Dayton, OH – Parallax Advanced Research and their affiliate, the Ohio Aerospace Institute, have joined forces with Purdue University and the Tougaloo College Research and Development Foundation (TCRDF) to launch a cutting-edge microelectronics a pilot program to educate students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in radiation hardening of state-of-the-art microelectronics devices. The pilot is sponsored by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering (OSD(R&E)) Trusted and Assured Microelectronics (T&AM) Program’s workforce development initiative called SCalable Asymmetric Lifecycle Engagement (SCALE). Under this pilot, SCALE is supporting HBCUs to offer a radiation hardening curriculum and hands-on training to develop students’ microelectronics skillsets.
Gail Walters, VP of Corporate Strategic Initiatives at Parallax Advanced Research, said, “There is a global need for microelectronics that are safe, reliable, and trustworthy, but the design and manufacturing of these microchips is challenged by several factors. Chief among those challenges is the urgent need for a rapid increase in the skilled microelectronics workforce, particularly those who hold U.S. citizenship. At Parallax, we are committed to addressing this critical gap by supporting SCALE with curriculum development that equips the next generation of professionals with the necessary skills and knowledge.”
SCALE was launched to address the urgent need for a skilled microelectronics workforce in the defense sector. Managed by the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Division for OUSD(R&E), SCALE supports training of highly skilled U.S. microelectronics technicians, engineers, hardware designers, and manufacturing experts, ensuring U.S. leadership in this critically important field. In addition to radiation hardened microelectronics, SCALE supports workforce development in heterogeneous integration/advanced packaging, system on a chip, embedded system security/trusted AI, supply chain, and compound semiconductor manufacturing. In this latest partnership under SCALE, Purdue University and its collaborators are focusing their curriculum and workforce development specifically on microelectronics radiation hardening to address the pressing demand for skilled professionals in this critical area.
Teressa McCarty, TCRDF COO and principal investigator for SCALE Radiation Hardening, said, “Over the past year, we’ve seen incredible growth, expanding from three schools to five–a testament to our shared commitment to developing talent in the microelectronics field. We’ve successfully developed informational materials and coordinated the Visiting Technologists and Executive sessions, bringing in speakers from the microelectronics community. These efforts have greatly enhanced the program and provided participants with a wealth of invaluable insights. It has been amazing to see the impact of our collaboration, and I look forward to what we will achieve together moving forward. These efforts wouldn’t be possible in isolation but have been realized through the strength of our collaboration.”
Universities currently participating in the pilot program include Tougaloo College, Alabama A&M University, Savannah State University, Tennessee State University, and North Carolina A&T University.
Given the early success of the Fall 2024 inaugural class, and the growing interest from students and other HBCU institutions, this important initiative is poised for rapid expansion, further contributing to the nation’s microelectronics workforce.
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About Parallax Advanced Research and the Ohio Aerospace Institute
Parallax Advanced Research is a 501(c)(3) private nonprofit research institute that tackles global challenges through strategic partnerships with government, industry, and academia. It accelerates innovation, addresses critical global issues, and develops groundbreaking ideas with its partners. With offices in Ohio and Virginia, Parallax aims to deliver new solutions and speed them to market. In 2023, Parallax and the Ohio Aerospace Institute formed a collaborative affiliation to drive innovation and technological advancements in Ohio and for the nation. The Ohio Aerospace Institute plays a pivotal role in advancing the aerospace industry in Ohio and the nation by fostering collaborations between universities, aerospace industries, and government organizations, and managing aerospace research, education, and workforce development projects.