[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.