The US Semiconductor Research Hub is funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. Its work is centered on improving the resilience of the global interconnected network of semiconductor infrastructure and mitigating future threats (especially cyber security threats). The hub works to identify critical vulnerabilities in the semiconductor supply chain, develop targeted mitigation strategies and inform on effective investments to enhance resilience. Underpinning this work is the hub’s ongoing effort to build a foundation for continued collaboration between academia, industry, and government leaders.

Semiconductor Research News

New BTPI Report: “U.S. Must Invest in Biomining to Secure Mineral Independence”

The Cornell Brooks Tech Policy Institute (BTPI) has released a new report urging federal action to advance biomining, the use of microorganisms to extract metals from ores and waste streams. The study highlights that critical minerals such as rare earths, cobalt, nickel, and lithium are indispensable for U.S. defense systems, clean energy, and advanced electronics, yet China controls more than 80–90 percent of global refining capacity—creating chokepoints that expose serious national security risks. While biomining offers cleaner, lower-cost processing that can tap low-grade ores and reduce environmental harms, the U.S. remains at the research stage with startups and pilots but no commercial-scale operations, falling behind countries like Chile and Finland. The report’s findings underscore that without stronger federal investment to bridge laboratory breakthroughs into industrial deployment, the U.S. risks losing the opportunity to secure domestic mineral independence and safeguard its strategic resilience. Full report here

Craig Newmark Philanthropies supports BTPI Cyber Test Range

Craig Newmark Philanthropies has awarded the Brooks Tech Policy Institute (BTPI) at the Cornell Jeb E. Brooks School of Public Policy $140,000 to support its Cyber Test Range, which is designed to detect hidden cyber vulnerabilities in critical hardware.

Brooks Tech Policy Institute ‘Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains’ 2025 Research Grant

Cornell Brooks Tech Policy Institute is excited to announce a new grant opportunity to support Cornell students and faculty conducting research at the intersection of technology, cybersecurity, and public policy. We invite proposals from graduate students conducting research on semiconductors and/or semiconductor supply chains. Potential topics include, but are not limited to:

U.S. Semiconductor Research Hub achieves key milestones in securing semiconductor supply chain resilience

U.S. Semiconductor Research Hub achieves key milestones in securing semiconductor supply chain resilience The U.S. Semiconductor Research Hub led by Principal Investigator (PI) Dr. Sarah Kreps within Cornell University’s Brooks Tech…

With DoD grant, Cornell to enhance semiconductor supply chain resilience

The Brooks Tech Policy Institute has received $3 million from the Department of Defense to establish the U.S. Semiconductor Research Hub, which will assess and improve the resilience of the global network of semiconductor…

Project Affiliates:

• Dr. Sarah Kreps
• Dr. Gregory Falco Rogers
• Brett Reichert
• Dr. James Rogers
• Avishai Melamed
• Dr. Jon McCandless
• Ojasvi Rana
• Anna Howley