Governor Greg Abbott has announced a $4.8 million grant from the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund (TSIF) to the Texas Quantum Institute (TQI) at The University of Texas at Austin. The funding will be used to establish QLab, a quantum-enhanced semiconductor metrology facility in Austin.
“Texas is the new frontier of innovation and UT Austin is where world-changing discoveries in quantum research and development are being made,” said Governor Abbott. “Through this TSIF grant, QLab will acquire state-of-the-art instrumentation that will be used to advance semiconductor manufacturing in Texas by leveraging new developments in quantum science and technology. Texas will continue to lead the nation with quantum leaps into the future.”
The new QLab facility aims to support both the semiconductor sector and emerging quantum industries in Texas, as well as academic research efforts. Metrology, which involves precise measurement techniques critical for semiconductor manufacturing at atomic scales, will be a focus area for QLab. The facility will be managed by TQI alongside other UT Austin research entities such as the Microelectronic Research Center, Texas Institute for Electronics, and Texas Materials Institute.
“The Texas Quantum Institute is grateful for the continued support of the State of Texas and UT Austin,” said TQI Co-director Elaine Li. “Metrology has been identified by the U.S. Department of Commerce as the key enabling technology for the semiconductor industry. This investment from the TSIF will empower UT Austin to advance metrology tools that can be applied to address critical challenges in the semiconductor industry.”
“This investment gives us tremendous momentum to advance quantum-enhanced semiconductor metrology, driving breakthroughs that will shape the future of both the semiconductor and quantum industries,” added TQI Co-director Xiuling Li.
Senator Sarah Eckhardt also commented on Central Texas’s growing role: “The innovative work of the faculty and researchers at UT Austin has helped make Central Texas a national hub for semiconductor innovation. As quantum technologies continues to transform the semiconductor industry, the QLab will play a pivotal role in positioning our region to capitalize on growth in the semiconductor and quantum industries, including the thousands of high-paying advanced manufacturing jobs that will come with it.”
The TSIF program was established following Governor Abbott’s signing of the Texas CHIPS Act in 2023. The initiative aims to bolster leadership in semiconductor research, design, and manufacturing across Texas institutions and encourage expansion among related companies statewide. The program is managed by the Governor’s Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office through its CHIPS division.
