US President Joe Biden’s administration has disclosed a $75 million funding for the development and commercial rollout of a breakthrough glass substrate technology that enhances semiconductor performance. The South Korean conglomerate SK Group’s subsidiary, Absolics, has been granted this funding.
Groundbreaking Glass Substrate Technology
US Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, hails the glass substrate for chips as a revolutionary technology that significantly bolsters semiconductor performance and efficiency. Unlike conventional organic substrates, glass is much more temperature-resistant and enables thinner, compact chips. According to Raimondo, such investments are imperative for the US to maintain its global lead in the advanced semiconductor industry and the generation of high-tech jobs.
Building a Glass Substrate Plant
According to a report from Tom’s Hardware, Absolics intends to use the funds to establish a 120,000 square feet glass substrate manufacturing plant in Covington, Georgia.
Market Leaders’ Involvement in Glass Substrate Technology
The leading chip manufacturers, including Intel and Samsung, have been exploring this technology for several years. It is anticipated that the first commercial glass substrate chips would make their debut around 2026, initially serving the high-performance corporate arena rather than consumer electronics.
Potential Tension Between Countries
The funding would potentially strain US-South Korea relations, considering Absolics is a subsidiary of SK Group, a key competitor of Samsung. However, Samsung has already obtained $6 billion in state support from the “Chips Act,” allowing it to continue with its initiatives unfazed.
Focused Support from the “Chips Act”
The backing for the glass substrate emerges as the debut direct use of “Chips Act” funds for a specific technology’s development. Prior to this, standalone funding was provided to draw tech firms to the US. Biden’s administration plans to continue encouraging innovation using this program.
