ATDF & ACC Seeking Summer Interns for Innovative Nanoscholars Program.

AUSTIN, Texas -- ATDF, the nanoelectronics R&D foundry, and the Austin Community College District (ACC) are offering online applications for the summer session of the Nanoelectronic Workforce Development Initiative (NWDI) - an internship program for college students interested in nanotechnology.

Already in its third class of interns, NWDI was launched in March 2006 to provide training in nanotech R&D at ATDF's leading-edge, Austin fab to 160 Texas students in two-year technical, undergraduate, and graduate studies. The program, funded with a state grant and jointly administered by ACC and ATDF's parent company SEMATECH, has welcomed 72 NanoScholars so far from The University of Texas campuses at Austin and Dallas, University of Houston, University of North Texas, Texas State University, St. Edwards University, TSTC-Harlingen and ACC.

Students interested in the summer session, which begins June 4, are invited to visit www.austincc.edu/nanotech or www.sematech.org/research/nwdi for more information and the opportunity to apply for one of three paid training periods:

* 15 weeks, working 30 hours a week and receiving a net stipend of $6,556.58

* 15 weeks, 20 hours a week and net stipend of $4,371.05

* 26 weeks, 20 hours a week and $7,376.50 in net stipend

Graduating interns describe NWDI experience as a boost to their career preparation. University of Texas intern Cynthia Burham said the program enhanced her understanding and practical skills in the nanotech fields of device physics, thin film fabrication, and interface analysis. "I've also been able to interact with interdisciplinary teams, including SEMATECH engineers and assignees who are experts in cutting-edge technologies," she said.

"Good workforce education is ultimately about arming students with the training and skills they need to get good jobs," said Dr. Hector Aguilar, chair of the ACC District Electronics and Advanced Technologies Department. "This internship allows students to significantly increase their knowledge and skill sets through hands-on participation on real nano-industry projects."

Working technologists at ATDF likewise have benefited. "One of the interns assisted in performance and quality improvements on one of our most critical front-end tools, while another became an extra hand in process development projects," said Dave Dyer, an ATDF technical manager.

Dyer added, "Our overwhelming collective consensus is that the program has been a great success. We have enjoyed a significant advantage to our operations by having the interns here. And we believe the interns have realized great value as well."

Peter Marrone, SEMATECH's project manager for NWDI, said NanoScholars show an average grade point average of 3.4, far above the program's 2.7 prerequisite GPA. He cites the stipends and real-world learning opportunities as important lures for these high-quality students.

"All interns are trained in basic environmental, health and safety standards and procedures," he said. "Additionally, we provide training on cleanroom protocol, standard operating procedures, and manufacturing execution systems for the assigned project areas, along with appropriate tool and process certifications."

After initial training, the nanoscholars work with their manager or mentors on equipment and projects specific to their assigned technical area. "To date, the program has been a great success, with the students doing an excellent job," Marrone said.

About ATDF:

ATDF, a wholly owned subsidiary of SEMATECH, is a leading technology R&D center where research meets manufacturing for semiconductor manufacturers, equipment and materials suppliers, and others. ATDF customers can confidentially test new designs, integration methodologies, and prototype systems while protecting their own intellectual property, and development partners can work closely with one another in a custom manufacturing environment. ATDF also develops baseline processes, accepted industry-wide, that bring new tools and materials to manufacturing faster, at lower cost. More information can be found at www.atdf.com.

About ACC:

Austin Community College is a public, two-year college offering associate degrees and certificates in more than 180 areas at six Central Texas campuses. Serving as the regional leader in workforce training, university transfer and adult access programs, ACC opens its doors each year to more than 65,000 credit and continuing education students who benefit from the College's great faculty and staff. Visit www.austincc.edu for more information.

About SEMATECH:

SEMATECH is the world's catalyst for accelerating the commercialization of technology innovations into manufacturing solutions. By setting global direction, creating opportunities for flexible collaboration, and conducting strategic R&D, SEMATECH delivers significant leverage to our semiconductor and emerging technology partners. In short, we are accelerating the next technology revolution. For more information, please visit our website at www.sematech.org. SEMATECH, the SEMATECH logo, AMRC, Advanced Materials Research Center, ATDF, the ATDF logo, Advanced Technology Development Facility, ISMI and International SEMATECH Manufacturing Initiative are servicemarks of SEMATECH, Inc.