What an exciting time for BRIDG and NeoCity! One of my favorite authors, Thomas Friedman, says that we are living in the "Age of Acceleration". The story that goes along with that description entails the unprecedented pace of change in technology and innovation that is taking place right now - by most metrics, more rapidly than at any other time in history. I am currently at the largest trade show in the semiconductor industry, SEMICON West 2017, and I can definitely relate to Thomas' description! I can also say with confidence that there is no place in America where the Age of Acceleration is more alive than in Central Florida. BRIDG and NeoCity are key elements of that acceleration, and we are joined by dozens of other exciting examples of innovation and technology evolution across the region. Central Florida innovators are literally changing the global economic fabric of our economy and the way we live through the many examples of out-of-the-box business models around applications of next generation smart sensors. Come join us as we invent the future here at BRIDG in NeoCity - where Neovation is at the core of our life every day!
Chester Kennedy
CEO
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Aurora Semiconductor and BRIDG Form Strategic Alliance
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Aurora Semiconductor, LLC and BRIDG have signed a Letter of Intent to collaborate in the Osceola-based Public-Private Partnership to support the technology development and manufacturing deployment of Aurora’s 4D Heterogenous System in Package (4DHSiPTM) technology.
The unique capability of Aurora’s 4DHSiPTM technology enables the placement of over 100 components in a single package the size of a thumb nail, with the thickness of a credit card. This package can be stacked up to 5 high, containing 500 components and 70 interconnect layers on a heterogenous basis. This is an astonishing reduction in size, weight and power consumption, creating tremendous potential for 4DHSiPTM in markets such as aerospace, interconnect systems, medical, servers, internet of things, smart machines and automotive.
“We are tremendously excited about our strategic alliance with BRIDG. This relationship will provide Aurora with access to the 200mm fab capacity essential for our 4DHSiPTM growth strategy to be fully-optimized economically. It will also enable Aurora to better-network with sources of funding to support the infrastructure necessary to drive 4DHSiPTM into its target markets. We could not ask for a better partner”, stated Gary Breton, CEO of Aurora Semiconductor.
"This latest partnership with Aurora is a perfect example of how the investments made in establishing the BRIDG infrastructure enable business to grow and expand product offerings while building the foundation for more high tech job opportunities in Florida. We are proud to collaborate with Aurora and continue building strategic alliances in support of innovation", stated Chester Kennedy, CEO of BRIDG.
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FACILITY AND WEBSITE UPDATE
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The BRIDG facility is at completion and going through rigorous final qualifications before tool installations begin. While the facility prepares for equipment and process start-up, we have had many site visits from industry, government, and academia from a wide variety disciplines, which has been both challenging and amazing as we explore our expanding potential. With imec Florida now officially onsite at NeoCity, interest and excitement for the future of NeoCity continues to accelerate.
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We are also excited about the new features available on our website at GoBRIDG.com. New information as well as updated details on functional platforms, equipment acquisitions, and facility layout have been added. Also new is the landing page for updates and information on the ISIMM federal grant proposal. Please check out the website as we continue to grow on this inspiring journey.
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Recently, President Trump signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2017, which provided funding to the United States Department of Commerce (DoC) National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) for the remainder of their fiscal year (ending September 30). BRIDG is pleased to announce that the NIST federal grant funding proposal for the Institute of Sensor and Imager Materials and Manufacturing (ISIMM) remains viable and in the running pending available NIST funds for FY2018. As the ISIMM proposal is one of the very few proposed institutes still in the running, we remain optimistic and look forward to the establishment of the 2018 federal budget.
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A CULTURE OF COMMITMENT TO WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
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Workforce development is an important means to creating a talent pipeline to support the anticipated needs of manufacturing. BRIDG is committed to working with local academic and vocational institutions and professional organizations to accelerate the development of an advanced manufacturing workforce. Several recent activities exemplify our efforts in strengthening our national assets by training the next generation of skilled workers:
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SEMI High Tech University’s High School Workforce Development Program
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Last month, several BRIDG staff (including Fran Korosec, Dr. Ankineedu Velaga, Dr. Amit Kumar, and Dr. Gloria Wiens) along with other industry professionals introduced teachers and students to BRIDG and STEM concepts, making classroom to high tech workforce connections. The workshops were a partnership between the Osceola School District and SEMI Foundation’s SEMI High Tech University, the first of its kind in Florida. Students and teachers investigated how high-tech STEM solutions are used to solve real-world problems to enhance student perceptions about STEM and to generate excitement for world-class, high-tech jobs in the local area.
