Syracuse University has secured $1,039,000 in federal funding to establish a Semiconductor Thermal Noise Testbed that will advance domestic semiconductor manufacturing capabilities while creating new job opportunities and strengthening the high-tech workforce in Central New York.
The funding, included in the FY 2026 Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill as Community Project Funding, was championed by U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and U.S. Representative John Mannion.
The investment comes as Central New York is poised to become a major hub for semiconductor manufacturing with Micron Technology’s planned multibillion-dollar investment in the region. The new testbed will help support the development of a pipeline of skilled workers who are ready to support this transformative economic development.
“Thanks to this million-dollar investment that I helped champion, Syracuse University’s cutting-edge thermal noise testbed is poised to develop the semiconductor manufacturing, precision metrology and quantum computing technologies and workforce that will power our nation’s future,” Schumer says. “It gives me great pride to deliver this federal funding to build on Syracuse University’s decades of leadership in thermal noise research while driving economic growth and creating new, good-paying jobs for Upstate New York’s growing semiconductor manufacturing hub.”
“With this new investment and Micron breaking ground this week, it is clearer every day that America’s road to semiconductor leadership runs through Central New York,” Schumer adds.
Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, says, “I’m proud to have secured these federal dollars that will drive real growth across Central New York through the creation of high-tech jobs and the advancement of cutting-edge research at Syracuse University. This investment in our domestic semiconductor workforce and manufacturing capacity will help to solidify Central New York as a leader in next-generation technologies. I’ll keep working to bring home resources that strengthen our research capabilities and make a real difference for working families.”
“Investing in cutting-edge scientific research is critical to Syracuse University and Central New York, continuing their long tradition of innovation and leadership,” Mannion says. “This funding will drive discovery, help train the next generation of scientists and engineers and keep our region at the forefront of emerging technologies that matter to our local economy and America’s national security. I’m grateful to partner with Syracuse University to support world-class research, talent and opportunity right here in Upstate New York.”
The testbed will focus on exploring the manufacturing and testing of ultra-low thermal noise materials for use in quantum sensing, fundamental science and semiconductor manufacturing—skills critical to strengthening U.S. domestic semiconductor industry.
“Syracuse University is grateful to Senators Schumer and Gillibrand and Representative Mannion for this critical support,” says the University’s Vice President for Research Duncan Brown. “Using the semiconductor thermal noise testbed, Syracuse scientists and students will create new semiconductor-on-glass technologies to create ultra-precise measuring devices and advance state-of-the art semiconductor and quantum-optics technologies. This will allow us to engage industry partners, create new job opportunities and economic growth in our region and train students in skills needed by Micron and the chip industry.”
Advancing U.S. engineering and manufacturing prowess in semiconductor and quantum devices is critical for national security and economic competitiveness.
The project will advance knowledge of glass substrates and coatings to create technologies that will impact chips, photovoltaics and even astronomical observatories, while positioning Central New York as a national leader in advanced manufacturing.
