Micro Act of 2022
Bill: S.3740 | Sponsor: Sen. Kelly, Mark (D-AZ)
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
Microelectronics Research for Energy Innovation Act of 2022 or the Micro Act of 2022
This bill requires the Department of Energy to carry out a program, which includes workforce training and development, to accelerate research for designing, developing, and manufacturing next-generation microelectronics.

To provide for a comprehensive and integrative program to accelerate 
microelectronics research and development at the Department of Energy, 
                        and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Microelectronics Research for Energy 
Innovation Act of 2022'' or the ``Micro Act of 2022''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
            (1) Center.--The term ``Center'' means a Microelectronics 
        Science Research Center established pursuant to section 5.
            (2) Department.--The term ``Department'' means the 
        Department of Energy.
            (3) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
        the Office of Science.
            (4) Historically black college or university.--The term 
        ``historically Black college or university'' has the meaning 
        given the term ``part B institution'' in section 322 of the 
        Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061).
            (5) Institution of higher education.--The term 
        ``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
        U.S.C. 1001(a)).
            (6) Minority-serving institution.--The term ``minority-
        serving institution'' means an institution described in any of 
        paragraphs (1) through (7) of section 371(a) of the Higher 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1067q(a)).
            (7) National laboratory.--The term ``National Laboratory'' 
        has the meaning given the term in section 2 of the Energy 
        Policy Act of 2005 (42 U.S.C. 15801).
            (8) Program.--The term ``program'' means the program 
        established under section 4(a).
            (9) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Energy.
            (10) Skilled technical workforce.--The term ``skilled 
        technical workforce'' has the meaning given the term in section 
        4(b)(3) of the Innovations in Mentoring, Training, and 
        Apprenticeships Act (42 U.S.C. 1862p note; Public Law 115-402).
            (11) Tribal college or university.--The term ``Tribal 
        College or University'' has the meaning given the term 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 has important implications for national security, 
        economic competitiveness, and scientific discovery;
            (2) future progress and innovation in microelectronics, and 
        the maintenance of a robust domestic microelectronics supply 
        chain, will require an approach that advances relevant 
        materials science, electronic and photonic device technologies, 
        processing and packaging technologies, manufacturing 
        technologies, circuit, chip, and system architecture, and 
        software system and algorithm development in a codesign 
        fashion;
            (3) the National Laboratories possess unique technical 
        expertise and user facilities that are essential to--
                    (A) overcoming foundational research challenges 
                relevant to the topics described in paragraph (2); and
                    (B) translating and transferring research outcomes 
                to industry; and
            (4) the expertise and user facilities of the National 
        Laboratories described in paragraph (3) will enable the 
        Department to drive advances in microelectronics that are 
        essential to meeting future needs in areas critical to the 
        missions of the Department and the future competitiveness of 
        the domestic microelectronics industry, including high-
        performance computing, emerging data-centric computing 
        approaches and energy-efficient computing, optical sensors, 
        sources, and wireless networks, and power electronics and 
        electricity delivery systems.

SEC. 4. MICROELECTRONICS RESEARCH PROGRAM.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall carry out a crosscutting 
program of research, development, and demonstration of microelectronics 
relevant to the missions of the Department to enable advances and 
breakthroughs in measurement science, standards, material 
characterization, instrumentation, testing, and manufacturing 
capabilities that will--
            (1) accelerate underlying research and development for 
        design, development, and manufacturability of next-generation 
        microelectronics; and
            (2) ensure the global competitiveness of the United States 
        in the field of microelectronics.
    (b) Research Projects.--
            (1) In general.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary 
        shall provide financial assistance to eligible entities 
        described in paragraph (2) to carry out research projects in--
                    (A) foundational science areas, including--
                            (i) materials sciences, chemical sciences, 
                        and plasma science synthesis and fabrication;
                            (ii) novel microelectronics devices, 
                        including emerging memory and storage 
                        technologies;
                            (iii) diverse computing architectures and 
                        paradigms, including analog computing and edge 
                        computing;
                            (iv) data-driven modeling and simulation;
                            (v) integrated sensing, power harvesting, 
                        and communications;
                            (vi) component integration and subsystems;
                            (vii) photonic integration and packaging; 
                        and
                            (viii) development of codesign frameworks 
                        for all stages of microelectronics design, 
                        development, fabrication, and application;
                    (B) cybersecurity by design to result in trusted 
                and resilient microelectronics;
                    (C) methods for leveraging advanced simulation and 
                artificial intelligence to enhance codesign and 
                discovery in microelectronics;
                    (D) in consultation with the National Institute of 
                Standards and Technology, fabrication and processing 
                science and metrology associated with microelectronics 
                manufacturing, including lithography, patterning, 
                surface deposition, etching, and cleaning;
                    (E) approaches for optimizing system-level energy 
                efficiency of advanced computing systems, the 
                electrical grid, power electronics, and other energy 
                infrastructure;
                    (F) approaches for enhancing the durability and 
                lifetime of radiation-hardened electronics;
                    (G) enhancement of microelectronics security, 
                including the development of integrated devices, 
                packages, and thermal management for severe 
                environments and national security; and
                    (H) in coordination with other relevant initiatives 
                of the Department, methods to improve the lifetime, 
                maintenance, recycling, reuse, and sustainability of 
                microelectronics components and systems, including 
                technologies and strategies that reduce the use of 
                energy, water, critical materials, and other 
                commodities that the Secretary determines are 
                vulnerable to disruption.
