At SEMICON West Hybrid 2021, everyone was talking about the impacts of the chip and talent shortages, the global fab expansion, and the critical importance of sustainable semiconductor manufacturing.
Ajit Manocha, president and CEO of SEMI, offered his perspectives on these chip industry issues and the role SEMI plays in driving the collaborations needed to uncover solutions when I spoke with him as part of the SEMICON West 2021 Hybrid podcast series from 3D InCites.
Manocha also shared key takeaways from his fireside chat with Deputy Secretary of Commerce, Don Graves, including how the U.S. government is finally understanding the strategic importance of the semiconductor industry, from accelerating the development of the COVID-19 vaccine to ensuring national security.
And lastly, with the semiconductor industry’s massive carbon footprint, even as it enables devices that help other industries reduce theirs, we find ourselves in a conundrum. How do we continue to support market demand for more chips while reducing carbon emissions? As an industry organization, SEMI is on the case, and Manocha provided details on the work of the new SEMI Sustainability Initiative and Sustainability Advisory Council.
Francoise von Trapp is a reporter at 3D InCites.