IB 
Union Calendar No. 349 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6291 
[Report No. 117–452] 
To provide for a comprehensive and integrative program to accelerate micro-
electronics research and development at the Department of Energy, and 
for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
DECEMBER 14, 2021 
Mr. TONKO (for himself and Mr. ELLZEY) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology 
AUGUST 19, 2022 
Additional sponsors: Ms. STEVENS, Mr. GIMENEZ, and Ms. WILD 
AUGUST 19, 2022 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed 
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed in italic] 
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on December 14, 2021] 
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A BILL 
To provide for a comprehensive and integrative program 
to accelerate microelectronics research and development 
at the Department of Energy, and for other purposes. 
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Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Microelectronics Re-
search 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 UNIVER-
SITY.—The term ‘‘historically Black college and uni-
versity’’ has the meaning given the term ‘‘part B in-
stitution’’ 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 mean-
ing 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 ‘‘Na-
tional Laboratory’’ has the meaning given the term in 
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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 mean-
ing 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 na-
tional security, economic competitiveness, and sci-
entific discovery; 
(2) future progress and innovation in microelec-
tronics, and maintaining a robust domestic microelec-
tronics supply chain, will require an approach that 
advances relevant materials science, electronic and 
photonic device technologies, processing and pack-
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aging technologies, manufacturing technologies, cir-
cuit, chip, and system architecture, and software sys-
tem and algorithm development in a co-design fash-
ion; 
(3) the National Laboratories possess unique 
technical expertise and user facilities that are essen-
tial to overcoming foundational research challenges 
relevant to the topics described in paragraph (2), and 
translating and transferring research outcomes to in-
dustry; and 
(4) the assets described in paragraph (3) will en-
able the Department to drive advances in microelec-
tronics that are essential to meeting future needs in 
areas critical to its missions as well as the future 
competitiveness of the domestic microelectronics in-
dustry, 
including 
high-performance 
computing, 
emerging data-centric computing approaches, and en-
ergy-efficient computing; optical sensors, sources, and 
wireless networks; and power electronics and elec-
tricity delivery systems. 
SEC. 4. MICROELECTRONICS RESEARCH PROGRAM. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall carry out a 
cross-cutting program of research, development, and dem-
onstration of microelectronics relevant to the mission of the 
Department and in the service of the Nation’s global com-
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petitiveness in the field of microelectronics. In carrying out 
this program, the Secretary shall coordinate across all rel-
evant 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, develop-
ment, fabrication, and application; 
(2) cybersecurity by design to result in trusted 
and resilient microelectronics; 
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(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 proc-
essing science and metrology associated with micro-
electronics manufacturing, including lithography, 
patterning, surface deposition, etching, and cleaning; 
(5) approaches for optimizing system-level en-
ergy efficiency of advanced computing systems, the 
electrical grid, power electronics, and other energy in-
frastructure; 
(6) approaches for enhancing the durability and 
lifetime of radiation-hardened electronics; 
(7) enhancement of microelectronics security, in-
cluding the development of integrated devices, pack-
ages, and thermal management for severe environ-
ments and national security; and 
(8) in coordination with other relevant initia-
tives at the Department, methods to improve the life-
time, maintenance, decommissioning, recycling, reuse, 
and sustainability of microelectronics components 
and systems, including technologies and strategies 
that reduce the use of energy, water, critical mate-
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rials, and other commodities that are determined to 
be vulnerable to disruption. 
(c) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—The entities eligible to re-
ceive financial assistance under this section include— 
(1) an institution of higher education, including 
historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal col-
leges and universities, and minority serving institu-
tions; 
(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 en-
tities described in paragraphs (1) through (5); and 
(7) any other entities the Secretary deems appro-
priate. 
(d) TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.—In carrying out the 
program described in subsection (a), the Secretary, in co-
ordination with the Director of the Office of Technology 
Transitions, and in consultation with the private sector, 
shall support translational research and transfer of micro-
electronics technologies and identify emerging research and 
development needs of industry and government for the ben-
efit of United States economic competitiveness. 
