[House Report 117-452]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


117th Congress   }                                              {  Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 2d Session      }                                              { 117-452

======================================================================



 
          MICROELECTRONICS RESEARCH FOR ENERGY INNOVATION ACT

                                _______
                                

August 19, 2022.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

    Ms. Johnson of Texas, from the Committee on Science, Space, and 
                  Technology, submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 6291]

    The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, to whom 
was referred the bill (H.R. 6291) to provide for a 
comprehensive and integrative program to accelerate 
microelectronics research and development at the Department of 
Energy, and for other purposes, having considered the same, 
reports favorably thereon with an amendment and recommends that 
the bill as amended do pass.

                                CONTENTS

                                                                   Page
   I. Amendment.......................................................2
  II. Purpose of the Bill.............................................5
 III. Background and Need for the Legislation.........................5
  IV. Committee Hearings..............................................6
   V. Committee Consideration and Votes...............................6
  VI. Summary of Major Provisions of the Bill.........................7
 VII. Section-By-Section Analysis (By Title and Section)..............7
VIII. Committee Views.................................................8
  IX. Cost Estimate...................................................8
   X. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate.......................8
  XI. Compliance with Public Law 104-4 (Unfunded Mandates)............8
 XII. Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations................8
XIII. Statement on General Performance Goals and Objectives...........8
 XIV. Federal Advisory Committee Statement............................8
  XV. Duplication of Federal Programs.................................8
 XVI. Earmark Identification..........................................9
XVII. Applicability to the Legislative Branch.........................9
XVIII.Statement on Preemption of State, Local, or Tribal Law..........9

 XIX. Proceedings of Full Committee Markup...........................10

    The amendment is as follows:
  Strike all after the enacting clause and insert the 
following:

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

  This Act may be cited as the ``Microelectronics Research for Energy 
Innovation Act'' or the ``Micro Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

  In this Act:
          (1) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the Department 
        of Energy.
          (2) Historically black college and university.--The term 
        ``historically Black college and university'' has the meaning 
        given the term ``part B institution'' in section 322 of the 
        Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).
          (3) Institution of higher education.--The term ``institution 
        of higher education'' has the meaning given the term in section 
        101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
          (4) Minority serving institution.--The term ``minority 
        serving institution'' includes the entities described in any of 
        the paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 371(a) of the Higher 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).
          (5) National laboratory.--The term ``National Laboratory'' 
        has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy 
        Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
          (6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of 
        Energy.
          (7) Skilled technical workforce.--The term ``skilled 
        technical workforce'' has the meaning given such term in 
        section 4(b) of the Innovations in Mentoring, Training, and 
        Apprenticeships Act (42 U.S.C. 1862p).
          (8) Tribal college and university.--The term ``Tribal College 
        and University'' has the meaning given in section 316 of the 
        Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1059c).

SEC. 3. FINDINGS.

  Congress finds that--
          (1) the coming end of Moore's Law presents major 
        technological challenges and opportunities for the United 
        States and important implications for national security, 
        economic competitiveness, and scientific discovery;
          (2) future progress and innovation in microelectronics, and 
        maintaining a robust domestic microelectronics supply chain, 
        will require an approach that advances relevant materials 
        science, electronic and photonic device technologies, 
        processing and packaging technologies, manufacturing 
        technologies, circuit, chip, and system architecture, and 
        software system and algorithm development in a co-design 
        fashion;
          (3) the National Laboratories possess unique technical 
        expertise and user facilities that are essential to overcoming 
        foundational research challenges relevant to the topics 
        described in paragraph (2), and translating and transferring 
        research outcomes to industry; and
          (4) the assets described in paragraph (3) will enable the 
        Department to drive advances in microelectronics that are 
        essential to meeting future needs in areas critical to its 
        missions as well as the future competitiveness of the domestic 
        microelectronics industry, including high-performance 
        computing, emerging data-centric computing approaches, and 
        energy-efficient computing; optical sensors, sources, and 
        wireless networks; and power electronics and electricity 
        delivery systems.

SEC. 4. MICROELECTRONICS RESEARCH PROGRAM.