            (2) Eligible entities.--An eligible entity referred to in 
        paragraph (1) is--
                    (A) an institution of higher education, including a 
                historically Black college or university, a Tribal 
                College or University, and a minority-serving 
                institution;
                    (B) a nonprofit research organization;
                    (C) a State research agency;
                    (D) a National Laboratory;
                    (E) a private commercial entity;
                    (F) a partnership or consortium of 2 or more 
                entities described in subparagraphs (A) through (E); 
                and
                    (G) any other entity that the Secretary determines 
                appropriate.
            (3) Notification.--Not later than 30 days after the 
        Secretary provides financial assistance to an eligible entity 
        under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall submit to the 
        Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate and the 
        Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of the House of 
        Representatives a notification of the financial assistance 
        provided, including--
                    (A) the criteria used by the Secretary to select 
                the eligible entity receiving the financial assistance;
                    (B) the manner in which the criteria described in 
                subparagraph (A) comport with the purposes of the 
                program described in subsection (a); and
                    (C) a description of the research project that the 
                eligible entity will carry out using the financial 
                assistance.
    (c) Technology Transfer.--In carrying out the program, the 
Secretary, in coordination with the Director of the Office of 
Technology Transitions and in consultation with the private sector, 
shall--
            (1) support translational research and transfer of 
        microelectronics technologies; and
            (2) identify emerging research and development needs of 
        industry and government for the benefit of United States 
        economic competitiveness.
    (d) Workforce Development.--In carrying out the program, the 
Secretary shall support--
            (1) workforce development through existing authorities and 
        mechanisms available to the Department, including internships, 
        fellowships, individual investigator grants, and other 
        activities the Secretary determines appropriate; and
            (2) education and outreach activities--
                    (A) to disseminate information and promote 
                understanding of microelectronics and related fields 
                among students at elementary school, secondary school, 
                high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels; and
                    (B) that may include educational programming with 
                an emphasis on experiential and project-based learning.
    (e) Outreach.--The Secretary shall conduct outreach to recruit 
applicants to the program and engage participants from all regions of 
the United States, especially individuals from underserved communities 
and groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics.
    (f) Coordination.--In carrying out the program, the Secretary 
shall--
            (1) coordinate across all relevant programs and offices of 
        the Department; and
            (2) coordinate the research carried out under the program 
        relating to microelectronics with activities carried out by 
        other Federal agencies and programs relating to 
        microelectronics research, development, manufacturing, and 
        supply chain security, including the programs authorized under 
        subsections (c) through (f) of section 9906 of the William M. 
        (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal 
        Year 2021 (15 U.S.C. 4656).
    (g) Report.--Not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Energy and 
Natural Resources of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, 
and Technology of the House of Representatives a report describing the 
goals, priorities, and anticipated outcomes of the program.
    (h) Funding.--There are authorized to be appropriated to the 
Secretary to carry out 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, subject to the 
availability of appropriations, the Director shall designate not more 
than 4 eligible entities as Microelectronics Science Research Centers--
            (1) to conduct mission-driven research to address 
        foundational challenges in the design, development, 
        characterization, prototyping, demonstration, and fabrication 
        of microelectronics; and
            (2) to facilitate the translation of research results to 
        industry.
    (b) Eligible Entities.--An eligible entity referred to in 
subsection (a) is--
            (1) a National Laboratory;
            (2) an institution of higher education, including a 
        historically Black college or university, a Tribal College or 
        University, and a minority-serving institution;
            (3) a private commercial entity;
            (4) a research center;
            (5) a partnership or consortium of 2 or more entities 
        described in paragraphs (1) through (4); and
            (6) any other entity that the Secretary determines 
        appropriate.
