Corporation. MARCO stands for Microelectronics Advanced Research Corporation.

 

What is STARnet?

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STARnet is a collaborative network of Semiconductor Technology Advanced Research centers. It is a new program, contracted as the newest phase of FCRP (Phase VI). FCRP Phase V ends in early 2013.

Each STARnet center is a team of U.S. universities that conducts precompetitive exploratory research on semiconductor, system and design technology critical to the U.S. microelectronics and defense industries