  (a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out a cross-cutting 
program of research, development, and demonstration of microelectronics 
relevant to the mission of the Department and in the service of the 
Nation's global competitiveness in the field of microelectronics. In 
carrying out this program, the Secretary shall coordinate across all 
relevant programs and offices of the Department.
  (b) Research Areas.--In carrying out the program under subsection 
(a), the Secretary shall award financial assistance to eligible 
entities under subsection (c) to carry out research projects in--
          (1) foundational science areas, including--
                  (A) materials sciences, chemical sciences, and plasma 
                science synthesis, and fabrication;
                  (B) novel microelectronics devices, including 
                emerging memory and storage technologies;
                  (C) diverse computing architectures and paradigms, 
                including analog computing and edge computing;
                  (D) data-driven modeling and simulation;
                  (E) integrated sensing, power harvesting, and 
                communications;
                  (F) component integration and subsystems;
                  (G) photonic integration; and
                  (H) development of co-design frameworks for all 
                stages of microelectronics design, development, 
                fabrication, and application;
          (2) cybersecurity by design to result in trusted and 
        resilient microelectronics;
          (3) methods for leveraging advanced simulation and artificial 
        intelligence to enhance co-design and discovery in 
        microelectronics;
          (4) in consultation with the National Institute of Standards 
        and Technology, fabrication and processing science and 
        metrology associated with microelectronics manufacturing, 
        including lithography, patterning, surface deposition, etching, 
        and cleaning;
          (5) approaches for optimizing system-level energy efficiency 
        of advanced computing systems, the electrical grid, power 
        electronics, and other energy infrastructure;
          (6) approaches for enhancing the durability and lifetime of 
        radiation-hardened electronics;
          (7) enhancement of microelectronics security, including the 
        development of integrated devices, packages, and thermal 
        management for severe environments and national security; and
          (8) in coordination with other relevant initiatives at the 
        Department, methods to improve the lifetime, maintenance, 
        decommissioning, recycling, reuse, and sustainability of 
        microelectronics components and systems, including technologies 
        and strategies that reduce the use of energy, water, critical 
        materials, and other commodities that are determined to be 
        vulnerable to disruption.
  (c) Eligible Entities.--The entities eligible to receive financial 
assistance under this section include--
          (1) an institution of higher education, including 
        historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal colleges 
        and universities, and minority serving institutions;
          (2) a nonprofit research organization;
          (3) a State research agency;
          (4) a National Laboratory;
          (5) a private commercial entity;
          (6) a partnership or consortium of 2 or more entities 
        described in paragraphs (1) through (5); and
          (7) any other entities the Secretary deems appropriate.
  (d) Technology Transfer.--In carrying out the program described in 
subsection (a), the Secretary, in coordination with the Director of the 
Office of Technology Transitions, and in consultation with the private 
sector, shall support translational research and transfer of 
microelectronics technologies and identify emerging research and 
development needs of industry and government for the benefit of United 
States economic competitiveness.
  (e) Workforce Development.--In carrying out the program under 
subsection (a), the Secretary shall support--
          (1) workforce development through the existing authorities 
        and mechanisms available to the Department, including 
        internships, fellowships, individual investigator grants, and 
        other activities the Secretary deems appropriate; and
          (2) education and outreach activities to disseminate 
        information and promote understanding of microelectronics and 
        related fields among students at K-12, undergraduate, and 
        graduate levels. Such activities may include educational 
        programming with an emphasis on experiential and project-based 
        learning. The Secretary shall consult with the Director of the 
        National Science Foundation on activities carried out this 
        paragraph.
  (f) Outreach.--In carrying out activities under subsection (e), the 
Secretary shall ensure program outreach to recruit applicants and 
engage participants from all regions of the country, especially 
underserved communities and groups historically underrepresented in 
STEM.
  (g) Report.--Not less than 180 days after the enactment of this Act, 
the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Science, Space, and 
Technology of the House of Representatives, and the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources of the Senate, a report describing the goals, 
priorities, and anticipated outcomes of the program described in 
subsection (a).
  (h) Funding.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary to carry out the activities described in this section--
          (1) $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2022;
          (2) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2023;
          (3) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;
          (4) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2025; and
          (5) $100,000,000 for fiscal year 2026.

SEC. 5. MICROELECTRONICS SCIENCE RESEARCH CENTERS.

