Microelectronics Go from Lab to Fab at UC San Diego’s Qualcomm Institute

Through California DREAMS, the first part of this process — developing a new technology — can happen in a mere two years. But making the transition to industry readiness can take at least another two years, often more.

“For the five-year project, we continue to evaluate each new technology, as well as new opportunities,” Lo said. The evaluation process includes testing and fine-tuning every project and working with partners to further develop capabilities. Currently, about 70% of the projects at Nano3 — the headquarters of UC San Diego’s work for Microelectronics Commons — are in the development stage, and the other 30% are transitioning to commercialization.

“Already, we’re finishing up with some successful technologies that have jumped from the lab bench to fabrication,” he said. “Over the next three years, 70% of our efforts will be focused on that transition.”

One project led by Duygu Kuzum, an associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at UC San Diego who recently received the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers, is already making strides in advancing microelectronics processing techniques that could support next-generation wireless communication systems.

Kuzum’s group is developing novel energy-efficient hardware that enhances edge computing capabilities; this is an essential part of 5G/6G systems, which require rapid, low-power data processing at the network edge.

“At the edge, you have limited computing power and limited energy resources,” Lo said. “To be able to execute complex functions like real-time signal processing and adaptive communication, you need a chip that is not only energy-efficient but also optimized for high-performance tasks.”

While current industry solutions for edge computing exist, they often struggle with power consumption and scalability. Kuzum’s work, particularly in advanced semiconductor processing and device fabrication, could enable more efficient hardware that could be integrated into next-generation communication and defense applications.

Eventually, Lo shared, many of the technologies developed through this program will be part of a patent portfolio marketed by California DREAMS. Designers and developers will then have access to these innovations, accelerating product development and commercialization within key technology areas like 5G/6G infrastructure and secure communication systems.

After federal funding expires at the end of 2027, the revenue from the lab-to-fab transition and funding from non-CHIPS Act programs is expected to make California DREAMS self-sustaining.

“Even though we’re only in year two, we’ve already developed technologies that are in transition to commercialization,” Lo said. “American designers and innovators will have access to a new set of technologies not available anywhere else — these proofs of concept will help accelerate the design of new microelectronics.”