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Jabil Solar and Environmental Test Center (JSEC) toured by BOS Program’s students, BRIDG Mentors/Talent Directors, FloridaMakes Business Advisors and Florida Polytechnic University Vice Provost – Academic Support Services. The tour and presentations by Jabil experts in industry/application-driven innovations on topics such as Jabil’s manufacturing and digital solutions for a wide range of products (flexible hybrid electronics, wearables and solar) further inspired students on the significance of their BOS projects in support of smart sensor and high volume product manufacturing. This first group of students from Florida Polytechnic University are nearing the end of their projects and preparing for a report out to BRIDG leadership and partners.
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Dushyant Sharma (middle) is the first UCF student to join the BOS program. A recent Master of Science graduate from UCF Computer Science program, Dushyant’s activities will be to work on BRIDG – Photon-X projects under the guidance of Dr. Amit Kumar (right), Associate Director, Research and Technology Services at BRIDG. Also welcoming Mr. Sharma is Julio Morris (left), Associate Director, Process Integration at BRIDG.
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In addition to key partners such as UCF, Valencia College has collaborated with BRIDG and other local manufacturing firms to create curriculum to prepare students to fill the talent pipeline. Located within 2 miles of the BRIDG facility, Valencia College opened the Advanced Manufacturing Training Center, which features industry-standard equipment, practical training labs and software simulation to deliver state-of-the-art training for in-demand manufacturing careers. Under the guidance of Dr. Sandy Shugart, President of Valencia College, Valencia now has 34 workforce-related Associate in Science degree programs and various certificate programs designed to train talent for immediate employment in specific jobs or transfer to UCF through the DirectConnect program (valenciacollege.edu). Read more about Dr. Shugart’s workforce initiative at i4 Business Magazine.
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Commissioner Putnam Visit
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Recently, Commissioner Adam H. Putnam, who oversees the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and serves as a member of Florida’s Cabinet, joined Dan Holladay, Executive Director and Adham Elattal, Technician at BRIDG for a site visit and full briefing.
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BioFlorida Chapter Meeting at BRIDG
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On June 28th, the Central Chapter of BioFlorida, the voice of Florida’s life science industry, had a well-attended industry event “Bringing Designs to Life” at the BRIDG facility. Attendees heard from BRIDG CEO Chester Kennedy and three regional companies developing medical technologies about how sensors are transforming the life sciences industry. BioFlorida will host their annual LIFE SCIENCES CONFERENCE in St Petersburg, FL on 10/15-10/17. For more information please visit
www.bioflorida.com.
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Chester Kennedy - 50 Most Powerful, Orlando Magazine, July 2017
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The Orlando Magazine recognized Chester Kennedy as one of their “50 Most Powerful” leaders in the region by acknowledging him as a regional champion of advanced technology impacting future job growth and overall sustainability at BRIDG and NeoCity. Read more here.
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A BRIDG Not Too Far – i4Business Magazine, July 2017
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Central Florida is home to one of the world’s most advanced flexible and adaptable manufacturing research facilities thanks to forward-thinking leadership and the ability to establish and maintain strategic partnerships. Read more about the history of how BRIDG came to be
here.
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Cybersecurity and Vulnerability - ITProPortal, June 2017
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While the Internet of Things (IoT) has many advantages by connecting the world, security risks pertaining to IoT are growing and rapidly evolving. Read more about discussions involving vulnerability detection and safeguards in an article written by Chester Kennedy, CEO of BRIDG,
here.
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SEMICON West, 2017, July 11-13
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From left to right: Dan Holladay (BRIDG), Chairman Brandon Arrington (Osceola County), Jeff Patterson (Foundry Commercial), Elizabeth Godwin (Orlando Economic Partnership), Christina Morris (Osceola County), Ed Schons (UCF/Florida High Tech Corridor Council), and Clarence Thacker (BRIDG).
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BRIDG joined the Orlando Economic Partnership to connect with business and technology leaders, researchers, and industry analysts from across the microelectronics supply chain at SEMICON West 2017 in San Francisco, California, currently taking place July 11-13, 2017. Visit us at Booth #5220.
[Learn more about SEMICON West]
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MACF Membership event July 27
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BRIDG will host the Manufacturing Association of Central Florida (MACF) for a Members-only tour of BRIDG and networking event on July 27. If you are a member of MACF, please register for this fun, informative event.
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BRIDG is located at NeoCity in Osceola County, Florida.
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