Northern Arizona University Opens New Semiconductor Lab
The facility provides students with 5-nanometer structural testing capabilities to support Arizona's growing chip workforce.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Semiconductors
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Northern Arizona University has officially opened the Microelectronics Processing and Characterization Testing (MPaCT) lab in Flagstaff. The facility aims to train students for the semiconductor workforce by providing access to specialized research infrastructure.
Why it matters
The lab addresses local workforce shortages within Arizona's growing semiconductor sector, which has seen $205 billion in investment since 2020. This facility provides students with hands-on training using industrial-grade instrumentation to prepare for projected job openings.
The facility houses more than 35 advanced instruments capable of observing device structures at the 5-nanometer scale. This measurement capability is the first of its kind on the Colorado Plateau.
The players
Northern Arizona University
A public research university providing education and workforce training programs in Northern Arizona.
Arizona Commerce Authority
The state's economic development organization responsible for managing investment and workforce initiatives.
The details
The MPaCT lab functions as an experiential learning hub where students apply classroom theory to real-world hardware. By utilizing these instruments, students perform structural analysis on components at 5 nanometer dimensions—a scale common in modern logic chips. This process mimics industry-standard characterization workflows, allowing students to identify defects and verify physical parameters of microelectronic devices.
Timeline
October 2024: The Arizona Commerce Authority awarded training funds to Northern Arizona University.
October 2026: The MPaCT lab opened its doors for student instruction.
The Tech Race
This facility aligns with state-wide efforts to support 25,000 projected new jobs in the semiconductor sector. It marks a departure from centralized coastal training hubs by establishing advanced microelectronics infrastructure in Northern Arizona.
Students at Northern Arizona University can now access industry-grade characterization equipment for coursework and research. This change creates a direct pipeline for local students to enter the state's expanding high-tech workforce.
The takeaway
The MPaCT lab provides an essential training bridge for students entering Arizona's chip manufacturing corridor. Future milestones will include the first cohort of graduates trained on the facility's 5-nanometer structural testing equipment.
Further reading
For broader trends in regional chip manufacturing, explore our latest coverage in Semiconductors.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AZfamily.
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