The EU and U.S. Utilize AI to Find Alternatives to Forever Chemicals in Semiconductor Manufacturing

Sunday - April 7 2024, 15:08 UTC - 7 months ago

The EU and U.S. are collaborating to find alternative materials to PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, in semiconductor production through the use of artificial intelligence and digital twins. They also plan to review the security risk of legacy chips and increase collaboration on supply chain disruptions.

The European Union and the U.S. are joining forces to tackle the issue of so-called forever chemicals in semiconductor manufacturing, with the help of artificial intelligence. These toxic chemicals, known as PFAS, have been a source of concern due to their widespread presence in various industrial applications and their persistence in the environment. In a draft statement seen by Bloomberg, the two regions have pledged to use AI and digital twins to accelerate the search for alternative materials to PFAS in the production of semiconductors.

As part of the joint U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council, discussions are taking place in Leuven, Belgium this week, with a particular focus on emerging technologies. The use of AI in materials research is a rapidly growing trend, with the potential to greatly enhance the efficiency and speed of discovery. By leveraging AI capacities and digital twins, the EU and U.S. plan to continue identifying research opportunities to replace PFAS in semiconductor manufacturing.

In addition to addressing the issue of PFAS, the draft statement confirms earlier reporting by Bloomberg on the EU's plans to collaborate with the U.S. in reviewing the security risk of legacy chips in global supply chains. While these mature semiconductors play a crucial role in various industries, including automotive and aerospace, there are concerns about potential distortions in the market, as well as critical dependencies. In an effort to address this, the EU and U.S. intend to collect and share information about non-market policies and practices, and develop joint measures to mitigate any negative effects on supply chains.

The U.S. and EU also plan to extend their collaboration on an early-warning mechanism and information sharing platform for supply chain disruptions for an additional three years. This will serve as a crucial tool for identifying potential vulnerabilities and addressing them in a timely manner. Additionally, a mechanism will be put in place for sharing information on public support provided to the semiconductor sector, further enhancing transparency and cooperation between the two regions.