Syracuse University has received $1 million in federal funding to establish a Semiconductor Thermal Noise Testbed. The investment strengthens semiconductor manufacturing capabilities while supporting workforce development across the NY SMART I-Corridor.
The testbed will support the development of ultra-low thermal noise materials used in quantum sensing, advanced scientific research, and semiconductor production. Syracuse University says that these capabilities are “critical to strengthening the U.S. domestic semiconductor industry,” particularly as demand grows for high-precision, next-generation technologies. These cross-cutting technologies highlight the corridor’s strength as an integrated innovation ecosystem where discoveries move from research labs to real-world manufacturing and economic growth.
As semiconductor investment accelerates across the region, including Micron Technology’s multibillion-dollar manufacturing campus in Central New York, which broke ground earlier this month, research infrastructure such as Syracuse University’s thermal noise testbed is essential to aligning innovation, manufacturing, and workforce development. The facility will prepare students and researchers with the high-precision skills needed to support advanced semiconductor production.
Advancing U.S. leadership in semiconductor and quantum technologies is essential not only for economic competitiveness, but also for national security. Investments like this reinforce the NY SMART I-Corridor’s position as a nationally significant hub for advanced manufacturing, research excellence, and workforce development. These efforts help ensure the next generation of semiconductor innovation is designed, built, and scaled in 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.
Federal Leaders’ Support Critical to Securing Investment
“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. 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,” said U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer. “With this new investment and the recent groundbreaking of Micron’s megafab in Clay, it is becoming clearer every day that America’s road to semiconductor leadership runs through Central New York.”
“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,” said U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand. “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,” said U.S. Representative John Mannion. “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.”
To learn more about semiconductor innovation and collaboration opportunities across the NY SMART I-Corridor, get connected here.