    (c) Activities.--The activities of a Center shall include research, 
development, and demonstration activities for--
            (1) accelerating the development of new microelectronics 
        science and technology, including materials, devices, circuits, 
        systems, architectures, fabrication tools, processes, 
        diagnostics, modeling, synthesis, and, in consultation with the 
        National Institute of Standards and Technology, metrology;
            (2) advancing the sustainability and energy efficiency of 
        new microelectronics devices, packages, and systems;
            (3) application-driven codesign and prototyping of novel 
        devices to facilitate laboratory-to-fabrication transition;
            (4) advancing knowledge and experimental capabilities in 
        surface and materials science, plasma science, and 
        computational and theoretical methods, including artificial 
        intelligence, multiscale codesign, and advanced supercomputing 
        capabilities to invent and manufacture revolutionary 
        microelectronic devices;
            (5) creating technology testbeds for prototyping platforms 
        for validation and verification of new capabilities and sharing 
        of ideas, intellectual property, and the unique facilities of 
        the Department;
            (6) supporting development of cybersecurity capabilities 
        for computing architectures that measurably improve safety and 
        security and are adaptable for existing and future 
        applications; and
            (7) supporting long-term and short-term workforce 
        development in microelectronics.
    (d) Request for Proposals.--The Director shall, at such time, in 
such manner, and containing such information as the Director determines 
to be appropriate, issue a request for proposals from eligible entities 
described in subsection (b) seeking to be designated as a Center.
    (e) Operation.--
            (1) Duration.--
                    (A) In general.--Each Center shall operate for a 
                period of not more than 5 years, unless renewed for an 
                additional 5-year period in accordance with 
                subparagraph (B).
                    (B) Renewal.--
                            (i) Initial renewal.--In the case of a 
                        Center that has operated for not more than 5 
                        years, the Director may renew support for the 
                        Center on a merit-reviewed basis for a period 
                        of not more than 5 years.
                            (ii) 10-year operation.--In the case of a 
                        Center that has operated for not less than 5 
                        years but not more than 10 years, the Director 
                        may renew support for the Center on a 
                        competitive, merit-reviewed basis for a period 
                        of not more than 5 years.
                            (iii) 15-year operation.--In the case of a 
                        Center that has operated for not less than 10 
                        years but not more than 15 years, the Director 
                        may renew support for the Center on a merit-
                        reviewed basis for a period of not more than 5 
                        years.
            (2) Termination.--Consistent with the existing authorities 
        of the Department, the Director may terminate an 
        underperforming Center during the performance period.
    (f) Technology Transfer.--The Director, in coordination with the 
Director of the Office of Technology Transitions, shall seek to enter 
into partnerships with industry groups to facilitate the translation 
and transfer of research results produced by the Centers.
    (g) Coordination.--The Secretary shall--
            (1) establish a coordinating network to coordinate cross-
        cutting research and foster communication and collaboration 
        among the Centers; and
            (2) ensure coordination, and avoid unnecessary duplication, 
        of the activities of each Center with the activities of--
                    (A) other research entities of the Department, 
                including--
                            (i) the Nanoscale Science Research Centers;
                            (ii) the National Quantum Information 
                        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 
                established under section 9906(c)(1) of the William M. 
                (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for 
                Fiscal Year 2021 (15 U.S.C. 4656(c)(1));
                    (C) institutions of higher education;
                    (D) industry; and
                    (E) relevant research activities carried out by 
                other Federal agencies.
    (h) Workforce Development.--Each Center shall support workforce 
development through--
            (1) incorporation of undergraduate students, postdoctoral 
        fellows, graduate students, and early career researchers, as 
        well as elementary school, secondary school, and high school 
        students, through opportunities such as dual-enrollment 
        programs and work-based learning programs, as applicable;
            (2) hands-on research and equipment training programs;
            (3) technical training and certificate programs for the 
        skilled technical workforce;
            (4) facilitation of engagement among academic, industry, 
        and laboratory researchers; and
            (5) public outreach activities, including to students at 
        elementary school, secondary school, high school, 
        undergraduate, and graduate levels, which activities may 
        include educational programming with an emphasis on 
        experiential and project-based learning.
    (i) Outreach.--The Secretary shall conduct outreach to recruit 
applicants to the program and engage participants from all regions of 
the United States, especially individuals from underserved communities 
and groups historically underrepresented in science, technology, 
engineering, and mathematics.
    (j) Intellectual Property.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
intellectual property and value proposition created by the Centers are 
retained within the United States.
    (k) Notification.--
            (1) Definition of covered determination.--In this 
        subsection, the term ``covered determination'' means a 
        determination of the Secretary--
                    (A) to designate an eligible entity as a Center 
                under subsection (a);
                    (B) to renew support for a Center under subsection 
                (e)(1)(B); or
                    (C) to terminate a Center under subsection (e)(2).
            (2) Notification.--Not later than 30 days after the 
        Secretary makes a covered determination, the Secretary shall 
        submit to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the 
        Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology of 
        the House of Representatives a notification of the covered 
        determination, including--
                    (A) the criteria used by the Secretary to make the 
                covered determination; and
                    (B) the manner in which the criteria described in 
                subparagraph (A) comport with the purposes of the 
                program described in subsection (a).
    (l) Funding.--Subject to the availability of appropriations, the 
Secretary shall use not more than $25,000,000 to fund each Center for 
each of fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
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