The U.S. economy is heavily powered by the tech industry, which relies on semiconductor chips to run everything from smartphones to data centers. Although most of these chips are designed in the United States, they aren’t manufactured here—close to 90% are imported.

Tawny Olore is working to change that. As CEO of the Florida Semiconductor Engine, she leads one of ten regional hubs funded by a two-year, $15 million grant from the National Science Foundation.

Half of the funding supports research and development through five key initiatives. These include advancing hardware security, creating 6G chips for future wireless networks, and developing cryogenic superconducting chips tailored for artificial intelligence and high-performance computing.

The remaining funds focus on building a skilled workforce to support a domestic semiconductor industry. One example is a new Associate’s Degree program in semiconductor engineering at Valencia College, developed with the Engine’s support. Set to welcome its first cohort this fall, the program will prepare students to work in cleanroom environments and manage the precision tools essential to chip fabrication.

“That part is just as critical as the flashy R&D projects,” Olore emphasized. “You can’t bring back manufacturing without people ready to fill those roles.”

Stay tuned.

IBM Reaches Key Quantum Computing Breakthrough

Earlier this month, IBM unveiled its strategy to deliver a “fault-tolerant” quantum computer by 2029—one capable of solving real-world problems with minimal errors caused by quantum instability. A central challenge, according to Jamie Garcia, IBM’s director of algorithms and partnerships, is identifying business applications where quantum computing can make a tangible impact.

One promising area is pharmaceutical innovation. Since 2023, IBM has partnered with biotech leader Moderna to explore new methods for predicting the 3D structure of messenger RNA (mRNA), a molecule central to Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine and other experimental treatments.

mRNA instructs cells to produce specific proteins, but there are countless ways to encode the same protein. For the Covid vaccine, over 10^623 possible sequences exist. Beyond the code itself, the physical arrangement of the sequence influences the molecule’s stability, dosage efficiency, and effectiveness as a therapeutic—factors that hinge on its final folded shape.

“This is a massive combinatorial optimization problem that grows exponentially,” Garcia explained. Classical computers would take hundreds of years to analyze all configurations, even with AI assistance, because they process options sequentially. Developers are forced to rely on simplified models. Quantum computers, however, can evaluate multiple configurations simultaneously, enabling more accurate predictions.

Using quantum algorithms adapted from financial modeling, IBM and Moderna successfully predicted the structure of an mRNA strand about 60 nucleotides long—the upper limit of what traditional computers can handle. While still shorter than therapeutic sequences, Garcia says this milestone proves the concept. As IBM scales up its quantum systems, it expects to model increasingly complex RNA structures.

“We’re thrilled with these early outcomes,” she said. “And we’re confident that with next-gen algorithms, we’ll keep advancing our ability to solve RNA-related challenges.”

DISCOVERY OF THE WEEK: MATERIAL THAT DETECTS AND REMOVES ‘FOREVER CHEMICALS’

Scientists at the University of Utah have developed a new zirconium-based material capable of capturing and removing Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from water. PFOA is part of a group of synthetic compounds known as “forever chemicals” due to their persistence in the environment and links to cancer. The new material not only binds to PFOA but also emits light upon contact, providing a visual signal that contamination is present. Additionally, the material can be reused—PFOA is stripped off using standard industrial processes. This dual functionality makes it a powerful tool for both cleaning water and monitoring pollution, according to lead researcher Rana Dalapati.

FINAL FRONTIER: SOUTH KOREA AIMS FOR A LUNAR BASE BY 2045

South Korea’s space agency has revealed ambitious plans to establish a permanent base on the Moon by 2045, The Korea Times reported following a recent public briefing. As part of the roadmap, the country intends to develop independent human spaceflight and lunar landing capabilities by 2040, laying the groundwork for sustained lunar exploration.

WHAT ELSE I WROTE THIS WEEK

In my other newsletter, InnovationRx, Amy Feldman and I explored Sarepta’s clash with the FDA over its gene therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, the agency’s newly appointed top drug official, a novel cancer-fighting strategy from a biotech firm, a startup’s AI-powered therapy chatbot, and more.

SCIENCE AND TECH TIDBITS

Astronomers have spotted a mysterious object in the outer solar system that orbits the Sun in a rare 1:10 resonance with Neptune. Roughly 56 miles wide, it completes one orbit for every ten of Neptune’s—despite being separated by millions of miles. This precise orbital harmony has never been observed before.

Scientists at the University of California, Riverside have identified a method to repair DNA damage caused by environmental stressors, a discovery that could one day help prevent conditions like arthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.

An estimated 10 million people worldwide are infected with HTLV-1, a virus linked to severe inflammatory disorders and certain cancers. Currently, there are no treatments or vaccines. But new mouse studies suggest that existing HIV medications may help block both transmission and disease progression.

Urban noise pollution remains a major city nuisance, but Swiss researchers may have a fix: a new mineral foam that absorbs street noise more efficiently. At just a quarter of the thickness of traditional sound barriers, it’s easier to install and highly effective.

PRO SCIENCE TIP: 7,000 STEPS MAY BE ENOUGH

The widely cited goal of 10,000 steps a day for good health can feel out of reach, especially for those with desk-bound jobs. However, a new meta-analysis suggests that 7,000 steps may offer similar benefits. After reviewing 57 studies across more than ten countries, researchers found that walking about 7,000 steps daily significantly lowers the risk of dementia and type 2 diabetes, among other health gains. While more steps aren’t harmful, the biggest improvements occur up to 7,000—after that, the benefits plateau.

WHAT’S ENTERTAINING ME THIS WEEK

This month marks the 100th anniversary of the Scopes “Monkey” Trial, where teacher John T. Scopes was convicted for teaching evolution in violation of Tennessee law. To mark the occasion, I watched Inherit the Wind, Stanley Kramer’s cinematic adaptation of the play based on the trial. It’s a gripping courtroom drama that remains strikingly relevant, powered by Spencer Tracy’s commanding performance as defense attorney Henry Drummond. The film is currently available on Amazon Prime.

MORE FROM FORBES

ForbesSouth Park’s Creators Are Now BillionairesBy Matt CraigForbesHow Jeffrey Epstein Got So RichBy Giacomo TogniniForbesChicago’s Kumiko Named World’s Best Bar At 2025 Spirited AwardsBy Michael Solomon

The above is the detailed content of The Prototype: Bringing Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing Back To The U.S.. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!