Gila Herald Staff Reports
TEMPE — On Monday, federal lawmakers announced a $2 million federal investment for Arizona State University (ASU) to pioneer and test new water reuse technologies designed specifically for semiconductor manufacturing.
The grant, awarded through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), was secured as congressionally directed funding by U.S. Senators Mark Kelly (D-AZ) and Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), alongside Representatives Greg Stanton (D-AZ-04) and Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03).
Advancing Sustainable Chip Production
The initiative aims to address a critical challenge facing Arizona’s booming high-tech sector: balancing rapid economic development with responsible water management. ASU researchers will test and validate emerging water treatment technologies at the university’s Macro Technology Works (MTW) facility in Tempe.
The research will take place in two primary phases:
- Phase 1: Researchers will integrate emerging treatment solutions into a mobile, pilot-scale testbed for initial evaluation.
- Phase 2: MTW will validate promising technologies under manufacturing-representative conditions.
Quarterly stakeholder reviews will help determine which technologies advance to full pilot-scale testing, where researchers will measure real-world performance metrics such as water savings, operational efficiency, and overall cost reductions.
Leaders Highlight Economic and Environmental Impact
Members of Arizona’s congressional delegation emphasized the dual importance of sustaining the semiconductor industry while safeguarding local natural resources.
“Arizona is a national leader in chip manufacturing, and we know how to manage water responsibly,” said Sen. Mark Kelly, who previously co-authored the 2022 CHIPS and Science Act. “This investment builds on that leadership by developing water reuse technology, creating good-paying jobs, strengthening American manufacturing, and protecting our water supply.”
Sen. Ruben Gallego added that making semiconductor manufacturing more water-efficient will help Arizona create lasting economic opportunities while remaining a national leader in community-beneficial innovation.
Rep. Greg Stanton noted that the project puts ASU researchers on the front lines of sustainability. “This investment puts ASU’s researchers to work on exactly the right challenge: making sure the industry driving our economic future can grow without straining the water resources our communities depend on,” Stanton said.
Rep. Yassamin Ansari stressed the vital role of water preservation in the state, calling it Arizona’s “most precious and sacred resource” and noting that federal investments in research at ASU will ensure long-term regional resilience.
Commercial Potential
Beyond immediate water savings for semiconductor fabrication plants (“fabs”), the project is expected to generate new intellectual property that can be licensed to commercial startups and established water-technology firms, bridging the gap between academic research and industry deployment.
ASU President Michael Crow expressed appreciation for the federal support, noting that testing water reuse systems in real-world conditions will accelerate commercial adoption.
“By developing and testing promising water reuse technologies in a semiconductor manufacturing environment, ASU can help advance these solutions for commercial use,” Crow said.