  (a) In General.--In carrying out the program under section 4, the 
Secretary, acting through the Director of the Office of Science, shall 
establish up to four Microelectronics Science Research Centers 
(referred to in this section as ``Centers'') to conduct mission-driven 
research to address foundational challenges in the design, development, 
characterization, prototyping, demonstration, and fabrication of 
microelectronics and to facilitate the translation of research results 
to industry.
  (b) Activities.--The activities of the Centers authorized under this 
section shall include research, development, and demonstration 
activities for--
          (1) accelerating the development of new microelectronics 
        science and technology, including materials, devices, circuits, 
        systems, architectures, fabrication tools, processes, 
        diagnostics, modeling, synthesis, and, in consultation with the 
        National Institute of Standards and Technology, metrology;
          (2) advancing the sustainability and energy efficiency of new 
        microelectronics devices, packages, and systems;
          (3) application-driven co-design and prototyping of novel 
        devices to facilitate laboratory-to-fabrication transition;
          (4) advancing knowledge and experimental capabilities in 
        surface and materials science, plasma science, and 
        computational and theoretical methods, including artificial 
        intelligence, multi-scale co-design, and advanced 
        supercomputing capabilities to invent and manufacture 
        revolutionary microelectronic devices;
          (5) creating technology testbeds for prototyping platforms 
        for validation and verification of new capabilities and sharing 
        of ideas, intellectual property, and the unique facilities of 
        the Department;
          (6) supporting development of cybersecurity capabilities for 
        computing architectures that measurably improve safety and 
        security, and that are adaptable for existing and future 
        applications; and
          (7) supporting long-term and short-term workforce development 
        in microelectronics.
  (c) Requirements.--
          (1) Selection and duration.--The Director of the Office of 
        Science shall select Centers on a competitive, merit-reviewed 
        basis for a period of not more than 5 years, subject to the 
        availability of appropriations, beginning on the date of 
        establishment of that Center.
          (2) Applications.--An eligible applicant under this 
        subsection shall submit to the Director of the Office of 
        Science an application at such time, in such manner, and 
        containing such information as the Director deems appropriate.
          (3) Eligible applicants.--The Director of the Office of 
        Science shall consider applications from--
                  (A) National Laboratories;
                  (B) institutions of higher education, including 
                historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal 
                colleges and universities, and minority serving 
                institutions;
                  (C) private industry;
                  (D) research centers;
                  (E) consortia of 2 or more of the entities described 
                in subparagraphs (A) through (D); and
                  (F) any other entity that the Secretary of Energy 
                deems appropriate.
          (4) Renewal.--After the end of either period described in 
        paragraph (1), the Director of the Office of Science may renew 
        support for the Center for a period of not more than 5 years on 
        a merit-reviewed basis. For a Center in operation for 10 years 
        after its previous selection on a competitive, merit-reviewed 
        basis, the Director may renew support for the center on a 
        competitive, merit-reviewed basis for a period of not more than 
        5 years, and may subsequently provide an additional renewal on 
        a merit-reviewed basis for a period of not more than 5 years.
          (5) Termination.--Consistent with the existing authorities of 
        the Department, the Director of the Office of Science may 
        terminate an underperforming center for cause during the 
        performance period.
  (d) Technology Transfer.--The Director of the Office of Science, in 
coordination with the Director of the Office of Technology Transitions, 
shall implement partnerships with industry groups for the purpose of 
facilitating the translation and transfer of research results produced 
by the Centers.
  (e) Coordination.--The Secretary shall--
          (1) establish a coordinating network to coordinate cross-
        cutting research and foster communication and collaboration 
        among the Centers; and
          (2) ensure the coordination, and avoid unnecessary 
        duplication, of the activities of each Center with the 
        activities of--
                  (A) other research entities of the Department, 
                including--
                          (i) the Nanoscale Science Research Centers;
                          (ii) the National Quantum Information Science 
                        Research Centers;
                          (iii) the Energy Frontier Research Centers;
                          (iv) the Energy Innovation Hubs;
                          (v) the National Laboratories; and
                          (vi) other offices of the Department;
                  (B) the National Semiconductor Technology Center 
                authorized in title XCIX of division H of the William 
                M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act 
                for Fiscal Year 2021 (Public Law 116-283);
                  (C) institutions of higher education;
                  (D) industry; and
                  (E) research activities carried out by other Federal 
                agencies.
  (f) Workforce Development.--Centers established under this section 
shall support workforce development through--
          (1) incorporation of undergraduate students, postdoctoral 
        fellows, graduate students, and early career researchers, as 
        well as K-12 students through opportunities such as dual-
        enrollment programs and work-based learning programs, as 
        applicable;
          (2) hand-on research and equipment training programs;
          (3) technical training and certificate programs for the 
        skilled technical workforce;
          (4) facilitation of engagement between academic, industry, 
        and laboratory researchers; and
          (5) public outreach activities, including to students at K-
        12, undergraduate, and graduate levels. Such activities may 
        include educational programming with an emphasis on 
        experiential and project-based learning.
  (g) Outreach.--In carrying out activities under subsection (e), the 
Secretary shall ensure program outreach to recruit applicants and 
engage participants from all regions of the country, especially 
underserved communities and groups historically underrepresented in 
STEM.
  (h) Intellectual Property.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
intellectual property and value proposition created by the Centers are 
retained within the United States.
  (i) Funding.--The Secretary of Energy shall allocate up to 
$25,000,000 for each Center established under this section for each of 
fiscal years 2022 through 2026, subject to the availability of 
appropriations.

