Letter to Penny Pritzker, United States Secretary of Commerce - Private-Public Partnership with SUNY Poly

Letter

Dear Secretary Pritzker,

We write in support of the application submitted by the Research Foundation for the State University of New York (SUNY) on behalf of SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly), and a consortium including SEMATECH, Edwards Vacuum and INFICON, for funding from the Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant administered by the Economic Development Administration. This funding would support the creation of the Advanced Manufacturing Performance (AMP) Center.

The AMP Center will build on the New York nanotechnology ecosystem driven by SUNY Poly to create a manufacturing testbed site in Utica, New York focused on issues in advanced manufacturing across multiple sectors in the state and country. The Nanotech Corridor, which is a core of New York State's strategic plan for economic growth, began with the establishment of SUNY Poly headquartered in Albany, with research, development, and deployment sites across upstate New York. SUNY Poly has driven the nanotechnology advanced manufacturing ecosystem in New York, and the AMP Center will build on these efforts, further supporting the Nanotech Corridor.

The requested funding will be used to support Phase I of the project, which will lay the groundwork necessary for creation of the AMP Center and build industry support for technology development programs for sub-systems and site-services companies serving the advanced manufacturing industry. The Center will first focus on defectivity and contamination control, and will expand to other areas including energy environmental efficiency, data analytics, manufacturing logistics, manufacturing supply chain management, enhanced delivery capabilities, waste reduction, and advanced manufacturing facilities. SUNY Poly is a primary driver of the New York nanotechnology ecosystem and will serve as the program manager for the AMP Center. SEMATECH is a non-profit consortium that performs research in advancing semiconductor technologies and will serve as the technology manager for the AMP Center, while Edwards Vacuum is a leading vacuum and abatement system manufacturer serving the worldwide semiconductor market and will serve as lead industry partner. The requested funding will specifically be used by SUNY Poly and its partners to install the first two testbeds and inspection capabilities, beginning the first research project, establishing baseline processes, and building core staff. This will include nanoparticle detection and component testing in vacuum based processes to demonstrate feasibility, and will provide testing and validation capabilities in a neutral environment with data analytics. In general, the funding will lay the groundwork necessary for future expansion and continue to build industry support.

We ask that you please give this application your full consideration.

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