Industry veteran will oversee the development and implementation of nonprofit’s research agenda to strengthen U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology
WASHINGTON, D.C., October 8, 2024 — Natcast, the purpose-built, non-profit entity designated by the Department of Commerce to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) established by the CHIPS and Science Act of the U.S. government, today announced the addition of industry veteran Dr. Robert Chau to its senior leadership team. Dr. Chau joins Natcast as senior vice president of research, where he will collaborate with NSTC members and government partners to develop, implement, and manage Natcast’s research and development agenda to strengthen U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology.
“Robert’s extensive experience and expertise leading both national and international semiconductor research initiatives will be a driving force behind Natcast’s mission to extend U.S. leadership in semiconductor R&D,” said Deirdre Hanford, CEO of Natcast. “His deep knowledge in semiconductor technology development and the industry will inform our research agenda and efforts to accelerate the pace of U.S.-based semiconductor innovation and develop technologies to address some of the world’s biggest challenges. We couldn’t be more excited to have him on board.”
Dr. Chau joins Natcast after spending 36 years in semiconductor R&D at Intel Corporation, where he was promoted to Intel Fellow in 2000 and to Intel Senior Fellow in 2005. From 2014 – 2022, Dr. Chau was the general manager of Intel Components Research group responsible for driving Intel’s internal semiconductor and packaging research and external R&D engagements. In 2022 Dr. Chau relocated from the U.S. to Europe to become the director of Intel Europe Research. In this role, he was responsible for establishing Intel’s semiconductor R&D infrastructure across Europe and expanding its partnership with the European R&D ecosystem to develop enabling innovations for Moore’s Law extension and future advanced microelectronics.
“I am honored to join Natcast at such a critical juncture for the U.S. semiconductor industry,” said Dr. Chau. “We have a unique opportunity to drive groundbreaking research and innovation that will reinforce America’s global leadership in semiconductor technology and strengthen our national security and economy. I look forward to working closely with my Natcast colleagues, NSTC members, and partners across the semiconductor ecosystem to develop technological advancements that will have a positive and lasting impact on our country and the world.”
Dr. Chau holds more than 480 issued U.S. patents on semiconductor device and process technologies. He is also the recipient of numerous semiconductor industry awards, including several SEMI awards and the 2012 IEEE Jun-ichi Nishizawa Medal. Dr. Chau is an IEEE Fellow and an elected member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering.
Learn more about Natcast’s current and future R&D programs at Natcast.org/research-and-development.
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ABOUT NATCAST
Natcast is the purpose-built, non-profit entity designated by the Department of Commerce to operate the National Semiconductor Technology Center (NSTC) established by the CHIPS and Science Act of the U.S. government. The NSTC is a public-private consortium dedicated to semiconductor R&D in the United States. It convenes the U.S. government, allied and partner nations, and organizations across the semiconductor ecosystem—including academia and businesses of all kinds—to address the most challenging barriers to continued technological progress in the domestic semiconductor industry, including the need for a capable workforce. The NSTC reflects a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the U.S. to drive the pace of innovation, set standards, and re-establish global leadership in semiconductor design and manufacturing. Learn more at natcast.org.