STERLING, VA -- A collaborative effort between iNEMI and the MIT Microphotonics Center is one of the first projects to receive funding under the new NIST Advanced Manufacturing Technology Consortia (AMTech) Program. The joint project was one of 19 grant recipients announced last week under the new NIST program, and the largest grant awarded.

AMTech allocated $539,990 for the iNEMI / MIT Consortium for Integrated Photonic Systems Manufacturing for a 19-month program that will address the technology gaps and challenges limiting the advancement of hardware technology for use in integrated photonic system manufacturing. As outlined in our joint proposal, CIPSM will establish a community of academics, technologists and companies to define gaps and roadblocks for an integrated photonic technology roadmap and build a common manufacturing platform for cost-effective, high-volume manufacturing.

The new AMTech Program and CIPSM are both excellent examples of how government, industry and the academic research community can leverage resources and knowledge for the greatest impact.

Former iNEMI CEO Jim McElroy will serve as the Executive Director of CIPSM, with iNEMI Senior Consultant Robert C. Pfahl Jr. and Lionel C. Kimerling, the Thomas Lord Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at MIT and director of the MIT Microphotonics Center, as co-directors. We will begin setting up the structure to manage and deliver all required aspects of this program immediately, working toward the June 1 launch date. Please watch our website for details.