                        II. PURPOSE OF THE BILL

    The purpose of the bill is to direct the Secretary of 
Energy to carry out a crosscutting initiative in 
microelectronics research, development, and demonstration 
(RD&D). This includes research activities aimed at driving 
progress in the scientific areas underpinning microelectronics, 
as well as a mechanism for supporting large-scale 
Microelectronics Science Research Centers focused on addressing 
specific challenges. H.R. 6291 is sponsored by Mr. Tonko and 
cosponsored by Mr. Ellzey, Ms. Stevens, Mr. Gimenez, and Ms. 
Wild.

              III. BACKGROUND AND NEED FOR THE LEGISLATION

    This legislation establishes the Department of Energy's 
(the Department or DOE) role in the broader microelectronics 
research, development, and demonstration (RD&D) enterprise. 
DOE's unique technical expertise and user facilities, as well 
as the external research community that engages regularly with 
the Department, render it well-positioned to accelerate 
transformational research in microelectronics that is essential 
to meeting future mission needs and bolstering the 
competitiveness of the domestic microelectronics industry.
    The Microelectronics Research for Energy Innovation Act 
(Micro Act) addresses a gap in the nation's microelectronics 
RD&D enterprise by complementing the Creating Helpful 
Incentives to Produce Semiconductors Act (CHIPS Act). The CHIPS 
Act, which was enacted in early 2021 as part of the William M. 
Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 
2021, includes authorization of a new National Semiconductor 
Technology Center (NSTC) focused on research and prototyping of 
advanced semiconductor concepts in partnership with the private 
sector, as well as research at the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology (NIST) to drive advances in 
measurement science, standards, materials characterization, 
instrumentation, testing, and manufacturing capabilities. The 
activities authorized in the Micro Act are intended to 
accelerate early-stage research that could support NSTC and the 
NIST-led efforts, which primarily target downstream technology 
development.

                         IV. COMMITTEE HEARINGS

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(6) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee designates the 
following hearing as having been used to develop or consider 
the legislation:
    On Thursday, December 2, 2021, the Committee on Science, 
Space, and Technology held a hearing entitled ``Ensuring 
American Leadership in Microelectronics'' to examine the status 
of U.S. leadership in advanced microelectronics development and 
manufacturing; to discuss how new investments and partnership 
models can support continued U.S. leadership; and to explore 
the role of the federal government in supporting domestic 
microelectronics innovation and manufacturing throughout the 
supply chain. An additional purpose of the hearing was to 
receive testimony on the Micro Act and the role of DOE and the 
National Laboratories in supporting transformative research in 
microelectronics advances generally.
    Witnesses:
           Dr. Ann Kelleher, Executive Vice President 
        and General Manager of Technology Development, Intel 
        Corporation
           Mr. Manish Bhatia, Executive Vice President, 
        Global Operations, Micron Technology, Inc.
           Dr. Michael Witherell, Director, Lawrence 
        Berkeley National Laboratory
           Dr. Mung Chiang, Executive Vice President 
        and John A. Edwardson Dean, College of Engineering, 
        Purdue University

                  V. COMMITTEE CONSIDERATION AND VOTES

    The Committee on Science, Space, and Technology met to 
consider H.R. 6291 on January 19, 2022.
    Mr. Tonko offered an amendment to make technical 
corrections and conforming changes. The amendment was agreed to 
by a voice vote.
    Mr. Perlmutter offered an amendment, on behalf of Mr. 
Bowman, to authorize specific workforce development and 
education and public outreach activities. The amendment was 
agreed to by a voice vote.
    Ms. Wild offered an amendment to authorize research to 
improve the lifetime and sustainability of microelectronics 
components, including energy, water, and critical mineral use. 
The amendment was agreed to by a voice vote.
    Mr. Gimenez offered an amendment to require DOE to consult 
with the private sector in carrying out technology transfer 
activities under the microelectronics research program. The 
amendment was agreed to by a voice vote.
    Mr. Perlmutter moved that the Committee favorably report 
the bill, H.R. 6291, as amended, to the House of 
Representatives with the recommendation that the bill be 
approved. The motion was agreed to by a voice vote.

