Boise State to Launch RAVEN Microelectronics Center
The $2.7 million facility will research 2D quantum material sensors for autonomous aircraft starting in October 2026.
Updated on Oct. 15, 2026 in Quantum Computing
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Boise State University is set to launch the RAVEN Center for Extreme-Environment Microelectronics this October 2026. This project establishes a shared facility for researching sensor technologies designed for uncrewed aircraft.
Why it matters
The center aims to overcome hardware limitations in processing massive data streams from autonomous aircraft by utilizing power-efficient 2D quantum materials. This initiative seeks to decrease reliance on vulnerable data links for remote field operations.
The 15-month project leverages a 2D metalorganic chemical vapor deposition reactor to integrate advanced optical metrology and direct-write sensor printing. These methods enable the creation of low-power alternatives to conventional computing hardware.
The players
Boise State University
An academic institution focused on material science research and regional workforce development in Idaho.
Air Force Research Laboratory
The primary military organization leading scientific research and technology development for aerospace applications.
The details
The facility will develop sensors that utilize two-dimensional quantum materials, which are thin-film structures with unique electronic properties that function at atomic-scale thicknesses. These sensors allow for on-board data processing that bypasses the need for high-bandwidth, vulnerable external data links common in standard uncrewed systems. The infrastructure includes a mobile autonomous testbed designed for field-level deployment and testing in extreme environments.
Timeline
October 2026: The RAVEN project begins operations.
The Tech Race
This development aligns with the Air Force Research Laboratory's strategic efforts to harden autonomous hardware for contested environments. It expands regional research capacity to compete with national initiatives focused on low-power, edge-computing sensor arrays.
Students at Boise State will gain hands-on technical experience through the NSF Research Experiences for Undergraduates and McNair Scholars Program. The facility will also serve as a hub for government and industry researchers to test autonomous sensor hardware in real-world scenarios.
The takeaway
The RAVEN center serves as a crucial benchmark for integrating atomic-scale sensors into mobile aerial platforms. Watch for initial equipment qualification results in early 2027 to see if 2D material performance meets operational power requirements.
Further reading
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