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(e) WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.—In carrying out the 
program under subsection (a), the Secretary shall sup-
port— 
(1) workforce development through the existing 
authorities and mechanisms available to the Depart-
ment, including internships, fellowships, individual 
investigator grants, and other activities the Secretary 
deems appropriate; and 
(2) education and outreach activities to dissemi-
nate information and promote understanding of 
microelectronics and related fields among students at 
K-12, undergraduate, and graduate levels. Such ac-
tivities may include educational programming with 
an emphasis on experiential and project-based learn-
ing. 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 sub-
section (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 enact-
ment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Com-
mittee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
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Representatives, and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources of the Senate, a report describing the goals, prior-
ities, and anticipated outcomes of the program described in 
subsection (a). 
(h) FUNDING.—There are authorized to be appro-
priated 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, charac-
terization, prototyping, demonstration, and fabrication of 
microelectronics and to facilitate the translation of research 
results to industry. 
(b) ACTIVITIES.—The activities of the Centers author-
ized under this section shall include research, development, 
and demonstration activities for— 
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(1) accelerating the development of new micro-
electronics science and technology, including mate-
rials, devices, circuits, systems, architectures, fabrica-
tion tools, processes, diagnostics, modeling, synthesis, 
and, in consultation with the National Institute of 
Standards and Technology, metrology; 
(2) advancing the sustainability and energy effi-
ciency 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 capa-
bilities 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 de-
vices; 
(5) creating technology testbeds for prototyping 
platforms for validation and verification of new capa-
bilities and sharing of ideas, intellectual property, 
and the unique facilities of the Department; 
(6) supporting development of cybersecurity ca-
pabilities for computing architectures that measur-
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ably improve safety and security, and that are adapt-
able for existing and future applications; and 
(7) supporting long-term and short-term work-
force development in microelectronics. 
(c) REQUIREMENTS.— 
(1) SELECTION AND DURATION.—The Director of 
the Office of Science shall select Centers on a competi-
tive, merit-reviewed basis for a period of not more 
than 5 years, subject to the availability of appropria-
tions, beginning on the date of establishment of that 
Center. 
(2) APPLICATIONS.—An eligible applicant under 
this subsection shall submit to the Director of the Of-
fice of Science an application at such time, in such 
manner, and containing such information as the Di-
rector deems appropriate. 
(3) ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS.—The Director of the 
Office of Science shall consider applications from— 
(A) National Laboratories; 
(B) institutions of higher education, includ-
ing historically Black colleges and universities, 
Tribal colleges and universities, and minority 
serving institutions; 
(C) private industry; 
(D) research centers; 
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(E) consortia of 2 or more of the entities de-
scribed 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 de-
scribed in paragraph (1), the Director of the Office of 
Science may renew support for the Center for a pe-
riod 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 Of-
fice of Science may terminate an underperforming 
center for cause during the performance period. 
(d) TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER.—The Director of the Of-
fice of Science, in coordination with the Director of the Of-
fice of Technology Transitions, shall implement partner-
ships with industry groups for the purpose of facilitating 
the translation and transfer of research results produced by 
the Centers. 
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(e) COORDINATION.—The Secretary shall— 
(1) establish a coordinating network to coordi-
nate cross-cutting research and foster communication 
and collaboration among the Centers; and 
(2) ensure the coordination, and avoid unneces-
sary duplication, of the activities of each Center with 
the activities of— 
(A) other research entities of the Depart-
ment, including— 
(i) the Nanoscale Science Research 
Centers; 
(ii) the National Quantum Informa-
tion 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 De-
fense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 
(Public Law 116–283); 
(C) institutions of higher education; 
(D) industry; and 
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(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 ca-
reer researchers, as well as K-12 students through op-
portunities 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 stu-
dents at K-12, undergraduate, and graduate levels. 
Such activities may include educational program-
ming with an emphasis on experiential and project- 
based learning. 
(g) OUTREACH.—In carrying out activities under sub-
section (e), the Secretary shall ensure program outreach to 
recruit applicants and engage participants from all regions 
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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. 
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Union Calendar No. 349 
117TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 6291 
[Report No. 117–452] 
A BILL 
To provide for a comprehensive and integrative pro-
gram to accelerate microelectronics research and 
development at the Department of Energy, and 
for other purposes. 
AUGUST 19, 2022 
Reported with an amendment, committed to the Com-
mittee of the Whole House on the State of the Union, 
and ordered to be printed 
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