BRIDG Monthly Newsletter | August 2019
FROM THE CEO
Proposals, proposals, proposals. That sums up the life of the BRIDG team over the past several weeks. While writing proposals can seem unexciting, we are very excited to see federal opportunities moving forward.

We set out on a path more than two years ago to raise awareness of BRIDG’s unique infrastructure and how it can address the national security challenges facing our nation as a result of industry globalization centered around semiconductors. Our efforts included connecting with bipartisan allies from the Florida congressional delegation and colleagues from many federal agencies—including the White House Office of Science and Technology, the Department of Energy, the Department of Commerce and more than a dozen organizations within the Department of Defense. We continue to work closely with these agencies, throughout federal leadership transitions and realignments of responsibilities, to impress upon them the opportunities that exist to leverage BRIDG to accomplish their respective missions.

Thanks to the tireless work of our Florida delegation to ensure that federal appropriations are in place enabling the creation of programs strengthening the United States defense industrial base, along with the efforts of our partners at TechVision 21 who work continuously to help maximize our federal outreach, the requests for proposals are flowing.

The value of these contracts to the long-term success of BRIDG far exceeds the dollar value of the initial contracts, as each contract enables us to develop and demonstrate the capabilities that many of our industry partners are counting on. These opportunities truly form the foundations of our future business. There is still a long way to go as we work to prove our value and secure the steady flow of contract work, but we are definitely seeing progress.

As we focus on these federal opportunities, we are also in the midst of expanding into our new office building. In addition, we are ecstatic to welcome our new neighbors – the students and faculty of NeoCity Academy – officially to NeoCity. Institutions such as NeoCity Academy play a key role in supplying the talented workforce that our longstanding success depends on. We are beyond inspired by these students and faculty to work smarter and harder to ensure that the opportunities will be there for these students when they are ready to enter the workforce.

Be sure to check out the stories in this month’s newsletter surrounding our move and the transformational collaboration between the School District of Osceola County, the University of Central Florida, BRIDG and imec that is redefining how STEM-based education is delivered. And in case you missed it, here are links to recent media coverage of NeoCity Academy featured on WFTV by Jamie Holmes and in the Orlando Sentinel

We hope that you will join us as we build the future here at NeoCity!

Chester Kennedy
CEO
HOT OFF THE PRESS
BRIDG Licenses CBRAM Technology
In collaboration with Arizona State University (ASU), BRIDG recently acquired licensing access to Conductive Bridging Random Access Memory (CBRAM) technology. Now being commercialized and offered by BRIDG, this ultra-low-energy data storage technology for computers achieves substantially lower energy consumption, enhanced performance, and reduced cost compared to current technologies. 

Discovered in the 1990s by Dr. Michael Kozicki, a professor in ASU’s Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, CBRAM is a revolutionary non-silicon memory technology. A leader in solid state electronics and nanoionics research, Dr. Kozicki was one of the first scientists to recognize the potential advantages of such technology and later develop, demonstrate, and patent the technology. 

“CBRAM technology holds significant promise for artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, in-memory computing, and internet of things applications,” said Dr. John J. Callahan, BRIDG vice president of technology. “We are excited to partner with Arizona State University, and Dr. Kozicki to bring this technology to the market.”

Licensing CBRAM technology enables BRIDG to manufacture ReRAM and PUF technology on a non-exclusive basis, offering new opportunities to an expanded customer base.
RECENT EVENTS/OTHER NEWS
Moving Day Has Arrived!
August ended on a great note as we are finally moving into NeoCity’s brand new Class A office building located directly next to the BRIDG fab. We are excited to begin this phase of our journey as staff gets settled into the new work environment. Our previous office spaces located within the fab building will be reconfigured to provide additional and much-needed laboratory space. Take a look at the photos below for a glimpse into our new space!
NeoCity Academy Ribbon Cutting
Congratulations to our partners at NeoCity Academy on their ribbon cutting ceremony! As Florida’s first net-zero school and the 5th school in North America to be designated SMART exemplary, the opening of the new project-based STEM magnet high school represents a wonderful achievement for the School District of Osceola County and the entire Central Florida region. We are proud to play a role in the education of Osceola County’s young innovators as we work with our newest NeoCity neighbors to introduce students to the semiconductor industry.
Smart Sensors, Research, Manufacturing and IoT Applications Workshop
Once again, BRIDG joined the Florida chapter of the International Microelectronics, Assembly and Packaging Society (IMAPS) to host its third annual Advanced Technical Workshop and Tabletops event entitled “Smart Sensors, Research, Manufacturing and IoT Applications” at BRIDG. Co-chaired by Dr. Amit Kumar (Associate Director, Technology Development & Device Integration, BRIDG) and C. Mike Newton (Director of Electronic Packaging & Cyberfacturing Center, nScrypt Inc.), the workshop featured technical discussions ranging from healthcare to agriculture—including presentations by BRIDG VP of Technology, Dr. John J. Callahan, and BRIDG Director of Strategic Alliances, Dan Holladay. Students were also invited to present at a student poster session during the event. Congratulations to the winners of the poster session: Jose Solis Camara, Seng Loong Yu, and Carlos R. Mejias-Morillo. 
Military, Defense, & Veterans Opportunities Summit
BRIDG CEO Chester Kennedy recently joined an esteemed group of panelists at the Military, Defense & Veterans Opportunities Summit to discuss the relationship between microelectronics infrastructure and national security during the “Economic Engines for Florida’s Future: The Military, Defense & Homeland Security Marketplace” panel session. This special event focuses on the importance of building the defense ecosystem in Florida while creating opportunities for veterans of all skill levels. Thank you to the Florida Chamber Foundation for the opportunity to participate!
Give Kids the World
Our BRIDG staff and family continue to support and dedicate time as volunteers at Give Kids the World, an 84-acre, nonprofit “storybook” resort in Central Florida where children with critical illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free vacations. Stationed throughout the resort, we all joined together to help make a difference in the lives of each child visiting GKTW—whether they were enjoying the carousel, eating dinner at Katy’s Kitchen, or dancing in the Winter Wonderland parade. We look forward to volunteering with this wonderful organization again soon!
 
If you are interested in learning more about Give Kids the World or volunteering, click here.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Synapse Orlando | October 18, 2019
Mark your calendars to attend 2019 Synapse Orlando, where companies, founders, artists and performers from across the region will gather to celebrate innovation in the Orlando region. Click here for more information or to register.
BRIDG is located at NeoCity, a 500-acre master planned development strategically positioned in Central Florida, in the heart of Osceola County.