Space Forge of the UK, which makes semiconductor manufacturing materials in space, has signed an R&D agreement with The Texas A&M University System marking its first move into establishing its  materials manufacturing and processing capability in the U.S.

The agreement applies throughout the Texas A&M System and establishes how future research will be handled across all joint projects.

The Texas A&M System was selected for the strength of its existing semiconductor facilities and infrastructure, including cleanrooms, material processing and characterisation capabilities, alongside aligned research, access to a skilled local workforce and the major semiconductor projects planned across the region.

Space Forge will work closely with the Texas A&M Semiconductor Institute as well as the AggieFab Nanofabrication Facility (pictured).

AggieFab is a part of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station and the Texas A&M University Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering.

Texas already has an established semiconductor and space ecosystem, with many of Space Forge’s current collaborators based in the state, including Intuitive Machines, Voyager and Starlab.

“Space Forge’s leadership in developing high-quality substrates for advanced materials and semiconductor applications aligns perfectly with our institute’s mission to drive disruptive, next-generation research,” says Texas A&M vice chancellor Steve Putna, “together, we will pursue breakthroughs that strengthen semiconductor innovation. Texas is one of the most dynamic environments for semiconductors in the nation, and collaborations like this one are exactly what will keep the Texas A&M System at the forefront of that momentum. This collaboration not only advances cutting-edge research, but also fuels workforce development and economic growth right here in Texas. We look forward to the impactful work ahead with Space Forge.”

“AggieFab has built its reputation as a nanofabrication facility where researchers and industry partners can turn ambitious ideas into real devices and materials “ says Arun Haggie director of AggieFsb, “our cleanroom environment, along with our advanced fabrication, characterisation and material processing tools, gives Space Forge a powerful foundation to develop and refine the next generation of semiconductor substrates right here in Texas. We’re excited to put our infrastructure and technical expertise to work in this collaboration while giving our students and researchers hands-on experience with the pioneering materials that will define the future of the industry.”

“This agreement is an important first step in establishing our manufacturing presence in the United States, says Space Forge president Michelle Flemming, “the Texas A&M System gives us the infrastructure, the research strength and the talent to stand up our first US facility for semiconductor materials, and to do it in a state that has demonstrated with funding, how serious it is about both advancing semiconductors and space.”

The collaboration supports Space Forge’s broader goal of building US capacity in advanced semiconductor materials and speaks to a national priority, with US domestic semiconductor manufacturing capacity projected to grow 203% in the decade following the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association and Boston Consulting Group.

The collaboration will begin with terrestrial material growth, characterisation and processing, before expanding over the next 12 to 24 months to include joint research opportunities across the Texas A&M System.

See also: Space Forge claims first for orbital semiconductor manufacturing