              VI. SUMMARY OF MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE BILL

    H.R. 6291 authorizes the Secretary of Energy to carry out a 
crosscutting initiative in microelectronics RD&D. This would 
include research activities aimed at driving progress in the 
scientific areas underpinning microelectronics. Research 
supported under this initiative will leverage the Department's 
assets to focus on a broad array of topics including materials 
science, plasma sciences, fabrication, device architecture, 
energy efficient computing, and grid optimization, among many 
others.
    The bill also authorizes the establishment of up to four 
Microelectronics Science Research Centers (MSRCs). These large-
scale centers will conduct mission-driven research to address 
foundational challenges in the design, development, 
characterization, prototyping, demonstration, and fabrication 
of microelectronics. The MSRCs will be multi-institutional 
endeavors involving National Laboratories, universities, and 
private sector partners, and will seek to advance high-impact 
research, facilitate technology transfer, and contribute to the 
future microelectronics workforce.
    H.R. 6291 authorizes workforce development and education 
and public outreach efforts designed to augment the activities 
carried out through both the broad research initiative and the 
MSRCs. Specific attention is paid to engaging students and 
other participants from underserved communities and groups 
historically underrepresented in science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics.

        VII. SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS (BY TITLE AND SECTION)

Sec. 1. Short title

    Establishes that H.R. 6291 may be cited as the 
``Microelectronics Research for Energy Innovation Act''.

Sec. 2. Definitions

    Definitions.

Sec. 3. Findings

    Findings relevant to the subtitle.

Sec. 4. Microelectronics research program

    Directs the Secretary of Energy to carry out a crosscutting 
program in microelectronics research, development, and 
demonstration and authorizes appropriations for those purposes. 
The section also authorizes activities in workforce development 
and outreach pursuant to the program and authorizes the 
Secretary to consult with the National Science Foundation on 
these activities.

Sec. 5. Microelectronics science research centers

    Directs the Secretary of Energy to establish up to four 
Microelectronics Science Research Centers to conduct mission-
driven research and associated workforce development activities 
to address foundational challenges in the design, development 
characterization, prototyping, demonstration, and fabrication 
of microelectronics and to facilitate the translation of 
research results to industry, and authorizes appropriations for 
this purpose.

                         VIII. COMMITTEE VIEWS

    In implementing this program, the Committee encourages the 
Department to prioritize coordination between the appropriate 
program offices and with relevant Federal agencies. The 
Committee continues to emphasize the importance of leveraging 
the unique capabilities of the Department, including its 
National Laboratories, user facilities, and external research 
partners, to drive innovations in microelectronics relevant to 
its mission and to enable advances and breakthroughs in ways 
that are not currently feasible using existing mechanisms and 
programs.

                           IX. COST ESTIMATE

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(2) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee adopts as its own the 
estimate of new budget authority, entitlement authority, or tax 
expenditures or revenues contained in the cost estimate 
prepared by the Director of the Congressional Budget Office 
pursuant to section 402 of the Congressional Budget Act of 
1974.

              X. CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE

    No Congressional Budget Office cost estimate.

                     XI. FEDERAL MANDATES STATEMENT

    H.R. 6291 contains no unfunded mandates.

         XII. COMMITTEE OVERSIGHT FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

    The Committee's oversight findings and recommendations are 
reflected in the body of this report.

      XIII. STATEMENT ON GENERAL PERFORMANCE GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

    Pursuant to clause (3)(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, the goal of H.R. 6291 is to 
strengthen the nation's microelectronics research enterprise 
and help foster a robust domestic microelectronics sector. The 
legislation will require the Department to provide a report on 
the implementation of the authorized program.

               XIV. FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE STATEMENT

    No Federal Advisory Committees are created by H.R. 6291.

                  XV. DUPLICATION OF FEDERAL PROGRAMS

    Pursuant to clause 3(c)(5) of rule XIII of the Rules of the 
House of Representatives, the Committee finds that no provision 
of H.R. 6291 establishes or reauthorizes a program of the 
federal government known to be duplicative of another federal 
program, including any program that was included in a report to 
Congress pursuant to section 21 of Public Law 111-139 or the 
most recent Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance.

                      XVI. EARMARK IDENTIFICATION

    Pursuant to clauses 9(e), 9(f), and 9(g) of rule XXI, the 
Committee finds that H.R. 6291 contains no earmarks, limited 
tax benefits, or limited tariff benefits.

             XVII. APPLICABILITY TO THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH

    The Committee finds that H.R. 6291 does not relate to the 
terms and conditions of employment or access to public services 
or accommodations within the meaning of section 102(b)(3) of 
the Congressional Accountability Act (Public Law 104-1).

     XVIII. STATEMENT ON PREEMPTION OF STATE, LOCAL, OR TRIBAL LAW

    This bill is not intended to preempt any state, local, or 
tribal law.