University of Arkansas Breaks Ground on Multi-User Silicon Carbide Research and Fabrication Facility

The University of Arkansas broke ground in August of 2023 on the $36 million Multi-User Silicon Carbide Research and Fabrication Facility (MUSiC) in Fayetteville. Located in the Arkansas Research and Technology Park, the 18,660-sf building will produce microelectronic chips made with silicon carbide, a powerful semiconductor that outperforms basic silicon in several critical ways. The next-generation structure will enable businesses of all sizes, academic institutions, and the Department of Energy’s national laboratories to prototype with silicon carbide, a capability that does not presently exist elsewhere in the United States.

Designed by Tsoi/Kobus and Wittenberg Delony & Davidson Architects, MUSiC will accelerate technological advancement by providing a single location where chips can be developed, prototyped, tested, and fabricated. Featuring 8,000 sf of cleanroom space, the transformative project will also accommodate education and training programs to prepare the next generation of engineers and technicians for careers in semiconductor manufacturing. Whiting Turner is the general contractor for the facility, which is slated for occupancy in January of 2025.