Albany NanoTech to become flagship for semiconductor research
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Albany NanoTech has reached a final agreement to become the first flagship facility of the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC), U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer announced on Wednesday. The research facility will be named the NSTC EUV Accelerator.
According to a press release from Schumer’s office, the Albany NanoTech facility will become the national headquarters for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) research and development. EUV technology, which is used to print patterns and make chips on wafers that power smartphones, computers, vehicles and more, is central to the semiconductor industry as well as some of the most advanced machinery in the world, like artificial intelligence.
“With the final agreement in place, Albany NanoTech and Upstate NY has secured its future as the epicenter for America’s semiconductor research,” Schumer said in the press release.
The semiconductor research facility was first announced by New York State Governor Kathy Hochul in October 2024. She had also reported that the federal government invested $825 million in the project after years of advocacy by Schumer. In his efforts, the senator also secured $4.7 million from the National Science Foundation and, with the help of Hochul in 2023, announced a $10 billion public-private investment at Albany NanoTech.
Now that the arrangement is finalized, officials have high hopes for the NSTC EUV Accelerator. In addition to advancing EUV and semiconductor research, Schumer explained that the facility will drive economic growth in the state by creating new, high-paying jobs and drawing in millions of dollars in future investments.
Officials are also eyeing industry leaders from Micron, IBM, GLOBALFOUNDRIES, Applied Materials, Tokyo Electron and ASML to bring in for future research. Additionally, Schumer has met with other countries, like South Korea, Japan and Belgium, to discuss investment and collaboration opportunities and secure partnerships.
“Historic breakthroughs researchers today cannot even fathom are going to happen in Albany thanks to this federal investment,” Schumer said. “America’s national security, our technological future, and our economy all rely on our country being able to produce the most cutting-edge chips."
The NSTC EUV Accelerator at Albany NanoTech is one of three planned major NSTC facilities and the first to have the agreement finalized. The other two facilities are planned to be in California’s Silicon Valley and in Phoenix, Arizona.