World’s largest semiconductor technology center being built in San Jose Bay Area, says VP Kamala Harris
The return of silicon chips (semiconductors) to Silicon Valley. This is why they call it Silicon Valley.”
The announcement was made as part of an effort to encourage more production of semiconductor chips in the U.S.
“Semiconductors are the brain of modern technology,” Harris said, “They’re small chips, of silicone, usually no larger than a fingernail, and no thicker than a piece of paper. And they’re essential to every electronic device that we currently use, from computers, to televisions, to air conditioners and washing machines.”
But chip shortages have been a critical issue around the globe in recent years, all while demand grew.
With not enough chips to produce key components in products like cars, the vehicles became more expensive and the jobs of those who produce them were drastically cut.
It was a big lesson, not only for the United States, (but) for all the countries to understand.
In August of 2022, Congress passed the CHIPS and Science Act, setting aside billions for semiconductor chips production and more.
Applied Materials is the company that builds the machines used by Intel and Samsung and Nvidia, so they can make chips.
Harris says the investments have led to Sunnyvale’s Applied Materials’ announcement made overnight, that a new semiconductor research and development facility is set to be built by early 2026 “When completed, it will be the largest such facility in the world,” Harris said, “Of course, it will contain some of the most cutting edge technology, including machines that can build semiconductor components as thin as a single atom.”
