Two Stanford University professors will be honored for excellence in semiconductor research by the Semiconductor Industry Association and Semiconductor Research Corporation.
Dr. Subhasish Mitra, professor of electrical engineering and computer science, and Dr. Boris Murmann, professor of electrical engineering, will accept the 2021 SIA-SRC University Research Awards Nov. 18.
Also, Nvidia CEO and founder Jensen Huang was named the Robert Noyce Award winner for 2021 in August and he will also accept the award for his role as a trailblazer in building accelerated computing platforms.
The research awards to Mitra and Murmann “recognize a lifetime of exceptional impact by both,” for semiconductor technology and design, said Todd Younkin, president and CEO of SRC, which worked with members of industry to select the two. They join other researchers honored since 1995.
Mitra will be honored for pioneering work in design and test of integrated circuits, reliable computing systems and 3D nanosystems that have been used in robust computing systems, electronic design automation and nanosystems.
Murmann is being honored for groundbreaking advances in mixed-signal integrated circuit design with an emphasis on sensor interfaces, data converters, high-speed communication and machine learning.
There is a strong need for research and researchers in the chip industry and SIA noted that chip companies invest nearly 20% of revenues into R&D, among the highest of any industry. Meanwhile, U.S. federal investment in semi research has been flat as a share of GDP for years, falling behind other nations, SIA noted.
“Research drives the innovation needed to advance semiconductor technology and strengthen America’s economy and national security,” said SIA President John Neuffer in a statement. He also called on Congress to enact $52 billion in
funding for chip research, manufacturing and design in the CHIPS for America Act and to enact an investment tax credit for chip research and manufacturing.
The White House is pushing to get CHIPS passed by the end of the year, according to Peter Harrell, a senior director in the National Security Council speaking in an online forum Nov. 4. The Senate passed the measure in June, but action has stalled in the House.
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