The Florida Semiconductor Institute (FSI) at the University of Florida has entered into a research agreement with tech giant L3Harris Technologies focused on next-generation microelectronics.
The three-year, $1.2 million Alliance for Strategic Semiconductor and Electronics Technologies (ASSET) agreement was made possible with matching investments from L3Harris and UF.
The goal of this initiative is to accelerate the commercialization of innovative defense technologies, and support workforce development through hands-on training of Ph.D. students by providing practical insights and industry exposure.
The semiconductor industry has recently experienced global growth and struggles to keep up with talent and demand. This agreement highlights FSI’s role as a statewide hub that fosters collaboration between industry and academia to tackle critical challenges. Industry partners across the state turn to FSI with complex problems, and the institute leverages the expertise of their faculty members and students to conduct research and develop innovative solutions with the ultimate goals of driving commercialization and creating a talent pipeline for the semiconductor industry.
“The focus is on high-impact, industry-driven semiconductor research in advanced packaging, and, concurrently, workforce development,” noted UF’s David Arnold, the George Kirkland Leadership professor and director of the Florida Semiconductor Institute.
The inaugural L3Harris Technologies Scholars in the ASSET program are Brenden Mears (Electrical and Computer Engineering), Stephanie Moore (Mechanical Engineering), and Sydney Mutchnick (Physics). These students, from three different UF Ph.D. programs, infuse distinctive but complementary technical expertise into the program.
“University industry partnerships are critical to help shorten the time needed to move a concept from scientific discovery to an end application,” Arnold said. “We are excited to collaborate with L3Harris on disruptive, next-generation microelectronics technologies, and to develop tomorrow’s multidisciplinary technology leaders.”
This agreement is the latest in a longstanding relationship between the two organizations, who share a commitment to advancing the U.S. semiconductor and microelectronics industry. For example, in February, FSI and L3Harris hosted the Florida Semiconductor Summit in Palm Bay, Fla. This event attracted more than 300 professionals representing more than 170 organizations from government and academia to private industries and nonprofits. The theme, “Looking Skyward–Semiconductors in Aerospace and Defense,” celebrated Florida’s momentum in chip manufacturing and accelerated workforce initiatives.